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“If that’s what you desire then that is what you shall get. Until then, how can I help around the shop?”

I eye him over my half-eaten croissant, watching him carefully. He doesn’t flinch, just waits patiently, his chocolatey brown eyes gleaming with mirth. Does he actually want to help or is he just doing this to butter me up? Either way we do have some heavy bookshelves and boxes that need moving.

“You want to help out around the shop?” I ask for clarification.

“Hell yeah. I want to do anything you need. Run errands, lift heavy shit, pick up your lunch. I am at your disposal.” He leans back and opens his arms wide, presenting himself to me like a present. And what a present he is.

I hum and tap at my chin like a cartoon villain, trying hard to ignore his effortless charm. If he’s offering, I might as well take advantage, right? This way I can find out if he’s being sincere or not and get some free labor in the process.

“You know I could get used to having you at my beck and call, might even abuse my power. You sure you’re up for that?”

His grin only grows wider, and he leans back onto the counter, getting within inches of my face and speaks low and conspiratorially.

“Bambi I am up foranythingyou want.”

I suck in a breath and hold it at his nearness. The last time we were this close we were naked_and probably making the baby in my stomach. Heat blooms between my thighs and the familiar ache of longing and desire burns hot. Fucking hormones making me horny all the time. I can’t completely blame them though; Warren is sinfully hot.

Warren’s eyes flit down to my lips, and I inadvertently exhale, opening my lips to him in a silent invitation. He lickshis bottom lip before rolling it between his teeth and I almost whimper out loud.

Stupid pregnancy hormones.

“So, what do you say Bambi? What would you like me to do?”

Pull down your pants, sit on my couch and let me ride your amazing dick.Wait, shit, no not that. At least not right now.

“There’s a shelf in the back that needs to be moved.” Weakly I point vaguely towards the back of the shop. “If you ask Lauren, she’ll point it out to you.”

“You got it boss. I’m on it. Just let me know when you get hungry again, okay?” He gives me a wink and finally withdraws from the counter giving me space to breathe.

I’m not sure I can survive being the sole focus of Warren’s attention. When we were sneaking around and meeting in secret at night, that was one thing. During the day we acted like we always had. But having him following me around, bringing me food andwinkingat me, right out in public? That’s a whole different ball game that I don’t know how to play.

Warren disappears to the rear of the store calling out Lauren’s name, his massive body hidden by the many shelves of books filling the shop. It’s probably too many shelves to be honest, but I like having a plethora of options. Not to mention all the used books we purchase and find. It’s like a wonderland of paper and ink, each one filled with its own magical story. Fiction is our greatest seller and what comprises the majority of our selection.

If you want a manual on how to disassemble a transmission, look it up on YouTube.The Book Vaultis all about imagination and whimsy. Books should be one of two things: informative or entertaining. I prefer the entertaining ones, so that’s what we stock, and people seem to like it.

For the rest of the morning I work the front counter, checking out customers and fiddling around on the tablet tokeep myself distracted from the glimpses I catch of Warren between the stacks. I may or may not take a few steps to the left to get a better angle of his backside when he flexes to reposition the shelf and lift boxes. As soon as he turns around, I not so slyly avert my gaze, but I’m sure he knows I was watching him. He doesn’t say anything about it though, thankfully.

After one such time he surprises me by appearing at my side behind the counter, instead of safely on the opposite side. He’s so close I can smell his salty sea scent and feel his radiated heat.

Warren turns his body to shield us from Lauren, still working in the back of the store. There are no other customers right now and the only sound is the quiet music playing from the speakers. He faces me and gently places one hand on my stomach. I try to remain calm, not because I’m concerned about him touching my stomach, but because I don’t want to give into him on day one.

The feel of his hand on my belly is comforting and warm. Our son settling at the sensation of his father nearby. It’s strange how after only one meeting he somehow instinctually already knows who Warren is to him. Warren’s thumb rubs small circles and we both watch the movement.

“How are you doing? Feeling, okay? Do you need anything? Should I bring you a chair, or a blanket?”

I giggle quietly at his adorable questions and concern. It’s kind of nice to have someone fretting over me. Warren looks up at me, the cutest quirk in his brow.

“What’s so funny?

“You are.”

“Well, I’m not trying to be. At least not right now. I’m serious Bambi.”

And he is, he’s not joking or goofing around, his face is calm and relaxed as he watches me. I reach up and cup his scruff covered cheek and scratch my nails through the short hair.

“I’m fine Warren. I have a chair and I’m more hot than cold these days.”

My answer seems to appease him, because he smiles and his shoulders relax, but his hand remains on my stomach. Which is barely covered by today’s pair of overalls. I’m going to have to invest in a pair of maternity overalls made with tons of spandex and elastic at this point. Especially since I’ll grow the most in the last trimester.