Total pages in book: 102
Estimated words: 98736 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 494(@200wpm)___ 395(@250wpm)___ 329(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 98736 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 494(@200wpm)___ 395(@250wpm)___ 329(@300wpm)
“Good girl,” Roman says huskily. He leans over and kisses me before turning toward the kitchen. “Come on, I’ll make you one, and I could eat another.”
“Can we cut back on the PDA, man?” Forrest groans as he follows Roman into the kitchen. I hear them laughing, and I relax for the first time since the doctor outed us with this pregnancy.
With one hand on my belly, the other works on shoveling the rest of the sandwich into my mouth. Everything is going to be just fine.
“I can lift a tote bag,” I grumble.
“No can do, little momma,” Lachlan says. “You sit your pretty little self on that couch. I don’t need Roman going all hulk on my ass because you were working.”
“It’s my stuff,” I counter.
“That you and your best friend packed with his help. He gave me strict instructions. You are not to lift a finger while he and the other guys make a trip to his place to drop off a load of your stuff.”
“Frustrating man,” I mutter.
Lachlan jumps up and rushes toward the kitchen. He comes back with a sliced apple and a big glob of peanut butter on a paper plate.
“What’s this?”
“You were looking kind of hangry and I read that pregnant ladies need to eat lots of little meals.”
“You were reading?”
“Yeah, I mean, I don’t have any siblings, not blood siblings, so this is all new to me. I needed to know what was up. You know… in case you needed me.”
“Lachlan, that’s so sweet of you. Thank you.” I stand and give him a hug just as the front door swings open.
“Why are you hugging my wife?” Roman asks.
“Not your wife,” Maddox says, walking past him into the house. He heads toward me, and lifts me off my feet, hugging me.
“She’s carrying my kid, and she will be,” Roman explains.
“Gotta put a ring on it, brother. She’s fair game until then,” Lachlan teases.
“The hell you say?” Roman gently grabs my wrist and pulls me into his arms. “Tell them you’re mine, baby girl.”
“I’m all yours.” I kiss him, and I hear Forrest pretend to gag.
“Can we get this over with so I don’t have to watch any more of this? Rome, we talked about this. No PDA.”
“Love you, baby girl.” He kisses me again and follows the rest of the guys up the stairs.
Knowing better than to try and argue with any of them, I sit on the couch, prop my feet up, and wait. I hate that they won’t let me help, but at the same time, my heart is overflowing with love for the five men who treat me like spun glass, and love me without question, each in their own way.
An hour later, I’m bored as hell just watching them do all the work when the five of them join me in the living room. “All done?”
“Yeah.” Rome lifts me onto his lap, wrapping his arms around me, his hand resting protectively around my belly.
“Really?” Forrest grumbles, making us all laugh.
“Just wait,” Roman tells him. “One day a woman is going to knock you on your ass, and you’ll understand.”
“If you say so.” He stands and moves toward the kitchen. “If you can keep your lips off of my sister for five minutes, I have something for you.”
“My wife,” Roman calls after him.
“Stop riling him up.” I swat Roman playfully on the arm.
“Just stating the facts, baby girl.”
“I’m not your wife, Roman.”
“Not in the eyes of the law, not yet, but in my heart you’re more than that.”
“Aww,” Maddox coos.
“Laugh it up, fucker,” Roman says without any kind of heat in his tone. “You fuckers will understand one day.”
They don’t get to reply before Forrest is handing me a small light green gift bag. “What’s this?” I ask. I can already feel tears welling behind my eyes. These damn pregnancy hormones are going to be the death of me.
“Just open it.”
Doing as he says, I reach into the bag, and pull out a small piece of fabric. At closer inspection I see it’s a onesie for the baby. Opening it up, I read it out loud. “If you think I’m cute you should see my uncle.” I hold the tiny outfit to my chest and offer my big brother a watery smile. “Forty.” My voice cracks.
“I love you, kid. You too, Rome. And my niece or nephew will always know that they can come to Uncle Forty.”
“Hold up.” Legend raises his hand. “I’m the cool uncle here. We all know this.”
“Keep dreaming,” Lachlan scoffs. “You all know I’ve got this in the bag.”
“Oh, no, you’re all going down. That title is mine.” Maddox smacks at his chest. The four of them bicker playfully back and forth, while it’s all I can do to hold on to my tears.
“It’s okay, baby girl,” Roman whispers in my ear. “Don’t fight the tears, beautiful.”