“How did you know?” Shock is high. I’ve never mentioned it... I think.
“Sweetheart, I know you.” It’s said simply, without smugness.
“You do, you really do.”
“Yes, I know all of you, and I still love you. I’ll always love you.”
“Thank you for loving me and not letting me go when I kept trying to push you away. Please don’t ever stop loving me.”
“Never gonna happen.” His hug is tight, and I swallow back the lump in my throat. “Come on, sweetheart. It’s time to see the city of your dreams.”
“With the man of my dreams.”
“Same here, baby.”
Epilogue
Three years later
I’m restless and pacing. I’ve been up for hours. I didn’t want to wake up Trey, so I came downstairs to make breakfast. I finger the box with Trey’s gift and wonder about his response. After three years I want to believe I know my husband’s response to everything, but he still manages to surprise me from time to time. Although it’s usually in my favor, which is always nice. Trey is managing to run the corporate office from Chicago. He travels, but only once or twice a year. As far as he’s concerned, Alan can do the traveling. If he does have to travel, he tries to schedule it to match my schedule.
I’m still wondering if he will allow me to continue to work— at least until Trey’s arms come around me, startling me.
“Hey, I wanted to wake up with you in my arms. Give me a kiss.”
The kiss is hot and thorough, and he picks me up and puts me on the dining table. I know where he’s going, and I have to know now or I’m going to lose it. “Wait, I want you to open your anniversary gift.” I practically thrust the box at him.
His brow furrows and he shakes his head. “Okay, I left your gift upstairs. You want me to go get it?”
“No, open your gift.” I shake my head.
Pulling out the chair in front of me, he sits down, and unwraps the gift. Taking off the lid, he goes still, and his face freezes when he sees it. The test is simple—pregnant is in the little oval display. He swallows hard and blinks. “Are you sure this is what you want?”
“Yes. Mom told me that I shouldn’t have a child unless I wanted it so badly I dream of it. I told you I didn’t want a baby only because I was scared, which wasn’t a good reason. I know having a baby isn’t something I should do just to make you happy, and that isn’t why. I want our baby so badly it’s all I’ve thought of. I’ve dreamed of him for months. I can’t wait to hold our son and watch him grow up to be as good of a man as his father.”
Trey’s arms are just short of punishing as he hugs me tight. “I love you so much. Every day with you is better than I think it can be, and now this. Thank you, sweetheart. There is just one thing, I’m hoping for a little girl.”
“Hmm, let’s make a deal. We get a boy and girl the first two times then we stop, but if not, we’ll try one more time and be happy with the children we have.”
“I love the way you think.”
“I love the way you love me.”
Back Matter
His Under Contract
Holly
As a kid with a Marine for a father, and a doormat stay-at-home mother, I didn’t have huge aspirations for my future. Maybe a teacher—working with kids, and then enjoying a summer break. However, I didn’t think I would end up a housekeeper scrubbing floors. It doesn’t matter if the floors are in a million-plus dollar condo, in one of Chicago’s most exclusive addresses. I’m still on my hands and knees for one of the most obnoxious assholes I’ve ever met. The jerk believes his own press as one of the biggest rainmakers in Chicago. A lawyer specializing in business and sports contracts, Ethan Bishop is sought after in the boardroom and the bedroom. While even his sister thinks he’s best taken in small doses, she offers me a job I can’t refuse, not if I don’t want to go back to my parents with my tail between my legs. I need this job, and it’s not like it’s forever, just until I’m not on the edge of poverty. Let him be the unrepentant manwhore who didn’t do repeats. It’s better for him not to be at home, so close that my stupid body goes nuts when I even think of him. It’s better this way, because he could never want me. I’m a plus size not a size two model he’s used to having. I’m safe, it doesn’t matter how badly I want him, he doesn’t want me. Does he?
Ethan
In my world, the stakes are high, million dollar high, so no, I’m not nice. I don’t say please or thank you and I never apologize. If you have a problem with that, it’s your problem not mine. I didn’t make partner at one of the biggest law firms in Chicago at only thirty-two with my winning personality. I’m on top because I make money for my clients, whether it’s a high stakes takeover, or a player getting paid every dime he’s worth. My clients come out on top. I have worked hard for the life I have, the million-dollar condo, the Ferrari in the garage, and the hottest woman on my arm and in my bed. So, if my bitch of a new housekeeper wants to look down on me, like I give a fuck. My one weakness, my little sister parked me with a housekeeper who is far from perfect. Okay, she has the cooking and the cleaning down. But damn, does she have an attitude and a mouth on her that smiles even when she’s insulting me. It’s a good thing she isn’t my type, or I would make her pay the best way possible. At least, I’m trying to tell my cock she’s not my type, only the asshole has had his own idea since he saw her. It won’t last long though, it never wants any woman for long. When she offers herself to me, it’s with a contract where I hold all the control, all I have to do is sign.
His on the Rebound