~ Chapter 12 ~
Jinx had found Stracey huddled over her computer working, as usual. Her face scrunched up with snacks littering the table around her, which definitely wasn’t normal.
“Hey, gorgeous, how’s things? Cam keeping you busy?” Jinx sat on the edge of the table, noticing the empty packets strewn around. “Hungry? Do you want me to get you something?”
Stracey shook her head. “I’ve got to sort out this charity event he’s supposed to be attending. He’s reluctant to go but he’s paying for the dang thing so he should be there.”
“I asked if you were hungry, babe.” Jinx picked up one of the empty packets, noticing it was one of his favorite snacks from home and something she usually didn’t eat.
“What?” She looked up from her screen, her chocolate eyes staring at his with something more than her usual sassiness.
He frowned, inhaling deeply to scent what was going on with his mate, trying to gauge what was wrong. She’d been off the day before too but he’d put it down to having to work here instead of her usual office. Now he wasn’t so sure.
Her heady aroma filled him, causing his stomach to clench . . . as well as his groin. Dang, all he wanted was to whisk her upstairs and . . . wait . . . what the hell was that? “Stracey! What the hell?”
She jerked as his words came out louder than he’d meant, her eyes startled. “What? What’s wrong?”
Jumping off the desk he dropped down beside her, grabbing her hands in his. “Why the hell didn’t you tell me? Why?”
“What’re you yelling at me for? Don’t shout at me, Jinx. I don’t like it!”
Stracey’s eyes filled with tears. Tears! He didn’t think he’d ever seen her cry and definitely not because he’d raised his voice at her. His heart almost stopped beating as he leaned forward, cupping her face with one hand and pressing his lips to hers in apology.
“I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to raise my voice. I’m just shocked that you didn’t tell me straight away.”
Stracey pushed him away, looking puzzled. “What on earth are you going on about? Tell you what? I don’t keep secrets, Jinx. You know that.”
Sitting back on his heels he canted his head. Was she not aware? Could she not know?
“Okay, tell me, honey, how are you feeling?” He tried a softer tact, hoping she’d click to what he’d just realized.
“Feeling? I’m feeling annoyed that you’ve interrupted me and raised your voice for no good reason.” Stracey sniffled. “And for goodness’ sake why am I crying? I never cry. What’s gotten into me?”
Jinx couldn’t allow her to suffer any longer, using his strength and speed, he switched places, sitting down and lifting her onto his lap. She let out a squeal, swatting at his chest. “What are you doing?”
“I love you, my dark beauty, your eyes are like deep pools I could get lost in, and your skin . . . don’t get me started on that. I could lick it all day long and . . .”
“Jinx! I don’t have time for your shenanigans . . . tell me what’s going on before I turn you into a frog.”
Tangling her glorious midnight hair in his hands he held her firmly, kissing her deeply with every ounce of his love for giving him what he thought he’d never have, both of them breathless when he released her lips.
“Shoot, what was that for?” she asked, running a finger along his cheek.
“For giving me something I thought we would never have. That I thought you never wanted . . . that I thought I never wanted. Until a few moments ago and now I find I do want it . . . more than anything in the whole damn world. My love, my gorgeous Witch, you’re giving me . . .”
“Will you stop with all the wordiness and spit it out!” Stracey squealed. “What is going on?”
“You really don’t know. Do you?” Jinx couldn’t help but ask again, perplexed.
“No!” She screeched so high the sound hurt his ears.
His hand fell to her belly, gently caressing it, her eyes following it as he whispered. “You’re pregnant.”
“I’m what?” she asked, shocked. Her eyes still trained on his fingers as he ran them over her stomach.
“I can scent it, Stracey, there’s a babe in there. You’re pregnant,” Jinx said again and instead of her smile, or her arms going around his neck in joy, her hand shot to her mouth briefly before she leaned over and puked all over the floor.
“Aye, definitely pregnant,” he stated as she heaved again and again as he held her hair out of the way with one hand and rubbed her back with the other, and he’d never felt happier in his entire life.