Chapter 47: Chapter 47

DRAYA

On her first day back to school in who knew how long, Draya dressed in a navy-blue pencil skirt, white ruffled top, and nude Louboutin’s, courtesy of Daniel. With her online classes completed, she was returning for the last couple of days before graduation.

“Hey baby,” Daniel said as he entered the kitchen in nothing but boxers.

For comfort, he often folded his Jr. when wearing boxers, and it was creating a large onion-shaped bulge. Draya fought the urge to push her face into it.

The pregnancy hadn’t lessened her attraction to him at all. In fact, her feelings became more heightened as her hormones took over.

“Still no morning sickness, huh?” he asked, concerned. He’d been reading pregnancy books lately, trying to educate himself on the do’s and don’ts…what to expect when you’re expecting.

Draya shook her head, and Daniel kissed her softly. The minty freshness of his breath lingered around her lips.

“Hello to you too. Do you want breakfast?” she asked, pointing at the food she rose early to prepare.

“Yes, please.”

Daniel took a seat at the kitchen island, and Draya served him Belgian waffles, pancakes, fresh fruit, and an omelet. He smiled innocently.

“So, what’s your schedule like today Mrs. Daniel Jackson?” he asked, teasing her. Lately, he’d been enjoying calling her by his first and last name.

“I have work for a few hours, then school after. I’m almost done, thank God.”

Draya put fruits and vegetables in a blender with some almond milk, then poured the smoothie into her travel cup.

In seconds, Daniel went from being soft and kind to neurotic. “That’s all you’re gonna eat? I know you’re not showing yet, but tell me that’s not all you’re going to eat, Draya!”

Most of the time, Draya loved that he was overprotective, but sometimes it was just annoying. “Calm down—I’ll eat at work. I have a craving for Thai food today, and they open at 11. This will sustain me until I go on break. Jeez.”

Daniel pointed a finger at her. “Don’t think I don’t know you’re cursing me in your head, young lady.”

Draya opened her mouth and bit his finger, putting enough pressure to cause him pain, but it had the opposite effect. Looking in his eyes, she could tell he was turned on.

Draya quickly released his finger from her mouth. The last thing she needed was to be bent over and rammed open before sitting for six hours in a cold medical office.

“Nope! I’ll be late.” She fanned him away. “And I’m still sore from last night. If I knew you had no off switch, I would’ve let you keep thinking that sex would hurt the baby.”

All signs of arousal immediately drained from Daniel’s face. “You know better than to put the words ‘hurt’ and ‘baby’ in the same sentence, Draya. Now I’m pissed at you. Nice going.” He continued to eat in silence.

Eventually, Draya tried another joke. “I should be the one who is sensitive. I’m the one who’s pregnant, remember?”

Daniel kept his eyes focused on the food in front of him, and Draya felt guilty. She knew he had just convinced himself that he deserved to be happy, despite his controversial past. He had just settled into the idea of parenthood and was looking forward to being a father. Something he’d never wanted before.

Ever since she took that test, it was like he was constantly holding his breath. Would he continue to be like this until the baby was safely born?

His anger apparently abating, Daniel asked around a mouthful of food, “By the way, I’m interviewing new assistants today at the office. Do you want to stop by and help me pick a good one later?”

“No, thanks. Seeing a bunch of hot girls gush about you doesn’t exactly make my list of favorite things to do.” Draya would most likely spend the interviews scowling at them anyway.

“I strictly asked for women over forty with twenty years’ experience. Marriage and kids are also a requirement. I want an assistant who will do a great job, but who will also order baby and spouse stuff for me without wincing at the request.”

“Fair enough,” she said, smiling. “I’ll swing by if I have time after school.”

“By the way, I told Josh that you’re pregnant,” her boyfriend admitted. “What about you? Have you told Reece yet?”

“Not yet—she’s in Paris for work stuff. I plan to tell her when she gets back.”

Daniel frowned. “I heard Chris Lannister is in Paris too. Are they on a date or what?”

Draya giggled and shook her head. “I don’t think so. Reece has been pretty focused on the store lately. If she was dating him, I think I’d know.”

“Hmm. Either way, it’s a bad idea. Chris isn’t the dating type, believe me.” Daniel still hadn’t given up his warnings.

Draya narrowed her eyes at the hypocrite in their kitchen. “You were an ass to me when we first met, and look at you now. Baby crazy and wildly possessive. Caring and loyal. Nobody, and I mean nobody, thought you had it in you. Not even me.”

He chuckled. “Ouch.”

She walked around the corner to pick up her handbag and slipped her travel cup inside. “If they date, we will support them. I don’t care what you say about Chris; he’s been treating Reece very well. Exceptionally well, actually. Let’s just be there for them no matter what they decide to do. The world will have enough negative opinions without us sharing them too.”

“I guess when you put it that way…all right. I’ll try,” Daniel reluctantly agreed. He took a moment to appreciate her before saying, “Lady, I’m gonna marry you when Reece gets back.” The words sounded more like a threat than a promise.

Draya headed for the door, replying over her shoulder, “You’ll have to ask me properly first.”