Page 83 of Royally Arranged

I’d never been good at saying no to him. The bastard.

“Nova,” Sammy said, swaying into the room and looking unfairly gorgeous for someone who’d had a baby five months ago. “Should we put the gifts in here with you, or in the living room?”

“I don’t need gifts.” I sipped the lemonade, worried I’d be hobbling to the restroom no matter how slowly I drank it. “I need someone to fast-forward me so this baby isn’t sitting on my bladder anymore.”

She laughed, pulling her sleeves up, bracing herself for some hard work. “Okay. I’ll put them by the toilet for you.”

“Sammy! No!” Carmina gasped, chasing after her out of the room.

Giggles exploded from my lips. I covered my mouth, then winced, a pair of tiny elbows ... or feet ... or both stabbing inside my belly.

“Later,” Thorne said, entering the room with Kain at his side. “I don’t want to talk about it now.”

Kain, cradling his five-month-old daughter, pursued his brother. “Someone has to take the job! I just assumed you’d go back to it, and—”

“Here she is,” Thorne said, cutting Kain off, crossing toward me. “I was worried someone had let you wither away without food, and I was right.” Leaning in, Thorne gave me a warm kiss—one a bit too passionate for company, but he’d never cared—and then handed me a cupcake. Half of the frosting was blue, the other half pink.

My stomach rumbled again. “Thank you.” I took a bite and wiped at my mouth with a napkin from the stack on the table. “What were you two talking about?”

Thorne shared a look with Kain. “Nothing that matters.”

“Tell her, man.”

Sighing, Thorne leaned against the back of my chair with his hip. “The Dirty Dolls is officially opening next week. The lawsuit was settled, all parties are satisfied, I guess.”

“Oh.” Blinking, I tried to read his face. “Are you worried I’ll be upset because you want to go back and work there?”

His forehead crinkled tightly. Bending low, Thorne kissed my temple, then my mouth—I knew he’d taste the sugary cupcake, but he licked his lips afterward as if he were enjoying it way too much. Like he was tasting me, too. “I’m not going back.”

“You’re not?” I asked, stunned ... and secretly relieved.

“Of course. I’ve got more important things to put my energy into.” Reaching down, he palmed my belly possessively. My entire body thrilled, my scalp tingling.

“How nice of you to leave it to me to find a replacement,” Kain said, coming closer. He lightly jostled the baby, her eyes bright as ocean jewels when they moved to me. Her mouth was a pink dollop of jam. “You feeling okay these days, Nova?”

Leaning forward, I cooed. “I’m fine. Oh, but Kain, Julie’s more beautiful each time I see her.”

“Takes after her mother,” he said, winking. Then he paused, considering me. “Want to hold her?”

“Always.” Each time Kain and Sammy stopped by the estate since having the baby, I’d been taken with Julie. I couldn’t get enough of snuggling the little girl. It helped remind me that my swollen feet and late-night insomnia were worth it.

He passed me his daughter, helping settle her in my arms. At five months old she was a wonderfully chunky child, her round cheeks and arm rolls delighting me. When she reached up, chewing her fingers and smiling, my ovaries exploded. “Seriously. So cute.” I noticed Thorne was watching closely, his arm on the back of my chair. “You want a turn?”

“What, me?” Laughing, he held up his hands in defense. “She’ll have time to get sick of me. Let’s not rush it before she can walk.”

“Come on,” I said, kissing Julie’s forehead. “You’re her uncle. Use this as experience.”

Kain crossed his arms, his dark eyebrows furrowing. “If you drop her, you’re dead.”

“I won’t drop her,” Thorne scoffed. He became focused, taking the baby from me extra carefully. I wasn’t used to seeing him so nervous. In my husband’s strong arms, Julie looked tiny. He cradled her head, even though she didn’t need it. He treated her like she was a newborn. If my heart wasn’t already full of this man, I’d have made room for him.

“It’s time!” Carmina said, sweeping back into the room, a box in her hands. She led a train of people behind her. Several faces I knew: Francesca, Sammy, Scotch, Costello, Lulabelle—whom I’d met when Julie was born, and who clearly didn’t know how to talk to me. The older sister had said maybe five words to me directly.

Costello placed an iPad on the table, near the edge so it could get everyone in the frame. A few clicks, and he had a video call going.

Maverick’s wide jaw filled the screen. His face seemed bigger thanks to his huge grin. “I’m here!” he crowed. “I’m ready to know what my next grandchild is going to be!”

Carmina put the box on the table in front of me. Then she pantomimed kissing the iPad. “Honey,” she said sweetly, “you seem very excited. You didn’t put a bet on this, did you?”

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