“Axel?” I question.
He sets the mug down on the coffee table before climbing to his feet. I don’t catch his expression before he wraps his arms around me softly and holds me close. I still can’t judge his mood or feelings about becoming a father. The worry inside me is starting to take root and I feel like I might be sick.
“Princess . . .” he whimpers. His giant body starts to shake slightly under my arms, and I realize he is too overcome with emotions to talk right now.
I hold him and he holds me. I can feel his tears wetting the skin through my shirt. My own are coming freely. He leans back and looks into my eyes, bringing his arms around and wiping his eyes clear.
“A baby? You’re having my baby?” he says in astonishment. “We’re having a baby?” he repeats, a huge smile coming over his face. “We’re going to have a baby!” he booms through the living room and picks me up in a tight hug before spinning me around.
I laugh at his liveliness.
He drops me to my feet again and slams down to his knees, pulling up my shirt and pressing a soft kiss to my flat stomach. Splaying his hands wide across my belly, he whispers to the skin, “We’re going to love you so much, little one.”
I hiccup on a sob and run my hands through his hair. He looks up at me with his bright emerald eyes full of peacefulness and blinding love.
“We’re having a baby.” He wraps his arms tightly around my middle and holds me close with his head against my stomach.
I hold his head to my skin and echo back to him, “We’re having a baby.”
CHAPTER 20
I still can’t believe it. Not only am I engaged to be married, but our baby is growing inside my body. Once Axel was over his shock, we spent the rest of the day in bed, celebrating as he said. I can’t say no to him. He is over the moon, and I want that closeness only he can give me. We fell asleep well after midnight, his arm draped over my stomach, holding my belly with his large hand.
My phone starts buzzing the next morning, reminding me that I set my alarm so I could get up and over to Dee’s before it got too late. Axel and I have plans to go to dinner tonight and celebrate—with clothes on this time.
I lift Axel’s arm off my belly and walk across the room to the bathroom. Pausing to look over at his sleeping form, I see that the dark sheets are riding low on his naked hips. He has one arm over his abdomen and the other stretches out under my pillow. The desire to crawl back in bed and cuddle close is strong, but I need to hurry so I can make my plans with Dee and be home early enough for dinner. Once Dee and I get talking, I know I won’t be home anytime soon.
I pull on my favorite pair of black leggings and an oversized knit sweater. Grabbing my black boots, I walk out of the closet and almost collide with Axel. I look him over from head to rock-hard dick to toe. Good enough to eat.
“You’re killing me, Ax! You know I have to get going before Dee starts knocking the doors down here. It should be illegal for you to look that good in the morning.” I brush my hand down his stomach and grab ahold of his dick, stroking him lightly a few times. “I love how hard you are for me.” I kiss the corner of his lips and step away before he can grab me.
A low rumble sounds from his lips. “You remember this moment tonight when you’re begging me to let you come. Going to keep you right on the edge for hours. Hours, baby.” He swats my butt before walking into the bathroom and turning on the shower. “Call me when you get there!” he yells over the spray of the shower.
“Will do. Love you!”
My phone rings on the way over to Dee’s house. I answer and press speaker before placing the phone back down. “Hey, you! Merry Christmas.”
“Merry Christmas, baby girl.” Greg’s deep voice comes through the line. “Missed you yesterday.”
I feel a little bad about closing our friends out yesterday, but with it being our first Christmas back together, plus one that was so full of special moments for us as a couple, it didn’t feel right to open it up for everyone.
“I know, G. I missed you, too. I’m on the way over to Dee’s house now if you want to come meet us for lunch. I’ve got your gifts in the car. Plus, I’ve got some news for you.” I smile when the line goes silent. I know Greg. Right now he is probably picturing every kind of ‘news’ I could possibly have for him. He might correctly guess one, but there is no way he would guess them both.
“Wouldn’t miss it, baby girl. I got some work to finish up before I head over. Give you and Dee some time to do your thing.”
“Sounds good. I’m glad I get to see you today. I was just telling Ax last night that we needed to have y’all over for dinner.”
“Something tells me Reid didn’t want to share your time, right?”