“When did you do this?” I turn on my other side, hooking a leg over Lucas.
“A few days ago.”
“Did you forget and just happened to get the text reminder? It’s what, four p.m. now?”
“Four-thirty, and no. I didn’t want to tell you in case we had to cancel. You’ve had enough disappointment lately, I didn’t want to add to it, no matter how insignificant it may seem.”
“Oh, Lucas,” I say, eyes brimming with tears. “Stupid hormones.”
He smiles and wipes away a tear that rolls down the side of my face. “Anything for you, my love. Though I think you’ll find my hands are much more skilled. Getting a prenatal massage seems like part of a normal pregnancy, and I told you I want to give you as much normalcy that a witch would have.”
“You are so good to me.” I tug him over, wanting him on top of me.
“We won’t be able to do this for much longer,” he says, propping himself up with his elbows. “Are you comfortable?”
“I am.” I bring both hands up and rake my fingers through his hair. “I know the woman who owns the salon.”
“You know a lot of people in Thorne Hill. It’s a small town.”
“True, but what I mean is, I know her. And she knows I’m pregnant now that I’m getting a prenatal massage.”
“Yes, pregnant women get prenatal massages. I’m not following here, Callie.”
“What am I going to tell them?”
“In regard to what?”
“How I got pregnant.”
“I’m sure they know how babies are made, and you’re a married woman, Callie.” He puts his lips to mine, and for a brief moment, I forget the point I’m trying to make.
“But you’re a vampire,” I say between kisses. “What if they ask how it happened?”
He pushes himself up enough to look at me. “Do people typically ask pregnant women how it happened?”
“No, but most pregnant women aren’t married to vampires.”
“If anyone asks how your vampire husband got you pregnant, tell them it’s none of their business. Because it’s not. Or if you want to go into specifics and tell them what position I fucked you in, tell them.”
“Fair enough, and the only people who are gonna ask are people who I’m close to because they know I wouldn’t go to a sperm bank and buy some sperm for you to shoot into me.”
“I am so glad I married a classy lady,” Lucas says, and I laugh.
“Oh, I know! I can say you had sperm frozen. Not everyone knows how old you are.”
“I’d rather you say that than go with your buying random sperm idea. That baby is mine.”
I smile and run my fingers through his hair again, twirling a curl around my finger. “I hope she has your hair.”
“And your eyes.” Lucas moves to the side and moves me so his body is spooned around mine. He pulls up my shirt and rests his hand on my stomach again. “She’s growing fast.”
“Is that a nice way to tell me I’m getting fat?” I joke.
“Not fat, but pregnant. And it’s so fucking hot.” He slides his hand down my stomach, going between my legs. “I thought fucking you senseless proved that.”
“It did, but you’ll have to prove it again tonight.”
“Or now?”
I smile. “I’m tired. You wore me out.”
“We did fuck for an hour.” He covers us up and kisses my neck. “Go to sleep. I’ll wake you up in time to make it to your appointment.”
“Okay,” I tell him, too tired to protest. I roll over, snuggling up next to him, and fall asleep just a few minutes later, not waking until Lucas gently brushes my hair back.
“Callie.”
“I’m awake. I’ve been awake.”
“You are now.” He kisses my neck, tongue running over the little puncture wounds. “It’s a little after six. You want to eat before your massage, I’m guessing.”
“Yeah, just something light.”
“I’ll take you to the salon,” he offers, saying it casually on purpose.
“And then what? Sit in the room watching like a creep?”
“No, of course not. I’ll sit in the reception area.”
“Uh, no way. Men who sit and wait like that are abusive, controlling assholes, and that’s exactly how it will come off.”
“I don’t care what people think. We know that’s not true.”
“I care what people think.”
“You do?” he questions. “Because that would be news to me.”
“I care what people think about us because us is important to me. You’re the best thing that ever happened to me, okay? I don’t want to taint that with anything, so stop being so caring and protective.”
“Just yesterday, a demon wanted to kidnap you and give you to the new ruler of Hell.”
“He’s not an official ruler yet,” I counter. “And Lucas, I know things are a little dicey right now, but I can’t do this for the next four months. I need space to be on my own, and you do, too.”