Sage stuck her head inside. “It’s just me.” She strolled inside with an overnight bag for Natasha.
“Thanks for packing a bag for me,” Natasha said. “And for staying with me.”
“We’re friends.”
She pulled out a pair of black jeans, a purple-and-black graphic T-shirt and undergarments. “I’ll be back in a few.”
Natasha padded barefoot into the bathroom to get dressed.
She came out a few minutes later, running her fingers through her hair. Natasha noticed a shopping bag on the bed. “What’s that?”
“It’s the new video game Joshua wanted,” Sage said. “Ari called me and asked me to pick it up. He wants Joshua to see it when he wakes up.”
“Your brother is a sweetheart.”
“If you say so,” Sage responded with a chuckle.
“I don’t know if I could’ve made it without him today. He is such a good man, but I really messed things up.”
“Ari still loves you, Natasha. But I’d like to know if you love him. Do you love my brother as much as he loves you?”
She met Sage’s gray-eyed gaze. “I love him with everything that I am. I never played with his feelings.”
“I believe you, Natasha. However, Ari is the one you have to convince. He’s been through a devastating loss. I don’t want him to have to suffer heartbreak a second time.”
Natasha ran her fingers through her hair. “Can we go back to the hospital, please?”
“Did you get any rest?”
“I slept for about forty-five minutes,” Natasha said. “I just want to be near my baby.”
Sage sighed softly. “Ari’s going to kill me, but let’s go.”
They went back to the hospital.
“Did you get some sleep?” Ari asked when they showed up in the waiting area.
“I slept for forty-five minutes,” she told him. “All I could think about was getting back here to Joshua.”
The doctor came out and announced, “Joshua is awake and he’s asking for you.”
“Thank you,” Ari whispered, lifting his eyes heavenward.
“He’s awake,” Natasha repeated, tears in her eyes. “Joshua is awake.”
“Go see him,” Ari told her. “We’ll be right here when you get back.”
He could feel the heat of his sister’s eyes on him. “What is it, Sage?”
“I’m convinced that Natasha really loves you, Ari. She wasn’t running a game on you. You would be a fool not to take her back.”
“Ari has this under control,” Blaze told Sage.
She looked at Ari and asked, “What’s he talking about?”
“Natasha and I have to sit down and talk when Joshua is out of danger. There are some things we need to discuss. Grown-up stuff, so don’t bother asking.”
“Ha-ha, you are so funny,” she uttered. “But I’m happy to hear that you two will be having a long-overdue conversation.”
Ari wrapped his arms around Natasha when she returned to the waiting area. “I told you that he would be fine.”
“Thank you so much for being here with me. I don’t know if I could’ve made it without you.”
They shared a kiss.
“I’m going to stay here at the hospital tonight with Joshua,” Ari said, slowly releasing her. “I want you to go back over to the hotel and get a good night’s sleep.”
“Ari, I’m fine,” she argued. “I can stay here.”
He shook his head. “We’re not going to fuss and fight about this.”
“I have an idea,” Blaze interjected. “Why don’t you both go over to the hotel? You can have a nice dinner, and then you both can get some sleep. I will stay here with Joshua.”
“I’ll stay here with Blaze,” Sage offered. “We’ll be here until you two return tomorrow morning.”
Natasha glanced over at Ari, who asked, “What do you think?”
“You’ll call me if Joshua needs me?” she questioned.
“Of course,” Sage answered. “Remember, you’ll only be across the street. Blaze and I can handle things on this end.”
“You were quiet during dinner,” Ari commented when they returned to the hotel room. “Are you still worried about Joshua?” He had finally gotten Natasha to eat something.
“I’m just sitting here amazed,” she responded. “So much has happened between us, yet you never once hesitated to be here for me and Joshua. My ex-husband couldn’t stay around to meet his own son.”
“Some men are not meant to be fathers.”
“Calvin clearly wasn’t,” Natasha responded. “Ari, I am so sorry about everything.”
“Honey, you don’t have to keep apologizing. If it had been me, I would have done anything for my son. I had no right to pass judgment on you like that.”
She gazed up at him. “I love you so much.”
The touch of his lips on hers was a delicious sensation. Natasha had missed his kisses.
“I missed holding you like this,” Ari whispered. He bent his head, kissing her neck.
Natasha returned his kisses with reckless abandon.
Ari stepped away from her as if he were about to speak, but he couldn’t take his eyes off her. He just stood there looking at the woman he loved.
Natasha breathed lightly between parted lips. She didn’t say a word, but he could see her desire in her gaze.
He helped her undress.
Ari removed his clothes then picked her up and carried her over to the bed. His gentle massage sent currents of desire through Natasha.
When he was done, he pulled her close to him.
No words were spoken from their lips; they communicated only through their hearts and their passion.
Ari and Natasha were back at the hospital early the next morning.
Shortly after seven, the doctor informed them that Joshua would be moved into a private room.
“Who arranged for a private room?” Natasha asked.
“I did,” Ari replied. “I also asked that they put a bed in there for you.”
Natasha smiled. “Thank you.”
“Mom and Dad are here,” Sage announced.
Natasha felt a wave of apprehension as she walked up to them. “Thank you both for coming.”
“We wanted to see if there was anything we could do for your son,” Barbara said. “Blaze called and told us he was being moved out of ICU this morning. I hope you don’t mind that he’s been giving us updates.”
“I don’t mind you and Mr. Alexander knowing about Joshua’s condition,” Natasha assured her. “I really appreciate your concern.” She paused a heartbeat before saying, “I’m truly sorry for my part in Harold’s attempt to take the company away from you.”
Malcolm placed a reassuring arm around her. “You didn’t really do any harm, Natasha. I have good instincts when it comes to people, and I knew you wouldn’t let me down. When I heard what you did with the cashier’s check Harold sent—it was confirmation. You are a smart young lady and you’ve made quite a name for yourself in this industry. Closing your business would be a shame. To that end, I have something for you.” He handed her an envelope.
Natasha stared at the certified check for one million dollars. When she found her voice, she said, “I—I can’t accept this.” She met Malcolm’s steady gaze. “I don’t deserve your help after what I did to you.”
Ari placed a hand on her shoulder. “He’s doing this to keep you honest.”
She surprised them all when she suddenly burst into tears.
He pulled her into his arms. “Natasha, I’m sorry. It was supposed to be a joke.”
She wiped her face with the back of her hands. “I just feel badly about everything.”
“You don’t have to,” Barbara responded as she handed Natasha a tissue. “Dear, we understand why you agreed to help Harold DePaul. You were close to his uncle, and then he paraded all that money in front of you. If I had been in your position, I would have done whatever I had to do to take care of my children.”
<
br /> “The money is yours, Natasha,” Malcolm stated. “No strings attached.”
She embraced Malcolm and then Barbara.
“We’re going to check on Joshua,” Ari announced as he took Natasha by the hand.
Inside the room, Joshua lay sleeping in the bed.
Ari turned Natasha so that she faced him. “I was going to wait until Joshua was home, but I can’t.”
“What is it?” she asked.
“I love you, Natasha. I love Joshua as if he were my own son. I never thought I’d get married again, but I can’t see my life without the two of you in it. What I feel for you came out of nowhere, but it’s made me realize just how lonely I felt. I don’t want to lose you, sweetheart.”
“I love you, Ari,” Natasha responded. “But I know that we have a lot to work through. I have to regain your trust.”
“I understand your reasons for working with Harold. I am not going to hold this over your head, because when it comes to family we will do whatever is necessary to keep them safe.” Ari reached into his pocket and pulled out a tiny black velvet box. “I’ve had this for a couple of weeks now. I was waiting for the right time, and it’s now.”
He opened the box to reveal a two-carat, round engagement ring. “Natasha, will you marry me?”
“Say yes, Mommy,” Joshua said, opening his eyes.
“You’re awake,” Natasha exclaimed. She rushed over to the bed. “Honey, I’m so happy to see those gorgeous eyes of yours.”
“Boys don’t have gorgeous eyes,” he grumbled.
Joshua tried to sit up in bed, but Natasha shook her head. “Just lay there, baby.”
He gestured for Ari to join them.
“I want Ari to be my daddy. Can he edopt me?”
Natasha glanced over at Ari and laughed. “It’s adopt, sweetie, but we have to ask Ari how he feels about it. It’s a really big decision.”
Joshua looked in Ari’s direction. “Will you please edopt…aydopt me? All the kids in my class have daddies but me.”
“I would love to be your father,” Ari responded, his voice breaking. “In fact, I’d like to get the paperwork started as soon as possible.”
Natasha met his gaze with a smile. “I want that, also. Ari, I would be honored to be your wife.”
Joshua reached out and took Ari by the hand. “Do I have to wait until the wedding to start calling you Daddy?”
Ari shook his head. “You can call me Daddy anytime, son.”
“I love you,” Joshua whispered.
“I love you, too.” Ari sat down on the side of the bed. “Now I would like for you to get some rest. Your mother and I want you to get well, so that we can take you home. We have a wedding to plan.”
“Nothing too fancy,” she responded. “Just family. We can even have a barbecue reception.”
“You are definitely the woman for me,” Ari said with a chuckle.
“Natasha and I have an announcement to make,” Ari told his parents when they joined them in the hospital room. “We’re engaged.”
Barbara broke into a big smile. “This is the best news. I’m so happy for the three of you.”
“Mr. Ari…I mean Daddy is gonna edopt…I mean aydopt me, so can I call you Grandmama?” Joshua asked.
“You sure can,” she told the little boy. “And now that we have that straight, I’m going to sit right here and read you a story. Would you like that?”
“How about I read the story to you?” he countered. “I love to read.”
Barbara kissed Joshua on the forehead. “We are going to have so much fun when we get you out of this hospital.”
Malcolm walked over to the bed. “Hey, young man, what are you going to call me?”
Joshua thought about it for a moment, and then said, “I already have a Nana and a Pop, so I think I’ma call you Grandpa.”
“That’s a mighty fine name and I’ll answer to it proudly,” Malcolm responded with a smile.
“My parents are on their way from the airport,” Natasha announced. “I just received a text from them. They’re going to be relieved to see Joshua and how well he’s doing.”
Ari wrapped an arm around her. “When do you want to tell them our news?”
“If we don’t tell them right away, I’m sure Joshua will,” Natasha responded. “He’s so excited about having you as a father.”
“What about you? Are you excited about having me as a husband?”
She pulled his face to hers, kissing him passionately. “I can’t wait to be your wife.”
“Not in front of the child,” Blaze uttered.
They brought Joshua home from the hospital two days later.
Natasha’s parents were in the kitchen preparing dinner for them. Her brother and his family were due to arrive at any moment, and her sister would be flying in tomorrow morning.
“Let’s get you settled down in here,” Ari said, as he helped the little boy into his bed.
“I’m so glad to be out of that hospital.”
“I bet you are,” Natasha said. “I know I’m thrilled to have you home with me.”
Joshua looked up at Ari and asked, “Dad, can you stay in here with me until I fall asleep?”
He never tired of hearing Joshua call him that. “Sure.”
“Hey, what about me?” Natasha asked. “I can’t hang out in here with you and Ari?”
“Mama, it’s just boys right now,” Joshua explained. “You can help Nana and Pop in the kitchen.”
“Oh, okay,” she murmured. “If you really want me to leave.”
“Just for a little while. I want to talk to Dad man-to-man.”
Ari winked at her.
“Have fun,” she said before closing the door.
“Dad, there’s something I really want to tell you,” Joshua began.
“What is it?”
“I don’t know why my real dad never wanted me, but it doesn’t hurt so much since I met you.”
Ari blinked back tears. “What happened with your father is his fault—not yours. One day he’s going to regret missing out on such a wonderful son.”
Joshua grinned. “I’m sure glad I got to pick you as my dad.”
“Me, too.”
He stayed with Joshua until he fell asleep.
“He’s sleeping,” Ari announced when he entered the kitchen.
“He’s still so weak,” Natasha responded. “But I’m glad he’s home. He always seems to do much better when he is in his own room.”
“Joshua is going to be fine,” Corrine stated as she patted Ari on the arm. “Thanks to the generosity of your family, my grandson will have the best medical care that money can buy.”
“Mama’s right,” Natasha interjected. “I will never forget what your parents did for Joshua.”
“They are good people, Natasha, and they love children,” Ari responded. “Besides, we are going to be a family. Oh, we are all going to test for bone-marrow donation.”
Tears filled her eyes. “Really?”
Ari nodded. “I love you, Natasha. I love Joshua and I am not going to stop fighting this disease.”
“Ari, I fell in love with you the moment I met you.”
He gave her a surprised look. “Really? I was under the impression that you didn’t like me.”
Natasha shook her head. “Oh, no, I was very attracted to you, but I thought you were married. Even after I found out you were a widower, I didn’t want to admit to myself how much I cared about you.”
“Why? Because you saw me as the enemy?”
She smiled. “Yeah, something like that. I greatly admired Robert DePaul, and I felt like the hotels should have stayed with the family. When Harold came to me, I accepted his offer, but I had no idea what he was doing. I never thought he’d do something so underhanded with the contractors. But then he wanted me to go against my moral beliefs, and I couldn’t do that—that’s when things became contentious between us.”
“Natasha, I understand your loyalty to the DePaul family. In
some way, I respect it.”
“My loyalty belongs to you and your family.”
Ari pulled her into his arms, kissing her.
“I never thought I’d ever love again, but out of nowhere, you breezed into my life and gave me a reason to live again. To love and be loved—it really is the greatest gift of all.”
* * * * *
ISBN: 9781459219496
Copyright © 2012 by Jacquelin Thomas
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This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, events or locales is entirely coincidental. This edition published by arrangement with Harlequin Books S.A.
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