“One of the reasons I’ve been against having more children is because Amber had severe postpartum depression and refused to get help.”
His ex has always seemed temperamental. I can only imagine how much worse that got with PPD. “I had no idea.”
“It would kill me to watch you go through something similar. Once we have the baby, I want you to let me know if you’re not feeling right. I swear I’ll be there for midnight feedings and diaper changes and every doctor appointment. But please communicate if you’re feeling off or overwhelmed, so I can get you more rest or vitamins or medicine—whatever you need. I don’t want you to be afraid to share what’s going on with you, the good, the bad, and the ugly. I’m here for all of it.”
My eyes sting, and I blink to clear them. His reluctance to have more kids makes so much sense now. “I can do that.”
He takes a relieved breath, and his lips tilt up in a crooked smile. “Thank you.”
It’s so easy to make him happy. I cradle his handsome face in my palm. “Was there something else you wanted to talk about?”
“Just one more thing. Can you promise me you won’t have any more solo sleepovers in the cemetery? If you want, I’ll go with you, and if you’re pissed off at me for some reason, I’ll sleep several feet away. But it’s not safe for you to do that by yourself, and it would fucking kill me if anything happened to you.”
“I promise. I meant to go to Baylee’s, but I was upset and talking to Danny last night seemed like a good idea at the time.”
“That’s my fault. I might’ve been dealing with sick cattle, but that’s no excuse. This whole thing with us got bad because we needed to talk after the festival. I should’ve made that a priority. I promise I won’t let the ranch take precedence over our relationship again. I see now that’s my way to avoid shit, and it ends here.”
Shifting, I straddle him. “You know how you said that cheer job was my dream? You have to know that’s not really true. Being your wife, making a life on the ranch, us having kids—that’s my dream. It’s always been my dream, if I’m being honest. If I can coach on the side and maybe do some custom sewing projects for my friends, I’ll have everything I ever wanted.”
“I love you, Paige, and I have no fucking idea what I’ve done to deserve you, but I’m not letting go.”
“Promise?” I kiss him.
He pulls me closer. “Cross my heart.” Then he pats my ass. “Now eat that taco so I can take you home and enjoyyourtaco.”
I bust out laughing, and he smiles, a devilish grin on his face.
“I’m going to hold you to that promise.”
49
PAIGE
An hour later,I groan as Rhett washes my hair. “You have magical hands, husband.”
“It’s my pleasure, wife.” His mouth grazes my neck as he presses against my back, and he sucks on my pulse, sending little bolts of pleasure shooting through my body. “I’ve never washed a woman’s hair before, but I think we should add this to our daily routine. I love getting you soapy.”
His giant hand grips my breast, and I stretch up to rake my fingers through his hair and push my ass back against his erection. “I’m at your beck and call.”
“Let’s finish your hair before I bend you over and fuck you.” His gruff voice in my ear makes me shiver.
“That’s a problem why?” My core pulses at the thought.
“I’m trying to do a good job here.”
Closing my eyes, I smile. He rinses my hair, conditions it, then sprays me off, taking extra time to wash off my boobs. Then he snakes a hand between my legs and groans. “Fuck, you’re so wet.”
I turn to face him and run my hands over the swells of my breasts while he groans again. “Are you going to do something about that?”
Gripping himself, he shuttles his hand over his swollen cock. “I had every intention of letting you take a nap first. I wanted to make love to you in a bed. Show you I could be gentle and prove I’m not a caveman.”
Tossing my arms over his shoulders, I push up on my toes to kiss him. “Maybe I like that caveman.” I hike my leg over his hip, and he takes the hint and pulls me up to his waist.
I scramble for purchase on his body, and he pulls me closer and whispers, “I got you.”
He does, doesn’t he? He knew I was at the cemetery this morning. No one told him that. He and I are a work in progress, but there’s a part of him that understands me in a way no one else ever will.
The joy I didn’t let myself feel when we got married filters through me, like the sun breaking through the clouds.
