Songbird (29 page)

“I love you, Callie.”

And then he starts to move. Slowly, torturously at first, with deep, wet kisses and soft, gentle moans that build and build until I’m sure I’m going to explode. Wrapping my legs around his waist, I whimper his name and hold on tight as his movements become frantic and desperate. It’s too much, too fast, and just like that first weekend, I’m unable to control my body’s reaction to his. He tells me he loves me again, and I cry out his name as I shatter into a million pieces beneath him. His groan vibrates through me as he buries his face against my neck, leaving him breathless and trembling in my arms.

I run my fingers through his hair as we try to get our rapid heartbeats and breathing under control.

“Did you mean it?” I whisper.

Devin lifts his head and smiles at me.

“You know I did. I love you, Callie.”

My eyes fill with tears as I gently stroke his face. We have so much to learn about each other. I don’t know his middle name or where he was born. I don’t know where he went to college or the name of his favorite movie.

But I know he loves me.

“I love you, too, Devin.”

His face breaks out into the most beautiful smile I’ve ever seen.

And now he knows I love him, too.

“Best day off
ever
. Do we really have to go back to the real world?”

Devin mutters something from the bathroom. I grin. We’re not particularly thrilled with the fact that we have to be sociable today. Spending hours upon hours in bed yesterday has made us very lazy.

I could really get used to lazy, especially if Devin can be lazy with me.

With a resigned sigh, I check my reflection in the full-length mirror. We’re running late, so it’s not like I had a lot of time to do anything elaborate. I grabbed the first dress I found in my closet, threw it on, and then pulled my hair into a ponytail.

Devin rushes back into the bedroom. “Unfortunately, we do. You have a story to write, and I’m due in court. The judge is going to chew my ass. I’ve never been late to a hearing. You, Miss Franklin, are a very bad influence.”

He stops griping long enough to look in the mirror. “You’re gorgeous and particularly glowy this morning.”

I smile. “Wonder why?”

Devin grins and kisses my shoulder. “Need some help with that zipper?”

“Please.”

He zips me up before taking a long look at the two of us in the mirror.

“Damn, we’re a good looking couple.” Suddenly his eyes widen. “Is that . . .”

I look down in a panic. “Is that what? There better not be a stain—”

“Callie, turn to your side.”

“What?”

“Turn to your side and look at yourself in the mirror.”

“Devin, this is—”

“Just do it!”

With a heavy sigh, I turn and try to find whatever’s caught his attention. It must be a big deal, considering how late we are.

“I don’t see any—”

“Look down, Callie.”

And that’s when I see it. Maybe it’s just the clingy fabric of the dress, but that doesn’t matter. It’s small, but it’s there.

I place my hand on my stomach.
Hello, baby bump.

Devin wraps his arm around me and places his hand on top of mine.

“Best morning ever,” he says softly.

A
fter spending the morning chained to my desk, I finally submit my article to Frank and head out to lunch. I need some fresh air, and that turkey, mayo, and banana pepper sub is calling my name.

I pick up my lunch and walk to the nearby park to find my favorite bench. The sandwich is delicious,
again
, and I inhale it while thinking about how perfect the day has been. In fact, the only unpleasant aspect of my morning was the email I’d sent to Jocelyn, asking her to relay my regrets to Dominic Barkley that I’d be unable to meet him for dinner. Between the upcoming mayoral debate and dealing with his probably very pissed-off campaign manager and bed buddy, I’m hopeful Mr. Barkley will have plenty to keep him busy for a while.

I toss my trash in a nearby container before glancing at my phone. As I check my messages, I can’t help but notice the sun reflecting off my pretty bracelet. It’s so simple and pretty—something I would totally have picked out for myself. I don’t wear a lot of jewelry, but this is far too beautiful and meaningful to sit in a jewelry box. It’s my little constant reminder that there’s this tiny person growing inside of me, and that I’m in love.

It’s a first for me. I’ve never been in love before. Not like this. And while his overprotective tendencies still drive me a little nuts, I understand them a little better now. I need to keep reminding myself that Devin’s not trying to control me. He’s trying to protect me. Because he loves me.

I don’t know why, but that makes it a little more tolerable.

I’ve just replied to an email when I feel someone’s gaze on me. Glancing up, I see a jogger and some guy walking his dog, but otherwise, the park looks pretty deserted.

Weird.

“I’m losing it,” I mutter.

Grabbing my bag, I head back to the office. Frank probably has some notes for me, and I’ll need most of the afternoon to edit and rewrite before the article finally goes to press. As I walk along the street, I still get the feeling someone’s watching me. Or following me. I look over my shoulder but don’t really see anyone suspicious.

You’ve got to relax, Callie.

I’m desperately in need of a distraction, so I pull my phone out of my bag and call the best distraction I know.

“I was just thinking about you,” Devin answers.

I smile and take the crosswalk leading to our building. “Oh yeah? What were you thinking about?”

“Thinking I’d like to take you to lunch.”

“Ah, I just ate. I had a lovely sandwich in the park.”

“Did my child demand banana peppers again?”

“Your child did demand it. It’s like he
knows
me.”

“Or
she
.”

“Heaven help us. Something tells me you’d be one of those gun-toting fathers if she’s a girl.”

“And what’s wrong with that?”

“Nothing. Nothing at all.”

He laughs.

“The sandwich
was
delicious, by the way, but I promise my breath will be minty fresh by the time you get home.”

“I’d kiss you anyway.”

“You’d better.”

Devin sighs heavily. “The real world sucks. I could really get used to staying in bed with you all day. I don’t like it when you’re so far away from me.”

“You’re silly. I’m just across town.”

“That’s too far. A mile’s too far. An inch is too far.”

“Oh, you’re very sappy today. I love it.”

“I love you.”

I smile every single time he says it.

We make plans to order take-out for dinner as I make my way inside the building. When I reach the newsroom, I toss my phone into my bag just as Frank yells from his door, asking me to come into his office.

“Close it,” he says.

Crap. Crap.
He rarely asks us to close the door. He likes for the entire newsroom to hear him when he barks at one of his reporters.

He sits down behind his desk. “You look like you’re gonna puke. You’d better not puke in my office.”

“I won’t puke.”
I hope.

“Have a seat and calm down. It’s a good article, Callie. I just have a few notes.”

I breathe a sigh of relief.

“Election coverage seems to agree with you. Why don’t you cover the debate tomorrow night? Take Oliver with you.”

This day keeps getting better and better.

“Awesome. Thanks, Frank.”

He takes off his glasses and cleans them with the bottom of his shirt. “Just one thing. Be sure not to let your personal opinion influence your reporting. You’re not writing editorials.”

I frown. “I don’t know what you mean.”

“Look, we’re all tax payers, and we’re all registered voters. Or at least we should be. It’s natural to have an opinion about the candidates. It was subtle, but I’ve been doing this a long time, and I can tell you’re less than impressed with Dominic Barkley. I don’t care why. Not my business. My business is this newspaper and what we print. Reporters are supposed to remain neutral. Do you understand what I’m saying?”

I thought I had been neutral.
Apparently, my contempt for Dominic Barkley seeped into my article.

“I understand. Should I edit?”

“Nah. Like I said, it was subtle. Just be careful in the future.”

I nod. He’s finally giving me the chance to cover actual news. The last thing I want to do is screw it up. I thank him and head for the door.

“Oh, Frank. I should probably tell you I’m—”

“Pregnant. I know. Leo’s been grumbling about some nasty sandwich and your freaky pregnancy cravings.”

I laugh and head back to my desk. I don’t get it. The banana peppers smell like heaven to me. I don’t understand why they smell so awful to everyone else. I’m still pondering this when I sit down at my desk. My phone vibrates, and I dig it out of my bag to check the screen.

Let’s take tomorrow off.

I grin.