She gasps. “With my parents turning up, I’d forgotten all about the baby clothes and things.” Her smile dims. “You were so late home because I had you collecting the packages.”
“No, honey.” I cup her worried face. “I knew I wouldn’t make it out before the store closed so I may have asked your sister to call and get them for me.”
“You did?”
“She was only too happy to collect them. I also might have sent her a few images of things that I thought you might like from the same store. So those are in the car also.”
Tears hover on her lashes that she angrily swipes away. “I hate how much I’m crying around you, but . . . but, you’re just so good to me that I don’t know how I ever managed before I met you.”
“That’s always been the plan.” I smirk and tapping her naked bottom, I grab the bottle of shampoo and start to work it through her hair, feeling happier than I ever remember.
13
Sirena
“Okay, we’re leaving,” Charlotte states, and grabbing hold of my arm, she marches me out of the Baby ‘R’ Us that we’d been walking around and back into the heat of Lexington. “You had no interest in there, Sis. What’s going on with you?”
I let out a heavy sigh and turn to face my concerned sister who has taken the day off to help me shop so I can’t really blow her off like I want to. “I don’t know what’s wrong with me. I mean I was all eager to go shopping with you when you suggested it, although now I’m thinking it was more of getting out of the house than anything else . . . I’m sorry.”
Charlotte tips her head and watches me with narrowed eyes. “Is it the space between you and our parents? Because if it is, I’m telling you right now, that you’re wrong. Mom is really worried about you and yeah, I know Dad is being stubborn, but try and look at it from their point of view.”
I rub at my brow and the heat isn’t helping my temperament any. “Let’s go and sit in the shade somewhere with a nice cold non-alcoholic drink.”
“Spoil sport,” she mumbles, taking my arm once again.
We end up sitting outside, but in the shade, of a small Italian restaurant that is beautiful. It’s all painted in white with dark wooden tables and chairs. Flowers bloom up the outside wall and bursts of color are throughout the back patio area. The tables are set up so that you have a feel of seclusion and I’m guessing that when it’s lunch the place will be buzzing with activity.
I’m not going to be able to escape Charlotte’s questions. My sister does well at McKenzie Holdings and she’s a good support to our brother, Michael because of her no nonsense attitude. She’s a woman who feels so much but hides it behind a mask of indifference. She gets the job done but sometimes I think it costs her more than she’ll ever admit to anyone.
She watches me stir the ice and lemon in my glass of water from beneath her lids, which tells me she has lots of questions, but she’s being patient for which I’m grateful.
Part of my problem is that I’m missing Garrett who had to fly to New York yesterday afternoon and he doesn’t know if he’ll be back today or tomorrow. He hated to leave me and the long Facetime call last night reassured him that I was well. “I can’t believe that it’s only been three weeks since I moved in with Garrett," I say. “They’ve been the best weeks of my life so far, but I worry daily about what’s going to happen especially once my baby is born.” I shrug. “What I want most in the world is to refer to my baby as our baby whenever we’re talking about her. I wish that one of the rooms in his house was earmarked for a nursery.” I stare into my glass of water. “I’m afraid to voice what I want in case he doesn’t want the same because then I’ll be heartbroken.”
Charlotte has stayed silent while I lay all my emotions on the table for her, which is what I should be doing with Garrett.
“You’re in love with him,” she rightly observes.
“With all my heart,” I admit freely.
Sighing, Charlotte sits back in her chair and offers me a small smile. “I actually think that you’ve gotten it right this time around, and,” she looks sheepish, “I think if you talk to Garrett about what you want, you’ll discover that he wants you and the baby. He loves you, Sis.”
I open and close my mouth, my eyes narrowing on my sister who now, can’t meet my eyes. “How would you know what he thinks or wants?”
“You know that he has my number, right?”
I nod.
“He’s called me a few times asking about you and the baby. Like, what he should do to make sure you’re comfortable, and the last time we spoke, he was worried about you. He thought that you seemed a bit down and he wasn’t sure what to do.” She takes my hand. “You’ve been worried that he doesn’t want what you want, right?”
“He told me more or less at the start that he was already there with me, and he was waiting for me to catch up.” I wipe at my tears. “God, I so can’t wait to not be pregnant. I’m like a faucet.”
She chuckles and hands me a napkin. “Sirena, honey. I know you and Garrett were so damn quick, but I’ve never seen you with anyone like you are with him. He’s so attentive to your needs and comfort. Please don’t push him away with your insecurities unless that really is what you want, because I’m telling you, he’s a good man who I think will always put you first.” She takes a sip of her Cosmopolitan. “Do you know that he was so close to cancelling the trip and sending his assistant instead because he didn’t want to leave you for even one night.” She smiles. “Let him love you, and eventually Mom and Dad will see how much he does. They’ll come around.”
Observing my sister now, I wonder why she’s being a, “Romantic sap.”
“Whose a romantic sap?” questions our brother Michael, as he pulls out a chair and slumps heavily into it.
“I’ve missed you,” I tell him when he moves closer and kisses my cheek.
“Missed you too, Sis.” He grins. “You’re looking well. That fresh country air with no stress and a new boyfriend obviously agrees with you.” He sits back and waves the waitress over.
Once he’s placed his order, I ask, “What exactly do you know?”
“Enough.” He smirks and then taking my hand, kisses my knuckles. “I’m happy for you, but I think I’m more excited for that little peanut to put in an appearance.”
“Ugh, me too. It’s awkward to sleep and she’s awake more at night than during the day. I’m really hoping that it isn’t a sign of things to come.”
Michael laughs. “You’ll love every minute of it, and besides, don’t they say to sleep when the baby does.”
Charlotte stares at our brother in surprise, which makes me laugh. “How do you know anything about baby things?” she asks, waving her hands around in the air. “Something you want to tell us?”
“Nope,” he grins and then laughs when Charlotte continues to grin at him. “Seriously, twin, there is nothing to tell.”
I chuckle at their teasing, and notice how Charlotte stays silent after Michael pulled the twin card. Watching though, I’m wondering if there is something unsaid going on between them because it’s unusual for Charlotte to stay so quiet.
Michael clears his throat and asks me, “ So, you’ve started calling the peanut a she now.” He raises a brow. “Something you want to tell me?”
“I don’t know for sure.” I smile. “Garrett says it’s going to be a girl.” I shrug embarrassed at the look on Michael’s face.
“Garrett, huh?” he smirks. “I knew when you both left the elevator that something had happened between the two of you.”
“Really?” Charlotte scoffs. “You’re a guy, so there is no way you spotted those signs.”
“It’s because I’m a guy that I spotted those signs.” He shakes his head. “Geez, Sis, give me some credit. I’m well aware of what a guy looks like when he wants to get into someone’s panties.”
“Eww,” Charlotte holds her hand out, “stop right there. I sure as hell don’t want to think about you, and . . . oh, God. I think I’m
going to be sick.”
“Stop being so dramatic,” Michael laughs and turns to me. “Truth Sirena, is he treating you well?”
He takes my hand and I smile softly thinking about Garrett and how much I’m missing him. “He’s amazing and really cares about me and my baby.”
“But?”
“There’s no but, really. I guess I’m just nervous because we haven’t really talked about when the baby is be born.”
“She’s unsure about how much involvement, if any, Garrett wants.” Charlotte leans on Michael’s arm. “Talk to him when he gets home. I’m betting that you’ll be surprised.” She smiles softly and gets to her feet. “Restroom,” she mumbles winding her way through the tables.
“Is she okay?”
Michael sighs. “She says she is, but I’m not sure. I know she’s worried about Josh now that he’s at the FBI academy. She hates that he’s going into law enforcement.” He sits back in the chair while the waitress places our food onto the table. “I don’t like it either, but it’s his life and he’s wanted to be an agent for as long as I can remember. Even as kids he’d have us handcuffed to the tree house.” He laughs. “Do you remember that?”
“Yeah, I do. I remember that time he’d forgotten he’d locked you up and you needed to pee.”
Michael winces and his cheeks flush. “Let’s not remember that.”
I chuckle. “Our brother is going to be okay. He’s being trained by the best.” I smile.
“I agree,” Michael says before digging into his food.
“I seriously need my guest bathroom doing like the restroom here,” Charlotte comments taking her seat. “It’s so cozy and reminds me of Italy.”
“Well, it is an Italian restaurant. You are aware of that, right?” Michael questions and receives a glare from his twin.
“Yes, I’m well aware of where we are.” With that she eats her salad while lost in her own thoughts.
Pushing my empty plate away, I dab at my lips with a napkin, and ask Michael, “Do you know what’s going on between Alexander and Rachel?”
Michael frowns. “I wasn’t aware anything was.”
“Perhaps I’m just seeing something that isn’t there. I just happened to mention her and the trip she was planning next year to Italy, and he became tense and changed the subject . . . or so it seemed.” I shrug, and finish the last of my water.
“Can’t say I’ve noticed anything with our cousins, but I only really spend time with Alex. He hasn’t said anything,” Michaels says, thoughtful.
“It’s probably just me.” I wave my hands around. “Forget about it.”
I hate there being any falling out within the family even though our cousin Alexander isn’t the easiest to get along with, whereas Rachel gets along with everyone.
Sighing, I place my chin in my hands and ask, “What’s happening with you?”
Michael laughs. “I’m not going there with you.” Shaking his head, he adds, “When there’s anything to report you’ll be one of the first to know.”
“You’ll probably be married with two-point-five children before you tell anyone.” I raise a brow and he squirms in his chair.
Throwing my head back, I laugh so hard while my brother gets more embarrassed. “Stop!” he hisses.
Chuckling, I pour myself some more water and drink it all before I face him. “I’m right though. You don’t tell anyone anything, and it’s annoying.”
He rolls his eyes. “Concentrate on your own love life and leave mine alone.”
“Now where is the fun in that,” Charlotte drawls, kissing Michael on the top of his head. “We need to find you a sweet woman so that you’re no longer a workaholic like Alex and Olivia.”
Scowling, Michael hisses, “Leave it alone,” and proceeds to ignore us.
Charlotte glances at me and I hold her gaze. She shrugs her shoulders to say she has no idea what’s going on with her twin.
“I can feel your curiosity bubbling from here,” Michael says, glaring at the both of us. “Look, I’m okay and don’t need you two meddling in my love life. I know where you both are if I need you, okay?” He stands and kisses first me, and then Charlotte on our cheeks. “I love you both, and on that note, I’m heading back to the office.” He grins and walks away.
“Hmm,” Charlotte mumbles. “Something isn’t what it seems with him.”
“I get that feeling as well.” A few minutes tick by as we’re both lost in thought, when I say, “Can you drop me off at home, I’ve had enough shopping for one day.”
Charlotte raises her brow, “You haven’t bought anything.”
“I’m sorry.” I shrug.
She takes my hand. “I’m not upset Sirena. I really am happy that you have Garrett and that you want to do all the baby stuff with him . . . but,” she grins, “when you get married, I will be taking you shopping then.”
Wedding . . . I’d need to chase up my divorce papers first.
To be tied to Garrett for the rest of my life would fulfill something inside of me that I didn’t even know was there until now.
14
Garrett
Five days after I left to attend to business just outside of New York, I’m walking through my front door eager to see Sirena. I’ve missed her like crazy and for the first time in my life I just wanted to be elsewhere instead of inside one of my luxury hotels. The Hudson Group wasn’t as large as the Hilton, but the eighteen hotels that I’d built up around the world had done extremely well for themselves and had a fantastic reputation and a high-class clientele.
Until I’d met Sirena, I was happy to go from hotel to hotel, now though, I just want to be home with the woman who has entered my heart as quick as lightening. I hadn’t been looking for anyone, but here she is, in my heart and soul to stay and I couldn’t be happier . . . or I could . . .
I want everything with Sirena and soon I’m going to have to explain just what I want so that there is no misunderstanding between us. I want the woman first and then I want her child to be mine too. I want to give her everything that the bastard who she’d married should have given her. But his misfortune is my gain.
Placing my bag and briefcase at the door to my office, I quickly search downstairs for Sirena, and not finding her, I head upstairs wondering if she’s taking a nap.
She had no clue that I was coming home today until I’d called her from the airport. I wanted to surprise her especially with how our Facetime call had ended last night. She’d seemed down, even though she tried to hide it. It was seeing her so glum that had finally seen me passing orders on to my hotel manager instead of being there myself. I’d decided that I needed to be home.
The Hudson on the Lake has undergone a large extension so that the hotel could cater for larger weddings, and within the next month it would be completely operational. The new wedding planner and additional staff were currently being trained at The Hudson Grand in Niagara Falls, and would soon be heading back to New York to get everything ready for the opening party. I had a lot on my plate as always, but now I was seriously thinking about cutting back and appointing someone to take over, so that I would be traveling a lot less.
Everything flies out of my mind the moment I push open the bedroom door. I hadn’t even been thinking about sex when I came looking for Sirena, but seeing her in a purple negligee that is transparent enough for me to see the dark areoles surrounding the hard tips of her nipples, sends my brain straight in that direction.
“You don’t need to say it. I look ridiculous. I’m just over seven months pregnant. I’m huge and so not sexy no matter what I wear,” Sirena says, and I finally clear my head of the lust swirling around inside of it when she swings her legs to the side of the bed, struggling to sit up.
I quickly move and drop to my knees in front of her, spreading her thighs so that I can get closer. My hands caress over her belly as her breath catches. Wrapping my arms around her, I kiss the baby bump, which has somehow grown in my absence, and tell her, “You are the most be
autiful woman that I’ve ever seen.” I kiss her again. “Seeing you lying on the bed in this,” I grab a handful of the silky garment, “sent all thoughts flying out of my head, and,” I stand and quickly make fast work of removing my clothing, “you made me rock hard. The minute I saw you, my mind went straight to sex. It went straight to your nipples as I wondered what they’d taste like—the same or different.”
Her hand reaches out, wrapping around my erection that throbs and leeks precum at the touch of her fingers. “That feels amazing,” I admit, rubbing the tight buds of her nipples.
My body goes taut when I feel her mouth on the crown of my shaft. “I’m so close to coming. I want you with me.”
Her eyes flare as her hands reach up toward the ribbon holding the negligee together.
“Stop!” I hiss, and soften my tone. “I want to be the one to remove that from your body.” My eyes slowly move over her and my heart beats so quickly that I’m afraid I’m going to have a heart attack. “You,” I urge her back to the bed so that she’s in a lying position, “have no idea just how sexy you are.”
Her eyes widen in surprise. “I’m a lump.”
“Sirena . . .” I groan and kneel between her spread thighs, which is becoming one of my favorite places. “You have the most amazing thing happening to your body—a miracle. I love your shape. I love how your belly quivers at my touch. I love how you open up to me, how you trust me. Don’t ever be shy in front of me, because I’ll only ever love you.”
“What?”
I smile softly and splitting the negligee, kiss her belly as her soft flesh becomes bared to me before I finally reach her mouth. Hovering over her plump lips, I repeat, “I love you, Sirena . . . and if you’ll let me, I’ll love your baby too.”
The shock of my words is clear to see on her beautiful face, but slowly a smile starts to appear and then she’s crying in my arms. I slip down to lie beside her and tug her into my embrace where she cups my face in her much smaller hands.
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