Bound to Forever - Book ll

Failed Instinct

Simon's Point of View:

The following Tuesday, I was reluctant to leave the house after Kiera and I dropped the twins off at the daycare and stopped at Kathy's Café for breakfast. She was so beautiful in her "comfy clothes", wearing a pair of yoga pants and a baggy sweatshirt that hid her beautiful body from me, but what mattered the most was that she felt comfortable and beautiful the way she was, and I loved her so much for it.

Her long hair was pulled back into a bun on the top of her head, shorter pieces of hair framing her face and the frames of her glasses that she usually wore at night to watch the TV with me, but I certainly liked what I was seeing.

I couldn't help but chuckle at her as I watched her change her socks before putting on a different pair of shoes for her doctor's appointment, sighing before standing to her feet, but she must've thought I was oblivious to how she was watching me dress myself in my uniform, combing my hair away from my face and hating how my stubble on my face was growing too long for my liking, but I had no time to shave.

"My eyes are up here, love." I smirked into the mirror, my heart racing when she was eyeing me up and down.

What is it with a man being in uniform that attracts women?

"I don't know what you're talking about." She giggled.

"Don't think I haven't been sitting here watching you look me up and down like you're going to jump on me."

"What if I was?"

I shrugged, "I'm not complaining. I like it when you mark me as your territory. Just be careful if you do jump on me, though."

"Why?"

"I have a loaded gun on me."

"I know. I see it on your hip." She scoffed.

"I wasn't talking about that gun."

She blushed and looked away from me, and I couldn't help but smirk. "That's what I thought. Keep it up and I'll end up getting you pregnant again."

I listened to her breathing shudder after I said that, and I knew that the thought was running through her mind.

"Don't tempt me."

"Bend over and I'll put another one in you real quick, love." I teased, though I knew than to do that just yet because she wasn't cleared for intercourse yet but teasing her about it was enough to get me riled up.

"You're tempting me, babe."

"Well, go and get cleared by the doctor and I'll be sure to take care of you, love."

"Why do you have to make this so hard? Teasing me like that."

"You started it, sweetheart," I winked at her. "You're the one making my day much harder. I'm going to be thinking about it all day."

"Well, if you've got a few minutes..."

"I'm running on thin time right now, love," I sighed, hoping that she didn't think I was rejecting her, because I would never, but I didn't need to be late when I had no focus on my shift but to focus on any new leads for Eva's case. "I'm sorry."

"It's okay."

"Come here," I assured her, turning her around to pick her up and place her on the counter in front of me, resting between her legs and fighting the urge to not take her up on her offer when I desperately wanted to, but I wanted to make sure that she was cleared by a doctor first as I didn't want to risk hurting her. "Don't you think for one second I'm rejecting you. I'm not going to risk hurting you, love."

"I'm not thinking that, Simon—"

"You can't lie to me. I saw your face fall when I told you that I was running at thin time. I know what you're thinking."

"Sometimes I just hate that I can't feel normal."

"You just had a baby, Kiera. It is normal," I frowned. "I'm not going anywhere. I'll do my best to swing by for your appointment later, but if I can't, I will definitely let you know and I just hope you'll keep me updated."

"I will, Simon."

"Good," I smiled at her, pressing a long and soft kiss to her cheek when she blushed and turned her head away from me. "I love you, sweetheart."

"I love you too."

"I'll put Stella's car seat in your mum's SUV before I leave."

"Thank you."

"Anything else you need me to do before I leave?"

"Can't think of anything."

"Are you feeling okay?" I asked her, my fingertips gently brushing against the top of her thighs and hands. "Nervous about your appointment?"

"Very nervous," She nodded. "I just hope everything is okay."

"Everything will be just fine, love. I'm going to do my best to be there."

"I hope you will, but I understand if you can't."

"Where's Baler? I didn't see him this morning."

"He told me he was going to the barn to help the wranglers with new fencing. That was early this morning when I was feeding Stella."

"Okay. I just haven't talked to him much and have been starting to worry about him."

"I know. I've been trying to talk to him too, but he's seemed distant lately. I was thinking of asking him to come with me so we could spend some time together, but he shot down that question real quick."

"I'll try to talk to him when I get back home," I shook my head before checking my watch. "I better get going, love. I'll see you later, yeah?"

"You will. I'll let you know how it goes!" She smiled at me, caging my face with her hands and bringing my face towards hers, giving me a soft and delicate kiss that I loved so much.

*

Kiera's Point of View:

Johnny and Teeter both suggested that they would happily watch Stella while I was gone to my doctor's appointment, and I kept telling them that I didn't want them to feel obligated to, but they insisted as 'I had enough on my plate for today.'

Even if I did, I still felt like I didn't do enough to earn the privilege of someone offering to watch my child while I went to my doctor's appointment.

I gave them instructions about Stella's care, though she was fairly easy compared to Jacob and Evie – sleeping more than she usually ate, and it was a blessing and a curse all at the same time.

Once I drove down to the barn, I parked and got out to search for Baler, anxious to make our relationship better due to the unfortunate circumstances we were undeserving of conquering. "Baler?"

"Yeah?"

"Johnny and Teeter offered to watch Stella for me while I was at my doctor's appointment, and I was wondering if you'd feel up to coming with me. It won't take long, but I figured you and I could grab some lunch on our way back?"

"I thought I told you my answer from when you asked me the first time?" He scoffed.

"But I really want you to spend time with me."

"Typical. Guilt-tripping me every time," He mumbled under his breath, but I chose not to say anything about it. "Fine. Just wait for me in the car. I'll be out in a second."

"Okay," I nodded. "How long will you be?"

"When I get there. Just... go wait in the car. I have to get my jacket."

"Okay. Well, hopefully that attitude will be gone by the time you get to the car." I smiled at him sarcastically, hearing him mumble a 'we'll see about that' before I walked off.

And boy did I wish my overthinking did me right if I would've known what he was planning...