He’d missed the twelve-week scan, but she’d sent him a pic to his cell. It had been a godsend, keeping him sane at the end of a long day when the effort of trying not to stutter had taken its toll, leaving him exhausted and grumpy. He’d lie on his makeshift cot, staring at that pic of his kid, knowing he had to do right by him or her.
The fear hadn’t left him that his kid could face the same difficulties he had growing up if he passed on his stutter, but he had to stop letting it taint the way he viewed this pregnancy. He should be celebrating it with Samira, not dreading something that may never eventuate.
“Safe travels, Rory.” Sherman Rix, one of the directors who he’d auditioned for, clapped him on the back. “You’ve done well acclimatizing the last eight weeks, exactly why Allan and I chose you for this job.”
He managed a sedate “Thanks,” as this man intimidated him as much today as he did at the audition over two months ago. While he’d done his best to fit in on the set, he knew most of the crew viewed him as a recluse who preferred his own company than hanging around a campfire at night chugging beers and swapping bullshit. It didn’t bother him, because the less time he spent talking to people beyond the scope of reading off a cue, the easier it would be not to slip up.
But the tension had taken its toll, and he couldn’t wait to escape to his grungy Middle Park flat, no matter how tiny or ill-equipped. As well as seeing Samira, he was looking forward to dropping by the rec hall at the housing commission flats and seeing Amelia’s program in action. His first payment had gone into his bank account two weeks ago, and he’d forwarded the lot to her, keen to get the program started sooner rather than later. She’d responded by sending him pics of the hall with kids at tables around the room, working with therapists. It had warmed his heart and vindicated the sixteen-hour days he was pulling to ensure he did a great job as host of Renegades.
“See you back in Melbourne.” Sherman held out his hand, and Rory shook it. “Take a break. Rest up. Because we start shooting in a month, and we need you on top of your game.”
“No worries, I’ll be ready.” He gave a brusque nod, hiked his duffel over his shoulder, and headed for the plane.
Once ensconced in a small seat, he stared out at the barren landscape, admiring its rugged, red-dusted beauty but glad to see the back of it for now.
* * *
* * *
Eight hours later, after dumping his stuff in the wash at home and showering, he headed for Samira’s. The security guard still gave him the side-eye as he stood outside her door, but he didn’t care. In a moment, he’d be seeing the woman he’d fallen for, and he could hardly wait.
His heart pounded and his palms grew clammy. Crazy, considering they’d moved past the early dating stage, but his nerves had everything to do with seeing her again and hoping their connection hadn’t waned.
The door opened, and he released the breath he’d been holding. She smiled at him, wide and genuine, before gesturing him in.
“Hey there, cowboy, long time no see.” She nodded at the guard. “Thanks, Ru.”
He waited until the door closed before sweeping her into his arms and seeking her mouth.
“I’ve missed you,” he murmured, a second before claiming her lips in a searing kiss that proved actions spoke louder than any corny words he could say.
She clung to him, her tongue sweeping into his mouth, taunting, teasing, driving him crazy with want. Lust slammed through him. His hands skimmed her curves, plucking at her dress, craving more.
But they had to talk. He wanted to make sure everything was okay with her and the baby. “I brought you something.”
She pressed her hips against his and winked. “I bet you did.”
He laughed. “Nice to know those pregnancy hormones are still running riot, but I want to give you this.”
He slid the smallish flat box from his back pocket and held it out to her. “I thought this might be a nice way to celebrate our impending p-parenthood.”
Thankfully, she didn’t notice his slipup, with her eyes focused on the blue velvet box balancing on his palm.
“You’re sweet.” She took the box and opened it, her soft sigh and curve of her lips indicating he’d done well. “It’s beautiful,” she murmured, slipping the silver charm bracelet out of the box and handing it to him. “Help me put it on?”
As he fiddled with the clasp, she stared at him with so much warmth his chest tightened with emotion. If he could, he’d give this woman the world. She’d breezed into his life and turned it upside down when he least expected it, and while the thought of being a father still scared the crap out of him, he felt like he could do anything with her by his side.
“There.” He lifted her hand to his mouth and pressed a kiss to the back of it. “The first charm is a pacifier, and I thought I could add a new one for the baby’s milestones, like first tooth, first step, that kind of thing.”
“You’re too much,” she said, tears shimmering in her eyes, before she buried her face against his chest and he wrapped his arms around her.
He cradled her close, breathing in the fragrance of her, the faintest scent of cinnamon and cloves she used to make masala chai and a deeper, more alluring scent of her, all her.
He’d never been in love and had feared for a long time he wasn’t capable of it. It wasn’t like he knew much about it, considering his upbringing. But he’d done a lot of thinking while he’d been away and had a sneaking suspicion that with thoughts of Samira consuming his every waking moment, and this feeling of completeness now he had her in his arms again, he was in danger of falling headlong into an emotion he knew little about.
His arms tightened around her, and he rested his cheek on the top of her head. He had no idea how long they stood there, locked in an embrace that helped eradicate every painful moment of being apart, but when his eyes stung, he knew he had to aim for levity before he started sniffling too.
“Will it push you over the edge and really make you bawl if I tell you I’ve been reading a digital book on pregnancy while I’ve been away and can practically deliver our baby myself?”
She chuckled against his chest before easing away and whacking him playfully. “You can tell me all about your newfound knowledge over dinner, but first . . .”
He saw the exact moment the tenderness in her eyes gave way to desire, as if she too needed a distraction before blurting her innermost feelings.
With a coy smile, she grabbed his shoulders and guided him to the nearest chair, pushed him down on it, and clambered on top of him.
When he opened his mouth, she pressed a finger to it, silencing him, before unzipping him and taking his rigid cock in her hand and guiding it toward her.