I love it because it shows off her growing curves and makes her look sexy as fuck. Also, she’s cute as hell when she’s aggravated and she hates how much I like it.
“You’re enjoying this,” she says and lets out a frustrated growl.
“Of course, I am,” I say as I walk over to her and help her with it.
“This is all Kathy’s fault.”
“Are you going to tell her that?”
“No!” she protests and turns around. “Don’t you dare say that to her either.” I laugh as she turns in the mirror and smooths out the fabric. “This will probably be the only time I get to wear this dress with the rate I’m gaining weight.”
“I hope so,” I say as I come up behind her and put my hand on her belly and kiss her neck.
I rub her there and think about our baby that I know is on the way. She keeps telling me it’s too soon to tell, but we both know it would be nearly impossible for her not to be pregnant after all the sex we’ve been having.
“Are you going to tell me where we’re going tonight?” she asks, turning in my arms and looking at me.
“It’s a surprise,” I say as I kiss her on the nose and then grab my jacket off the bed.
We’ve been home just over a week and we’ve settled in beautifully just like I knew we would. It’s like no time has passed and yet we’re all new at the same time. Mostly we’ve been making love on every surface in this place and against most of the walls. In between we visit my parents and let them feed us until we have to sleep.
It was nice going back to their place with her and talking about old memories. One afternoon we walked through the field to her old house. She was quiet the whole way and when we got there she just stood outside for a while. She said she didn’t want to go in, but I think she might one day. I still forget that the parts of her childhood that didn’t have me in them are hard for her to think about. I don’t want to keep pulling those memories back up, but I think it’s important for her to make peace with her father and what he did.
I heard back from Agent Davis about the trial for Eugene Mass. He said they could use Cami’s testimony and she didn’t have to come to trial, which was a load off my shoulders. I don’t want that piece of shit to ever get the privilege of seeing her again, and the sooner he rots away in his cell the better. We’re both happy to close that chapter of our lives and start the next one, which turns out is happening tonight.
It’s New Year’s Eve and I’ve got a surprise planned for Cami. I know she knows what it is, because how could she not? But it’s a night for new beginnings and I plan on starting this year off right.
“I’ll tell you one thing. We’re going to have dinner in the park,” I say as I take her hand and we walk out of the house.
“The one with the swans?” she asks excitedly.
“Maybe,” I say as I wink at her.
She presses her lips together to keep from saying anything else and I shake my head at how damn cute she is.
We go outside and the black SUV is waiting for us. Normally we drive ourselves around, but for tonight I didn’t want to worry about it. I wanted to be able to have both my hands on her. My house isn’t too far from my parents’ place and it’s nice and quiet. But we’ve talked about getting something bigger once our family begins to grow.
I help Cami in the back and then I get in after her. She’s nervous as she fidgets, but I put my hand over hers to try and help her relax.
“Breathe, Dimples.” She cuts her eyes at me, but then she playfully pokes my side.
We’re on the way when I feel the car take a turn and we go off onto a gravel road.
“What the hell?” I say as I look out the window and begin to see trees go by us.
“What’s going on?” Cami says as she looks out her window.
“I don’t know.” My eyebrows furrow as I hit the call button to the front of the SUV. “Lewis, what’s going on?”
“The east bridge is stuck up in the air because a barge ran onto a sandbar. They’ve got the entire highway shut down on that side of town. I’m trying to take the cut through so we can make your reservation.”
“Shit,” I mutter and look down at my watch.
“I’m sure it’s fine,” Cami says, trying to smooth over my frustration.
We bounce down the road for a little while longer and she lets out a squeak of fright when we hit a pretty big pothole. Just when I’m about to call up to the driver again and tell him to turn around there’s a loud pop and the car comes to a stop.
“Oh no!” Cami cries, and she looks at me in panic.
“Stay here,” I tell her and I open the car door and look out.
The SUV is surrounded by mud and it looks like we’ve run over a pretty big log. I look around and see Lewis coming from the front and seeing the same thing I do.
“We’re going to have to go on foot,” I tell Cami as I jump out and sink down and few inches into the mud.
“Reed, I’m in heels,” she says with panic in her voice. “And it’s cold out.”
“Don’t worry, Dimples. I’ve got you.” I make her put on her coat and then I pick her up and carry her in my arms as I walk through the mud and away from the car.
“We’re just going to leave him there?” She’s got a look of horror on her face and I shake my head.