catch mine staring at him, still in those same boxers, his feet bare. Draping down his back, his hair’s a tousled, sexy mess. “Sugar Tits, whatcha doin’ in the tub so early?” His eyes grow round as understanding settles like a thick blanket over the room. “You’re in labor, aren’t ya?”
Nodding, I flash him a forced smile. “I think I am. I just didn’t wanna wake ya.”
A growl of frustration trails my words. “You didn’t wanna wake me? How long have ya been in here?”
My shoulders lift and drop in an exaggerated shrug. “Dunno.”
“It’s after four in the morning.” He takes a step closer to the tub and haunches down. “Let me see your hand.” I push one through the curtain to show him. “They’re wrinkled. You’ve been in here a long damn time.” He takes my hand into his to kiss my fingertips, one by one. “You’re in labor, babe. We gotta call the doc,” he says, his lips lingering on my thumb as his hot breath fans over my damp flesh. I shiver.
“You know she doesn’t like it when ya call her Doc.” His fingers fold through mine as he sits on the tiled floor beside the tub.
“Too fuckin’ bad. She’s helpin’ ya give birth to our daughter. She’s better than most docs I know.”
I guess he thinks calling her that is a compliment, even though our midwife loathes it. I’m not in the mood to argue with him.
“I don’t want to wake her if this—” My words are severed as another contraction takes hold. Squeezing my eyes shut, I move through it as smoothly as possible, trying not to clench my jaw. Having Big here seems to lessen the pain.
“You can do it, Sugar Tits. I’m right here.” His voice is strained.
Pulling my hand from his, I use it to cup my belly and drop my chin to my chest. The heat of his palm connects with my slick back, rubbing it in slow, soothing strokes. “You’ve got this. I’m here.”
“I know … you’re fucking here.” I grit through the pain, my toes curling as the spike of my contraction punches through before gradually easing away, leaving me to breathe easy once more.
“Do ya wanna stay in the shower?” His hand continues its ministration. “Or do ya want me to help ya out?”
The sweetness in his tone isn’t lost on me, and has my heart warming something fierce. Sometimes he can be the nicest and most caring damn man to ever walk this earth. Right now, he’s being that. If he doesn’t stop it, he’s gonna get me all teary eyed. Damn hormones.
“Out. Please.” I offer my hand to him, and he squeezes it with love before helping me to stand. Releasing a stiff groan, I pull my hand from his and step under the water to rinse. Closing my eyes and tipping my head back, the water runs over my face. A heat touches my stomach and I nearly jump outta my skin as my eyes burst open to see a nude Big joining me. Stepping forward, he wraps his arms around me in a hug and I lean my head against his chest, my hands curling around him in return.
“I was gonna get out.” I run my nose along his pec, luxuriating in his comforting scent. God, he’s delicious.
“I know, but I figured we could relax in here a little while longer. It’s not like we’ll run out of hot water anytime soon.” His palms run the curve of my back in sweet, wet strokes. A sudden thickness prods my belly, and I stifle a giggle, choosing to ignore Big’s dick.
“If you insist.” I snuggle deeper, my belly preventing me from getting as close as I’d like as it forces my ass to awkwardly stick out.
Big gives me a tight squeeze. “You’re gonna do just fine today, babe.”
I chuckle against his chest. “I have no other choice.”
“True. But I’ve got your back, and Doc will be here to make sure you’re good. You’re gonna be alright.” The sheet of worry hidden under the surface of his words is palpable, so I kiss his pec to offer a smidgen of silent reassurance.
“I’ll be fine.”
“Right. Fine…”
I can tell he’s not convinced as his