Finley had been grumbling, but when Ronald mentioned "even more," he snapped to attention as if jolted by a cold ssh of water.


    Before Ronald could say more, Finley cut him off, "No, no, it''s fine. Really."


    Ste nced over at Ronald, thinking to herself that he was being a bit too harsh.


    Finley was a neat freak, not to the point of obsession, but the man did love his daily showers. And the thought of him going to the Muliba Desert, where water is as precious as gold, seemed cruel. Finley would have a tough time adjusting to such a ce.


    But Ronald was a man of his word, and Ste knew better than to intervene. If she wasn''t careful, she might inadvertently extend Finley''s stay by another half year, and she feared he''d have a fit right there.


    "Seriously, it''s all good, but I need a moment to chill," Finley muttered, heading out the door.


    Once he was gone, it was just Ste and Ronald in the room.


    Ste finally said, "Ronald, don''t you think that was a bit much? He''s going to hold a grudge."


    Ronald shrugged. "An important task there that needs him."


    Ste was puzzled. "Wait, it isn''t a punishment?"


    Ronald raised an eyebrow at her and ruffled her hair, "Do you think I''m that ruthless?"


    Ste snuggled into thefort of his embrace, not saying a word. If there was a ruthless side to Ronald, it was one she wasn''t familiar with.


    Seeing her quiet, Ronald knew what was going through her mind. He gently


    pinched her earlobe, teasing, "Are you still afraid of me?"


    "Afraid? Of course not!" Ste replied. Though she remembered the old stories of Ronald''s wild side, she no longer felt any fear.


    "Am I really pregnant?" Ste looked up at him, her eyes wide with disbelief.


    Was she going to be a mom? Being a mom was something she had never imagined. When Ronald first mentioned she might be pregnant, it felt surreal.


    Ronald leaned down, brushing his warm lips across her forehead, sending an unexpected thrill through her.


    "Possibly," he said.


    Though Ronald wasn''t an expert on pregnancy, he''d read a thing or two online. Ste''s symptoms lined up pretty well with what he''d seen.


    "Not sure yet?" Ste''s voice carried a hint of disappointment.


    Ronald chuckled when he picked up on her mood, "Eager to be a mom?"


    Ste gave him a look, her cheeks flushing. "You, you need to let go of me. Someone might walk in."


    They were so close that Ste could feel Ronald''s warmth enveloping her.


    "Still so shy?" he teased.


    She wriggled in his embrace, trying to escape his grasp, but she seemed to forget that she never could


    escape Ronald''s hold. Whether it et


    was dodging homework as a kid or her teenage rebellious streak, she was right where he wanted her to be


    "Let go," she huffed, when he didn''t release her.


    Ronald smirked, "You haven''t told me yet if you want to be the mother of our child."


    "Who else would I be the mother for?" she replied, her voice full of mocking exasperation. "Who else would dare, or who else would I want?"


    Her words made himugh, a deep, warm sound. He tilted her chin up, his eyes twinkling with amusement, "Getting bold, aren''t you?"


    Ste just red at him. She knew she got stuck with him and wouldn''t have it any other way.