I lean back so I can see his face and am immediately reminded of why I fell in love with him. He’s beaming, his eyes lit with happiness, and his smile wide. All the irritation from earlier evaporates.
The vision becomes clear. This is going to be our life, him spoiling me every chance he gets regardless the extravagance or magnitude. No use in fighting, standing my ground, or holding back. It’s pointless when it comes to him.
“I love you,” I blurt, stopping myself from completely gushing all my feelings.
As if he reads my thoughts, understanding washes over his features, and I act fast, slamming my lips to his before he can propose publicly—again.
I ignore the catcalls and throats clearing around us, deepening the kiss. His chest vibrates against mine as he chuckles in my mouth, tightening his hold and groaning his approval.
•8•8•
I tie the ribbon tight, trying to stuff my oversized boobs into the lace unsuccessfully. This lingerie seemed like a good idea last week, but today, I’m popping out everywhere.
“Good thing your daddy thinks this whole pregnancy thing is sexy because I’m beginning to feel a bit whale-ish,” I say to my stomach.
It didn’t take long for me to gain back the weight I lost, considering Lawson insists on feeding me at least three times a day. He’s even gone as far as giving Hayley a credit card with instructions to order lunch each day that he’s unable to deliver it himself.
It’s not unusual for Jarod, Clay, Janice, Rob, Clyde, my dad, or any one of my friends to show with a ‘surprise’ drop in, loaded down with food. Everyone has lost their damn minds and jumped on the baby bus.
Luckily for me, the weight has all gone to my belly and boobs. Also luckily for me is that Lawson has become even more infatuated with the changes, growing obsessed with my body.
“Greer, I’m going to give you one minute to open the fucking door before I take it off the hinges.” His impatient roar comes from the other side of the bathroom.
“Calm down!” I shout back.
“No, you’ve been in there long enough.”
I hear the distinct sound of a drill, proving he has gone insane. “Lawson Hall, if you dare touch the door, I’ll strangle you. Learn some damn patience!”
“Get out here now.”
“Stop ordering me around,” I say with a smile, fluffing my hair and applying lip gloss.
There’s an audible grunt followed by the slight squeak of the bed as he sits, no doubt stewing.
“Here goes nothing.” I smooth down the sheer green fabric and twist to inspect my butt in the barely-there matching panties.
When I swing open the door, my suspicions are confirmed. He’s glowering in my direction, still naked from when I slipped away from him a little while ago. The anger in his glare quickly changes when he sees me, his eyes turning molten as they roam over me. Prickling heat scorches my skin when his gaze comes back to mine.
“Holy fucking shit,” he chokes out.
“Happy St. Patrick’s Day,” I chirp, slowly going to stand between his legs.
“Green is my favorite color.”
“You’ve mentioned that.” I grin, knowing the color of the lingerie is the exact match to my eyes.
“You’re a fucking vision.”
“Worth the wait?”
He grunts his response, skimming his hands up the back of my thighs and cupping my butt to bring me closer. He kisses my stomach, lingering for a few seconds before raising his face to nuzzle my chest. “You are always worth the wait.”
I lean in, urge him to his back, and crawl up his body. My hair falls in curtains around our faces as I brace my elbows on the sides of his head and tangle my hands in his hair.
“You need to let me surprise you once in a while.”
“I’ll try to be better.” There’s absolutely no sincerity in his answer.