“And to you?” His eyes are narrowed, but only slightly.
Ten years ago, his approval would have meant anything to me. The symbol of finally fitting into Paradise Shores—into the family—and proof that I was finally good enough.
Now, I know I am.
“It will make family get-togethers a hell of a lot easier,” I say dryly.
To my surprise, Michael laughs. It’s a dry, throaty sound. “Damn, Cole. You always did swim against the stream.”
“You asked me to leave once,” I say. “But I won’t leave again. For as long as Lily wants me, I’ll be here for her.”
“I know that,” he says calmly. “I saw that the second you returned. And that’s good. My daughter deserves no less.”
“She deserves everything.”
“Spoken like a man truly in love.” He puts a hand on my shoulder, and I try to hide my surprise. “I was wrong about you once, son. You’ve made something of yourself.”
I meet his gaze head-on. “I have. But I’m not too proud to recognize I had help along the way. My uncle. Lily. You.” I incline my head, struggling past my pride. “I’ve never properly thanked you for my tuition all those years.”
Michael’s eyes glitter, like he’s seeing exactly how difficult this is for me. “You don’t like being in someone’s debt.”
“No,” I say, gritting my teeth.
“Neither do I.” His gaze turns thoughtful. “A self-made man. Just like I was, once. That’s something none of my sons can say.”
I don’t nod, but I don’t contradict him, either.
“You’re not in my debt. You make my daughter happy, and you’re strong enough to keep her safe. That’s more than repayment enough.” He gives my shoulder a last pat before taking a step back. He opens the lid to the grill, inspecting the lobster tails lined up in a neat row. “I know I haven’t been easy on you. Never tried to be.”
I scoff and take a sip of my beer. “No, you definitely haven’t.”
“I’ll give the boys hell, too, when they bring a woman home, don’t you worry.”
I think of Henry in his ivory tower in Manhattan, working so hard for this man’s approval. Of Rhys’s use of sarcasm as a shield and his nomadic existence. Of Parker’s string of romantic attachments and cheap smiles.
“I can’t wait,” I say, knowing that this time, there’d be someone to have their backs against this man—me.
Epilogue
One year later
Lily
Two ticks.
It’s positive.
I sit down on the edge of the bathtub and put my head in my hands. I’m going to be a mother. I’m going to be a mother.
It’s taking all my effort to stay calm and let my breathing slow. A child. We’re going to have a child. A little mini-Hayden, with dark, shaggy hair and gray eyes. A big smile.
Happiness unfurls inside me. A child. A child.
It isn’t planned, but isn’t exactly a surprise, either. We’d discussed it briefly… and we hadn’t been as careful as you’re supposed to be. We’d slipped on the honeymoon, and not just once. Hayden had whispered to me that it would make him happy, and I’d reacted in kind. But that had been in passion—in moments of bliss.
Now it’s real.
For two weeks, after the wedding, Hayden and I had been on a paradise island in the Caribbean. Just the two of us and crystal-clear water, white sand and a rented sailing boat. It had been like a dream.
His business is doing better than anyone had expected, including himself. The company now has a team of nearly ten consultants whom Hayden regularly receive reports from.
I look down at the engagement and wedding ring on my finger. It still feels odd to look at, even if they complement each other perfectly. I’d worn the engagement ring for almost a year, ever since he proposed last fall, and all through the planning and preparations for a summer wedding.
We moved into a house of our own, with all the planning that came with it. The house next to my cottage had unexpectedly come onto the market just a few months earlier. It had fantastic ocean views and a large backyard.
I’d stood outside it one night, looking at the shutters and imagining painting them dark blue, expanding the upstairs terrace, a children’s playhouse in the garden, a spare bedroom for when Hayden’s half-sister visited. He’d wrapped his arms around me, still warm after his evening run, and kissed my temple.
“Should we get it?” he’d asked, and there had been nothing to say but yes.
It still isn’t fully renovated, but we live here now, together. Married. I stand on shaky legs and look into the mirror in the master bathroom. Carefully, I put the pregnancy test on the counter with trembling hands and look at myself.
I look flushed. Happy. A bit scared.
Hayden still struggles with feelings of inadequacy and dark thoughts. The memories of his childhood run deep, even if he’s a master at hiding it—and pushing it away. And a child… it’s hard to forget the doubts he’s expressed occasionally about being a father himself.
I wash my hands and walk through our master bedroom, down the stairs to the living room. My laptop is open, the spreadsheet with the gallery’s upcoming events still there. It’s gone better than I could ever have expected—so good that I’ve even had to hire someone to help me run it.
The house is empty and quiet. Hayden is at the marina. Rhys and Parker had needed him for something, they’d said, and he’s gone on the Frida for the day. I’d chosen to stay home, because I wanted to work on the gallery’s schedule. And because I had been suspicious, my period over a week late.
I drum my fingers along the kitchen counter. I’d wanted to check it alone, but now I want Hayden here—right away. I don’t want to be alone with this knowledge for a second longer.
So I grab a book and a sweater, and then I head down to the marina. They’ve already been out hours. Shouldn’t be long, now.
The words on the page swim before my eyes as I try to read, sitting by the Marchand dock. I’d brought the book on our honeymoon, but Hayden had been very adept at distracting me from reading it. He’d roll over, slip a hand across my waist and whisper something amusing or loving in my ear, and I would put the book down without a second thought.
It’s a calm day in late August, and the waves are soft against the dock. Our kid will grow up here, just like I did, and just like Hayden. Will she love sailing as much as her father? Or will he want to spend his days painting?
I put the book down and close my eyes. The possibilities are endless. And Hayden… I can see Hayden as a father, a child riding on his shoulders, small hands nestled deep in his thick hair. Always teasing and playing, but he would be the first to pick his son or daughter up if they fell, strong arms lifting up and brushing off.
The image makes me smile.
The Frida sails into the harbor just past five in the evening. They’ve rolled up the sails, and she’s cruising on motor alone. I can see all of them—Henry at the steering wheel, tallest of the lot. Parker’s head of blond hair as he sits at the front, preparing to jump onto the dock to tie the rope. Rhys is standing next to Hayden, the two of them shoulder to shoulder as they spot the distance and shout instructions to Henry.
My family. It’s so rare that all my brothers are together in Paradise Shores at the same time, especially since they’d already been here in July for the wedding. I was the first who had moved back permanently, and if I had my way, I’d make sure they all did the same.
I help Parker tie the knots and anchor the boat along the dock. “Didn’t know you’d be here, Lils,” he calls. “Hayden said you had to work.”
“Changed my mind,” I say, using a half hitch knot. “Was it nice out there?”
He wraps an arm around my shoulder and gives me a half-hug, and we stand watching as the others get off the boat. “It was amazing.”
Rhys’s hair is wet, and when he gets closer, he shakes it like a dog. I laugh as the droplets fly. “You took a swim?”
/> “Of course I did. The others are cowards.”
“It’s called being sensible,” Henry says, his voice low. “We can’t all be rebels.”
Rhys snorts. “Ignore him. He’s been in a terrible mood all day.”
Both Hayden and Parker laugh, but Henry just shoots them a dark look. I’m not surprised, though. My oldest brother has been acting oddly for weeks. It’s not difficult to guess the reason.
“Is this because of the girl you brought as a date to my wedding?” I frown at Henry. “She was lovely.”
“No, it’s not because of her.”
“Liar,” Rhys says, voice teasing. “Faye unsettles you. Admit it.”
“I am not going to talk about this.” Henry stalks off down the dock, his wide shoulders looking tense. He’s so regimented, so focused, that he sometimes forgets the important things in life.
Parker drops his arm from my shoulders and nods to Hayden. “You going back with Lils?”
“Yes,” Hayden says smoothly, bending to pick up the book I’d dropped on the dock. “It’s getting late.”
“It is,” I agree. “But would you guys want to come over tomorrow night? Board games and wine? We can dig out some of the old ones.”
Rhys grins. “You want revenge?”
I smile back at him. “I think I’ll be considerably better at Monopoly now, yes. You guys always had the advantage of age.”
“We’ll see about that.”
We reach the parking lot and say our goodbyes, Hayden’s hand on the small of my back.
“See you tomorrow!”
Hayden gets into the driver’s seat and reaches over to put a hand on my knee. “Didn’t know you were going to wait for us.”
“I hadn’t planned on it,” I say, looking down at his broad, tan hand. “But I wanted to.”
“I’m glad.”
“Was it fun?”
He snorts, but his voice is warm when he answers. “Yes. It’s been a long time since all of us were out on the boat together.”
“It has.” I put my hand on his and watch his quiet contentment with a smile. My brothers are Hayden’s, too; they’ve accepted him as my husband as readily as they did when we were children, and Hayden was a new playmate. My family feels whole again.
He shoots me a smile. “Although I prefer just the two of us on a boat… I like your brothers, baby, but I like you better.”
His eyes flash with heat and amusement, his hand tightening on my knee. I bite my lip at the memory—the boat rocking softly amongst the waves, his body on top of mine, warm lips against my neck and his deep, powerful rhythm.
“I prefer that too,” I say.
Hayden’s smile turns a little bit wild, and I can see in his eyes that he has plans for when we get home.
But so do I—and I don’t feel like I can wait much longer. He parks the car and I grab his hand, pulling him inside the house.
“I’m sweaty,” he says, running a hand over my back. “I should take a shower first. Join me.”
“Gladly. But first… I need to show you something.”
“Oh?”
“Yeah.” Nervous butterflies flutter in my stomach, alive with excitement as we head up to the bedroom. I gesture for Hayden to have a seat on the bed, and he scoots back, running a hand through his hair. He would look relaxed if it wasn’t for his amber eyes, fixated on me.
“Is something wrong, Lily?”
“No.”
He frowns. “I can tell something is.”
“Nothing’s wrong.” I head into the bathroom and grab the pregnancy test, still by the sink. The two lines are still as clear as they’d been hours ago.
I walk back into the bedroom, my bare feet sinking deep into the carpet.
Hayden looks at me in silence. “Lily…”
“So, you know how we haven’t been… very careful?”
He frowns, but then his gaze sharpens, alert like a predator. “Yes?”
“It’s paid off, so to speak. I think I’m pregnant.” I hold out the test to him, showing the sign. “I took it a few hours ago.”
Hayden stares at it for a long, quiet moment. Then he leans back, arms braced against his legs, and says nothing at all. My heart is beating so fast in my chest that I fear it might leap out and tackle him to the ground. Say something!
“Well? What do you think?”
There’s something warm and excited in his eyes, something that’s growing by the second. “Come here,” he says quietly, waving me closer. “Let me hold you.”
He catches me around the waist, strong arms pulling me along his body, and buries his head against my shoulder. I hold on to his T-shirt and can’t stop myself from tearing up.
“A baby,” I murmur. “Can you believe it?”
Hayden pushes my hair back. Warm lips touch my forehead, my cheek, my nose, finding my lips. I kiss him back through my tears, feeling so happy I might burst.
“No.”
“Are you happy, Hayden? Is this good news?”
A rough hand cups my cheek, his thumb smoothing away one of my tears. His face is so dear to me, the cheekbones, the thick hair over his forehead, the unusual eyes.
“Yes,” he says. “It’s amazing news.”
“Really?”
“Yes.” He closes his arms around my waist, lifting me up and spinning me around. I grip his shoulders and smile down at him, seeing my own joy reflected back at me.
He doesn’t let go when we stop spinning, instead lifting me up and onto our bed. I pull him with me so that we’re side by side.
“Were you afraid I wouldn’t be happy?”
I run a finger along the sharp edge of his jaw. “A little bit. I was scared you’d… I don’t know. That it would freak you out.”
“How little faith you have in me,” he murmurs.
I slide my hand into his thick hair, running my fingers against his scalp the way I know he enjoys. “I know. I’m sorry. It was only a small fear.”
Hayden’s smile fades, even if the happiness in his eyes doesn’t. “But you’re right. I might fuck up, Lily.”
“You won’t.”
He sighs. “What if I do, though? There’s a risk I could become—”
“No, there’s no risk at all. Do you know why? Because I won’t let you.”
He closes his eyes, our foreheads touching. “I know.”
“But more importantly, you won’t let yourself fail. I know you, Hay. You’re one of the most driven people I’ve ever met. I know you better than anyone, and I have complete faith in you.”
“Thank you,” he says dryly, a smile in his voice. “Besides, I know that if I screw up, I’ll have to answer to not one, not two, not three, but four angry uncles, not just the kid’s but my own as well.”
I laugh. “Not scared at all, huh.”
“No.” He kisses me softly, his hand finding the curve of my waist and the still-flatness of my stomach. “With you as my wife? Never.”
* * *
Thank you so much for reading Rogue!
I hope you fell in love with Hayden and Lily just as much as I did!
Stay tuned for upcoming Paradise Shores novels as Rhys, Parker and Henry get their happily-ever-afters.
Read on for a special sneak peek of Look But Don’t Touch, an enemies-to-lovers story where forbidden and heated sparks fly between a boss and his sassy intern…
Look But Don’t Touch
He’s the billionaire CEO of her family’s company.
She’s the spoiled daughter of his business partner.
Grant Woods
I detest Ada, with her Daddy Dearest act and her vapid, beautiful existence.
She’s never had to work for her privilege and it's clear she doesn't value her father's love.
Sure, she's been through a lot, but that’s no excuse. Who hasn’t?
It doesn’t matter that she’s stunning, or that she has my employees wrapped around her finger. It’s time she learns the value of hard work.
So when
my former mentor foists her on me, forcing her to spend three months as my intern…
I’m going to run her ragged.
Let’s see if she can keep up on those ridiculous heels of hers.
Ada Hathaway
Father gave me a final ultimatum—work at the family empire or he'll cut me off.
But honestly, living in squalor might be preferable to interning under Grant Wood, the new CEO.
The only good part is that Grant has disliked me since the moment we met, all those years ago, and I love it when his cold facade falters.
So if they want me to work at Hathaway's?
Fine. I'll be the best damn intern they've ever had. I’m going to prove Grant wrong about me.
And I’m going to push his every button.
(A stand-alone contemporary romance novel with a guaranteed happily ever after. No cheating.)
Chapter 1
I don’t always end up half-naked in a cab in the Bronx when I go out. It’s just that, well, I sometimes do. And twice is apparently two times too many, if my father is to be believed.
"Ada, this has to stop.”
"I know.”
There was no point in making excuses. We had been through too much for that, both of us.
Dad sat down opposite me on my blue velvet couch. His wedding band slid along his ring finger. He still hadn’t gained back the weight he lost after Max.
“Ada. What do you want me to do? What can I do?”
I forced a smile for his benefit. There was so much, and all of it too little and far too late. “I’m fine, Dad. Truly. Don’t worry about me.”
He stood abruptly and moved to the windows. The bare branches of Central Park were heavy with snow.
"I can't lose you too." He spoke to the city, as if it were easier to face than me. "I just can't. Ada, you’re turning twenty-four next year. It's been a year since your graduation and nearly two years since Max."
“Two and a half.” Two years, seven months and four days, to be exact.
Rogue: A Paradise Shores Novel Page 25