I’ll admit he has it good with me too, but Ellie is on another level.
The moment I place the food down on the counter, she wastes no time peeking inside to scope out the goods.
“Oh, La Terrazza,” she remarks in pure delight, inhaling the rich aroma that escapes from the bag.
“I figured you’d be all right with that choice.”
She quickly schools her expression and shrugs. “It’ll do, I guess.”
I chuckle, knowing she’s full of shit.
The smile she sends my way is something I missed so fucking much these past few days. It’s a smile that can right any wrong. One that reaches parts of me only she ever has.
“Drink?” she offers.
At my nod, she moves for the refrigerator and pulls out a Diet Coke for herself and a beer for me, something she keeps stocked purely for my sake.
While she pops the top off my bottle, I pull out the two containers of food, placing hers at one end of the table and mine at the other. Since I am not sure how this conversation will go, I figure it’s best to keep my distance for now.
Once we take our seats, Ellie digs right in. She takes a heaping bite of the creamy shrimp pasta and moans, her eyes falling closed as she does. “I swear I could eat this every day and never get sick of it.”
The heated sound mixed with the expression on her face shoots straight to my groin, filling my head with images of what she would look like if I was the one making her moan like that.
Her eyes open at my silence. “What?” she asks around a mouthful of food.
Instead of telling her exactly what’s on my mind, I decide to get down to business. “You think about my offer?”
She snorts. “Is that what we’re calling it?”
“Call it whatever you want, Elle. I just want to know if you made your decision.”
“Yeah, I did, and I decided you’re batshit crazy.”
I smirk, loving how fucking sassy she can be. “I guess that makes two of us since this was your idea to begin with.”
“No,” she denies vehemently. “It was my idea for you to be a donor. Not for us to … to …”
“Have sex?” I offer, amused by her fluster.
A pretty pink blush stains her cheeks. “Yes, that.”
I shrug. “What difference does it make?”
Her mouth falls open, eyes wide with disbelief. “It’s very different and you know it. It would change everything between us.”
“And raising a baby together wouldn’t?” I return, cocking a brow.
“No.” Her gaze darts from mine as the lie flows past her lips. “Not really.”
I rest back in my chair, crossing my arms. “I disagree, raising a child together doesn’t get much more personal. Which is why you are the only woman on this earth I would do it with.”
Her expression softens with that admission.
“However, I refuse to jack off in some cup to impregnate you,” I add, not bothering to sugarcoat it. “If I’m knocking you up, we’re going to do it by fucking, and we’re going to enjoy the hell out of it.”
Her eyes flare at the candid language, another pink blush invading her cheeks. Though, this time it’s not just from embarrassment. This time it’s hued with desire. The same one I have roaring in my veins.
“Where is this coming from, Gunnar?” she asks, confusion masking her voice. “Four days ago, you thought having a baby together was the worst idea ever, and now you are suggesting this? I don’t get it.”
A heavy breath escapes my chest, my hand running through my hair as I try to find the right words. “I know. I didn’t understand it at first either. Not until I spoke with Ryland …”
She stills at the revelation, her eyes locking with mine. “You told Ryland?”
I nod, studying her reaction. Thankfully, she doesn’t seem angry, just nervous—probably because she cares about his opinion. She always has. Next to Paw, he’s been like a second father to her.
“What did he say?” she asks quietly.
“He was surprised like I was, but also said that you will make an amazing mom.”
A beautiful smile transforms her face before she dips her head. “Nice to know someone has faith in me.”
Her mumble punches me in the chest. “You being a good mother was never my concern, Ellie.”
She glances back up at me. “Then what was your concern?”
“Losing you.”
Every feature softens on her face, giving me the courage to continue.
