Moments with Hailey - The Esquire Girls Series - Hailey's Story (Books 1, 2, 3 & 4) - Box Set (featuring Tender Moments , a brand-new Valentine's Day novelette)

by Cassie-Ann L. Miller

  I reach for him and cup his stubbly cheek in my hand. “I trust you.” I mean it from the deepest part of me.

  He sighs, relieved and then, his lips brush over mine, a soft tickle against my overly sensitive skin. I feel his thick, straining erection push through my welcoming folds. With one deft thrust of his hips, he fills me completely. Pleasure heats my core as he strokes into me again and again. And, I instantly melt into the love that we share.

  Chapter 26

  I glance down the corridor and see a group of secretaries fussing over a tall, dark-haired man carrying an adorable little girl with blonde pigtails. She turns in my direction and I wave at her. She blushes and buries her head in her father’s shoulder. I grin as I turn back to my computer screen.

  Ever since I’ve become pregnant, it seems like there are babies everywhere. Seeing these children in all their innocent glory only reinforces my decision to keep my baby. I’m so relieved that Jackson and I worked our problems out. Now, we can focus on our family.

  I bring my attention back to the task at hand. I’ve got a lot of work to do. So much work, in fact that I had to skip the legal research training session that all the other interns are attending this afternoon. I’m assisting with one of our client’s acquisition of an app developed by a startup. It’s a small file but I couldn’t be more excited. Now, that I’m no longer under Matt’s thumb, I’ve been working with lawyers from our tech startup department and assisting with files that I’m actually interested in.

  Plus, I discussed my situation with Michael and he has assured his full support during my pregnancy and beyond. The firm is willing to be flexible with my schedule during my pregnancy and has made a very generous offer regarding my maternity leave. My job is pretty much guaranteed to be waiting for me after the birth of my baby. I really couldn’t ask for more. I smile to myself as I type away on my keyboard.

  I hear the coos of the cute toddler right beside my desk. I look up and am shocked to find her hovering above my cubicle in Matt’s arms.

  “Hi,” he says quietly.

  “Hi.” He’s dressed in a gray sweatshirt and jogging pants. It’s weird but refreshing to see him out of his usual custom-tailored suits.

  “This is my daughter, Tilly,” he says beaming as he places a kiss on the little girl’s cheek. She offers me a dimpled smile that showcases her resemblance to her father.

  “Hi Tilly.” I reach for her hand and she grabs hold of my fingers. I giggle and so does she.

  “Amelia has decided to give me full custody. I guess you can get a person to do anything if the price is right,” Matt says ruefully.

  “That’s great, Matt. I’m happy for you.”

  “I’m happy, too,” he says. “Finally, I’m happy.” He pulls in a sharp breath before reaching into his duffle bag and pulling out a thin paperback book. He hands it to me. “I got you something.”

  I quickly read the cover. 101 Things Nobody Tells You About Becoming a Parent. “Thanks, Matt,” I say as I rub my hand across my growing baby bump.

  He smiles at me. “You’ll be a great mom, Hailey.”

  I return his smile as my eyes become misty. “Thanks.”

  Tilly begins to become fussy in his arms. “We’ve gotta get going,” he says apologetically. “Ballet rehearsal with Aunt Madison today.”

  I grin. “Okay then. Bye Tilly.” She turns and gives me the most brilliant smile as her father carries her off to the elevator.

  Chapter 27

  My fingers are tangled with Jackson’s as we sit anxiously in the doctor’s waiting room. I lean my cheek against his shoulder and he places a soft kiss on my forehead. “Twenty-two weeks already. I can’t believe it.”

  “Twenty-two weeks,” I echo, running my hand against my stomach. Right then, I feel the slightest flutter. “The baby’s kicking,” I say with a soft glee.

  I glance up at Jackson and his eyes twinkle as he places his hand on my belly, hoping to feel the tiny kicks for the first time. “I don’t feel anything,” he says sounding disappointed.

  “The doctor said that it will take a while before the kicks are strong enough for you to feel, but I assure you, our little one is kicking up a storm in there.”

  He wraps an arm around me and brings his lips to mine for a tender kiss. “I love you so much, Hailey,” he whispers into my hair.

  I smile and allow my eyes to flutter shut.

  I’ve dozed off into a light sleep by the time I hear my name being called. “Hailey Lundeen?”

  “Right here,” Jackson says assertively as he gently jostles me awake.

  I’m greeted by the technician’s warm smile when I open my eyes. “Follow me, please.”

  She leads us down a long, brightly lit corridor and into a dark room equipped with monitors and wires and other medical equipment. She asks me to get undressed from the waist down and slip into a paper robe.

  I do as I’m told before climbing into the vinyl-covered reclining chair. Jackson stands beside me and gives my hand a firm squeeze as the technician explains the procedure to us. Excitement is etched all over his face. He’s about to see his baby for the first time.

  The technician squeezes a cold gel onto my skin before gently rolling the transducer against my belly.

  We look up at the screen as the sound of our baby’s heartbeat fills the room. An image appears on the screen in various shades of gray. The technician points out the baby’s feet to us. And the heart. And the tiny, little fingers. Jackson’s eyes fill with tears. He tries to be macho and brush them back with his fists. But it’s too late – I’ve already seen them.

  Then, the technician asks, “Would you like to know the sex?”

  I glance up at Jackson, waiting for his answer. “Yes!” he says enthusiastically.

  I turn to the technician, grinning from ear-to-ear. “Are we having a boy or a girl?”

  She returns my face-splitting grin. “It’s a girl! You’re having a girl!”

  “A girl!” I yelp excitedly.

  Jackson kisses the side of my face. “A little princess. Just like her momma.”

  Chapter 28

  “He’s growing so fast,” I marvel as I gaze at Aiden, strapped to Amber’s chest in a baby carrier. It seems like the months have flown by in the blink of the eye.

  “He is,” Amber says proudly as she yanks a blue and white fleece baby pajama set off of the rack in front of her. “This is cute, right?” she asks waving it in my face.

  “It’s adorable,” I say, skimming a rack of pink sleepers and picking out three of my favorite.

  I feel content now. I have the man of my dreams and a baby girl on the way. Plus, I can finish law school at my own pace and my position at Cartwright Moretti Stevenson will be waiting for me whenever I’m ready for it. Everything worked out for me.

  “I hear that congratulations are in order,” Amber says with a Cheshire smile.

  I give her a puzzled look. “What for?”

  She laughs heartily. “I heard you’re about to be a very wealthy woman.”

  “Oh, you mean Jackson’s buyout deal?” I say beaming.

  Jackson and Andy have decided to cash out on their app business. Jackson wants time off to devote to our little family. Andy will work on developing new apps on his own. The buyer will pay off Spencer for his investment. It’s a win-win-win situation. I’m particularly proud because I used all that I’ve learned working in CMS’s tech startup department to help Jackson negotiate the best deal possible. Now, he will receive a quite handsome payout.

  “I’m super excited for Jackson to have more time to spend with me, especially since I’ll be on maternity leave soon.” I pick up an adorable pair of pink baby sneakers.

  “That’s fantastic, Hails,” Amber says, gently tapping my shoulder. “We should go for dinner tonight to celebrate.”

  I roll my eyes. “That sounds good. But I can’t. Jackson wants me to meet him at his ‘bachelor pad’ in a few hours.”

  Amber raises an eyebrow. “His bac
helor pad?”

  “Yes, the Greenwich Village condo your husband is letting him stay at,” I say, frustrated. “He spends so much time over there. If I didn’t learn to trust him, I’d be crazy by now.”

  Amber laughs but something’s up. I can tell from the expression on her face that there’s something she’s keeping from me.

  “What? What are you not telling me?” I prod.

  “Huh? What are you talking about?” She’s not good at feigning innocence.

  “You’re hiding something from me. It’s obvious.”

  She sighs, exasperated. “Look – all I know is that you have nothing to worry about. Jackson is fully committed to you and the baby. He definitely doesn’t see the Greenwich Village apartment as a bachelor pad.”

  Chapter 29

  Within moments of knocking on the door, Jackson swings it wide open. “Hi Cowgirl.” He greets me with a kiss that makes my knees weak. He then helps me out of my jacket.

  We make small talk while he finishes preparing our dinner of lentil-stuffed sweet potatoes and root vegetable salad. Actually, he does most of the talking. Honestly, I’m in no mood to chitchat.

  I want to go home.

  This apartment is nice and all with it’s high ceilings, contemporary furniture and modern artwork, but I want to go home. And I want Jackson to come with me. We don’t belong here. If he’s serious about our family, he needs to give up this condo and move all of his belongings to my apartment. I’m going to tell him that during dinner.

  Jackson doesn’t seem to sense my trepidation or if he does, he’s doing a fantastic job of ignoring it. Right before we sit down for our candlelit dinner, he takes me by the hand. “There’s something I want to show you.”

  I reluctantly follow him through the living room and down the dimly lit marble-tiled hallway. Once we’re at the end of the hall, he opens a door and flicks on a light switch in a small room.

  The walls are painted in a pale shade of pink. There’s a white rocking chair in the corner. And a matching crib. A change table.

  Then, the south-facing wall catches my attention. There’s a mural of me and Jackson fawning over the tiny baby girl swaddled and lying in my arms.

  “What is this?” I ask, feeling confused and emotional.

  “This is our new home,” he says in a soft voice. “I bought this condo for us. For you and me and the baby.”

  My hands leap to my gaping mouth. “Jackson…”

  He holds me by the shoulder and steers me towards the crib.

  Right in the middle of the lily-white sheets, there lies a small velvet box. Jackson reaches in and takes it. Before I can process what is happening, he’s down on bended knee.

  “Cowgirl – I love you. And all I want is to spend the rest of my life with you, raising our family and falling in love all over again every single day. Will you be my wife?”

  I can’t find my words. My tongue is tied. Tears roll liberally down my face.

  I nod vigorously as he rises to his feet and slips the gorgeous princess-cut diamond ring onto my finger.

  Yes – I’ll be your wife, Jackson Pratt. There’s nothing I want more.

  An exclusive Valentine’s Day novelette…

  Tender Moments

  (The Esquire Girls Series)

  Hailey (Book 4)

  Cassie-Ann L. Miller

  Jackson pushes open the bedroom door with a hasty nudge of his broad shoulder as he yanks our suitcases over the threshold. I nearly trip over my own feet as I rush in after him. I’m so excited. This is the first time we’ve gotten to be alone since the baby was born.

  He turns on the lights with the flick of a switch and our opulent surroundings come into view. Rich, vibrant artwork hanging on the pristine, white walls. A king-sized bed lying on a one-of-a-kind bamboo frame. Exotic wooden sculptures decorating the corners. This tropical cottage is even more beautiful in person than it was on the resort’s website. We should probably give ourselves a tour to take in beautiful furnishings.

  But that will have to wait – right now, I have only one thing on my mind.

  I march towards the bed and grab the hem of my dress, ready to haul it over my head and get naked.

  “Slow down there, Cowgirl,” Jackson says with a deep chuckle that makes his eyes sparkle. “Why don’t we take a look around before we jump into bed?”

  I toss myself onto the mattress and pout. “I wanna make love to you. I’m so excited. I can barely contain it.”

  “Well, we’ve got all weekend,” he says as he abandons the suitcases by the door and moves towards me, taking a seat on the edge of the bed.

  I yank at his shirt and don’t let go till he’s lying right next to me. “So, let’s make the most of it,” I say with a mischievous grin.

  He smirks as he cradles my face in his palm. “Don’t you want to go for a swim or have a cocktail or something?”

  He’s teasing me, right? He knows that I’ve been craving his body. Making love to him is all I’ve thought about for the past few days. But with a three-month-old baby at home, that’s been virtually impossible. So, now that we’re finally on our honeymoon, I plan to take advantage of every second that we’re together.

  Jackson rolls off of the bed and pads over to the floor-to-ceiling blackout drapes. He pulls them open to reveal massive bay windows overlooking the waters of the Caribbean Sea. “Come on, Cowgirl. Come see what this beautiful island has in store for us.” He reaches out a hand to me.

  A luxury resort on a private island just off the coast of St. Vincent had been my idea of the perfect honeymoon. I had wanted to leave the frigid climate of New York City behind and go snorkeling in the warm, aquamarine waters and go hiking through the lush rainforest. But now that we’re here, my main priority is making love to my new husband.

  Yes – He’s my husband!

  Jackson Pratt married me. In the presence of God, our friends and our newborn baby on a snowy February morning, he married me. Just yesterday, in a beautiful ceremony at a small chapel near Union Square, we pledged to love each other eternally. And now, my body is aching to remind him of the way I feel for him.

  But he wants to play tourist right now…I sigh, just a tad frustrated, accepting that my raging desire will have to wait for satisfaction just a little bit longer.

  “Don’t pout,” he teases as he takes my hand and scoops me into his arms.

  I resist the urge to roll my eyes at him before I bring my gaze to the window. Ugh! I just don’t share his enthusiasm for the landscape right now.

  But as I shift my attention to the scene beyond the window, I gasp, my hands flying to my chest. “Oh, Jackson,” I cry out. “It’s beautiful.”

  In the darkness of this star-lit night, there’s no telling where sea ends and where sky begins. But down on the sand below, just at the water’s edge, I can see a small cabana adorned with dozens of red and white balloons. Even from this distance, I can see the arrangement of fresh fruit and champagne that I assume is waiting just for my husband and me.

  Jackson presses his lips to my ear. “Shall we, Mrs. Pratt?”

  I giggle as I look up at him. “We shall, Mr. Pratt.”

  He takes my hand and leads me out the door, and down to our romantic, late-night picnic.

  As we stand under the moonlight in each other’s arms, I feel incredibly lucky. I have everything a girl could ever want and more. The man of my dreams, a beautiful baby, a fantastic job and more than enough money to live comfortably. There’s absolutely nothing missing.

  This is my happily ever after.

  Jackson’s face dips towards mine. His lips are warm and smooth against my cheek. Although he’s kissed me a thousand times over the past year, I still whimper each time his lips brush against my skin. Electricity zings through me and I can barely hush the want and the need that overwhelm me.

  He brings my right palm to his lips. Then, he kisses my wrist. Softly.

  His lips land on my shoulder. He catches the strap of my light cami-dress bet
ween his teeth and he gently glides it off of my shoulder. With his fingers, he slips the other strap down my left arm. I gasp and my lungs fill with warm, fresh tropical breeze. I’m already getting wet. “Jackson…” I moan as small waves send water up the beach to tickle our toes.

  Now, the dress falls in the sand at my feet. His hands slide over my bare back, sending a shiver down my spine. I arch my back, wanting to feel more. Wanting to feel everything he has to offer me.

  Still, I feel vulnerable in this state of undress on the beach. “Someone might see us…” I murmur.