“Yes,” I grinned, barely containing the squeal in my voice. “I can’t wait!”
I wrapped my arms around him and held him close. Once I stopped fighting my feelings I saw that what I had with Memphis was a beautiful thing. Our relationship was as easy as breathing.
His hand continued to rub absentmindedly against my stomach. Peering into my eyes, he said, “You know, this apartment isn’t quite big enough for a baby.”
“I know,” I agreed, nervously biting on a fingernail. I knew I needed a better place to bring the baby home to, but this was all I could afford.
“I have an extra bedroom at my place.” His tone was very persuasive. “It could be yours and the baby’s, or,” his voice grew husky, “it could be the baby’s and you could sleep in my bed.” He ran a finger along my jaw in a light caress. My neck arched and I moaned. I hadn’t told Memphis I loved him yet, but I knew in my heart I did. I wasn’t ready to say the words yet, soon though. We hadn’t had sex either. I knew we both wanted to, but I was making myself wait to progress things to that point. In the past, that’s what all my relationships had been based around—even with Caelan—and I wanted things to be different with Memphis. However, my patience was wearing thin. I wanted him.
“I-I-” I stuttered as his fingertips skated over my exposed collarbone. I didn’t know how he could fill my body with want by one simple touch or glance. He was a freakin’ magician—the panty magician, because I was about to throw mine across the room and beg him to take me right here. But then I gathered my senses and told myself to calm down. It wasn’t time. I wanted it to be different with him, romantic. I didn’t want it to be a clash of lips and limbs. I think that this was the first time I’d ever craved slow, sweet love.
Memphis was a miracle worker.
“I need to think about it.” I gasped, finally finding my voice.
“Don’t take too long,” he murmured as his lips ghosted down my neck. “The baby will be here before you know it.”
“I know,” I whispered.
He released me and pointed to his face. “I better finish shaving.”
“Too bad you’re lopsided now.” I smiled wryly and reached up to caress his smooth cheek. “I like you with some stubble.”
“Is that so?” He chuckled. “I’ll stop shaving then.”
I laughed under my breath as he retreated to the bathroom. I was ready to go, so I sat down to wait. Normally, Memphis waited for me, but I was so excited to find out the gender of my baby that I’d been ready for hours.
Memphis walked out of the bathroom dressed in a pair of dark khaki cargo pants and a white v-neck shirt. “You look nice,” I grinned, looking him up and down.
He chuckled huskily and grabbed his wallet off the dresser and put it in his back pocket. “I thought maybe we could have a picnic in the park after your appointment.”
“That sounds great.” I meant it too. Normally, that would have been something I would’ve frowned at—anything overly romantic gave me hives—but not anymore.
He looked at his watch. “We better head out.”
He was right. This was one appointment I didn’t want to be late to.
I twitched with excitement the whole drive to the hospital. Memphis eventually grasped my hand to cease my movements.
I was a buzzing bundle of nerves by the time I was called back to the room to wait.
My doctor believed that Memphis was the father of my baby. Neither of us had bothered to correct her. It was easier not to. Besides, Memphis had proven himself to me and I believed him when he said he wanted to raise my child as his own.
I held my breath as I waited for my doctor. I had no preference over whether my baby was a boy or girl, but I was desperate to know.
“Breathe.” Memphis rubbed his hand soothingly up and down my back. “You’re going to pass out if you keep holding your breath like that.”
I let my breath out with a gust. “Sorry,” I smiled sheepishly. “I hate waiting.”
“Me too,” he chuckled, pulling up a chair and holding my hand as he sat down beside me.
We both fidgeted nervously, our eyes on the clock as we waited for my doctor. It always took awhile for her to come back to my room, but this time it seemed to take even longer.
When she finally came in, I asked, “Can we speed up this process?”
She laughed. “Someone’s excited.”
“We both are,” Memphis added.