I know all babies aren’t the same, but Donavon was a month early and he did great. I’m not worried.

The transformer birthing bed is converted back to normal and I get as comfortable as it will allow me to be. It’s not really a bed made for relaxation, though. “Need anything, love?”

“I can’t think of a thing.”

I’m observed for hours and I’m only having irregular contractions, so we’re awaiting the final verdict as Dr. Sommersby does another cervical exam. “Okay, it’s been three hours and there’s no change, Laurelyn. You’re still between two and three centimeters, so I think it’s fine for you to go home. But I want you to return for the usual things we’ve talked about—leaking, bleeding, contractions every five minutes or less for at least an hour.”

Jack Henry smirks and wags his brows at me. I might be mad if he wasn’t so damn cute doing it.

Dr. Sommersby leaves and I slip out of the patient gown so I can get back into my clothes. “You are loving this, aren’t you?”

He’s watching me shimmy back into my panties. “The degree to which my happiness has risen is absurd. You’d probably want to smack me if you truly knew.”

I put my arms through my bra straps and reach around to fasten it. “I’m pretty sure I want to smack you now.”

“You can if you’d like because there’s no way to steal my joy—unless you change your mind. You’re not, right?”

I consider jacking with him about it but he’s desperate. I’m not sure the poor boy could take it. “You can bone me like you own me.”

He does another juvenile fist pump in the air. “Fuck, yes! Get your clothes on so we can get to the house—fast—and take them off again.”

Well, at least he’s romantic about it.

We pull into the garage and Jack Henry, as usual, comes around to open my door and help me out of the car. I step out and he pulls me into his arms for a sweet, delicious kiss. It begins slow and rhythmic but quickly turns rushed and heated. His mouth leaves mine and trails down my neck while his hands move beneath my shirt to my pink lace bra. He rubs his thumbs over my nipples and I feel them instantly harden beneath his touch.

I wasn’t sure I’d really feel like doing this after being placed in stirrups doing the spread-eagle with a pair of scissors stuck up my vajayjay, but Jack Henry has a way with me. I can never tell him no. Almost. I don’t have a problem with turning him down after he’s pissed me off.

He decides he’s done with kissing in the garage and takes me into the house through the kitchen. Mrs. Porcelli is there putting away dishes when she turns to see us. “Aww … no baby today. I’m sorry, Laurelyn. I know you were hoping it would happen.”

“It’s okay. The baby will come when he or she is ready.”

Jack Henry wastes no time in trying to shove Mrs. Porcelli out the door. “Laurelyn and I had a big lunch in town, so I think it’ll be fine if you want to take the rest of the day off. We can have sandwiches tonight or I’ll go into town for takeout.”

“I don’t mind staying to prepare dinner. I was planning to cook beef stroganoff.”

I’m afraid he’s going to toss her out on her keister, so I step in to persuade her. “We had a big lunch so a sandwich is fine for tonight. You can do the stroganoff tomorrow night.”

She looks like she’s considering it, but what she doesn’t realize is that Jack Henry isn’t giving her a choice. “I have a few things I need to take care of in town. I wouldn’t mind leaving a little early to save myself from spending Saturday doing them.”

“Perfect. I’m glad it’ll work out so you can enjoy your Saturday off.”

“Okay. I guess I’ll see you in the morning.” She goes to the cabinet to retrieve her purse. “Enjoy your day together.”

I blush at her words but wait until she’s gone to say anything. “She knows.”

“Knows what?” he asks.

As if he doesn’t have a clue what I mean. “What we’re up to.”

“So?”

“It’s a little embarrassing.”

“What’s there to be embarrassed about? You’re my wife and you’re pregnant so I’m pretty sure she knows we have sex.”

I know he’s right but I still feel awkward at times. “I don’t know. Sometimes it feels weird having another person in our home privy to our personal lives. It never seems like we have complete privacy.” I try not to think of her washing our linens and seeing the evidence of our lovemaking on them.

“Do you want me to let her go?”

“Oh, no. I love having Mrs. Porcelli around. She frees me up to do the work I need to do.”

“She’s getting older and has a new grandchild she doesn’t see as much as she’d like. She might be interested in cutting her hours back. That would give us more time at home, just the two of us.” I point at my belly and he laughs as he cradles it with his hands. “Pardon me, Miss Maggie James. I meant to say the three of us.” I no longer say anything about him always calling the baby Maggie James. I gave up a while ago.

He takes my hands and pulls me out of the kitchen toward our bedroom. We’re almost through the door when he turns and cups my face, giving me another loving kiss. “I love you so very much.”

“I love you too.”

We move toward the bed, kissing en route, before we stop next to it. He peels my jacket from my shoulders and tosses it to the bench at the foot of our bed before pulling my shirt over my head. I’m wearing a pink lace bra, not what I consider sexy, but my breasts have gotten bigger the last couple of weeks so they’re really jacked. “These are fantastic.” He caresses each one before pulling my bra down and reaching into the cups to lift them out. He thumbs my nipples again, watching them harden before he takes one into his mouth. I glide my fingers through his hair as he sucks one and then the other.

When he’s finished, he bends at the knees and crouches down to remove my socks and boots. I unfasten my bra while he pulls my leggings and panties down my legs. I’m left standing completely naked before him. He steps back, looking me over from head to toe, and I suddenly feel self-conscious about my body like never before. I clasp my hands in front of my large belly because I’m afraid he’ll think I’m unattractive.

“Don’t cover yourself. I love looking at your pregnant body and the only thing I see is beauty when I look at you.” He comes to me and caresses my bump. “I may be one of those guys with a weird pregnancy fetish because this really turns me on.”