by Ava Claire
Almost instantly, my husband’s face turned to stone. My gladiator, shutting down those pesky human emotions on command. I understood the appeal. I longed to pretend like I was okay. Like I wouldn’t be haunted by the sight of Eichmann’s lifeless eyes, his daughter’s body draped over his. Had he ever embraced her? Why did my heart ache at the thought that in their final moments, they were probably closer than they had ever been?
I wanted to feel relieved that The Eichmanns were gone. That they wouldn’t slink away to burst back into our lives the next time it struck their fancy. That they wouldn’t hurt anyone else.
But I didn’t feel relief. I didn’t feel the heavy weight of justice.
I felt hollow and hearing Jacob say what I knew was true didn’t make me exhale and turn a corner towards healing.
“They didn’t make it,” he said, his tone matching the dark locks that he forced out of his eyes. “And I have a feeling that was exactly what Eichmann wanted. Death by cop. Forcing his daughter to share in his fate.”
I didn't know much about Eichmann other than the fact that he was a criminal and a horrible father. It turned out that I didn't know much about Angelique, either.
I dropped my eyes to my belly, my fingertips caressing the curve. I wanted to believe that it wasn't all a lie. That Angelique Entoine wasn't a fictional character and Angelique Eichmann was the only thing that was real.
I stopped stroking, remembering her face, her wide eyed hope as she waited for her father's answer. Deep down, she had to have known that the man was incapable of love. That his answer would be as disappointing as it had always been. And still...
"I know what you're doing," Jacob said softly, cradling my cheek.
I tried to push aside my annoying need to see the best in people. People who didn't deserve the benefit of the doubt.
"I don't know what you mean," I lied, trying to force a smile on my face. The only thing worth smiling about was that the baby was okay.
He dusted his fingers across my forehead, fondling my curly tresses. "I think you do."
"There goes Leila, caring too much again?" I offered, cringing inwardly when I realized I sounded more bitter than I'd like.
I had a moment of dejavu, remembering the last time I'd been in a hospital bed and my husband had squeezed onto the bed beside me. With all the cords and the belly action, there would be no cuddling, but he did one better and leaned down, making a trail of kisses that started at my forehead.
"There is no such thing as caring too much." He skimmed my temple with his lips, setting my skin ablaze with want for him. Needing to forget everything else but the thing our bodies did so well. "You taught me that, Lay." He stroked my cheeks and rounded the way to my lips. He hovered above them, our breath mingling, desire swirling between us as he gazed into my eyes like he was falling in love with me all over again. "Sometimes people let you down. They break your heart. And sometimes they surprise you. Not giving up on people, having hope, is a beautiful thing."
I gripped the front of his t-shirt and pulled him close. I wanted him to do more than hear my words. I wanted him to feel them. "There were moments when I wasn't sure we were gonna make it." I bit my lip, remembering when we were finally alone in that room. The moment that stretched into several minutes. I felt emotion rising in my throat, drowning my words in tears. "When despair tried to take over, I thought about you. I thought about the man who crashed into me in the lobby, too busy and obnoxious to be bothered to say ‘excuse me’." That drew a tiny little smirk from him and I traced the curve with my fingertip. "I thought about the man who made me a proposition that should have made me run for the hills, but saying yes, discovering parts of myself that I never knew existed was the best thing that I've ever done." That brought out the blue flame in his eyes, dancing and wild. "And that day on the beach, when we promised each other forever, with our future stretching out as far as the eye could see..." I pecked his nose with my lips, smiling. "I kinda didn't know that fate had some curve balls in store, but that's how it works. And now...” I drew his hands to my belly, closing my eyes as he stroked it with his thumb, like he was playing our baby a song. "Now that I have you two, I finally know what true happiness is."
He leaned down a few inches, smiling at my belly. Talking to our lil one.
"You hear that, Hope? You complete us, baby girl."
I didn't know if it was hormones or the fact that his voice was so gentle and full of love that I wasn't sure if I wanted to sob with joy or jump his bones. I'd never gotten the appeal of men and babies until now. Our baby still had months to go and I was already wrapped around Jacob’s pinky finger, ready to hike up my skirt, do anything as long as-
Wait.
My smile grew. "Did you just say what I think you said? Did you just name our baby?”
Jacob glanced up at me, feigning innocence. "Cute name, right?"
I almost plucked the pillow from behind my head so I could hit him with it. I'd thought that maybe I imagined the gendered parts of his speech about going to the ends of the earth for our child. He'd spent so much time being contrary every time I bet on a little girl, insisting that it was a boy.
I'd been just as stubborn, certain it was a little girl, but looking at the man I loved, the only thing I was certain about was the fact that whether it was a boy or girl, it would be loved and cherished.
She (or he) would be a Whitmore, after all.
~
Thanks for taking the time to read To Love A Billionaire! Please consider leaving a review. -xoxo, A.C.
The Billionaire’s Baby Series
To Want A Billionaire, #1
To Need A Billionaire, #2
To Crave A Billionaire, #3
To Trust A Billionaire, #4
To Love A Billionaire, #5
About the Author
Ava Claire is a sucker for Alpha males and happily ever afters. When not putting pen to paper or glued to her e-reader, Ava likes road tripping, karaoke, vintage fashion, and fantasizing about her favorite book boyfriends.
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Stay tuned to my blog for up to date information on my works in progress and release schedules!