Siena closed her eyes, absorbing the sound. She’d never done this in her life before. She didn’t have girlfriends to float in the water with and just gossip about everyday life and the husbands they loved. It was surreal. Perfect. The lazy clouds floating by. The sound of the children and Jake’s laughter in the background. The deep blue of the water in the pool. Most of all, sharing with two women who seemed to understand what her life was like without judging her.

“I’m pregnant too,” she announced. Her eyes flew open at the admission. It had just slipped out. “And it’s a little embarrassing that I’m already beginning to show and you don’t even look like you could possibly be pregnant.”

Catarina grinned at her. “Oh, that’s just great. Eli thinks he knocked me up fast; Elijah didn’t wait at all. What was it, your first time together?”

Siena blushed. Turned the color of a ripe tomato. Both Emma and Catarina sat up straight, rocking their inner tubes.

“It was,” Emma said. “He got you pregnant the first time he ever touched you. He probably did it on purpose.”

“We were a little heated,” Siena said hastily, defending Elijah. “Both of us. I didn’t think about using protection either.”

Catarina exchanged a look with Emma, and both burst out laughing. “Honey,” Emma said, “we’re leopard. Our men are leopard. You don’t have to try to explain or defend yourself. We both know what it’s like.”

Siena rubbed her hand down the long puckered, ridged skin along her leg. “When are you due, Emma?” She’d noticed Jake hovered close to his wife and never seemed to lose sight of her.

“Doc’s going to take the baby next month,” Emma said. “It’s a little early, but they don’t want me going into labor. Jake’s insisting on a million doctors being present, but I just agree with everything he demands since he agreed to let me have another baby. I nearly died when Draya was born and he’s never gotten over that. I go on bed rest in another week as a precaution only.”

“Eli thinks Jake was nuts to agree to let you carry the baby,” Catarina announced with a small sigh. She splashed water up over her dangling legs. “That’s how bad he is.” She wiggled her fingers in Siena’s direction. “What’s Elijah like? He never smiles. In fact, he looks scarier than Eli or Jake. Is he good to you?”

Siena felt Emma’s gaze center on her and knew immediately it was no idle question. Both Emma and Catarina were worried about how Elijah treated her. “He’s the sweetest man I’ve ever known. Arrogant. Bossy. But so sweet he makes my heart melt.” She sighed and turned her face back to the water.