I bit down on my lip as he nuzzled my neck, keeping still in his arms.
“You practically announced it to the whole world then, too?” I asked, only a little sarcastic.
He chuckled, and I shivered when his breath fanned over my neck. “Of course. There was a big celebration with the whole family, and there’ll probably be one here this time, too. Mom must already be planning it, calling out all the friends and relatives…”
“Is this okay?” I asked, trembling a little in fear.
“What do you mean?”
“Well, I didn’t know how you were going to go about this, but I figured I’d be a pretty big secret because I was supposed to leave eventually. But, you can't exactly do that now that you’ve told everyone already. So do you have a plan, or… what exactly does this mean?”
I held my breath, waiting for his reply. I wanted him to say something that would be good to hear. Like, the contract was null and void, like he would keep me even after the contract. I would be a part of his life. But I didn’t want to get my hopes up, so I steeled myself for disappointment.
“Would you like to stick around afterward?” he asked cautiously.
I blinked, stunned for a moment at the reply. It was abrupt and out of nowhere because while we’d been getting along pretty well together, neither of us had outright mentioned me staying. It was also a different tune to what he’d said to me the last time we talked about the contract.
“Really?” I blurted out, incredulous.
He hummed. “We did get closer than I’d thought to in the beginning. It wasn’t intentional, it just… happened that way. And I realized I want you around, Edward wants you around… so there’s no reason you have to leave. Unless you don’t want to stay?”
His words were cautious, and I wanted to smack him. As if I would want to leave if he would have me! I tugged on his arms so he would release me, and I felt him go still against my back. I ignored it, pushing his arms off so I could turn around to face him, then tug the arm back around my waist so I could look up at him. His expression was closed off and careful.
“I want to stay,” I said honestly. “Or at least, I don’t think I want to leave anymore.”
His expression cleared to one of relief; then a furrow appeared in his brow.
“Why didn’t you just ask me then? I didn’t say anything because I wanted to respect your boundaries. Although we really should have talked all this shit through way earlier.”
I smiled, then bit down on my lip.
“Would it… be okay, though?” I asked hesitantly.
“Definitely,” he reassured. “Everything is going to be just fine, you’ll see.”
“What do we do when people have questions?” They would assume we were in a relationship, so they’d ask the usual questions, like how we met, what happened after that…
Ryan grinned, not looking at all worried. “Don’t worry about that. We can come up with something to say. As for the contract, no one needs to know about it. In fact, I could rip it up if you want.”
My eyes widened at the proposition. It was too tempting to resist.
“Rip it.”
His grin widened, then he pulled me closer, leaving a peck on my forehead as he held me.
“I already did,” he admitted, voice soft.
We fell asleep holding each other, and I had the biggest smile as I drifted off, dreaming of our future together.
Epilogue
Lexi
I sat in the living room with Ryan at the other end of the couch from me, my feet resting on his thighs. Edward was a short distance from us with his coloring book, occasionally looking up at the TV, but it didn’t hold as much interest as his coloring book did.
“Are you comfortable?”
I looked over at Ryan with a smile, my heart fluttering at his fretting, even after months of it. The best part of it was that I’d never had someone be so worried about me, though I’d snapped at him for it a few times, it only ever made me happy.
“I’m just fine,” I told him, only to shift and wince a bit. He caught it, but I arranged my expression into something reassuring. “I’m okay.”
It was getting pretty close to my due date, and for the past week, Ryan hadn't even pretended to be focusing on work. When he had something he needed to be done, he spoke to the people at his office on the phone while keeping an eye on me the entire time. It was a little annoying to be watched like a hawk, but I interpreted it as loving and didn’t get mad too often.
He had a reason to feel worried, though. I’d given him the reason. Being pregnant was new to me, and the changes that were happening to my body were all so strange I didn’t know how to react to them sometimes. The increased appetite and trips to the bathroom were expected, but I got tired much quicker, and my body ached in the worst places, where I couldn’t do a thing to help myself because my stomach had swollen to the size of a beach ball.
At that moment, though I was trying to act like nothing was wrong, my whole body felt achy, especially my back. I’d feel a sting in my stomach now and then, and I tried not to show my worry. But then I felt pressure below my stomach and wrinkled my nose. Ryan caught that, too.
“Bathroom?” he guessed.
I gave a tiny, embarrassed nod because he’d been helping me go to the bathroom the entire week after I let it slip that I was having a hard time. He didn’t even seem to care, carefully setting my feet down and jumping up, then reaching out to help me. I waved his hands off.
“I can do this much by myself,” I mumbled.
I planted my hand on the seat to push myself up, only to pause when I felt something warm on my palm where there shouldn’t be. I shifted, frowning, and realized I was wet, too.
“Ryan?” I asked. “I didn’t have any water with me, right? And I didn’t happen to pour it on the seat, right? So, why is it wet?”
He arched an eyebrow and looked down where my palm was touching. “Is the couch wet?”
I nodded, giving him a guilty look. “I’m so sorry. I don’t know what happened.”
“It’s fine. Here, let me help you up.”
I allowed it this time, and he patted the space where I’d been sitting while I patted my backside and felt my face warming up in a blush. Inside, I was panicking that maybe I’d lost control of my bladder and peed on the couch.
Ryan, though, was quicker, and his panic was very visible when he turned back to me.
“Lexi, your water broke. The baby’s coming.”
It took some time for it to sink in for me. Because I’d been told I’d know if the baby was nearly coming when I started feeling labor pains, but there was none of that, just a lot of embarrassment. Especially with Edward here, now looking up at me with his wide eyes that looked so much like his dad.
As I stood here, non-comprehending, Ryan was moving around, making calls and running up the stairs to come down with the bag we’d pre-packed for my stay at the hospital, for as long as I would need to be there, thrown over his shoulder. I was still a little confused by the time he got back to my side, and I noticed he was shaking in his anxiety.
“I called mom, and she said she'd meet us at the hospital,” he said as he gently led me by the hand. “Go out to the car, Edward. Lexi and I will be right behind you, all right?”
“Okay, daddy,” he said, jumping up and running for the door.
Ryan led me to the bathroom where he helped me change into something dry. Then he led me out to the car. On the way to the hospital, I felt the first wave of labor, and I started panicking. Finally, Ryan found his purpose, and he set to work calming me down.
Everything after that was a whirlwind. We got to the hospital, and I was set up in an operating room. I was in too much pain to make much sense of anything, but before long, Ryan had come to join me, and he stayed with me and held my hand the whole time.
The first thing that registered to me after the pain was gone was the loud baby’s cry. I was exhausted to the bone, and I wanted nothing more t
han to fall asleep. But hearing that cry, it was like I was suddenly energized. I forced my eyes to keep open just long enough until the nurse brought our child to me.
“Congratulations,” she said, handing over the heavily wrapped bundle. “You have a beautiful, healthy daughter.”
The first thing I thought was how tiny she was. Ryan and I cooed over her. She had her eyes closed and her hands folded into cute little fists. They’d only wiped her down because apparently the fluid she came out of me with—besides the blood—was healthy enough for them to leave her covered in it for a while.
We didn’t get that long with her before they had to take her away to take care of her, and I had to be moved to a room. I was sad to say goodbye to my baby, and Ryan, but I was asleep pretty much as soon as I closed my eyes.
I woke up who knows how long later, and Ryan was seated in a chair by my bedside with his head lying on the bed close to my hand. I smiled at him and ran a hand through his hair. He jerked awake, his eyes widening, and he grinned up at me.
“Hey there,” he said, leaning over me to peck my forehead. “You finally woke up.”
I yawned. “How long was I out?”
“Long enough that Edward was taken home and brought back. He’s already seen his baby sister.”
“He has? How did he react?”
Ryan chuckled. “Oh, he was overjoyed. He’s been waiting for this just as much as we were, you know. He was a little bummed that she’s a girl, but overall, he’s happy.” Then his smile went soft. “He told me when we were waiting for you that he’s glad to have a sister, and a mom, too.”
I gasped, and I could feel my eyes sting a little as a smile grew on my face.
“Really?” I asked in a small voice.
He nodded. “Don’t be surprised if he comes in here calling you mom.”
Over the past several months, Edward and I had gotten closer, and I could say we were friends. He spoke to me as much as he did his dad, but when he called to me, he called me by name. Now that I’d seen my little girl, the thought of Edward calling me mom was suddenly so much more important.
The door opened, and the little boy in question walked inside with a big grin on his face, practically vibrating in place.
“Hey there, little guy,” Ryan called out. “Where’s grandma?”
“She’s outside; she said she wanted to give us some time with the baby.” He hopped over to the bed, grinning at me. “Mom, mom! Little sister is coming! The nurse is bringing her right now.”
I let out another gasp actually hearing him calling me mom, and Ryan sent a knowing look at me.
“Come over here,” Ryan said, opening his arms, and Edward ran into them.
Just as he’d settled down, the nurse walked inside, carrying the baby, just as he’d said. She sent all three of us a smile as I held my arms out for my baby. Then she left us alone, and I watched the boys as they marveled at the baby in my arms.
“Do you think I could carry her?” Edward asked me.
Ryan and I shared a look, and he turned to Edward.
“She’s a little too small right now, kiddo, so we have to be careful with her. Give it time, and we’ll let you carry her later, as long as we’re both with you, all right?”
He pouted but didn’t complain, and all I could do was laugh at myself as I marveled at my own beautiful little family.
THE END
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It was just supposed to be a luxurious yacht party. Until Ellie discovered that all the female guests were going to be auctioned off to the highest bidder. If you don't want to play, you can’t stay. But if you stay, you're in for a night of whatever he wants and you get to keep all the money. Ellie’s friend thinks she’s crazy. But she owes $150,000 in school loans. Plus, the guys are hot and very rich. What can go wrong?
Mr. Black wanted to own her from the minute he saw her. He paid good money and has the paper to prove it. The contract is unbreakable. She has to do everything he wants tonight. But he doesn’t want just sex. Oh no…he wants more.
Tonight, there are no rules.
WARNING: This is a HOT, modern day, dark erotic romance with an alpha billionaire for fans of EL James, Pepper Winters, and Alexa Riley. It contains light bondage, NO CHEATING, and a HEA.
1
When the invitation arrives…
“Here it is! Here it is!” my roommate Caroline yells at the top of her lungs as she runs into my room. We were friends all through Yale and we moved to New York together after graduation. Even though I’ve known Caroline for what feels like a million years, I am still shocked by the exuberance of her voice. It’s quite loud given the smallness of her body.
Caroline is one of those super skinny girls who can eat pretty much anything without gaining a pound. Unfortunately, I am not that talented. In fact, my body seems to have the opposite gift. I can eat nothing but vegetables for a week straight, eat one slice of pizza, and gain a pound.
“What is it?” I ask, forcing myself to sit up. It’s noon and I’m still in bed. My mother thinks I’m depressed and wants me to see her shrink. She might be right, but I can’t fathom the strength.
“The invitation!” Caroline says jumping in bed next to me. I stare at her blankly. And then suddenly it hits me. This must be the invitation.
“You mean…it’s…”
“Yes!” she screams and hugs me with excitement.
“Oh my God!” She gasps for air and pulls away from me almost as quickly.
“Hey, you know I didn’t brush my teeth yet,” I say turning my face away from hers.
“Well, what are you waiting for? Go brush them,” she instructs.
Begrudgingly, I make my way to the bathroom.
We have been waiting for this invitation for some time now. And by we, I mean Caroline. I’ve just been playing along, pretending to care, not really expecting it to show up. Without being able to contain her excitement, Caroline bursts through the door when my mouth is still full of toothpaste. She’s jumping up and down, holding a box in her hand.
“Wait, what’s that?” I mumble and wash my mouth out with water.
“This is it!” Caroline screeches and pulls me into the living room before I have a chance to wipe my mouth with a towel.
“But it’s a box,” I say staring at her.
“Okay, okay,” Caroline takes a couple of deep yoga breaths, exhaling loudly. She puts the box carefully on our dining room table. There’s no address on it. It looks something like a fancy gift box with a big monogrammed C in the middle
. Is the C for Caroline?
“Is this how it came? There’s no address on it?” I ask.
“It was hand-delivered,” Caroline whispers. I hold my breath as she carefully removes the top part, revealing the satin and silk covered wood box inside. The top of it is gold plated with whimsical twirls all around the edges, and the mirrored area is engraved with her full name, Caroline Elizabeth Kennedy Spruce. Underneath her name is a date, one week in the future. 8 PM.
We stare at it for a few moments until Caroline reaches for the elegant knob to open the box. Inside, Caroline finds a custom monogram made of foil in gold on silk emblazoned on the inside of the flap cover. There’s also a folio covered in silk. Caroline carefully opens the folio and finds another foil monogram and the invitation. The inside invitation is one layer, shimmer white, with gold writing.
“Is this for real? How many layers of invitation are there?” I ask. But the presentation is definitely doing its job. We are both duly impressed.
“There’s another knob,” I say, pointing to the knob in front of the box. I’m not sure how we had missed it before.
Caroline carefully pulls on this knob, revealing a drawer that holds the inserts (a card with directions and a response card).
“Oh my God, I can’t go to this alone,” Caroline mumbles, turning to me. I stare blankly at her. Getting invited to this party has been her dream ever since she found out about it from someone in the Cicada 17, a super-secret society at Yale.
“Look, here, it says that I can bring a friend,” she yells out even though I’m standing right next to her.
The Baby Contract: A Single Dad Romance Page 12
