by Jamie Pope
“They’ll find out today.”
“What if they hate me?”
“Why would they hate you?”
“Because I got pregnant and stole you away from all the other eligible bachelorettes on the planet.”
“You didn’t get pregnant on purpose.”
She looked up at him, the worry not leaving her eyes. “I know, but what if they think that?”
“Then I’ll tell them you’re an heiress and that I married you for your money.”
“Good plan.” She smiled briefly and then looked up at him for a long moment, her lips opened as if she were about to speak, but she remained silent.
“Tell me.”
“It was nothing.”
“Tell me,” he insisted.
“Kiss me.”
He set his hands on her cheeks and kissed her softly. It was a controlled kiss, because he knew if he let himself really kiss her, he would go wild. She was pregnant. She was his wife. He couldn’t go around making love to her on the sides of bathtubs and against walls, no matter how satisfying it might be.
“I want to have sex in the middle of the day,” she said, shocking the hell out of him.
“Excuse me?”
“I would like to do that sometimes,” she blurted out. “A lot, actually. I need you to do it with me.”
“And if I’m unavailable, will you get someone else?”
She blinked at him. “Well, I called that gigolo, but he’s booked up for the next six weeks. I guess when you’re good at your job, everyone wants you.”
She made him laugh. Whenever any inkling of doubt crept into his mind, she would say something unexpected that would make him laugh and want her even more. “Lucky for you I’m available.”
“Lucky for me.”
“I’ll make love to you at twelve fifteen.”
“Don’t tell me when. Surprise me. Surprise me often, if you can.”
She had no idea what she was doing to him, giving him this kind of permission to access her body. He could get drunk off her and happily stay that way for the rest of his life. “Okay.” He nodded, not at all sure if other newly married couples spoke to each other this way. “We need to go now.”
She nodded and gave him one more kiss before she let him go.
His brother, Carlos, lived on the far side of the island, in a section that was so secluded it felt like part of another country. The landscape was wilder—tall grasses and big colorful flowers lined the ocean-side road that led there. Elias loved the house, especially after his sister-in-law, Virginia, finished decorating it. But it was a little too far away from town for his tastes. He thought he would never be able to survive living outside a major city, but he had agreed to stay on Hideaway with Cricket until he went back to work. He was looking forward to his time on the island with her. He had been feeling stuck the past month before she reentered his life. Now he had been drop-kicked out of his restlessness and into a more terrifying life.
“Elias, is there something you need to tell me?” she asked as they pulled into Carlos’s long driveway.
“No.”
“No? I’m an heiress to one of the biggest fortunes in the country, and even I have never seen a house this big.”
She was right. Her house was nice, but Carlos’s house was amazing by anyone’s standards.
“I told you that my brother was a baseball player.”
“I thought you meant in school.”
“You mean you never realized that my brother is Carlos Bradley?”
“I’m sorry,” she said in nearly a whisper. “I have no idea who he is.”
“Shortstop for the Miami Hammerheads. Played twenty seasons for the same team. He’s a legend and one of the most recognizable athletes on the planet. Hell, the president honored him.”
“I’m sorry,” she said again, looking at her hands. “I don’t know who he is.”
Elias pulled his car to a stop, threw back his head and laughed. Of course she didn’t know who his brother was. She read scientific journals for fun. She barely watched television, and when she did, it almost always was some sort of documentary. It made sense. He had married the only woman on the planet who didn’t care who he was related to. It was refreshing.
“Why is that so funny?”
“Because I’ve had women try to get with me just because my brother is my brother.”
“Why? What do you have to do with him?”
“They’re social climbers and status seekers. They thought I would lead them to him.”
“But you’re a doctor. You work at some of the most prestigious hospitals in the country. You’re beautiful. They surely wouldn’t think your brother was more worthy just because he hits a ball with a wooden stick. You save lives.”
“You haven’t met my brother yet. Carlos is very good-looking. He’s very rich and he’s very famous. Most people would consider him the catch out of the two of us. But he’s also very married to the love of his life, so women settle for me.”
“Some women are stupid.” She stepped out of the car, seeming annoyed on his behalf. He was glad for it. It meant she was no longer nervous.
He joined her, and together they made the walk from the driveway to the huge house. It was a Spanish-style mansion, painted a cream color, with a roof made of handcrafted red tiles. They stood in front of the heavy carved wood door waiting for someone to open it. It didn’t matter how many times he had been here; Elias was still blown away that someone in his family lived in a place like this. They had grown up working-class, in a tiny three-bedroom house. Their parents had worked two jobs each. They probably all still would have gone to school and made something of themselves because their parents valued education that much, but Carlos had made things easier for them. It was because of his brother that Elias wasn’t drowning in student-loan debt. He owed him a great deal, but whenever Elias tried to pay him back, Carlos refused. Carlos didn’t get to go to college because he was drafted right out of high school, but he’d wanted to make sure his siblings got every ounce of schooling they wanted. Elias wanted to make him proud, and he really wanted Carlos to like Cricket. Elias wanted his entire family to like Cricket. But in the long run it wouldn’t make a damn bit of difference if they did or not. He had married her. She was carrying his child. So their opinion of her wouldn’t change a thing.
“Let’s not lead with the marriage thing this time,” he said to her. “We should tell them later in the day. I don’t want to make today about us.”
“I don’t want to ruin two occasions this month.”
“You didn’t ruin anything,” he said as the door swung open. His twin sister was the one to answer it. Her eyes went wide when she saw he wasn’t alone.
“Oh! Hi!” She smiled warmly at them. Ava had been known as somewhat of an ice goddess before she met her husband. Marriage had mellowed her out. She was almost like a new person. Elias had always loved his twin more than anyone else on the planet, and now he really liked her, too. “I didn’t know you were bringing anyone.”
“Who’s bringing someone?” Carlos appeared, holding his now-two-year-old daughter. “Elias?” Both his siblings were surprised to see Cricket standing with him. They gave him curious identical looks. He had never brought anyone home. Not since his first serious girlfriend in med school.
“I know who you are now!” Cricket exclaimed, looking at Carlos. “I used to see you every day from my office window in Boston. You’re the pizza guy.”
“I’d like to think of myself as a fourteen-time all-star and World Series champion, but yes, I was the spokesman for Pippa’s Pizzas,” he said with a grin.
“Cricket had no clue who you are,” Elias explained. “I think she’s more excited about the pizza connection than the baseball.”
“Pizza?” Carlos’s daughter
said from his arms.
“Not today, baby.” He looked at his daughter with pure love that only a parent could give to a child. “We’ve got good stuff for you to eat.” His eyes went back to Cricket. “This is my daughter, Bria.”
“Hello, Bria. I love your pretty dress.”
“Pink flowers,” she said, looking down at her outfit.
Elias saw Cricket’s heart go into her eyes as she looked at his niece, and it once again hit him that they were going to have a baby. In about seven months, they were going to have something special that was going to bond them together for life.
“I’m Cricket, by the way,” she said, looking up at Carlos and Ava. “It’s very nice to meet you. Elias has told me wonderful things about you both.”
“I’m glad my brother hasn’t forgotten about us. Elias hasn’t told us a thing about you. If fact, he has been extremely quiet these past two months,” Ava said, looking at him with some annoyance. “But I’m very glad that we are meeting today. If he brought you to meet us, you must be special.” Ava gave him a genuine smile.
“Yes. It’s nice to meet you, Cricket,” Carlos said. “Please come inside. We’re just about ready to fire up the grill.”
They walked out to the outdoor living room, which overlooked a huge pool and the ocean. His sister-in-law was with her mother at the table setting out fruit-filled drinks. Virginia turned around and looked up at them and so did her mother. It was then Elias heard ear-shattering, happy feminine screams.
“Dr. Warren! You get over here and give me a hug, young lady,” Dr. Andersen said, beaming.
“Dr. Andersen! I’m so happy to see you. You look incredible.”
The two women hugged, and the rest of them looked puzzled. “Your girlfriend knows my mother-in-law?” Carlos muttered.
“Very well, it seems,” Elias said, watching the two women embrace.
“And did I hear her correctly? She’s a Dr. Warren?”
“Two PhDs. Biology and cultural anthropology. She mostly does medical research, but she’s an author, too. She’s working on her fourth book.”
“Oh, yes, Carlos. You have to read Cricket’s books,” Dr. Andersen said, looping her arm around Cricket and walking over to them. “Cricket studies how diseases affect cultures and relationships. Mourning in the Developing Nations kept me up at night. It made me weep. This girl is brilliant.”
“If my mother-in-law gives that kind of endorsement, it must be true. I’m taking anthropology this semester,” he said to Cricket.
“Are you!” Cricket’s eyes widened in excitement. “Please, tell me you like it.”
“It’s just the intro class, but I’m finding it fascinating.”
“I’m giving a lecture in Miami in a few weeks. You must come! I’ll be showing slides from my trip this summer to India. I was studying a village of sex workers who were all infected—”
“You were what?” Elias nearly shouted.
“You knew about that.”
“Not the sex worker part.”
“They were very nice ladies. Most of them weren’t more than girls, though.”
“I’m more concerned about the men who visit them.”
“I was fine,” she said, and he didn’t believe her.
“I think we need to talk about this some more later.” He didn’t want her going back there. Hell, he didn’t want her going any other place where people were infected with diseases for the rest of her life.
“Cricket’s work is important, Elias,” Dr. Andersen said lightly. “And I take it by the disapproving tone and the scowl on your face that you two are a couple.”
“Yes.” He reached for her hand.
“I’ll definitely come to your lecture. You want to come with, Mama Andersen?” Carlos asked his mother-in-law.
“Nothing would make me happier.”
A few hours later, the party was in full swing. Ava was married to the mayor of the island, and he brought his entire family over. There were a few kids running around and splashing in the pool. Food was abundant, drinks were flowing. There was a nice ocean breeze.
“This is what Dad envisioned when he saw this place,” Carlos said from beside him.
“I know. I wish he could be here to see it.”
“I think he is.”
Cricket appeared in his line of vision wearing a white bikini. She was walking toward him, like she was out of a dream. The only way he could describe her was womanly. Smooth hips, thick thighs and large, lush breasts. He didn’t even notice the other women with her until they approached.
Without a word she reached for him, wrapping her arms around him and pressing her curvy body into his. He smoothed his hand down the curve of her back, forcing himself to stop before he cupped her backside in his hands. He was aroused, and he wanted her so badly it hurt. But that’s how he felt every minute of every day.
“Tell me I look awful and that you want me to put my clothes back on,” she said into his ear.
“I would never say that to you. And if I do, you should leave me. You’re the sexiest thing I’ve ever seen.”
She pressed a kiss to his mouth before she spoke in his ear again. “Your brother is very handsome, but you make my heart beat faster.”
“Meet me in the house in fifteen minutes,” he whispered. “Down the long hallway on the first floor. Second door on the right.”
Her eyes went wide. “No.”
“You said surprise you.”
“No,” she said again.
“Come on, Cricket,” Hallie, Virginia’s sister-in-law, called to her. “The beach is calling us.”
She gave Elias one last shy smile before she went off.
“Can you believe it took us fifteen minutes to convince your girlfriend to leave the house wearing that bathing suit? She wanted to wear a T-shirt over it!” Ava exclaimed. “I didn’t think bodies like hers existed in the real world. You should have seen my husband’s eyes pop out of his head when she walked by. But how can I blame him? Even I can’t stop staring at her butt.”
“I’m going to have to agree with her,” Virginia said. “That body is spectacular, right, babe?” she asked her husband.
“No comment,” he said smartly.
“It’s okay.” Virginia grinned at him. “You can admit it. I want to paint her nude. It would fit in my next series featuring all-natural bodies.” She looked at Elias. “Do you think it would be weird if I asked her?”
“Yes,” he said. “Very weird.” Virginia was a trained painter, and her pieces sold for hundreds of thousands of dollars, but Cricket was his, and as selfish as it was, he didn’t want anyone else to have her.
“I didn’t get it before,” Carlos said. “She’s adorable and smart and I like her a lot, but I didn’t get why you two were together. She’s not your usual type, but I get it now. Damn.”
“Do you like her, Ava?” Elias asked his twin. He held his breath as he waited for her answer.
“Very much so. She’s fascinating and very sweet and makes me feel a little dumb, but I could see us becoming friends.”
“Virginia?” he asked.
“I’m pretty sure my mother wishes that she was her daughter instead of me, so I’m mortally jealous of her, but other than that I find her charming. She wouldn’t happen to be the daughter of Jerome Warren, would she?”
“The guy who invented every gadget in our house?” Carlos asked. “The billionaire?”
Elias nodded. “He’s a really nice guy.”
“Wait a minute.” Ava shook her head. “Didn’t you tell me your boss was married to him? You’re dating your boss’s daughter?”
“No. I married my boss’s daughter,” he told them.
They all went silent, their faces revealing their shock. He hadn’t planned how he was going to bre
ak the news, but all day they’d kept calling Cricket his girlfriend. She was more than that. She was the woman he had promised to spend the rest of his life with. She was going to be the mother of his child. His family needed to know.
“She’s your wife?” Ava shook her head.
“We met here on the island and I couldn’t leave her that first night. And then when I did leave her, I couldn’t stop thinking about her, so I saw her again. I stayed for an entire week.”
“That’s when you told me you were taking a trip,” Ava said. “I thought you were in California, but Derek said he was fairly sure he saw you in town.”
“He did. I thought I dodged him.”
“Why didn’t you just tell me that you were seeing someone?”
“Cricket is someone I wanted to keep all to myself.”
“So you married her?” Carlos said, sounding disbelieving.
“I needed to be married to her. There’s no other way to describe it. I needed her to be my wife.”
“I felt that way about Virginia,” Carlos said, reaching for his wife.
“We’re having a baby, too.” He dropped the second bomb.
“You’re going to be a father?” Virginia asked in awe.
He smiled. It might not have been the right time, but the thought of being a father made him happy. “Her mother wants to murder me. She thinks this is some plan I cooked up to propel my career forward. I might end up losing my job because of this, but I don’t care. I can work at another hospital. I wouldn’t be able to forgive myself if I let Cricket slip through my fingers.”
He looked over at Ava, who had tears streaming down her cheeks, her chest softly heaving.
“Hey, Elias. I—” Cricket reappeared from somewhere. “Uh-oh. You told them.”
Ava flung herself at Cricket and hugged her tightly. “I’m so happy for you. Welcome to the family.”
Elias let out a slow breath of relief. His twin wouldn’t lie about something like that. He looked at his brother, afraid of his reaction.
“We’re happy for you.” He smiled. “Mom is going to murder you. But we’re very happy for you.” Carlos came over and hugged him tightly.
