Callous Heir

by Michelle Heard

  Lifting my arms, I let my fingers tangle with his hair. I close the distance between us, but the moment our mouths touch, Noah takes control of the kiss until I’m breathless and contemplating ditching my studies for some sexy time between the sheets.

  A knock at the door pulls us apart. While Noah sets the food down on the kitchen island, I get us fruit juice from the fridge.

  Taking a seat on a stool, I say, “I like that you drink juice as well.”

  Noah smiles as he places the bowl of chicken soup down in front of me. “Eat it all.”

  “Yes, Mr. West,” I grumble playfully.

  Noah tilts his head, his eyes sharpening on my face with a look of warning. “Don’t say things like that if you want to study today.”

  Letting out a chuckle, I scoop up some soup and begin to eat.

  After we’re done eating, Noah spends the rest of the day, helping me get all the work crammed into my brain. He teaches me a new way to study, and it makes remembering points so much easier.

  It’s after midnight when I finally close my laptop, mumbling, “I should’ve asked for your notes instead of Jase’s.”

  Noah lets out a chuckle as he stretches out next to me. “I don’t have any notes.”

  “Right,” I grumble as I snuggle into his side. Glancing up at him, I ask, “Will you sleep here tonight?”

  Noah’s eyes meet mine for a moment, then he says, “Sure, but I need to shower first.”

  He presses a kiss to my forehead before he gets up to go to his room.

  I lie and stare at the ceiling for a couple of minutes before I get up to grab a fresh pair of shorts and a t-shirt. Sneaking out of my room, I dart to Noah’s bedroom and quickly let myself in.

  I can hear water running in the bathroom, and placing my clothes on his bed, I quickly get undressed. I go into the bathroom, and shutting the door softly, I stand and watch as Noah rinses suds from his hair.

  My eyes drift over his muscled frame, and seeing all his delicious skin and abs carved from granite, heat instantly pools between my legs.

  When I move closer, Noah’s head turns to me. Immediately the controlling look darkens his eyes as he leans back against the tiles.

  I step under the spray of warm water, and with my gaze locked on his, I sink down to my knees.

  NOAH

  Carla’s been tired the whole week, and her appetite is almost non-existent. I’m really starting to get worried. I’ve made sure she gets eight hours of sleep a night, but it hasn’t changed anything.

  Googling for reasons, I go through the list.

  Chronic fatigue syndrome. Nope.

  Pregnancy. Carla’s on the pill, but there’s always the possibility.

  I keep scanning down the list.

  Flu. Nope.

  PMS. We’ve had sex, so I definitely would’ve known.

  A frown begins to form between my brows, and then my eyes lift to Carla’s.

  Shit, could she be pregnant?

  I wait for her to finish her coffee, then ask, “When is your period due?”

  Her eyebrows pop up. “Not a question I expected first thing in the morning.”

  I tilt my head. “When?”

  “In two days. Why?”

  I shake my head. “No reason.” Yet.

  If she misses her period, then I’ll get pregnancy tests so we can check if that’s the cause for her not feeling well.

  She hides a yawn behind her hand as she picks up the coffee pot. I reach for the coffee to stop her from having another cup, saying, “I’d rather you have some electrolytes. It’s healthier.”

  I dissolve a tablet for her and make sure she drinks it all.

  When we’re ready, I pick up her bag, and taking hold of her hand, we walk out of the suite.

  “All the work has probably just caught up with me,” Carla says as we step inside the elevator.

  “Yeah,” I agree.

  Carla’s been attending Trinity for almost six weeks. She should’ve adjusted by now.

  My gut knows the reason already, but my mind’s not so sure.

  I’ve purchased a pack which contains three tests, just to be sure of the result. The box says it can give an accurate result six days before a period is due, so we should know the outcome today.

  Walking into Carla’s room, I lock the door behind me before I move to the side of the bed. Sitting down, I stare at her sleeping face.

  No matter the outcome, I’ll be here for her.

  I feel a twinge of panic, not because our future might change in a couple of minutes, but because I’m not sure how Carla’s going to handle the news.

  Leaning over her, I press a kiss to her forehead, then to her cheek, and finally to her lips. Pulling back, I murmur, “Time to get up.”

  Carla turns onto her back and stretches.

  My gaze drops to her exposed stomach, and lifting my hand, I brush my fingers over her warm skin.

  There’s a foreign sensation in my chest. Something akin to an ache… wanting more… wanting it all with Carla.

  When her gaze settles on mine, I murmur, “Sit up.”

  She scoots up against the pillows. I reach for her hand and fold my fingers over hers.

  Facing the situation head-on, I say, “Your period is late.” I know this because I was deep inside her last night. “I got a box with three pregnancy tests.”

  Carla’s eyes widen, and then a frown forms. “I’m probably just late from the stress.”

  “I still want you to take them.” I bring up the box from where I kept them hidden next to me. “Please.”

  The moment Carla’s gaze locks on it, anxiety blooms over her face.

  Lifting my hand, I frame her cheek. “Look at me.” Her eyes dart to mine. “We’re going to be fine, whatever the outcome.”

  Carla swallows hard before she scoots off the bed. I walk to the bathroom with her and place the box on the counter. Taking hold of her jaw, I press a kiss to her lips, then say, “Let me know when you’re done.”

  As I leave and pull the door shut behind me, my last view is of Carla staring at the box as if it’s a death sentence. I almost cave and go back in, but knowing she needs privacy, I go sit on the edge of the bed.

  Ten minutes pass excruciatingly slowly, and I’m just about to knock on the door when it opens.

  Carla looks pale as she steps aside. “It says we have to wait three minutes.”

  Taking hold of her arm, I pull her back into the bathroom with me. Carla turns her back to the three tests, hiding her face against my chest. She wraps her arms around my waist. My eyes stay glued to where the lines will appear while I hold Carla tightly.

  As the seconds tick by, I begin to hear my heart beating, and my grip on Carla tightens.

  The lines begin to appear, faint at first, but they quickly darken on all three tests. I take a deep breath before I pull a little back from Carla. When I frame her face, her eyes dart to mine.

  Not wasting time, I say, “You’re pregnant.” Only then does it settle in my chest, and I feel a burst of unexpected happiness. The corner of my mouth lifts, “We’re going to have a child.”

  Carla’s lips part as a sharp burst of air explodes from her. She begins to shake her head, her face paling, then she begins to ramble, “I didn’t plan this. I promise.” A sob escapes her. “God, my dad’s going to kill us. We’re dead.”

  I lean down to catch her eyes. “We’re going to be fine. The flu you had probably affected the pill. I should’ve known that.”

  Tears begin to gather in her eyes, making them shine like ember stones.

  “As for your father, I’ll deal with him. Don’t worry about it.”

  Carla nods but then shakes her head again. “You don’t know him like I do. He’s going to lose his shit.”

  “I can handle it,” I reassure her. I pull her back to my chest and press kisses to her hair while she clings to me as the news sinks in. My lips curve up again. “You’re carrying my child. It’s earlier than I would’ve liked, but no
netheless, I’m happy.”

  Carla pulls back, her eyes snapping up to mine. “Happy?” She sucks in a trembling breath. “You’re happy?”

  She turns to the tests and her gaze darts over them. “I’m eighteen, Noah. I still have four years of school ahead of me. How am I going to do this?” Her hands lift to cover her mouth. “God, I’m going to be a single mother at eighteen… nineteen. My parents. The media. The other students…” She covers her face as a sob shudders through her.

  Standing behind her, I wrap my arms around her. “You’re not a single mother. We have nine months to get ready. This isn’t going to happen overnight. Don’t worry about everyone else. We have a couple of months before you’ll start to show. After that, we’ll handle one hurdle at a time. Okay?”

  Carla turns in my arms as she wipes tears from her cheeks. “How can you be so calm?”

  I give her a reassuring smile. “My panicking will not help the situation. Besides, it’s not the worst thing that could’ve happened. I’d much rather you be pregnant than seriously ill.”

  A look of awe washes over her features as she stares at me, and then she whispers, “You really love me.”

  My mouth curves up. “Of course. You being pregnant doesn’t change how I feel about you.”

  She shakes her head. “No, it’s…” she sucks in a breath of air, “deep down, I couldn’t believe you actually loved me… until now.” An endearing expression settles in her eyes as she lifts her hand to my jaw. “Most guys would run as fast as they can, but you… are you even real?” A frown mars her forehead again. “Maybe I’m dreaming?”

  I let out a burst of laughter and wrap her tightly against my chest. “Nope, this is happening.” Framing her face, I press a tender kiss to her lips. “We’ve created a life together, Carla.”

  The news only seems to take root now because her face crumbles as she takes refuge against me.

  I hold her until she’s calmer, and using my thumbs to wipe the tears from her cheeks, I say, “I love you more than anything. I’ll take good care of you and our baby.”

  Chapter 17

  CARLA

  Standing in the shower, I stare down at my flat stomach.

  A million thoughts race through my mind.

  Dad’s going to be so angry.

  Mom might be okay. After all, she was nineteen when she had Jase.

  Oh. My. God.

  I’m pregnant.

  A baby is growing inside me.

  I don’t feel pregnant, though.

  How can Noah be so calm?

  I’m going to look like a beached whale in eight months.

  I wonder if it’s a boy or a girl.

  Holy shit.

  I’m pregnant.

  What will our friends and family think?

  Noah’s parents?

  A knock at the door yanks me out of the mess in my head.

  “Carla? Are you okay?” Noah asks. He opens the door and comes into the bathroom, and all I can do is nod.

  My nerves are stretched thin, and my stomach feels like it’s stuck on spin cycle.

  Noah must see the panic on my face because he grabs a towel and turns off the water before he wraps the fluffy fabric around me. Then he slips an arm beneath my knees and my back, and he lifts me to his chest as if I weigh nothing. Feeling the strength in his arms gives me a sense of comfort.

  Noah’s strong. He’s practical and smart as hell. He’ll figure out a way for us to get through this.

  He goes to sit on the bed with me on his lap and holds me while his mouth brushes over my forehead. “Let’s talk about your worries.”

  “Our parents,” I mutter.

  “I’ll handle them,” he assures me.

  “We’re so young,” I voice my next concern.

  “We’ll adapt. We have time.”

  “Our friends?”

  “They’ll support us. You know they will,” Noah murmurs.

  “Will we stay here?” I wrap my arms around Noah’s neck and stare into his eyes, needing to draw strength from him.

  “Definitely not.” A loving smile tugs at his lips. “We’ll get a place of our own.”

  Emotion wells in my chest, and I lean forward, burying my face in his neck. “You want to live with me?”

  “Of course,” he murmurs. “There’s no way I’m letting you go through a day of this pregnancy, or when our child is born, by yourself. I’ll be there every step of the way.”

  I pull back again and can’t keep a tear from falling down my cheek as I look at him. “Are you really okay with this?”

  Noah’s eyes caress my face, filling me with warmth, and calming my nerves.

  “Like I said, it’s sooner than I would’ve liked, but it happened. Whether it’s now or in ten years, I’m happy for any life I get to create with you.”

  Hugging him, I grumble, “I’m going to get fat.”

  He lets out a chuckle. “You’ll still be beautiful.”

  “What if I’m craving something ridiculous like…” I try to think of the worst possible thing, then continue, “dirt.”

  Noah begins to laugh. “Then I’ll up your iron intake and order you a salad.”

  My head darts back so I can see his face again. “You’ve already read everything about being pregnant, haven’t you?”

  He nods. “Yeah, so get dressed because it’s time for you to take your prenatal vitamins.” Noah helps me to my feet, then says, “We’ll keep the vitamins in your bathroom so the others won’t stumble across them.”

  “Okay.” I watch as he picks up a bag he left on the other side of the bed, and as he goes to the bathroom, I turn to my walk-in closet to get dressed. I drag on a pair of jeans and grab a white blouse.

  When I’m done, I walk to Noah and can’t help but grin when I see the vitamins he wants me to take. Without any argument, I swallow them down before I press a kiss to his cheek. “Thank you for taking care of me.”

  Noah lifts a hand to my cheek and lightly brushes his knuckles over my skin. “I take my responsibilities seriously.”

  “Trust me, I’ve noticed,” I tease, then I add, “And I really appreciate it.”

  “You’re welcome.” Noah leans in for a kiss, then he murmurs, “I’m going to get dressed so we can have breakfast before classes start.”

  “Okay.” I watch him leave, then start with my makeup and taming my hair into loose curls.

  When Noah and I are both ready and we leave the dorm, I’m constantly aware of the fact that I’m pregnant. As if it’s something that will show on my face, I keep glancing at the students passing us by, expecting one of them to notice.

  Taking a seat at our table, Noah asks, “Is there anything you’re in the mood for?”

  “Just a bagel with cream cheese and some coffee,” I say.

  “Remember to only have decaf from now on,” Noah reminds me.

  I scrunch my nose at him before mumbling, “There goes my caffeine.”

  Noah reaches for my hand and gives it a squeeze. When the waiter comes, Noah orders two bagels and two decaf coffees.

  A wide smile spreads over my face, and the second the waiter leaves, I lean in to kiss Noah. He’s always been the man of my dreams, but I never could’ve imagined how supportive he’d be.

  Even though I’m pregnant, deep in my heart, I know I’ll be okay as long as I have Noah by my side.

  NOAH

  When we’re done with our classes for the day, I take hold of Carla’s hand and pull her toward the parking area.

  “Where are we going?” she asks as I open the passenger door for her.

  “It’s a surprise,” I say. I pull the seatbelt over Carla and ensure the lap belt is over her hips and not over her stomach.

  I arrange the shoulder strap between her breasts before I lean closer for a kiss.

  I shut the door, and once I slide behind the steering wheel, Carla turns her head to me, a loving expression softening her features. “Damn, I’ve got good taste.”

  I let out a
chuckle. “What are you talking about?”

  “My taste in men. I knew you’d be the best, but even my wildest imagination was no match for how amazing you are.”

  I lean back against the seat and stare at her. “I hope I never do anything to disappoint you.”

  “You won’t,” she whispers. When I start the engine, she asks again, “Soooo… where are we going?”

  “It’s still a surprise,” I tease her as I steer the car off campus.

  When we drive into town, and I park outside a baby store, Carla’s eyes widen. “Seriously? You don’t think it’s a little early?”

  “Nope.” I climb out of the car and walk around the front. Opening Carla’s door, I say, “Come on.”

  She gives me a disgruntled look but still takes my hand and climbs out. Once I’ve locked the car, I link our fingers and pull her into the store. We’re instantly submerged in a world of all things babies.

  “Oh my gosh, Noah! Look,” Carla squeals, and then I’m yanked toward a row of booties. “They’re so cute.”

  I let out a chuckle as Carla pulls me through the store, and I let her fuss over all the tiny clothes.

  When we get to the maternity section, I force her to a stop. “This is why we’re here.” I pick up a bottle of stretch mark prevention cream and read the label. Once I’m satisfied, I hand it to Carla.

  She stops in front of something and tilts her head. “What am I looking at?”

  I read the box then begin to chuckle. “A pelvic trainer. You won’t need it. I’ll make sure your pelvis gets all the training it needs.”

  She lets out a loud snort then covers her mouth.

  I get more supplements for her before we stroll through the rest of the store. Carla gets stuck in an aisle filled with stuffed animals, and when she stares at an elephant for a while, I take it from her.

  As I lead her to the counter so we can pay, Carla asks, “Are you getting the elephant?”

  “Yeah,” I set everything down, then place my arm around her.

  When I’m done paying, I grab the bag, and linking my fingers with Carla’s, we walk back to the car. Once we’re inside the cab, I say, “I thought we could come here once a week. Like a baby date?”