Page 227 of Allegiance

Then, he spread out the blanket.

Dakota toed off his boots and began setting up their picnic.

There were fruits, veggies, cheeses, and crackers.

It tickled her to see him so aware of her well-being and wanting to help her through the pregnancy.

It was nice.

When he pulled out a bottle of prenatal vitamins, she laughed.

“I see that you came prepared.”

He did.

Dakota had a houseful of pregnant women at any given point. There was always a stockpile of vitamins that the men were trying to feed to their wives.

He took the hint.

“Let’s call it a gift for the expectant mother.”

She took it and opened it.

Then, she ate two.

“Gummies. My favorite.”

The small action made him feel so damn good. He was taking care of his woman and child. That fed the caveman in him, and he liked it.

Patting the blanket, he sat and held out his hand until she could join him. When she was parked beside him, in her pajamas, he uncorked the sparkling grape juice.

“A toast to the new life we made,” he said, after pouring them both glasses.

She clinked hers off of his.

“May he or she be healthy,” he added.

Eve sipped the drink, and she was ridiculously touched by his sweetness.

“Will you be staying over?” she asked, as he handed her an empty plate.

He paused.

“Are you inviting me?”

She nodded.

It was clear that they were in a relationship, and he was giving her a million percent of himself. They’d both had long days, but here he was, still trying to romance her.

She liked it.

A lot.

“Then, I’m staying. I can crash on the couch.”

She laughed.

“I’m pretty sure that won’t be necessary. You already deflowered the woman.”