Relief washed over me so much I was slightly dizzy.
I chuckled.
He cocked an eyebrow at me.
“What’s funny?” He asked, and the words shot me straight back to that night.
The night that changed my life—sure, I was a chaotic mess right now, but it was worth it. I knew that in the creases of my soul—this baby was my world.
“It’s not you,” I said through my laughter. I instinctively smoothed my hand over my tummy. “I guess that is why people do this when they’re married.”
He tilted his head.
“So they have someone they can yell at without worrying about them leaving,” I said, sucking in a sharp breath. “That felt fucking great.”
Warren chuckled. “Glad to help.”
The severity of his words stole the smile from my lips.
“Why are you here?”
His Adam’s apple bobbed as his eyes fell to where I rubbed my tummy. Something flickered in those dark eyes, something that wasn’t anywhere near the cocky sparks I was used to.
“I was an asshole.” He drew his gaze back to mine. “Yesterday. Six months ago. Maybe my entire life.”
I rolled my eyes. “Oh, stop it,” I said, and shifted my weight. My left hip was hurting something fierce. “Yesterday, sure. Six months ago was fun and you know it. And before that? You never lied about who you were to anyone. That doesn’t make you an asshole.”
“Debatable,” he said, the gruffness to his voice eliciting warm chills all over my body.
Great.
“Look,” he said. “I want to be here for you. For the baby.” His voice cracked on the last word, and it was enough to sting my heart.
“I didn’t tell you because I needed anything from you. I know you never wanted kids. I’m not a bunny trying to trap you into anything.”
“Fuck, woman.” He snorted. “I know you don’t need me.”
Good.
“I’m saying I need you.”
My eyes widened, and he quickly raised his hands like he was trying to tame a wild animal.
“Don’t freak out,” he said. “I’m not about to pull a diamond. I just…I want a chance, Jeannine. Give me a chance to prove to you I’d be a good dad and a good…well, other things if that time comes.”
It was my turn to tilt my head. “I can’t.”
He sighed. “You have to.”
“Warren,” I said, the word getting tangled in my throat. “This was never part of either of our plans. We were the same. Career-focused, loved the single life. That was us, and I was fine with that. The second I saw those two pink lines? Everything changed for me. It doesn’t have to for you, but I can’t let this baby get hurt. In any way.”
“Fuck,” he said, shaking his head. “I should’ve been here. Stupid Olympics. Fucking dumbass phone.”
I pressed my lips together to hide my smile. I’d never seen the beast of a Shark flustered. It was kind of endearing.
Kind of sexy AF too.
I hushed the inner purring kitten that only woke up in Warren’s presence.
“Please, Nine. The last thing I want to do is hurt the baby, or you. I know you have no reason to trust me, but I want to be part of your life.”
I rubbed my palms over my face, every protective instinct battling inside me.
“Let me prove it to you,” he said before I could come to a decision.
“What do you mean?”
He took two steps closer to me, the heat from his body filling my space. I arched my neck to meet his eyes because he was so damned tall.
I could climb him in two seconds. Even with the baby-ball he wouldn’t struggle…
Down girl.
“Give me these last three months. Let me show you the kind of man I want to be. For you. For the baby.”
“I don’t know—”
“Do I have to beg?” He raked his fingers through his hair. “I’ll pay—”
“I don’t need your money,” I snapped.
“I know,” he said. “I know.” His dark eyes lit up. “This benefit, the owner…he’s a fan? I’ll be there. I’ll take photos and sign anything he wants.”
Hope bloomed dangerously in my chest. I did need a Shark, but I figured I’d rope Gage or Rory into it. Having Warren there…
“There has to be something you need,” he continued, taking my silence as a no. “Maybe help with a list?”
My blood froze in my veins.
Damn these Shark boys gossip like old ladies!
“What are you talking about?” I tried to play dumb.
He smirked, reading the lie all over my face. “Gage and Rory mentioned you girls all made lists. They didn’t go into full details, but if Bailey and Paige have a list, you do too. Give me three months, and I’ll help you check off everything on that list. If by the end of the three months you don’t want me in your and the baby’s life, I’ll go quietly.”
I laughed again. “You have no idea what you’re suggesting.”
“Yes, I do,” he said, the hint of lust flashing in his eyes.
Flashes of him on his knees before me, hovering on top of me, rocking inside me—it made me tremble. How could he possibly think about having sex with me when I was basically a whale?
“No,” I said. “You don’t.”
“Enlighten me,” he challenged.
“Bailey and Paige’s lists may have been dirty-girl themed, but I am the dirty-girl who helped write them.”
“That’s okay.”
“And they helped me write mine.” More like Bailey grabbed the paper and Paige wrote items down, and I watched from behind a pitcher of margaritas. “They put things on the list that I have never experienced. Things I likely never would unless I went out on a limb and changed my lifestyle for a bit.”
“I’m not following,” Warren said, his eyes solely focused on me.
“It’s a clean list. Couple stuff. Chick-flick-nights, farmer’s markets, brunch.” I had to give the man credit—he didn’t flinch. If anything, he looked excited.
“Oh, I’m all over that,” he said.
“What?” I gaped at him. “You can’t be serious! That list doesn’t sound anything like us.”
He smirked. “And I’m sure Paige and Bailey’s lists were nothing like them.” He cocked a knowing eyebrow at me. “Give me this three months, Jeannine. And that list.”
I hesitated. I couldn’t afford to fall for this man. Not when I knew his lifestyle—hell, I’d been him six months ago.
But, I could allow him to be in the baby’s life…if he proved he was in this for real.
“You can’t fall in love with me,” I said, mimicking the words we’d spoken to each other six months ago.
He pushed some hair off my face, the damn touch igniting a trail of fire over my skin.
Damn, it’s been too long again.
“Same goes for you,” he said.
“No worries here.” I smiled, hoping the confident mask would hide the icy-fear shooting through my veins.
Seven months ago this proposition might’ve been an entertaining fling. Something I tried to complete my list and have a little fun at the same time. But it wasn’t just about me anymore. It never would be again. And while I was completely fine with that fact, I didn’t think Warren had a clue what was in store for
him.
Warren leaned closer to my face, his nose just a breath away from mine. “So, we have a deal?”
I nodded, unable to speak. He smelled so good, crisp and spicy and alluring. The heat from his body snaked around mine like a tempting string of pleasure begging to be plucked, and my body remembered how well he could play me.
“Perfect,” he said, drawing back as I’d gone lusty-eyed under his spell. He backed toward the door, his hand on the knob. “Oh, and Jeannine?” He asked after opening it.
“Yeah?”
“I need your keys.”
I scrunched my forehead at the hand he held palm up as if I’d toss him my keys without question.
“The guys and I aren’t working,” he said. “Off-season.”
“So? Why does that matter? And what does it have to do with my keys?”
“We’ll move your stuff into my place while you finish your workday,” he said, that cocky grin on his lips.
“Excuse me?”
He sighed, almost like he finally realized the massive challenge I was.
Good, better to learn that sooner.
“Nine. You said you have black mold in your apartment—”
“A tiny spec—”
“I don’t care. I wouldn’t let you or the baby near it even if they weren’t renovating.” The protective growl in his voice made a shiver ripple inside my core, and my knees weakened.
Stay strong. Stay strong.
“Please,” he said, those eyes going all soft and open and vulnerable. Fucking hell. “I have more room than I could ever need. You can take the master, and I’ll sleep in one of the guest rooms. Hell, I’ll sleep in the guest house if you want me to.” He finally dropped his hand when he realized I hadn’t budged to get my keys. “I’ll sleep at Rory’s?”
I chuckled, shaking my head as I grabbed my purse and fished out my keys. The man was committed, I’d give him that. And if his house was anything like Gage’s, then there would be tons of room. It would be nice not having to stay a hotel for the next three months, or at one of the girl’s—they didn’t need my preggo attitude on a constant basis, not with their own babies to take care of.
I moved slowly, stopping an inch away from him. “I suppose if we’re going to pretend to be a couple to complete that list, moving in together will only make things easier.” I closed the keys into his hand.