Page 54 of Hardy

“Tell me about it.Everything is good though.Whizz was telling me she’s had a hardlife, and didn’t expect them to like her.”He shrugged.“I guesswe’re going to have to wait and see how she gets stuck in with therest of us.”

“Lacey and Whizz are staying partof the club?”Rose asked.

“Yeah.Whizz has helped thesocial worker dealing with the adoption.Sally is going to be ingood hands, and from what I wastold, she hasn’t settled well in otherplaces.”

“Poor girl.”

Hardy ran his hand across her stomach.“We’re going to take care of our baby.”

She placed her hand over his, and he sawher smile.Over the last couple of days he’d seen the fear and painslowly slipping out of her gaze.He didn’t want her to feelanything but safe and comfortable when she was with him.

“We’ll be good parents toour baby.”

“That we will.”He was silent ashe touched her stomach, wondering when he’d feel his son ordaughter kick.“I’m sorry.”

“What for?”

“For not being there at all theappointments, for not insisting we try.Everything.”

“Hardy?”

“I’ve grown up now, Rose.I’m not a dumb fucking kid anymore.I’ll be there for you, and forour kid.You can count on me.”

He pressed a kiss to her lips, slidinghis tongue inside.She opened up, arching against him.It took allof his control not to take her there and then.He was determined tobe the perfect gentleman with her, and to give her what he’d failedin the past.

“You’re blowing my mind,Hardy.”

“Good, ‘cause I’m not done.I’m going to blow your mind even more.How does dinner in anItalian restaurant sound?”he asked.

“In an actual restaurant?Candles?A maître d’?”

“Yes, I’ve booked us atable.Go and get your ass changed.There’s a gift on thebed.”

She gave a squeal, and Hardy laughed as hewatched her.Getting to his feet, he waited for Baker to enter theroom.

“Are you sure you’re ready forthis?”Baker asked.

“Let’s do it.I love mywoman, Baker, and this is the shit I didn’t give her.How is myprom tux coming?”

“It should be ready forFriday.Lacey and Whizz get Sally on Saturday.”

“Fine.Is Millie coming tothe prom?”Hardy asked.

“I’ve asked her to go, andshe thinks I’ve invited her as a friend.”

“You’ve got to let her knowyou’re wanting more, as otherwise she’s going to slip through yourfingers.The last thing you need is to be put in the friendcategory.”

He stripped down to his boxers, takinga deep breath.Hardy didn’t wear suits.The Skulls was his life,and he’d never worn a suit during the whole of his life.

“Can you handlethis?”

Looking toward the mantle over thefireplace where once his wedding photo sat that was now empty, henodded.He was more than ready.Rose changed for him, and the leasthe could do was give her the same kind of commitment.

Ten minutes later he was dressed, andhe ran a hand down the front of his suit jacket.“Well, how do Ilook?”he asked.

“Handsome,” Rosesaid.

He turned to the door and growled.Shewore the black dress he’d bought for her.The fabric molded toevery curve of her body, and it only heightened his arousal.Hewanted to see her in the prom dress he’d bought her.

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