“Can’t you do it this one time?” I growl into the phone as I pace the length of the kitchen.  

Everything with Ava has been perfect ever since we got married in a small ceremony a few weeks after I proposed. I wanted to be married before she started school to make sure that all those busybody co-eds knew who she belonged to. She laughed it off, but the possessiveness I feel for her has only gotten stronger with each passing day, leading to this moment right here.  

“No, Callen. I will not commit a felony so you can know what your wife is hiding from you.”  

“And you call yourself my best friend,” I grumble into the phone before ending the call.  

I know Clayton is right. I should just man up and ask her what she’s been hiding from me for the past week, but if I’m being honest, I’m not sure I want to know. If I didn’t know how much she loved me, I’d think she was cheating.  

And between starting her new job at the National Museum of Scotland and finishing up defending her thesis for her PhD, she was running herself ragged. It’s only natural that she’s become distant, right?  

I have no idea. 

All I know is the distance between us is driving me insane, not to mention that she hasn’t let me touch her in weeks. Nothing but snuggles and chaste kisses, and it’s driving me insane. I need my wife in a primal way as often as possible. Denying me should be a crime. 

Get it together.  

I just need to ask her when she comes home. She’ll tell me everything that’s going on, and then we can move past it. Whatever is bothering her, we can work through it together. I’m sure of it.  

“Honey, I’m home,” Ava calls as she walks into the house.  

I don’t even give her a chance to take her shoes off before asking, “What are you hiding from me?”  

I know I shouldn’t be doing this, but she’s left me no choice. I’m usually a rather patient man with anything else, but when it involves her, I need to know immediately.  

I grasp both of her hands and place them on my chest over my heart. “Please, just tell me.”  

She stares at me for a few moments before a sob escapes her mouth and fat tears roll down her cheeks.  

“This isn’t how I wanted this to happen,” she wails, pulling her hands from my grasp and storming into the sitting room.  

I follow her closely. “What’s wrong, love? Please tell me. I can’t fix it if you don’t tell me.”  

I wrap my arms around her waist and pull her into my chest, burying my nose in her neck.  

“I wanted everything to be perfect. The onesie is supposed to be done on Friday, and I have an ultrasound tomorrow.”  

I freeze as my mind processes what she just said. “What did you say?”  

A blinding smile spreads across my face as I spin her in my arms. 

“I love you, Callen. I’m so sorry, but I was scared to tell you. To tell you…I’m pregnant.” 

I smash my lips to hers, pouring all my pain and frustrations from the past few days into this one kiss. Luckily, she doesn’t resist me. Releasing her shoulders, I slide my hands down her back and pull her tight into my chest.  

We break apart only slightly, gasping for air.  

“We’re having a baby?”  

I immediately drop to my knees, planting a soft kiss on her fabric-covered stomach.  

“Hello, little one,” I whisper as I notice the small bulge.  

“That’s why you didn’t want me to touch you,” I say with reverence, tilting my head up slightly and smiling before rising to my feet. 

She nods her head, wrapping her arms tightly around my neck. “I knew as soon as you felt my stomach, you would know because you know my body better than I do.”  

We stare at each other for a few moments before she breaks the silence.  

“Are you happy?”  

I bury my nose in her hair, breathing her scent in. “I’ve never been happier in my entire life.”  

I nibble down her neck, suddenly more occupied with the way her skin tastes than with why she was ignoring me.  

“What are you doing?”  

“Practicing for baby number two,” I growl before lifting her in my arms. 

She pulls my earlobe between her lips, and I groan, dropping all my weight onto her body and pinning her in place.  

“I can’t control myself much longer.”  

I nip and suck on her flesh, leaving small red marks in my path before capturing her lips with mine. Shoving my tongue between her lips, I fuck her mouth with it.  

I slide my hand up her leg, running my middle finger along the seam of her jeans before reaching between us and popping open the button.  

“Off now,” I command as I lower her feet to the ground, pulling her jeans and panties down at the same time and tossing them over my shoulder.  

Her eyes zero in on my cock as I strip off my pants and boxers, and she watches as I lining up with her entrance.  

“Please,” she begs.  

Her pupils dilate and she licks her lips, the desire written all over her face.  

“Do you want me to fuck you so hard you won’t be able to walk for days?”  

I pump my hand up and down my shaft a few times, hoping for some much-needed relief. If I’m not careful, I’ll blow my load in a matter of minutes, and neither of us will be satisfied.  

“I need it,” she whispers as she takes me in her hand and tightens her grip, sending a shiver of pleasure down my spine.  

I grasp her hand, unwrapping it from around me and pinning it to the wall above her head before slamming into her dripping wet center. I close my eyes tightly as indescribable pleasure causes stars to cross my eyes.  

“Fuck,” I groan, dropping my head to her shoulder and biting down as I piston my hips forward.  

The only sound is our skin slapping against one another as I thrust myself into her harder. 

“More,” she moans as I slow my pace. 

I pull out of her slowly before slamming back in, keeping a languid pace and drawing out both of our pleasure.  

“Don’t stop. Please don’t stop,” she moans breathlessly.  

I tighten my grip on her arm, using the other hand to bring her leg up and wrap it around my waist. This new angle helps me sink deeper inside her, and her back arches off the wall each time I thrust.  

My balls tighten as I feel my release approaching.  

“Give it to me. Give me everything,” I command as the walls of her pussy clench around me in a vise grip.  

I quicken my pace, releasing my hold on her hands and pulling her into me.  

“Callen!” she screams, her sweet juices dripping down my cock as she comes.  

My release follows with the roar of her name in response. Slowing my movements, I pump in and out of her a few more times before pulling out completely.  

I drop my forehead to hers and close my eyes tightly, overcome with emotion. “I love you both. More than words can describe.”  

“We love you too,” she whispers, a bright smile shining back at me.