“I don’t know where Free lives, but just have him drop you off Saturday mid-morning and we’ll hit the shops for something sexy. I’ll probably need something too,” I wink.
Whitley thanks me again before enveloping me in a hug and then she turns around and hurries away. I smile watching her go, wondering why I didn’t go to her sooner to continue our budding friendship. She’s been through a hell of a lot, and she needs a friend other than Free. Just like I needed one other than Ward. I had Gracie, even when I wouldn’t really let her in, I knew that she was there for me. I need to remember that when it comes to Whitley.
Hurrying over to the pregnancy tests, I grab the one that boasts of an early response, not that it’s really that early. I haven’t had a period since Ward and I got together, and it’s been well over two months, which means I’m most likely pregnant and I really should have kept better track of my cycle.
After buying the test, I shove it in my purse and make my way toward Gracie’s to pick up Easton. Parking in front of her house, I walk inside with a knock. Lea is on the floor helping Easton with a puzzle. She looks up at me and gives me a wide smile.
“Hey,” she calls out.
“Where’s your mom?” I ask, my brows knitting together.
“Kitchen. Dad called,” Lea says, rolling her eyes.
I leave her and Easton in the living room and walk toward the kitchen. I hear Gracie’s voice before I see her. “I know, but I miss you. It’s hard doing this all alone. Okay, yeah. Fine,” she sighs her last word before ending her call and setting her phone down.
“Talk to me,” I urge.
Gracie looks up at me and shakes her head. “Nothing,” she shrugs. Her eyes narrow on me and then she changes the subject.
“Tell me,” she demands.
“Will you help me and Whitley get ready for a club party this weekend, and will you come with us and have some fun?” I ask.
Gracie’s eyes widen. “I usually don’t go to those without Fish,” she smirks.
“He’s gone. Come and have some fun,” I beg. I can tell she’s mad at Fish, but she’s not ready to agree yet. “I’ll tell you what I have in my purse if you’ll come,” I offer.
Her eyes narrow before her lips twitch into a smirk. “Fine,” she sighs.
It’s there at Gracie and Fish’s house with Lea and Easton playing in the living room where I take the pregnancy test I bought. I feel badly telling Gracie before Ward, but I need to have a friend’s comfort before my man’s. There’s something about getting that love and support from a girlfriend that you respect like Gracie that gives you all of the hope and confidence in the world.
“He’s going to be so happy,” she assures me.
I nod, holding Easton in my arms as I leave the house. I know that he’s going to be happy too. He’ll probably be less terrified than I am, but I figure one of us needs to be doubly strong.
CROONER
Hayden pulls up in the driveway and I wave, wiping grease from my hand. My bike needed a tune-up, so I’ve spent the afternoon working on it in the garage. Leaving my bike in pieces, I make my way toward the car to get Easton out of the back seat.
I don’t want her lifting him anymore, she may not have figured it out yet, but I did a few weeks ago. My girl is having my baby, and I’m fucking ecstatic. Hayden walks toward me and presses her lips against my own, just as Easton grabs hold of my beard and tugs.
Turning my head, I nuzzle his little neck, making him giggle with the hair of my beard. “Good afternoon, family,” I chuckle.
“I need to talk to you later,” Hayden nervously whispers.
My lips tip in a smirk and I look into her big, scared, green eyes. “Is it about you being knocked up?” I ask.
Hayden’s mouth drops open and she stares at me, shock written all over her face is an understatement. Her mouth moves up and down and I can tell she’s trying to speak, but nothing happens. Leaning down, I kiss her, fucking her sweet mouth with my tongue until she melts against me.
“I’m so fucking happy, baby,” I rasp against her lips.
“I can’t believe you knew. How long have you known?” she says, playfully slapping her hand against my arm.
I grin. “Baby, I’ve known for weeks. I can tell your body has changed, it’s so fucking sexy. Why do you think I haven’t been able to keep my hands off of you?” I ask.
Her face pinks in embarrassment at my words and I laugh. “I’m going to get fat,” she warns, placing her hand on my chest and gently pushing away.
Reaching down, I grab a handful of her ass and squeeze. “Baby, you’re going to be hot as fuck. Pregnant with my baby, growing my baby, goddamn, it’s going to be beautiful and I won’t be able to keep my hands off of you,” I grunt.
She rolls her eyes, clearly not believing me. That’s fine, she can not believe me all day long, I’m just going to have to prove it to her. I’m going to have to fuck her every single day, shower her with orgasms and compliments to show her just how much she turns me on. It’s an easy job, because it’s the fucking truth, and I can’t wait.
ONE MONTH LATER
CROONER
I watch her walk toward me. She’s wearing a pretty long white dress, nothing fancy, she called it a maxi dress or some shit. I don’t care what she called it, she looks like a fucking dream come true as she makes the short distance from the door to me.
Her auburn hair is down, curled, and her face almost bare of makeup. She’s never looked more beautiful, my ink on her chest on full display. Reaching forward, I take her hand in mine. Easton has his arm wrapped around my knee as he stands vigil to our private ceremony.
The judge clears his throat and I can’t help but chuckle. It’s only me, her and Easton. Nobody else needs to be here. This is us, this is my family.
“Do you, Ward, take Hayden as your lawfully wife?” he asks me.
My smile is immediate as I look into her green eyes, the eyes that fucking own me. “I do,” I say, resisting the urge to say that I sure as fuck do.
“Do you, Hayden, take Ward as your lawfully wedded husband?”
Hayden’s eyes fill with tears and she nods before she clears her throat and verbally speaks. “I do.”
We do the ring bullshit, and I swear to fuck I’m bouncing on my toes, in anticipation of kissing my woman—my wife.
“You may kiss your wife,” the judge chuckles.
Easton squeals, from his spot as I lift my hands, cupping Hayden’s cheeks with my palms and place my mouth against hers. I don’t give her the indecent kiss that I crave, keeping it clean for the judge and East. “I love you,” I breathe against her lips.
She smiles, her hands wrapping around my wrists. “I love you so much, Ward.”
I release her face only to pick Easton up. We thank the judge, then the three of us walk out of his office, out of the courthouse.
We’re married.
Officially.
I’m hers and she’s mine.
How in the fuck did I get to be this man? The luckiest motherfucker on the planet?
HAYDEN
I gasp as Ward lifts my leg and slides deep inside of me from behind. He shifts my leg to wrap around his thigh while his hand slides to my stomach. His mouth is resting against my ear and I hear his heavy breathing as he pushes into me, pulling out then sliding back inside.
“Full of my baby, full of my cock, and now you have my last name,” he pants.
“Yes,” I hiss, lifting my hand to wrap around his neck and fist his long hair.
He grunts against my ear, his cock driving into me from behind. When his hand slips from my belly to my clit, I let out a long moan. “Come all over me, baby soak my cock,” he breathes.
Closing my eyes, I let the orgasm roll through my body. My thighs shake and threaten to close, but Ward doesn’t allow it. He rolls me onto my stomach, his hand wrapping around my hips as he yanks me back.
He fucks me from behind, pounding into me with deliciously brutal force. I feel him still
and his release fill me. His fingers tighten against my hips, digging into my flesh as we both try to catch our breaths.
“Love you, baby,” he pants behind me.
Twisting my head around, I look back at him, a smile playing on my lips. “Thank you, Ward,” I breathe.
Slowly, he slips from my body, laying down next to me and tugs me into his arms. “Thank you?” he asks.
Nodding, I place my chin on his chest. “Thank you for this life. I thought that I would be stuck in a nightmare forever, I never imagined that I would be living in a dream.”
His gaze softens, and he reaches up, fisting my hair he tugs my face down and his lips press against mine. He kisses me hard, bruising and then his tongue fills my mouth.
This man, this beautiful man.
I didn’t lie. This life he’s given me, it’s a fantasy, a dream come true. I never imagined that this could be my life, yet here I am, living it every day.
If it’s a dream, don’t pinch me, I don’t want to ever wake up.
Special Thanks
I want to thank all of my readers, always. You babes are seriously so fantastic. I appreciate every single one of you!!!
I always say a special thank you to my husband, my best friend, and the man who supports me in every single one of my dreams. He is simply—amazing.
My mom, she’s always supported wholeheartedly everything I have ever decided to take a leap of faith on, including my writing. She’s the kindest, most loving, and most supportive mom in the world. Thank you, Banana Boots.
Celia, my friend. Thanks for the laughs, the cupcakes, the brownies, the cruises in the Mustang, and the years together. Now that we’re adults, thanks for the texts, the cocktails and the true friendship we have.
Cassy Roop, thank you so much for always making my covers so downright gorgeous, every time I think that one is my favorite you outdo yourself and create something else spectacular! You’re the best and I’m so lucky to have you as a designer and friend!!!
Crystal Snyder, thank you for loving all of my stories, and taking the time out not only to read them, but to help me! I’m so thankful for a friend like you!!
Tammy Cole, thank you so much for being a great friend. I don’t know what I would do without you in life! I appreciate everything you do for me.
Dessure Hutchins, thank you so much for everything to help me and our friendship. I truly appreciate you!
Ellie McLove, thank you for making this book, clean and pretty! I appreciate your hard work and complete dedication to your craft!
Enticing Journey— Ena and Amanda—I truly appreciate all of the hard work you ladies put into everything!
Hayley’s Asshole Alphas... BABES. Thank you for always bringing a hot guy to my newsfeed and a smile to my face! You’re the best reader group a girl could have!!!
To all the Blogger babes that have taken a chance on me…
Thank you from the bottom of my heart.
Chased with Strength: Notorious Devils (Cash Bar Book 2) Page 25
