by Tilly Pope
But I’m glad I have the perfect Christmas gift for her.
My phone chimes and I look at it. Her text brings a smile to my lips. Running late. Be there in ten.
I type up my answer and send it. I have a present for you.
A second later my phone dings. Aww! I have one for you too. OMW.
I stand up and stare at the yellow manila envelope. Is it tacky that I slapped a big blue bow on it so it looks like a gift? It didn’t feel right to give her an envelope. Maybe I should have put it in a pretty box?
I’m overthinking this. The packaging doesn’t matter; the gift does. She’s going to love it. I’m sure of that.
The first moment we met, her concern was getting the job to save her townhouse. Now she’ll never have to worry about losing it again.
I glance over as the door flies open. She stands in the doorway, a grin on her face. “I’ll never get over how big this place is. Do you really need all this space?”
I lift both shoulders. She doesn’t know it yet, but I’m going to sell this place. It never felt like home; not until I brought her here. She makes any place home, but I don’t want to live here.
She sails toward me, her smile not quite masking the odd look in her eyes. “Sorry I’m late. Oh my God, the tree is beautiful!”
“I had the girls from the office help me with it. Glad you like.” I pull her into my arms and press a quick kiss to her lips. Her heart thunders against my chest and I pull back to kiss her forehead.
“Ooh, I like.”
I take a step back and pick up the yellow manila envelope. The ribbons on the bow scratch on the paper and she takes it, staring at me with a confused look on her face.
“What’s this?” She looks at it, then looks up at me again.
“Your Christmas present. I hope you like it as well,” I tease, kissing her again quickly before giving her some space. I sit down on the black leather couch and watch her, waiting with my heart in my throat. I can’t wait to see the happiness in her eyes, the excitement.
With her brows knitting together across a crease in her forehead, she opens the envelope and pulls out the papers. “Is this…?” She trails off, glancing at me before reading it again.
I nod. “It’s the deed to your townhouse… and all the rest of the houses in that row. The whole damn block.”
“But your house…” She scans this place before meeting my stare and I jerk a shoulder toward the ceiling.
“I don’t give a damn about this place. It never felt like home. It only feels like home when you’re here anyway.”
I stand up in time for her to throw herself into my arms. Her lips meet mine and our bodies are pressed together.
“What about your present?” I ask and she backs off. She carefully puts the deed on the coffee table and digs in her purse before setting her bag down. She pulls out a small box that’s not unlike a watch box and presses it into my hands.
“I hope you like, too.” She says with a huge smile.
“What is it?” I ask.
“Open it!” She’s so excited I tear into the bright red ribbon and open the little box.
A pregnancy test is face up and I see one word. Pregnant.
My mouth drops and I see tears shining in her eyes before they overflow in streams down her cheeks.
“Are you…. Are we…?” I can’t even speak. I’m going to be a dad!
She nods, a grin spreading across her face even as a hint of fear fills her eyes. “We’re pregnant!”
I pull her into a hug and lift her up and spin her around. I think quickly and set her back on her feet. “Did I hurt you? Are you okay?” I can’t help the concern rushing through me and she smiles up at me.
“No, and you’re not going to. I’m pregnant, not made of glass.” She laughs and the sound is music to my ears as I pull her in close again. Behind her, the tree lights are twinkling and the fire crackles in the fireplace. I grab her hips and begin to rock side to side while holding her close.
“I’m so damn happy.” I whisper the words in her ear and she shivers in my arms as we dance in front of the fire.
“Me too. It seems too good to be true, doesn’t it?” She gives me a small laugh and I pull back to look her in the eyes.
“It does. But if I’m dreaming, I don’t want to wake up. I want to stay like this forever.” I cup her face in one hand and bring my lips down on hers. The gentle kiss is a promise. It’s the best way I can tell her how I feel because words are just not enough. I love you isn’t enough.
I can’t imagine living without her. I don’t know how I lived before her. Hell, I don’t think I did. I think I was merely existing before she walked into that conference room full of fire and fight and total honesty.
Now I’m alive and I owe it all to her.
“I love you so damn much.” I kiss her again.
“I love you too.” She says.
“Merry Christmas.” Her gentle smile warms my face like sunlight and I hold onto her just a little tighter, thinking about how much our lives are going to change in the next few months.
“Merry Christmas to you, baby.” She says and rubs her stomach.
The thought of her with a big pregnant belly widens my grin. “You’re going to be so damn cute pregnant.”
“Are you saying I’m not cute now?” She stares at me with the sexiest damn playful pout I’ve ever seen and I chuckle.
“Of course you are.”
“Do you think we’ll have a boy or girl?” She looks up at me and I realize I don’t give a damn what the gender of our baby is.
“I don’t care. I’m going to adore them regardless.”
She looks stunned for a second and I wonder what I said. I don’t have to wait long for her to speak up, though. “Them? Do you think we’re going to have twins?”
I throw my head back and laugh. “Is now a bad time to tell you twins run in my family?”
Her eyes widen and she lets out a gasp while trying to pull out of my grasp; but I don’t let her go. “Yes, yes it is! We better not be having twins!” She gives me a little shove, but I pull her tighter into my arms and she snuggles right in like she belongs there. And she does. She belongs right here in my arms.
She’s going to have my baby. She’s my partner, my wife, the love of my life.
Fate brought us together on a sunny afternoon. Luck brought us back together one cool evening. But love will bind us together forever.
I was wrong. Fate doesn’t want us together; the universe does.
And who the fuck am I to deny the universe?
The End
Also by Tilly Pope
Violet
Dad got me a job at his best friend’s company.
I have to go or Dad will cut me off.
But the job is boring and I’d rather be somewhere else.
That is, until I meet my new boss.
Damn, Daddy’s friend is a stone cold hottie.
A snack I’m about to devour.
But, it’s wrong. I mean, he’s my BOSS!
Liam
When my buddy asks me to hire his daughter, I think I'm doing him a simple favor.
I didn't realize she’d be so sweet and beautiful.
I can’t stop looking at her.
Fantasizing.
Bent over my desk.
Her back side primed for a spanking.
No, I can’t have her.
It’s wrong. I’m her BOSS ffs.
But then again, what are friends for?
Out Now on Amazon
About the Author
Tilly Pope writes dirty, hot and over the top instalove stories about possessive alpha males who know what they want. Always short, sometimes cheesy, always naughty, no cheating and a guaranteed happily ever after.
Tilly loves football, spanking and wine.
Find her at tillypope.com
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