Page 23 (1/2)

"I’ Suddenly you’retime for breakfast and lunch every day and a snack, and Nick hasn’t ot Operation Feed Beth in full swing"

"Full of yourselfoff a lot of calories every night being a need and all so I have to put so the day Marathon sex really takes it out of a girl"

Despite herself, Beth couldn’t contain the giggle that slipped out "You’re full of it, but I’raphic details about your nights I need to be able to look Gray in the eyes without further intie of hie of Gray is the best kind That man has so many talents"

"Why, sis, that sounded almost dreamy"

"Oh, bite ging, but I never thought it would be in front of your sister"

Beth whirled in her chair to see Nick leaning against the doorith his usual sexy grin Is it wrong that I want to jump on him, roll him down the hallway, and rip his zipper open with my teeth? She only half listened as he continued to trade barbs with Suzy When Beth’s gaze finally locked with his, she could tell that he knew exactly what she was thinking Shifting uncomfortably in her seat, she tried to look away before Suzy noticed the heat between them

Nick cleared his throat and asked, "Are you ready to go, princess?"

"Us with Suzy"

Waving her hand toward the door, Suzy said, "Uh, please, just go I can’t get anything done while youeyes at each other Just don’t make out in the da"

When Nick smirked and opened his et I said the word ride" With a satisfied grin, Nick shut his mouth and followed Beth out the door

"So, where to for dinner, princess? How about Italian?"

Did these people ever miss a meal anymore? She felt like she spent her entire day, every day, planning her nextbreakfast and lunch Suzy watched her like a hawk, so there was no hiding anything Nick, however, was a different story As long as they ate at ho very little She distracted hi in front of the television, saying it was uy, he couldn’t turn it down

She was asha food in the couch cushions and going back later to throw it away Within a fewin front of Sports Center, Nick was totally oblivious to everything around hi as she stuck with food such as sandwiches, which were easily slipped under a cushion, he was none the wiser He didn’t say anything, but she kneas happy when he looked at her e, but what could she do? She was eating more than she had been, so couldn’t everyone just be happy about that? The scales showed that her deception orking Despite the ht Instead of being filled with dread, she was actually looking forward to tomorrow’s doctor’s appoint to be proud of for once

"Hellooo? Italian?" Nick asked again

Oh, crap How aoing to get hetti or pizza in the couch Think fast

"Hey, what about the place down the street, Manzoli’s? I don’t want pasta, but they have great subs We could get it to go Wasn’t there a gaht?"

Nick beamed his approval at her "Good idea, babe"

I’ at me like I’m a rock star while I plot to buy a sub that will fit under the cushions without causing too oes to Beth Denton!

Beth woke to a hand gently rubbing her sto to wake her up in the way that they both enjoyed She wasn’t sure why she didn’t move to let him know that she ake, maybe curiosity When his hand didn’t ht swell of her belly softly, alertips explored every inch, as ifher new shape

Normally, this type of scrutiny would havewas different in his touch There was nothing sexual, nor did she feel like he was having any negative thoughts about her changing body The opposite seemed to be true She lay there while he explored her for what seemed like hours, but was probably onlythat she ake, he leaned over her and softly kissed her stomach She held her breath and tried to will away the tears that were gathering in her eyes She was thankful when he slid out of the bed and walked to the bathroo the door behind him

What had just happened was so out of character for the Nick that she knew His actions nancy But he never really , so she assumed that he was in denial Now she had to wonder if Nick was handling her pregnancy better than she was Did he think he would freak her out if he talked about the babies or showed excite to protect hi and see where Nick stood

Pregnancy was supposed to be one of thetimes in a couple’s life Just because Beth and Nick weren’t married didn’t mean it couldn’t be that way for the him into Babies "R" Us and see how he took it She had to se of a ladies’ man like Nick in a baby store, where he would either sink or swim

Chapter Twenty-six

When they were settled into the waiting rooyn’s office, Nick looked around and whispered, "These wo about?" she whispered back