Page 2 of When She Needs Them Most
Why wouldn’t he tell me that he was sick?
I spent the last few months hating him. I’ve thought and said some pretty awful things that I’ll never be able to take back.
My hand flies to my mouth, and I dart across the room, aiming for the trash can in the kitchen.
I’m going to be sick.
Chapter One
Chelsea
Some pregnant women exude a radiant glow. Sadly, the nearly nine-month pregnant belly I’m rocking doesn’t scream elegance or grace. The roughly four-hour drive took six, due to all the stops I’ve had to make. My ankles ache, my feet hurt to move, and I’m clearly swollen from the trip, but my bladder is a significantly more pressing issue.
My car door flings open, and I grab my bag from the passenger seat. The cool blast of air I’m hit with is nice, considering how much my boobs are currently sweating.
Pregnancy complicates everything.
It’s winter.
Why does my bra feel like it’s the Fourth of July at a barbecue in Florida?
It takes considerable effort to roll out of my SUV seat similarly to a beached whale or possibly an overturned tortoise.
My feet hit the ground as my ankles tingle. I wiggle my toes, but they feel half numb. This wasn’t the right time to move. Not at all, but I didn’t have a lot of choices.
The first few steps toward the front of my SUV are questionable. I could probably pass for a newborn deer withwobbly baby legs. Hip checking the door closed, I turn to get a good view of my new home.
Well, it’s something.
My head swivels as I check for the address where I’m supposed to collect the keys. Luckily, it’s the house just to the left. Waddling seems to be my only speed these days, but I put a little pep in my step with how terribly I need a restroom.
Making it to the door, I knock.
Only, it’s damn cold. The door has to be metal of some kind because a radiating ache spills out from my knuckles to my whole damn hand.
I shake it out as the door swings open.
A very confused-looking man frowns at me. His eyes immediately zero in on the belly. He’s tall with light brown hair. It’s curly on top and shaved close on the sides. Thick stubble in the same color lines his strong jaw. Oh, yeah, and he’s shirtless. His chest is covered with a pair of black angel wings. There’s something in a language I don’t speak tattooed just under his clavicles.
My eyes fly up to his as I take a step back.
Wow, he’s a really big guy. Extremely tall, though he’s not bulky at all. Oh, and he’s gorgeous, but that’s weird to notice when I’m heavily pregnant.
“Hey,” he says, blocking something from view. I think it’s a large-breed dog. “Can I help you with something?”
“Hi, I’m Chelsea. I was told I could pick up my keys here,” I say, giving as polite a smile as I can manage. I’m uncomfortable pretty much all the time lately, but my bladder is making things worse. I jerk a thumb toward my house. “I just rented the place next door.”
Wow, saying it out loud feels weird. I’ve always lived in apartments. Renting an actual house with a yard feels like a major step up, especially since Luna will be here before I know it.
“Oh, shit. Okay, come in. I’m Kason. You can call me Kase.” He grabs the collar of a large German shepherd, tugging her back into the house. “This is Sky. She’s friendly.”
I slide inside and fight the urge to pet the giant dog. She probably loves the cool weather with that thick coat of fur.
My bladder aches as Luna rolls around in my stomach. “Would it be possible for me to use your restroom? I’m sorry. I wouldn’t ask, but it’s an emergency.”
“Yeah, of course.” He releases the beast. “Follow me.” We head through a spacious entryway, and he nods to a small hallway. “Second door on the right. Let me grab your keys, and I’ll meet you back here.”
“Okay, thank you so much. Sorry, it was a long drive.” I head off without a backward glance. My life sure has gotten significantly more embarrassing since I got pregnant.
