“I can’t do that,” he said after clearing his throat. Kane tried to step closer but Cole stopped him. “I refuse to meet your mother with an erection.”
Kane smiled devilishly then gently grabbed his wrist. He brought it to his mouth, licking his palm then each and every finger as if it was his cock that was already pressing hard against his zipper. Cole licked his lips and squeaked when he was pulled closer to Kane’s body as his other hand snaked around his waist. He couldn’t help it . . . he leaned up and connected their lips together into a needy kiss. Kane groaned as he started pulling on the man’s T-shirt in a rush to feel his lover’s skin. There was a loud knock on his room door and he froze for a second.
“Ignore it,” Kane said kissing his way down to his neck. He was about to follow his lover’s order when there was another knock followed by an annoyed female voice.
“Kane Cartwright, you stop what you’re doing and step away from my shopping partner now. You don’t want me to come in there. Come to think of it I don’t want to go in there even though . . .”
She kept talking as Cole stepped out of his lover’s arms to hide his chuckle. Kane growled at him as he walked around him and it only made Cole chuckle more. He turned around just as Kane roughly pulled the door open, instantly stopping Julia’s chatter.
“Oh, hello, son. Did I interrupt something?” she asked innocently.
“Ten minutes, Mama, couldn’t you just wait that long?” he growled at her.
She touched the left side of his face. “Son, are you okay? Do we need to take you to the doctor?”
“No, why would you ask me that, you know I’m fine.”
Cole could hear the confusion in Kane’s voice, but he knew where the conversation was going and was trying his damnedest not to laugh.
“Then how come you only last ten minutes,” she said with a shrug of her shoulders. “Even in his current condition, your father lasts longer than ten minutes.”
Cole lost it and fell on the bed laughing as tears ran down his cheeks. The last comment he heard from his lover was a growl as he stomped out of the room.
“Gosh, he’s so touchy lately, you’d think he was the one that was pregnant.”
That made Cole laugh even harder.
Since their meeting on the day of the cafe opening, Julia and Cole got together as often as they could just to talk. She even helped him out a couple of times when things got busy, which was usually the days when Preston went for his therapy rides. After seeing the bite mark on the nape of Cole’s neck she declared that when the baby was born the child should call her grandmother and offered up free babysitting services.
Cole rested a hand on his stomach. He and his child were growing. He was eight months pregnant and had a checkup in a couple of hours. He had yet to ask Kane to go with him to a doctor’s appointment. Cole still wasn’t sure how Kane felt about the baby. There were times he caught the man staring at his stomach and he couldn’t read his facial expression.
“Do you think we should ask him to go with us?” He looked down at his stomach, when no response came back Cole figured it was a sign. He pulled his cell phone out of his pocket when it rang, quickly answering it. “Hey, Dad. What’s up?”
“Hey, kid, I’m not going to be able to go with you for your checkup. I’m kind of swamped right now.”
Sighing, Cole nodded, forgetting that his dad couldn’t see him. “All right. I guess I can ask Pop.”
“You do that. I need to go.”
His dad hung up before he could say another word. He dialed his pop’s number and waited for him to answer. “Hey, kiddo. What’s up?”
“Hey, Pop. Dad can’t go to my appointment with me.”
“I won’t be able to either. I have a ton of shit to do right now,” Bill said before he could even get the words out of his mouth. “Hell, I’m not even sure when I’ll be done. Look, I really have to go. Let me know how my grandkid is doing later.”
He hung up before Cole could say more. He looked down at his phone and wondered if he should call Marla. But if his dad was busy, then that meant she was as well. A thought occurred to him.
Why do I need someone to go with me? I’m a big boy, I can go to the doctor by myself.
It was the truth, but it always felt great to have some moral support whenever he was at the doctor. He was a walking contradiction sometimes, and he knew it. Although he wanted to do things on his own, he didn’t mind the help that was easily offered to him. Grabbing the keys to his car, he walked out of his office and told Gene that he was going to his appointment and would be back soon. He stepped out of the bakery and walked to his car, which was parked on the other side of the street. He was about to get in when Kane’s large truck pulled up, stopping him.
“Get in,” he said in a way of greeting.
Cole folded his arms over his chest, or tried to anyway especially with his stomach seeming to take over the entire front part of him. “Excuse me?”
“You have a doctor’s appointment, right?”
“Yeah, but how do you know?”
Kane tsked and shook his head. “Do you think I don’t pay attention? Cole, when are you going to get it that I’m not going anywhere.”
“But this isn’t your baby.”
“Get in the truck,” Kane said again. They stared at each other for a few seconds before Cole gave in and got in. “Listen to me, because I’m only going to talk about this once. I want you, both of you.” He rested a hand on Cole’s stomach. “Stop trying to push me away because you think I don’t want this baby. I don’t know what you’re having and I’m already attached to the kid.”
“I’m having a boy.”
Kane gasped. He looked down at Cole’s stomach and then at him again. “A boy?”
Cole nodded and before he could say anything Kane covered his lips, pulling him into a kiss. “Thank you,” he said against Cole’s lips. “Thank you for coming into my life.” He pulled back and put the truck in drive and they were off. All the worry he had before about Kane not wanting his baby disappeared. Maybe he could have a happily ever after with his cowboy after all.
Sitting in his husband’s office, Denny stared at the man that’d been the love of his life since the day they met. “Are you sure we’re doing the right thing?”
“Yeah, they need each other,” Bill answered. “In the few short months that Cole’s been here, I’ve seen a change in Kane, hell, in Cole as well.”
Bill was right. Kane wasn’t a jerk like Ryker. Before a couple of months ago, Kane was lonely and was unknowingly searching for someone. The other man would walk around with a scowl on his face, sometimes barking orders at his employees. It had nothing to do with sex, Kane had men throwing themselves at him. Everyone saw that he was simply lonely and needed a mate, but didn’t know how to help him. But it seemed the fates did and sent Cole to the ranch.
Denny nodded and got up, he walked over to his husband and sat on his legs. “I hate lying to him, but like you said, they need each other.”
Bill cupped Denny’s cheeks. “I’m not going to make the same mistakes like last time. I’m not going to sit by and let him get hurt again. He’s about to have a baby and Kane needs to be a part of the process.”
“You’re right,” he said laying his head on Bill’s shoulder. “Just hope we didn’t push them together too fast after what Cole’s been through.”
Bill carded his fingers through his hair. “I don’t think we really did anything. You and I felt the tension between them the day we got home. All we did was start the process, and the fates did the rest.”
“You know, Kane reminds me a lot of you.”
“Are you eyeing our boss and future son-in-law?” Bill asked.
“No, the only man I see is you. Always have and always will.”
“Is that so?”
“Oh yeah.” Bill smiled.
Denny was happy and wanted the same thing for his son, which was why he lied to him. Cole and Kane needed each other, more than the t
wo realized.
Chapter Ten
Kane was nervous, no make that terrified. He was trying his best to not get up and start pacing the room. He was about to see his adopted son for the first time.
He was shocked when Bill then Denny had called him and told him they wouldn’t be able to go with Cole to his checkup. It would have been better if Cole was the one to ask him to go, but he was more than happy to fill in for the two older men. He was starting to think that Cole was never going to ask him to go with him. If he’d known that the other man still thought he wouldn’t want to be with him because of the baby, he would have said something long ago.
“Why are you nervous?” Cole whispered in his ear.
“I’m not nervous. What gave you that idea?” Not saying a word, Cole's eyes traveled down to his leg that was shaking. Clearing his throat, he leaned back and stretched his legs, hoping to give off an air that he was completely relaxed. That didn’t work, he was more wound up than he expected to be. “How long do they expect you to sit out here and wait?”
“Oh, for crying out loud, Kane. Do I need to put you in the time-out corner?”
A snort from the other side of the room had him looking up to see another couple and the one who was pregnant looked at him and Cole. He scowled, but the couple seemed unfazed.
“Stop scowling,” Cole said beside him. “Come on, they just called my name.”
“Hi, Mister Bradford, how are you doing today?” the nurse holding the door asked.
“Hello, Lee, I’m doing great today. How about yourself? How are your kids?” They started walking down the hall.
“Oh, they are great. Thanks, by the way, for that small tidbit, I tried it and Hank hasn’t stopped . . .”
Kane cleared his throat getting their attention. “Oh, hello there.” She looked back at Kane. “Mister Cartwright, I didn’t see you there.”
“Yeah, I’m so tiny, it’s easy to miss me.” His nervousness was bringing out his sarcastic side.
“Kane,” Cole snapped.
“What?”
“It’s fine, Mister Bradford, I’m used to first-time fathers. Why, Hank was the same way when I was pregnant with Jolene.”
He was about to ask how she knew he was the father considering that it was the first time he’d been there. But the irritated look on Cole’s face told him to keep his mouth shut. They were guided to a room and the second the door was closed, Cole backed him against the wall. Kane didn’t expect the kiss that came at him but took it just the same.
“Feel better?”
He nodded and leaned down giving Cole another kiss. “I’m sorry,” he said against his lover’s lips. “I don’t know why I’m so nervous.”
“I do. You knew I was pregnant, but today, being here, it finally hit you that I’m going to have a baby.” Cole stepped back putting some space between them. “This is your chance to walk away now, Kane. I promise I won’t be angry or think differently about you. I know what I’m asking you to give up and take on.”
Kane stared at him for a few seconds before he took the few short steps that he needed to touch him. “I think you have it all wrong. I’m not nervous because I want to back out. Yeah, being here makes me realize that you’re going to have a baby. It made me question if I was ready, not mentally, but for what comes next for us. I asked you weeks ago to move in with me and you still haven’t answered me. I’m not sure if I’m rushing you because I want to move us to the next phase in our life together. And I’m scared you’re going to be the one to back out on me. And yeah, I’m nervous about seeing the baby today for the first time.” Saying what he was afraid of made him realize that his mother was right, he was running from being in a relationship because he didn’t want to get his heart broken.
“We keep going around in circles on this, don’t we?”
Kane smiled. “Yeah.”
“Okay,” Cole said.
“Okay, what?”
“Okay, I’ll move in with you.” Kane was about to lean in and kiss him, but Cole stopped him. “Not so fast, there are rules. Two of them to be exact.”
“Rules, seriously?”
“Yes, Kane, rules. You know those things you must abide by. Me too for that matter.”
“Fine,” Kane said sitting down in the chair in front of the table.
“One, if at any time you think this isn’t working for us you need to tell me. I don’t want to be in a relationship where I’m more of a burden. Two, I want to pay rent and split the bills fifty-fifty.”
Kane was about to object, he didn’t need the man to pay him anything. They were doing this as partners. He learned not to argue with Cole when he had a determined expression on his face. “Is that it?”
“Yup.”
“Okay,” Kane said and stood up. He backed up Cole to the table, lifting him up and placed him on it. “How long do you think we have before the doctor comes in here?”
“I would say your time’s up.”
Cole snorted and started to laugh when the doctor answered for him.
“Great timing, Lake,” Kane said sarcastically as he turned around and faced the man.
Doctor Lakeland Moody and Kane had gone to school together, played on the same football and baseball team in high school. He wouldn’t call them friends, but Kane knew that Lakeland was a good guy.
“Anytime, buddy,” he said to Kane before turning to look at Cole. “Sorry for the wait, Cole,” Lakeland said walking into the room and washing his hands at the sink.
“It’s fine, Kane and I needed some time to work things out.”
“I heard,” he said. “Okay, lean back for me and lift your shirt.”
Kane watched as Cole did as he was asked.
Lakeland started feeling around Cole’s belly as he asked questions. “How are you sleeping?”
“Good.”
“Any pains in your back or knees?”
“No.”
“Good, let me know if you have any. As the baby grows, you might start experiencing them. You’re in your third trimester, and the baby will be more active at night since it sleeps more during the day.”
“It’s okay if you say he, Kane knows what I’m having.”
“Wonderful. Congratulations, Kane.” He grunted at the man in response. Lakeland chuckled and Cole rolled his eyes. “He hasn’t changed since high school.”
“He was this grumpy in high school?”
“Yup, but it also helped attract all the guys and girls who wanted to make him smile.”
“Oh brother, apparently they didn’t do a good job.”
“Nope.”
“You know I’m right here,” Kane snapped.
“We know,” they said together and chuckled.
“Okay, Cole, back to you. How’s your diet?”
“Good, other than morning sickness now and then, everything is fine.”
“Excellent, it sounds as if you’re doing everything I suggested. You’ve gained some weight but expect to gain some more. So, don’t worry if your appetite increases. The good thing is you’re active with the new bakery, but don’t overdo it. Also get as much sleep as possible, you’re going to need it before and after the baby arrives.”
“Okay,” Cole said with a smile. “Oh, I brought those tarts you love so much.”
“Oh, man, you’re murder on my diet.” They chuckled and Kane rolled his eyes. He wasn’t jealous of their friendship, Lakeland was a good guy.
“Are you ready to see the baby?”
“Oh, heck yeah,” Cole said excitedly.
“How about you, Kane, ready to meet the little one?”
Kane couldn’t speak so he simply nodded.
“All right.” Lakeland set up the machine and put the probe to Cole’s stomach. He moved it around, doing some tapping on the keyboard. “Come on, little one, are you going to show up for your daddy and I assume papa?” Lakeland said, but Kane got the feeling he was talking to himself. “Ah, there you are.” He typed on the keyboard again and this time
he was able to hear a steady beat.
“Is that the heartbeat?” he whispered, finally finding his voice.
“Yeah.”
Kane didn’t know who answered, all he could do was stare at the screen. He was able to make out the shape of the baby and it was a beautiful sight. Hearing the baby’s heartbeat and seeing him overwhelmed Kane with emotions he couldn’t describe with words. He reached over and took Cole’s hand, kissing the back of it, never taking his eyes off the screen. The child might not be his by blood, but it was his through love, and that was all that mattered.
Later that night they were lying in Cole’s bed. Kane had his ear pressed against the side of Cole’s belly. He was still reeling from excitement after seeing the baby earlier that day.
“How about Simeon?” he asked. They’d been discussing baby names all day and every name he suggested Cole turned it down. He’d also turned down a few of Cole’s as well.
“Simeon, nope, I don’t like it.”
“Please, tell me this is not going to be like trying to find a name for the bakery?” He rolled over and looked at his pregnant lover who was wearing the same happy smile as him.
“I hope not,” Cole said stifling a yawn.
“Don’t worry. We’ll figure it out, together.” Cole nodded, and he leaned up and kissed Cole quickly on the lips before resting his head next to his lover’s belly. He hummed and started rubbing his lover’s stomach. He turned his head when he heard Cole’s soft snoring and smirked before turning back to the baby. He already felt a connection to the baby. At night while Cole slept, he’d rub his belly and whisper to the baby.
He’d read that it would help develop a connection between him and the baby. Which was why every night after Cole fell asleep he’d stay up for a few minutes and talk to the baby. In a matter of months, Kane went from being single and doubting the fates about a forever one, to believing that it was possible to have a soulmate. In some ways he should be running scared, because he never envisioned this as a part of his future. A lover and a child, and the thought of having more children with said lover.
The Cowboy's Baby_Mpreg Romance Page 13