Crap,Nat thought.
Duke’s gaze snapped up to him. “You’re pregnant?”
Heat rushed through Nat’s face. “You peeked at my phone!”
“Sweetheart, you peek at my phone all the time when we’re in bed.” Duke crowded close, pressing himself against Nat’s back. He slipped his hand under Nat’s shirt to cup his belly. “You’re pregnant. How did you find out?”
“I’m furry!”
Duke paused in his petting. Then he tugged up Nat’s shirt to look at his belly.
Grey fuzz had covered Nat’s abdomen, faint black stripes at his sides. Duke sucked in a slow breath. And he cupped Nat’s belly with both hands, rubbing him reverently.
“Gorgeous,” Duke whispered. He released Nat and came around to crouch in front of him, pressing his entire face against Nat’s belly. “You’re carrying our child.”
“Y-yeah. I guess I am.” Nat blushed. He still couldn’t quite believe it. His belly was plump, so he wouldn’t have an obvious baby bump for a while. “My hands are fuzzy, too.” He showed Duke the fine layer of fur that had spread across the backs of his hands.
Duke rumbled, taking Nat’s hands and kissing all over them.
“I’m also craving apples.”
Duke’s eyebrows went up. “Apples?”
“That’s what happened when I was pregnant with Wanda.”
They looked over at Wanda, who was flinging squishy rattles around in her playpen.
“I’ll have Hubrie order some.” Duke gazed at Nat’s belly, brushing his lips against it. The awe on his face made Nat shiver all over. “Hey there, little one,” Duke said, his voice vibrating into Nat’s belly. “You probably can’t hear me yet. But I’m so excited to meet you.”
Nat melted. Except what came out of his mouth was, “You already have two kids.”
“I want more.” Duke glanced at Wanda; Natwasn’tgoing to decipher the look in his eyes. “I had been wanting a baby even before I met you.”
“What are you going to tell Teddy and Mallie? About this, I mean.” Nat gestured at his belly.
“Not yet. Good thing they’re off at school; I wouldn’t have been able to keep this quiet.” Duke kissed Nat’s belly. “Maybe when you’re showing more obviously. I need to get their adoption papers finalized first.”
How was he even real? Duke was perfect and amazing, and Nat was grateful that Duke was allowing him into his life.
“You’ll have time for them?” Nat asked.
“I’ll make time.” Duke looked into Nat’s eyes. “I’ll need you to help me figure out what things I can drop from my schedule.”
Right at that moment, Duke’s shopping cart came wheeling into the dining room. Duke caught it before it crashed into him.
“Hey,” Duke said patiently. “You’ll need to slow down around here. You can’t hit Nat or Wanda, okay? Both of them can be hurt badly, and I won’t be happy if that happens.”
The cart wriggled backward like it was squirming in apology. Duke patted it; it lifted its flap tentatively.
“You’re forgiven,” Duke said. “I just want you to be careful.”
The cart nudged gently against Nat’s leg; Duke grinned.
Nat petted the cart’s side fondly. “Are you going to give it a name?”
Duke pursed his lips. “I don’t know what I’d pick. Do you have a suggestion?”
“Me?” Nat squeaked.
