Page 78 of The Comeback

I swat at his side, causing him to roll on top of me. “It’s a good thing you’re with the million-dollar man. A lesser man might fold under the pressure.”

I laugh at his antics.

“By the way, your father loves me and can’t wait to gloat that I’m as good as he said I was.”

I spread my legs and welcome his hardness against my sex. “If he only knew how good you were.”

“Yeah. If only.” He claims my mouth, and all thoughts of anything else disappear.

Chapter Forty-Three

Three Days Later

Weston

I might have been a tad cocky when I told Charlotte her father loves me. There’s a strong possibility that knocking up his daughter when we weren’t married and her finding out after I’d broken up with her, might have shoved me down to the bottom of the list of people he tolerates.

My mother, on the other hand, could light the airport at night. She’s so giddy. When we shared the news with her and Piper, I thought we’d never get them to stop talking about baby clothes, furniture, and house hunting.

My mom is planning to quit her job to get ready for the baby, even though it’s likely a year away from us needing her services. She has not been dissuaded by that argument.

At this rate, she’ll babysit Charlotte while she waits.

After I put the car into park, I glance at Charlotte, who’s seated in the passenger seat of my rental. Now that my contract is secured, I need to look at getting a vehicle. No sports cars for me. An SUV. A family vehicle. Nah, I’ll get a sports car and an SUV.

Charlotte’s face is pale, and her eyes are round. My heart flutters. “Are you okay?”

As she readjusts the box on her lap, thunder rumbles, and a crack of lightning brightens the mid-day afternoon sky.

“No.” She swallows and licks her lips. “I should have told my mom that icing makes me nauseous, so I didn’t have to pick up the dessert, but that would’ve let the cat out of the bag.” She grins and waggles her eyebrows as some of the color returns to her face. “And that’s what got us into this mess.”

“I should have stayed away from your cat until we were married,” I mumble and grab the box from her lap and shove it onto the dashboard in front of me.

“Stop. I’m a big girl. I’ll be fine.”

Hopefully, it’s far enough away from her that she doesn’t get sick. Why didn’t I notice she wasn’t feeling well? My head was so stuck in the clouds that I didn’t pick up on the cues. What kind of father am I going to be?

She places a hand on my bicep. “I’m serious. Stop. I could have set it in the back if it was that big of a deal. Stop worrying about me. I would’ve moved it out of the way before I hurled all over it.”

“You’re right.” I rub my hand over my face and exhale. “Your pregnancy is still surreal to me, and I’m getting overwhelmed. I’m worried your family is going to be angry. I’m concerned that I’ll do something wrong and not provide you with the support you need.” I grab her hand and lace our fingers together. “I realize you’re a strong, independent woman. I love that about you, but sometimes I’m going to take care of you.” She might not need me, but she wants me. That’s the biggest gift.

“I like that. And as much as you love my independence, it’s not as much as I love that you’re worried about how my family will react about the baby. It’s cute and sweet.”

“Thank you.” So, what if I’m cute and sweet? I’ll take it. After I squeeze her hand, I snatch up the cake and get out before peering into the empty space where I used to be seated. “Sit tight. I’ll come around and get you.”

Her hand drops from the door handle. “Yes, sir.”

I slam the door shut and rush around to get her out.

The second her feet are on the ground; I wrap my arm around her waist while holding the strings of the white and pink designed cake box with my other hand. “Save me if the fists start flying.”

“Absolutely.” She stretches upward onto her tiptoes, and I place a soft kiss on her lips.

The last few days have been a whirlwind. My contract was announced at a press briefing. We’ve started scouring the internet searching for a home or property in the area that speaks to us. Luckily, we’re on the same page with whatever we see. And my mom and sister won’t leave us alone. The only time we’ve had to ourselves is when we flat-out tell them we’re going to have sex, and for a hot second, I thought they were going to offer to wait while we knocked one out.

I rest my forehead against hers. She sighs and says, “I’m here for you. Just like you’re there to save me from your mom awkwardly waiting at the door with the breakfast cart.”

“That’s why I said my number one priority is to find a gated community for us to live in with at least a five-mile drive to her house.” In the distance, a clap of thunder crashes, signaling a much-needed rain is brewing on the horizon.

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