When we pull apart, Penny looks dazed. She lowers herself onto the bed. “I think we should lie down.”
Fuck, I’ve worn her out. My poor girl. This pregnancy is really draining her stamina.
I can’t lie. I feel a little disappointed. I’d been hoping we could talk some more. Maybe go out for dinner. I would have even been willing to put on another turtleneck. Tonight is a special night, after all. But if she needs a nap, I totally respect that.
I glance out the window. The sky is already going dark. Looks like we really lost track of the day. “What time is it, anyway?” I ask.
Penny sprawls on the bed and mimics checking an invisible wristwatch. “It’s booty call o’clock.” She spreads her thighs and gives me her best come-get-it eyes.
I burst out laughing.
I go over and lock the door. “What the hell am I gonna do with you, woman?” I mutter as I lower onto the bed.
She fists the hem of my shirt and playfully tugs me down so our lips hover close together. “I’m yours now, so…anything you want, really…”
53
Walker
My scuffed-up boots click across the marble floor of the fancy Chicago hotel. I feel a little out of place here, but with the way Penny is grinning up at me, eyes sparkling, her hand in mine, I’d suffer through all this urban, posh crap with a smile.
I took the weekend off from the farm to drive her down here to Chicago as a surprise. She deserves a little getaway. With the babies on the way, and our whole lives about to change, now seems like the perfect time.
Over the past few weeks, she and I have been taking it slow and it’s been hell. We’ve been spending tons of time together and that part has been great. Dating. Getting to know each other. Like I don’t already know everything there is to know about the girl.
But the hellish part? She’s still staying at Lucille’s house. Which means I’ve been sleeping alone. I’m coping, I guess. Because I want her to feel one hundred percent certain—no doubts, no reservations—once we get this happy-ever-after under way.
Anyway, this weekend, I have her all to myself and I plan on making the most of it.
We approach the front desk to check into our room, and I don’t correct the hostess when she addresses us as Mr. and Mrs. Kingston.
Hmm…Mr. and Mrs. Kingston. Nice ring to it.
Judging by the way Penn leans into my side when the woman says that, I think she might like the sound of it, too.
I’m gonna work on making it happen. Sooner rather than later.
We step into our 12th floor room and she spins around, eyes wide as she takes in every detail. Pale gray walls, trendy furniture and silver knickknacks. Penny looks like she’s in interior designer heaven.
“Oh, Walker. This is beautiful,” she breathes, palms bracketing her belly.
I come up behind her, running a hand down the length of her arm. I speak into her ear. “You deserve all this and more, baby.”
A sweet smile lights up her face as she turns and cups my scratchy jawline. She kisses me tenderly.
My phone dings and I pull it out of my pocket. I quickly angle the device away when I check out the screen. Penny still somehow manages to see Alexia’s name attached to the text message that just came in. Shit.
“Why is Lexi texting you?” she asks, all suspicious as she lowers into a seated position on the edge of the bed.
I give her a vague response. “Stop being nosy.”
“What are you guys up to?” She lifts an eyebrow.
I shrug. “Maybe your friends are coaching me on how to be romantic and gentlemanly. So you and I can have a nice baby-cation or whatever those girls are calling it.” I chuckle.
Her voice is soft and earnest when she speaks, “Oh, Walker. You’re just the right amount of romantic and gentlemanly. And just the right amount of rugged and tough.” She pulls me down beside her. “I love you the way you are. You’re the man of my dreams. You’re my prince. My knight in flanneled armor.” She yanks me close for a kiss. Lips pressed together, we laugh softly.
Yeah, I really do love this woman. She appreciates me just the way I am, even with my bad attitude, my short temper and my laundry list of flaws. Her acceptance makes me feel all the things I’ve been yearning for my whole life.
We stretch out on the mattress and the kiss grows intense. We lie there, tangled up, making out like teenagers and I can’t remember ever being happier.
“Hungry?” I ask when her stomach gives a light rumble. I reach out and run my palm softly along her round belly.
She laughs. “Always.” She lays her hand over mine.
I scoot down till I’m at eye-level with her belly. It’s time for a serious discussion with these babies. “Listen, you adorable little sponges. You need to stop mooching up all of Mommy’s food. She needs some for herself, too.”
In response, their tiny hands and feet and elbows kick-kick-kick up a storm beneath my palm. I fall onto my back chortling.
Penny rolls her eyes but I still see her smile. “I swear these babies get more conversation with you than I do.”
“That’s ‘cause they don’t sass back.” I pinch her on the hip. “Enough playing around. Get showered. Then, we’ll get you some food.” We’re on a schedule here. Even though my girl doesn’t know it.
She waddles into the bathroom, grumbling all the way. As soon as the door closes, I grab my phone and have a hushed conversation with Penny’s girlfriends, finalizing my plans to make this the perfect evening for her.
When she emerges from her shower, I have a dress spread out on the bed. It’s yellow
