Page 131 of Finding Hayes
“Damn, look at our partner using all sorts of big words. You’re going to make us look a whole lot smarter than we are.” Kingston was laughing as he walked backward toward the door.
“I think this is going to be a really good partnership. We’ll see you tomorrow.” Nash turned to leave and then called out for me. “Hey, Hayes?”
“Yeah?”
“If you aren’t out of the doghouse tomorrow, let me know. We can build you and Roddy matching houses for the backyard.”
I flipped him the bird as my wife’s head fell back in laughter.
I took her hand and led her toward the house, with our pup following behind us. “So, when do you want to move in?”
“I’m ready whenever you are. We can get the other house packed up pretty quickly. Whatever furniture we don’t need from this house and the other house, I can store for when I want to stage projects or if we decide to flip a few houses.”
“Look at you, Mrs. Woodson. Already talking like a businesswoman.” I pulled the door open, and we stepped inside.
“It feels like home, doesn’t it?” she asked.
“Yeah. But we need to christen every room to make it official.”
“Well, how about we start with one room right now?” She waggled her brows. “Pregnancy hormones can make a woman very horny.”
“How was I ever against knocking you up, woman?” I barked out a laugh and tossed her over my shoulder. “Where should we start?”
“You pick. I don’t care where we go, as long as I’m with you.” She smacked my ass, and I jogged down the hall toward the bedroom and set her down gently on the bed.
“Hayes, you don’t have to treat me like I’m made of porcelain. I’m fine.”
I hovered above her and leaned down, my nose rubbing against hers. “Have you ever loved someone so much that you just want to make sure nothing ever hurts them?”
She sucked in a breath, and her gaze softened. “Yes.”
“When I look at you, I feel so much, and I’m not used to that. So I just want to protect you and love you, and if I could put you in a box and keep you safe there, I would do it. And if that makes me an asshole or a caveman, so be it.”
“Okay, well, I love you, too. I get nervous every time you go to work. But guess what?”
“What?” I asked, knowing there was going to be a life lessoncoming my way.
“I love you for the man you are. I love that you’re passionate about your work. So I guess we both just have to learn to trust that everything will be fine. And keep in mind, women have been having babies for a long time, Hayes. I’m not the first or the last.” She chuckled.
“But you’re having two, and that’s a lot for you to have to schlep around.”
Her laughter filled the room around us, and I fucking loved it.
“It’s a lot to schlep around. But we also get a two for one, right?” she said, with this silly smile on her face. “I only have to be pregnant once, and we get two babies out of the deal.”
“That’s true.” I shrugged. “I’ll back off. Just give me time to get used to it.”
“Well, you’ve got a lifetime to get used to it. I’m not going anywhere.”
“I like the sound of that. And seeing as you won’t let me put you in a little box, how about I bury my head between your thighs and enjoy this one.”
“Nice transition. Feel free to have your way with me, husband.”
And that’s exactly what I did.
Because pleasing my woman could be my day job.
And I’d never get enough.
