Love Me Forever

by Serenity King

  “You sneaky snake,” she said with a scowl.

  “I kept hinting, but you just weren’t catching on. You dive into that laptop of yours and lose all sense of time and anything else. I just let you be. Why do you think I was making sure you ate a healthy meal three times a day, hmm?”

  “I don’t know! Jarred did that all that time. He claimed that I didn’t eat properly,” she said, throwing up her hands in annoyance.

  “He’s right, you don’t. You need to start taking better care of yourself, Nev.”

  “I don’t know how you expected me to know I was pregnant.” She grimaced just saying the word.

  “Nev, when was your last period?”

  “I have no clue. It comes when it comes and it goes when it goes. I’m usually so busy that I honestly don’t notice. I don’t cramp, I only get a little twinge a day or two before it shows, and that’s how I judge when to...whatever,” she frowned.

  “Nev, with all the research you do and books you read, it never once occurred to you to read up on the female body?”

  “I know my body, doofus! As far as research, well, that was only to learn how to have sex. You know, the different positions,” she rushed to add.

  “Jesus saves, Nev,” Cedric murmured, placing his face in his hands. “I love our mother to the moon and beyond, but she did you a disservice. She spent so much time trying to keep you from following in her footsteps that she failed to teach you the basic stuff a young woman should know.”

  “In her defense, I was never interested. I learned some stuff. It’s... I’ve been so busy I kind of just forgot about the basics.” Nev shrugged. “I knew that Jarred and I didn’t use a condom a few times, but I never once entertained the possibility of getting pregnant. I’m not totally clueless. I knew that I could get pregnant, but not that I would. Does that make sense?”

  “Surprisingly, it does,” Cedric assured her.

  She shook her head. “I guess my internal clock has been operating on so many different times zones lately that I just didn’t notice anything different. Now that I’m grounded at home, I just wanted to catch up on sleep.”

  Nevealise paused when she heard the doorbell ring. “Are you expecting company, Cedric?”

  “I’m not. I have no clue who that is.”

  “I’ll stay out of your way, then. I can finish up what I’m doing in my room... I mean the guest bedroom,” she said, turning to walk away.

  “Don’t be silly. You don’t have to leave. We don’t even know who it is. Seriously, stay where you are. I’ll get rid of whoever it is. It’s probably one of the neighbors, anyway.”

  “If you’re sure.”

  “Positive,” he said, turning and leaving the room.

  Nevealise heard the voice before she saw the man.

  “Nev, look who I found,” Cedric was saying.

  Who in the world had he found and why were they lost? Nevealise thought.

  Cedric was walking toward her, Brice in step with him.

  “Brice!” she shrieked, and almost did a flying leap into his arms.

  “Whoa, Nev!” he exclaimed, laughing, while at the same time engulfing her in a hug.

  “What are you doing here?”

  “Looking for you,” he said.

  “Me?” She raised her brows. “Why?”

  “Don’t be trying to play dumb with me, Nev. You know you did a disappearing act,” he declared. “We’ll discuss your bad decision making later. That’s not why I’m here.”

  “Is Jarred okay?” she asked anxiously. “Oh, Lord! What happened?”

  “Calm down,” Brice said softly. “You really love him, don’t you?”

  Nevealise didn’t confirm or deny the question. Instead she lowered her head.

  “There’s nothing wrong with my brother other than having a bad attitude and driving the office staff crazy. That’s not why I’m here. I came by to see you, and ask a favor.”

  “Oh?” She frowned.

  “Should I be insulted?” he teased.

  “No, silly. You know I’m always happy to see you,” she said. “Come on into the den and have a seat.”

  “I have to go back to the hospital. An emergency,” Cedric said. “Don’t wait up for me, Nev. Brice, man, it was nice seeing you again. Don’t be a stranger.”

  “Nice seeing you again, too, Cedric. It’s been a long time,” Brice said, and gave Cedric dap.

  Nevealise watched as Cedric left, then she turned to Brice in time to hear his plea.

  “Nev, I need your help,” he said. “We need your help.”

  Chapter 17

  Jarred walked past his assistant’s desk and frowned. Laura had a smile on her face. What was she smiling about? Usually, she’d find something to do the moment he came toward her.

  “Good morning!” Her smiled brightened. Jarred was taken aback.

  “Uh, good morning,” he grumbled, and proceeded to his office.

  Jarred stopped dead in his tracks. Sitting in one of the wingback chairs in front of his desk was Nevea. Brice was seated on one side of her, Langston on the other, and Emerson was half standing, half sitting on the desk.

  “Emerson, get off of my desk,” he said gruffly, walking around him to take his seat. His gaze zeroed in on Nevea and stayed there. She was wringing her hands together just like she’d been doing when she showed up at his house that first time.

  “Brice said you all needed my help with a computer system,” she said nervously.

  “We do. Yes.” Jarred’s heart was pumping so fast in his chest he could scarcely speak. He didn’t wish to make a fool of himself in front of his brothers, but he wanted to run to her and hold her. He’d missed her so damned much.

  “Where do you need me to start?” she asked.

  “The computers are in the Security room,” Emerson said.

  “Well, let’s get started,” she said quietly, making a move to get up, and then shaking her head as if to clear the cobwebs.

  Jarred shot Langston a quick look.

  “Hold on a second, Nev. We have to make sure the room is clear,” Langston said. “Come on, fellows.”

  Jarred was grateful that they didn’t ask questions, but just left. He waited for the door to close before he spoke.

  “Nevea, are you okay, love?”

  “Can I have some water, please?” she croaked.

  “You don’t look so hot. Are you sure you’re okay?” he asked, coming from behind his desk to take her hand. It trembled in his.

  “I just need some water.”

  “Coming up,” he whispered, and then rushed over to his minifridge, grabbed a bottle and handed it to her. She looked as if she was going to be sick so he made his way to the bathroom off his office, wet a towel and brought it back to her. He dabbed her face with the wet cloth. “Is that better?”

  “A little. Not much,” she murmured.

  “Do you need something else? What’s wrong?”

  “My stomach’s a little queasy. I’ll be okay in a minute.”

  “Did you eat anything today?”

  She shook her head.

  “Well, maybe you need to put something—”

  “Jarred, I need the restroom. Now,” she interrupted.

  Jarred deftly lifted her in his arms, rushed her over to the bathroom and placed her on her feet. He’d barely set her down before she was leaning over the toilet, vomiting. He held her hair back from her face and placed the cold cloth on her neck. Tears were running down her face in earnest now.

  “Sweetheart, don’t cry. It’s okay,” he soothed.

  She lifted her head, went to say something, but then was sick again.

  Jarred comforted her until she’d finished. He helped her up.

  “How do yo
u feel now?”

  “Much better. Tired. You wouldn’t happen to have an extra toothbrush in here, would you?” she asked shyly.

  “Of course. It’s in the vanity. There’s also mouthwash. I’m here late a lot recently. I make sure to keep it stocked,” Jarred said, handing her everything she needed. Once she was done, he walked her over to the sofa and guided her down. “Would you like your water now?”

  “Not really. Do you have a seltzer or something? Ginger ale or Sprite does the trick, too.”

  “I only have cola, juice and water,” he said, eyeing her suspiciously. She was as pale as a ghost.

  “Give me the cola,” she groaned.

  “You’re going to be sick again?” He panicked.

  “I don’t think so. My stomach’s still not settled, though.”

  “Stretch out on the sofa and relax until your belly settles. You can’t work sick, anyway.”

  “Okay,” she said, and stretched out. One hand covered her abdomen in a protective way, the other her face.

  Jarred heartstrings tugged. Nestled in her belly was their unborn child. Of course, she hadn’t verbally confirmed anything, but he knew.

  “You wouldn’t happen to have a burrito, would you?” she murmured sleepily.

  Jarred grinned. “That I don’t have.”

  “Bummer,” she whispered. “If you don’t mind, I’m just going to close my eyes for a second.”

  “Go ahead,” he said. “I’ll be over at my desk getting some work done.”

  “Okay.”

  Jarred stood there and watched her until he saw the soft rise and fall of her chest. He walked over to his desk and sat down. A slow smile inched across his face. She was pregnant with his baby. Jarred had to admit he was ecstatic about the baby. Granted, he’d never pictured himself as a father at this stage in his life. He figured he had a lot of time for marriage and parenthood. However, the thought of a little life growing inside Nevea, a little being that he’d taken part in creating, had him feeling all gooey inside.

  At the soft knock on his door he rushed across the carpeted floor to answer it. Nevea had just fallen asleep; he didn’t want to wake her up. Jarred quietly pulled the door open and ushered Brice and Langston in. He’d figured they would be back.

  “How is she?” Langston asked.

  “Not good,” Jarred whispered. “She can’t hold anything down.”

  Brice frowned. “I had to pull over this morning to let her be sick.”

  “Where did you find her?” Jarred asked him.

  “Her brother Cedric’s house. And your tab is growing by the day.”

  “How’d you know to look there?”

  “I didn’t. I took a chance. I remembered she used to stay with him a lot to keep from driving back to Cambridge.”

  “Thank you,” Jarred said.

  “Well, you don’t have to wonder anymore if she’s pregnant, that’s for sure,” Langston whispered.

  “No, I don’t. She hasn’t said anything, but I know. I wish there was something I could do for her. She was so sick she was crying.”

  “I can’t help you with that. I don’t have a pregnant girlfriend.” Brice shrugged.

  “Bye, fool,” Jarred teased. “Oh yeah, she says burritos help. If someone can find me a few and some ginger ale, I’d be grateful.”

  “Will do,” Langston said, and he and Brice both left.

  Instead of going back to his desk, Jarred pulled a chair up to the sofa and watched her sleep. He sent up a silent prayer of thanks. He’d been given a second chance with her. He refused to mess it up.

  Jarred noticed the dark circles beneath her eyes. He didn’t like it. He had a feeling she wasn’t resting properly. He planned on taking care of that. Just as soon as he could arrange it, he was taking her to the Hamptons for some rest and relaxation. That was if he could convince her to go with him.

  She didn’t look pregnant to him. She had on a pair of jeans, flats and her signature T. Her hair was pinned up; her face was devoid of makeup. The only difference in her usual casual style was that she wasn’t wearing her glasses.

  He tilted his head to the side to see if he could see a baby bump. Nope. Nothing.

  Jarred sat and watched her for about twenty minutes longer before getting back to work. He had a lot of paperwork to get through if he was going to whisk her off to the Hamptons.

  * * *

  Nevealise came awake slowly. Squinting her eyes, she turned her head, trying to gauge her surroundings and figure out where she was. She felt the soft leather of the sofa beneath her.

  “How are you feeling?”

  She whipped her head around to look into the handsome face of Jarred. Now she remembered. She was at Manning Enterprises. Brice had brought her here this morning to help with their computer issue.

  Nevealise found herself staring at Jarred. Her eyes ate him up, taking in every inch of him. Earlier she’d felt so sick she couldn’t absorb his presence. Her stomach fluttered, but not from the sickness that had plagued her earlier. This time it was from pure want.

  “Nevea, are you okay?” she heard him ask again. Nevealise wanted to respond. Her mouth opened, but no sound emerged. Her eyes were fixed on him.

  She heard him call her for the third time.

  “I’m fine,” she said hoarsely. At least her tongue was finally moving.

  “Do you think you can eat something?”

  “I don’t know yet,” she said, slowly pushing herself into a sitting position on the sofa. She inhaled and then exhaled. Her stomach felt better. “I’m not really hungry. I guess I should try to eat something, anyway.”

  “Most definitely. It’s lunchtime.”

  “Good Lord! How long have I been asleep?” Her eyes searched his office frantically for a clock.

  “Not long at all. Only a couple of hours.”

  “A couple of hours,” she cried, horrified. He’d said “not long” as if she had been sleeping for a mere fifteen minutes. She sighed. Surely they had all guessed her predicament by now. First, she’d been sick in the car ride over here, then again in Jarred’s office. The Manning men were not stupid. Oh well, as her friend Jasmine used to say, “no use crying over spilled milk.”

  Nev calmed herself, telling herself it was time to get down to business. “Are they ready for me to check the computer?”

  “Are you sure you’re up to it?”

  “I feel fine now.” She stretched and then yawned. Jarred didn’t look convinced. “Honest.”

  He still didn’t look persuaded. “Sounds like you need a few more hours of sleep.”

  “Please, if I don’t get up, I will sleep all day.”

  “I found you some burritos, ginger ale and crackers.”

  Nevealise looked at him in surprise. “You did?”

  “Yes. Why are you acting so shocked?”

  “Because you made fun of my burritos and chips before.”

  “No, I didn’t. I said that wasn’t a two-day meal. Hell, it’s not even a one-day meal. But if a burrito is going to keep you from puking up your insides, by all means, eat away.”

  “Thank you,” she said, and beamed at him.

  Chapter 18

  Jarred watched Nevea intently as she typed away on the computer keys. He was glad that she was feeling better. He’d made sure that she’d eaten some crackers and drunk some of the ginger ale before meeting Langston, Brice and Emerson in the Security room.

  As she worked Nevea was muttering what seemed like a bunch of sequential numbers mixed with letters. It all sounded foreign to him.

  She had two computers sitting side by side. Jarred couldn’t tell if they were feeding off each other or working independently.

  Nevea was totally focused on what she was doing, and she looked g
ood doing it.

  “Jarred, do you have a private printer in your office separate from the corporate networked computers?” she called out, still typing away.

  “No. Why?” He continued to gaze at her. He was both interested in what she was doing and checking for signs that she was going to be sick again or was too tired to continue. At the slightest inkling of either, Jarred was going to pull her away from that computer. By the look of things, she appeared to be in her element. Having fun talking to herself and the monitor.

  “Got it,” she called out. “One down. I’ll need to hide the IP address. Hmm, someone’s been naughty.”

  “Nevea, why do you need a separate printer?” he asked her again, this time more forcefully. She was getting lost in what she was doing. He could see why Nevealise consulted for the big agencies. She was good. Damn good.

  “I need to send you some info. I don’t want it networked in. It’s private,” she answered, but her eyes never met his. She held a piece of paper in one hand, reading it, while the fingers of her other hand punched in numbers like she was a machine. He’d had his fair share of outstanding administrative assistants and knew some could type up to one hundred words per minute, but he’d never witnessed it done with one hand. Jarred was in awe of her.

  “The Security office has a private printer,” Emerson chimed in, breaking into his thoughts.

  “No. Not a good idea,” she said. “Anyone can get to the info.”

  “Not from here. This is my office. It’s separate from the other Security office. No one has access but the people currently in this room,” Emerson said.

  “That’s good to know.” She turned and flashed Emerson a smile before going back to what she was doing.

  “She’s amazing,” Jarred heard Emerson declare.

  “What’s she saying?” Langston asked, nudging him.

  Jarred shrugged. “I haven’t the foggiest idea.” He really didn’t. She would ask either herself or the computer a question, and then promptly answer it. He shook his head and laughed silently to himself. He was in love with a real techy.