The Hookup Handbook(55)
When we leave, I pull my wife into my arms and press a kiss against the column of her throat. “I’m so proud of you, angel.”
She grins and squeals, “I actually freaking did it!”
“Was there any doubt?” I chuckle. “You’re amazing.”
? ? ?
We head to the steak house I made reservations at to meet Ryder and our parents for a celebratory dinner. We’re the last to arrive, mostly because Sienna shook the hand of every parent, hugged every grandparent, and high-fived every kid in the building before we left. As far as I was concerned, she was the real star of the show today.
Ryder is seated next to my mom, and they’re deep in conversation about something when we approach. Mr. and Mrs. Johnson rise to their feet and pull Sienna in for a long hug when we stop beside the table.
“Today was amazing,” her mother says as I pull out Sienna’s chair and help her into it.
“Thank you, all of you, for being there,” Sienna says.
The server chooses that moment to stop by our table and take our drink orders. Everyone orders something to match the celebration—champagne, gin and tonic, wine . . . except Sienna.
“Ginger ale, please,” she says, her voice soft.
I frown, wondering if her stomach is bothering her again. God, I hope not, because she’s chosen a restaurant she loves, and she deserves to enjoy herself tonight.
Her mother’s mouth quirks into a funny expression as soon as the server scurries away. “Sienna? Do you have something to tell us?” Apparently, it doesn’t escape her mother’s notice that Sienna would normally order a glass of wine with dinner.
I reach for her hand under the table and give it a squeeze, my thumb touching the diamond solitaire I placed there on our wedding day last year.
“Actually, I have an announcement to make,” I say, but am interrupted by Sienna’s mother letting out a squeal of joy. I chuckle and continue. “Sienna’s pregnant. Four months along. We’re due in the fall.”
The two soon-to-be grandmas high-five each other across the table with yelps of excitement, and Ryder shakes my hand with a huge grin. Sienna’s dad pulls her into a hug, and everyone’s gaze drops to her still nearly flat belly as she rests one hand there.
God, she’s so perfect, my own eyes begin to well with tears, but I quickly blink the emotion away.
From that point on, the dinner conversation is dominated by our upcoming baby, with bits of the recital mixed in. Sienna looks so happy and beautiful as she talks about her plans to work throughout the pregnancy, and her plans to nurse, and how we want to decorate the baby nursery in gray and white. She manages to slip in bits and pieces about my writing and tour schedule, pride alight in her eyes as she does.
After I pay the tab, Sienna’s mother leans close to me, patting my forearm. “You’re a wonderful son-in-law, Case.”
I smile. “Thank you.”
“And if you wanted to slip Roger an advance copy of your next book, I’m just saying, I wouldn’t hate that.”
A deep chuckle vibrates in my chest as I nod. I so don’t want to know the gory details about my in-laws’ sex life, so I’m thankful that the promise of a book is enough to close that particular topic.
Christ.
On the drive home, Sienna lays her head against my shoulder, gazing out the window, looking contemplative. She’s quiet, and I’m not sure what’s on her mind.
When I pull into the garage and help her from the car, she shakes her head with a quiet groan. I know she’s not that far along yet and is perfectly capable of getting around on her own, but that doesn’t mean I’m going to stop taking care of her.
There was a time in my life when I didn’t know if I’d ever get here. Hell, there were many, many years when I never imagined myself having a wife, or a baby. And now that I do, I want to enjoy each moment as much as possible. And if that means opening doors, and carrying her over thresholds, and bringing her breakfast in bed, then I’m more than happy to do it. I know exactly how blessed I am.
Inside the marble foyer, I flip on the lights. Sienna braces one hand against my forearm as she leans down to remove her high heels one at a time.
“You’re quiet. Is everything okay?”
She nods. “I’m just tired, that’s all.”
It’s been a long day, that’s for sure. After removing my own shoes, I get her a glass of water and help her up the stairs.
When we enter the bedroom, I’m half-hard already, but I’m determined to get my body to behave. Sienna’s exhausted and I intend to let her sleep, even if my dick has other ideas.
But when she removes her dress and tights and carries them to the walk-in closet, wearing nothing but a black thong and lacy bra, I go from half-hard to completely erect in about six seconds. The way her ass jiggles when she walks, the fullness of her breasts, the tumble of golden curls that spill down her back . . . it’s a gorgeous sight.
I try to ignore it and work on unbuttoning my white dress shirt.
When Sienna emerges, her mouth quirks into a smile as she looks me over. “Hmm. What’s this?” Her gaze drops to the front of my dress pants, which are sporting an obvious bulge.
I grin crookedly. “It’s not nice to laugh at a man, sweet wife.”
She giggles again before straightening her lips. “Right. Sorry.”