Page 16 of Quid Pro Beau

I scoot my chair closer to hers. “Until recently, no, I never wanted any of those things. Never felt like that sort of thing was an option for a man like me. When you grow up never being picked, you learn pretty quickly that sometimes things are better just on your own.”

Her throat bobs as she swallows.

“You’re the first pregnant woman I’ve ever been this close to. Frankly, I’d never given much thought to any of it.” I take a chance and reach out, putting my hand on her stomach. “You’ve definitely given me a different view of a possible future.”

“Would you take me to the doctor tomorrow? It’s the ultrasound for the anatomy scan, and I’m nervous. I’d rather not go alone.”

“I’ll take you anywhere you want to go, Daisy. You need only ask.”

chapter nine

Daisy

I’ve barely been back in my bed for about forty minutes when I know something isn’t quite right. I recognize that the thunder is louder back here than it was in the kitchen. Not to mention the lightning is creating strobe effects across the old, flowered wallpaper.

The rain itself is what sounds louder though. Like I can hear the drip, drip, drip of it hitting something metal.

Drip.

Drip.

Drip.

Plop.

That one I felt right on my face. My eyes search the darkened ceiling. Where’s that flash of lightning when you need it?

Plop.

Another, then another, hitting my face. I sit up. Now the drops are hitting my pillow.

Okay, clearly dealing with a roof leak.

I crawl out of bed and try to flick the lights on, but nothing happens. Power must be out as well. I creep out into the hall and Mouse lifts his head to stare at me.

“Hey sweet boy,” I whisper to him. “It’s raining in my room.”

“Little Mama,” Beau’s voice comes from his room. “What’s the matter?”

I go stand in his doorway, and he’s sitting up in bed, shirtless. Why does he have to be so damn attractive?

“Don’t worry about me,” I say. “I’ll figure something out. Just go back to sleep.”

“Don’t be dumb. Get your pretty little ass over here.” He holds up the covers.

I only hesitate for a moment before I step into his room. His King size bed is bigger than average so there’s plenty of room for us to share. Once I sink into the bed, I’m surrounded by the masculine scent of Beau. I release a happy sigh and settle into the pillow.

“I love all your little noises,” he murmurs into the darkness.

With us both in this room, Mouse comes inside and plops down at the far end so he can keep a protective eye on both of us. He really is just the best dog.

“I’ll get started on fixing the roof in the morning. Hopefully, I won’t find any other patches,” Beau says. His sleepy voice feels intimate, but there’s nothing about being in his bed that gives me pause. If anything, it feels like this is where I’m supposed to be.

“Get some sleep, Little Mama, we’ve got to get you to your doctor’s appointment tomorrow,” he says.

Somehow my body obeys, and I manage to fall into a deep sleep.

chapter ten