“Me neither, but then again I’ve never been with any men.” I chuckled, and she smacked my chest lightly.
“You know what I mean,” she said with a scowl on her pretty face. “Are you going to stop seeing other women?”
Oh boy, things just got real, didn’t they?
Was I going to take myself off the market? Was I ready to do that? I didn’t even know Katana that well at all. What if there were things about her that just didn’t sit well with me?
She could have some nasty habits I just couldn’t cotton to. I mean, who knew if we’d actually get along or not?
But looking into her eyes I told myself that I should forgo seeing other women until I knew for certain that she and I weren’t compatible. “I think I can be satisfied with just little ol’ you. We don’t have to put this agreement in stone. We have a lot to get to know about one another before we decide whether we’re interested in pursuing more later on if we want. But for now, yeah, I’ll stay away from other women, and you stay away from other men.”
She let out a big breath. “Good.”
Then she kissed me, and we fell into that blissful state of just being together. It seemed the most natural thing to me, being with her. But as we continued kissing and my cock grew, I heard her tummy growling and stopped the kiss—if I didn’t stop now I knew this would lead all the way to the bed. “You’re hungry.”
“Not so hungry that we need to stop where we were headed,” she protested.
I wasn’t having any of that. I took her hand in mine, leading her out the bedroom door. “I’m getting you something to eat. I’ll have Mona make you a sandwich to tide you over until dinner’s ready.”
She lagged behind, whining, “Really Nix, I can wait for dinner. I’m not that hungry. My tummy has just started growling a lot—I have no idea why that is.”
I had to laugh. Was she really so clueless? “Baby, you have a little human you’re growing inside of you. You need to eat a lot more so our kid will be healthy.”
Taking her straight into the kitchen, I didn’t see Mona anywhere and figured she was doing something elsewhere. So I sat Katana down and went to the fridge to make her a sandwich myself. “Ham?” I asked.
“I kind of hate ham. Do you have turkey?” she asked then tried to get up. “I can make my own sandwich, Nix.”
I turned around and placed my hands on her shoulders. “I’ve got this. So turkey and Swiss?” I asked as I found some sliced Swiss cheese in the lunch meat drawer.
“Sounds great. And thank you,” she said, then pulled out her cell and looked at her social media while I got to work.
A beep from the alarm system alerted me that it was being deactivated again and my stomach went tight. I knew there were only four people who had the code to my system, and three of them were already in the house.
“That would be Shanna,” I told Katana, watching her eyes go big.
“Shanna? Who’s that?” she asked.
Shanna came into the kitchen before I could answer her. And she didn’t wait one second for me to introduce the two. “I’m Shanna, Nixon’s best friend. You must be the woman who says she’s pregnant by him.”
Katana got up and extended her hand in a polite gesture, but Shanna didn’t shake it. “I’m Katana Reeves. It’s a pleasure to meet you, Shanna.” When Shanna just looked at Katana’s hand for several moments, Katana pulled it back and took a seat.
Shanna did the same, sitting across the small table from her. I hated the way she was eyeing Katana and stepped in, placing the plate with the sandwich and chips in front of Katana. “I think milk would be best for you to drink.” I turned to grab a glass and then wondered if she had any allergies. I turned back, placing my hand on her shoulder. “Wait, are you lactose intolerant, or do you have any allergies I should know about?”
“No, I’m allergy-free as far as I know, and I can have dairy. Thank you, Nix,” Katana said then bit into her sandwich as Shanna stared at her. I had to hand it to Katana—she didn’t seem to be intimidated by Shanna in the least.
But then I remembered that Katana had been in an orphanage and then in foster care. She’d probably had to learn at a very early age how to deal with assholes—which my best friend was definitely being.
After placing the glass of milk on the table, I took a seat, pulling my chair closer to Katana’s than Shanna’s. “So what brought you back here, Shanna?”
“I wanted to meet her, of course,” she answered me. “So what’s the deal with you two?”
“What do you mean?” Katana asked, wiping her mouth with the napkin I’d given her.
“I mean, do you think you’re going to come in here and take over my best friend’s life?” Shanna tapped her foot as she stared Katana down.
I’d had enough. “Shanna, stop.”
Shanna’s light brows rose and she looked appalled. “Nixon, someone has to look out for you. I’m not about to let some money-grubbing bitch …”
I stood up and took her by the arm. “I will not have you speaking that way in my house, Shanna.” I jerked her up and pulled her toward the door.
But Katana stopped me. “It’s okay, Nix. She can ask me anything she wants to. She just cares about you. That’s why she’s upset right now—I understand that. Please, let her sit back down, and she and I can get to know one another. If she’s your best friend, then she’s pretty important to you, and will be to our baby as well.”
I let Shanna’s arm go and wagged my finger in her face. “You chill on the name calling. You’re lucky she’s nice, Shanna, or you’d have been out on your ass. Be nice. She’s the mother of my child. My blood. And you know how I am about blood. It takes priority over everyone else. Don’t make me cut you out of my life.”
Shanna went pale. I suppose she’d never imagined I’d actually do such a thing to her. “Nixon?”
I nodded and took my seat again. “I am dead serious. Now play nice.”
Shanna took her seat and looked apologetic. “Well, seems he’s got a protective instinct for you, Katana. I’m sorry. I’ve known this man since we were little kids. He and I were in the same classes all through our school years. I lived three houses down from his, and we walked to school together every day for thirteen years. He’s beaten up my jackass boyfriends when they hurt me, and he’s let me cry on his shoulder about them too. He’s a rare man, and I count myself lucky to be able to call him a friend, let alone my best friend.”
Katana finished up her sandwich and then took a long drink of her milk before saying anything else. “Sorry, I didn’t realize just how hungry I was until I took that first bite.” She patted my leg underneath the table. “Thanks, sweetie.” Then she turned her attention to Shanna. “I think it’s admirable of you to want to watch out for Nix. He’s lucky to have a friend like you who cares so much. I’d like to set the record straight, though. I am not a money-grubbing bitch.”
“She isn’t,” I agreed. “I have told you that before.”
Katana smiled at me and ran her hand over my bearded cheek. “Aw, you stood up for me before? That’s so sweet of you.”
“Yeah, he’s a real sweetheart,” Shanna said then shook her head. “Not. At least, not usually.” She narrowed her eyes at me, looking like she was trying to solve a puzzle. “I don’t think I’ve ever seen you make anything for anybody in my entire life, Nixon. And I’ve never seen him look at anyone the way he looks at you, Katana. But I want to warn you both: you don’t know one another. Try your best not to rush into things more than you already have.”
But it felt like life was rushing ahead for us—and at a staggering pace.
Part Four
Chapter 18
Katana
After several days had passed, I began to feel more settled. Nix and I had chosen an obstetrician and had an appointment set up for the late afternoon. Nerves were getting the best of me, and I ended up puking three times before he arrived at three to pick me up.
Holding my hand on the console between the se
ats, his thumb ran back and forth over the top of my hand. “You look pretty in that pink dress.” He pulled my hand up and kissed it. “Can I assume that means you’re hoping for a girl?”
I shook my head. “I’m hoping for a healthy baby—the sex doesn’t matter to me.” I looked out the window. “I don’t know how to take care of either, anyway.”
Nix told me he wanted to wait to be sure I stayed pregnant before he told his family about our situation, but once we were past the critical three-month mark, he’d tell them about everything.
“You know I told you my mother would help you with all that. I don’t want you to worry even a little bit about that—you’ll be a great mother. I know you will.” He kissed my hand again, and I couldn’t help but smile.
I don’t know how he made me feel so much better just by being with me, but he did. “I know you’ll be a great father.”
“I’m going to try.” He chuckled. “I had to lie to my mother a while ago.”
“Why?” I asked, surprised he’d have to lie about anything.
“She wanted me to come for Christmas, and I told her I’d made plans with my business partners for that day so I couldn’t come this year.” He shook his head. “I don’t lie often. It felt pretty unnatural doing it, but I don’t want to jump the gun with our news.”
Thinking about losing the baby made my stomach roll, and I swallowed as saliva suddenly began to produce rapidly. I saw a stoplight ahead and prayed he’d make it to that before I had to open the door and hurl. I couldn’t even say a word as I felt sure I’d projectile vomit all over his expensive car.
When Nix stopped at the light, I opened the door and let it all out. “Baby?” he called out.
It took no time to expel the little that was left in my stomach, and I closed the door and leaned my head back on the headrest when I was done. “God, I hate that.”
He handed me a tissue as he shook his head. “Damn, I hate that for you.”
By the time we got to the doctor’s office, the butterflies in my tummy had turned into pterodactyls, and I had to cling to Nix for support. I’d never really leaned on anyone in my life. It felt odd—and even a little dangerous—but I couldn’t help it.
The waiting room was full of expecting mothers in various stages of pregnancy. A few small kids were playing with some toys in one corner, and I noticed only a handful of fathers there with the women. I squeezed Nix’s arm, which I had wrapped mine around. “Thank you, Nix.”
“For?” he asked as he grinned at me.
“Being here with me. For me.” I kissed his cheek. “You’re my rock.”
He kissed mine right back. “I am that. And I wouldn’t miss this for anything.”
When my name was called, we got up. He wrapped his arm around me, supporting me, and I knew he could feel my body shaking. “I’m so scared.”
“No reason to be. Nothing bad will happen to you. Come on, be brave. For our baby, be brave.” He kissed my cheek once more and in we went.
The doctor was a man in his late fifties. He passed us in the hallway and stopped to introduce himself. “You’re new.” He extended his hand, and we took turns shaking it. “I’m Doctor Sheffield.”
Nix took the lead. “I’m Nixon Slaughter, and this is Katana Reeves.”
“Nice to meet you both. Do the deal with the nurses, and I’ll come see you soon.” He walked away, leaving us to follow the nurse once more.
“He seemed nice,” I said, and felt a tiny bit better about this whole thing.
“I’m sure he’s very nice. And he had many high recommendations. I think we picked the right man for the job, baby.” He gave me a confident smile, and I had to smile back.
After an hour of being weighed and measured, and giving urine and blood samples, I was handed a paper robe and Nix and I were sent to a room to wait for the doctor.
I undressed behind a little curtain while Nix looked at the posters on the walls, which depicted the stages of a developing fetus. “Let’s see here,” he said as I changed. “It’s now the twelfth of December, and that means we’re six weeks. That means we should be able to hear the baby’s heartbeat, according to this chart.”
I came out wearing the unflattering paper robe and looked at the table I had to climb up on. Then I felt hands on my waist, turning me around. Nix lifted me up, putting me on the table. “Thank you.” I couldn’t help the smile that took over my face. The man was just too damn good.
“You look adorable. Can I take a picture of you? I swear I won’t post it on anything; I just want to chronicle everything.” He pulled his cell out of his jacket pocket and cocked his head as he waited for my approval.
“Swear to make me look good in this silly thing?” I asked.
He nodded. “You’ll look like a pinup girl, I swear.”
With a nod, I gave him approval and found him snapping a ton of pictures and taking selfies with me in the pictures too. He had me laughing and feeling a lot less nervous in no time at all.
When Doctor Sheffield came in, he wore a wide grin on his face. He pushed one hand through his salt and pepper hair as he came to us. “Glad to see you two having a good time. It’s nice to see people celebrating bringing a new life into the world.” He opened up the folder with all my information and looked it over. “Says here you two are certain about the date of conception and that some people must’ve had a fun time on Halloween.” He grinned knowingly at us.
“That we did,” Nixon confirmed. “So when are we going to be seeing our little baby’s face, doc?”
“If everything goes right, you’ll see your baby on the twenty-fourth of July. How does that sound?” The doctor walked over to the counter to put on a pair of gloves.
My heart began to pound then. I knew what the gloves meant and wasn’t real keen on Nix being there while the doctor poked and prodded me. But I guessed that would be something I’d have to get used to. Nix did seem set on being a part of every little bit of the pregnancy—as much as he could be, at least.
I must’ve had a wild-eyed look on my face as the doctor came and pushed me gently back. Nix took the place on my right, holding my hand and smiling at me reassuringly. “You’ll be just fine, baby.”
I nodded but didn’t feel just fine as the doctor placed my feet in the stirrups. Then he pushed something cold inside of me as he said, “We’ll just get this Pap smear out of the way, then I’ll do a transvaginal ultrasound and see if we can hear a heartbeat.”
My entire body tensed as he cranked the mechanism, opening me up so he could do the test. “Ow,” I whined when it pinched me.
“Almost done, Katana,” the doctor assured me.
When I looked at Nix, I saw he wasn’t even breathing as he stared at the top of the doctor’s head. He was nervous too. He never said one word about it, but I could read his body language. All the while, his only mission seemed to be trying his best to keep me calm.
I had lucked into getting the best baby-daddy in the whole world. I had no idea what I’d done to deserve all of this. But I was thankful for it all. I squeezed his hand, and he looked at me. “Thanks again for being here for me.”
He nodded. “Thanks again for including me.” He leaned over and kissed my forehead.
The doctor finished with the uncomfortable procedure then pushed something else inside me before flipping a switch on a small screen on his left. We could see the screen too, but I had no idea what we were looking at.
He moved the device inside of me as he searched for our baby. “Here we go.” He smiled at us as he pointed to a small orb on the screen. The orb pulsed as the doctor turned up the sound, and there was the tiny heartbeat.
A tear fell, and I gasped. Nix squeezed my hand and looked at me. “So there it is. Our baby, Katana.”
My heart filled with love. Love for the little orb, and love for Nixon Slaughter.
God help me, how can anyone fall in love this quickly?
Chapter 19
Nixon
A few days had passed
since we’d gone to the doctor. I was having lunch with August as our other partner, Gannon, was busy with other things that day. I guessed a two-year-old could take up a lot of time, but my bet was that it was actually the hot young babysitter that had Gannon Forester so busy these days.
I’d made this vow to myself about telling as few people as possible about the pregnancy, but I couldn’t stop myself. “So, I’m going to be a little busy myself come the end of July.” I put a piece of pepper steak into my mouth as I waited for August to ask me why that was.
“That’s some time off, Nixon. You have another deal going on or something?” he asked me, then took a long drink of his iced tea.
“You remember when I left town for Halloween?” I ran my hand over my beard, remembering how that night had marked the beginning of me growing it out. I’d soon have a much more permanent reminder of that fateful night.
“Yeah, I remember you ditching us that night. So, what about it?” He stopped eating to give me his full attention. “You look different, Nixon.”
“Yeah?” I asked. “How so?”
He shrugged. “Not exactly sure about that. You just look a little different. A little happier or something. You must be getting more sleep than you usually do. You have a healthy look going on.”
I’d had less sleep than usual lately, as Katana and I had spent at least two hours of every night since she moved in engaged in some mind-blowing sex. Her bedroom was merely a place for her clothes to be kept. But I had been eating better—spending more time at home with Katana eating the healthy foods Mona made us instead of eating out so much.
“So, the thing that will have me so busy by late July is actually a baby.” I stopped, waiting for his reaction—dropping the mic, so to speak.
August blinked a few times. “Have you been seeing someone seriously that you’ve left out of our conversations?”
“Well, now I am.” I chuckled. “The woman I met on Halloween is pregnant—and it’s mine. When she called me and told me she took a test that came back positive, I moved her into my place.”
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