Her eyes went soft. “Seriously? Eli, I know that. I like doing things for you, but if I didn’t want to, I’d let you know. We’d argue because you like your way, but I’d stand my ground. I’m not afraid of you.”

He opened his mouth to respond but stopped, going over what she’d just said. Playing back every inflection of her voice. I’m not afraid of you. That wasn’t an idle statement. She was giving him something else. Something important. Something sacred. It was big, and he needed to get it.

“Never be afraid of me, baby. No matter how much I growl at you, and it will happen. I’m not always nice. We both know that, but I’d never hurt you, not in a million years.”

“I know that, Eli. I really do.” Her hands loosened the weave of the braid. “I’m not afraid in our home at all. I was at Emma’s because I think I’ve been afraid for so long that I couldn’t help myself.”

He reached over and took her hand, pulling it to his thigh and holding it there. “Time will fix that, Kitten. I’m glad you had fun with Emma. Jake is worried about her. She nearly died during her last pregnancy, and she still wanted another baby.”

He pulled her hand to his mouth and nibbled on the pads of her fingers for a moment before returning her palm to his thigh. “Jake wanted a surrogate, but Emma insisted on carrying. He gave in.” He took a breath and looked at her. “I wouldn’t have, baby. I want to give you every damn thing you want, but I wouldn’t have been able to give you that.”

He wanted her to understand. He’d thought a lot about what Jake said, and he understood that he’d have to give concessions to her when things mattered. He knew that and he would. But not when it came to her health. Not when it could be life or death. She was so inside of him that he knew he wouldn’t have a life without her. It didn’t make sense. It happened fast. He hadn’t even known he wasn’t living until she smiled at him. Until she laughed with him. Until she looked at him with trust in her eyes.

“Eli, I’m not going to have trouble carrying babies. Emma was in a terrible car accident. She told me about it. She told me she knew she’d have to go on bed rest, but the doctor assured her she shouldn’t have the same problems delivering. They’re going to take the baby early, do a C-section.”