With a laugh, he begins working his way down the center of my back, finally bringing his arms around my large belly and hugging me tight to his chest. “Go kick your feet up, darlin’. I got this.” His lips brush my ear. “I’ll finish tending to you later.”
“I heard that,” Nadine offers with a giggle. “Let the boy get his hands dirty, Nya. Don’t argue with a man who’s willing to help. So many women don’t have that.”
When everyone else—apart from my daughter, who quit ages ago—insists, I plant myself on the settee on the far wall and watch them work.
The scent of the cooked pork has my belly grumbling and our little one kicking up a storm. I rest a hand on my tummy, relishing the feeling. At one point the baby flips and my entire tummy shifts, bringing the hugest smile to my face. I never thought I’d get the chance to experience this again. I don’t take a single moment for granted.
I pull my feet up, tucking them under my thighs as I glance around the room at my family—at my husband, who’s so relaxed cooking and chatting among all the women. Through the windows behind me, I can hear Ellie and Kennedi jumping into the pool while Chance watches over them. For so long I held such a grudge toward that man. Now it makes me smile to see my best friend sneaking longing glances at him through the floor-to-ceiling windows when she thinks no one is watching.
Oh, but I’ve been watching. I’m the last to admit when she’s wrong, so this will remain between us, but I was mistaken about these two. My girl has finally met her match, a fact that gives me the warm fuzzies all over. No one is more deserving.
It’s growing dark by the time the dozens of tamales are steamed and ready for tomorrow’s party. After a hard day’s work, we stuff ourselves on the fruits of our labor, along with Mexican rice and refried beans.
Following dinner, Ellie and Kennedi take off to the Larsons, where they’ll remain until tomorrow evening after the shower. My weary family goes right to work tidying up the place.
I shoot Liam a look—one he is able to read instantly. I’m all peopled out for the day. My husband dutifully sends everyone home to get some rest, insistent we can handle the cleanup ourselves.
Finally, the house is quiet for the first time today. I find solace in the rhythmic motion of wiping down the countertops and cabinets while he handles the mountain of dishes.
By the time we’ve finished, all I want to do is fall into bed and shut my eyes. But it’s apparent my husband has other ideas when he comes out of our room with my yellow bikini dangling from his finger. “The heater’s still on in the pool…” His other hand scrubs over his bare chest, drawing my eyes to those well-defined pecs. His smile is so boyish and jovial while he rakes his blue orbs over my frame.
We haven’t had much alone time lately. The girls tend to hang out at our house most of the time now that it’s summer and warm enough to swim. Not to mention, this third trimester is kicking my ass. I’m usually asleep by the time Liam makes it to bed. He has to be feeling deprived, especially after such an active second trimester, although he’d never complain.
Despite my aching muscles and heavy lids, I plaster on a seductive smile and take the suit from his procured hand. “Be right back.” My laziness beckons as I rush past the lush king-sized bed, fighting the urge to bury myself in the mountain of pillows, on my way to the bathroom.
With haste, I don my swimsuit, my swollen breasts spilling out from all angles. Eventually I just stop tugging, accepting this fit is as good as it’ll get. I feel so insecure these days. Liam swears he doesn’t see the faint lines developing on my hips as my stomach stretches a little more with each passing day, but when I look at myself, it’s all I see.
How could anyone find this attractive?
After piling my hair into a bun, I shove my insecurities aside and head out to join my husband. He deserves a night of passion. This man does so much for me. I can give him that. I will give him that.
“Hot tamale!” Liam’s shout of approval greets me as I step through the back door, followed by an obnoxious cat-call that’s so my husband. He’s already waist deep in the pool and shaking his hips along to beat of the salsa music my father left playing on the surround sound.
Heat fills my cheeks. “You’re so embarrassing.”
“Who’s there to be embarrassed for? It’s just you and me, baby.” The next thing I know he’s reaching a hand below the water and coming up with his sopping wet shorts. They land with a plop on the cement beside me, drops of water splattering my legs.
I shake my head at his brazen move and start for the steps. Butterflies swarm in my chest as I wade into the water, both eager to touch him, and desperate to hide.
“You’re very naked.” Way to state the obvious, Nya.
Am I sexy or what?
Once I’m within reach, he pulls me close and my senses go haywire. His erect penis brushes my inner thigh, sending a jolt of desire shooting right to my core.
“I’m sorry.” He cups a hand around his ear. “I can’t seem to hear you with all these clothes on.”
“What?” I lace my hands behind his neck, nibbling his ear. “I’m practically naked.”
His fingers pinch the string at my back and he tugs until the top is dangling loosely around my neck. “Much better.”
“Why did you even bother with having me put it on?” I’m laughing as I move my arms to cross over my breasts. He yanks the top over my head, releasing it into the water. There’s no one around to see us, yet still I feel the need to shield myself from view.
“Presents are always better when you get to unwrap them.” He grabs each of my wrists, lowering them to my sides.
“Is that so?”
“It is. Don’t take my toys back.” He covers each of my breasts with a strong hand then brushes his thumbs across the nipples. Instantly they harden into firm buds.
“Be gentle,” I rasp, desire coating my throat. Every exquisite sweep of his rough skin borders on pain, but I don’t want him to stop. My breasts are hypersensitive, a direct line to my libido.
He trails his hands up my body, cradling my head. “Dance with me?”
“What, here? Naked? In the pool?” Liam wasn’t much for dancing when we first met, but boy did he take to it quick. Our bodies had this instant chemistry, seeming to synchronize from the start.
He lifts my hand into the air, giving me a twirl. “Yep.” His head bobs, his tongue gently rolling over his lips as he stares down at my body, like he’s never seen anything he’s wanted more. His abs roll as he swirls his hips.
“I feel silly,” I admit, hesitating.
“Why?”
Can he not see how ridiculous I look? “Because I don’t even have hips to shake any longer. I gesture down to my enormous belly. “I’m a big blob.”
His hands come to rest on either side of my round stomach, and he snorts. “Look at these eyes.” He points to the deep blue irises at the center of his face, blazing with desire. “You are blind if that’s what you think I see.” His lips dip into the bend of my neck, his breath warm as he places slow, measured kisses, all the while guiding my body to move with his. When he reaches my ear, his tongue flicks over the lobe. “You want to know what I see?”