He pushes my hair back, eyes staying on mine as he moves slow and with purpose. He fills me. Every single part of me. My heart, my lungs, my body, and my soul are all one with him.
With each thrust, I climb higher, and I never want this to stop. This is the Quinn I’ve been longing for. The one who cares for me, makes me feel special and valued. He gave up his career and has shown me . . .
An epiphany happens as I stare in his deep blue eyes.
For the first time, I see all the things he’s done in a different light.
Maybe it wasn’t the smartest strategy, but there it is. He loves me.
He loves me and the baby we made.
He loves me and wants to make me happy.
He loves me enough to do all the dumb things he could to find a way back into my heart.
And the stupid bastard accomplished it.
My fingers wrap around the back of his neck, and I pull his lips to mine. I kiss him with everything I am. I want him to feel the joy that is overtaking me. Tears leak from my lids as his lips break from mine and he stares at me. “Am I hurting you?”
“No,” I say with my head shaking.
“Then why are you crying?”
“Because I love you.”
His eyes light up like a kid on Christmas morning who got a pony. “I love you.”
“I know.”
“You do?”
I nod as my hand caresses his cheek. “Yeah, I really do.”
26
Ashton
“Are you scared?” I ask Quinn while squirming in the passenger seat.
“Nope.”
He should be. We’re in the car to see my parents for Sunday dinner—together—as a couple. Much to his dismay, I went alone last week, but I felt it was the best choice. We had only been back together for twenty-four hours and I wanted to make sure he didn’t change his mind again.
“Well, I’m beyond excited about this.”
He taps his thumbs on the wheel. “Why is that?”
“My father is going to castrate you for knocking his baby girl up. I don’t care that he likes you, he will not like knowing that you defiled me.”
This is going to be so much freaking fun.
When I called my mother to tell her I was bringing a date, she squealed and said something about prayers being answered. They have no idea it’s Quinn. First, because it’s been a week. Second, because they’d ask a million questions that I wasn’t sure I had the answers for. Like, how long is he staying in New York? Did he find another job? Are you moving to Virginia Beach? Why aren’t you married yet?
“Then we’ll have to say it was a one-time thing. You know, leave out the fact that I defiled you in the shower before we left to come to dinner.”
The shower. What a way to get clean.
We’ve had a lot of sex. Pregnancy sex didn’t sound all that much fun, but the extra blood vessels do a body very good. So far, I’ve had none of the morning sickness or any issues other than my boobs really freaking hate my bra.
“You want to lie to the man?”
“I don’t think he wants or needs details,” Quinn replies.
“True.” I sigh as I look out the window. “But it would make this dinner that much more enjoyable. I say we play it by ear.”
Quinn ignores me and keeps driving, but not before taking my hand in his.
This has taken a bit of getting used to. He’s never been overly affectionate. It wasn’t as though he didn’t hold my hand before, but it’s almost like he can’t stop himself now. He’s always finding ways to touch me, ask if I’m okay, or do something for me.
It’s really sweet.
Every day this week, he has walked me to work, we stopped and got breakfast, and then he’d kiss me before going back home.
Tonight, though, we are going to tell my parents the big news.
And watch my mother lose her shit.
And watch my father try to kill Quinn.
He pulls the car into the driveway and then kisses the top of my hand. “You ready?”
“Oh, I sure am. I’m pregnant, they won’t beat me.”
He snorts and then we exit the car.
“Mom!” I call out when I open the door. “We’re here.”
I hear her fuss at my father and then she comes to the door. Her eyes widen when she sees who is standing behind me. “Quinn!”
“Hi, Mrs. C.” The jackass already has her grinning as he steps forward with a bouquet of flowers. He’s hoping to gain her as an ally when the shit hits the fan.
“You didn’t have to bring me these.” My mother’s cheeks turn red. “You’re a sweet boy. Isn’t he a sweet boy, Ashton?”
“Yes, Mom.”
“And you two are back together and you didn’t tell me!”
Great, she turns on me. “Me? He didn’t tell you either.”
She scoffs. “I’m not his mother.”
“No, but apparently, he’s the son you never had.”
I’m over most of what happened when Quinn was working his way back into my life, but the traitors that reside in this house have some explaining to do.
My mother cocks her head to the side. “Don’t be petulant, Ashton Beth. If your father and I didn’t like Quinn, then how would this be? We saw how he felt about you and listened to him, which is a skill that you struggle with.” She pauses and watches for a retort. “It clearly comes from your father’s side, but a mother knows, my darling.”
I guess I’ll find out how much truth there is in that statement. “Yes, well, I don’t forgive you yet.”
She smiles. “I made penne ala vodka.”
My mother is a shrewd woman. “With ravioli?”
“And garlic bread.”
“With the cheese on top?” I ask.
I can’t resist garlic cheese bread.
“And I made extra sauce that you can dip it in.”
My stomach growls, and she grins. “Maybe I’ll feel less hostile after I eat.”
Mom laughs and pulls me into her arms. “I’m so happy for you.”
“Me too.”
Dinner is great. We all laugh and talk about what’s new since they last saw Quinn. I can see this being my life—Quinn and I coming to my parents’ on Sundays, the baby knowing the love of his or her grandparents, and us being happy.
It’s the one thing that the two of us haven’t talked about yet, though. How do we make this work?
I can’t give my job up—or, at least, I don’t want to.
Leaving my parents seems like the second big hurdle.
Dad clears his throat. “Son, now that you’re out, what are you doing for work?”
“I’m actually going to take a job with Cole Securities.”
And here we go.
“Where Gretchen works?” Dad asks, his eyes moving to mine.
“Yes, Dad, the very same.”
“I see.”
As do I.
“It’ll be very flexible to start. Mark and Jackson will have me come when I’m needed, and I can stay here when I’m not on a detail.”
My chest loosens and relief starts to form. Does this mean he’ll stay in New York and only travel for work? Is that even what I want? How much will he be gone?
Quinn looks at me, his deep blue eyes feel as if they’re piercing through me. I sometimes wonder if he can read my thoughts. “I’ll go back and forth, but it’ll give Ashton and I some time to work things out and come up with a plan.”
He’s . . . consulting with me?
What in the fresh hell is going on?
“You didn’t mention this,” I speak up, my voice trembling a bit.
“You didn’t ask.”
“I didn’t know I should.”
His jaw clenches and then relaxes. “You can ask me anything.”
“Good to know.”
“And then we’ll discuss it,” Quinn adds.
“Okay.”
“And the two of us will come to an agreement—together.”
&
nbsp; My smile is slow and builds because it’s everything I wanted. He’s taking the two of us and making us a team.
I turn to my parents. “Mom, Dad?” My voice shakes as I address them. “Quinn and I wanted to talk to you about something.”
“Oh my God!” my mother screams. “You’re getting married!”
My eyes widen as I shake my head quickly. “No, no, no, we’re not.”
“But . . . you two have been together for so long.”
“We’ve also been apart, and we’re not getting married.”
“Well, not right now,” Quinn tacks on.
“You’re not helping.”
My mother wants a wedding more than I do. She loved helping my cousins, shopping for the dress, and the whole mother of the bride part. I’m pretty sure they have enough money saved for any extravagance I could dream of. I would’ve rather used that for college or anything else, but a wedding—that’s Mom’s dream.
“But it’s the perfect time, Ashton. The summer dresses will be on display soon, and you know how I feel about summer weddings.”
This is going to go off the rails very quickly. “Mom.”
“And the flowers, oh, with your red hair, violet would be just perfect. Then, of course, you have to have your reception near the water since Quinn was in the navy.”
“Mom.”
“I wonder what kind of cake we should get. I think four-tier is the perfect size. Vinnie’s five-tier cake was ridiculous, and remember how it fell over.”
“Mom!” I say again. “We’re not getting married. That’s not what I wanted to tell you about.” I release a heavy breath. “I’m pregnant.”
Quinn takes my hand in his, offering me support.
“You’re what?” Dad asks.
“Quinn and I are expecting.”
“But you told me about the”—her voice drops to a whisper—“baby without a man in the lab thing.”
She clearly chickened out about telling my father about my plans because he looks like he might puke.
“Yes, but it turns out I didn’t have to artificially inseminate myself because I was already inseminated—by Quinn.”
My father doesn’t move. His eyes shift, but nothing else does. They go back and forth between Quinn and me, deducing that I am not, in fact, the Virgin Mary and this wasn’t an immaculate conception.
I wait for my father to be a dick to him.
Not because I don’t love him and we’re not happy, but because a bit of karma would be nice.
“Mr. Caputo,” Quinn speaks, and my father’s head jerks toward him. “I can assure you that I love Ashton. I want to be there for her, love her, and be a great father to our child. This wasn’t what we planned to happen, but please know that it wasn’t done out of disrespect.”
“It wasn’t respectful,” I say under my breath. Quinn’s hand squeezes, letting me know he heard me.
Quinn starts again. “I understand if you’re angry, and I—”
Daddy’s hand flies up, and I wait for him to backhand Quinn. That would be fine too.
“You two are back together, right?”
“Yes, sir.”
“And you’re having a baby together?” Dad asks again.
I answer. “We are.”
He looks to my mother and then to us. “Okay then.”
Okay then? “Okay . . .”
“Okay you’re going to have a baby, and at some point, you’re going to get married.”
“Not any time soon,” I clarify.
“Oh, it will be soon, my darling daughter. You have a few months to get your heads on straight before this baby comes.”
I close my eyes and will myself to stay calm. “Daddy, when and if Quinn and I get married—”
“When,” Quinn cuts in.
“If,” I say for emphasis. “It will be on our terms. Right now, we’re finding our legs in this entire relationship thing, so slow your roll on the marriage.”
Mom is still clutching her chest. “But you’re having a baby?”
I nod. “Yes.”
Her smile widens, and her eyes fill with tears. “My baby is having a baby.”
“Out of wedlock.” I want to drive that home, but she doesn’t seem to care.
She gets to her feet and comes around the table. “You’ll have to go to confession about it because, right now, I’m just so happy.”
Who knew my mother would like babies more than weddings?
27
Quinn
“Is Ashton with Natalie and Gretchen?” Mark asks, throwing his feet up on his desk.
“Yeah, she took a few days off so she could tell her friends about the baby.”
He shakes his head. “Kids. I hope you’re ready.”
Liam said the same thing, and I’m starting to wonder what the hell we’re in for, but it’ll be fine because Ashton and I will figure it out.
The big hurdle of telling her parents is out of the way. They took it great, and I’m glad. I love her family. In the last few years, they’ve been better to me than my own. I called my mother last night and let her know on her voice mail. God only knows where she’s living or if that is even her number anymore.
Our relationship is unsalvageable. She only calls me when she needs money. I never answer, and around and around we go.
I was more worried about telling my friends than her. Liam laughed, got me a beer, clapped me on the back, and told me to “be ready.” Now, I’m getting the same sentiment from Mark, who is officially my boss.
God help me.
“I’m sure we’ll figure it out.”
“Let me give you some advice: let Ashton make all the choices. It’s so much easier. Oh, did you guys decide on a wedding? I know a great minister.”
“That was a mistake I witnessed firsthand, and I won’t be making the same one,” I say, cutting off that line of thinking.
Mark may be ordained, but he’s not officiating my wedding. I’m happy to let Liam and Natalie be the only ones to know that joy.
“Suit yourself. Did you review the packet I emailed?”
I nod. “You’ll want me here fifty percent of the time.”
“At least. We haven’t been doing a ton of protective details lately. We started to pull back after we realized that’s where a lot of the issues were stemming from.”
I lean back. “Yeah, you guys have had your share of bad luck.”
“Thank God we’ve managed to avoid anything serious.”
“Right. Still, have you gotten any closer to finding out where the leak and issues are coming from?”
Cole Security has had its share of bad luck. There is a breach that continues to cause issues. They thought they had it figured out when they found out who kidnapped Mark. Turns out, they weren’t home free. As of late, they’ve had other things happening and hired Gretchen to come on and look over some of the legalities.
I’m now here to make sure there aren’t any holes in the mission security, which was what Aaron was supposed to be doing.
Mark shakes his head. “We have our suspicions. Gretchen uncovered an issue with our legal team, but that guy was terminated and hasn’t been seen since.”
I feel for them. Mark and Jackson started this company as a way to handle their departure from the navy. Since then, they’ve hired other SEALs who the navy has discharged for mostly ridiculous reasons. To have to watch them constantly deal with that betrayal really sucks.
“What about Aaron?” I ask.
“What about him?”
“Where is he?”
For the last six months, he’s been on an assignment for Cole Securities that no one talks about. Liam, Mark, Jackson, and Natalie are tight-lipped, even to me. When I asked Liam the other day, he said it was under control.
“He’s fine,” Mark says with a finality I know all too well. Mark and I held the same position when we were active. I’ve used that voice many times.
“Roger that.”
That small response garners an inch of re
spect. I could push him, but it would be for nothing. This is his company and whatever I’m privy to is all I need to know.
“I appreciate that. I’d like you to take a look at the protective detail regulations. We wrote them a long ass time ago, and they need to be updated. Also, I’m going to have you create specs and battle plans, for lack of a better word, regarding each operation. I know we can’t see all the possibilities, but right now, we are working with bare-bones regulations.”
Because Aaron is gone and that was his job, which they failed to assign to anyone else.
I don’t say it, but this is his specialty. I’m a sniper, not a strategist. Still, I know weak spots and how to avoid them.
“Not a problem. I’d like to do some weapons training with whoever is going to be assigned to me.”
Mark grins. “I figured. You’re approved for any training you deem necessary. Jackson and I have no problem spending money to keep our men trained.”
“Good to know.”
“Now, tell me about how you thought knocking Ashton up was the way to win her back.”
I laugh once. “Wasn’t the plan, but it seemed to work.”
“Who knew the crazy redhead just wanted a baby?”
I did, and I’m damn glad I gave it to her.
“I love the beach,” Ashton says as we walk through the surf, letting the small waves crash over our feet.
“You’d feel differently after going through BUDs.”
She sighs as her head rests on my arm. “Maybe, but that’s why I’m happy I studied biology instead of going through techniques to survive torture.”
I laugh. That part wasn’t fun, but yet, it kind of was. The things I learned may not apply to anything outside of what my job once was, but it’s an experience that taught me that our bodies are stronger than our minds allow us to think.
Pain is a mindset, and if we can tackle that, we can push through it, which is what I’m trying to apply to all of my life.
“Since we’re on the subject of jobs,” I decide to broach the topic we’ve both been avoiding. “I think we should discuss what’s going on here.”
“You mean with you working for a company in Virginia Beach and me in New York?”
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