“Damn, boy, go fix it,” he yells.
“You got it, boss,” I say as I straddle my leading lady.
Chapter Nine
Missy
I glance down at my watch, geez, it’s been an hour since I’ve been here. I need to get crap done for tomorrow; all I can think about are those designs.
Just as I am about to pull out my laptop, Dr. Levi comes back in.
“Well, we ran your urine, and it looks like you are pregnant, about four to six weeks,” she says and my vision goes blurry.
“I’m sorry, excuse me, that is not possible.” I start to freak out. “I mean is that possible? I thought condoms work like raincoats, the whole you put one on and boom you are good to go.” I am rambling now; her words are sinking in and I’m not sure, but I suddenly can’t breathe.
“Slow down, take deep breaths, you can still get pregnant while using a condom. It is rare but I have seen it before,” she says her hands still on my shoulders guiding my breathing.
“Great, I slept with a man who has Goliath sperm.” I slap my hands over my face. “What the hell am I going to do,” I say to anybody, nobody, to myself.
“Well you have a couple options, there is always adoption, or there is ab . . .
“No, I am keeping my baby,” I say cutting her off.
“Good, well, let’s get you another appointment set up in a few weeks and some vitamins to get you started okay.” She pats me on the shoulder before leaving the room.
I wander home in a daze. How the hell am I going to raise a kid. I hated my life as a kid, I never had anyone to teach me about life. God what if I screw this kid up, bile rising I think I am going to puke again.
I sit on my couch and the adrenaline from earlier is leaving my system. Now the tears I held back from earlier are pouring down my face.
A knock on the door surprises me. I wipe my face, who could this possibly be, the only people that know I am home are Claire and the receptionist. I open the door to see Ranger standing there. God, he looks beautiful.
“Hey, how are you feeling?” he asks, startling me. Does he know? Can you already tell? No, I chastise myself.
“I called your work and they told me you have been out sick,” he says bringing in groceries.
Shit and he is being nice. What the hell am I going to do? Just rip the band-aid off, I think to myself.
Yeah, that’s it, just come right out and say it, I mean everyone knows that condoms are not fool proof, umm, you didn’t moron until today. My mind is racing and I can’t shut it up.
“I can’t take those,” I tell him. I have already memorized my list of approved drugs that I got from the doctors.
“Shit, are you allergic? I’m sorry I didn’t know,” he says sweetly and apologetically.
“That’s just it, we don’t know each other, of course you wouldn’t know if I was allergic to any thing, because we met and fucked all in one day.” I am rambling now uncontrollably.
“Missy, it’s okay. What is wrong, why are you freaking out?” He tries to console me, but it won’t work. I am slowly freaking out again.
“I’m pregnant,” I rush out and now he is staring at me.
“I’m sorry, what the hell did you just say?” he asks incredulously. The look of disbelief is all over his face.
“I said I am pregnant. Don’t worry, you don’t need to be a part of it. I can do this by myself,” I tell him and I will if I have too. I just don’t want to I think to myself.
I will not be like my parents; my child will feel loved, either by both parents, if not, he or she will know I love them enough for both parents.
“I gotta go,” he rushes out and my heart sinks. “I will call you,” he says as he leaves me standing in the kitchen.
Numb is the best way to explain how I feel, completely and utterly numb. I’m not sure how long I stand there looking at my door.
“Hello, earth to Missy.” I am brought back by Ramona waving her hand in front of my face.
“Oh, sorry I was daydreaming,” I say trying to play off how long I had been standing there.
“So, how did the doctor’s go?” My head snaps in her direction when she asks the question.
“Oh, you know, it’s not the flu, I’m just pregnant,” I say nonchalantly.
Ramona freezes mid-step to the refrigerator, turns her stunned face gawking at me.
“Oh, please tell me you are fucking kidding me,” she blurts out.
“Nope, I am about four to six weeks along,” I say placing my hand across my belly.
“Well damn, have you told Ranger yet?” she asks, pulling out a chair next to me.
“Yeah, he reacted kind of how you did, then he ran away,” I tell her. I know she is going to freak out on him and right now that is just fine with me.
“Wait, he what?” she asks incredulously.
“You heard me. I told him I was pregnant, he said I gotta go and I will call you. That was about an hour and a half ago,” I say, leaning forward on the table covering my head with my arms.
“What a prick,” she says and I couldn’t help but laugh.
“It could have been worse,” I tell her huffing a deep breath.
“How?” She slides chocolate over my way.
Score! Maybe this pregnancy thing will not be so bad, I think to myself.
“Well, we used a condom so the fact that he didn’t question it, and our timing hasn’t been the best,” I tell her shoveling the candy bar into my mouth.
Chapter Ten
Ranger
I knock on her door but no answer, shit. I listen at the door hoping to hear something.
She must not be home; I pull out my phone to call her.
“She left,” I hear from behind me.
“Excuse me,” I say, turning toward the voice.
“You’re looking for Missy, correct?” she asks.
“Yes, I am.” I look back down at my phone.
“She just left.” The elder lady sporting cotton candy pink hair leans out her door.
“She should be back soon. If you want, you can wait in my apartment.” She arches an eyebrow at me seductively.
“Ummm, no thanks,” I say nicely, internally I am cringing.
“Well, if you want company just let me know.” She winks blowing a kiss and winking again before she closes her door.
“Fucking cougar,” I laugh out loud.
I scroll through my phone and finding Missy’s number I press send; her phone goes straight to voicemail.
Okay here goes, “Listen Missy, I am sorry, I promise I will make it up to you. The news was just a little jarring and I was startled. I knew I should have come right back. I was a coward and an ass about it. I should have stayed, please call me back. I end the call and head back toward the compound.
Once I am back home, I pull out my cell once more glancing at the screen. She still hasn’t called me back. It has been three hours since I called her, tomorrow when she comes back to meet with Cara, she will have no choice but to talk to me.
At that point, all bets are off, the sweet Ranger is gone, I will take what is mine and she will be mine!. I lean back closing my eyes picturing how she looked standing in her kitchen that night, hair falling down her back in sexy waves, her long legs in those tiny shorts. I groan, my body so desperate to be inside her again. My jeans are about to explode they are so tight right now. I pop open my button, snaking my hand down, and flexing my palm against my rock-hard dick.
My phone rings interrupting me. Fuck it’s Ramona.
“You knocked her up,” was the first thing I hear the moment I hit the accept button.
“Hello to you too, Ramona,” I chide rolling my eyes. Smokey’s girl is like a chihuahua, all freaking annoying bark and no bite.
“Seriously, Ranger, she tells you that she is pregnant, and you walk out,” her voice is calmer, her tone flat and serious.
“I know, I was just so in shock, I couldn’t believe it. I know it was a prick move and I went back
to apologize but she wasn’t there.” I try and explain but no matter what I know this was a big fuck up.
“Ohh you think? I mean damn, Ranger, now what are you going to do?” she asks.
“No fucking clue except try again. I am not giving up this time,” I tell her, all seriousness in my voice.
“Good and try not to fuck up again. I was really rooting for you, she needs a good man and I thought you were him.” She digs her words in deeper.
“Ramona, don’t worry I will take care of it, She’s my girl, I got it,” I bark before I hang up on her. Love the girl to death but damn she is a pain in the ass sometimes.
It’s a fucking gloomy day for our family, this shit with Sal just keeps getting worse. Who the fuck steals from the mafia and doesn’t do anything to correct it except to die? I shake my head in utter disbelief. I hear laughing, laughter that I know, my head shoots up toward the main room. I move as fast as my feet will move me. I forgot she was coming today to show Cara the new designs.
I stand in the doorway and watch her. The thought of her carrying my child doesn’t terrify me like I thought it would.
“Hey, Miss,” I say, hoping she doesn’t fucking stomp away like last time.
“Hey.” She glances up before looking right back at the plans she has laid out in front of her.
Fuck it, my need to have her in my arms trumps her anger. I stride over, cupping her face in my hands, and planting my lips directly on hers. At first, she rebukes me but within seconds her arms are wound around my shoulders and her fingers are raking through my hair.
“I am just going to give you both a few minutes to talk while I show these to Matthew,” Cara says, gathering up the plans and scurrying out, leaving us alone.
“Mine,” I growl against her lips as I take her mouth once more.
Pulling away panting for breath, “Mine,” I growl placing my hand on her nonexistent baby bump.
Chapter Eleven
Missy
I couldn’t help but laugh when Ms. Levowitz offered her apartment. I was heading toward the elevators when I spotted him coming toward me, so I knocked on her door so I could hide.
When I explained what happened, she patted my hand. “Don’t worry, love. I will take care of him,” she cajoled.
His reaction made me almost pee myself, she is a hairless old flirt. I look over to see her peering through her door to spy on him.
“My goodness, deary, he is a looker and by the way you are acting he must be mighty F-I-N-E in the bedroom too.” She cackles.
“Oh, you have no idea.” I look up to find her standing on a step stool behind her door looking into her peep hole.
“Oh my heavens, he is bending down to grab something, look at that backside. Praise Jesus for snug jeans,” she says, fanning herself.
“Look all you want, just tell me when he is gone.” I lean back on the couch and close my eyes.
“Well hell, you don’t have to tell me twice,” she says, placing her eye back up to the peephole.
The next morning, I am pleased to find myself feeling much better. I only tossed my cookies twice this morning, maybe the worst part is over.
Except today is the day I have to go back to the compound, my meeting with Cara starts in twenty minutes. That leaves me enough time to grab a coffee and head that way.
I pace around the large compound waiting for Cara to join me. I have already laid out all the new plans and something tells me she will love them.
“Ms. Jones, how are you? I would suspect better than last time?” she asks jokingly.
“Yes, I am so sorry, Mrs. McKenzie. I am a lot better, by the way. I’m so sorry that was completely unprofessional,” I apologize profusely.
“Please, call me Cara and don’t worry about it. I know how pigheaded these men can be,” she tells me patting my arm.
“Please, Cara, call me Missy,” I beg her.
“What do we have here?” she asks changing the subject.
“These are something I think you will like so much better than what we had last time,” I explain. “Here I placed a series of rooms on the top floor, I figured this could be a separate section for your family.” I point to four rooms surrounded by a common area.
“Wow, that sounds amazing,” she exclaims.
“I wasn’t sure if you guys lived here all the time or not,” I shrug, “so I just figured if you didn’t then someone else could use them.”
“We have a house about twenty minutes away. I may have you take a look there as well.” She shifts around looking at the plans.
“That is a wonderful idea, I would love to,” my inner voice is squealing.
I notice she is focusing on the outside layout. “There I designed a series of play gyms for the kids, so when you have BBQs they can play. I know we discussed you wanted more space for families so I also created pods of rooms here,” I point to the other side of the playground.
“Missy, this is amazing, better than I ever hoped it would be.” She bounces on her toes.
Once all the plans are explained and we jot down just some small changes, I go over the underground tunnels.
“Hey, Miss,” I hear and my heart sinks. Of course he would be here, this is his club after all genius.
“Hey,” was all I got out before his lips crashed against mine. I try to pull away, not to stop him but so I could drag in a deep breath.
After everything that has gone on, my body still craves him, still molds against him.
“Mine,” he growls causing my belly to flip a little. I intertwine my fingers through his hair, loving the way it feels against my skin. His lips on mine cause my blood to roar in my ears, in the background I know Cara said something, but my body was too busy responding to Ranger’s touch.
What really did me in was when he placed his hand on my stomach, his way of telling me he was all in.
Pulling away, panting I need to regain control over my screaming core, I lean my head against his chest as he wraps me in his arms.
“I promise I am not going anywhere,” he says, his hand gripping my chin.
“Okay,” was all I could get out, my throat tight with unshed tears.
A knock has us both turning toward the door.
“You want to take that somewhere else? Some of us have fucking work to do,” Locke gruffs out.
“Good, now Ms. Jones, Cara showed me your plans,” he says standing taller, damn this man is a giant.
Clearing my throat, “Yes, sir.”
“Not bad,” he says a slap on his bicep causes him to grunt.
“Matthew, stop that,” she scolds him.
“Woman! What have I told you about that?” he growls at her. She stands on her toes looking at him nose to nose, when he scoops her up and swats her backside.
Her squeal sends laughs throughout the room, “Boss, take that shit somewhere else,” Ranger says as Locke turns with Cara over his shoulder still.
Without looking he flips Ranger off and tosses his head back laughing.
“Dinner tonight,” he says, kissing the side of my head.
“Hmmm, sounds good, my house at seven,” I tell him.
“Sounds perfect.” His fingers flex on my hips digging in and sending shivers through my body.
“I need to get back to the office, see you tonight,” I whisper, biting my lip not wanting to separate.
“Yeah, babe, sounds good,” he says, gently kissing my lips once more softly.
“If you don’t stop doing that, I will never get back to work.” I couldn’t keep the smile off my face.
“Go, I will see you tonight,” he says against my lips, slapping my ass as I walk away.
Chapter Twelve
Ranger
The elevator opens and the crazy cotton candy pink haired neighbor is standing in there. Shit I think to myself.
“Hey, good looking. Did you ever hear from Missy?” she asks, eyeing me up and down like I am a steak hanging at a butcher shop.
“Yeah, thank you by the way,
” I say seriously creeped out by an old lady.
“Mmmmmmm, that Mistletoe has some damn good taste,” she says, and I could not help but laugh.
“Want to give an old lady a kiss?” she asks, puckering up her lips.
“Umm. No, thanks lady,” I say, rushing out of the elevator as soon as the doors open.
Her laugh sends shivers down my spine, like nails on a chalkboard.
Music coming from Missy’s apartment prevents her from hearing my knock. So I turn the knob, I am in luck, the door opens. I head for the music, in the kitchen Missy is dancing and singing along with the radio.
She turns. “Oh, damn, I didn’t hear you come in.” She leans back on the counter, her face red with embarrassment.
“I was just enjoying the show.” I toss her a wink.
“Very funny, I have moves.” She turns back leaning into the oven checking on dinner, giving her ass a little shake.
“Mmmmmm, yes you do.” Watching her shimmy causes my jeans to tighten, shit not yet. I press my palm on my crotch willing my dick to chill the fuck out.
“So, I saw your crazy ass neighbor again. That woman is a horny old lady.” I lean back on the countertop crossing my feet in front of me.
“Oh, yeah, she told me she saw you the other day,” she snickers like she is hiding something.
“She is something else,” I say, eyeing her still bent over. Nice round ass in her tight black leggings.
“Yes, she is. Dinner should be done in fifteen minutes. Feel free to look around,” she says as she bustles around the kitchen.
“It smells great in here,” I tell her roaming her living room. Pictures of her and Ramona with another woman, on the beach, on a snow cliff. I notice none of her as a child, or with a family anywhere. Diplomas hanging on the wall from her university, I lean in Mistletoe Evelyn Jones boldly printed on both.
The comment the crazy old bat in the elevator said comes back to me.
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