Stolen Course (Wrecked and Ruined #2)

“Where’s Eli?” I ask, turning to Caleb.

“He went out the back a while ago,” he says, leaning in for another kiss.

“So what do you want to do tonight?” I move over on the couch and lie down with my head in his lap.

“It depends. How are you feeling?” he asks, sneaking a hand down the top of my shirt. Caleb may not talk about the baby, but he takes full advantage of my overly sensitive nipples and increased sex drive.

“Can we watch a movie or something then talk about that? It’s still early.” I pull his hand out of my shirt.

“Sure. What is the shortest movie ever made? I’ll rent that.”

I laugh, and he smiles down at me, licking his lips.

“I love you,” I say, pulling his hand down to my stomach.

I really don’t think too much about the implications until he snatches his hand away like my stomach burned him. I can’t decide if I want to be pissed, hurt, or some wicked combination of the two. Regardless, I know I need a few minutes alone.

“I’ll be right back.” I try to keep myself from running to the bathroom.

I lean against the sink, hating myself for hiding away instead of asking him about it, but I don’t want to hear his answer. I’m insecure right now, and it’s an overwhelming and new feeling for me.

“Emmy, you okay?” Caleb knocks on the door. “You want some ginger ale or something?”

“Nah, I’m fine.” I try to collect myself but give up and decide to confront him instead. I pull open the door and almost run into his chest.

“Hey, you all right?” He looks concerned.

“Why’d you pull your hand away?”

“What?” he asks, but he gives me a fake laugh that tells me that he knows exactly what I’m talking about.

“Start talking or I’m going to bed.”

“It’s weird,” he says sheepishly.

“What’s weird? My stomach? Because that’s going to get a whole lot more weird over the next few months.”

This time he doesn’t even try to hide it—he openly laughs.

“Laugh it up. I’m going to bed.” I push past him.

“Emmy, wait!” He follows behind me. “I just mean that it’s weird that you’re pregnant.”

“Awesome!” I say sarcastically over my shoulder, but I don’t get two steps before I’m plucked off my feet. He swings me up into his arms. I scream and try to fight his hold, but it’s useless. “Put me down.”

“Nope.” He carries me into the bedroom and less-than-gracefully deposits me on the bed. His body quickly covers mine, and I turn my head, anticipating a kiss that I have plans to avoid. “Maybe I didn’t say this the right way. It’s weird that you’re pregnant because I just got you back, and I’m a selfish prick who doesn’t want to share you with anyone. Not even our baby. It’s stupid and childish, but I worry that when he or she gets here it will change things. So right now, I’m embracing just being us, and I’ll worry about the baby later.”

“You don’t have a whole lot of time before later becomes now.” I give him some bitchy attitude.

“Look at you, all pissed off,” he says, laughing.

“Of course I’m pissed off. I’m terrified, and I feel like I’m in this alone,” I admit not only to Caleb but to myself as well.

“You’re not alone, sweetheart.”

“Well it sure feels like that. You don’t talk about the baby—ever.”

“It’s been a month, Emmy. Give me some time to warm up.”

“Where is my time to warm up? My whole life has already changed and it’s just going to change more. What if you realize you can’t handle this? I’m not sure I can do this on my own.” I begin to work myself up into a frenzy.

“Babe, calm down. I’m not going anywhere. I’m going to love that baby more than any human has ever loved before. It’s just going to take some getting used to the idea. This is why pregnancy is nine months long. Assholes like myself need time to adjust. I promise. It will be all right. I love you. You’re it for me, remember?” He places a gentle kiss to my lips that immediately soothes me.

“This is just really hard. I don’t even feel like myself. For the love of God, I can’t stop crying all the time!” I yell, and I know he wants to laugh. I can see it on his face, but like a good man, he keeps it in.

“So what names do you like?” he asks.

I’m positive he doesn’t want to have this conversation right now, but the fact that he is willing to ask for my sake makes me melt into his side.

“Collin for a boy. Laurel for a girl.”

“Humm... Let’s keep thinking on those.” He smirks, and I pinch his chest.

“Thank you,” I whisper.

“Of course.” He places a deep kiss to my lips while dropping his hand to rest on my stomach. “It’s me and you forever, Emmy. Anything else is just a bonus at this point. This is it.” He gives a content sigh.

“This is it,” I repeat back to him.