As I made my way to the door, a knock sounded. I threw it open thinking Kalen was there, but he wasn’t.

  “It looks like you’ve been busy.”

  If I’d braced myself, I might not have gone stumbling back when she shoved me. But I did and lost my footing.

  My head hit the edge of the counter and I blanked out a second until I hit the floor hard.

  “He doesn’t belong to you,” she said.

  That was when the first blow hit my abdomen.

  I was already seeing stars when the need to vomit flooded me as all the breath was stolen from my lungs.

  “If you think you’re going to have his bastard, think again.”

  Protectively, I curled my legs up, but not soon enough as the reign of terror began.

  A glancing blow caught my side.

  “You will never be a mother to my son.”

  Then it was lights out as her foot connected with my face.

  Rhythmic sounds of beeping invaded my dreams until I blinked my eyes open.

  I thought I heard a muttered, “Thank God” before I focused on the speaker.

  “What happened?” I croaked out.

  Just as the question left my mouth, my memory of what happened flooded back.

  Immediately, my hand went to my belly.

  A cool hand stroked my cheek as Kalen’s face came closer into view. “Lass.”

  Just as I was about to ask about my baby, a carbon copy of the man in miniature size popped up next to him.

  “Are you okay?”

  I reached out a hand to squeeze his.

  “I’m fine,” I said, though I was far from it.

  He bent his tiny face and planted a wet kiss on my cheek.

  “Granny says kisses will make it better.”

  I gave him my best smile. “It does. Thank you.”

  “Do you want to watch a movie?” Kalen asked his son.

  Gabe looked at me as if asking my permission. I nodded and he grinned at his father while bobbing his head.

  “Give me a minute.”

  He took a tablet and some earphones out of a backpack. He set his son up in a chair across the room in a corner near the window. Then the man came over, scooting his chair and taking my hand.

  “Sorry. I’d picked up Gabe and given Ainsley time off when the call came through and Mum’s on a plane back to Scotland.”

  “It’s fine,” I said, though I hated that Gabe saw me like this.

  “I told him you fell.”

  I remembered stumbling back and hitting my head as I fell. “I did,” I said, my hand touching the spot on my temple.

  “You have a concussion.”

  “They let me sleep,” I said in surprise.

  “You’re allowed to as long as you’re monitored. Though you were out when they found you.”

  “Who?” I asked in alarm.

  “The security team.” He sighed. “Someone hacked the video feed and put it on a loop as if the hallway was empty.”

  “Keely,” I whispered.

  “What?” he asked as if he hadn’t heard me.

  “Keely.” I put more volume behind it. “She’s the one who did this to me. They didn’t catch her.”

  A storm gathered in Kalen’s expression as he shook his head. “Are you sure?”

  I nodded. “Unless Gabe’s mother is someone else. She made it clear on her position about me having your child or being a mother to your son. How did she know?”

  Kalen scrubbed a hand over his mouth. “I dinnae know. Though she’s always been good with computers.”

  “Do you think she could be behind all of this?”

  When he was quiet, I added, “I’m sorry this is hard to hear. She meant something to you once.”

  “She means nothing, especially now. No one harms my family.”

  Family. His family. I rubbed my belly again.

  “Did I—?” I couldn’t bear to say it.

  Kalen caught the movement of my hand on my abdomen. He placed his on top and threaded our fingers.

  “Our wee bairn is fine.”

  Though I hadn’t been sure in the beginning, after the shock had worn off, I’d known I wouldn’t give up my baby.

  “Barrin?” I asked, before I remembered his mother had used that word.

  “Bairn. Our wee one—little child is the correct translation.”

  “We’re going to have a baby,” I said, my voice full of the wonder I still felt.

  “Yes. And when they discharge you, you’re coming home.”

  “Of course. I know I need more security—”

  “No. You’re coming back to New York with me.”

  My jaw dropped. “I have a job.”

  “You won’t be going back,” he snapped.

  “You’re not the boss of me.”

  We glared at each other.

  “Maybe so. But my job is to protect what’s mine. And you’re carrying my bairn.”

  Before I could respond, a nurse came in. She rolled in a portable cart.

  “Miss Glicks, I’m here to do a quick listen to your baby. Do you mind?” she asked Kalen who still loomed next to the bed with a grim expression.

  Kalen moved back as she, with my permission, shifted my gown to expose my belly. Then with a handheld device with what looked like a flat topped microphone she put a little gel and placed the microphone looking device on my belly. Immediately, a pulsing swishing sound filled the room.

  Gabe heard because he came over and took my hand.

  “Is that my brother or sister?” Gabe asked.

  Though I nodded, I glanced up at Kalen.

  “Da says I’m going to be a big brother,” he continued.

  I was too stunned to speak. He’d told his son.

  “Yes,” the nurse said. “And he or she is strong. I don’t think we need to do another ultrasound. I’ll let the doctor know.”

  Then she left.

  “Will you be my mommy now?”

  My mouth opened and closed like I was a fish breathing underwater, which was what I felt like.

  “Did you not like the ring?” Gabe asked, full of questions, not understanding the complications of relationships.

  “Let’s let Bailey rest,” Kalen said, giving me a reprieve.

  “Did you not do it right? Maybe you should ask her again,” Gabe suggested to his father.

  Then he gave me the full weight of his forlorn expression.

  “I’m honored you want me to be your mother.”

  “Honored?” he asked.

  “Happy,” I said, forgetting he was just a child.

  “So you’ll be my mummy.”

  I giggled a little because I thought of a monster wrapped in gauze and thought of how I must look to him.

  “It means I really want to. But your dad and I have some things to figure out.”

  The doctor came in and Kalen ushered his son to go back to watching his movie. It was explained that though our baby had survived, it was best if I stayed off my feet as much as I could for a while.

  “It’s settled then,” Kalen said triumphantly. “You’re coming home with me.”

  It made sense that I shouldn’t be home alone and forced to move around so much to take care of myself, but that didn’t mean I would let the smug bastard win.

  “I hope you have a guest room,” I said, wiping the smile off his beautiful face.

  Thirty-Eight

  The plane ride back to New York had been subdued with Gabe stealing the show.

  The sweet boy had asked to sit in my lap as he regaled me with his adventures in D.C.

  “The space shuttle was so cool,” he said. “I think I want to be an astronaut when I grow up. Since Da rules the world, I will rule the universe.”

  A quick glance at the man revealed a smirk. I just shook my head and stroked Gabe’s. He burrowed in as if he’d found a hollow in a trunk of a tree and I was the tree. I inwardly wept for the boy who desperately wanted a mother.

  Somewhere along the way of his tales we both dozed off. I only woke when I felt hands trying to take Gabe out of mine. I looked up and saw Kalen.

  “We are about to land.”

  I nodded and released my hold on the precious boy.

  Watching Kalen with his son only made me love the man more. I could see in the time he took to strap him in the seat, careful not to wake him. I trusted he would love our child the same.

  My palm found my belly as it had many times a day since I found out I was pregnant. My gaze found Kalen’s whose was one me.

  “Mhèinn,” he said softly.

  But I’d heard and this time I knew he said mine.

  Why was I fighting it? Him? I loved him, and time and time again he’d proven he loved me. What more did I need?

  Time wasn’t on my side. We were landing and then getting into a car to ride back through the streets of New York. We didn’t have a minute alone until we stepped off the elevator to his penthouse and he swept me off my feet.

  Gabe giggled.

  “What are you doing?” I asked. Though I enjoyed this playful side of him.

  “Doctor’s orders. You’re not to be on your feet if you can help it.”

  I laughed. “I think I can handle walking up the stairs.”

  Kalen grinned. “Stairs can be dangerous. Besides, we have another option.”

  “Da, you’re silly.”

  “You’re next,” Kalen said. “I’ll be back for yer.”

  That only made Gabe laugh harder as Kalen walked us past the stairs. To the right, there was a small alcove and what could only be a small elevator door.

  “You have an elevator?” I asked.

  He shrugged, causing me to lift us slightly and back down again. “We don’t use it. Now it has a purpose.”

  When the door opened, I wasn’t sure we’d fit. For a second I was sure I might have a panic attack as he squeezed us in.

  “What’s wrong? Afraid we might get stuck?”

  “Yeah,” I said, wearing a duh expression.

  “I can think of many things we could do to pass the time.”

  I wasn’t ashamed to admit I was horny. That was a fact anytime I was around the man, but pregnancy only heightened that.

  “Finally,” I said. He laughed. “Did I say something funny?” I teased as the elevator slowly ascended.

  “Yes, if you think I’ve changed my mind.”

  I glared at him. “You can’t be serious.”

  “Deadly. I won’t fuck yer until yer my wife.”

  My jaw hung open. Growing up, there hadn’t been many challenges I wouldn’t take on and my frown softened into a smile as I was determined to win.

  “And I won’t agree to marry you until you fuck me.”

  He seemed amused as he set me on a bed. That’s when I noticed where I was.

  “This is not the guest room.”

  “It isn’t. That room has a shower and you can’t be on your feet.”

  “Wait here,” he commanded and left the room.

  Shortly after, I heard Gabe’s giggles. Kalen kept his promises. He always did. Not long after, he came back in, closed and locked the door. Then he moved to help me out of my clothes.

  “What are you doing? Are you giving in?” I said with a sly grin on my face.

  “No, but you will.”

  I let him pull the sweater over my head. My breasts had grown over the last few months and were barely contained in my bra. His eyes drank me in, but unfortunately for me, that wasn’t bait enough.

  He helped me out of my pants and left me to run water in the free-standing tub, which was a modern take on the claw foot one my parents had without the feet.

  I lay on the bed, propped up by my arms and waited for his return. I hadn’t removed my bra or panties because I wanted him to.

  “Hmm,” he grumbled when he came back.

  I bit my bottom lip trying to contain a laugh as he acted unaffected. Yet the bulge in his pants told a different story.

  “Problem?” I asked, eyeing his impressive cock.

  “You won’t win this game. I waited months for you.”

  “But I wasn’t here in the flesh,” I said, letting my gaze fall to my chest.

  “And I play to win, and I always do.”

  The maddening man divested me of the rest of my underclothes and lifted me up again, only to set me in warm water. If I’d thought he’d leave me to my own devises, I was wrong.

  With a sponge lathered in fruity smelling bath wash, he proceeded to make sure every inch of my skin was clean.

  When he got to my center, I let my head fall back on a sigh. To my relief, he sank one of his long fingers between my silky folds and into my soaking center. It didn’t take much pumping action before I called out, “Yes.”

  “Yes, what?”

  I opened my eyes, and in frustration I sent a wave of water to splash over him.

  Water dripped from his hair, down his face, and onto his clothes.

  Determination flattened his mouth and stopped my laughter as he stood. I thought he might leave, but instead he whipped his wet shirt over his head and went for his jeans.

  When they dropped to the floor, he stood naked, as the man didn’t seem to own a pair of underwear, a question for later.

  There, I felt on the edge of paradise. He was the destination I’d been heading toward all my life.

  I didn’t care anymore. I just wanted him to touch me in his way that sent me to heaven every time and. Just because we were compatible sexually didn’t mean that was all we had.

  Just as I was about to admit my revelation, the man fisted his cock at the base and stroked down to the tip, making my mouth water. Then he stepped into the water.

  “What are you doing?”

  I found myself asking him that question a lot these days as he did the unexpected.

  “Conserving water,” he said, sitting at the opposite end, trapping my legs between the sides of the tub and his, leaving me open for his eyes to lock on my core through the clear water.

  With his heated gaze lasered on mine, he began to stroke his cock slowly.

  “You’re not playing fair,” I whispered.

  “You can always say yes and agree to be my wife.”

  Two could play. I took the tip of my index finger in my mouth before using it to draw circles around my nipple as it tightened and then did the same to the other. Then I drew a line to my core and began to pleasure myself using his pace to counter my thrust.

  I didn’t keep quiet as I came closer to exploding in front of him.

  Though I was lost in pleasure, the rocking of the water forced my drowsy eyes open as he got on his knees. I knew what he was about to do, but I came apart at the moment. He followed. Hot jets of his cum squirted, landing on my chest as he lost himself.

  It had to be one of the most erotic things I’d ever seen. I lay spent until he gathered me in his arms. He carried me in the shower and placed me on the built-in bench, turning the rainfall showerhead on as he knelt before me.

  His lips ghosted over mine a second before I parted mine, giving him entrance.

  “I love you,” I heard myself say.

  “Then marry me.”

  There was no reason not to. After the humiliating call to my boss where I had to admit I was on maternity bedrest and his response had been a condensing, “I see,” I’d decided then that I wouldn’t be going back.

  Hadn’t I also decided that solitude wasn’t my thing? I’d done it and hated living on my own. I’d grown up in a house full of people and shared a small bedroom with my sisters. I’d proven to myself I could do it alone, but that didn’t mean I had to.

  “Yes.”

  “Yes, what?”

  Thirty-Nine

  The ache in my balls had me surly at anyone who crossed my path. I needed to be buried balls deep in Bailey in order for the raging bull inside me to subside.

  I’d gone months without being with her, yet I wasn’t this hard up. It was as if my cock was on her side.

  Sleeping next to her night after night wasn’t helping. And I wasn’t the only one in love with her.

  My son had taken to her like she’d given birth to him. He’d taken his job to fetch whatever she needed with gusto.

  I stood in the doorway watching my son lie next to her with a book in his hand and didn’t have it in me to disturb them.

  “My sister wants to hear the story too,” Gabe said to Bailey.

  “Sister?” she questioned. “It could be a brother.”

  Gabe didn’t seem fazed. “Could be, but I think it’s a sister. Da says that will give him heartburn.”

  I chuckled to myself because he was right. Another woman in my life would be disastrous to any boy who thought he could take my little girl from me.

  As Gabe began to read, I could picture a tiny Bailey sitting on my lap as I taught her how to use a gun.

  I smiled more at the thought of watching my son recite memorized words enough to pass as if he was truly reading.

  Watching them together proved how lost I’d been until she’d danced her way into my life.

  I owed my brother much for forcing me out that night. I couldn’t imagine life without the lass.

  “Da,” Gabe said, gaining my attention.

  I straightened and went to sit on the bed next to them as the lass’ eyes softened on me. I was this close to giving in and fucking her senseless. But I needed her to truly understand how much she meant to me no matter what my dick thought.

  “Read to us,” Gabe said, handing over the book.

  How easy it was to stretch out with Gabe between us and pick up the story where my son left off. Life finally felt complete.

  There were just a few things to do before I could breathe easier.

  Tomorrow.

  There were scores to settle. I wasn’t sure where my relationship with my brother would be after it was all said and done.

  Tomorrow.

  Forty

  The insufferable man had denied me even though I’d agreed to marry him.

  We’d fallen into a routine of him coming home, torturing me with a bath, reading a bedtime story with Gabe, and then holding me all night, his rock-hard cock ready but him unwilling to give in to what we both wanted.