Page 27 of The Ranger
“No, I didn’t mean that.”Her cheeks warmed.
“You did,” I challenged.
Cassy went quiet.“I didn’t.But I can see how you’d think that.Cole might feel something back, though.I’ve seen him staring at you.”
“Like I’m in a horror movie.”I shrugged.
Shaking her head, Cassy leaned back in her chair.“You put up these gigantic walls, Scar.Let him in.”
“Um, I did that.”I pointed to my belly.“See what happened.”
All the girls—Savannah, Trina, Briar, Trixie (who is currently living in NYC) and Cassy—have tried to encourage me to open up to Cole.As if a conversation will make him fall in love with me.
I don’t even know if I want that.
God, the sex was amazing, but right now I’m just focused on having this baby.It’s an enormous moment in my life.The last thing I need is to tell the father of my kid I want more and for him to laugh me off.
Just because his dick wants me doesn’t mean the rest of him does.
Everything he says to me is about the baby.Which is good.That’s what I need him to do.The fact that it makes me feel like an incubator is a little annoying, but it’s better than him completely taking no responsibility.
“As I’ve demonstrated, opening up to Cole—in this case my legs—got me into this situation, so thanks for the advice, ladies, but I’m going to take it from here,” I told them, and they backed off.
I glance down at my client and put the last foil into her hair.We’re taking her a little blonder this month, and I just hope I didn’t mess up the color.
Baby brain has been a thing, and I’m obsessed with all the details of this baby arriving.Nesting.I was awake until one this morning searching on Google for a fifteen-inch wicker basket for the baby room.
At the time, it was the most important thing in the universe.Now?God, I wish I’d just gone to sleep.
I also went onto Cole’s Instagram account to see what he was doing after not hearing from him in two days.He doesn’t post often, but when he does, I try to work out if he’s dating.
“There we go.Twenty minutes and Jenna will take you to the basin to rinse.”I pat my client’s shoulder.
“Thanks Scarlett.”She glances up from her gossip magazine momentarily.
I walk—waddle—out the back just as my phone rings.Cole.
“What?”I ask, yawning.
“Good morning to you too, you beautiful ray of sunshine.”His voice is way too chirpy.
He’s driving, and I clench my thighs, remembering the sex dream I had last week where I was straddling the gear stick and came while Cole rubbed my clit.
Damn hormones.
I’m not ashamed.It was a great orgasm, even if I was alone.And that is why fucking him on the weekend was a good idea.Like scratching an itch.Nothing more.
“I’m busy growing a baby; what can I do for you, sperm donor?”
Opening the fridge, I pull out my lunch and rip open the Tupperware cover.
Chicken salad.
“To turn back time, but here we are,” he replies.“Just making sure you remember I’m on assignment this week.I’ll still pick you up on Thursday for your appointment but am unlikely to see you before that.”
Of course I remember.
It’s like he thinks I’m six.
