“What are you up to? Don’t we need to head out?” He nuzzles my neck, trailing hot kisses along as he moves up to rest his chin on the top of my head.
“Uh, nothing?” Dammit, I really need to work on this answering-him-with-a-question crap. He always sees right through my being evasive.
Truth is, I haven’t told anyone that I’m writing this book. I’ve been working on it for so long that I think I always thought it just wouldn’t get finished. Or maybe the fear is what keeps me from telling anyone. It’s a part of me that I’ve kept so close that it almost feels like a betrayal to my mind…as stupid as that sounds. Or if I admit it out loud, then it becomes real—the pressure to do it, to succeed becomes real.
“Sunshine, stop thinking and let me in.”
“It’s, uh… It’s a book I’ve been working on,” I groan, knowing that I sound like a complete fool. I bury my head in my hands and wait for his laughter.
“A book? Damn, that’s astounding babe. Did you just start this?”
I turn around and look at him, the shock and love clear on his face. There is nothing but respect and happiness for me. For me and my dream. I smile so large that it hurts my face, knowing damn well that I must look wonky.
“You okay there?” he laughs, mirth apparent with each word.
“Never been better, baby. Never been better.”
He kisses me with what starts off as one of those sweet kisses I love so much, but it turns quickly into a devouring of mouths.
“Must be one hell of a book if I get this kind of reaction from you.” He smiles down at me, looking so happy that my heart swells.
“It’s nothing,” I nervously groan.
“Don’t do that,” he sternly bursts. “Don’t diminish something that is obviously important to you. Your dreams are important to me. I want to be here to enjoy them, cheer you on, and lift you up. This isn’t a one-man show, sunshine. You there for me and me alone. No, it doesn’t work like that with me. So let me ask you again—what is this book you’re working on?” His tone leaves no room for arguing, and I can see in his eyes that he means it. He wants to be there and he genuinely wants me to tell him.
“I started working on this book idea I had a few years ago. I never thought that I would do anything more than play with it, but the story has been demanding I finish it lately. I don’t know how to explain it. I feel like I need to write it more than I need to breathe. It sounds so silly.” I try to hide my face again, afraid that I might start crying and basket-case Chelcie will come out to play.
“Chelcie, there is nothing about that that sounds silly. I’m so proud of you. It takes serious guts to be able to write something that means that much to you. I hope one day you’ll let me read it.”
“You really want to read it? It’s not like…man stuff. It’s romance, baby.” I place one hand on his solid chest and the other against his cheek.
He turns his head, nuzzling my palm for a second before placing one of his famous sweet kisses against my skin. My whole body swoons from just that alone.
“You bet that sweet ass I want to read it. Come on. We’ll talk about this kick-ass book of yours on the way to the doctor.” He leans in and places a kiss against my stomach before standing up. “Time to figure out if I need to buy stock in Smith & Wesson or Magnum.”
“Oh, God! You’re incorrigible!” I laugh, slapping his hard abs while I stand.
“Come on, woman. Let’s get out of here so I can get you back and strip you naked.”
Chapter 21 – Asher
“What are you thinking about?” Chelcie questions from the passenger’s seat.
God, she looks beautiful. The sun’s hitting her blonde hair, making it look like she’s got a halo around her. She’s got on some tight shirt that puts so much emphasis on her belly. And damn, that belly—she went from hardly showing to popping out overnight. And it’s the most attractive thing I’ve ever seen.
I don’t even know how to explain it. I know the baby isn’t mine, but in my mind, I love him or her just as if it were. Chelcie talked to me the other night about it, her worries that I might not be with her for the right reasons, but I stopped that crazy shit right away. That woman has no clue how much I love her. I never thought I would be capable of this. Never thought that I could trust a woman enough to hand over my heart, my emotions, and play a game of chance. With her, there’s no doubt that this is real.
I fought the feelings I had for her before I even knew that there was a baby. Knowing she’s pregnant, and with Coop’s baby, isn’t awkward or confusing for me. I can separate my feelings. I love them both differently. She’s my reason for getting up in the morning. My reason for knowing that I can get up in the morning. And that baby? God, that baby gives me a little hope. Hope that the world isn’t a giant fucked-up version of Hell. That innocent baby, my brother’s baby, is my blood and I will love it just like it was my own.