Ignite

by Emma Renshaw

  “Nothing has happened,” she said. “I wouldn’t say Ridge is okay though.”

  I frowned. “What’s wrong with him?”

  Makenna rolled her eyes and shook her head. “You left! What do you think is wrong with him? I still can’t believe you actually left. I thought for sure, between Ridge and me, we could convince you to stay. We all love you and want you here. Delilah misses you. Foster misses you. I’m sure Colt misses you, but I haven’t talked to him.”

  The corner of my mouth pulled up. “Why not?”

  She groaned. “He’s like a grumpy bear every time I try to talk to him. He hovers over me like a big brother, and it’s annoying. I already have one brother. Well, I have more than one, but only one I speak to.”

  “I don’t think he’s hovering because he wants to be your brother.” I waggled my eyebrows.

  Makenna shook her head. “That will never happen.”

  I shrugged. “You know, I was afraid to mention this, but I met Chase a few times while I was with Ridge.”

  Makenna snorted. “I figured you would. Is he awful?”

  “No, he’s not. In fact, he’s sweet and terrified of snakes. I think he’s searching for a family, and I got the impression that he doesn’t speak to your dad either.”

  “I don’t know why,” she said. “He chose them. It was us he cast off to the side.”

  “I’m sorry, Mak,” I whispered and wished I were back in Hawk Valley so I could hug her. We’d started video chatting when I got back to Colorado, but it wasn’t the same. But at least I wasn’t going to let our friendship fade this time and, by leaving, I was keeping her safe. No one would purposefully run her off the road again.

  “I want you to come home,” she said. “We all do.”

  I shook my head. “It’s not that simple.”

  “It is that simple. Whoever this person is, he’s terrorizing you for the fun of it, and have you ever considered that now that you’re alone he’s going to come after you?”

  I rubbed my stomach, the nausea increasing tenfold. I nodded. “Yes, but y’all would be safe.”

  “Safe and without you.”

  “Mak,” I begged.

  She huffed and groaned. “Fine, I’ll drop it. For today. Anyway, no promises on our next call or the one after that or the one after that. Maybe if I annoy you enough, you’ll hop your ass on the next flight.”

  I chuckled and took another sip of my ginger ale. “You can try, but I make no promises.”

  “How’s packing?”

  “I’m not sure how one woman could have so much stuff. I donated most of her clothes because they wouldn’t fit me and she’d want them to be put to good use instead of sitting in my closet. I kept her favorite sweater though. The one she would wrap up in in front of the fire. When I think of her, she’s often wearing it.”

  I shrugged and brushed away a stray tear.

  “I wish I were there to help you,” Makenna whispered and frowned. Her brow puckered and her eyes glistened with unshed tears.

  “There’s so much going into storage because I don’t know what to do with it, but once I find a place to settle, I’ll ship it out and go through the boxes again.”

  “Maybe I can fly out, wherever you are when that happens. I’d like to help you.”

  I smiled. “That would be great. Whenever the times comes, I’ll buy your plane ticket.”

  “You don’t have to do that,” she said.

  “Yes, I do. I’ll never forgive myself for leaving you the way I did and not even calling. I’m not sure why you forgave me, but I’ll never take your friendship for granted again.”

  “We’ve gone through this.” Makenna glared at me through the screen. It didn’t hold quite the same effect as it did in person.

  “I know.” I sipped my drink again.

  “Why are you drinking ginger ale still? Are you still feeling sick?”

  “The nausea hasn’t stopped. I think my anxiety gave me an ulcer or something. It’s constant. Been that way since I left.”

  “An ulcer or you’re pregnant,” Makenna said and laughed. “Maybe the cure is you coming home. I’ll bet if you pulled into Ridge’s driveway and kissed him, that nausea would go away. You should try it. Come home.”

  I laughed but stopped abruptly as I ran through her words again. Pregnant. No. I couldn’t be. I stared at the screen and Makenna tilted her head. “We only had sex without a condom one time,” I whispered. It was the night the note had been sent to me and I’d gone from crying to panicking to coming undone in his arms. Somewhere along the way, we forgot the condom.

  “Zo, I know you’re a geriatric nurse, but I’m pretty sure you still know that one time is all it takes to make a baby. Do you really think you’re pregnant? Have you missed a period?”

  “Yes, but that’s not unusual for me. It happened a lot during Georgia’s last year. The gynecologist told me it was from stress, so another missed period didn’t even register. I can’t be pregnant. There’s no way,” I said, shaking my head.

  “Even if it was only one time, condoms can fail too. Are you on birth control?”

  “No, I have bad reactions.”

  “You need to get to a store, grab a test, and then call me back. Go! Go now. Oh my god, Zo. What if you are?”

  I shook my head. “I’ll call you back,” I mumbled and hung up the video chat. I sat in the chair, staring out at the tree line, for a few more minutes. I wasn’t sure what to think or what to hope for. The only thing I knew was that I’d lied to Ridge when I said I didn’t love him.

  I did love him.

  I stood and walked on wobbly legs to my car. I was in a fog through the drive to and from the store. I drank a bottle of water on my way home and went into the bathroom with the test.

  I called Makenna back after finishing.

  “What does it say?” A huge grin was stretched across her face. It was easy to see what she wanted the test result to be.

  “Ridge and I aren’t even together,” I reminded her. “Bringing a baby into this complicated mess might not be something to celebrate.”

  “It would be something to celebrate. I know Ridge loves you, and don’t you dare lie to me and tell me you don’t love him because I know you do.”

  I nodded. “I do love him, Mak. I love him so much. I didn’t think it was possible to love another person this much, but he deserves so much more than me.”

  “Stop that right now. You’re delusional if you think that and seriously bonkers if you believe Ridge would think you don’t deserve him.”

  I shook my head. He would never make me feel that way. Ridge looked at me like I was his reason for breathing. His love was all-consuming.

  “What does the damn test say?” Makenna shrieked and bounced on her bed.

  I stood up, taking the tablet with me, and walked back into the bathroom, where I’d left it on the counter. I was terrified that I was pregnant. And at the same time, I was worried I wasn’t pregnant.

  I peeked at it. “Oh shit,” I whispered.

  “You’re pregnant, aren’t you?” I didn’t look at Mak, but I could hear the smile in her voice. I blinked. Once. Twice. Three times. It didn’t change. It stayed positive.

  I was pregnant. I didn’t know what was coming or how we’d handle it, but I couldn’t hide this from Ridge. He needed to know. I wasn’t sure if my next choice was going to send us into a hell none of us wanted or if Ridge could make good on his promise and find the person behind the threats and get rid of them.

  I did know that I believed in him. And I loved him fiercely.

  “I’m coming home,” I whispered to Makenna.

  35

  Ridge

  Ding-dong.

  The doorbell chimed through the house. I got off the couch and strode to the door, freezing when I saw a flash of red through the frosted glass. I wrenched the door open. Zoe whipped around, her hair flying out around her as she turned to face me. Her clover-green eyes were shining under the sun. She smiled. I b
linked.

  “Zoe.”

  “Hi, Ridge.” She bit her lip and glanced to the left before meeting my eyes again as she stood a little straighter, a look of determination crossing over her features. “Can I talk to you?”

  “Yes.” I opened the door wider, letting her cross over the threshold. Her arm brushed against my chest as she passed by. She peeked at me through her lashes and kept walking toward the living room. I shut the door and followed her.

  “What’s going on, Zoe?”

  I wanted to cross the room and sweep her into my arms. I had already decided that, no matter what it took, I’d find a way to get her back here, even if it meant that we weren’t together. I knew she didn’t love me, and I would accept that. But I wanted her here. I wanted her to be surrounded by the people that cared about her. Her parents certainly didn’t fucking care, and she’d lost the person in her life who had always been there. I could be that person from now on. And I would be.

  She blew out a breath and tossed her purse onto the couch. “Please sit,” she said and twisted her hands in front of her. She stood in front of the entertainment center and faced the couch. I sat, meeting her gaze head-on.

  “Ridge,” she started but stopped and brought her hands to her stomach. “I’m pregnant. I’m terrified, but I’m really happy. I know you said you love me, but we didn’t talk about babies or the future. I don’t even know if you want kids, but I’m pregnant. I won’t force you to be in this child’s life, so if that’s not what you want, I’ll…try to understand.”

  I stood up and rounded the coffee table. I placed my hand over hers on her stomach. “You’re pregnant.”

  “According to the five tests I took. I haven’t gone to the doctor. I wanted to tell you first, and if you want to be involved, then I thought we could go together. I didn’t want you miss anything if you want this too.”

  Zoe’s cheeks were turning pink, and she placed her hand on top of mine. “What are you thinking?” she whispered.

  “I’d never turn away from my child. I want to be there for him or her. I swear I’ll be a good dad. I have no fucking example of it and have no fucking clue how I’ll figure it out, but I swear to you, Zoe, I’ll never let our kid down. Anywhere you go, Zoe, I’ll go too. I can find a house wherever we move, but I won’t be away from our baby. I understand if you don’t want—”

  Zoe cut me off with a finger pressed to my lips. “I lied to you, Ridge.”

  My gut sank and my throat closed as I stared at her. I locked my jaw, preparing myself for whatever was coming next.

  “I do love you, Ridge. I love you.”

  I studied her eyes and took a deep breath. I’d been waiting to hear those words from her sweet lips, but not like this. If she was only back because of the baby and only saying that because of the baby, I didn’t want her to force herself into a relationship. I shook my head. “You don’t have to say that. I’ll be there for the baby and for you. I won’t make you move back here.”

  Zoe wrapped her hands around the back of my neck, lacing her fingers in my hair. “I love you, Ridge. I missed you from the second I left, and I’ve thought of nothing but you. Hawk Valley is our home. I want to come home.”

  I sucked in a huge breath and released it, replaying her words in my mind before I wound an arm around her hips, crashing her body into mine and kissing her. I devoured her mouth, a hand cupping the back of head to keep her in place as I deepened our kiss. I groaned when my tongue met hers and I tasted her.

  I broke away, framing her face. “I love you, Zoe. I think I always knew you were meant to be mine.”

  “Are you happy about the baby?” she whispered. Our foreheads were together and our breaths mingled. None of it was enough; I needed her naked and beneath me. I knew it was too soon to see the evidence of our baby inside her, but I wanted my palm on her bare skin before I licked and sucked every inch of her.

  “So damn happy,” I said, grinning. “When I say ‘I love you,’ Zoe, I don’t mean that I want to try things and see how they go. You’re it for me. You said you want to come home, this is your home. I want you here in our house before we move to the property, and I want you to be my wife before our baby is born. The courthouse, a big wedding, a small one, I don’t care as long as it’s you coming down the aisle toward me.”

  Her eyes shimmered, brightening the green. “Are you asking me to marry you or telling me?”

  “Whatever works,” I whispered and kissed her lips and down the column of her neck, nipping at her shoulder. She shivered in my arms. “I’m going to ask, but I’m also letting you know how things are going to go.”

  I kissed her again and picked her up. Zoe wrapped her legs around my waist as I carried us into the bedroom. She leaned back in my arms, shedding her top and dropping it in the hallway. Her bra followed. I stopped and dipped my head, taking one of her hard nipples into my mouth. My cock was aching to be inside her.

  I lowered her to the bed and sank to my knees between her legs. I leaned forward, kissing her stomach and placing my head there. “I can’t wait to watch your belly grow.”

  I kissed up her stomach, pausing at her breasts, playing with her nipples. Zoe pulled on my shirt and I tugged it the rest of the way off. I stood, shedding my pants and underwear while Zoe wiggled out of her jeans. I scooted her back on the bed and crawled up her body. She shivered when our skin connected and I rested my hips between her thighs.

  I kissed up her neck and brought my hand down her body. She quivered beneath my touch. I spread her lips and sank two fingers into her pussy, groaning when I felt how wet she was.

  “I need you, Ridge,” she moaned. I pulled out my fingers and grabbed her hips, lifting her ass off the bed, and slowly sank inside her. My body shook as I held back from pounding into her. I wanted to take this slow and feel every inch of her skin against mine.

  She was mine.

  “I love you, Zoe”

  I rocked my hips against her. She was spread out below me, her red hair spilling over my pillowcases and her soft body waiting for my touch. She was better than every dream, and I refused to ever let her go.

  “I love you too, Ridge. Kiss me.”

  I lowered myself on top of her, taking her mouth with my own and increasing my pace. She moaned into my mouth. The base of my spine tingled, and I knew I was so fucking close to coming completely undone. Her pussy spasmed around my cock, and she tightened her hold on me, raking her nails down my back as she came. I pounded into her and planted myself deeply and came.

  I took my weight off of her and stared down at her. She had a soft smile on her full lips. For the first time in my life, I was truly home.

  36

  Zoe

  Ridge had my hand wrapped in his as we sat in the waiting room before our first ultrasound appointment. I was nervous and hopeful that we would be able to hear the heartbeat. I knew it was early, but I was still hoping. Ridge’s smile had been plastered on his face since we woke up that morning, and every few minutes one of his hands would brush across my stomach.

  Ridge leaned to the side to pull his phone out of his jeans. “Kiernan’s calling. I have to take this, clover.”

  I nodded. A nurse stepped into the doorway. “Zoe Boswell.”

  We stood as he greeted Kiernan on the phone. “I’m sorry, sir, there’s no cell phone usage back here.”

  “Kiernan, I’ll call you back soon. I’m with Zoe at the doctor. I will.” He nodded, hung up, and put his phone away. We walked through the door, and the nurse led me through the check-in process and back to a room, instructing me to hop up on the bed. I did and swung my legs out. Ridge stood next to me, still holding my hand.

  “What did Kiernan say?” I asked. I shouldn’t have been surprised that Ridge was still actively pursuing whoever had sent me the messages and hurt our friends. I stupidly thought that once I left, I’d be out of his mind and he’d move on with his life. But I understood why he felt the need to keep me safe, because I felt that for him too.


  “Told me to call him back when I get a chance, he has some information for me. I’ll call him as soon as we’re leaving, so if we need to head over there, we’ll already be in the car. How are you feeling, clover?”

  I scrunched my nose. “I need to pee really badly.”

  Ridge chuckled. “How many kids do you want?”

  “I’m not sure,” I said. “Maybe two, but let’s see how this first one goes before we start adding more.”

  “We’ve got room for three at the house,” Ridge said. “The kitchen will be done in two weeks, and we can move in. Foster and I are going to pick up the pace so it’ll be completely done by the time the baby arrives.”

  Ridge rubbed his hand over my stomach and leaned down to kiss me just as the sonogram technician walked through the door. She had a friendly smile as she stepped up to the sink and washed her hands. “Ready to see your little bean? My name is Molly.”

  “Yes,” Ridge said and kissed me again. I nodded, already feeling the emotion well inside me.

  “Lift your shirt to right under your breasts, you can tuck it in your bra. And pull down the waist of your jeans a little bit. Yep, just like that,” Molly said as I followed her instructions.

  Ridge leaned down, holding my hand and putting his other arm behind my head. “Is this your first?” Molly asked.

  Ridge and I nodded, our eyes riveted to the screen, as she put the gel on my belly and moved the wand around. “Okay, there’s the bean,” Molly said, pointing at the fuzzy sonogram. Right now it was a little blob inside a larger circle on the screen, but it was the most beautiful thing I’d ever seen. Tears welled in my eyes as I stared at the image.

  “You’re measuring at nine weeks. Would you like to try to hear the heartbeat today?”

  “Fuck yes,” Ridge whispered, and I laughed turning toward him. His eyes were shiny, and love radiated off of him as he met my gaze. “Love you, clover.”

  His forehead pressed against mine, and I closed my eyes as we waited. A few long seconds ticked by before a whooshing sound filled the room. I gasped and turned my attention back to the screen, just as Ridge did. On the bottom of the screen the heart rate monitor was jumping up and down with our baby’s heartbeat.