"No, I'm in such deep shit."
"What deep shit?" Willow asked, blotting my face.
"I agreed to have a baby with Grant Carter for a million dollars and I just broke the contract."
"Wait, did I hear everything correctly?" she asked, her mouth wide open.
"Yes."
She shook her head and sighed. "Men these days. I'm so sorry, Stacy." Willow continued to blot my face and handed me more tissues.
"Don't be. This isn't your fault."
Willow scratched her head and looked out the side of her window. "Well, I kinda sent you there to work for him..."
I laughed. "You weren't sending me there to be a carrying case for his kid."
She frowned. "True. But…damn. Darien's going to be pissed."
"Don't tell him, Willow. I'm not going to get in the middle of friends. Plus, Grant treated me well."
"Then why is the contract broken? Are you pregnant?"
"Yeah, I'm a mommy alright. And I'm the one that broke the contract, not him. It was too much stress on my shoulders, it was crushing me."
Willow turned on the heat since the cold air began to chill the car.
"Are you in love?" Willow leaned back in her seat with a mellow smile on her face.
"Huh?" I dabbed my eyes with the tissue and wiped my nose.
Willow smiled. "Gotcha."
"Gotcha, what?" I asked, raising an eyebrow.
What did Willow know that I didn't?
"You're afraid of being in love with him, aren't you?"
I had to process that one for a second. Afraid of love?
It didn't occur to me that I thought that way. But then it began to make sense all on its own.
"Willow, you remember where I live. Take me home, please. I need a good night's rest over all of this."
"No problem. Buckle up."
Willow patted my arm and we were off. My phone buzzed in my pocket a few times. I ignored it and closed my eyes.
I had to head home. Sure, that crazy guy had been following me but it had been ages since I had been home long enough for him to stalk me. He probably thought I was long gone— that I had moved away as I’d originally intended.
What was there to be afraid of?
Chapter 31 – Grant
Love.
How come that word couldn’t leave my mouth. Stacy was mine. But she had a point.
She wasn’t a thing to possess. I wanted her, needed to have her. First, I needed to look myself in the mirror and say it.
“I love her. I do. But I’m afraid to say it. To admit it,” I said aloud to myself.
I had taken a hot shower this morning.
Even though all of last night was spent reflecting. I didn’t trust Stacy, and she didn’t trust me. We were well within our rights to do what we did. She didn’t even want my money.
Fuck, did I mess up the only good woman I’d meet in my life?
Or was she a stripper and not telling me? I’d figured a lot out by now, but not that part. I didn’t even know what was going on any more.
I doubted my instincts. No man worth his salt would’ve ever done that.
I took my towel and dried off. Even the bathroom felt lonelier without her. When I went into my bedroom to get dressed, the resolve to get her back overcame me with a sudden urgency.
That was my woman, my wife to be that was carrying my son or daughter.
I sat down and dialed her number one more time. She didn’t answer.
No, I wasn’t going away until she slapped me with a court order. I was ready to tell her I loved her, and tell her why I was so apprehensive on saying it last night.
The wounds I suffered that were still open were going to be addressed and finally closed.
I called my head manager at my company and he picked up on the first ring.
“Sir, good morning,” he said in his stern voice, “how may I help you?”
“Westley, take charge of the ten o’clock O’Hara meeting for me. I’ll be back in the office in another week. You’re in charge until then.”
His voice quivered. “Are you sure, sir?”
“Yes. I trust you.” There was a new word I was beginning to use.
“Thank you sir, I will not disappoint.”
“I know you won’t. Good day.” I hung up and grabbed my wallet and my keys.
I remembered one more place I could look to find Stacy, and if I hurried, I could catch her on the way to school.
On the way to her studio, I had stopped at a store to buy something special for her, a surprise. I had it put in a good case and flew back to the car.
The traffic was terrible in the city this morning. Usually I braved it, but there was a ticking clock, and I didn’t feel like waiting another fucking second. My hands gripped the steering wheel as I counted down every second. The lights turned green and I made sure to butt every damn car I could to get to where Stacy lived.
There was an alley opening ahead of me, and my GPS was one of the best. Top of the line and very exclusive. If there was a way to dodge traffic, even if it were through an alley, it’d tell you, just like it was telling me now.
It automatically re-routed and led me down an alley and a few turns.
In fifteen minutes, I was rolling up to Stacy’s small apartment complex. She better be okay, or else I wouldn’t forgive myself. I’d live in agony and hell for the rest of my life. And instead of being a God, I’d be Satan all the way.
Angry and miserable.
I found her door number and did a few breathing techniques. I knocked calmly and waited to hear her floor creak as she walked the door.
No answer.
So I knocked three more times. Firm, but nothing too pushy.
“Stacy?”
I placed my ear against the door to see if I could hear anything inside. Not a peep. Not a creek, crinkle or scrape. Stacy went to school in the morning. She didn’t drive, so she had to be at least at a bus stop.
I jogged down the stairs and threw myself in my car. Flooring it, I checked all the nearest bus stops.
One after the other.
Now there was only one stop left to check. That was when I saw her, standing under the bus shelter with her phone. A man walked up to her and she took her attention off the phone.
“I said leave me alone, creep!” Stacy hissed. I parked my car where it was and bolted out of the car.
That piece of shit was trying to touch my woman.
“Come on baby!”
“I said, no!” Stacy shouted.
I butted in, grabbed the man’s dirty wrist, and flung him across the street. I may’ve been a CEO, but I still spent a good time in the gym.
“Grant?!”
I turned around to Stacy and kissed her forehead. “Stacy, forgive me. I’ve been so worried about you and the baby. I love you, I love you so much,” I admitted, holding her waist.
“Grant…”
“Are you okay?” I asked her. “That guy…?”
“Oh, that guy’s just a moron,” she said. “He knows better than to mess with me. My reputation and past history precede me. And now he knows better than to mess with me.”
“Okay.” I placed a finger over her pink lips and hushed her. I kind of wondered what she meant by ‘reputation and past history’ but I decided not to pry. “Listen to me, please. I was afraid to admit my feelings to you. They are real, I can guarantee that.” I smoothed back my hair and exhaled. “My father was married once, he was very in love. But my mother was the money hungry one. She cheated, tore his heart and money apart then left. Seeing my father in pain for such a long time destroyed me and my perceptions of finding a real romance.”
“I understand. I was afraid too. I’ve seen life go to shit so many times, that I was afraid that it’d be the same with you too. I love you too, Grant. I have one more thing I need to tell you, though. You may already know, since you’ve figured everything else out. But I can’t go forward without coming clean about something.”
; I inhaled, bracing myself. Here it comes. She’s going to tell me she’s been dancing, grinding up on some guys in the VIP room, giving them lap dances…
“I used to dance,” she said, looking at me in the eyes. “Exotically, I mean.”
I stare at her.
“I mean, I guess some people call it stripping. I really don’t think it’s as big of a deal as some people do. But I thought you should know…”
“Used to?” I asked her, relief washing over me. “As in, in the past?”
“Yes,” she nodded, looking at me as if wondering what else I could have thought. “As in, right before you met me.”
“Before I even met you,” I repeated. “I see.”
“Yeah, like, that was the whole reason I needed a job. The club I was dancing at closed down unexpectedly.”
I chuckled.
“Well, that’s what I get for looking at your tits in a photo that your friend texted to me, instead of at a resume I never even asked for.”
She threw her head back and laughed with me.
I could hardly judge her for something she had done before we had even met. I guess Tara had dug up some rumors about it but didn’t know whether they were in the past or present. Or maybe she did and just wanted me to think the worst, so I was glad her plan didn’t work, if that had been her plan.
“So, are we good?” she asked.
“We’re good,” I told her. “I mean, I can’t say I love the fact that men used to see you naked. And I can’t even imagine it. You’re so innocent and sweet.”
“You’re the only one always saying I have a naughty side too,” she said.
“That explains it,” I told her. “But I’m glad you’ve only ever been that naughty for me. And that’s what matters. You’re mine. I claimed you. And I put a baby in you.”
“You must certainly did.”
She hugged me and buried her face into my chest. “Looks like these muscles aren’t just for show, huh?”
“Very much the real deal, darling.”
I cupped the back of her head and melded my lips with hers. Nothing felt this perfect before. The stars and heavens aligned just the way I wanted them to.
The bus showed up and left the stop without us.
My soon to be wife wasn’t going to need the bus anymore.
“That reminds me, Stacy.”
“Hm?” She looked up at me with starry eyes.
I dug the box out of my pocket and got down on one knee. “I have to make sure you’re in my life forever. Will you marry me?”
Stacy cried and pulled me up. “Yes!” she shouted, “I do!”
***
Back in my king size bed, I laid her down and spread her legs wide open. I nibbled her clit until she was wiggling around and moaning in pleasure, which didn’t take very long.
“Oh, my God, Grant,” she cried out. “It feels so good.”
“Good old pregnancy,” I said, squeezing her clit now while her juices dripped out into my mouth.
She had told me that sex while pregnant is even better. Her nerve endings are super sensitive because of increased blood flow. And I had thought this was going to be a simple financial transaction. Silly me.
I climbed up on the bed and climbed on top of her, gentle now because I don’t want to hurt her. I look down at her eager eyes before plunging my cock deep into her pussy.
“This feels just as good as our very first time,” I told her, as I thrust in and out of her wet pussy.
She moved her hips around and she was so wet she made my cock throb. Her being extra sensitive seemed to have an effect on me, too. I was ready to pop.
“I’m going to come in you,” I told her, holding her wrists back and above her head while I rode her.
“I’m going to come too,” she said. “Come with me. Come in my pussy.”
“Yes, Stacy,” I said, feeling myself release into her like she’d asked. At the same time, she dug her nails into my neck and cried out, “I’m coming, I’m coming, I’m coming.”
Once I finished spilling my seed inside her, I collapsed beside her on the bed. My arm encircles her stomach. We were panting and out of breath. But all was right with the world.
***
“Wow, I’ve never had to go to a court before,” Stacy said, wobbling up the stairs with her growing baby bump. It was much bigger now, and I loved watching each second of her growth. We measured it and took many pictures.
Today we were here to meet the judge about this hidden clause in my inheritance that called for a baby. It wasn’t too ridiculous, since I met Stacy, but it was suspicious that it was hidden for so long.
Regardless, everything moved the way it was supposed to and I found my mate for life. Nothing was wasted.
We were shown to the courtroom where it was only Stacy, me, and the judge.
The judge hobbled up to his bench and sat down. His name was Judge Tracey.
“Well, look what we have here. Never thought I’d see the day Grant Carter settled down. This inheritance clause has done you well, lad.”
“Yes indeed, your honor.”
“Now that you’ve submitted everything and it’s been confirmed and approved, I have one thing to say.”
“Yes, your honor?”
Judge Tracey took a sip of his water and shook his head then busted out into laughter. “Your grandfather and your father are two to be reckoned with.” He calmed himself down and took another sip of water. “Let me not laugh too much, I’m sure this has caused you undue stress when it was first mentioned.”
“Your honor, I’m lost.”
Stacy tugged at my arm. “What’s going on?” she asked, a pinch of worry on her face.
“The inheritance clause, my son. You didn’t have to fulfill it.”
“What?!”
The judge leaned back in his chair. “The explanation is right here. This clause came from your father since he was allowed a spot to do so when you were young. He didn’t want you to be without a family, but wasn’t going to penalize you if you didn’t. He wanted you to recreate what you two had, but better.” The judge looked at Stacy and smiled. “And it seems to me you’ve done that.”
“Yes, I have.”
It took a lot of damn courage not to break down and cry like a little kid. That was exactly something my father would do. He didn’t want me lonely like he felt when mother up and destroyed his life.
He had me, and that helped soften the blow.
He didn’t want his son to be all alone. A parent’s love was eternal. And that was new to me. That was something I wanted to emulate for my child as well. Even long after Stacy and I were gone, our child would always feel our love around them.
“Mr. Carter,” the judge said with strict authority, “you filed for a marriage certificate. Tell me the truth right now. Do you love her, or was this just for the money?”
“It was for money at first, your honor. But then Stacy showed me things, and I began to break my own rules. The clause said have a baby, not get married,” I pointed out with a shit eating grin.
“Point well made. I’m happy for you. Both of you.”
Stacy stood. “Thank you, Judge.”
“Well, everything’s done here. I wish you a happy and fruitful life and a big wedding.
Epilogue
Stacy
Today was the big day, and everyone was here.
Willow with Darien and Ariel and Dahlia, Lindsey, my whole family, and even Tara with her new beau. We were all together in a huge hotel where we rented out many rooms and had the reception hall all to ourselves.
Tara accepted the invitation, but was hesitant that Grant wouldn’t want her there. It was all understandable. But I made her come anyways.
I didn’t know those two would actually end up together. But the Navy SEALs guy I got her to share a table with actually took an interest in her, and this time, the interest went in both ways.
Grant’s face nearly dropped when he saw her on the arm of her new man.
<
br /> “I didn’t know this was possible,” Grant whispered to me.
“I know, but it is. Just look at those two. They totally match.” We were all down in the reception hall decorating and helping with anything we could. But things looked all set here, so I patted Grant’s arm and gave him my cue.
“Well, time for this bride to get all pretty,” I said.
“Yeah, don’t want to be late, right?” Edwin added in. “Let’s go!”
Edwin took me upstairs where my whole family was waiting. My mother, who didn’t have to work a single day in her life again, was in tears and ran over to me with open arms.
“My Stacy! Oh, darling I’m so happy,” she cried.
“Thanks, Mom,” I muffled into her shoulder.
Someone tapped my shoulder from behind, and I looked over to see Tara with her new boyfriend, Drake. I’m glad they made it up here.
“Well if it isn’t Ms. Tara,” I said, giving her a hug. I heard she even went to therapy, courtesy of Drake.
“You deserve this, you know. You’re not someone who hits low, like I once did,” she said, sniffling.
“From the looks of you two, you’re gonna be heading down the aisle yourself.”
Alice busted into the room with the wedding dress in tow.
“I got it! It’s here and it’s so gorgeous!” she exasperated.
Edwin ran over to help her with the train. “Be careful, don’t mess her dress up, butterfingers.”
“Says who?” Alice bit back. “Anyways, let’s get you dressed, Stacy!”
Willow and Lindsey entered the room while Darien and Dahlia and Ariel were with Grant.
“Girl, you look great!” Lindsey said. “The retired stripper’s life has been good for you.”
I laughed at her, hoping she would find her own knight in shining armor soon.
Willow and Lindsey helped me lace up in the master bathroom of our suite. This dress was specially made to flatter my baby bump, which was more like a mountain now. Sheesh, what was I having? Twins? The doctor said there was only one boy. Guess he was going to have his daddy’s muscles.
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