Just One Look

I run my fingers through my Ace’s hair before leaning down to place a kiss on his cheek. My fear tonight was more about how Ace and Roman would handle things if something did happen to me. Ace has already lost too much in his young life. And Roman I’m learning that I bring him into the light. That I show him there is more to life than work and ruling with an iron fist.

The second I come to my feet, Roman is on me. I have a feeling my possessive husband is going to be hovering over me a lot for the near future. I don’t care. It’s nice to have someone worry over me. I haven't had that nearly enough in my life.

Roman puts his arm around me as we make our way to our bedroom. I pause when we enter, and I see an older woman in scrubs standing there.

“Mrs. King. I’m Dr. Sims.” She greets me with a smile.

“Hi,” I say, but look up to Roman. “I’m fine,” I try to reassure him.

“Do this for me.” He cups my face, his thumb brushing back and forth over my cheek where my father had smacked me.

“Okay,” I agree, willing to do anything if it will put him at ease. I know he’d do just about anything if I asked him.

The doctor starts to do her exam while Roman comes in and out of the bedroom. I have no idea what he’s up to, but it’s something.

“Do you think we need all this? I mean, I was only slapped.”

Dr. Simms shrugs. “It’s never a bad idea to run your blood and urine for a health check. When was your last physical?” I cringe having no freaking clue, proving her point.

“Anything else?” I ask. We’re standing in the master room together. Her eyes flick to the door and back to me. She takes a step closer to me, her voice dropping.

“One of your husband’s worries was that you might be pregnant.” Ah. Now a few things are starting to make a lot more sense.

“I could have just taken a test.”

“I figured that out and told him so, but he worried you've been through enough today, and it might be stressful for you to take a test.”

I drop my head. “He was worried I’d be upset if I found out I was pregnant.” I give words to what she was pretty much saying. Worry starts to blossom inside me. Does he not want to have children together? I thought he did. It’s not as though we’ve ever used protection.

“No.” She lets out a small laugh. “He didn't want you to hope you were and then be disappointed.” I jerk my head up. She’s smiling brightly at me.

“Are you saying…” I trail off. If I wasn’t pregnant, we wouldn't be having this conversation.

“Yes.”

I put my hand over my mouth too excited for words. “Don’t tell him. I want to be the one to let him know,” I rush to say. This is a special moment, and I want to give Roman the news that he’s going to be a dad. He’s given me so much.

“Okay. I’ll tell him I’ll have the results tomorrow.”

“Thank you.”

I lean against the counter in the bathroom, figuring I’ll give the doctor and Roman a few minutes to have their little chat. It doesn't take long before Roman walks into the bathroom and heads straight for me.

“I love you,” he says, kissing me deeply.

“I love you too.” He drops his forehead to mine for a long moment.

“Can I take care of you tonight?”

“You can do anything you like to me, Roman,” I tease him, watching his eyes heat, but he controls himself. He releases his hold on me to start the shower. For the next hour he dotes on me, and I let him.

It’s nice to have someone take care of me. He refuses to let me lift a finger. I never knew having someone wash and brush your hair could be so relaxing, but it is. Roman insisted on getting me dressed for bed and feeding me a dinner he had brought to our bedroom. I want to cry with how sweet this man is. It’s endearing that only I and our children will ever know this side of Roman. To everyone else he’s intimidating and loud.

“I’m sorry,” Roman says, looking down at the floor. He’s sitting on the edge of the bed.

“You have nothing to be sorry for.”

“You could have been killed today, and that would have been on me.” I snort a laugh. Roman jerks his head up, glaring at me.

“That glare doesn't work on me, big guy.” I push him back so I can crawl into his lap.

“One of the many things I love about you.” He brushes his nose along my neck.

“You saw the lengths my father went to for money. It was a miracle you found me. Don’t you get that? You saved me. Who the hell knows what would have happened to me if you hadn’t come along?” His hands on my hips holding me in place tighten.