Ethan dropped into the leather chair, the weariness in his posture impossible to miss. Lena didn't hesitate. She walked steadily toward him, climbed onto his lap, and settled there without a word. Her fingers went straight to his collar, adjusting it gently, then smoothing down the creases in his shirt like she was grounding herself in the moment.
Their eyes met.
His storm-gray gaze softened, and when he tilted forward to kiss her, it wasn't rushed. It was slow, deliberate. Like a man tasting a piece of peace for the first time in weeks. Lena kissed him back just as slowly, letting the warmth of his lips undo her tension.
Halfway through, they broke apart, breath mingling. His hand found hers, threading their fingers together, while the other drifted down to her thigh, massaging it in slow, comforting circles.
"I'm sorry," Ethan murmured, voice hoarse. "I haven't given you the time you deserve."
"You've had a lot on your plate," she replied, voice just as soft.
"I promise I'll make it up to you." He leaned in again, pressing a kiss to her lips, more tender this time.
"I know," she whispered. "And I understand. I haven't exactly been my best self either."
Ethan tucked a loose curl behind her ear and studied her, really looked at her.
"Is it me," he asked, "or do you look more beautiful than I remember?"
Lena rolled her eyes. "Seriously?"
"I mean it," he said. "You're glowing. Not just now—lately. And it kills me that I haven't been making you feel every part of that."
His fingers slid just a little higher on her thigh, teasing her gently. She giggled, warmth blooming in her chest at the sudden, playful tension between them—something they hadn't shared in what felt like forever.
This… this was their first moment of light in weeks.
Lena took a breath. The moment was perfect, too fragile to interrupt. But it was now or never.
"There's something I've been meaning to tell you," she said, her tone shifting, serious now.
Ethan's brow lifted, his thumb still brushing her skin. "Good news or bad?"
She smiled nervously. "Could go either way. You'll have to decide."
"That sounds serious," he said, shifting beneath her. "Hit me."
She rubbed her palms against each other—an old nervous habit—and before she could spiral, Ethan caught her hands and held them firmly.
"I'm pregnant," she blurted. "And before you say anything… I'm keeping it."
Her voice cracked on the last words, her eyes dropping to her lap.
Ethan froze. His breath hitched.
"What?"
"Four weeks," she said quietly. "I just found out a few days ago."
For a long second, there was silence. Then Ethan leaned back and let out a slow breath. His hand moved instinctively to her stomach, wide palm spreading across it with something like awe.
"So… the little O'Martin lives here," he said, a stunned smile tugging at his lips.
Lena looked down, blinking at the sight of his hand on her belly.
"You're not mad?" she asked in disbelief.
"Mad?" He looked up at her. "Lena, I've been drowning in bad news for weeks. But this? This is the best news I've had in years. Fuck…"
His voice was thick with something she hadn't heard from him in a long time—pure, unguarded joy.
"We're going to be parents," he whispered, stroking her tummy again, reverently. "You're going to be such a good mom."
"And you…" she said, smiling through tears, "you're going to be an amazing dad."
His lips caught hers again, this time hotter, hungrier. There was no hesitation now—just need. Emotion. Possession. His hands framed her waist, pulling her closer into him, pressing her against his chest as the kiss deepened.
Lena melted into it, gasping softly when his hands slid beneath her shirt, brushing over bare skin like he was rediscovering her all over again.
"I've missed this," Ethan murmured against her mouth. "Missed you."
"Then take me," she whispered, grinding her hips against his growing arousal.
And just like that, something primal ignited.
He scooped her up and laid her gently across his office couch, looming over her with eyes darkened by desire. His mouth trailed down her neck, biting softly at the place that always made her moan. She arched beneath him, legs parting, inviting him in.
"Careful," he whispered against her skin. "You're carrying my heir now."
She laughed breathlessly. "Don't start calling it that."
He grinned, but it faded into something feral as he tugged down her waistband and slipped his hand between her thighs, finding her already wet.
"For me?" he teased, fingers sliding between slick folds. "All this for me?"
Lena whimpered, biting her lip. "You drive me insane."
He growled low in his throat. "Then let me finish what I started."