and home. He had just got here four days ago would be leaving soon. Then it was up in the air when I would see him.
I could smell the coffee aroma floating up from the kitchen, calling my name. Gage always made coffee for us in the morning when he was here. Following the scent of heaven to the kitchen I grabbed a mug from the cabinet, filling it full of coffee. I leaned my hip against the counter as I brought my mug to my lips, letting my nostrils fill with the sweet smell and my mouth warm with the dark liquid. Pure heaven.
“Morning, Co.” Gage said from the bar.
Turning my head in his direction I froze in place almost spitting my coffee out. Gage was sitting on a bar stool in nothing but gray shorts. His shirt was off giving me a full view of his six pack and chiseled chest. We may live together and have created a baby together but I had never seen this much of him. He looked like some sort of Greek God sitting on his throne.
“You goin’ to swallow that coffee or see if it magically absorbs into your belly?” Gage asked amused.
Clearly the guy was used to being ogled by the ladies. Hell, I’m sure even men ogled him.
Blinking a few times I swallowed my coffee choking out, “Sweet Jesus man. Is it even natural to have abs like that? What is that you have?...Like a twelve pack? Nobody should look that good this early in the morning.”
Gage quirked an eyebrow and looked at me over his coffee mug. “Nope. I was made in a factory.” Shaking his head he smirked. “Sweetheart it’s called hard work and dedication.” Setting his mug down he bent over a little to look at his stomach. Bringing his hand up he counted out loud as he ran his index finger along his abs. “One… two…three…four…five…six. Huh, I only have a six pack. But, a twelve pack, damn even I would be impressed with that.” Keeping his head down Gage looked up at me through his lashes.
Sitting like that, that look on his face he look every bit the womanizing man whore that I know he is. Or… well
Pursing my lips I shut my eyes only to open them and be looking at shirtless Gage again. This time he was on the cover of GQ magazine. Jesus! He was like a nasty little gnat…his half naked body was everywhere. Taking a closer look at the cover I saw Gage standing in the middle of what looked like a stadium, he was flexing both his arms as he held them straight out, a football in his right hand. His legs were crossed at his ankles and he had that damn panty melting smile on his smug face. Like he knew that every woman that saw this magazine would use it that night and possible the following weeks as their personal female fantasy fun time. Shoving the magazine across the counter I asked, “You still going to my doctor appointment today?”
“Hey now. Be easy to paper, Co. That was dropped off for me this morning. Actually, they gave me a whole box. So, if you’re in need of some new personal time material I can hook you up.”
Scoffing I put my hands on my hips and turned to look at him. “You going with me or not?”
Gage smiled and instantly my resolve was chipping away. His eyes were sparkling with humor, something I had seen a lot. Maybe if things had been different Gage and I could have been something. Well, something besides whatever the hell we are. Co-parents? Friends?
“Wouldn’t miss it. You said they’re taking blood today, too, right?”
“Ugh! Don’t remind me,” I groaned. “I’m going to go get ready. I want to leave around ten thirty. That okay with you?”
“Yup. Won’t take me long to get ready. Already showered after my workout. Just gotta get dressed.”
That man loved getting up early and working out. Me, I was more of a sleep until noon then eat twenty seven donuts kinda girl.
Shoving off the counter, I felt a sharp pain in my back. Reaching behind me, I put pressure on my spine, wincing.
“You ok?” Gage asked, standing from his stool and taking a few steps towards me.
And he just kept getting better. Not sure why I wasn’t expecting it but when he stood his shorts feel low on his hips. He had those indent things on his lower stomach. Those pesky little things that make a girl who was going to college to be a doctor sound like she should be flipping hamburgers at McDonalds.
Squeezing my eyes shut I stammered, “I’m fine. Just back pain. I’ve been having it a lot lately but I read back pain is normal in pregnancy. Nothing to worry about. Usually if I take a hot shower it helps.”
Gage’s face relaxed and his blue eyes lost their worry as he took a step back. “Ok. Go take a shower and hopefully it will help. I’ll make some pancakes and sausage while you’re getting ready.”
Starting to walk past Gage I stopped and wrapped my arms around his neck, kissing the side of his mouth. “Thank you, Gage. I don’t know if I could do this alone.”
Hugging me tight to him he whispered, “I’m in this, Cobie. You’re not alone.”
Letting go of him I slowly made my way back to my room to shower and get ready. Today we find out if we get a boy or a girl and this was also the first ultrasound Gage was going to be at.
Stopping in front of the full length mirror in my bathroom I examined myself. My hips were slightly wider and my boobs were a little bigger. I raised my tee shirt up and rubbed my hand across my belly, looking at it in the mirror. I already had a few tiny stretch marks. My body had already changed so much in just a few short months. I wondered if a guy would ever look at my body again and think it was beautiful.
Turning on the shower I made the water as hot as I could stand it without scalding myself. Stripping my clothes I stepped into the stone covered shower letting the hot water run over me. Lifting my arms to wet my hair I felt another sharp pain in my lower back. Sucking in my breath I shifted so the water was hitting directly on my back. Feeling my tears welling in my eyes I rubbed hard circles on my back, hoping to relieve the pain.
Once my pain was manageable I reached for my shampoo and squirted it into my hands, massaging it through my hair. Finally starting to relax I let out a small little moan.
“Keep that up and I won’t stay on this side of the glass.”
Jumping in surprise I used my hands and arms attempting to cover myself.
“What the hell are you doing?” I asked Gage.
“I yelled to let you know breakfast was ready. There was no response. Just makin’ sure you weren’t dead or some shit.”
Backing into the corner I watched Gage as he watched me, looking me up and down. Biting on my lower lip I said, “As you can see I’m fine. Now, if you don’t mind I would like to finish my shower.
Instead of leaving, Gage slowly opened the shower door. What the hell was he doing?
Raising on my tippy toes attempting to push myself into the corner more I screeched, “What? Get out!”
Gage let the water hit his bare chest and back. It ran down soaking his black gym shorts. Holding his hand out to my stomach he hushed me. “Shh. Just relax. I’ve never seen your stomach. And seeing it now, knowing that’s my baby in there, it’s amazing. You look beautiful, Cobie.”
Feeling that buzz between us growing I tried to look away but that strong, hard body in front of me kept my eyes glued to him.
Rubbing his hand over my stomach he asked, “Has it moved? I mean like can you feel it move?” Gage dropped to his knees, water covering him.
“Yes. But usually it’s at night. I think the baby sleeps a lot during the day. Sometimes when I eat I can feel it moving around.”
Placing a soft kiss on my stomach he whispered something to quiet for me to hear. Slowly he started to raise back up placing a few more feather light kisses on my stomach on his way.
Close. We were too close. My body was responding to his being right in front of mine. This wasn’t ok but I was stuck.
Gage ran his nose up mine as he straightened letting his forehead rest on mine. Shutting my eyes I attempted to think of anything else but a mostly naked and wet Gage. Anything at all. I thought of homeless kitties. Homeless kitties made me think of them not having a home when it rains. Rain makes me think of water. Water makes me think of showers. Showers makes me think of a very wet Gage. And Gage wasn’t the only wet thing in this shower anymore.
“Breathe Cobie. Open your eyes. I won’t do anything, swear.” Gage whispered in my ear.
Cracking my eyes open just enough to see his face I said, “It’s not you I’m worried about.”
“Cobie, look at me.”
Biting on my lower lip I brought my eyes up to meet his.
“What are you worried about?” Gage asked.
