Total pages in book: 80
Estimated words: 77900 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 390(@200wpm)___ 312(@250wpm)___ 260(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 77900 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 390(@200wpm)___ 312(@250wpm)___ 260(@300wpm)
“You need some help?” Reid asks.
“I can manage.”
“You sure? I think you need help.” He stands from his chair and walks toward me. No, that’s not right. He’s not walking. It’s more of a swagger.
When he steps in front of where I’m sitting on the exam table, I open my legs for him to step between them. He smiles softly as he cups my cheek and kisses me. That’s all he’s done is kiss me. Don’t get me wrong, I love his kisses. There isn’t a single part of this man that’s not addictive. He holds me every night, but never takes things further. Two weeks of sleeping next to the sexiest man I’ve ever seen, hormones from my pregnancy in overdrive, and I feel as though I might combust.
“I’m sure,” I say, once he pulls his lips from mine.
“I don’t know… I think you could use the help.” His hands find the hem of my blouse that I wore to work today, and he lifts it over my head. I watch as he folds it neatly and walks it to one of the extra chairs before coming back to me. “What about this?” he asks, running his index finger under the strap of my bra.
“That can stay,” I say, not recognizing my own voice.
“Bummer,” he says, bending his head and placing a kiss on my bare shoulder. Stepping back, he removes my shoes one by one, before his hands grip my hips and he lifts me from the table.
I stand with my arms at my sides, my body aching for his touch as he unbuttons my dress pants, lowers the zipper, and pulls them over my thighs.
“Lift for me,” he says, and I do, raising one leg, then the other to step out of my pants. He folds them neatly just as he did with my shirt, before he’s back to me. This time, he stands before me, letting his eyes roam.
“Reid,” I murmur, and his eyes find mine. They’re filled with the same heat that I feel coursing through me. “We can’t do this. Not here.”
He nods and clears his throat. Reaching for the gown, he helps me into it before reaching beneath and tugging off my panties. He brings them to his nose, and I can feel the blush coat my cheeks as he inhales deeply before slipping them between my shirt and my pants on the chair. “I’ll help you,” he says when he sees me moving to get back on the table. His hands again find my hips, and he lifts me effortlessly.
“You’re beautiful,” he tells me, giving my hips a gentle squeeze before releasing me. He moves back to his chair and sits. I watch as he adjusts himself.
“You all right there, big guy?” I tease him.
“I’m used to it,” he replies. “Any time I think about you, this is what happens.”
It’s on the tip of my tongue to ask him why he’s not acting on it when there’s a knock at the door, and the doctor walks in. I guess she’s not running as far behind as they thought. My eyes find Reid’s, and he winks.
“Hello, Bellamy, I’m Doctor Armstrong.”
“Nice to meet you.”
Doctor Armstrong turns toward Reid and offers him her hand. “Reid Montgomery, baby daddy.” He grins, and she laughs.
“Well, all right, then. So, I see here you’ve taken a home test?” she asks.
“I did. It was instantly positive.”
“Okay, well, we’ll take a listen and see what we can find. If the dates of your last period you gave the nurse are correct, then that puts your due date on March third.”
“After the season,” Reid says, his smile growing. We’d already worked that out in our heads, with the help of the internet, but it’s good to have it confirmed.
“Lie back, and we’ll take a listen. It might be too early yet, but from the dates you provided, you’re close enough that we’ll give it a try.” Doctor Armstrong smiles politely.
I do as she says and lie back. She arranges the blanket to cover my lower half before she squirts warm gel on my belly and places the Doppler there.
“What are we listening for?” Reid asks. The words are barely out of his mouth when a loud whooshing sound echoes around the room.
“That.” Doctor Armstrong smiles at him. “Your baby’s heartbeat.”
“Wow.” Reid moves next to me and reaches for my hand. His eyes are glued to my belly, and tears burn the back of my eyes as I watch him watching me. When he finally breaks his gaze and looks at me, his eyes are glassy, too. Bending, he kisses me softly before resting his forehead against mine. “Our baby,” he whispers.
“Our baby,” I repeat.
“We’re going to do blood tests just to confirm, and should have the results in a couple of days. Usually it’s the next day, but I like to warn that it could be longer if the lab runs behind.” Doctor Armstrong wipes off my belly, and Reid helps me pull my gown back together. “I do need to check you. Is it okay if this one stays in the room?” she asks, pointing to Reid.