Waking Kiss (BDSM Ballet 1)

“I gave you so much, Ash. So whatever. Maybe I forgive you someday, but not now. No.”

At those words, tears filled her eyes. She jumped to her feet and stalked from the room.

Liam sighed, sliding down onto the couch. “Very nice. Making a pregnant woman cry. I hope you’re proud of yourself.”

“What did I say?”

“What did you say? God, you’re an idiot.” Liam snatched away his beer. “I would make you go apologize to her, but that would probably upset her more. Plus the pregnancy hormones are making her really erratic and I can’t guarantee she won’t kick you in the neck.” He leaned forward and fixed Ruby in his potent amber stare. “But seriously. If you’re going to keep coming over here, if you’re going to attend the play parties on Saturdays, you’re going to have to cut her some slack. She’s pregnant and it can’t be undone.”

Ruby eyed his friend, noting the subtle tension in his voice. “You and her planned this pregnancy? Or it just happened?”

Liam rubbed his forehead. “It was kind of planned. It kind of just happened. She wants a couple kids, and…” He covered his eyes and kneaded his palms into his eye sockets. “I’m going to be okay with that.”

“You’re going to be, or you are?” Liam’s silence was deafening. Ruby sighed and took back his beer. “Ashleigh is a good girl, you know. She won’t be like your mother.”

“My mother had postpartum depression. Any woman can get it. Ashleigh too.”

“Okay. But if she does, you’ll be there to help. It won’t be the same.”

“I know.” That was all he said. I know. He stood and started toward the stairs. “I better go see if she’s okay.” He turned back to Ruby and gave a regretful half-shrug. “Look, I’m sorry you’re losing your partner. I don’t mean to be a bastard to you, but I’m on Team Ashleigh. I have to be. I’m asking you friend to friend, and I really hope you hear me: Let her go.”

“I will,” he sighed. “I don’t have a fucking choice, do I? But who the hell am I supposed to dance with now?”

“It doesn’t matter who. You’re the best ballet dancer in the world, Ruby. Pick someone. Don’t be a fucking pussy, for fuck’s sake.”

With those words, his friend went up the wide marble staircase to comfort his wife.