My Weakness

by Alison Mello

  Dad kisses and hugs me first before Pops grabs me and pulls me into his arms. “We did. How are you doing? You look beautiful.”

  The prenatal vitamins I’ve been taking have done wonders for my hair. It’s down past my bra strap now. Now that I’m hardly throwing up anymore, I’m starting to get that glow. “I’m doing great, and thank you. Joe got his paperwork to return to active duty. I’m trying to be strong, but I’m freaking out a little bit.”

  I turn and look behind me. Joe’s standing with his brother-in-law, and he’s still got the baby in his arms. “That’s okay. I can imagine that you would be, but you just have to have faith.”

  “I know I do.”

  “He’s a natural with that baby in his arms. Your dad says you’re glowing. Is there something you want to tell me?” I hug my pops tight.

  “Maybe.”

  His arms tighten around me. “Oh, honey. That makes me so incredibly happy.”

  “We’re going to announce it tonight, so don’t say anything.” He nods, and I kiss his cheek before going to find my man.

  ***

  Everyone sits around talking and listening to music. Joe is holding Rion in his lap, who is passed out. Dinner was delicious except when I had to sneak away to throw up when the scent of the burgers cooking hit me.

  Ben takes his son from Joe’s lap, and he signals for me to come to him. He stands up and wraps his arm around my waist.

  “Everybody, can I have your attention for a minute?” A lot of people get quiet, but some are still talking, so Joe’s dad hollers for everyone to zip it. “We’re all together today, and I thought this would be a great time to share some news with you all. Chloe’s twelve weeks pregnant.”

  He pulls me into a tight hug while everyone cheers and claps around us. “I knew it!” His mom rushes toward us and pulls me from his arms. “I’m so happy for you.” She then hugs her son.

  Everyone tries to come at us, but Joe holds his hands up. “Wait just one second. There’s something that I’ve been meaning to ask you, Chloe.” I watch in shock as Joe gets down on one knee in front of me. I cover my mouth as tears leak from my eyes as he opens a black box with the most beautiful ring I’ve ever seen.

  “Chloe, I love you so much. I never expected to find someone who made me as happy as you have. We’ve had our ups and downs already, but they’ve made us stronger and have only solidified my feelings for you. You’re going to be the mother of my child and any future children we’re blessed with. Say you’ll marry me, please.” He slips the princess-cut solitaire on my finger as I nod and cry.

  He stands up and grabs me, picking me up in his arms and kissing me hard. “Thank you,” he whispers against my lips.

  “For what?”

  “For making me the happiest man on earth.”

  ***

  Joe groans against my neck as we both begin to come. “Oh God, baby.” I grip his shoulders as he plants himself to the root, and I can feel the heat of his come as he explodes inside of me. He collapses on top of me, mindful of my belly.

  All too soon, he pulls out of me and pulls me into his arms. I rest my hand on the puckered scar on his chest. My fingers swirl round and round as his hand slides up and down my arm. I tilt my head back, and I look at my future husband. I could kick myself for ever being scared. He’s proven time and time again how much he loves me and how much he already loves our baby.

  He’s become the best partner I could ask for. I don’t think I’ve ever had a more perfect day, and I can’t wait to see what our future holds.

  Epilogue

  Joe

  Six Months Later

  Chloe grabs my hand in a punishing grip as another contraction hits her. She does this weird moaning thing that her midwife taught her. Why she wanted to do this natural is beyond me, but my girl is strong, that’s for sure. She’s been in labor for the past four hours, and about a half hour ago, they started getting a lot stronger, especially after her water broke.

  “You’re doing so good, baby,” I tell her as she pants as the contraction ends. “Our boy is going to be here soon, and he’ll be so excited to meet his momma.”

  “I can’t wait,” she cries and then cries out as another contraction hits her. “I have to push.” Chloe moans as she again squeezes my hand.

  Tara, the nurse that’s been taking care of Chloe, comes in and checks her. She looks at us with a smile. “It’s time to start pushing. Dad, grab her leg behind the knee. Chloe, I want you to bear down for the count of ten.”

  I grab Chloe behind her knee and wrap my other arm around her back. The nurse signals for my girl to start, and she’s a trooper. She starts pushing and pushing, but it looks like nothing’s happening.

  I kiss Chloe’s sweaty forehead as she cries.

  “Come on, Chloe…give me a big push,” the nurse says.

  A scream rips from Chloe’s throat. “It burns,” she cries. I look down, and I can see the top of my son’s head.

  “Keep it up, baby. I can see his head.” Chloe pants as she waits for the next contraction to hit.

  The midwife, Mary, comes in and puts some gloves on. “Okay, Chloe, you’re doing great. For this next contraction, I want you to push with all your might, okay?”

  Chloe nods, and I bend down and kiss her lips. “You can do this, baby. We’re going to meet our son soon.”

  The contraction hits, and she curls her body, bearing down. “Here comes the head, Dad,” the nurse says, and I look down, and sure enough my son’s head is coming out. “Chloe, give me another push.”

  All of a sudden, his head is out. The nurse suctions out his mouth and nose, and then my boy begins to cry.

  “Okay, Chloe, one final push.” Chloe pushes with all her might, and then my son slips free of her body. Mary lays him on Chloe’s chest as the nurse starts wiping him off. My son screams his little head off, but it’s the most beautiful sound I’ve ever heard.

  I place my hand on his back and kiss Chloe’s lips as she cries. Even though our son is covered in gunk, I still kiss his head. “He’s so beautiful,” Chloe says as tears roll down her cheeks.

  “He is. We still need to decide on his name,” I tell her as the nurse helps my boy latch on to Chloe’s breast.

  “I like Joseph Dylan Carmichael, Jr. What do you think?”

  Tears fill my eyes. “I’d be honored for our son to have my name.” I grab his little hand, and he wraps it around my finger, and my heart fucking melts. “What do you think, JJ? Do you like that?”

  “JJ thinks it’s great.” Chloe begins to cry. “I…I’m s…so happy.”

  ***

  I’m sitting on the bed next to Chloe with JJ in my arms when her parents and mine come in. My mom, always the baby hog, takes JJ first. “He’s so handsome. Hi, JJ, I’m your gigi, and I’m going to spoil you rotten. Chloe, he’s beautiful. He looks just like his daddy did as a baby.”

  JJ gets passed around between the grandparents before the aunts and uncles come in and all hog him. Chloe falls asleep with her head on my shoulder, and my mom kicks everyone out so we can get some rest. I get her settled in bed and spread out on the little sofa bed. Our son is asleep in the little bassinet.

  I’ve never felt this content in my entire life. I keep waiting to wake up from this dream. No one’s life can be this perfect, but mine is.

  ***

  Chloe

  Two weeks later

  I step out of the shower, dry off, and throw on my robe. With quick strokes, I brush out my hair and then quickly braid it. After brushing my teeth, I head down the hall into the living room. Joe is lying on the sofa with JJ asleep on his chest. “How was your shower?”

  “It felt so good. It’s amazing how much a shower can help. Do you want me to take him?”

  “No, go lie down, take a nap. I’ll come get you when he’s up.” I bend down and kiss his lips and the back of JJ’s head.

  “Thanks, baby.” I head back down the hall and crawl into bed.

  Once I’m settled i
n bed, Ragnar and Lagertha curl up in bed with me. The first time I slept with Joe, I never expected it to go anywhere. But not only did I fall in love with someone who became my best friend, but he’s also given me the greatest gift of all.

  I can’t wait to see what our future holds, but all I know is that with Joe by my side, we can make it through anything.

  ***

  Two years later, our son Hunter Garrett was born.

  ***

  Two years after that, our daughter Clara Marie was born, and after that, I made Joe get a vasectomy or he was never touching me again. Our life is crazy and chaotic, but I couldn’t be any happier than I am right now.

  Our kids are healthy and happy and fill our lives with so much joy.

  It had been a spur of the moment decision to go to Joe the night of Violet’s wedding. Little did I know that one decision was going to change my life forever in ways I never expected, and every night I go to bed with Joe and/or one of our babies beside us, I feel a sense of contentment that warms me to my soul.

  The End

  About the Author

  A Midwesterner and self-proclaimed nerd, Evan has been an avid reader most of her life, but five years ago got bit by the writing bug, and it quickly became her addiction, passion and therapy. When the voices in her head give it a rest, she can always be found with her e-reader in her hand. Some of her favorites include, Shayla Black, Jaci Burton, Madeline Sheehan and Jamie Mcguire. Evan finds a lot of her inspiration in music, so if you see her wearing her headphones you know she means business and is in the zone.

  During the day Evan works for a large homecare agency and at night she’s superwoman. She’s a wife to Jim and a mom to Ethan and Evan, a cook, a tutor, a friend and a writer. How does she do it? She’ll never tell.

  Facebook:

  https://www.facebook.com/pages/Evan-Grace/626268640762539

  Twitter:

  https://twitter.com/Evan76Grace

  Website:

  http://www.authorevangrace.com/

  Goodreads:

  https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7788444.Evan_Grace

  Chapter One

  He captivated me entirely. His entire essence called to me as a glimmer of light beckons a moth. My body hummed in delight from his touch. The delicious strokes of pleasure from between my legs left me revelling in new levels of joy. His lust-filled gaze trailed down my heaving chest, sending shivers running through me. I found myself transfixed on his taut, muscled arms gripping my thighs—the image alone almost released me from his sensual assault.

  He plunged himself in and out of me, faster, deeper, each urgent thrust pushing breathless gasps from me. With his chiselled cheeks and burning blue eyes, he brought me to my sweet edge in seconds. I collapsed back on his desk, panting and swimming in an ocean of decadence.

  He glued his lips to mine as a groan vibrated through him. He stilled for a few seconds before he lay on top of me. His laboured breaths still resonated with something inside me.

  As he sorted his clothes out, I propped myself up on my elbows, biting my lip with a seductive bat of my lashes.

  “So,” he said, a cheeky grin tweaking the corners of his mouth. “How do you think your appraisal went, Kyra?”

  “I think it could have been better.” I flashed him a wicked smile.

  “I look forward to seeing your notes on improvement.”

  He moved back towards me with a mischievous grin, those succulent lips of his inching their way towards my neck. Like prey to a vampire, he had all the access he required. I couldn’t help the moan of desire escaping me as he grazed kisses across my skin…

  “Kyra. Hello, Kyra. Anybody home?”

  I startled, my cheeks heating up in an instant as I saw him smiling down at me from the edge of my desk. “Yes, sorry.”

  “You were away with the fairies there, weren’t you? Anything good?” He darted his tongue over his lips, my heart rate spiking in an instant. “Can you please type these letters and give them back for me to sign?”

  I nodded and made a grab for the papers, trying to hide my flustered state. With a sly smirk, he sauntered back to his office, the definitive click of the closing door piercing through the deafening silence.

  Running a shaky hand through my dark hair, I breathed a sigh of relief. Oh my god. I need to pack this in.

  He was my boss—a new director in our company. Young and smoking hot combined with an air of confidence that mesmerized any female within a ten-mile radius, he was never far from my thoughts. He carried himself like a Greek god, looked like a Greek god, and I had no doubt he was, in fact, a Greek god. If his body was anything like his edible face, I knew I’d be lost to him.

  His name was Paul Connors and, as far as I knew, he was single. I convinced myself he flirted with me but I couldn’t be sure. I was the PA to all the directors in the company, but he was the one who gave me the most work. The guy he’d replaced hardly gave me any.

  Calming my rosy cheeks along with my imagination, I completed his work within an hour. Knocking on his office door, I waited for that honey laden voice to coat me in its sugary sweetness.

  As effortless as silk falling from a blade, his voice slid across the room. “Come in.”

  I walked through, careful to avoid direct eye contact for as long as possible so I wouldn’t keep picturing him naked.

  “Shut the door, Kyra, please. I think we need a little chat. Please have a seat.”

  The second I closed the door, the atmosphere began crackling with tension. Each step I took towards the soft blue chair seemed to be like an ominous walk of death. I placed the letters on his desk, my heart pounding so loudly against my ribs I was sure he could hear it.

  “Thank you.” He took a swig of his water, glee painted all over his handsome face. “Are you okay, Kyra? You seem very distracted of late. Is there anything you would like to discuss?”

  I resisted the urge to squirm in my seat and focused on a painting on the wall behind him. The scorching burn of my cheeks complemented my now sweating palms.

  “Um, no, I’m fine, thank you. I have a tendency to daydream now and again. I’m sorry, I’ll curb it.”

  “That’s fine. We all do it.” He flashed me a dazzling smile, more heat gathering in every part of me. “Well, my door is always open if you need to talk about any problems you may have. And I do mean any problems.”

  My heart skipped a beat. Was he insinuating he knew I had a crush on him? A smile escaped onto my lips as I thought about telling him my problem was him. Just his voice made me melt like butter under a hot knife.

  “Are you smiling about anything nice?” he asked, amusement dancing through his eyes.

  I crossed my legs and mumbled an apology, trying to think of anything other than him to calm my raging hormones. I lowered my gaze in shame, that at thirty years old, I couldn’t control myself any better than a teenager with front row seats at a One Direction concert.

  “You know,” he said, lowering his voice. “I would love to know what you daydream about.”

  His blasé statement caught my attention and I snapped my head up, startled. “Sorry, what?”

  “Well, maybe it’s something that would benefit the company.”

  My heart raced like a stampede of wild horses. “Sorry to disappoint.”

  His svelte mouth creased into an innocent smile. “I’ll let you get back to work. I heard old Andrews shouting for his papers earlier.”

  He stood and gestured towards the door. Like some cliché movie moment, we both grabbed the door handle at the same time. A breath caught in my throat and I snatched my hand back, hoping he hadn’t noticed the slight sheen to my skin. The unexpected contact only threatened to turn that sheen into a nervous sweat.

  He took a step towards me, invading my personal space just a little too much for a professional relationship. “Just to clarify,” he said, leaning into me. “You never disappoint me, Kyra.”

  I gasped, his hot breath lingering over my skin. Goosebum
ps covered me as I noticed the glee skipping across his features. Those dangerous eyes of his danced with mischief, tickling me for a response, but I had nothing.

  He opened the door, signalling for me to exit. “Back to work, Kyra.”

  Chapter Two

  All weekend I thought of nothing but what he’d said, and finally convinced myself I was reading far more into it than I should be. Putting aside the fact he was my boss, a guy like him would never be interested in me anyway. I vaguely wondered if he had a line of women following him everywhere. It really wouldn’t surprise me. Like lines from detention, I repeated to myself I would control my daydreams about him. It wasn’t healthy—or normal.

  Monday morning soon arrived and I couldn’t help but breathe a sigh of relief when I realised I was the first one in.

  The building I worked in was three storeys high. As was just my luck, I happened to be on the top floor. To the left of my desk was a long line of offices, one for each of the directors. I sat with my back against the far wall, enabling me a clear view of anyone who walked in, plus the visitors seating area in front of me.

  Awaiting their next guests, the plush grey sofas needed plumping, and the country house magazines strewn all over the glass table needed tidying. I hummed to myself as I fussed over everything. My thoughts trailed off to Paul for just a second and I became all fingers and thumbs. The magazines fell from my hands, scattering across the soft beige carpet. I cursed under my breath and cleared up my mess. As I stood back up and turned around, I screamed as I met Paul’s handsome face inches from my own.