Page 96 of King of Ashes

Brigit puts her finger at the corner of her chin as she thinks. “I don’t know. I like Aiden. That’s a boy in my art class.”

Phoenix frowns. “Not a boyfriend, I hope?”

Brigit’s brow furrows. “He’s a boy and my friend… so…”

“Never mind.” Phoenix waves the conversation away. “I’m not ready for this discussion.”

I laugh. “I have a topic of discussion.”

He looks at me. “I’m all ears.”

“It has to do with baby names.”

“I can make a list,” Brigit says.

Phoenix blinks. I see hope and love in his eyes.

“We’ll need it in about seven months.”

“You’re pregnant?” Phoenix almost looks like he can’t believe it’s true.

"A baby?" Brigit squeals, dropping her spoon with a clatter. "I'm going to be a big sister?"

“Yes.”

Without a word, Phoenix rises from his chair and comes around the table, pulling me to my feet and into his arms. "Keira… A baby."

I nod against his chest, relief and joy washing through me. "Are you happy?"

He pulls back just enough to look into my eyes, cupping my face in his hands. "Happy doesn't begin to cover it."

Brigit squeezes between us, wrapping her arms around my waist. "Is it a boy or a girl? When is it coming? Can I help name it?"

Phoenix laughs, lifting her up so we're all at eye level. "One question at a time, Princess."

Growing up, life wasn’t like this. We only ate as a family for business dinners or events. My parents spent little to no time with me.

But things are different now. This child will be born into so much love. The kind of family I always dreamed of giving Brigit. This is the moment I know that Phoenix and I will live happily ever after. The trust is built. The love is deep and pure. His devotion to me and Brigit, and now this baby, is beyond question.

Later that night,we tuck Brigit into bed. The door has barely clicked shut when his mouth finds mine, hungry and insistent. I melt against him, my body responding instantly to his touch. His hands slide down my back, pulling me flush against him.

"Do you have any idea," he murmurs against my neck, "how much I want you every second of every day?"

I thread my fingers through his hair, tilting my head to give him better access. "Oh?”

“And fucking hell… is it wrong to be turned on by the idea of making you pregnant?”

I laugh. “Men are weird.”

“Yes, we are.” He scoops me up and carries me to our bedroom. “Tell me we can still make love.”

“We can still make love.”

He sets me by the bed and kisses me again. But I’m the one feeling frisky. I push him back on the bed and straddle him, undoing his slacks.

“What’s this?” he asks, surprised but happily so.

“I’m turned on too.” I yank his pants and boxer briefs down as he tugs his shirt off. His dick springs loose, thick and long and all mine. I lick my lips.