We laid there, him gliding his hand over my tummy, back and forth, in easy strokes and an even easier silence, for much longer than I normally stayed after my last class of the night. My emotions ratcheted with each effortless second that passed between us—the beauty of being with Nixon had filled me to the brim until I was certain my words and heart would burst at a moment’s notice. I couldn’t deny how I felt about him, despite trying to guard my heart, but I couldn’t allow myself to speak those truths, either.
Not yet.
Not as I gazed at him, his focus on my belly, his touch gentle as he lightly stroked me there. The baby…he was so in love with this baby.
And I couldn’t help but wonder if that was the only thing he was in love with.
My stomach took that second of doubt to grumble, and Nixon laughed as he glanced up at me.
“What would you like tonight?” he asked, shifting so he could stand. He helped haul me to my feet, and I hurried about my closing duties while I contemplated.
“Hot wings,” I said after I’d cleaned everything up.
Nixon huffed a laugh. “Again?”
I shrugged, flicking off the lights as we exited the studio. “What the baby wants…”
“The baby gets,” he finished for me.
He wrapped a strong arm around my shoulders, tucking me in close as we walked down the block. I settled into him, into the comfortable yet hungry energy between us, and let myself simply revel in the happiness.
Happiness I hadn’t even known possible until that fateful night in Vegas with Nixon Noble.
* * *
“A flea market?” I asked as Nixon interlaced our fingers and tugged us toward the historic fairgrounds in Raleigh. The early morning sun offered just enough warmth to combat the cooler October temperatures. “This is my surprise date?”
Nixon paused before the entrance, his face pinched. “Am I way off base here?” he asked, genuine concern filling his eyes.
I tilted my head. “You’re not serious, are you?”
He sighed, his shoulders dropping. “I’m sorry, Liberty. It was a dumb idea. We can go wherever you want. I just thought—”
“Thought that rummaging through vintage items all day would be my absolute favorite thing in the world?”
His eyebrows raised.
“Well,” I said, shrugging as I stepped closer to him. I trailed my finger down the center of his hard chest. “Second favorite thing.”
A wicked smirked shaped his lips, and he drew me in for a kiss. “So, I was right?”
“Yes!” I nodded, practically bouncing on my toes as he led us through the entrance. When he’d told me last week he had a surprise date for me and that I had to keep my morning clear, I’d immediately cleared the entire day and night, telling him if he was to have the morning, then I’d surprise him at night. And with what I had planned? We were going to be exhausted by the end of this day.
“Hey, you two!” Teagan called out as she rushed to greet us. We paused near a furniture vender off the entrance, and I wrapped her in a quick hug.
“Nix,” Roman said, quickly trailing her. “Hey, Liberty.” He flashed me a smile, stopping a healthy distance away from Teagan, his hands casually in his pockets.
“Hey,” I said, glancing up at Nixon. “You roped them into this too?”
“I may have hijacked your date,” Teagan answered for him. “I love this market, and Rick never wants to go. Plus, Roman is on the hunt for a new art piece for his house. We won’t cramp your love-fest though, promise!”
I laughed, waving her off. “No, this is perfect! I’m so glad you’re here.” And I meant that. I missed Heather even though we texted every day and saw each other in class. Teagan had become a close friend since entering Nixon’s circle, and I was beyond grateful for her.
“Someone say love-fest?” Hendrix Malone strolled through the entrance, his blond hair glistening in various shades of gold from the sun. God it was like the Raptors came with their own personal filter. “Cause I’ve only just arrived,” he teased, and Nixon rolled his eyes. The trio did an array of fist bumps by way of greeting.
“You looking for a new mattress, Hendrix?” Roman joked.
Hendrix furrowed his brow.
“Because you burn through them so quickly,” Roman said.
I bit back a laugh, but Nixon high-fived Roman.
Hendrix pursed his lips. “Not a lie, man. Is that a crime? I love women. They love me. We have a good time. I’m just full of love.”
“Yeah, you’re full of something all right.” Roman laughed, and then they proceeded to get into some sort of playful wrestling match that eventually Nixon joined in on.
It made him look ten times younger and less burdened than the normal weight he carried around with him on a daily basis. I had mad love for these two men who meant so much to Nixon and helped bring him out of himself. Quality of life was directly tied to having the right people and positive influences around you as much as possible. Not a bad family to have been folded into.