Page 94 of Play For Keeps

“Will I? I’m not so sure,” he says, his eyes raking over me.

“My rules,” I say, absentmindedly twirling my engagement ring around my finger. Jake has been pouting all day about Birdie and I sleeping at my parents’ house tonight. I’ve reminded him it’s tradition for the bride not to see the groom before the wedding. He’s not buying it.

“But you’d have so much more fun if you were sleeping with me tonight.”

“And years of bad luck.” I press my hand to his cheek. “It’s not happening.”

Jake sighs. I smooth my thumb over his cheek, pretending to console him.

“Let me get you a glass of champagne. Maybe that will help to change your mind.” He smirks.

“Nope. I’m happy with my punch. But nice try.”

I feel his lips dust a kiss to the side of my hair as Tucker joins us. He claps my husband-to-be on the shoulder. “How do you do it, Everly. Seriously, tell me. It’s like you have some voodoo magic. I’ve never seen this ole’ grump smile so much.” He squeezes Jake’s shoulder who glowers at him in return.

“I love you too, man,” Tuck says to him teasingly.

“Fuck off, dipshit.” Jake swats at Tuck’s head. “Your ass can be replaced tomorrow.”

“You wouldn’t,” Tucker mutters, clutching his chest. “Don’t even joke. I take my duty as your number one groomsman very seriously.”

“Who said you are my number one?” Jake frowns. “I have three groomsmen, and if I had to choose between you, Beckett and Holden, I’m going with Holden.”

“Geez. Ruthless,” Tuck says, as I shake my head at the two of them.

As Tuck saunters away, I take Jake’s hand and tell him there’s something I’d like to show him. Pulling him with me, I move along the patio’s edge, and we slip through the patio doors unnoticed. Once in the bedroom, I tell Jake to sit on the bed.

“Really, Ev in the middle of our rehearsal dinner? I mean, I’m not complaining, but…”

“I didn’t bring you in here to have sex,” I laugh, shaking my head at him. “You have a one-track mind, Jake Matthews.”

“Are you sure? Because I can be quick. Fuck, Ev, you look so hot. It’s killing me.”

“I am sure it is,” I nod, turning to open the dresser drawer.

I return to where he’s sitting on the edge of the bed, moving to stand between his parted thighs with my hands behind my back. His hands immediately go to the back of my thighs, pulling me closer. The scent of his aftershave and the light eucalyptus of his shampoo floods my senses, intoxicating me.

“What are you hiding?”

“I’ve been keeping a secret from you.”

“Okay.” He frowns. The broody, serious face he sometimes wears is hot as fuck. “I guess we should talk.”

“I’m pregnant,” I announce, anxiously holding out the test I took this morning. I’ve been exhausted lately, but I chalked that up to everything with the wedding. I only suspected I might be pregnant when I was suddenly hit with a wave of nausea yesterday afternoon. The two pink lines that appeared on the test confirmed my suspicions. I was shocked at first. I’ve been taking the pill religiously, every morning after breakfast. I’ve never missed a day.

“Jake, are you okay? Do I need to get you a glass of water? A cold cloth…”

“You’re..?” He doesn’t finish the question, just looks down at the pregnancy test I’m holding in my shaking hands and then returns his gaze to me, his hand moving to my stomach.

“I am.”

Jake rises to his feet, pressing a hard kiss to my mouth, and I taste the champagne he’s been sipping on all night.

“We’re having a baby,” he says, his voice full of wonder.

“We are,” I say, taking a moment to look into his eyes. “It’s a surprise. Are you okay?”

“Are you kidding me, baby? I’m so much better than okay. You pregnant with our child makes me so happy. I just feel so… lucky.” His green eyes pierce my soul.

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