A Lover's Mask by Altonya Washington

with you later today,” Mick said, not bothering to tell him her attitude had to do with a lot more than being scatterbrained. She wrapped up the call in time to hear her husband bellowing her name.
    â€œIn the den, Quest!” she called, waiting for his steps to draw closer before she put a dazzling smile in place.
    Quest didn’t waste time with verbal greetings. The look on his gorgeous molasses-toned face was determined as he crossed the den and pulled her close. Mick gave a breathless moan when he captured her mouth in a possessive kiss. She responded eagerly thrusting her tongue against his out of sheer desire.
    â€œWhen do you have to be back?” she gasped when he released her mouth to shower her jaw with kisses.
    â€œI don’t,” he growled. Then, as though he somehow sensed her mood, he drew away to observe her. “Tell me what’s wrong,” he said.
    Mick didn’t bother to deny it. “I just spoke with Dr. Steins. He wants to set a date for the ultrasound. I didn’t know if you could be there.”
    â€œYou just tell me when it is and I’ll be there,” he said, leaning in to kiss the mole at the corner of her mouth.
    â€œUm, he also said we could find out the baby’s sex.”
    Quest’s brows rose in surprise. “Already?” he asked.
    Mick smiled. “I was surprised too, but Dr. Steins says he should be able to tell. But he also said it could be a surprise,” she added quickly and clasped her hands against his wide chest. “We don’t have to know until the baby comes.”
    Quest shook his head. “I don’t think I can wait that long,” he said and witnessed Mick’s crestfallen reaction. “What? Do you want to wait?”
    She gave a quick toss of her head and tried to appear refreshed. “Whatever you want,” she said.
    â€œUh-uh. What’s going on?”
    â€œQuest…”
    â€œI’m listening.”
    â€œIt’s stupid.”
    â€œI’m getting used to it,” he teased, feigning discomfort when she smacked his forehead. “Tell me,” he urged while leading her to one of the ladder-backed bar stools in the den.
    â€œI’m afraid to know,” she blurted, unable to resist the persuasive power of his gray black stare.
    â€œWhy?” he whispered, rubbing the sides of her thighs.
    Mick squeezed her eyes closed and buried her face in her hands. “I’ve been so worried that I wouldn’t do right by it. Referring to the baby as ‘it’ somehow makes it easier to handle than saying him or her.” She met her husband’s gaze. “I’m bringing another person into the world, Quest. One who’s gonna depend on me for everything. It’s gonna be so helpless—how will I know if I’m doing right where it’s concerned?”
    â€œBaby,” he soothed, pressing a kiss to the middle of her curls. “Hell yeah, you’re gonna do right by it.”
    â€œHow can you be so sure?” Mick challenged, searching his face as though the answer may be forthcoming. “A person usually does what they know. All I know is hurt and loss.”
    â€œDon’t do this to yourself,” he soothed, kissing her cheeks and forehead.
    Mick smiled and stroked the curve of his jaw. “You’re so sweet and I’ll be fine. I promise,” she whispered and leaned in to hug him. The lost expression still clouded her face as Quest’s face harbored the same look.
    Â 
    â€œHey man, Sheila said you wanted to see me when I got back,” Fernando called out to his partner.
    Stef looked up, grinning when he saw the man standing in his office doorway. “Good weekend?” he inquired.
    â€œDamn good.”
    â€œWhere the hell you runnin’ off to every Friday, man?” Stef inquired as he stood.
    â€œPeople to see,” Fernando replied coolly, punctuating the remark with a lazy shrug. “So