“Tell Howard to tell Dan never to utter those words again, or I might get angry. Nia’s father would never. I guarantee you that Scarlett is the last person on his mind.” The man has a career and a family he loves. As far as I know, I’m the only person he’s ever held a grudge against.

“That’s what I said, but he said Dan’s going to have him investigated.”

“Tell Dan if he makes a single phone call about my wife’s father, I’ll havehiminvestigated.” I stand, suddenly exhaustedby this. “Tell Howard to fuck off, and that they are free to handle Scarlett however they see fit, but to leave us the fuck out of it. She made her bed, so she should lie in it. Whatever happens to her in the slammer has nothing to do with us, but if they think they’re going to use this to get her released early, they have another thing coming.” I grab my coat and open my office door. Wyatt follows me, and after letting my assistant know I’ll be working from home for the rest of the day, I leave.

Despite having about half a dozen staff members at the house it’s quiet. When I tiptoe into Priya’s room, she’s on her back in the middle of her crib sound asleep. She’s still taking two naps per day, and the nanny keeps her on a strict schedule. I stroke her cheek before walking out.

Instead of going to my office like I planned, I go into my bedroom, strip out of my suit, and put on a pair of sweatpants and a tee. I eye the bed and text Esther to tell her to contact me if there are any issues. Before I get a chance to climb into the inviting custom-made bed, the door swings open, and my wife walks in, moving toward me without saying a word. When she gets close enough to touch, she stops, looks me in the eyes, and bites her bottom lip.

My body awakens instantly. I crave that look, and I know what it means. It’s the same look she gave me the day we met and every day since. She reaches for my shirt and tries to lift it over my head, except she’s too short to get the job done. I help her and toss it to the floor before I start to unbutton her shirt. She pulls down my pants, and within moments, we’re both naked. I lift her off her feet and toss her on the bed. She bounces, and Idive on top of her. Her hands go into my hair, and I kiss her soft, full lips. Each kiss is like our first and our last. Each time our lips touch is like the beginnings of a volcano that erupts with the culmination of our lovemaking.

“I need you, baby girl,” I say against her mouth, right before I suck her bottom lip into my mouth. “I need to be inside of you. I need what only you can give me.” My hand glides up her side, and I cup her breasts. They're fuller, and I know how sensitive they are this early into her pregnancy.

I squeeze it but not as hard as I would when she’s not pregnant. She whimpers, but I know she likes it, so I exert pressure again. I let go of her breast, climb on top of her, and suck one of her pebbly nipples in my mouth. She tastes so good that I flick my tongue on her nipple. She groans and pulls my hair.

“You know I love you,” she says.

“That’s the only thing that’s keeping me going right now. You and our family.” I cover her mouth with mine, swallowing whatever she was going to say next.

I put my arm under her knee and raise her leg. If I didn’t know her body so well, I’d check to make sure she’s ready for me, but I know her body almost as well as she does. I lift her leg a bit higher, and I slide inside of her.

She’s wet, she’s hot, and she fits me perfectly because she was made only for me.

“Don’t hold back,” she says moments later. “Give me all you’ve got. I can take it.”

So, I give it to her rough and fast, which is just what I need right now.

Chapter 16

Nia

“What about your meeting?” my husband asks half an hour later. After making love, we stayed in bed while our breathing returned to normal. After that, I crawled into his arms and rested my head on his chest.

“It’s in half an hour. I’m going to join here. When my driver told me you were home, I knew you needed me.” We always know where the other is. That’s something we agreed on after the kidnapping. Whenever my husband is going somewhere, his driver tells mine, who passes the message on to me. Usually, I already know from Drake himself, but not today. “And why didn’t I hear from my husband that he would be working from home today?”

“Your husband was about to call you, but you came home and gave me a midday delight. Thank you, wife.” He pulls me close. “How many more days until our vacation?”

“Baby, we have to get through Thanksgiving and Christmas first, but it’s going to be great. I can’t wait. The only downside is I can’t get in the hot tub.” I pout. “And I refuse to do midnight skinny dipping if my dad’s there.”

“What? That’s my favorite part,” he whines. “Well, we’re still swimming at night, just with our clothes on. And afterward, we’ll get in the shower, and I’ll have my way with you in there,” he whispers, his husky words full of promise.

I kiss his neck and climb on top of him. While on top, I look down at him. As expected, he looks tired. He looked tired this morning too because he’d barely slept since Saturday night. He didn’t pretend he was okay. He let me know without words how he was feeling.

“You know what I think?” I ask.

“What’s that?”

“It’s more what I know,” I say.

“And what’s that?”

“I know that you’re loved by me, your kids and so many others. I know we found each other again because a power higher than your dad wanted us together. I know you’ll get through this. I know you’re my husband.” I lean down and nip his earlobe and pull.

“That last one is my favorite. I was born to be your husband.” He kisses my cheek. “I know all of that too. I’m okay, baby girl. I promise. You were right. Nothing in there changed anything out here. I want to focus on my family and give you the most amazing Christmas. Even better than last year. You’ve already given me my gift.”

I know he’s talking about the baby I’m carrying. If I wasn’t on top of him, he’d put his hand on my belly.

“You promise you’re okay?”