November Foxtrot (Rhythm of the Heart Book 2) by Scarlett Jade Page B

her.
    “Wait...what?” The chains jangled as he shifted to stare at her.
    “Don't touch me.” She wrapped her arms around herself.
    “Did Derek touch you, Zoe?”
    She clenched her jaw and shrugged. “It was just a kiss. But I bit the shit out of him.”
    Calvin swallowed and clenched his fists. “He kissed you?”
    “Yeah.” She shrugged again.
    “I'm going to kill him.” Calvin leapt from the seat, making the whole swing rock violently.
    “Calm down, Tarzan,” she quipped. “I handled it.”
    “No, Zoe, that's bullshit. It's not okay to just go around kissing my wife!” He paced the wooden porch. “And if he thinks that he's going to be making the moves on you, if our daughter is his? Well, I'll be damned!”
    “Our – our daughter?” She squeaked. “How do you know?”
    “Tim told me. Why didn't you?”
    “I was planning to tell you at Christmas, but that plan is dead in the water. Thanks a lot, big mouth, fucking Tim. Now I have half a mind to bust his nose.”
    Calvin chuckled and sat back down beside her. “I think his nose is messed up enough for a while, Zoe. Look. I'm really, really sorry I overreacted. I was wrong and I promise not to do it again. Or at least try. I'm no angel, but I will try. Can you forgive me?”
    Zoe sighed. “I understand why you blew, but don't shut me out.”
    “You left me. And you called him,” Calvin whispered brokenly. “You called HIM of all people.”
    “I didn't think he was going to jump me, Calvin. The things Layla said, they really hurt. But you know what, she's right. Everything I have is because you gave it to me. I didn't want to fight with you anymore and I didn't know what to do.”
    “You can't run back to him every time we have problems.” His hand found hers and he gently stroked her knuckles. “Please come with me. You've been out here in the cold enough. Let's go home.”
    “I don't want to go to Mobile.”
    “I wasn't going to ask, Zoe. I have to earn that right back. I just want you to rest. For our baby. And for you.” He stood and held out his hand. “Please, come with me.”
    “Okay.” She took his hand and stood carefully, staring back at the little blue swing for a moment.
    They walked down the driveway to his car and he leaned close. “So, second fight. Two out of a ten?”
    Zoe laughed weakly. “Maybe.”

Chapter Ten
     
     
     
    Zoe woke to a feather soft brush against her lips and her eyes opened, to see Calvin leaning over her with a smile on his face. “Morning, beautiful.”
    “Morning. What time is it?” she groaned.
    “Eleven-thirty.” He eased back off the bed and rummaged through his bag.
    “How long have you been up?” She stretched slowly, her eyes closing in pleasure as her muscles relaxed.
    “A while,” he answered.
    “Oh. Why didn't you wake me?” Her belly grumbled in protest. “I'm starving.”
    “Because I was laying here looking at you laying there and thinking I'm the luckiest man in the world.” He stood and winked at her before tossing a small box in her direction. “Here, this is part of your Christmas present. It’s early, but I want you to have it.”
    She sat up and ran a hand through her tangled hair. “Calvin, you don't have to give me this just because of last night.”
    He hopped on the bed, the whole mattress jostling as he bounced. “I know I don't, but I want to. I want to make you happy, Zoe. Just open the box.”
    Her fingers toyed with the small present for a moment and she blew out a breath. “I don't like fighting with you.”
    “And I don't like fighting with you. I was an ass, I was wrong and I'm sorry, beautiful.” He scooted closer and slid an arm behind her as he rested his head against her belly. “I didn't mean to upset you...I just didn't think. It's hard to realize that your baby sister is grown up.”
    “I can't believe they are in love.” The baby rolled at that moment and Calvin jumped back, staring up at her with big eyes.
    “I just got kicked.” His