Broken Hearts (Light in the Dark 5)

“You know what part.”

“Baby daddy.”

He presses his lips to mine, stealing my breath. His tongue slips past my lips, tangling with mine, and I can’t help the moan that escapes me.

He pulls away, out of breath. “I can’t tell you how fucking happy it makes me to know I put a baby in you.”

I roll my eyes. “Guys,” I mutter.

He chuckles. “I can’t help it, baby—you bring out my animalistic side.”

“You need to go to work,” I remind him, knowing he’ll get distracted with naughty thoughts and the next thing I know he’ll be fucking me on the bathroom floor.

“Work, right.” He grunts, none too pleased at the idea.

He lets me go and we both leave the bathroom. He puts on his beanie and grabs his coat.

“See you tonight.” He presses a kiss to the corner of my mouth and dashes out the door, his truck keys jingling in his coat pocket.

I change my clothes into something warmer than the leggings and white tank I was wearing in the apartment. I have plans to meet Joel at his apartment. He’s been working to get everything set up in his spare room. He hasn’t let me see and it’s taken him and me months to pool our money to get the equipment we need. I could’ve asked Jace for it, I know, but I didn’t want to do that. This is mine. I want to know Joel and I did this on our own.

I slip my feet into a pair of boots and put on my coat. My hair is a disaster so I quickly gather it up in a messy bun, getting it out of my way.

I grab my keys and head out the door.

Jace and I know we need to get a car that’s better suitable for the baby. His truck is ancient and only has front seats. My car is also old and not reliable at all. He offered to buy me a new one last year for my birthday but I shot down the idea. Again, I didn’t want him spending that kind of money on me. It made me feel icky. I still have these residual feelings of not wanting to be a burden, and I don’t think they’re ever going to go away.

I push my thoughts out of my mind and dash out the door.

Outside, the air is chilly and I burrow into my coat as I walk to my car.

I unlock it and slip inside, starting it and turning the heat all the way up.

My car takes forever to warm up so I’m sure I’ll be a frozen Popsicle by the time I get to Joel’s.

I rub my hands together and pull my gloves out of my coat pocket and put them on, hoping they’ll help.

I send Joel a quick text, letting him I know I’m on my way, and pull out into traffic.

Joel’s apartment isn’t far from us—in the spring and summer I could easily walk to it, but since I’m pregnant I have no desire to get stuck in the cold. Most women talk about being hot when they’re pregnant but I’m the complete opposite. I’m cold most of the time. Luckily, Jace makes an excellent space heater.

I parallel park and grab my bag then hurry into the building. It’s older than ours, but still nice with historic charms, but there aren’t any elevators. I head up the stairs and to his apartment, pausing outside the door and knocking.

It isn’t long until the door swings open, revealing Joel. He gives me a goofy smile and shakes his unruly curly brown hair out of his eyes.

“Hey, Nova,” he greets me, and steps aside to let me in.

“The place is looking good,” I tell him.

I’ve only been here a few times when he first moved in and boxes were still all over the place. Most of the time we meet up out somewhere to catch up so I haven’t seen it since he’s been settled.

Large windows overlook the street. The kitchen is small and could use some updating but it’s neat and tidy.

He has a small grey loveseat in the living space and a big screen TV—boys and their priorities.

On the other side of the apartment are the two bedrooms with a bathroom between them.

He closes the door behind me and grabs a baseball cap off a side table by the door. He puts it on backw