Page 42 of Dreaming

Taking up a similar position beside him, Hollow said, “The staff raves about the way you are with Nia.”

“I love her.”

“I see that. I do. It makes me happy because no one deserves it more.” He turned to meet Dennis’ eyes. “I’d like to make you an offer. Feel free to tell me to go to hell.”

Tilting his head, Dennis sighed. “Believe me, I won’t hesitate if it’s warranted.”

“Still stinging a bit, are you?” Hollow nodded. “It’s fine. I get that reaction a lot.” Crossing his arms, he said, “I’d like you to function as Nia’s handler when she’s on assignment.”

Frowning, he asked, “What does that mean?”

“When she goes on assignment, even short ones, it takes a full day at minimum to decompress her - to bring her back to the real world. I’d like you to travel with her, be on hand to help bring her back. Your methods worked better than anything we’ve tried.” Hollow chuckled. “If I could duplicate you for my other Tankers, I’d be set.”

“We want…”

“To have a child. I know and I think it’s a great idea. We wouldn’t put her back in rotation until Nia was ready. She could take all the time she needed to spend with the baby. Perhaps, on Nia’s trips, Nellie would be willing to watch her grandchild.”

Silver-gray eyes stared into his. “With a lot of added security, of course. Most of Nia’s assignments are only a few days. Your presence would get her home faster.”

Dennis considered the conversation for a long moment. He whispered, “You-you wanted to put my mind at ease because…you already know something.”

“The staff draws Nia’s blood every few days. Being persistently underground can fuck up hormones and things. Blood is more reliable than urine.”

He smiled. “Nia is pregnant with your child, Dennis. We thought you’d like to be the one to tell her. I know it would mean more to her as excited as she’s been.”

Tears on his face, he said hoarsely, “Whatever you want me to do. Whatever she needs. I-I need her out of that room.”

Smiling, Hollow tapped the glass twice. “Thank you, Dennis. I’ll put you through orientation before you go into the field with Nia. Welcome aboard and congratulations.”

Then he walked rapidly down the hall.

A moment later, Nia left the room and smiled at him. “Did you get bored?”

He shook his head and dropped to his knees in front of her. His face pressed to her belly, he wrapped his arms around her.

Looking up the length of her torso, he told her, “You’re pregnant. You’re pregnant, Nia.”

Her lips parted in surprise. “Really?”

Nodding, he stood and picked her up. She hugged him as hard as she could, crying and laughing against the front of his shoulder.

“Nia, Nia, Nia…” He took her back to her suite and loved her gently all afternoon.

Poor Tildy was not prepared to see Dennis’ naked ass when she entered for her afternoon check on her charge. She screamed, laughed hysterically, and left the room.

Grinning down at Nia, he winked and murmured, “I’m sure it’s a shock in all this fucking white.”

Wrapping her arms around him, she said, “Don’t stop.”

He couldn’t if he tried.

Chapter Fifteen

A few days before Christmas, Dennis packed his bag and Nia’s for the trip home to Chicago.

“Other than your curly hair, you look the way you did the first time I saw you.”

Grinning, she shook her head. He was always building up her ego. She wore a business suit, heels, and sunglasses on top of her head.

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