Now, I know for sure. I can’t deny it anymore with this rock hard round belly, and I think I’m just about getting used to the idea which is a good thing because in three months time, me and Kian will be inviting our baby daughter into the world.
How is he more adjusted to the idea than me? I think bemusedly. I’m the one carrying the baby and I forget sometimes, but not Kian.
He’s super excited, and his parents are too. For a while they all hoped that it would be twins, I suppose to replace what’s been lost, but I have to admit I’m glad that it isn’t. One baby is going to be enough to deal with, never mind two. I’m not convinced I have it in me to be a good enough mother to keep just one child alive. I just hope that everything changes when the time comes and it’s just natural to me.
Ring, ring… Ring, ring…
I grab my phone and look at the screen, smiling as I see my mom’s name. We get on much better these days, which might well be because I’ve grown up and she’s in a much better place in her life too… or maybe it’s just because we live in different countries. Maybe that’s the only way we can have a good relationship.
“Hi, Mom, you okay?” I say warmly into the phone.
“Yes, I’m good. Just about to head out with my friends. Just wanted to check in on you and the baby.”
By ‘friend’ I think she means date but she’s too embarrassed to tell me. I don’t mind, I’m happy for her to move on now that she’s divorced from Dad. She deserves some happiness in her life. I just hope that this time she’s picked someone wisely and it isn’t another idiotic criminal just to keep her rolling in the money. Me and Kian certainly don’t have a flash lavish lifestyle, but we’re comfortable. That’s all I care about now.
“Good, thanks.” I rub my belly again, smiling down at my unborn child. “All id going really well.”
“I have my trip out to see you booked just after your due date.” I roll my eyes as I try to consider how hard that’s going to be. Still, I can’t keep her away from her grandchild, that wouldn’t be fair. “So that will be nice.”
I hear the door click open and I swing my eyes excitedly around the room. Kian has been off on some job today, all very mysterious, and I can’t wait to find out more about what he’s been doing. I can talk to my mom about how ‘wonderful’ her visit will be some other time.
“Oh, I have to go, Mom. Kian is home, but I’ll call you tomorrow, okay?”
“Yes, yes, U have to go too. I’ll speak to you then.”
I jump up excitedly and I move towards the door to see Kian. Even now after all this time my heart beats faster and I get butterflies in my stomach every time I see him. He manages to have a powerful affect on me and I don’t think that will ever end.
“Hey, baby,” I call out. “I can’t wait to hear about your day… oh.” The words fall away from my lips as I see him kneeling in front of the door with an open ring box in his hands. “Oh my goodness.” My hand claps against my mouth in shock. “What is this, Kian?”
“I love you,” he chuckles, his eyes already filling up with water. “I love you so much that I can’t believe it’s taken me this long to do this.” He breathes a couple of times as if he’s trying to collect himself. “I love you, Tia, and I have done for ages. Maybe even from the very first moment when I met you… even if you were calling me a different name.”
A tear trickles down my cheek at the memory. When I thought he was Stephen and I chased him out of the club. How crazy our journey has been. It’s just a good job that I have it all recorded in my best selling novel, The Beautiful Disaster.
“I want you to be my wife, especially now that you’re carrying my baby.” He reaches out to rub my belly. “I want to make you happy, I want to spend the rest of my life making you happy because you deserve it. I was us to be together forever, you know.” He holds the box out to me again. “So what do you say? Will you be my wife?”
“Yes,” I reply with utter certainty. “Of course I will.”
He leaps up to push the princess cut diamond ring onto my finger and then he wraps his arms around me to hold me close. As he does the tears roll free, but I’m happy crying. This is the happiest that I’ve ever been in my whole damn life. Me and Kian, Kian and me, we’re the real deal. Me and him forever more.
“We might have to get married soon,” I warn him. “Unless you want my mother to visit twice.”
He groans and rolls his eyes, before laughing at me. “You know what, you’re worth it. I suppose I can put up with her. Just because I love you.”
I press my lips against his and kiss him softly. “I love you too, Kian. Forever and always. This is just the start of yet another journey and I cannot wait to share it with you.”
Claimed
Blurb
Prince Milos Dobrimil, the royal playboy lives a life of excess and luxury, constantly fulfilling his sexual desires during his escapades into the city. When his father falls ill, eventually dying, Milos is left with his last wishes, to see Milos married and ruling the Kingdom with wealth and pride.
This request, however, comes as an ultimatum, and Milos is left scrambling to try to save the royal line and still keep his freedom. Thinking he has the ultimate solution, he makes an indecent proposal to a sassy and free-spirited stripper who just may turn his world inside out.
With love, betrayal, sex, and power, this book will take you for a ride through a modern-day adult fairy tale. As you explore the deeply hidden desires of a girl from the slums and the inner struggle of a boy from another world, the truth will reveal itself in ways that will tantalize your fantastical mind while pulling at your lustful heart.
Chapter 1: Adriana
The smell of stale cigarettes and cheap perfume have been permanently stained into my nostrils from working at the club for so long. The client section of the Caspian Cabaret was built for royalty with its large stone archway, red velvet carpets, and stainless-steel counters, but all I ever saw was the shoddy backroom and the glaring red lights pointed at the stage. It was almost time for me to head out there, and I felt jittery. I always did before my first dance of the night.