“You’re right.” She sighed and finally relaxed against him, her head falling to his shoulder. “I love how she sees beauty in the most mundane objects. Maybe that’s why her paintings are so stunning.”
“It’s great to have our family and friends over, but please don’t tire yourself out. The baby’s coming in a few weeks.”
“That’s precisely why we’re having this barbecue today. Besides, our moms won’t let me lift a finger.” She tilted her head to smile up at him and cupped his cheek with a warm hand. “You know I wanted to share our home with everyone before it’s turned upside down by a tiny baby and two clueless parents.”
“I know.”
Aubrey was mostly teasing, but Landon’s stomach dropped a little. She was going to be a wonderful mom, but he had no idea how to be a father. One thing was certain. He would always be there for his little girl and love her unconditionally.
“I guess I’m just jealous of sharing you,” he said.
She blushed, smiling shyly, and Landon couldn’t help but lean down and kiss her. It was meant to be soft and chaste, but she whimpered and pressed against him when he tried to pull back.Well, then.He parted her lips with his tongue and drank his fill until he was ready to carry her to their room.
“Ahem.” He heard the sound from a distance. “Kids, please.”
Aubrey pulled back with a gasp, and Landon glared at Tara, who just rolled her eyes at him.
“I’d tell you guys to get a room, but we need you to provide us with more delicious food. In the meantime, cool it just a bit. My parents have been staring at that fence since your lips touched. They’re not as with the times as your moms.”
“Would you please keep her company while I start the grill?” Aubrey had her face buried in her hands, and Landon carefully placed her on his seat as he stood. He grinned at Tara, unable to regret the kiss. “And just as a heads-up, she’s been climbing up the kitchen counter and every other slippery high surface in the house. She’s nesting and wants to cleaneverything.”
“Stop crazy pregnant woman from going splat on the floor. Got it.” Tara gave him a thumbs-up and took the seat next to Aubrey, who had finally come out of hiding to glare at the two of them.
“Ladies.” With a slight nod, Landon left Aubrey in Tara’s capable hands to cook for the most important people in his life.
Their guests had cleared out after erasing all traces of the backyard barbecue despite Aubrey’s and Landon’s protests. With no dishes and cleaning left for them, Aubrey let him pull her down onto the sofa for a foot massage. She had a ticklish spot he was tempted to press, but her swollen feet needed some serious ministrations.
“Mmm. That feels so good.” She sighed softly as her eyes fluttered closed. “Thank you.”
“It’s what I’m here for,” he said, wishing he could do more to ease her pregnancy aches and pains. It wasn’t fair she had to do all the work to bring their child into the world. He felt pretty useless.
“You have other uses.” She opened one eye, and a naughty grin spread across her face.
He laughed till his sides hurt even as he grew hard remembering his other uses. As his mirth receded, he was certain it was the right time.
“How tired are you?” he asked, scanning her face for signs of fatigue.
“Normal preggers tired. Why?”
“Do you want to take a drive?” His heart throbbed in his throat.
“Sure.” She arched an eyebrow. “What are you up to?”
“Nothing. Why should I be up to anything?”Oh, I’m up to something, all right.
After making sure she was bundled up and toasty, he eased his car out of their driveway with one hand on the wheel at ten o’clock and the other on two o’clock. His breath threatened to grow shallow, and blood pounded in his ears.
“Is everything okay? You’re acting strange.”
“Of course. Why wouldn’t everything be okay?”Perfect. I’ll just keep answering her questions with questions of my own. Because that isn’t suspicious at all.“We’ll be there in ten minutes. Just hang on, okay?”
“Hmm.”
Aubrey still looked puzzled when he parked outside the unlit building. Landon felt light-headed and slightly nauseous, so she was in better shape than he was.
“Where are we?” she whispered as they walked into the building, and he turned on every light switch he passed.
He dragged in a shuddering breath. “Well, I’m hoping we’re at my future restaurant.”
