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The earthy scent of roasted coffee beans and sweet pastries wrapped Charli in a warm hug as Finn ushered her inside the Stardust Café.
“Should we get it to go?” she asked.
“Nah, it’s cold enough outside to keep the ice cream frozen. We won’t be too long. The rest of the groceries should be fine. Why don’t you get a table, and I’ll get the drinks?”
“I want a peppermint mocha, half-caffeinated.”
“But—”
“One cup of coffee a day isn’t going to hurt the baby, and I haven’t had any in months.” She crossed her arms ready for an argument.
“Okay. Anything else?”
She opened her mouth with a retort but quickly closed it again. She smiled. “A mermaid cookie. Oh, and a lavender scone.”
“Be right back.”
She admired his backside as he walked up to the counter. Remy wasn’t working today, but instead, Rae. The young girl had asked for a job at The Shipwreck not too long ago, but she wasn’t old enough. How many jobs does she have? She was still working for Jasmine at The Lighthouse Inn last Charli knew. There was a story there.
Settling into the chair, Charli tried to get comfortable in the seat, but at thirty-two weeks pregnant, it seemed an impossible task.
“Here you go.” Finn set her goodies and drink in front of her.
“Thank you.” She wrapped her hands around the steaming cup of minty coffee goodness and inhaled. Something about the smell of peppermint was almost as good as the taste lately. Her mouth watered as her craving intensified. The only thing that would make this better would be some of that ice cream they’d picked up in it.
“Keep staring at that cup like that and I’m likely to get jealous.” Finn laughed.
Charli met his amused gaze and shook her head.
“Wanna go over some of the checkup questions?” Finn asked.
Charli took a tentative sip of her drink, moaning from the richness.
Finn’s eyes snapped to hers, Adam’s apple bobbing as he swallowed.
“Sure. Where’d we leave off?”
He pulled out his phone. She stiffened. Another message?
“How satisfied were you with sexual intimacy this week?” Finn read off the device.
So, he’d added the questions to his notes? She breathed a sigh of relief and relaxed into the chair.
Heat rose to her cheeks. She took a bite of the cookie to buy her some time. She wasn’t satisfied this week or last week for that matter. But telling him that was . . . scary. Because what if he didn’t want her anymore with her growing and changing body? What if Laura was right? What if her mother had been right all along?
You ruined my body. That’s why your father left. You just wait. One of these days your whoring ways will get the best of you and you’ll see. You’ll be all alone.
Her mother’s words were like darts of poison creeping in, tainting her joy. She didn’t think of the woman often, but boy her mother’s vitriol had a way of sneaking in when she least expected it. I thought I was over this.
“Sweetheart?” Finn asked, casting her a concerned gaze as his hand enveloped hers.
A rush of calmness settled over her at their connection. “Honestly, not very. It’s hard to be satisfied when we are not having any sex—but I understand that you . . . I mean, I know I’m a walking blimp balloon at this point.”
His hold tightened a fraction. “Is that what you think?” Finn’s voice was tight.
She sighed. “What else am I supposed to assume?”
His jaw clenched as he shook his head. Tipping the cup to his lips, he took a sip before leaning forward. “If you think for one god damned minute that I don’t want you, then you are sorely mistaken. I have a constant hard-on around you, and I’ve jacked off more times than I can count in the shower.” His voice was close to a growl.
