by Gigi Thomas
Yet, as much as Caden had convinced himself he did not regret his decision, there were many times that he thought about Kenya and how wished that he had the comfort of her arms. Times when he was shivering and sweating. Times when every breath felt like a chore, and Caden could literally feel the slowing of his heartbeat. Times when he was certain that this would be his last moment on Earth. All he wanted then was to see her, to be with her. He would lie with his phone beside him and just stare at her picture, because he wanted her face to be the last thing that he saw. Still, he’d decided, Kenya was better off being somewhere else and not by what would likely be his deathbed.
“I’m already living on borrowed time, Yaya. The entire rest of my life could be only five years.”
“What if it’s fifty, Caden? What if it’s one? Who cares? I could get hit by a bus tomorrow. You could’ve died in that car accident.” Her voice softened as she moved closer. “And, what if it is five years? Would you rather spend those five years alone than spend them with me? Is this better? Is making ourselves miserable by being apart better than at least trying to be happy together?
“Even if we don’t have any more children, we have Caydee. She’s perfect. And, if you get sick again, we’ll deal with it together, as a family. I’m not leaving you, Cay, and I’m not letting you leave me.” Clutching his tie and pulling his face down to meet hers, she tenderly wiped a tear from his cheek. “I love you, and I always will.”
If her words still weren’t enough, Kenya brought her lips to his to convey all the emotions she had for him. Caden’s only recourse was to return her kiss. Wrapping his arms around her, he repaid her emotion with his own. Their tongues in communion, Caden lifted her feet off the ground and held Kenya tightly against him as if he wanted to absorb her entire body into his. Kenya’s arms were locked around his neck, pulling herself impossibly closer.
“How can I...” Caden began, when their lips finally parted. He placed her back on her feet, and he clung to her as he tried to catch his breath. He looked down at her, the only woman he loved, the only one he wanted to spend his days and nights with. All his reasons for being apart seemed to weigh nothing in comparison to the knowledge that Kenya loved him as much as he loved her, enough to fight for him and damn the risks involved. Five years with her would be worth more than fifty years with anyone else, and she felt the same way. How could he refuse her now? Closing his eyes, Caden leaned his forehead down to rest it against hers. “What am I supposed to do now?”
“Take this,” Kenya said opening his hand. “And, if you’re done being dramatic, do what you should’ve done five years ago.”
Caden looked down at his hand, meditating on the box with his grandmother’s ring. He took a deep breath before dropping to one knee.
“Kenya Virginia Morris, you are the smartest, most beautiful, caring, and bad-assed woman I have ever known. And I know I don’t deserve you, especially after everything I put you through. But, I promise never to keep another secret from you. I promise to remember that, whatever happens, we are in this together, all three of us. And I promise to do everything to make you and Caydee feel happy and loved every day for the rest of my life, no matter how long that is. Will you forgive me for being such a prat and...and finally marry me?”
As much as she’d hoped they would resolve everything today, Kenya wasn’t entirely sure what that meant. She had no idea how this confrontation was going to play out. Caden seemed so determined to push her away that she had almost given up. She began to wonder if it was even worth it or if she was trying to force him to feel what he didn’t feel. But, Caden’s words and the look in his eyes obliterated all of her doubts. He never stopped loving her, and he wanted to be with her as much as she wanted to be with him. Their family was finally whole.
Kenya’s voice was thick with emotion as she answered, “Yes.”
After Caden placed the ring on her finger, he rose to his feet, her hand still in his. He gingerly wiped her tears away with his thumb and gently kissed each cheek.
“Thank you,” he said, cradling her face in his hand. “Thank you for saving me from repeating the biggest mistake of my life. I love you.”
Caden still held onto her left hand, and Kenya could feel his thumb stroking the backs of her fingers where the ring was now prominently displayed. It was as if he was ensuring it was still there, even though he had just placed it on her finger.
Caden paused before reuniting his lips with hers, and he whispered into Kenya’s mouth as if saying an incantation.
“I’ll never leave you again.”
EPILOGUE
Three Years Later...
“Wait. Watch your step!” Caden held Kenya’s hand and, walking backwards, began leading her down the staircase.
“I’m fine,” Kenya answered, releasing his hand and holding onto the rail.
“Be careful.” He looked over his shoulder to the entrance below. “Damn, where’s the car?”
“They’re bringing it around,” Kenya assured.
“We’ll never get to the hospital in time.”
“It’s fine.” As annoyed as she was, his exasperated expression was very amusing.
“No, it’s not. What if something goes wrong? What if—”
“Caden, I’ve done this before,”
“Well, I haven’t!” he screamed. “Your bag! Bollocks, I forgot your bag!”
“They already took it downstairs.” Kenya caught Caden by the hand as he began to run back up the steps. “You, just stay with me. It’s fine. Just breathe.”
“Shouldn’t I be the one telling you that?” He reclaimed her hand, and placed his other hand on her back. “I’m going to make a rubbish father.”
“Well, I know at least one person who will disagree with that. Although, I don’t know how she is going to feel now that she has to share you.” Kenya said, rubbing the prominent swell of her belly.
“We’re really doing this, huh? This is really happening?”
“Yeah,” Kenya smiled, and Caden leaned down and gave her a gentle kiss.
“I love you, Lady Hargrove,” he said.
“I love you, Baron Ha—aahhh!”
“Bloody bleedin’ hell!!” Caden yelled as Kenya squeezed his hand due to another contraction. It took a few moments for Kenya to regain her composure and for Caden, the feeling in his hand. “Okay, are you ready?”
“Mmmhmm,” Kenya nodded, taking deep breaths.
“Right,” Caden said, mustering all his confidence. “Let’s go meet the 15th Baron Hargrove.”
Thank you for reading, Bound to the Baron. As a debut novelist, your word of mouth is invaluable. If you enjoyed this story, I’d greatly appreciate if you let others know what you think on Amazon or Goodreads.
I look forward to meeting again in Scotland (hint, hint) for the second book in the Royal Revels series.
Love,
Gigi
Acknowledgments
First, I’d like to thank my wonderful manuscript committee: Jill Robinson, for braving the roughest of first drafts and all your advice and encouragement along the way, Kryss Lacovaro, for your reading speed and a persnickety nature that always leads to some spirited and hilarious exchanges while editing; April Jones, Priscilla Alvarenga, and my sis, ‘Drea Morris, for your invaluable insight and opinions. Every one of you brought a unique viewpoint and, without your willingness and dedication, I would not have been able to take this from manuscript to novel.
To the family: David Boulet, Marisa Ferreira, Flavio Prior, Christiane Miranda, Joao, and, mi hija, Jujubee, thank you for all the love, laughter, and everything else you’ve provided to keep me sane.
Thank you to Osa Oyegun, for her timely reprimand and her challenge to get one of my books out in the world this year, to Pauline Noyes-Boyer, for her optimism and support, and my other friends and family too numerous to mention by name.
Finally, I must thank my mother, Joan, for her endless love and unwavering support, and my brother and sister-in-law, Emile an
d Nancy for believing in me whether they read my work or not.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Born in Trinidad, and raised by a mother who quoted Shakespeare and Swift and recited Shelly and Keats, Gigi Thomas’s literary devotion began with British writers. After moving to the U.S. at age ten, she came to revere the eloquence of American authors, like Morrison and Wright. These dual influences often converge in her own writing, and she likes to investigate the unique challenges when color intersects with class, whether pre-1900 Historical Fiction or Contemporary Romance. She is still struggling to reconcile her Marxist leanings with her aristocratic affinities and her love for Barons and Dukes.
Gigi lives in the DMV area and she usually can be found wearing a variety of purple robes, depending on her mood. She enjoys spending time watching Anime (sometimes in her attempt to learn Japanese), Masterpiece Theatre Period Pieces or old MGM musicals, catching up on her reading,—oh, and sleeping!
Gigi Thomas’s debut contemporary romance novel is the first in the series: Royal Revels. The second novel in the series will be out by early 2019. Please, check for updates!
