Earning A Ring. Kristina Mathews

been smart, she would have thought about at least some of it before she’d said I do.

      “Okay. Sorry. You’re right. We should be celebrating.” He turned toward her, flashing his most seductive grin. “Tonight is going to be very special.”

      He stuck the key into the ignition, started the engine, and then drove them to the hotel.

      “Do you mind if I take a quick shower?” Bryce asked once they settled into their room. “You could join me?”

      “You go ahead. I’ll just slip into something more comfortable.” Rachel felt shy all of a sudden. They’d torn each other’s clothes off enough times over the last year or so, she shouldn’t need to take a minute to wonder if he was going to find her desirable.

      But everything had changed. She couldn’t keep telling herself that this would be the last time. That it was just sex and it didn’t matter if things didn’t work out.

      Because now it mattered.

      * * * *

      Bryce took a longer shower than he’d planned. He was nervous. It wasn’t like it was the first time he’d had sex. Not even the first time with Rachel. Yet, the pressure was on. And it was a hell of a lot more pressure than just living up to his contract. He was going to have a kid. And he wanted to prove to Rachel that he could step up to the plate.

      He toweled off, combed his hair, and swished some mouthwash for good measure. He wanted tonight to be special. Different from all their other hookups. This was their wedding night, so it had to be spectacular. He splashed a little bit of cologne on, and contemplated shaving, but he knew what he could do with a few days’ worth of stubble.

      He ran his fingers through his hair one more time and walked into the bedroom ready to make this a night neither of them would ever forget.

      Too bad Rachel was sound asleep.

      She had slipped into a slinky little nightgown. Arranged the pillows behind her so she was propped up and ready for him. But the late hour had caught up with her. And maybe the whole growing a human being thing. He supposed that took up a lot of energy.

      He was torn between wanting to wake her up, remind her how good they could be together, and watching her sleep. God, she was beautiful. Even with her mouth open and soft snores escaping her perfect lips. She’d worn her auburn hair up for the wedding, but had taken it down and the red and gold and copper-colored strands framed her sweet face. Her left arm was flung overhead and her right hand rested protectively on her lower abdomen. Her chest heaved with each breath.

      His own chest felt like it was shrinking, his ribcage growing smaller by the minute. He couldn’t breathe. Rachel was his. Officially. He had the ring on his finger and the piece of paper to prove it.

      Now he just had to make sure he didn’t screw it up.

      * * * *

      Rachel woke to sunlight streaming into an empty room. She’d fallen asleep on Bryce. On their wedding night. Instead of two or three rounds of hot, sweaty, mind-blowing sex, she hadn’t even made it to a goodnight kiss.

      She was just stepping out of the shower when she heard Bryce’s keycard in the lock. Rachel dried off, wrapped her hair in a towel, and slipped into a robe. She stepped out of the bathroom.

      He was carrying a paper cup from Starbucks and she waited for her stomach to recoil at the smell of coffee. But there was no smell.

      “I started to get you a cup of coffee but then I remembered pregnant women shouldn’t have too much caffeine.” Bryce offered her a sweet smile along with the familiar green and white cup. “So I got hot chocolate. I also thought you might need a little something to tide you over until we get to Johnny and Alice’s. I hope you like those little mini scones.”

      “Thank you.” She took the hot cocoa and the bag of scones over to the table by the window. They had a great view of the city and the mountains surrounding it. She took a tentative sip, hoping it wasn’t too hot.

      “I finished my coffee downstairs. In case the smell of it bothers you.” He stood as she pulled a vanilla frosted scone out of the paper sack. “Does the smell bother you?”

      “Sometimes.” She took a tiny bite, not trusting her stomach much these days. When the first bite seemed to pass the test, she took another. “But I miss it, too.”

      “If you have to give up coffee, I will, too.” Bryce continued to stand there, hovering. “We’re in this together.”

      “Stop. Please.” She took a sip of hot cocoa to soothe the stinging in the back of her throat. Tears welled in her eyes. She hated being so damn emotional all of a sudden. “And please, sit down. I can’t stand this overprotective thing you’ve got going.”

      “I’m not overprotective.” He sat carefully on the edge of the bed. “I just want to take care of you. And the baby.”

      “It’s too much.” She shoved the cocoa and the rest of the scones away from her. “You finish your coffee downstairs so I don’t have to smell it. You bring me scones and hot chocolate and stare at me while I eat. It’s like you’re waiting for me to fall apart.”

      “I’m not waiting for you to fall apart.” Bryce rested his forearms on his knees. “I’m just trying to help.”

      “Yeah. Well, I don’t need your help.” Now she sounded ungrateful. “I don’t need your understanding. Or you sacrificing your morning coffee for me.”

      “Okay.” He said the word as if he thought she was overreacting. Maybe she was. But this wasn’t them. They weren’t a couple. They’d never even shared a meal together. Not even late night room service.

      “Maybe I’m being a little…” He ran his fingers through his hair. “I guess I just don’t want you to throw up in my car. It was bad enough you threw up on my car.”

      He looked up at her and grinned. That stupid, adorable, impossible-to-resist grin.

      Her heart did a crazy little lurch, and she knew she was going to end up in bed with him once again. Of course she was. They were married.

      She stood up, walked over to the bed, and placed both hands on his shoulders. She shoved him down and started kissing him. He tasted like coffee and vanilla and Bryce. She pressed her breasts against his chest and wove her hands into his hair.

      He wrapped his arms around her waist and she could feel his erection pressing against her belly. He felt his way underneath her robe, and grabbed her ass. She wriggled, moving her hips to give him better access. This was more like it. This was what they did together better than anything.

      “Do you have a condom?” She stopped kissing him long enough to ask the question she’d asked him dozens of times.

      “You’re pregnant,” he said with a look of surprise.

      “Yes. Even more reason to be careful.” She didn’t want to imply that she didn’t trust him, but… “Unless you can tell me you haven’t been with anyone since the last time we were together.”

      Before he could confirm or deny her suspicions, her phone on the nightstand buzzed. She knew by the ringtone she couldn’t ignore it.

      “Shit.” Rachel rolled off him. “I’ve got to get that.”

      “Really? Now?” Bryce sounded irritated. Of course he was.

      “Believe me, it’s better to get it over with.” Rachel scrambled off the bed and grabbed the phone.

      “Hi, Mom. What a nice surprise.” She sat on the edge of the bed with her back to Bryce and smoothed her robe down around her thighs. She felt the bed shake as he got up, and she tried not to cry when she heard his footsteps cross the room.

      “Speaking of surprises.” Her mother’s tone was all too predictable. “I was watching