I finally had to break down and go to the mall Saturday and buy maternity clothes, my sundresses and wrap dresses were getting snug. When I got dressed and told Justin where I was going he was up lightning fast and ready to go with me. I’m pretty sure he had more fun than I did. Not to mention he wouldn’t let me pay for a thing. That’s something we’ll have to discuss in the near future too, as much as I love that he wants to take care of me and our baby, I want to be able to contribute somehow, even if it’s groceries and putting money away for our children.
We’re barely inside the office when Damien, Justin’s new partner at Steele Industries walks in and introduces himself. I have to say if I wasn’t already head over heels in love with Justin, this man could give him a run for his money. He’s in a tailored suit, he’s tall and lean, but you can tell he’s muscular underneath. His skin has the deep olive complexion that you know isn’t from sun tanning on his days off. His hair is dark black and is in that James Dean hairstyle, the one where it always looks like he’s been running his hands through it. When he smiles, he has a suggestive grin. Justin clears his throat to get my attention.
“Damien, this is Gabriella. Gabriella, this is Damien,” Justin says. As Damien shakes my hand and goes to bring my hand up to his mouth, Justin hisses out, “Your mouth gets anywhere near her, you’re a dead man walking.”
Damien immediately drops my hand, but chuckles as he does it.
“Pleasure to meet you, Gabriella. I can see why Justin is ready to slow down and relax more.”
“Nice to meet you, too,” I respond, leaning my body into Justin’s. Damien may be easy on the eyes, but Justin has my whole heart.
“Ready to get this press conference over and done with?” Justin says to Damien.
“Yep, time to start making changes and making more money,” Damien says with a tip of his lips.
“Gabs, you stay here. I don’t want you out there in the frenzy with all of the reporters.” Justin says into my ear as he places a protective hand on my budding stomach.
I go up on my tippy toes and he leans down into me, he knows by now I don’t care what others think about our relationship. We’re solid, plus the ring on my finger says it all. He leaves me with a searing kiss. I’m left in a stupor until the elevator slowly closes him and Damien inside.
Chapter Eighteen
Justin
That was a fucking long ass day. I’m running my fingers through my hair as I sit back and look at the hundreds of emails I need to respond to, but all I really want to do is get out of here and get Gabs home and up off her feet. She did as much running-around and phone answering as I did, and she took it like a champ. I’m sitting back on the couch I keep in my office. My head is on the back of the couch, with my face looking up towards the ceiling when the woman who is always on my mind walks in, closing the door, and I hear the lock click into place.
“Hey, Honey,” I hear her say as she walks behind me on the couch and immediately places her hands on my shoulders, massaging them. I should be taking care of her right now. I know her feet and legs have to be hurting, especially wearing those fucking heels. I told her not to, but Gabs has a mind of her own when it comes to what she’s wearing and if she likes it, then far be it for me to tell her no.
“Gabs, how are you feeling after today?”
“I’m good, I promise,” she responds as I slowly grasp her hand and bring her into my lap.
“And how is the man of the year doing?” she questions as she sits beside me, her legs sideways on my lap, she’s already kicked off her heels and is stretching her legs and flexing her feet back and forth. She may be early on in her pregnancy, but I can see the wear on her face, especially when she starts yawning after asking her question.
“Fucking fantastic. I can’t wait to be able to give Damien more work and for us to be able to breathe a little and start working from home more and decrease some of the office hours too.”
“Let’s get home and order in dinner tonight. I think we could both use a night off and just relax after this hectic as fuck day.” When she moves her legs and goes to slide into her heels, I can tell she’s just as ready as I am to get out of here.