Hold Me (Fool's Gold #16)(83)

She pulled on her T-shirt then faced him.

“I am turning into my parents,” she murmured, stepping into his embrace.

“I’ve yet to see you throw a plate, so I don’t think so.”

She laughed. “I’m sure the plate throwing will be next. But the sex thing. I had no idea.”

He touched her chin. “It’s not usually like this,” he admitted. “Usually it’s less intense. And less frequent. Even at first.” He smiled. “This is unexpected for me, too.”

For a second she wondered if it was more than that. If her reaction to him were as much about her brain as her body. Because when she thought about all the things good in a man, Kipling checked every box. But he also scared her. He was a really good guy, and he made her blood race. Kind of an irresistible combination. Which was exactly what she’d been trying to avoid.

He put his arm around her then turned her so she was facing the kitchen. “Want to talk about the space?” he asked.

She laughed. “I like the built-in desk.”

“It’s convenient.” He kissed the top of her head. “Okay, we’re going to be adults about this. We’re house hunting. Does this one work for us?” He motioned to the open area just beyond the island. “There’s room for a table and chairs there. The playpen could go there.”

Playpen? Kipling continued talking, but Destiny couldn’t listen anymore. She pressed her hand against her stomach and let the reality settle over her. She was pregnant. Yes, she’d known that before, but it hadn’t been real. It probably still wasn’t. But here she was, married, looking for a house with her new husband. Because they were having a baby together. Plus, she was responsible for her teenage sister.

It was a lot for anyone to take on. She could have staggered under the weight of all of it, only she wouldn’t because she wasn’t alone. She had Kipling at her side.

* * *

DESTINY HESITATED BEFORE walking into Jo’s. While she usually looked forward to her standing weekly lunch date with her friends, today she was more than a little apprehensive. She had a feeling that announcing her recent and very unexpected marriage was going to shift the focus of the conversation.

Still, there was no avoiding what had happened. She’d gotten pregnant, and now she was married. Not exactly her master plan, but she was dealing. Being responsible and adult, if one ignored hot sex in an empty house. Fortunately, she was as good at ignoring the obvious as the next person.

She drew in a deep breath then pushed open the door and smiled when she saw several of her friends sitting at a table.

Shelby and Dellina waved her over. Madeline turned and grinned then pointed to the empty chair next to her. Cassidy was there, as well. A couple of empty chairs remained, indicating they were expecting a big crowd.

“I’m trying to convince everyone to come with me Friday night to see the new Jonny Blaze movie,” Madeline admitted as Destiny took her seat. “Say you’ll come. It’s going to be great.”

Shelby wrinkled her nose. “Violent movies aren’t my thing.”

“This isn’t real violence,” Madeline told her. “It’s cartoony. Death is very tidy, and then we move on.”

“You’re weird,” Cassidy said cheerfully. “I like that about you.”

Madeline beamed. “Thank you. How are you enjoying Fool’s Gold?”

“It’s great. Everyone is friendly.” Cassidy wrinkled her nose. “Maybe too friendly.” She turned to Destiny. “I’ve had to tell your friend Miles to back off a couple of times. Hello, married, and so not interested in anyone but my hunky husband.”

“I’m sorry,” Destiny murmured and glanced at Shelby. The other woman had gone pale.

Now Shelby stood. “I’ll be back in a bit. Order without me.”

Destiny followed her to the doorway. “Is it Miles?”

“Yes. I need to talk to him about a broken promise.”

Destiny kind of didn’t want to know what that was about. “Should I come with you?”

“No. I can yell at him all on my own.”

Larissa and a very pregnant Taryn walked in and joined them. Destiny hesitated, but Shelby turned and waved for her to go back to the table. Destiny walked with Taryn, eyeing her, wondering if she would look as uncomfortable when she was that far along.

From the back, Taryn looked sleek and slim, but from the side and front, she was huge. Just her stomach—not her face or shoulders or legs. Other women Destiny had known had gotten heavier all over. It was a more balanced look, but would require more weight loss later.

She supposed her doctor would tell her what was the healthy amount to gain. Speaking of which, she needed to find a gynecologist and schedule a visit.

Cassidy pulled out a chair for Taryn. “How are you feeling?”

“Huge. It’s awful. Biology sucks.”

Cassidy patted her arm. “That’s my brave little toaster. Always keeping your feelings to yourself so you don’t upset those around you.”

“Bite me.”

Cassidy laughed.

Jo came by and took drink orders.

“You taunt me, and it’s mean,” Taryn said, glaring at the specials board on the wall. The first one was a berry margarita. “I swear when this kid is born, I’m going to get drunk for three days.”