His cloudy brown eyes meet mine. If he’s waiting for a thank-you, he’s certainly not getting one from me. I give him my best death glare instead.
Finally, he cracks. His broad shoulders slump and he exhales with force. “I’m just trying to protect you, Penn.”
Damn him. Why does he have to be sugar-sweet? Makes me feel unreasonable for wanting to knee him in those baby-making balls?
Instead, I scowl and cross my arms over my chest as he continues. “You may not care about some mold but you should. Think about the baby. Think about the health risks. Wouldn't you rather err on the side of caution here?”
Damn him again. Damn him for being right.
I'll admit—breathing that god awful mold every day is probably bad news. Staying here at Walker’s cabin, just for a while is in my best interest—and the baby’s.
“This isn’t practical, Walker. Your cabin is virtually smaller than my place and you only have one bedroom here. Where are you even going to sleep?”
Internally, I'm begging him to respond, 'In the bed. With you.' I want to feel him spooned up behind me with an arm around my waist and his morning wood nestled against my ass.
Instead he says, ”On the couch."
"Your couch isn't comfortable."
"Don't worry about me," he says. When I pout some more, he grabs my hand, yanking me to his chest. Now I’m pressed firmly against that hard body I know so well. "Sleeping on the couch is a small sacrifice to make for you."
And those words make my knees go shaky beneath me.
Walker plants a kiss on the top of my head. Firecrackers ignite in my belly. As furious as I am, it's a feeling I can't ignore. “Can you please stop putting up a fight?” he begs. “Please?”
I push the air out of my lungs. It’s nearly impossible to stay mad at this man, even if he is being a little dramatic. “Fine. But only if you’ll help me find a new apartment. My lease is almost up on that piece of crap anyway.”
He makes a face. “You’re better off staying with me for the rest of your pregnancy. It’ll save you some money for when the baby comes.”
"Are you for real, Walker Kingston?" This infuriating man did not just invite me to stay at his place for an extended amount of time. “No way. That’ll never work.”
Spending my nights here when we were trying to get me pregnant was one thing. Daily, the sexual tension between us would build to dangerous levels but at least I could always look forward to the release of a hard orgasm...or four. But having to be his roommate? Having to be around him day and night with no reprieve? I’d be in a world of horny, sleepless, hormonal trouble.
He grunts on a rough exhale. Because he's still got me trapped in his arms, his warm breath flutters across my forehead. “Fine. If you stop fighting me, I’ll help you find a place.” He doesn’t sound too thrilled with the idea, but I’ll consider that a win. The man’s as stubborn as I am.
A smile teases my lips. “Deal.”
He steps back, patting my hip. “Alright then.” Walker steps out of the bedroom, closing the door softly behind him.
I was trying to get over him. I thought I was making progress.
But now, Walker Kingston has infiltrated every area of my life. My work, my home, my uterus.
My heart.
I don’t stand a chance.
34
Walker
I slept like a rock out here on my newly reupholstered couch. The velvety teal blue fabric Penny chose is soft as fuck.
It hasn’t escaped me that she chose her favorite color. But I like it. I like the curtains and the lampshades and the knickknacks. I like all of it. I like having little pieces of her sprinkled throughout my home.
I wake up, smiling. The stiff neck from using the armrest as a pillow doesn’t even faze me. Despite my uncomfortable accommodations last night, I still managed to get the best sleep I’ve had in over a week. I know it’s because Penny’s asleep in my bedroom, just a few steps away. It would have been even better to wake up beneath the sheets with her, but I’ll take what I can get.
As the first rays of sunlight peek up the horizon, I dress and move around my cabin quietly, getting ready for the day. After I have my toast and coffee, I take a few extra minutes to heat up some oatmeal and load up a bowl of fresh fruit, leaving them on the counter for my beautiful guest to find when she wakes up.
She went to bed pretty early. I’m assuming the unpleasant conversation with her mother and then scrubbing her apartment from top to bottom wore her out. So I'm sure she’ll be hungry when she gets out of bed.
She used the bathroom a million times last night. I could tell she tried to creep quietly in the hall, but the squeaky floor board outed her every time. And every time I’d hear her, I’d open my eyes and crane my neck, watching her disappear into the bathroom and listening just in case she needed some help.
Penny may not see it but this arrangement is what’s best for both of us. I want to know how she’s doing every day. I need to check on how she’s feeling every night. I want to be a part of her pregnancy. And she needs me, even though she may not realize it.
There’s this part of me screaming that I’m smothering the girl, that I’m being overprotective and encroaching on her life. But Penny’s been the center of my world since the first day I met her, practically my whole damn life. I can’t help but be worried about her. It’s normal to want everything to go well for her. Right?
Shit, I know damn well there’s more to it than
