“It’s a girl?” Tate asked loudly, as if he’d been left out.
“I don’t know. Guys, it’s barely a thought at the moment. Sex won’t be determined for weeks.” I left for a perfectly timed bathroom break, wondering which one of them was going to be more smothering.
Lying in bed later that night, I snuggled into Tate’s chest, my mind racing.
He was quiet as he held me. Then he said, “Care to tell me what has you so worked up and please don’t say ‘nothing.’”
My deep breath was more for courage than cleansing. “I found some of Mariah’s old photos today in my storage stuff. I also found out she’s in custody, and she’s married to Les.”
“Okay. I’m happy she’s not dead and is well enough to go to jail.” His dark eyes reflected the light of the lamp behind me.
“I was thinking that I should—”
He quickly sat up in bed. Pushing the hair from my eyes, he held both of my cheeks with his hands softly. “Willow, you’re a grown woman, and I’ll never try to control you. But as the father of that precious little baby, I’m begging you, please, please, don’t go see her. Not right now.”
Oh God, his plea emotionally bankrupted me. My sobs came fast and heavy.
When I could speak again, I whispered, “I have so many questions.”
Using his thumb, he swiped at my tears. “You’ll have them ’til you leave this earth, but you’re asking for trouble if you go see her. She may wish you dead and not want to see you.” He pulled me into his lap carefully.
“I know.”
“When I spoke with Marcus yesterday, he gave me a detailed account of what happened in Newark with Detective Dempsey. Why didn’t you tell me there was a big plastic bag, concrete weights, and rope in the trunk of your car when you were found alongside the riverbed?”
Bile erupted in my throat.
As I ran to the bathroom, all I could picture in my mind was being pulled to the bottom depths of the water, fighting for my last breath, praying for my life. Not even knowing that I had another life growing inside me.
He hobbled into the bathroom. “God, sweet pea. I’m so sorry. I didn’t understand why you kept that from me.”
“Because they didn’t tell me…”
17
The next several days flew by as we ordered our travel itineraries and got everything ready for France. Tate and I both had doctors’ appointments, and he took multiple conference calls as well. Although Tate made all the arrangements for the trip, he kept them close to his vest, while I packed and repacked my ever-changing choice of clothes. He was on his own in that department. He taunted me with his vagueness, but I made it a mental note to pay him back twofold. He teased me with a cocky promise that I’d enjoy first class on the long trip.
Hmmm… Perhaps he has ideas of joining the mile-high club?
Internally, I was anxious about being in the racing pit again. Cars or motorcycles, it didn’t matter. Speed was speed, and the riders and drivers were in it to win it, or until death do they part.
Go big or go home was always the motto. Once racers get that type of exhilaration in their blood, regardless of age, it consumes them. From then on out, they’re chasing the adrenaline.
And no amount of pleading can make them turn away from it.
“Penny for your thoughts,” Tate whispered as we buckled into our seats for our overnight flight.
I searched his face and saw concern in his eyes, a tightness in his jaw. I didn’t want to worry him, but he was stressed. I’d learned that he stroked my knuckles with his thumb when his heart was heavy.
“I think you know.” My eyes fell to our hands, entwined, except for that one roving thumb.
He cleared his throat. “I was saving something for later on in the trip, but—the team will be announcing my retirement. There’s going to be a big party and a media circus.”
I slid sideways in my seat to face him. “Is that what you want or are you doing it because you believe it’s what I want?”
The idea that he was giving up racing made me nauseous at a time when I should be jumping for joy at the news. When one partner gives up a love of something for the other partner, it never ends well.
“I always knew I’d leave racing once I had children. Whitney showed me what it’s like to put something so dangerous before a child. I won’t do that to our child or to you. Family first.”
I fought both happy tears and the bitterness of jealousy. Swallowing hard, I found my voice. “I know firsthand what a choice like this means. You’ll end up hating me…”
“I won’t. You see, I believe God had a plan all along. We’ve both loved and lost—hard. Look at all the tracks that had to come together for the two of us to be united. What did you tell me once…? The past is a statement; the future is a question? Well, there’s no question that I love you and our little Arrow.”
“Arrow?” My giggle slipped out.
He nodded his head. “All I could see on that image was the arrow pointing to grey matter. So, I’ve nicknamed him Arrow.”
Leaning back in my seat for takeoff, I giggled again. “You’re retarded. But I love you, too.”
He was right. I did enjoy first class on the long flight to Paris. Tucked deep into the comfy lounging seat, I was grateful I had access to an arsenal of movies—even new releases—so I could keep myself occupied. It didn’t seem to matter where I was, I still found it difficult to sleep. Something that I would continually have to work through. On top of that, it was a complete bummer not to be able to enjoy the endless supply of wine first class provided, but after a couple of drinks, my partner was out like a light.
Hmm, I wondered if this was what it was gonna be like with the baby—him asleep and me awake. I smiled as I watched his resting face, so peaceful.
I really hadn’t planned on motherhood. When Rowan and I became engaged, it was more about giving him a reason to throw a party, I think. He had so much love for racing. It was his oxygen, his vital nutrients necessary to live. I’d accepted him and his needs, but the idea of bringing children into that world hadn’t set well with me. We had many arguments about my decision to stay on birth control pills, and after he died, the guilt consumed me. Who was I to have robbed him of his dream?
“Would you care for some coffee?” the flight attendant asked me quietly.
The sun was beginning to rise, and our flight would soon come to an end. “Coffee sounds amazing.”
“She’ll have juice,” Tate uttered.
The look I gave him should’ve been a sufficient objection to his bossiness.
“What? I’m just not in the mood to wear your frou-frou spillage today, coffee girl.”
So, he wasn’t policing my caffeine intake after all. Or was he?
We laughed so loudly that we received snarls from our fellow passengers for disturbing their peace.
“I’ll take the coffee, please.”
He adjusted his seat to sit up. “Have you slept at all?”
“I napped for a few minutes, maybe an hour.”
“We’ll take a nap at the hotel.”
The hotel? We had to catch a train in Paris to get to Le Mans. By the time we did some sightseeing and headed to the famous racing town, it would be bedtime. Tate obviously hadn’t figured out the time change.
“What have you been doing all night?”
“Oh, watching movies and looking at houses on my iPad. I’ve hooked up with a realtor and given her my budget and wish list. I hope there’s a list for me to see when I get home.”
Tate hadn’t mentioned our living arrangements, so I’d decided to take care of myself and when the time was right, we’d be together.
He kissed me sweetly. “What does that wish list include?” His eyes were ablaze with twinkles as he waited for my answer.
I lifted my hand to count on my fingers. “Small house, large lot or extra land, privacy fence, maybe a pool, and a big kitchen.”
“Big kitchen? You mean you like to cook?”
Shoving my elbow into his side, I leaned in close to his face. “I do when I have my own kitchen. Wait until you taste my enchiladas, and my salsa is to die for.”
His face fell, his lower lip extruding. “Sorry, I’m not a fan of Mexican food.”
“Dang, the first sign of incompatibility.” I laughed.
He didn’t? Was he for real?
After a moment, he laughed. “I’m teasing you. I’m from Texas, of course I love Mexican food. But on the serious side, I don’t eat sushi or any kind of ’ese food. Chinese, Lebanese, Japanese…”
We were still chatting about food when we landed. He loved to cook, which I knew, but he also liked to decorate cupcakes.
Okay, now my gaydar was going off.
“Cupcakes?” I asked, as we pulled our rolling luggage through the Charles de Gaulle airport.
“Icing is my weakness, and my mom and I compete. That’s how I got into it. But, if you tell anyone—”
“Cupcake boy, your secret is safe with me.”
The car service took us to the Pullman Hotel, and I gave Tate a funny look when we came to a stop.
“Surprise number one. I promised to show you a good time.”
“That’s the Eiffel Tower, right there. We’re staying here?”
“Yep, let’s check our room and see if we got the view I requested.”
Oh boy, you have no idea what I want to show you.
All checked in to the room, Tate pulled me into a sweet embrace in front of a wide window. There, before us was a spectacular view of the Tower.
“It’s really high,” I mumbled, pushing my body forward to see the top.
“Let me guess, you’re afraid of heights?” he teased.
“It’s funny, I’m not afraid of rollercoasters, but I couldn’t do the Empire State Building. Chickened out three times. Took me six tries before I managed to walk out on the balcony at the penthouse the first day I was there, before you arrived.”
“We don’t have a lot of time here, so I suggest if you want to experience the Eiffel in its finest, you better suck it up, buttercup.”
“Alright, but I need a bath and more coffee to wake me up before we do anything.
The rain-head shower felt amazing, and I was soaking in the luxury of hot water when Tate joined me. Thinking I was gonna get lucky, I was disappointed when he quickly washed and got out.
The nerve of him…
I stepped out of the bathroom with my hair wrapped in a towel, sporting a grin.
Tate was in bed. His half-turned smile suggestive that he was thinking what I was thinking.
“Now, about that nap?” I taunted him
“It will be delicious in due time, but I’m not ready for you to sleep yet.” He lifted the covers for me to slide in.
My body tingled as he used his finger to draw imaginary designs on my belly, up my neck, and around my breasts. There was no rush, only us, soft light through the window, and the distant sounds of the city below.
“All I want is you,” he whispered against my ear.
He was handsome, cocky, and manly in so many ways. But he was also gentle and patient, giving my body pleasure while postponing his own. The warmth of his flesh covering mine gave me protection in the physical sense, but the beating of his heart next to mine gave me an unspoken guarantee.
His for the rest of my life.
His slow touches and deep kisses had my body burning for more. I craved him to consume me and I couldn’t get close enough, no matter how hard I tried.
“Tell me what you want,” he asked between nibbles on my neck.
“All of you.”
My body shuddered as he took me to the peak I’d been searching. A moan escaped my lips as I surrendered to the satisfying moment, and a smile came to his lips, knowing he completed me.
After making love, I snuggled into his side for a promised power nap. When I woke, he was freshly showered, dressed and patiently waiting in the chair with his racing magazine.
Finally, he huffed and stood up to pace. “I’m starving, and I know you have to be hungry. You didn’t eat on the plane.”
Note to self, if his food tank hits empty, watch out.
Laughing at his question, I said, “Yes, I did. You just slept through it. The baby and I ate fruit, chicken, spinach salad, and cookies.”
He smiled. “Ah, I wasn’t so smooth, was I?”
I winked. “I’ll hurry to get ready. You’re pacing like a hungry bear.”
As we started walking closer to the Eiffel Tower, the magic of the atmosphere was electric. It was as beautiful as I’d imagined, all lit up.
While we stood in admiration, I prompted him. “I thought we were going to dinner.” Then I nuzzled his chin above his scarf-wrapped neck.
He kissed me long and hard, until we were both breathless. “We are.”
Even in the chilled air, I got caught in the romance of him with me looking at the lights of the tower and the city, and it took me a minute to realize he was on one knee.
When he took my left hand, I trembled.
“It took me all of about ten seconds to realize you were the one for me. The moment you spilled that coffee on me, you burned a hole in my heart that would last a lifetime. You stir desires and hopes inside me that I’ve only dreamt of feeling. Will you marry me and make an honest man out me?”
Giggling, I said, “Yes, yes, I’ll marry you. I love you so much.”
“Je t'aime.”
“You speak French?”
“Yes. I said I love you.” The dance of his eyes and the bright smile on his lips had told me but hearing it in another graceful language—incredible.
He removed a ring from the inside pocket of his leather jacket. “It was my grandmother’s, and I’d be honored if you’d wear it.”
When he slid it on, I found it hard to keep from jumping up and down from excitement. My heart was full of hopes and dreams for our future and busting at the seams with love for a wonderful man.
I helped him stand, boot and all, and as we kissed, I felt the presence of many eyes, but I didn’t care. Bundled-up humans around us had stopped to watch, and some even had their phones up taking pictures.
When we came up for air, a crowd of cheering people rushed us. Some of them I recognized from photos, and then I saw his parents…and my mom.
Our entire family.
“How did you…?”
“Days of phone calls and texts. They were going to be part of my retirement, but you threw a kink when you told me you lost your passport, so I called everyone and changed the details. Then you found your passport, so that gave us an extra day here. We’re still only a day or two behind schedule.” He kissed my cheek.
My mom stood beside me as he began all the introductions to his sisters and their families.
“Enough of this, I gotta eat, people,” he said to the group.
His family moved quickly. I guess they were familiar with what happened when he got hungry.
On the way up to the restaurant in the elevator, I kept looking at my ring and back at him. He never seemed to disappoint in making me feel completely sated in everything.
I finally found my happy place…
At dinner, Mia chose to sit beside me.
“I don’t know what your bridal style is, or if you have a dream wedding, but Curtis and I are getting married in Hawaii next month. I’ve already asked my wedding planner if we can make it a double, and she said yes. So, no pressure, but if you want, I’m sure I can twist my brother’s arm…”
Tate was across from me and hadn’t missed a word. “Yes,” he mouthed with his eyebrows raised, a happy question on his face.
“Yes,” I said aloud.
“She said ‘yes’,” Mia exclaimed to the large group. More cheers.
Apparently, I was the last one in on a lot of family conversations.
At least I have one secret under my belt.
“If I could have your attention…” Tate rang a champagne glass. “I’
d like to make an announcement.” He stood with his glass.
Shit, so much for my secret. But, he’d promised. I didn’t know whether to be mad or to just let him ride on his excitement.
“Now that my beautiful sweet pea has decided to become my bride, I’ve taken Princeton Ranch off the market and told the buyer to get lost. We’ll be staying in Dallas.”
What?
I was certain my eyes were huge. Not only was I expecting him to announce the pregnancy, I had no idea he’d decided to keep his ranch.
He came to my side and made Mia move. Then he leaned in close to my ear. “We can make the ranch our home until the baby comes. Then you can look at houses until you drop, but I don’t want you stressed out before the baby comes. Deal?”
“Deal.” I kissed his lips.
Mom was wiping tears from her eyes, and I knew from her relaxed posture that she was doing okay. “I love you,” she said.
“Love you too. Ready to go to Hawaii?”
She smiled. “I’m ready to see you happy and ready—”
Fearing what she was about to slip, I cut her off. “Mom, let’s go shop for dresses tomorrow.”
Even though we’d told Mom about the baby, Tate wanted to wait to tell his family, after everything they’d been through before. I left the timing up to him, but I knew they’d be excited when they finally found out.
“Can I come?” Tate asked.
“No!” The table screamed in unison.
This group doesn’t miss much.
The kids began to get restless, and Tate took that as his opportunity to get me alone. “Wanna get out of here?” he whispered against my lips.
“Uh huh.”
“Folks, I need to put my foot up, and this little lady didn’t sleep on the flight, so we’ll catch up with all of you on the train to Le Mans tomorrow night. Have fun exploring Paris for a day.”
18
Tate was leaning against the headboard of the bed, and I was lying across his lap. The warmth of his body touching mine was cozy. We fit together perfectly.
“Do you think of everything?” I teased him as he played with the ring on my finger.
Tracks To Love: An Enemies To Lovers Alpha Hero Romance Page 11
