The Heiress Effect

“I came to see if you were tired,” Oliver said. “After all this work, I’m sure that when you finish up, you’ll need a rest.”

For the first few months of the pregnancy, she had been exhausted. She’d needed naps and back rubs, and he’d been happy to oblige.

“I haven’t been tired in a while,” she told him. “But yes, after we’re done, I’ll be…” She trailed off slowly.

She met his eyes, saw his smile. Her hand, tangled with his, went still for a moment. Very deliberately, Oliver drew his thumb over her fingers.

She answered his smile with one of her own.

“Now that you mention it,” she said, “I will be particularly tired after this. I might need a little help getting upstairs.”

Her forefinger traced an answering line down the side of his hand.

“Yes,” Oliver said. “I can manage that.” He leaned in and brushed a kiss against her forehead. “Until then.”