Pit Stop: Baby! (Crescent Cove 4)

She bit her lower lip, dragging it between her teeth in that way that made me crazy. Especially since I’d already been fantasizing about her naked beside the Thanksgiving turkey.

Sort of.

“Why do you need a pole barn? What is a pole barn? Are there different kinds of barns?”

“Yeah, but we’ll discuss that another time. Basically, so I can house cars there as necessary. In case I want or need to take my work home. I’m going into business with my brother. We’re taking over the shop and we’re going to not only keep the cars of Crescent Cove running smoothly, we’re going to make kickass, specialized vintage cars. With all the racing people I know, there’s so much we can do to help them spend their cash on a one-of-a-kind Kramer custom car.”

“You’re going into business with Dare. Here in Crescent Cove. And you want to build a pole barn, at the house you’re going to live at full time. With me and the baby.”

“Yes. Assuming you don’t move into that tent in the backyard.”

“I’d still stop inside for conjugal visits.”

“Well, of course.”

“Especially during the second trimester. I’m not far into it yet, but holy crap. Just looking at you makes me want to pull off my pants right here.”

I swallowed and focused in on her stretchy yoga pants with the little Mickey Mouse heads all over them. A little weird, but she was hot anyway. If I could get turned on by the thought of her beside a dressed bird, I could definitely handle her clad in mouse wear. “We should probably finish talking first, but I’m good with a break if you need one. Just for your benefit of course.”

“Your altruism is truly commendable.” Her throat rippled as she swallowed deeply. “How far away is this house? Since I just kinda found a sleep therapy group where a bunch of us freaks get together and talk out our issues. I’ve only gone once, just today, but I’m hopeful that maybe it’ll help.”

“You’re not a freak.” When she ducked her head, I tipped up her chin. “If you keep calling the woman I love names, I may have to shrink the size of your tent.”

Her laughter was like music. Even better than the classic rock they played after I’d won a race and was standing in the winner’s circle. “It’s going to take some time for me to get there. But I’m trying. I’m really trying.”

“I know you are. I can’t ask for anything more.”

“I can. Say the words.”

“What words?” Then I smiled. “I love—”

“No, not that.” She waved it off as if us loving each other was old news already. “Tell me you’re staying with us. Me and the baby. Forever.”

Somehow my smile even grew wider. “I’m staying.” I tipped my forehead to hers. “Forever and a day.”

She leaned up to brush her mouth over mine, her lips curving. “Now you can tell me you love me again.”

“I love you, Rylee Ford.” I kissed her softly. Sweetly. Then I moved down to lift up her shirt and pressed a kiss to the barely there swell of her belly. “I love you, baby Ford-Kramer.”

Sooner rather than later, I intended to change that last name situation. But one day at a time.

I grinned against her stomach. With my huntress, one minute at a time was plenty.

She sniffled and ran her fingers through my hair, holding me in place. “I love you too. And I don’t have confirmation yet, but I’m pretty sure she loves her daddy right back.”

My chest tightened. “She?”

“C’mon, dude. You know you’re going to be outnumbered in our house. It’s practically a certainty.”

Laughing, I stood up and gripped her hand between both of mine. “I can’t wait.”

* * *