Page 218 of The Baby Bargain

He runs his fingers along my chin, down my neck, over my collarbones. All the way to the loose neckline of the robe. "I could get used to this."

"Me too." My flush is light. I'm too exhausted for nerves. But then… no, I need to keep that in the back of my head. For a while.

Today is good. It's pure perfection.

Nothing is ruining that.

He cups my cheek with his palm. "You want something to drink? Decaf chai?"

My nose scrunches in distaste. Even if I wasn't pregnant, I wouldn't be drinking caffeine this late, but the decaf chai is so inferior to the original thing. "Maybe the rooibos. No milk."

"You think I don't know that?"

"You drink coffee. What do you know?"

He chuckles. "I'm a philistine?"

"Well… yeah, kinda."

"Harsh." He steps back. Unwraps his towel. Pulls on a pair of boxers.

"Coffee is so strong. It kills your taste buds. You can't appreciate the nuances in flavor."

"Maybe you don't appreciate the nuances in coffee."

People say all these things about how a certain blend has notes of maple or grapefruit or honey, but it all tastes the same. Thick and overpowering. "I'll take your word for it."

"Harsh."

"The truth is."

His smile lights up his eyes. It's such a pretty smile. I want more of it. I want it all the time.

He steps backward. Winks. Turns and moves into the kitchen.

Okay, yes, I do stare at his ass the whole time. I'm only human.

When Chase disappears from view, I move to the dresser. I could go home, but it feels like it's a million miles away. I need pajamas. His t-shirts are too big for me, but only makes them extra comfy.

I find an old Inked Hearts t-shirt. It's adorable. Black with the logo screen printed in hot pink.

I toss it, and a pair of boxers, on the bed.

My eyes go to the mirror. To the robe hanging off my chest.

They're already bigger. My boobs.

I thought it was all the noodles I was eating, but it's not.

They're going to get huge for a while.

Then they'll be gone.

Everything will be different.

It's not just that I'll have a tiny human being to feed, clothe, protect.

It's not even that I'll gain weight and stretch marks and, uh, looseness in certain regions.