Page 46 of Consuming Logan

She trailed her knuckles over his cheek. “You would?”

“Now and forever. I’ll even endure Chuckie’s clubhouse for our baby furniture.” She licked her lower lip and he tracked the movement like a hunter desperate for prey.

Ava shot him a wanton smile. “I could cancel our design consultation. We can practice mommy-daddy time,” she whispered, sinking her white teeth into her bottom lip.

A jolt of need shot through Logan’s body at the sensual suggestion. Ava must have sensed the shift because he felt her nipples stiffen and elongate against his shirt.

“Let’s go,” he growled, grabbing her hand.

A young woman pushing a Ford Explorer-sized shopping cart pulled a Maria von Trapp, halting their departure with a gleeful, yet strategic smile. Logan positioned Ava in front of him. She could deal with Chuckie’s handler better than he.

“You must be Mr. and Mrs. Masters,” she said, with an odd, hiccup-giggle. “Welcome to your Baby Bundle bonanza.” Insert giggle. “Thanks for being on time for your appointment. My name is Courtni with an ‘i,’” she giggled like an exuberant ball of energy. “I’m your baby bundle builder.”

Wow. Logan turned his head, half expecting a chorus line of dancing Oompa Loompas to appear.

Ava gave a warm smile. Why? Because that was his Ava. A pink construction hard hat covered Courtni with an i’s natural locks. A plastic tool belt hung around her waist. Logan frowned at the miniature furniture replicas dangling from the belt—cribs, changing tables, car seats, rocking chairs, bassinets.

“Hello, Courtni. I’m Ava.”

Logan smirked. They had a master salesperson on their hands.

“Ah, what a kind mommy voice you have,” Courtni said, applying the first layer to closing the deal. “Your babies are going to be so happy. I have a second sense about these things.”

What?

“That’s baby, as in singular.” Logan corrected.

Courtni just stared eyes wide in amusement. “Whatever you say.”

Okay, that was just weird. With her silver braces and pink headset, she looked young enough to be in one of the many cribs. Yet, her confident gaze said she held the expert opinion. Even his always-knows-the-right thing to say fiancée stammered for a response. Ava extended a hand backwards, flapping around in search of his. Logan moved in close, relishing the feel of her curvy backside pressed against his always ready erection.

Ava squeezed his fingers. Logan choked back his laughter. The college student schooled him, the licensed pediatrician. “This is my fiancé Logan.”

“We boarded the train to crazy town,” he whispered.

Forming a cradle with her arms, Courtni said. “Hello, daddy.”

A blast of humor hit Logan square in the face. “Just call me Logan.”

Red crept up Ava’s neck and her little frame began to tremble. She found this amusing.

Turning her head, Ava looked up at him. “Be nice.”

“You owe me sex, sweetheart,” he rasped. “And lots of it.”

“O-okay, Logan,” Courtni said, leading them down an aisle with a blue striped zebra and the number one painted on its flanks. “When is your little baby bundle due?”

“We have about four and a half months till my due date,” Ava shrugged, slipping her arm through the bend of Logan’s left elbow.

Flummoxed by the reality of her statement, Logan held onto her rather than respond. The more he heard it, the more it sank in. He was a father. Beneath the joy that he and Ava had created a life, fear spread through his chest. They had mere months to arrange their lives, home, and careers to accommodate a child. Nothing in his plan had a contingency for parenthood.

She spun and hugged his waist. “We’ll hold our baby in four months,” she sighed. Ava sniffled again. “I’m so happy,” she laughed, using her free hand to wipe the tears clinging to her lashes.

He wanted to pull her back into his arms and keep her there. Logan could practically feel the weight of fatherhood settling onto his shoulders.

“We’re expecting our first.” Ava smiled up at him. There was so much love in her eyes.

Courtni giggled. “Are you having a boy or girl? We can build storybook rooms. Ariel’s shell, Cinderella’s ballroom, Snow White’s bed, even the Black Panther’s Wakanda. We can plan for the next baby too.”