Michael interjects, waving his hand at Cal. “And you, too, Cal. Though you might want to open it inside.”
“Maybe upstairs.” Mark winks.
“Alone.” Michael adds.
I beam at the both of them. “It’s my painting, isn’t it?”
“Painting?” Cal glares at the three of us.
“Thank you so much. Come inside, let’s open it.” I pick up the A2 sized gift and place it on the kitchen table.
Mark nods to a drawing pinned to the fridge. “Who’s the artist in the family?” He removes the magnet that says ‘a balanced diet is a cake in each hand’ and holds up the coloured picture of us all.
“Cairen drew it, him and Bethy love to draw and colour.” In the picture, Callum has Caleb in his arm with another arm around my waist that’s a little on the long side, reminding me of Mr Tickle. A smile spreads across my face each time I look at it. I’m holding hands with Cairen, and Cassie is holding Lady. Olivia and Beth are in the picture and Justin and Maxine, like we’re all one big happy family. I guess we are, in a way.
“It’s really good. What is he now, nine?”
I nod before tearing away the wrapping to my gift.
My mouth drops open as I try to speak, but I can't find the right words. Cal’s eyes widen, but he doesn’t speak either.
The colours and light highlighting my enormous belly are breathtakingly beautiful. My hands caress our baby inside me, and my smile pushes my rosy cheeks up as I gaze at my baby bump.
My skin breaks out in gooseflesh as I’m overwhelmed with this masterpiece. I never imagined he would capture me so beautifully, or that I would ever see myself as this beautiful, even with my large belly, dimply thighs, and saggy breasts. My chest shudders, hoping Cal isn’t mad that I sat for Mark like this. I know how possessive he is, but I hope he likes it.
Cal clears his throat. “You never told me you let Picasso here paint you. Again.”
“I kept my knickers on. You can’t see with my belly but…”
“Steph, it’s stunning. I love it.” He turns around to Mark. “I hate to say it, Mark, but you really are a Picasso. You have an amazing talent.”
“Thanks, Cal. I’m glad you like it.” Mark slips out of the room, leaving us alone.
“Right. As good as this is, I don’t want anyone else seeing you naked.” He picks up the canvas and carries it to the bedroom. I follow as he stands the painting on the dressing table, admiring the view.
He closes the door, and then his hands go up my dress. “You don't know how many times I've thought about having you today.”
I smile at him. “Tell me.”
“I thought about fucking you in the car. Bending you over that garden table, dragging you into the bathroom, sitting you on the garden swing—which we still need to christen.” He nibbles my neck. “Have I told you how beautiful you are?”
“Not today.” I smile.
His lips press against mine, and his hard tongue darts between my lips. His nimble fingers hook inside my knickers. “Fucking hell, Steph.”
“What?”
“You’re dripping, and I haven't even touched you yet.”
“You only have to look at me to turn me on, you know that.”
His fingers enter me, and I suck in a breath.
“Cal, we should go back down. People will wonder where we are.”
“Soon.” He continues to enter me, pushing in and drawing out slowly. While tasting me deeper as his tongue licks around my mouth. “I just need to have you, Steph.” He unbuckles his belt and tugs his zipper down.
“This isn't going to be another one of those times where you only last a minute, is it?”