“Why didn’t you wait until I came home?”

“Because I can do some things for myself,” she said stubbornly.

“It didn’t seem like you were doing so well when I walked in the door.”

“Don’t pick on me. I’m pregnant,” Lily teased, reaching up to kiss him. “How was the movie?”

“It was good,” Shade said, picking her up into his arms then carrying her up the steps.

Lily laid her head on his shoulder. “I didn’t know Cash was a fan of romantic movies.”

“I didn’t, either, until he asked me. He was afraid the brothers would bust his balls if he asked any of them to go see it with them.”

“You’re a good friend.”

“I try.” Shade took her shoes off, noticing her feet were swollen. “You need to stay off your feet more.”

“I will, but we were busy today.” She yawned. “There’s so many in town needing our help, and more and more people are coming in each day. Brooke asked us to make several bags of clothes and household items for a new couple that recently moved to town.”

“You don’t seem too happy about it,” Shade said, surprised. Lily never seemed to resent giving to people who came into the store whether they attended church or not.

“I’m happy she was able to help them. It’s just that she gave them so much, I don’t know how I’m going to replace it all at one time.”

Shade’s hands went under Lily’s dress, pulling off her underwear before helping her to sit up. When she did, he tugged off her dress, laying it carefully on the bottom of the bed before reaching behind her back and unsnapping her bra.

“Shade, I can undress myself.” Lily watched as he took off his own T-shirt before toeing off his boots.

Unsnapping his jeans, he saw her smile widen.

“I fixed dinner for you. Aren’t you hungry?”

“I’m very hungry.” Shade pushed her back to the bed, parting her thighs.

Lily had grown more beautiful every day of her pregnancy. Her breasts had become even fuller, and even better, it had an added benefit of making them more sensitive. He could bring her to climax merely by playing with her nipples.

Teasing the tip of one with his tongue, he brought it to a peak. “Close your eyes.”

Lily obediently did.

Shade rose up. Sitting on the side of the bed, he reached for his jeans where he pulled out a small box, placing it on top of her stomach.

“Open your eyes.”

She followed orders, seeing the jewelry box perched precariously on her tummy. Reaching out, she took it and opened it. Shade watched her reaction as her gaze returned to his.

“They’re beautiful, but I don’t usually wear earrings. They’re clip-ons?”

Shade reached out, taking them away from her. “They aren’t earrings; they’re nipple clamps.” He took them out of the box. “I had them specially designed to match your eyes. I bought the purple diamonds from Australia and then had a jeweler add them to the nipple clamps I bought.” Shade placed one on the hardened tip of the breast he had been playing with, bending down to tease the other one before placing the nipple ring onto it. He placed them loosely. He would gradually get her used to them being tighter after the baby was born.

“Ouch.”

“Did I hurt you? I didn’t…”

“They pinch, but they don’t hurt. Your baby just kicked. I don’t think he approves.”

Shade ran his hand over the mound of her stomach, his voice lowering and gentling. “Go to sleep, little one. Daddy wants to play.”

Tears filled Lily’s eyes. “That’s the first time I’ve heard you call yourself that.”

“Daddy?”

Lily nodded at his question.

He bent lower, kissing her stomach before rising. “I guess you’re not the only one who’s getting ready. It won’t be much longer, just a couple more months.” He smiled down wickedly at her. “We better take advantage of him still being inside of you while we can.” He reached out, pressing on the side of the nipple clip.

“Oh!” Lily moaned as the clamps began to vibrate.

Shade nudged Lily’s thighs apart, sliding between them. He placed his cock at her opening, letting himself glide inside her wet pussy and she arched underneath him, taking him deeper. Their eyes met, each sinking into the whirlpool of desire which drove their bodies together.

“Harder, Shade,” Lily moaned.

He moved more forcefully inside of her while still restraining himself from pounding into her the way he wanted. It took all his restraint to keep their lovemaking subdued so as not to hurt her or the baby.

Shade sensed as she was nearing her climax, taking off the nipple clamps.

“Shade!” Lily screamed as she came.

He thrust deep, giving in to his own climax as her thighs circled his hips, pressing him harder against her.

He set the nipple clamps on the nightstand as Lily moved closer to his side.

“I really liked my present.”

“I thought you might.” He tweaked a red nipple, producing another shudder from her.

“Are you ready for dinner now?” Lily yawned.

“In a little while. Go to sleep.” He ran his hand down her smooth back, enjoying relaxing with her on the bed.

He was content to just lie there and hold her. Each time he did, it replaced a memory of him lying alone without her. He wanted to savor every moment and wasn’t going to take any of them for granted.

Chapter 86

Shade and Razer were in the diner having coffee as Beth and Lily shopped for the twins when they saw Knox, Willa, and Rachel enter the sheriff’s office. A few minutes later, Cash pulled up in front and went inside.

“Something’s up. Call Knox and find out.”

Razer took his phone out, placing the call. When Knox didn’t answer, Razer left a short message to call him back before disconnecting. That was when Tate came running into the sheriff’s office.

“Guess we’ll have to wait.”

Knox didn’t return the call until after Rachel, Willa, and Tate were seen leaving.

Razer’s face was grim when he finished the conversation with Knox, turning toward Shade. “Willa shot Lewis at her house. Brooke had asked Lily to pick some texts up for Bible study, and Rachel offered to go instead because Lily was going shopping with Beth. When Rachel arrived, Lewis was beating Willa with a belt. She tried to stop him, and he attacked her. Willa shot him when he was strangling Rachel.”

“Damn, Willa shot Lewis?” Shade was shocked the meek woman had even had it in her to shoot anyone.

Razer nodded.

“How bad?”

“He’s dead.”

Not only had she found enough courage to shoot him, but she had killed the crazy-assed fucker.

Razer looked down at his phone again. “The women are done shopping. We can load the packages in the SUV then follow them home.”

Both men rose to their feet, going to the register to pay their bill with their minds on Lewis, Rachel, and Willa. Shade was sick to his stomach at how close Lily had come to being involved. If Rachel hadn’t gone, then…

“Did Brooke know Rachel was going to Willa’s house instead of Lily?”