“Morn…ugh.”
“What’s wrong?” I ask when I see her face.
“I’m going to be sick.” No sooner have the words left her mouth than she’s running for the bathroom. I’m right behind her and have her hair in my hands as she heaves into the toilet.
Once she’s finished, she sits back against the cool tiles. I hand her a cold, damp washcloth and watch as she presses it to her flushed face.
“I’m sorry. I’ve been feeling a little off the last couple of days.”
“This isn’t the first morning you’ve been sick?” She shakes her head, clearly not thinking the same thing I am. “Madison, are you on birth control?” It was irresponsible of me not to ask before taking her bare time and time again, but rational thinking isn’t my priority when she’s naked…though a little excitement tickles in my stomach as the thought of her having my baby begins to sneak its way in.
“I was but…”
“But?” I ask quickly, needing to know if this could be happening.
“I left them here.” Her eyes flick to the shelf above the basin. “Shit. Am I…” she trails off.
“You left them here? So you’ve been on nothing all this time?”
“Yeah,” she whispers. “I was too distracted by you and everything going on.”
Marching from her bathroom I start dragging my clothes on, a smile twitching the corners of my mouth.
“What are you doing? Where are you going?” she asks in a panic as she rushes after me, her eyes wide.
“The store.”
“I’ll come with you.”
“No, stay here in case you need to...” I look over her shoulder at the toilet and she nods. “Give me your keys. I’ll only be a few minutes.”
She hands them over and just before I get out of the door, she calls me back. The look on her face is enough to have me marching up to her and taking her cheeks in my hands.
“I’m sorry,” she whispers, her voice quivering. “I can’t believe I was so stupid.”
“It’s okay,” I soothe as I catch a tear with my thumb. “I’m as much to blame. I didn’t even check. I’ll be back soon.”
Tearing my eyes away from her distraught ones, I quickly make my way out of the house and jump in her car. I try not to let my imagination get the better of me. After all, this could just be a false alarm. There’s no point in getting my hopes up or trying to come up with an image of how sexy she’ll look swollen with my baby. Shit, the thought alone has my cock hardening.
After taking a moment to blow out a long breath, I head to the store to get what we need. I buy one of every brand they have just so we can be sure.
* * *
Staring down at the line of pregnancy tests all laid out across Madison’s basin, my heart pounds as her body trembles slightly in my arms. She’s not said anything but I don’t think she’s sharing my excitement that this could be happening.
One by one the results start to show, and after checking the instructions on all but the one that says the word, we have our answer.
We’re going to be parents.
“Well, that doesn’t make our situation any easier, does it?” Madison says sadly.
Spinning her around in my arms, I stare down into her concerned eyes. “Aren’t you happy?”
“I…I’m just worried about you,” she admits, her brows drawing together.
“You don’t need to worry about me. Start worrying about this little person of ours you’re growing.” I slide my hands down her sides and around to her smooth, flat belly. “I can’t wait to watch you grow.”
“You’re not angry?”
“Why would I be angry? You’re giving me the most incredible gift.”
Her mouth drops open in shock so I make the most of her stunned reaction and press kisses up her neck until my lips find hers.
“I’m so fucking happy right now, you’ve no idea,” I mutter against her before pressing myself against her body.
She moans when she feels me and I begin walking us out of her bathroom. We’ll worry about everything else later. Right now, I need to show her that we’re in this together and exactly how much I love her, because this naughty little schoolgirl is mine. Forever.
Madison
I can still vividly remember how I felt as I stared down at those positive pregnancy tests a year ago. Our future as a couple was already on unsteady ground, but throwing a baby into the mix was surely a recipe for disaster. Josh did his best to convince me that everything was going to be fine, but I couldn’t shift the feeling that in the end I was going to be alone and bringing up our child as a single parent. I knew how much he loved his job, how many years he’d been dreaming about it. I think I always had a fear that given the choice he’d choose his career over me, and this new development would only make life with me harder.
We set ourselves some clear ground rules before we returned to campus after fall break. Minimal contact throughout the week, no lunch breaks together, and no late night visits. We’d both head to our parents’ each weekend and make the most of our time together. Couples cope with long distance relationships all the time, so we were going to adopt that strategy, even if we did see each other every single day.
I kept my pregnancy hidden for as long as possible and was almost six months in before the gossip spread around college. Thankfully the sorority girls bought my one-night stand story, and that was how the Chinese whispers went. I felt horrible lying to my closest friends but I couldn’t risk Josh’s career. The only person who knew the truth was King.
The hardest part of it all was watching Josh’s face every time I walked into class. I could see in his eyes how desperately he wanted to come over, to kiss me, to rub his hand over my ever-growing belly. But he couldn’t do any of that.
I spent our time apart getting ahead with work so I didn’t have to attend classes once I was too pregnant. I’m so glad I did because not long into my seventh month, I was showing signs of early labor. I ended up moving back in with my parents and finishing off what little I had left so I could graduate online. It helped somewhat that my teacher was also the father of my child. He made sure I’d done everything so my three years at college weren’t for nothing.
When the time came, at just over eight months we were blessed with a gorgeous baby boy, Joseph—or Joey, after my grandfather. Thankfully, my water broke about an hour after Josh arrived at my parents’ place after work on a Friday night, so he was able to be there for the birth.
“Are you nearly ready?” Josh asks, poking his head into the bathroom in my room at my parents’. We moved back to Josh’s flat when the fall semester started but we still spend most of our weekends back here so our parents get to spend time with their grandchild. Josh was reluctant to have us all living that close to campus, but it’s been fine so far. I don’t go out all that often and if we want to go out together, we always head out of town. We’ve talked about looking for a place here and Josh commuting to work; we just need to find somewhere we can afford. My parents have offered to help but I keep refusing. This is our family, and we want to be the ones to provide a home.
“Yeah, just about done,” I say, putting the lid back on my lipstick and walking out of the bathroom to find Josh and Joey sitting on the edge of our bed.
The second I step into the room, his eyes widen and his mouth drops. My red, loose dress is low cut but skims over my baby bumps I’d rather keep hidden for now. Not that they put Josh off in any way. He’s just as obsessed with my body now as he was in the beginning.
“You look gorgeous,” he says after clearing his throat.
“Thank you. Is Joey ready?”
“Yes. Could you do one thing for me before we go?”
“Sure.”
“Could you look out the window?”
Glancing over to see the curtains shut, I narrow my eyes at Josh. “What’s going on?”
“Just go look.”
Slowly, I reach out and move the fabric to the side. My breath catches as
I see it immediately. The window opposite has a sign propped up against the glass and is surrounded by fairy lights. Will you marry me? is written in giant black letters.
“Oh my god,” I whisper, bringing my hand up to cover my mouth.
“Turn around.”
Doing as I’m told, I find Josh down on one knee with a little black box in his hand. My heart pounds and tears fill my eyes as I look down at him.
“Madison, I knew you were the one for me from the first moment I saw you. I spent years imagining what you were like. I had no idea that when I eventually got the chance to find out that you were even more incredible than I ever could have imagined. I know the past year hasn’t been easy but I wouldn’t change it for the world. I love you, Madison. Will you be mine forever? Will you marry me?”
Dropping down onto my knees in front of him, I wrap my hand around the back of his neck and pull his lips to mine. I can taste my salty tears as we kiss but I don’t stop, needing him to know how I feel.
When I eventually pull back, he looks at me with amusement dancing in his eyes. “So…?”
“Yes, Josh. Yes.”
Grabbing my hand after pulling the ring from the box, he slides the simple diamond onto my finger before dropping a kiss to it and whispering, “Mine.”
THE END
Firstly, I need to thank Frankie Love for coming up with the Halloween Honeys. If it wasn’t for her then this story never would have happened and I love it so hard. From the moment I thought it up I was in love with it. The idea of Josh watching Maddie from afar for all those years seemed so perfect to me. The words just flew from my fingers, and with each one I fell harder for Mr. Henderson and his naughty schoolgirl.
As always I need to think Michelle, my alpha reader, for putting up with my stories, all of my horrendous typos, and falling in love with my characters as much, if not more at times, as I do.
My wonderful beta readers, Deanna, Helen, Lindsay and Tracy. Thank you for always being honest with me and dropping everything when I need you.
Evelyn, once again, thank for being incredible, even if you do make my head hurt with your suggestions to make each of my books better than the last.
I want to thank everyone who’s given me the chance and picked this up to keep you entertained for a few hours. I wouldn’t be able to continue doing this if it weren’t for my incredible readers. So from the bottom of my heart THANK YOU!
And last but never least, my husband and daughter for everything you put up with so I can do what I love. I love you x
Are you ready to meet the rest of the crew?
His Wicked Witch by Kim Lorraine
His Little Red Riding Hood by Sher Dillard
His Fairytale Princess by Sierra Hill
His French Maid by Frankie Love
His Dragon Queen by Alexis Adaire
His Dirty Dancer by Kelli Callahan
His Brazen Angel by Tessa Blake
His Dirty Devil by Vivian Ward
His Nasty Nerd by Derek Masters
His Kinky Kitten by Olivia Hawthorne
His Sexy Cheerleader by Alexx Andria
His Curvy Cougar by Chantal Seabrook
His Naughty Nurse by Laney Powell
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About the Author
Tracy Lorraine is a M/F and M/M contemporary romance author. Tracy has just turned thirty and lives in a cute Cotswold village in England with her husband, baby girl and lovable but slightly crazy dog. Having always been a bookaholic with her head stuck in her Kindle, Tracy decided to try her hand at a story idea she dreamt up and hasn’t looked back since.
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Also by Tracy Lorraine
Angel Series
Falling for Molly: Part One #1
Falling for Molly: Part Two #2
Falling for Abbi #3
Falling for Beth (An Angel Series Novella)
Falling for Emma #4
Falling for Connie #5
Falling for Lilly #6
Falling for Taylor #7
Falling for Nicole #8
Chasing Series
Chasing Logan
Ruined Series
Ruined Plans #1
Ruined by Lies #2
Ruined Promises #3
Never Forget Series
Never Forget Him #1
Never Forget Us #2
Everywhere & Nowhere #3
The Cocktail Girls
His Manhattan
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Sneak Peek
Never Forget Him by Tracy Lorraine
Never Forget Him
Prologue
“Once upon a time there was a handsome soldier. He was strong and brave, and whisked the princess off her feet.
“The solider was a hero, fighting all the bad guys and giving people their lives back.
“He was more than that, though. He wasn’t just the brave soldier, he was thoughtful and caring, funny, and a little bit of an idiot.” I smile to myself as memories start playing out in my mind of his slightly wonky smile when he was winding me up, and the infectious sound of his laugh.
“One day, I’m going to be just like Daddy. I’m going be big and brave and rescue people,” Denny says sleepily.
I stay where I am, sat on the edge of his bed, and watch as he loses the fight against sleep. Denny looks just like him. Most days I find it comforting, but there are times, like right now, after he’s made me recite his nightly story, that it’s painful. The memories of him threaten to rip me apart.
I gently sweep his hair from his forehead once I know he’s fast asleep. “You already do that, baby boy. You rescue me every day,” I whisper as I take one last look at his gorgeous, peaceful face.
Never Forget Him
Chapter One
Five Years Ago…
“Erin, come on, at least look a little excited about this. It’s your twentieth birthday, for fuck’s sake,” Frankie, my best friend, complains when I sit on her bed, looking less than enthusiastic about our night out.
“I’m good, Ki. I am looking forward to it,” I lie. “It’s just I’m—”
“Worried about your mum.” Her words come out softer, showing she does understand. They still make me feel guilty, maybe I’m being a little too self-involved.
“I’m sorry. I’m going to forget all that and we’re going to have an amazing night,” I announce, summoning up as much excitement as I can muster.
Frankie is the ultimate party girl. She loves nothing more than spending all weekend either getting ready to go out, or being out and getting very drunk. That whole scene isn’t really me; I much prefer to spend my Saturday night at home, in my den, working, but I don’t have a chance in hell of getting away without going tonight, seeing as it’s my birthday.
“Here, get this down your neck. It’ll help chill you the fuck out,” she says, thrusting a glass of vodka Red Bull at me.
“Haven’t you got anything else?”
“Nope, suck it up. We’re gonna get ourselves nice and drunk before heading out. Seeing as we’re two weeks away from our next loan payments coming in, I’m fucking skint. We don’t all have a cushy job like you,” she says before necking her drink in one go. I, on the other hand, sip at the vile liquid before putting it down behind me. If I never taste
vodka Red Bull again I’d be happy. “Although,” she adds, with a wiggle of her eyebrows, “a little birdie told me there’re some hot soldiers in town tonight. Maybe they’ll buy us some drinks.”
I can’t help but groan at her mention of soldiers. Frankie makes no secret of her desire to bed a hot army guy. She has some obsession with being the one to make a soldier’s leave the best he’s ever had, to let him use her to blow off steam before sending him packing to wherever it is he’s based with some amazing memories and no intention of ever seeing him again.
“Oh, don’t give me that, E. You know you’d want it if you had the chance.”
I don’t respond other than to lift my eyebrow at her. She knows exactly what I’d say, anyway. My dad was in the army and I watched what it did to Mum every time he left to go on tour. I vividly remember the day she answered the door and collapsed to the ground wailing before the men the other side had even spoken. From as early as I can remember, I’ve said I’d never touch a man in the army. Dad broke my mum—totally shattered her. I never want to experience anything like that. Ever.
“Anyway, what do you think?” Frankie asks as she holds a small piece of silver glitzy fabric in front of her.
“I think it looks about the right size to be a dishcloth, Ki.”
His Naughty Schoolgirl Page 6