by K. S. Ruff
We stopped walking. “They review pain medications and other strategies for coping with labor and delivery.”
He sucked in a breath. “You’re going to be in pain… like real, excruciating pain.”
I forced a soothing tone, although his reaction left me feeling panicked. “Women have babies all the time. I’m sure I’ll be fine.” Secretly, I was questioning whether it would hurt more than having a stun gun shoved inside my vagina. I doubted I could ask that question in class.
He began pacing. “I can’t bear to see you cry. I nearly lost it when you had food poisoning. I might kill someone if I see you in pain.”
I stepped in front of him. “I’m stronger than you know. Besides, who are you going to kill? We chose this, remember?”
He growled his retort.
I wrapped my arm around him when we resumed walking.
Rafael pulled me close. “I want to be in the delivery room. I promise I won’t kill anyone. I just… I want to help.”
“I’d like your face to be the first face our child sees,” I agreed.
We both sensed the moment the sun kissed the sea. The surrounding buildings glowed orange and pink. We stopped to admire the view.
Rafael fit my back to his chest while wrapping his arms around me. “Are we really doing this?”
I cradled my tummy, which had grown substantially over the past week. “Yes, my valiant knight. I believe we are.”
* * * * *
I folded my arms over the edge of the infinity pool and gazed at the sea. The sea and the sky were on fire. The land? The deepest, darkest coal bobbing in molten lava. I may as well have been peering inside a volcano.
A soft sigh escaped my lips. Our honeymoon was nearing an end. I wanted to burn this image on the back of my eyelids so I’d never forget this exquisite island.
Soft, warm lips nibbled my neck.
I spun around. “How do you swim without making a sound?”
Rafael grasped the edge of the pool, boxing me in his arms. “You’ll never guess what the chef is preparing for us.”
“Tomato-kefides?” I suggested hopefully. Tomato-kefides were deep fried tomato fritters mixed with onion, herbs, and butter. They looked like a red hushpuppy, but they tasted a million times better. Of all the Greek food I’d sampled thus far, tomato-kefides were my favorite, although the pan fried feta was a close second.
A smirk played on his lips. “No. He’s grilling an entire bushel of oysters.”
My eyes widened. “Aren’t oysters an aphrodisiac?”
“Yes.” He kissed the sweet spot behind my ear. “I don’t believe we’ll be sleeping tonight.”
My toes curled against the bottom of the pool.
“We haven’t made love in this pool,” Rafael murmured. He tugged my bikini off. His heated gaze pinned me in place while he pulled my legs around his waist. His thickened shaft slid between my legs.
My breath caught when I realized he was already naked. I balked at the thought. We weren’t hidden behind curtains. The sun was setting, but there were lights illuminating the pool. “What if the chef...”
“He’s grilling on the other side of the house. We’re at the far end of the pool, and all of our unmentionables are hidden from view. Besides, I’m pretty sure he knows we’re having sex.” He lifted me a little higher.
“So much for being hidden,” I groaned. My hands tangled in his hair while he suckled my breasts.
He pulled me down and thrust. Hard.
“Rafael!” I cried. Without warning, he buried himself to the hilt.
“Kristine,” he gritted. He pulled back and drove inside of me again.
My heart beat wildly against my chest. Rafael wasn’t asking. He was demanding my consent.
His teeth raked my breasts. He sucked hard, then flicked my nipples with his tongue. They hardened like pebbles inside his sinful mouth. His hands tightened around my hips. He captured my lips. We fell into a frenzied kiss.
Rafael was unyielding. He thrust until I surrendered everything. I no longer cared who witnessed our love making. I needed each thrust more than my heartbeat.
We were panting… thrusting… straining… until… ecstasy. We both screamed. Molten lava filled me while the sun licked the sea.
Chapter 10 – Photograph
Dr. Barreira squished warm gel on my tummy. “How are you feeling?”
“Good. Great, actually. Is it normal for pregnant women to turn into sex addicts?”
She burst out laughing. “A high sex drive during pregnancy is quite normal. There’s a lot of extra hormones and blood coursing through your body.” She swirled the hand held device through the slick gel, spreading it around the bulge in my tummy. Silently, she studied our child.
Dr. Barreira pressed a couple of keys on the ultrasound machine. Two little x’s appeared on the screen. “The baby is twenty-six centimeters long, which is perfect for twenty-one weeks.” She shifted her angle, and the shadow morphed into a baby.
Rafael’s eyes widened. “That’s him. That’s our baby! Look, Kristine, he’s sucking his thumb.”
Dr. Barreira looked thoroughly amused. “What makes you think you’re having a boy?”
Rafael shot her a look suggesting that was the most ridiculous question in the world.
With a chuckle, she moved the device. “Would you like me to confirm or deny your suspicion?”
“Yes,” we answered breathlessly.
She tilted her head and frowned. “The umbilical cord is in the way. Let’s try another angle. Can you roll onto your left side?”
Rafael hovered over me anxiously. The paper on the exam table crinkled while I rolled onto my side.
This time she smiled. “Looks like you’re right.”
A smug look settled over Rafael’s face. “I knew we were having a boy.”
Dr. Barreira grinned. “Congratulations.” She typed “It’s a boy!” onto the screen before printing two pictures. She handed each of us a picture.
A nurse stepped inside the room. She handed Dr. Barreira a slip of paper.
Dr. Barreira glanced at the paper before sifting through my chart. “Your blood work came back normal. I don’t see any signs of birth defects or genetic disorders. There’s some extra protein in your urine and your blood pressure is at the high end of the normal range. I’d like to see you in two weeks so I can check those levels again.”
Rafael tensed. “Is there a problem?”
She wiped the gel from my tummy so I could sit up. “A certain amount of protein is normal. This is a little more than I’d like to see at this stage in the pregnancy. If her blood pressure and protein levels remain where they are, we’ll be fine. I just prefer to err on the side of caution.”
Rafael released his breath. “Thank you, Dr. Barreira.” He helped me from the table.
We made the appointment and stepped outside. Rafael scooped me up and swung me around. “We’re having a boy.”
I grinned. “I heard.”
His smile widened. “He was sucking his thumb.”
“I saw.” Laughter bubbled up from my lungs.
His eyes softened. “Can we tell everyone now?”
Slowly, I nodded. “Yes. I think we should. Maybe I can convert this picture into a formal announcement.”
We began walking toward the car. “I have to head back to work. Do you want to hang out at the station for a little while? You can scan the picture and use my computer to make the announcement.”
Since Brady and Jase were in Virginia, I had three options: remain inside the flat, spend time with Eva, or go to the station. “I’ll hang at the station for a little while, but I want to see if Eva is free so we can shop for maternity clothes.”
He smoothed the loose-fitting dress over my tummy. “Don’t buy any loose-fitting clothes. Buy clothes that will hug your tummy so I can see my baby.”
My heart sang. I loved how enamored he was with my new body.
* * * * *
My eyes raked over Rafael’s
handsome face, his broad shoulders, trim waist, and well-muscled legs. I was certain I’d never tire of looking at this man. How such a lethal physique could wring so much pleasure from my body was truly a mystery, but he had three times thus far today.
He squeezed my hand with a gentleness that belied his strength. “Hungry?”
“Always,” I teased.
He pulled me close, obviously pleased.
I wondered whether it was possible to be too happy. The last two weeks had been nothing short of perfect. While I missed my friends in Virginia, I didn’t miss school or work. Every ounce of tension had disappeared from my body. These days I felt only four things… overwhelming joy, desire, pleasure, and contentment. “So, Restaurante Eleven?”
“The chef is phenomenal.” Rafael’s hand settled against the small of my back as we neared the deep red building with the massive eleven scrawled across the front.
Benjamim, Eva, Chief D’Souza, and Mariana were waiting inside. “Feliz aniversário, meu amiga!” Eva exclaimed. She kissed me on both cheeks before handing me a gift bag. Benjamim, Mariana, and Chief D’Souza did the same.
My cheeks heated. “Thank you.”
The hostess led us across the hardwood floor and out onto the terrace which overlooked the city and the Tagus River. The sky glowed pink and blue, promising yet another spectacular sunset.
Rafael pulled a thickly padded chair out for me. “I’ve ordered the eight course tasting menu with wine pairings, although Kristine and I will be sampling their non-alcoholic wines.”
I kissed his cheek. “Thank you.”
His hand sought my tummy beneath the linen clad table.
Benjamim snapped a picture and texted it to me.
Eva eyed us adoringly. “Are you still playing the Doppler for Brady and Jase?”
Rafael chuckled. “Every day.”
A soft smile played on my lips. While Rafael no longer needed that assurance, since he could feel the baby move, Brady and Jase were demanding regular updates. Playing the Doppler had become a part of our daily routine, along with weekly updates for Kadyn, Shae, Cenia, Marie, Lexie, Kimme, and my mom. I was relieved everyone knew about the baby, but keeping them informed was a full time job.
Two waiters stopped by with duck foie-gras and our wine.
Rafael reached for his glass. “To my beautiful wife, who twines me around her finger a little more each day. Feliz aniversário, meu amor.” His hand clasped my neck while he fit his lips to mine. He teased and tempted me with the kiss before tapping my glass and sampling the wine.
I marveled at the crisp cherry and oak undertones in the non-alcoholic wine. “This is wonderful.”
Rafael smiled. “My gift is waiting for you at home. I was afraid if I gave it to you before dinner, you’d refuse to leave the flat.”
My curiosity spiked. “What is it?”
His smile widened. “A surprise. Suffice it to say, I’ve assigned a bodyguard while I’m at work to help you manage this gift.”
I frowned. “Why?”
“Because you’ll be venturing outside the flat a lot more often while I’m at work,” he answered evasively.
“Oh! Maybe it’s a car,” Mariana exclaimed.
Rafael shook his head. “It’s not a car.”
Eva’s eyes widened. “A motorcycle?”
Rafael’s eyes danced with amusement. “My pregnant wife will not be driving a motorcycle.”
I wracked my brain all through the foie-gras, the lobster ravioli soup, the scallops with caviar, the oysters, the fish, and the duck. Still, I couldn’t fathom what it was. The tangerine crème brûlée and the mignardises the chef served for desert were too decadent to think of anything else. I splurged for a change and savored a cup of bica.
The baby was thrilled. He started doing back flips.
Eva paled when Rafael pressed her hand to my tummy. “Does that hurt?”
I smiled. “Not at all.”
“Thank God,” she breathed.
Rafael eyed Benjamim. “I assume congratulations are in order?”
My eyes flew to Eva’s. “You’re pregnant?”
“Fifteen weeks,” she confirmed with some relief. “Our baby is due in December.”
Tears flooded my eyes. “Oh, Eva! That’s the best birthday present ever. We get to be pregnant together. Our children will be friends!” Everyone rose from the table to give her a hug.
Rafael pulled our chairs together. Each couple snuggled closer when we returned to our seats.
“How did you know?” I asked Rafael.
“The amount of relief in her voice when you assured her the baby’s kicking didn’t hurt,” he answered with a chuckle.
Mariana and Chief D’Souza’s children were grown and attending college. They shared some of their experiences and offered advice while we discussed our pregnancies and dreamed about our unborn children.
I’d forgotten about Rafael’s present until he eased the Porsche into the garage. By then, it was pushing midnight.
“You still haven’t figured out what it is?” Rafael ribbed. We stepped inside the elevator.
“I can’t imagine what sort of present would require me to leave the house.” My eyes widened with understanding. “A job… with the Templar?”
He shook his head. “We can pursue that after the baby is born. For now, I’d like you to focus on your happiness and health, the baby, and maybe one other thing…”
The elevator dinged.
I waited anxiously while Rafael swiped his card.
My mouth fell open when I saw Jase sitting in an awkward position on the dining room floor. There was an explosion of fur. A puppy leapt over him, cocked his head, and barked.
“A Shih Tzu?” I cried. “You got me a Shih Tzu?” The room spun as my past caught up with me. A sharp pain tore through my chest.
Rafael caught me. Slowly, he eased me onto the floor.
Jase and the brindle puppy eyed me worriedly.
“Cade,” I groaned. “How did you know?”
Rafael smoothed my hair while cradling me in his arms. “I saw you walk him. You carried on such long conversations with that dog, it made me laugh. When Michael told me he died…” He shook his head sadly. “I know how much you loved that dog.”
I bit back a sob. Cade had seen me through so much.
“I wanted to give you a puppy for your birthday last year, but you were leaving for Ukraine. I’ve struggled to find the right time ever since. If it’s too soon…”
I sifted through time. “It’s been two years.”
“I thought he could keep you company while I’m at work. I read a blog that listed all of the benefits to getting a puppy when you’re pregnant. A young dog tolerates a baby’s tugging and pulling better than an older dog. He’ll view the baby as a member of our pack. They’ll help keep each other entertained.” He grinned at the puppy. “Besides, I could use some practice.”
I grasped his hand. “You don’t need any practice. You do just fine taking care of me.”
“A puppy is more demanding and unpredictable, although you do get into a lot of trouble,” he teased.
I eyed the little ball of fur uncertainly. “Will he have to be quarantined when we travel between Portugal and the United States?”
Rafael shook his head. “He has to have all of his shots and a letter from the veterinarian confirming he’s in good health before we fly to the United States, but he won’t have to be quarantined. He’ll have a pet passport so he can fly with us. He can join us in Saint-Tropez.”
My eyes shifted to Jase. “Hey.”
A smile played on his face. “Hey.”
My chin lifted. “Are you here to watch over me again?”
“When I heard Rafael was considering someone from Portugal…” his voice trailed off.
“Jase forbid it,” Rafael revealed with some amusement.
“I’m relieved it’s you.” Brady and Jase were like family. I didn’t want anyone else watching over me.
�
��Would you like to meet the newest member of our pack?” Rafael asked. He shifted me in his arms.
The puppy crouched down, wagged his entire bottom, and tore off in the other direction. He had a difficult time gaining traction on the hard wood floor.
We burst out laughing.
The puppy tried to stop, but he ended up skidding across the floor.
Jase laughed even harder. “He’s been doing that all night.”
I looked at Rafael. “Do you have any dog treats?”
He stood. “These are the ones the breeder recommended.”
I followed him into the kitchen.
Rafael retrieved a bag with soft strips of meat and a box of dog biscuits from the top of the refrigerator.
I opened the bag and sniffed the soft jerky treat. “This should work.” I kissed Rafael before joining Jase on the floor. “Does this puppy have a name?”
He shook his head. “Not yet.”
Rafael leaned against the breakfast bar. “I thought you might want to do the honors.”
I studied the puppy, who was boldly sniffing the air. A black button nose and shiny black eyes were the only features visible beyond the explosion of fur. A small tuft of white fur jutted from his forehead and chest. The rest of his coat was streaked in gold, brown, and black. “He’s adorable.”
Jase eyed the mound of fur. “Any names come to mind?”
The puppy locked in on the treat. Slowly, he inched forward.
I held the treat in the palm of my hand while trying to avoid eye contact. “Bica?”
Rafael shook his head.
The puppy inched a little closer.
“Blaze?”
Jase wrinkled up his nose.
“Gunner?”
Jase chuckled.
Rafael shook his head again.
The puppy stopped and stretched his neck as far as it would go.
“Bear?”
Rafael smiled. “That one I like.”
The puppy snatched the treat, stretched out on his tummy, and began to chew.
I stroked his silky soft fur. “Bosco?”
The puppy’s ears perked up.
“Bosco,” Rafael repeated.
The puppy stood and trotted over to him.
“Bosco,” Jase agreed.