“Or kick my ass for allowing you clean so much. Did we have to do the entire house in one day? You need to take it easy. Slade is going to blame me if something happens to you or that child.”

“Well, you couldn’t very well tackle all this alone and you did all the tough grunt work. You are the one who did all the scrubbing and heavy lifting.”

“You’re holding your back. Is it hurting?”

“A little.” She turned and suddenly sprinted away.

She could almost feel Brass on her ass when she ran for the downstairs bathroom. She slammed the door, hoping it didn’t hit him in the face. She barely dropped to her knees before her lunch came up.

The door opened behind her. “I warned you, woman. You’re sick now.”

She couldn’t talk while that whole throwing her guts up thing stopped her. Brass gently gripped her hair and his other hand rubbed her back. She finally stopped when there was nothing left inside her stomach.

“Don’t follow me into a bathroom,” she groaned. “This is so embarrassing.”

“You are carrying a child. Morning sickness happens.”

“Not this early.”

“Maybe you are sick because you worked too hard today. Do not do it again, Trisha. I forbid you to lift another finger. Let this be a lesson.”

“That or I’m experiencing early morning sickness because nothing about this pregnancy is going to be ordinary. I wish some New Species women had given birth so I’d have an idea of what to expect. Maybe it’s normal to get morning sickness at this early stage while carrying a New Species baby.”

“I’m going to help you up. Are you done with being ill?”

She nodded. “I need a toothbrush and toothpaste.”

Brass helped her to her feet by supporting her weight. “I’ll go get the things Slade brought for you this morning. I saw those things inside one of the bags. Are you going to be okay while I go retrieve them?”

“I’m fine. Thanks.”

She turned and studied her reflection in the mirror after Brass left her alone. She looked pale and drawn. Maybe I did overdo it today. She’d just wanted to clean the house. If she didn’t know better, it almost seemed as if she had an uncontrollable nesting urge, something common that some pregnant women experienced. She also tended to clean when she was nervous or worried—both emotions she experienced.

Brass returned and opened up a new toothbrush and a tube of toothpaste. He stood there, refusing to leave, as Trisha scrubbed her entire mouth. She hated being sick. When she was certain she didn’t have bad breath or a lingering smell, she washed her face. Brass handed her a towel, acting as though he were a lady in waiting. She grinned at that amusing concept, dried her face, and handed the towel back to Brass.

“Thank you.”

He nodded but suddenly bent, scooped her into his arms and straightened to walk toward the stairs.

“Put me down. I can walk.”

“You have outdone it and I’m taking charge. You’ll follow my orders.”

“I will not. Come on, Brass. I’m fine.”

“Shut up.”

“Kiss my ass.”

“I’m ready to spank it.”

“You don’t ever touch her ass,” Slade snarled. “What is going on here? Why are you carrying her?”

Brass turned with Trisha in his arms, staring at Slade, who glared at him. Brass tensed.

“She wanted to clean your house. I told her I would do it alone but she wouldn’t listen. She felt the need to help me. She just suffered morning sickness and I’m taking her to your room to rest.”

Slade’s anger faded and his gaze softened when it met Trisha’s. “Are you all right?”

“I’m fine. Can you have him put me down? He won’t listen to me. He thinks I can’t walk or something.”

Slade dropped the briefcase he carried and kicked the front door closed behind him. He approached Trisha and opened his arms. “I’ll take her.”

“She’s all yours.” Brass handed Trisha over.

“I’m so lucky.” Slade laughed.

Trisha put her arms around Slade’s neck. “I’m not helpless, you know. I can walk and everything.”

“Shut up.”

“Kiss my ass.”

“And this is where you walked in,” Brass snickered. “See why I was threatening to spank her?”

“Yes,” Slade said, nodding, still staring at Trisha. “I’ll spank your ass and then kiss it.”

She laughed, not expecting him to be playful with her. She was glad he wasn’t angry that she’d cleaned the house and had probably overdone it. “That sounds kinky.”

He smiled and climbed the stairs. “Brass, will you please make dinner?”

“Sure.”

“I’m going to shove her into the bathtub and try not to drown her for being so stubborn.”

“Good luck with that.” Brass laughed.

Trisha glared at Slade. “That’s not funny.”

“Sure it is.” He carried her into their bedroom. He finally put her down on the bathroom counter. “And next time you decide to clean the house while you’re pregnant I might not be joking about shoving you under the water.”

She watched him turn on the faucets, loving Slade’s bathtub. He had a garden tub and a separate shower. Slade tested the water and then turned toward her while the tub filled.