Page 163 of Labor of Love

He wanted to talk about it, but I silenced him. I didn’t need his pity or for him to doubt my ability to do my job. I couldn’t now turn around and tell him I, his assistant, was pregnant withhis baby after a one-night stand that meant nothing. Not when we’d come so far.

“I need time to think.” Heat after effects, combined with the whiskey, explained why I had been reckless.

“You have options, Rowan.”

Freezing, I look at the young doctor. Options?

I was keeping the baby. I may be single, and it may have resulted from a drunken, heat hazed night, but this baby was mine. It may be the only one I ever have, since having children hasn't been a big priority for me.

At forty-one, Gideon was sought after by every single omega and beta in the city. His grandfather, Stanley Carrington-Parker, had been putting pressure on him to settle down and marry, but that only made him resist harder. I would be trapping him if I told him now. Goddess, I’d look like nothing more than a gold digger. I wasn’t even supposed to be at the gala, but Gideon had insisted. Look where that had gotten me.

Before me, Gideon had gone through assistants just as quickly as he had omegas. They said he was grumpy, selfish—that there was no home/work balance, but somehow, for the last two years, I had made it work. If I was going to have a baby…no.

No ‘ifs’, I was having a baby. Having a child meant I couldn’t be at his beck and call at all hours anymore. I wouldn’t be able to drop everything to head into the office after hours to help with contracts. No more late-night dinners or functions. Traveling was also off the cards. Groaning, I bury my head in my hands.

I was going to have to quit.

2

GIDEON

My assistant tries to discreetly stretch on the sofa beside me, but it’s useless trying to be subtle. There’s no world in which we both exist, where I don’t notice Rowan Lawson.

My usually efficient, opinionated and scarily organized right hand is distracted, forgetful and almost…moody. He’s been quieter than usual the last couple of weeks, and it’s worrying me. Rowan may not be as expressive as others, his face a placid calm, but I’ve seen the storm that rages beneath the surface, the carefully contained chaos.

Fuck, my cock twitches thinking about the faces he made that night. The only night he’s ever let his walls down. I may have been the one buried inside him, but he was in control. Ripping out my heart with his bare hands.

He shifts again, and a delicious scent of coconut and jasmine washes over us. I long to bury my nose against his scent gland, but he’s made it clear he isn’t ready to let me in yet.

I thought after the gala, when we’d fucked like bunnies, that was the start of something that had been simmering away for a long time. When he acted like it never happened and drew his line in the sand, I told myself it wasn’t over. He just needed time.

Rowan likes order. With his cute little bowtie, his big brown eyes and wire-framed glasses, he likes everything in its place. I am his boss. That makes sense to him. Anything more than that throws off the balance. I can be patient. For him.

It aggravated my grandfather to no end that I’d refused every beautiful omega he threw in my path, but that was only because I’d already knew that Rowan was it for me. He was mine. My Mate.

Today we were preparing case files for a new business acquisition, which I had to present to the board at the end of the week. It wasn’t a hard task, but it was a little dry.

“Is everything alright?” I ask, careful to keep my voice as neutral as I can. “You seem a little distracted today.”

My gaze moves over his faintly flushed cheeks, wide eyes and pink lips. His golden hair is ruffled. He’s been running his hand through it as he’s been reading and his bow tie is loose.

“I—I am tendering my resignation.” He swallows anxiously, before turning his whole body towards me. “But please don't worry. I intend to remain here until my replacement is fully trained.”

I blink.

Then I blink again. “What? What are you talking about?”

“Sir, I’m pregnant.” His hand goes through his hair again, as I look him over.

Had I noticed that his normally slim figure was starting to look a little more rounded and that he’s been wearing baggy shirts and jumpers…yes. But I just assumed he was finally taking the time to eat properly. Does his skin look all glowing and supple? Yes. But he always looks good. Did I wonder why he was snacking on boiled eggs dipped in strawberry milkshake in the office? Also, yes.

Rowan continues, avoiding my gaze as his other hand lands protectively on his belly. His rounded belly. “And I’ve decided that I’ll need to take a career break while I have my baby.”

There’s silence as we both sit and say nothing.

He was supposed to be mine…I thought he was mine. My alpha nature had been so sure of it. Who was the other parent? Was that why he’d run away after our night together? Had he been seeing someone else? Was I really nothing more than a mistake?

“Pregnant.”

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