Dirty Arrogant Boss: Cocky Billionaire Duet (The Cocky Billionaire Duet Book 2)

by A. M. Hargrove

The hostess at the restaurant greeted me and I gave her Chloe’s name. She pointed me in the direction of our table. As soon as I saw Chloe, she stood, and I hugged her, but then a dark shadow loomed behind us. I glanced up to see the figure of a man standing there. At first I thought it might have been the waiter. But then I realized it was no waiter. It was Hugh. What had Chloe done? Why had she invited him here?

  Fourteen

  Hugh

  It was true what they said about pregnant women. Molly had a glow about her, or maybe I was just so damn happy to see her.

  “Why is he here?” Her question was quiet and didn’t hold rebuke.

  I stepped forward to answer. “Hear me out.” Chloe looked at her friend as if asking her permission as Molly looked ready to bolt. I jumped in again. “I asked for her help. Don’t be mad at her.”

  Chloe was a pistol too. “No, I knew what I was doing. For the record, she planned to talk to you.” Then she aimed her gaze at Molly. “I wouldn’t have gone behind your back, but he begged me to do this. And the two of you really do need to talk.”

  “Fine,” Molly said, taking a seat.

  “Thanks,” I said to Chloe.

  She whispered something to her friend. Before leaving, she said loud enough for me to overhear, “Give him a chance.”

  Molly didn’t respond. Chloe sighed before giving me a tight smile and leaving.

  I sat, took my napkin and put it in my lap before finally meeting Molly’s eyes. Before I could blurt out the speech I’d prepared in my head, the waiter arrived. “What can I get you to drink?” he asked.

  A former version of me might have ordered for the both of us. But Molly had changed me. I held her gaze but didn’t answer, letting her order for herself.

  “Just water,” she said.

  “Still or sparkling?” he asked.

  “Either—no, sparkling.”

  He nodded. “And you?”

  I could kill for a stiff drink, but I said, “Same.”

  “Do you need another few minutes for your order?” he asked.

  “Yes,” I said as Molly said, “No.”

  The waiter’s gaze bounced between us. Most likely he sensed the tension and didn’t know what to do. I held onto my patience because Molly was angry, and she didn’t yet understand why her anger was misplaced.

  “Go ahead,” I said to her.

  She glared at me but answered, “I’ll start with a salad. Then I’ll have the lobster bisque, a steak medium.”

  “I haven’t decided yet,” I said to the waiter. “Let’s start with water and salads for now. Thanks.” He nodded gratefully before leaving.

  “You got me here. What is it you want to say? And then I can leave.” She wasn’t making this easy for me.

  “I’m sorry,” I said simply.

  “That’s it?” she said, trailing off with a mocking laugh.

  “No. I wanted to tell you this at the wedding… Anyway, I shouldn’t have intervened without speaking to you first. But it came from a good place, I swear.” She opened her mouth, but I kept going. “I reached out to a buddy of mine with no idea you worked for his firm. If I’d known, I would have never done it.” I could tell she wanted to cut in, but I held up a hand, determined to finish. “Again, if I’d talked to you first as I should have, we wouldn’t be at this point. I ask you forgive me knowing my intentions were good.”

  When I was done, she said nothing for what felt like a few minutes, and I waited for her verdict.

  “You were wrong for not talking to me. Do you know how embarrassing it is to admit your father is a felon?”

  “But he was innocent.”

  “That’s not what people think when they hear that. Most who are convicted claim innocence. And the last thing I wanted was for people to look at me differently.”

  “I can respect that and again, I’m so sorry for revealing your secrets, though unintentionally,” I said. “I didn’t even give your boss your name.” Her lips pursed in disbelief. “I gave him your father’s name. Again, if I’d known you’d worked there, I wouldn’t have done it because I would have known he’d put the pieces together.”

  Her expression lost some of the fire that had been there. “I wish you’d talked to me first,” she said.

  “Me too. But I can’t go back in time and change things.”

  She nodded. “There are a lot of things we can’t change.”

  That was ominous. “What do you want to change?”

  “Hugh, in the spirit of putting everything on the table, there’s something you should know.”

  I didn’t like the look in her eye and especially when she averted her gaze. It couldn’t be good news.

  “I’ll just say it,” she said. I waited with air held in my lungs. “I’m pregnant.”

  I sucked in more air, not expecting that at all. “That’s great news.” I felt joy and nervousness. I was going to be a father. When she didn’t immediately agree, I added, “Isn’t it?”

  “I don’t know.” She glanced away again.

  The waiter came back with our waters. “Are you ready to order your main course?”

  No longer pissed, she gave the waiter a small smile. “I’m sticking with the lobster bisque and a steak medium.”

  “Well-done,” I interrupted. When her eyes froze on mine, I added, “The baby. No bloody or pink steak while you’re pregnant.”

  “How can you know that? Besides, I thought we agreed you weren’t going to go all caveman on me and order my food.”

  “You’re right.” I shrugged. “Forgive me. I’ve been reading up on everything and you should be cautious. We can talk about it after.” I turned my attention to the waiter. “I’ll have the same.”

  He nodded and walked away.

  “Is this how you’re going to be? Overbearing?” she asked.

  “I just want what’s best for you and our child.”

  She rolled in her bottom lip when it began to tremble. I wanted to pull her in my lap, but we were in public. “Are you really sure about this?” she asked.

  Her emotions were everywhere, as were mine. What I wanted was to kiss her and kiss her belly. Instead, I said, “Yes. Honestly, I’ve never been so sure about anything in my life.”

  “How can you be? We’ve only known each other for such a short time.”

  “I’ve dated, hooked up with, and met many women in my lifetime. I’ve never felt like this for anyone until you.”

  She gave me the side-eye. “You’ve never had a serious relationship?”

  I groaned. “Yes, but even then I knew something wasn’t right. I thought things would get better. And they didn’t. I should have trusted my gut. I won’t make that mistake again. My gut says I shouldn’t let you get away. You are the one,” I declared.

  “But we haven’t spoken in weeks. I’ve been horrible.”

  “You had legitimate reasons.”

  “I didn’t give you a chance to explain,” she said.

  “You were hormonal.”

  Her eyes narrowed. “Are you going to explain away everything or blame things on the pregnancy?”

  “Nothing is perfect. But this,” I said, waving my finger between the two of us, “is right. So right, I want you to marry me.”

  Fifteen

  Molly

  Marry him? I gaped for all of a minute.

  His stare finally turned into a chuckle. “I’m sorry, Molly. Your expression is priceless.”

  “You want us to be married?”

  “Of course I do. I’m in love with you, if you haven’t figured that out yet. I may not be the best at telling you my feelings, or even showing them sometimes, but I want us to be together always. Not just during this pregnancy. You are my world.”

  I gawked at him. If my eyes hadn’t been attached, they would have rolled out of my head. “I-I don’t know what to say.”

  “There’s only one word that’s needed here. It starts with a Y. Please say yes.”

  Our gazes merged and so many thoughts tumbled
through my head. “Will you let me stand on my own two feet and think for myself?”

  “Every day.”

  “Will you let me make my own decisions without butting in?”

  “Absolutely.”

  “Will you consult with me if you feel the need to do something on my behalf?”

  “One hundred percent I will.”

  “Can we agree to discuss things before any major decisions are made?”

  “Indeed we can.”

  “Then, Mr. Hampton, I will think about it.”

  His brows shot up. “After all that you’re only going to think about it?”

  “I’m going to give it some of my most serious thought.”

  “Then in the meantime, will you be opposed to some physical persuasion?”

  “That might be arranged.”

  After lunch, he took me up to the penthouse and did his best to persuade. The little devil was wicked. He bared his horns and used every trick in the book until he had me begging for mercy.

  “Don’t stop.” My breath wheezed out of me. “Yesss. Right there.” The man knew exactly what he was doing. “Ohhh, yes.” My belly clenched as I was going to climax.

  Then he pulled his mouth off of my mound and with a roguish grin asked, “Will you marry me?”

  “Yes! I’ll marry you! Just put that tongue of yours back down there.”

  “And where would that be?”

  I opened my eyes to stare open-mouthed at him. Hugh was never this playful, so I had to witness this side of him for myself. “Okay, who are you and what did you do with Hugh Hampton? Because he rarely smiles.”

  He threw his head back and laughed.

  “Oh, my God. Has your body been invaded by an alien?” I got to my knees and examined his face. “No, you look like the real Hugh. Tell me what’s going on.”

  My suspicions must have sunk in. He still chuckled but said, “I’m happy. The happiest man in the world.”

  “Fine, but I’m the most frustrated woman in the world. You stole my orgasm away and I want it back.” My lower lip poked out.

  He slid his finger over it. “Don’t worry, I’ll make it up to you a thousandfold. Every night of our marriage.”

  “What did you just say?”

  “We’re getting married. Remember?”

  Shit. I had agreed to that, hadn’t I? “Right. But you tricked me with that magic tongue of yours. I was tongue-drunk. No fair.”

  “Babe, everything is fair in love and sex.”

  “Hugh, it’s love and war.”

  Large hands cupped my cheeks. “My darling Molly, there will never be any wars between us.”

  “How do you know that? Do you have a crystal ball?”

  “No, but I have a large cock that will fuck you mercilessly if you ever think about going to war with me.”

  “Hmm. I kinda like the sound of that.” I giggled as an image of Hugh in a medieval suit of armor came to mind.

  “What’s so funny?”

  “I envisioned you as Sir Hugh, the knight.”

  “Remember, if I’m a knight, you’re wearing a chastity belt.”

  “Speaking of, I feel like I’m wearing one right now.”

  “Pretty sure I can remedy that.” His brows waggled right before he took a dive into the land of Molly’s mound.

  There was nothing like Hugh going down on me, except for his cock. And I was lucky enough to be the receiver of that after he gifted me with not one, but two glorious orgasms. Then he plunged inside of me and rode me to the stars. Sweat beaded both of our bodies after we finished, and I lay panting for oxygen on the sheets.

  His nibbles on my breasts brought me back to life. “Ohh, I’m so sensitive. Must be the pregnancy.”

  “I can’t wait to see your belly get round.” He rested his palm over my abdomen.

  “I’ll be honest, that part I am not looking forward to.”

  Raising himself on one elbow, he asked, “Why not?”

  “I don’t want to get all fat.”

  “You won’t be fat. You’ll be pregnant and beautiful. You’re already glowing.”

  I scoffed. “It was the sex, silly.” I brushed his hair off his forehead.

  “Let’s make a wager. I say you will remain perfect and after the baby comes, you’ll be exactly as you are now.”

  “What are the stakes?”

  “Your choice.”

  “If I win, I’d like my mother moved to a skilled facility closer to here.”

  He tipped my chin up and kissed me. “It’s already in the works. I have someone investigating the best places for her so she can be moved as quickly as possible. You won’t have to spend all that time driving to visit her, so you can do it more often if you like.”

  “Hugh! Are you serious?”

  “Of course I am. This is important, Molly. She should be close to you.”

  I threw my arms around him. “‘Thank you’ seems so inadequate. I wasn’t expecting this until after the baby came.”

  “I’d love to see it happen in the next week or so.”

  “I don’t deserve you.”

  “I disagree. I’m the one who doesn’t deserve you. So, the wager.”

  “Hmm. How about a weekend away?”

  “You mean you’d leave the baby?”

  “No! Forget that.” I could never leave my baby. I was already getting warm fuzzies just thinking about holding her.

  “Why the smile?”

  “Oh, Hugh, I can’t wait to hold her.”

  “What if she’s a he?”

  “As long as the baby’s healthy, I don’t care about the sex.”

  His lips softly touched mine. “How about this? If I win, you cook me dinner for a week and if you win I cook you dinner for a week.”

  “I like that, but we may have to wait a few weeks after the baby comes because I’m not sure I’ll be worth a damn right away.”

  “My darling, you don’t have to worry about that. We can hire a nanny to help you.”

  “But I want to do it.”

  “I want you to, but I also want you to enjoy our new son or daughter and you won’t if you don’t get any sleep.”

  Wow, I hadn’t thought of that. He was so considerate. “How do you manage to think of everything?”

  “It’s called the internet. I did a bit of research.”

  “Glad you did, because I haven’t done any yet.” He was miles ahead of me.

  “One other thing. We need to plan a wedding.”

  “Oh. About that. I don’t really want one.”

  His jaw dropped open. “But Molly, we have to have a wedding. With my family and business associates, it demands we have one.”

  “Hugh, I can’t. My father can’t walk me down the aisle, and Mom can’t be there as she is, and I don’t have anyone else. So, no, a wedding with a reception is out.”

  “Molly, please reconsider. It’s important for me.”

  “Hugh, you have to see my side too.”

  “Then we are at an impasse,” he said, his mouth pressing into a thin line.

  Epilogue

  Between Chloe and I, we got Molly to agree to a small wedding. I won her over by explaining how important it was for me to have photos of us on our wedding day that weren’t in front of a courthouse. I also added I didn’t want our kids to ever think it was a shotgun wedding.

  She relented and we picked the place that accommodated what we wanted. She agreed to our special day including her and me. Our only guests would be Chloe and Ryan. Though I could tell she was getting in the spirit of things after shopping for a wedding dress.

  “You’re going to love it,” she said that day.

  I followed it up by telling her I’d be happy if she married me naked, except for the fact Ryan would be there as well as the officiator.

  Chloe got her to pick wedding colors and asked what Molly thought were fictitious questions about what food she’d serve if we had a big reception to help her get more excited about our tiny wedding.

>   On the day of, Molly insisted we share a room to get dressed. She thought it was silly to surprise me. “I know you really want this, but it seems too expensive,” she said.

  I kissed her cheek and said, “It will be worth it. You’ll have pictures to show your mother.”

  That had been the wrong thing to say. My hormonal wife-to-be began to cry. “I’m sorry. I just wish she could be here.”

  “I know.” I hugged her to me and kissed her temple. I had my tux on, but she still stood in sexy lingerie I had to ignore so I wouldn’t fuck her all over the room. “Let me get Chloe to help with your makeup.”

  “What? You think I’m ugly now?”

  She had no idea. “Hell, no. You are the most beautiful woman in the world.”

  As I held her sobbing, I texted Chloe. When she came, I made excuses to leave.

  Then I went into the room and marveled at all my preparations. Molly had to love it or I’d completely fucked this up.

  Molly

  “Oh, Chloe, it’s my wedding day and neither of my parents are here,” I cried, uncaring of the mess my makeup was becoming.

  “I know, sweetie,” she said, patting my back.

  “I just feel like leaving. I know Hugh wanted something bigger than a courthouse, but it’s killing me.”

  She pulled back and looked at my face. “Do you want to leave?”

  I nodded my head. “I do. But I can’t do that to him. He’s being so sweet when he wanted a big wedding so the world would know.”

  “Some men,” Chloe teased. I giggled some. It was odd that a man wanted the big wedding. I could say it was a good sign of how much he loved me.

  “Let’s get you into that dress and then fix your makeup,” Chloe urged.

  We did just that and as I stood in front of the mirror, I didn’t feel the joy I should on my wedding day. I’d dreamed of the big wedding. The only reason I hadn’t wanted one was that it felt wrong without my parents.

  There was a knock on the door. The fancy place we’d settled on had a wedding planner, which also seemed like a wasted expense. The woman popped her head in and announced it was time.