“I can’t stop eating these crab cakes,” I tell Fredrick, popping the sixth one into my mouth.

We’re having a celebration today. I’m pregnant with our third child, and I’m finally getting my little girl. The party has been in full swing for hours. If it were up to me, I would have left long ago, but these crab cakes are keeping me at this table. I can’t seem to help myself. I was never this hungry when I was pregnant with either of my boys.

“You look as wonderful as ever.”

I smile over at him. I feel like I’ve been pregnant non-stop since I got married. Romy and I can’t seem to keep our hands off of each other. If it were his choice I’d always be pregnant. He has a little bit of an obsession with people knowing I belong to him, and the baby belly lets everyone know immediately. Romy is a caveman. But something about that turns me on and keeps me knocked up.

“Thank you,” I reply. I feel giant, but really I don’t care. Having my little girl is worth it. I place my hand on my belly.

“Did you know that your husband once warded me off you?”

I glance over at Frederick, wondering what he’s talking about. He and I were never a couple. We went to a few events together before I got with Romy, but always just as friends. Nothing more. In fact, I think Fredrick would be more interested in Romy than me, but I didn’t tell anyone that.

“And I know I wasn’t the only one. I’m pretty sure many threats were made against men he thought you might be interested in.” He wiggles his eyebrows like he has the best secret.

“What are you talking about?” I turn in my chair to face him. It might sound silly, but when Romy gets jealous and territorial it makes my insides melt.

“It was known. Well, between men who weren’t in relationships, he made it clear that he wanted you. He’d send threats to people who he thought were dating you.”

I can’t help but laugh. “Are you serious?”

“Very. Pretty sure he told me, ‘Look at her again and you’ll regret it.’”

“You’re full of it.” I shake my head. I don’t know why I think this isn’t true. Over the years I’ve been with him, I should know this is something he would very likely do.

“Star, think about it. Why do you think you never went on second dates?” he asks me.

I think back. I thought I never went on second dates because I didn’t have any interest. But now the more I think on it, I realize they never called me back asking for a second one.

“See?” he shrugs and eats the crab cake off his own plate.

Maybe I should be annoyed, but the thought of my husband scaring off my dates only makes me smile. The man can be a little ridiculous at times. I gave him hell for waiting so long to make me his to begin with. He had this crazy idea that he wasn’t good enough for me, and he wasted a year we could have been together.

Romy is perfect for me. We fit together like we were made to be with one another. I’ve gotten the love I’ve always wanted and more. Little Cara kicks my belly, and I grab Fredrick’s hand and places it on my stomach. His eyes widen when he feels her thumps.

“That’s—”

“Get your hands off my wife.”

We both turn to see Romy standing there, a growl emanating from his chest. His normally fun and happy teasing face is gone. He’s all hard lines, and the jealous possessiveness pours off him. I didn’t know a man could be so territorial, but Romy is beyond that. If it were up to him I’d be cuffed to him. If he hadn’t just gone to check on our two little ones, I would have never been alone to begin with.

“She’s kicking,” I tell him patiently. He’s being ridiculous.

“Then you find me to put my hand on your belly,” he growls. I roll my eyes at him, but he pulls me from my chair and lifts me into his arms, giving Frederick a hard look. He smiles serenely and winks at me. People at the party hoot and holler, and I bury my face in his neck. I should be embarrassed, but I’m not. This isn’t the first time he’s picked me up and carried me out of a party. In fact, it seems to be the norm.

“You’re such a caveman,” I tell him as he strides from the room.

“You’re round with our baby. You’re clearly marked as mine, but still, men look at you and seek your attention.” He growls again, the rumble vibrating through my body.

“Why are you growling so much? Maybe you need to see a doctor,” I tease him. “Maybe you should put an ad in one of the tabloids and tell all the men in the world to stay away from me.” He pauses for a second as if he’s thinking about it, and I smack his chest. “I was joking, you brute.”

“I’ll show you joking,” he tells me, as he places me on the bed before he starts ripping at my clothes. I never knew having a caveman as a husband would be everything I ever wanted and more.