by Lindsey Hart
“I was intrigued at first and then when I saw you- like I said, I just… I was just lost. I felt this connection with you, like being with you was where I was meant to be. Like there was this string binding us up together.”
“It was only a few days. Like you said. Maybe it was nothing.”
He shrugged, though he didn’t feel like there was anything casual about it. “I don’t know. But I want to. I want to take you out. I want to stay in here and order pizza. I want to play board games with you and your family. I want to get to know you, everything about you. I want to see you smile and laugh. I want to- to do this with you until we’re either both sure it will work, or it won’t.”
“And what if it does? What would you do?”
“I don’t know. Keep doing it?” He raised a brow and gave a nervous laugh. “I’ve never- I’ve never felt like this about anyone. I’m at a loss here. I’m an idiot. I should have told you who I was or rather, that I had money, but I just didn’t want it to matter. I should have known someone would recognize me and I should have prepared you for it, if not for any other reason.”
“You’re damn right you should have told me.” Ash fixed him with a hard look. She was fierce and it was absolutely erotic and adorable all at once. “I would never use you for your money. I would never treat anyone that way.” Her hands balled into fists and her jaw clenched so hard it clicked. “I want to find those women and… and…”
“Deck them like you did me?”
Her face colored and that adorable blush he loved so much crept into her cheeks. “I don’t know. I wish. I- I don’t know what I would do. Call them a bitch and probably egg their house or something.”
He laughed. “That’s a sight I would love to see. You armed with a carton of eggs screaming obscenities. Maybe I’ll record it and we’ll have a second viral video.”
“I’d probably go to prison.”
“I’d bail you out.”
They both paused, the silence stretching between them, heavy and weighted. Finally, Ash sighed. “Look. I don’t know what you want. I don’t even know what I want. I’ve never really done this either. I’ve never imagined dating someone. My history has been a total disaster as well.”
“I’d like to find them and make them pay for not treating you right.”
Ash’s lips turned up a little at the corners. “Thanks for the sentiment. Really though it wasn’t their fault. I set myself up by looking in all the wrong places so that I wouldn’t have to put myself out there. I picked the wrong people so that I wouldn’t have to worry about caring.”
“It seems like we were both just trying to protect ourselves.”
“Yeah, I guess so.”
“You asked me what I want.” He took a chance and reached out and touched her hand. She didn’t pull away, but she did stiffen. “I just want another chance. I want a chance to prove to you every single day that you’re beautiful and amazing and wonderful and if you think you’re nerdy, I love nerdy. I want to get to know you. I want to commit to this. If you thinking decking me in the mouth and walking away is going to make me leave, you’re wrong. I want you more than ever.”
“That’s kind of sadistic, don’t you think?”
“I don’t know.” Trace chuckled softly. “I just- I would do anything to show you how sorry I am. I’m scared. You’re probably scared. We can take it slow. Just go day by day. Be open and honest with each other about what we want and need and try and make this work.”
“And if I decide that I am a gold digger and I want to use you for your money?” Ash’s eyes shone and he could tell she was kidding. “Or what about my rage issues? Aren’t you afraid that I might punch you again? What about my brother? My crazy family? You’ll be subjected to board games more often than you can stomach. My next-door neighbor also apparently has a huge crush on you in tight black spandex. And… well, you’re kind of a big deal. When the reporters and shit get a hold of the story about us dating even after that video- I’m sure they won’t leave us alone.”
“I’ll buy us a private island then.”
“I’d miss my family.”
“I’d move them too.”
“Wouldn’t you miss yours?”
“I’d move them as well.”
“And my cat?”
“Especially Slappy.”
Ash studied him hard and Trace stood his ground. She stared at him, those beautiful green eyes blazing straight into his soul. “I have just one other question then,” Ash breathed.
“Okay…” he realized he still hadn’t let go of her hand. Her fingers felt so damn good tucked into his own. He never wanted to let her go.
“I just want to know how hard you think it’s going to be to get you out of that costume. And if you brought a change of clothes.”
Trace almost couldn’t believe he’d heard her right. She stared up at him, her eyes changed, sparkling with mischief and humor.
“Are- are you serious?”
“Yeah. Why would I use you for your money when I can use you for sex and your money?”
Trace gave her a mock scowl. He gripped her and pulled her in up against him. He didn’t miss her gasp or the way her eyes darkened with arousal. Her nipples were hard even through her bra when they jammed into his chest.
“Your neighbor is going to be very disappointed when I don’t go over there for tea.”
“She’ll get over it,” Ash rasped. She reached up and twined her hands around his neck, pulling his face in close. “You could have shown up here with chocolates or flowers and I would have turned you away. If your sister told you to try and think of the one thing I wouldn’t be able to resist and you picked this, you were right. You were so right.”
“Do you hate me for it?”
“Hate you? I don’t think I could ever hate you. Believe me, I’ve spent this week trying.”
He gripped her ass and squeezed hard through her jeans. Ash melted against him. “I’m going to have to punish you for all that talk about using me for sex and money. That’s wicked. Not very ladylike at all.”
Her teeth sunk into her lower lip. “Please do. Please, please do. Because I can’t hate you. I can’t even be mad at you anymore. I think I cooled off over the week. You stayed away and it gave me time to miss you. I don’t feel complete when you’re not with me. That scares the hell out of me. So please, don’t fuck up again because neither of us needs another video like that.”
“I promise I’ll do my best.”
“Me too. Now, are you going to take me to the bedroom and show me what a bad villain you are?”
Trace grinned. He couldn’t even believe he was standing there, holding Ash, that she’d agreed to give him a second chance, that despite everything, she still felt the way he did.
He bent his head and kissed her until they were both breathless and it was obvious, through that thin black fabric, that he wanted her. Her and no one else. She was the one for him. He knew it. He’d always know it. Just like he’d promised, he’d spend every single day proving it to her.
He swept Ash up into his arm and she clung to him, giggling nervously as he carried her to the bedroom. He shut the door, locking her cat out, and set her down. She waited, staring up at him expectantly.
“I’m going to punish you,” he promised her, feeling entirely happy and completely ridiculous. “But first you’re going to have to help me get out of this. It’s insanely tight.”
Ash’s giggle filled up the room. “It would be my pleasure, Mr. Nightshadow. My complete pleasure.”
EPILOGUE
“I thought you were just kidding about all the private island stuff, but now I see that I was wrong.” Ash turned slowly from the huge jutting rock she’d just climbed onto with more grace than she had managed while stepping out of the boat.
Her eyes glistened, reflecting the blue of the cloudless sky and the shimmering waters of the lake. Her hair was mussed from the wind. Though she’d tied it back, strands escaped on the boat ride across the lake. He
r cheeks were tinged pink and her skin glowed, like being out in nature excited her. In faded jean cutoffs and a simple black t-shirt, no makeup and hiking boots, she was beyond gorgeous.
“It’s not what you were thinking of. No yachts, no Caribbean, no high price tag, but it is far away from everything and everyone. I thought it was an excellent vacation spot, to get away when we’re overwhelmed.” He tied up the small aluminum fishing boat to one of the nearby trees. The natural bay surrounding the island gave way to a sharp bank of rocks. Once they scaled those, the trees made room for a clearing with grass, a rustic log cabin, and a small outhouse.
“It’s really…”
“Rustic? Amazing? The best thing you’ve ever seen?”
Ash laughed. “You said we were just taking me on this fishing trip. I should have known something was up when you wouldn’t tell me where we were boating off to.”
“I had to surprise you. I swear that if I told you I’d bought his tiny little island in the middle of a lake in Northern Canada with almost no habitation other than the fishing camps and lodges around, you’d think I was crazy. I almost thought you wouldn’t agree to come if I told you how remote it was. Since you are a city girl, after all.”
Ash swatted at him. “I might have been raised in the city, but we went camping when I was a kid. I can start a fire and I’m not afraid of mice or- or snakes.”
“What about the spiders?”
“Spiders, uh, I guess it depends how big they are.”
Trace laughed. He wrapped an arm around Ash’s waist and pulled her in against him. “I’ll protect you from the arachnids and all the other creatures living here, I promise. I’ll even stand right outside the outhouse when you go in if you’re scared.”
“I think I can manage.”
Trace stared down at the woman he loved. She was constantly amazing him, even after two years together. “Really, I bought this place as an investment. They aren’t developing any more islands on the lake. This was a great price since the last owner just wanted to get out of it and needed the money. I know it’s run down. I was thinking we could fix it up together. My plan was to flip it, but maybe…”
“Maybe?”
“Maybe if you fell in love with it, we could stay here during the warm months. The summer months, some spring and fall. The fishing is excellent here. I thought it would be a great place for our families to come. We could build a guest house over there.” He pointed to the bald patch of land beside the cabin. “The island really is quite large. The bay is perfect for swimming, but there are other, natural beaches on the lake too. Like I said, the fishing is great. I thought it would be a nice place to get away from the city.”
“I’d… I’d have to quit my job.”
Trace softened. “I know. Like I said, this can be just an investment if you don’t want to come out here. I know how much your job means to you.”
“Thank you for saying that. I know you probably don’t get why I work when I don’t have to.”
“I understand perfectly why you want to work. Money doesn’t have to change a person. Weren’t you the one who said that? I know you love it at the store. I know you have friends and game nights and you love the owners. I never thought you’d quit, even after you moved in with me. I’m proud that you do something you’re passionate about.”
Ash’s eyes sparkled. Her hand slipped into his as he led her towards the cabin’s front door. “I have honestly been thinking about taking a break. I was going to tell you way before this, but I’ve really struggled with the decision. I want to focus more on writing. My books are so popular, and they’ve taken off in ways I couldn’t imagine. I- I kind of want to make that work. I really enjoy it and I just feel like there aren’t enough hours in the day.”
“Am I too demanding?”
“Certainly.” Her laughter echoed through the trees. The sun shone down overhead, and the blue sky seemed to stretch on for miles. The smell of the wilderness, the sharp tang of the trees, the earthy scent rising from the lake and the fresh crisp air- it was calming and incredible and completely infectious.
Trace laughed. “Really, though. I don’t want to be. I- I know how important your time is. I know you cut your hours back at the store so that you could write more, and I’ve really tried not to intrude on your time.”
“You can intrude whenever you want,” Ash winked. She stopped near the weathered front door. It was as rustic as the old wood logs, wood and greyed out with time and from withstanding the harsh elements throughout the years.
“So, you’re really thinking about giving up the store?”
“I would still go in for games night now and then. I’d still see everyone.” She turned and looked off into the distance, where the lake shone on in an endless blue that seemed to touch the very horizon. “Besides. I’m not going to have time for that, the writing, you, this place, and a baby.”
Trace nearly fell over. He stumbled, reached out, and set his hand on the soft grey log. “I’m sorry- what?”
Ash whirled, a huge smile lighting her face. She was radiant, beautiful, his queen. “Yes. Are you- is that okay? I mean, I know we’ve talked about it in the abstract. I- I know we weren’t trying or not trying, but I’ve been off the pill for four months now and we weren’t exactly careful.”
“I- I just didn’t think it would happen so fast. I thought they said it takes six months for the pill to even completely leave your system.”
“Well, obviously it didn’t take that long. It’s not for lack of trying either.”
Trace finally recovered. He pushed away from the cabin. He scooped Ash up in his arms and held her close against his chest. He planted a firm kiss on her lush mouth. That kiss stirred something else. He couldn’t wait to take her inside that cabin, hell, maybe outside too, and let her know just how happy he was, just how much he loved her.
“A baby,” he said breathlessly. “I- I know we talked about it, but it always seemed so abstract. I’m still in shock, but once the idea sinks in, I know I’m going to be a wreck.”
Ash stroked his cheek. “You won’t be a wreck. You’ll be perfect like you always are.”
“I might cry. I might bawl.” He stared at her stomach in wonder. “I can’t believe there’s a baby growing in there.”
“It’s early. I just found out before we left. I took the test. I’m only a month along, so we still have lots of time to make plans and get everything ready. And if you cry… that’s okay. I did. I wanted to tell you when we were out on the lake here, catch you by surprise.”
“Obviously that worked.”
“Yes.” She stroked his cheek again before she tangled her fingers in his hair. “I’m so excited. I can’t wait. A little Mr. or Miss Nightshadow.”
Trace’s laugh boomed through the woods. The lake echoed the sound back strangely, wildly, mysteriously. He spun Ash around in a circle before he set her down. He gripped her shoulders and kissed her again. “I love you, Ash. So damn much. I can’t believe this is ours. This island, this place, this life. I love that we’re a family. You and me. My sister and my mom. Your parents and your brother. I love it all. Slappy…”
“I’m not sure he’s going to be excited to be a big brother.”
“He’ll adjust. We’ll bring him out here next time. He’ll love it.”
“You think he’d like the long drive and the boat ride too?”
“Probably not, but he’d miss us if we left him behind.”
“He’s an old cat, but maybe he’d like it out here. He’d probably love getting into trouble and chasing birds and mice and basking in the sun. This was a really, really good surprise.”
“I like yours better.”
“Me too,” Ash laughed. She set a hand on her flat stomach. Her other hand gripped his. “Should we go see what you’ve bought?”
“I’m almost afraid to open the door.”
“Nothing is so bad it can’t be fixed.” Ash turned her face and the love there stopped his heart. He still couldn
’t believe, even after a few years together, that she was his. “This is going to be our second home. It’s going to be a great place to write. Honestly, I didn’t expect it, but I can’t wait. Change is good. This change is good.”
“Let’s go then.”
They walked into the cabin together, into their future, into the promise of a new adventure and many more years of laughter and board games, grouchy cats, bad jokes, families and astoundingly- children. Ash didn’t even know about the ring in his pocket. She’d got to announce her surprise before he could fully complete his.
He’d ask her soon enough, under the endless blue sky, on their island.
He couldn’t wait for her to be his wife and for them to truly be a family. It was more than anything he’d ever dared to hope for. She was his and he was hers. Always. Her Nightshadow.
The End
BABY MISTAKE
BOOK DESCRIPTION
We are sworn enemies but she's having my baby.
Her:
I have had enough of men. They are just pig-headed assholes.
Him:
I have had enough of women. They are just schemey little bitches after my billion-dollar empire.
Her:
I’m pregnant. Who said you needed a man to do the job? Artificial insemination works just fine.
Him:
When I find out my sperm was inseminated into a woman by mistake, I know there will be hell to pay. But worst of it all is when I find out the mother of my baby is none other than the very woman who hates my guts and who for some reason, just makes my stick misbehave, in a very bad way.
CHAPTER 1
Teela
It wasn’t every day that a big douchey billionaire buys out the little mom and pop company and threatens to fire exactly twenty-two employees (because yes, even though Alexander Daniels showed up to work hungover and gets tanked again by noon from the bottle he kept in his office in the top drawer of his desk, three days out of five, he still counts as an employee- a manager to be exact).