Her Paradise

She killed me all day. We were waiting for Cyrus to go and do something all day so I could take the freaking test, but he was stuck to me like glue for most of the day. It wasn’t until he got a call a few hours ago that he finally left me at the bakery where Nikki and I were decorating that I could take the freaking thing. Everything was ready to go, but I still couldn’t stop making small changes, wanting things to be perfect for the grand opening next week.

Liam walks in a moment later. His eyes lock on Nikki right away. “What took you so long?” Nikki pouts as she rushes over to her husband and kisses him. I can’t even make fun of how needy they are for each other. I get it now. Since Cyrus and I have been a “we” I don’t like being away from him for long either.

“I had to make sure the paint was safe for you guys to use while you’re pregnant.” Nikki rolls her eyes but smiles.

“Let’s do this,” I tell them, and we head out. It doesn’t take us long. When we’re done we end up back at the Red Din, the favorite bar around town. The place is busy, but they have the best cheese fries around and that’s worth the crowd.

“Wanna dance?” I ask Nikki, who is bouncing in her seat to the music.

Liam grunts, clearly not liking the idea, but we both ignore him. My question is answered when an old-school Britney Spears song comes on and we are both out of our seats dancing together and laughing. We don’t even make it two minutes into the song and the music cuts off. Before I turn around to look in the direction of the jukebox, I already know who is going to be standing there.

“Fire hazard. Too many people on the dance floor,” Cyrus’s voice booms out. The locals all laugh. I turn and put my hands on my hips to face my husband. God, why does he always look so freaking handsome in his sheriff’s uniform? That thing is like my kryptonite.

I cock my head to the side. “We’re the only ones on the dance floor.” I give him my best sassy voice, which only makes him smile. He drops the plug to the jukebox and starts heading my way.

“Have fun,” Nikki whispers beside me, bouncing off to her husband and leaving me alone in the center of the dance floor.

“You know this is an abuse of power,” I tell him as he comes to stand in front of me, towering over me. He keeps on smiling. “Maybe I’ll have to run against you next election,” I tease. I’d never win. The whole town loves him. Not that I blame them.

“Pretty sure you enjoy the power I wield over you.” My nipples tighten and my mouth falls open. “See, you didn’t even deny it.” Before I can try to, he’s lifting me and throwing me over his shoulder. Hoots and hollers scream out as he carries me from the bar.

“Pretty sure I told you to keep your pretty ass at the bakery until I got back,” he drawls.

“You’re not the boss of me,” I retort. He slaps my ass, making me wiggle. “You should really know by now that doesn’t work as punishment on me.”

“Maybe I just like doing it.” He opens the car door and deposits me inside. “You know how many times I wish I could have done that?” he asks me as he buckles my seatbelt. “Had the right to march in the bar and take what’s mine right out of there?”

“Caveman.” I smile at him.

He leans in and kisses me. “You love it.”

I do. Way more than I should, but I love how possessive he gets over me. Always staking his claim. It makes me get all girly and mushy inside.

“I love you,” I tell him before he’s kissing me again then shutting the door. He goes around the front of the SUV and hops into the driver’s seat, then takes off towards home. My excitement starts to grow the closer we get to the house. I bite my lip to keep from smiling and giving myself away.

He pulls up to the house and cuts the engine. I hear him suck in a breath. “Sunshine.”

I peek over at him. “Sorry I painted over your pink fence,” I lie. I’m not sorry at all.

“Baby.” He’s out of the car before I can blink, pulls me out.

“You calling me baby or you asking if there is a baby?” I smile up at him. He lifts me, and I wrap my legs and arms around him. He glances back over to the fence. Written in paint on it now is:

We’re having a baby!