Page 137 of Burning Skies
Her nostrils flare. “Did you see her vagina?”
“No, I was a gentleman and turned away.” I make a face. “Especially once I saw stirrups. I stood up by her shoulders during the entire exam.”
That makes her laugh. “Okay. Thank you.”
I pull her into my arms. “I didn’t go because I wanted to. I went because I thought I should.”
She nods. “You’re a good man. That’s why I love you. I just hate the idea of sharing you with Melissa.”
“I’d be fucked up too if I had to share you with another man, so I understand. I want you to know we got the paternity test, and I paid to expedite it. My brothers pitched in because it cost a fortunesince it wasn’t covered by her insurance.” I twine our fingers together. “When I was at the appointment, I got what you meant about being in the birth room. If… if the baby is mine, I want you to know I don’t have to be in there if you’re not comfortable with it.”
“Beau.” Shaking her head, she sighs. “If that’s your baby, you should be in there. I’m sorry I said that.”
“I’ve already told the chief I can’t work with Melissa any longer.” I explain how my phone went missing, which is why I didn’t respond to Honey’s texts. “You’re not wrong to be concerned about her behavior. If she’s the mother of my kid, I’m gonna have to get one of those parenting apps where you only communicate about the baby. Because we need some boundaries. I don’t want her trying to get in our business.”
“That sounds really unpleasant. I hope it doesn’t come to that. When do you get the paternity results back?”
“In a few days, hopefully.” I pull a light blanket over us because she’s cold. “What about your father? Have you heard from him?”
“He said he wants to talk at the house. But I’m afraid he’s going to try to manipulate me. He’s already bailed on funding the property for the Harvesters. He tried to get me to marry Ian. He let me think we were in debt when we’re not. What kind of father does that?”
Gus was a terrible parent, but at least he never played as dirty as Vernon. “I’m not sure, baby. But I can go with you to talk to him.”
She crawls into my lap and wraps her arms around my shoulders. “I guess the important thing here is we’re both alive, right?”
I kiss her temple. “Right.” I’ll never forget thinking Honey might drown in a river. Gratitude swells in my chest that I got to her in time. That I knew what to do. That I get a second chance. “Want to take a Sunday drive? The weather’s nice. We could have a picnic.”
“I’d love that. Let me call my sub first. Because you’re right. I should take a few days off school this week. It’s silly to push myself.” Turning, she grazes her lips against mine. “Can we stop by my parents’ house too? I don’t want to have that hanging over me. I’ll take you up on that offer to talk to my dad with me, if you don’t mind.”
“I’d be happy to. We’re a team, remember?”
She grins and kisses me. “How much longer before we can have sex again?”
“After your appointment. If the doctor gives you the go-ahead for light activity.”
She chuckles. “Sex with you isn’t a light activity.”
I shrug. “I just can’t pound you into the mattress.”
“But I like the pounding.”
Judging by my erection, I do too. But Honey’s not ready for that yet. “Patience, princess. I promise it’ll be worth the wait.”
Leaning down, she nips my neck. “I’m not feeling patient.”
I squeeze her ass. I’m not either. But the thought of needing to talk to her dad does the trick and gets my mind off sex. “Get dressed. Let’s see what your father has to say.”
I’m thinking she could use a little more backup.
So I text her brothers.
The McAllister ranch looks like a movie set compared to ours. It’s hard not to notice the new trucks parked out front or the immaculately painted red barn out back.
Honey grabs my hand. “Thanks for coming with me.”
The way she looks at me reminds me she doesn’t care aboutall this shiny new stuff. If she wanted a rich guy, she’d be with one. “No problem. Let’s do this.”
When we get inside, her brothers join us in the kitchen.
