Page 82 of Bad Bishop

I knew he was disgusted with the baby growing inside me, and I had a feeling he was going to find a creative way to get rid of both of us once I gave birth.

He avoided touching my belly completely when he held me at night, sticking to my shoulders, my rib cage, my waist. As if my midriff was radioactive.

My husband pushed off the doorframe, advancing toward me. “Get dressed. We’re leaving in fifteen minutes.”

“News to me.”

His penetrating gaze told me he did not appreciate me lipping back.

I sighed. “Where are we going?”

It couldn’t be the OB-GYN, because I switched to someone else and booked my own appointment online, so I knew exactly when it was. The prospect of seeing Brandy again gave me the hives. And I didn’t trust myself not to bash her head against the reception desk.

“The shooting range. I’m going to teach you how to use a gun, since not knowing how to use one doesn’t stop you.”

My spine straightened. His words from our wedding night tumbled back into the forefront of my mind.

“If you were a real Callaghan, I’d have taken you to the shooting range to work on that aim. We have a reputation to uphold.”

Did that mean I was a real Callaghan now?

I decided to get dressed and do what I was told for once. I made my way to the walk-in closet in my old bedroom, and Tiernan followed me. We both stopped in front of my messy shelves. When I gave him an annoyed look, he explained, “Can’t wear any frilly pink dresses or tutu skirts. Go for comfy jeans and a tee.”

“Got it. Would you like to watch me put them on?” I asked sarcastically, since he wouldn’t budge.

It was so liberating. Being sassy and daring and…me. Being me. I spent my entire life wondering who I truly was under the facade my mother made me put on. Being the girl she wanted me to be. And Tiernan let me find out who I truly was. As it turned out, I had a bit of a temper.

“Yes.” Simple. Unapologetic. Cold.

Nibbling on the corner of my lower lip, I considered it. He’d already seen me naked at the doctor’s office, and his gaze felt so good on my skin that just thinking about it made me want to moan.

“It’ll be good practice for you. If you ever want to try sex.” He slipped his hands into his front pockets.

“With you?” Butterflies exploded in the pit of my stomach.

“I’m your only option.”

“But I don’t want to do it the way you do.”

“I know.”

His answer was loaded. My heart beat in an uneven staccato.

“So you are saying you are going to take me the way you take other women?”

“No.” He tore his gaze from mine, suddenly exhibiting acute interest in the ceiling. “I’m saying you’re not the only one who’s growing up here.”

I chose a pair of skinny jeans and a tight riding shirt and put them aside as I slowly stepped out of my pajamas. Tiernan stood at the doorway and drank in my every movement. A few weeksago, I’d have a panic attack from the prospect of him being so close to my naked figure. Now, I resented him for not walking over to me and kissing me like in the movies.

Stepping out of my pajamas, I stood before him in nothing but my white cotton underwear. I had a little baby bump. It was small and hard. When his eye moved over me, head to toe, he took his time touching and caressing every inch of my body with his gaze. But when it reached my lower abdomen, his eye skated over it quickly.

I gulped, putting my clothes on. Bitter disappointment exploded on my tongue.

When we slipped into his car, I noticed there weren’t any soldiers with us. I found it peculiar, but not unwelcome.

“Whatever happened to only teaching your real wife how to shoot a gun?”

“Gotta renew my own permit.” He adjusted the rearview mirror. “Figured you could use a class or two.”