by CY Jones
“Is this weird?” I ask breaking the silence.
“No, at first I thought it would be, but with you, I find it isn’t. When I saw you in the elevator that first day, I knew you were the one. Even though you are the opposite of what others, even my own husband, may have thought we’d choose, I knew better. I haven’t been what my husband needed for a very long time and I was grateful to find you. These marks,” she says, laying her hand on my hips, “are a reminder of how much we were never suited for each other.”
“You talk like you don’t want to be with him, like you don’t love him,” I say.
“Oh, don’t get me wrong, I do. I love him more than anything in this world. I just know he needs more than me in his life.”
“You know this isn’t permanent, right? Once I push the baby out, I’ll be gone from your lives, and it’ll just be you three.”
I don’t hear her reply or even know if she’s going to answer when the doctor walks in with a smiling nurse trailing behind him. “Ms. Cooper, my name is Doctor Rockford, can you tell me what’s been going on?”
I explained how I’ve been feeling since yesterday evening. He asked all sorts of questions and I tried my best to answer. Having me lay down, he checks over my body, pressing his stethoscope here and there. Then he gives me an exam and takes samples to send off to the lab. When he leaves, he’s only gone for a minute, returning with a clipboard.
“Ms. Cooper, your urine results have come back. Congratulations, you’re pregnant.”
“Oh, wow,” is all I say. Sure that’s the point of all this, what I’ve been working towards, but it’s one thing to try to make it happen then being told it’s actually happening. I feel like those big teeth, white bunnies running around in my head in a panic.
“I’m sorry; I thought this was good news,” the doctor says.
“It is,” Nichole speaks up. “She’s just in shock.”
“I’ll say,” I mutter. “I think Pikachu just zapped me.”
“Nurse Rathers, can you bring in the portable ultrasound machine?” Doctor Rockford says turning to the nurse. She leaves and comes back with a square machine with a screen attached.
“Now, Jade, this will be cold at first and feel funny, but it will be over with quickly. I want to check to see how far along you are.”
“Okay,” I agree, lying back.
I let him do his thing as he sticks a cone looking thingy up my whoha. It was cold at first and then I felt like squirming as he moved it around. Keeping my eye on the screen, I see nothing I can make sense out of, just a black hole until spots of grey start to form.
“There you are, little one,” Doctor Rockford murmurs. “There’s the heart,” he points out and I watch fascinated as the little hole moves, fluttering on the screen. “I’ll say you’re around twelve weeks,” he replies, and I gasp counting the time in my head. That means Grayson got me pregnant the first time he fucked me. Wow, go him and his super egg seeking sperm.
“That’s wonderful news,” Nichole says, beaming, clapping her hands together like an otter.
I’m still in shock as they clean up everything and leave for me to put my clothes back on. When the nurse comes back, she has a bunch of papers in her hands. “You’ll need to make an appointment with your OBGYN as soon as possible. Here’s a prescription for prenatal vitamins. It can be filled at any pharmacy. Congratulations, again.”
I barely hear her. It’s Nichole who takes everything from her and helps me up gently pushing me out the door. I’m freaking pregnant. A little life has been growing inside me for three freaking months now.
“I’m so excited,” Nichole says once we’re back in her SUV. “In fact we should start moving your stuff in the brownstone. There’s no need for you to stay at the hotel now.”
“You mean there’s no need for Grayson to have easy access to me,” I spit out. Her chipper attitude is getting on my nerves.
“I’m sure if he wants to visit you at the house, he still can,” she replies, and I look at her like she’s growing an extra head right in front of me.
“What? I’m pregnant. There’s no need for him to fuck me,” I shout.
“What did I say about language? As for Grayson, he’s not getting any from me. Having you here has been a Godsend. He’s been stressed out at work lately and a release from time to time is good for him.”
“Then you fuck him. He’s your husband after all.”
“Yeah, but I don’t want to. That’s why you’re here. You can keep his dark side sated. The man has needs, you know?”
“You know what, I can’t go there with you right now. I’ve done my part. I’m pregnant. I’m not fucking Grayson again. Either you fuck him or go to marriage counseling. I’m letting you know now that I’m not cool with you sending him over to me to scratch his itch. Asking me to be your surrogate is one thing, asking me to be your husband’s whore is a whole other can of worms I’m not opening.”
I don’t say anything else. Instead, I turn towards the window, happy she stays blissfully quiet. What the hell is going on in that head of hers? Maybe she should have considered getting a divorce and not bringing a kid into their world of messed up. How could she even think Grayson would be okay with fucking me even though the job is done and I’m pregnant? She saw how he spazzed out over bringing me in, in the beginning. And what about me? How can she be so careless about my feelings? The more time I spend with him, the closer I get. Last night I got off on the possessive way he took me. How he made me scream that I belonged to him. He owned me in more ways than one, and I can’t let him get any closer. Not if I want to survive this. I need to be able to walk away with my heart, body, and soul intact.
In true Nichole fashion, she had me moved into the brownstone before the end of the week, so on Friday when I got off work, I drove there instead of the hotel. I was going to miss room service. Having been able to eat whatever I wanted in the night, without having to cook it myself, was pure bliss. Now I mostly eat takeout because I can’t cook for shit. That’s one skill I didn’t inherit from my mama.
At home, I stare at my rows and rows of clothes in my huge walk-in closet. Besides buying the house, Nichole made sure to have the closet filled with everything I could possibly need. It was all arranged in here by color and event. Most of this shit I would never get the chance to wear, but there was no telling her that. The coat issue was now a non-issue as I now own ten of them, all in different colors and styles. I even had a couple of ball gowns in there. What the fuck was I going to do with those?
Sighing, I look for something to wear to tonight’s dinner. I didn’t want to go. Since finding out I was pregnant, I have been avoiding Grayson. Most of the time he's been away at court. That big case he has with Lewis has started and they are solely focused on that. When he does come around, I act busy or run off to hide in the bathroom. I don’t want to talk to him. If I did, I’d blurt out what Nichole said about it being okay for him to visit me even though I was already preggers. If she’s said anything to him, he hasn’t let on. I feel like if she did, he would hunt me down and somehow blame the shit on me.
Washing off the work day, I dress quickly in a nice pair of jeans and a sweater. Despite being three months pregnant, I wasn’t showing. If it weren’t for the fact that I throw up every morning, I’d think the doctor fibbed to me. I wish I could go by my period, but I’ve always been irregular and three months without being on the rag isn’t unusual.
When I get to the Hastings’ house, Nichole is her usual cheery self. Grayson, on the other hand, has been silent. He wasn’t staring daggers over the dinner table at me, but I could practically feel his ire.
“Wouldn’t that be wonderful?” Nichole asks as I tune back into the conversation.
“I’m sorry, what?” I reply.
“I was talking about throwing a baby shower. I wanted to get your opinion,” she repeats sweetly.
“Why? This is your kid after all. I’m just a vessel.” Nichole frowns and Grayson gives me a look of
death. What crawled up his ass? My words are true.
“That’s not entirely true, Jade. You’re more to us than just a vessel,” Nichole says in a serious tone.
I want to roll my eyes but I refrain. I don’t think voicing my opinion would go over well. Instead, I look down at my plate and pick at my food. As good as everything looks, I felt very uncomfortable being here. What Nichole said on the way back from the doctors’ really rattled me. “Isn’t it kind of early to be talking baby showers? I’m not even showing yet.”
“It’s not like it’s going to be tomorrow, silly. It’s never too early to start planning. In fact, the country club would make the perfect venue. What do you think?”
“Anything you want,” I mumble. No way am I’m telling her sitting around with a bunch of pampered primadonnas I don’t even know sounds like some sort of torture technique.
“You sound so thrilled,” Grayson comments dryly.
“I’m ecstatic,” I retort, just as dry. I see asshole Grayson is out to play, or Mr. Hyde. Whatever, he’s being a major douche and I’m going to find out why. “What crawled up your butt?" I ask forwardly.
“Excuse me,” he replies, arching his brow.
“You’re being a dick. What’s up with you?”
“I’m not being a dick. I barely said anything to you.”
“Exactly. You love giving the silent treatment when you’re being a dick so spit it out. What’s up with you?”
“I’m perfectly fine. It’s you who's been avoiding me.”
“Is that it? Are you mad I haven’t been at your beck and call? There’s more to my job at the firm than catering to you,” I spit out.
“I’m not saying you need to cater to me. You know what, I’m not arguing with you, so if you think starting a fight to get out of this dinner is going to work, then you need to try another tactic.” I just glare at him over the table, and he glares back with as much heat as I’m spewing.
“Is that what you’re doing? Trying to leave early?” Nichole replies and I give her a guilty look. It may not have started that way, but I really didn’t want to be here. “You barely even touched your food,” she says, pointing her fork at my full plate.
“I’m not really hungry,” I reply honestly, avoiding the topic of leaving early.
“Are you well? I hope you’re not coming down with something. There has been this nastly flu going around,” Nichole says.
“I’m fine. I don’t think this kid likes rich foods.” It may be true. Although normally, I would be devouring a full lobster, but not today.
“Oh. I could see if the cook can make you something else,” Nichole offers and I immediately start shaking my head.
“I don’t want anyone to go to any trouble over me. Maybe I should leave and lie down.”
Nichole doesn’t like it but she nods her head. If I wasn’t going to eat, there was no point in me sitting here, pretending I’m interested in hearing about baby showers and her country club, nor do I want to stay in the pathway of Grayson’s ire. If I stay here any longer, I know I will bring up what Nichole said in the car and that’s one explosion I do not want to be a spectator for. As quickly as I can, I gather my things and leave. On the way home, I stop at the convenience store and buy a couple quarts of ice cream. I could eat those when I have my midnight cravings.
When I get home, I’m surprised to see Grayson’s car in the driveway. Getting out, I stomp inside. He’s left the door unlocked and is just lounging on my couch.
“What took you so long to get home?” he questions.
“I stopped at the store,” I answer with a pointed look at the bag dangling from my hand. Ignoring him, I go into the kitchen and put the ice cream away in the freezer. “I would offer you something to drink but I don’t keep much here,” I reply, stepping back. Crossing my arms over my chest, I ask, “Why are you here?”
“I needed to talk to you without Nichole around,” he answers simply. Oh God. Please don’t let him be here to fuck me. Nichole pushing him on me is one thing. Him being an active participant is a whole other problem.
“What about?” I ask warily.
“Don’t you want to sit down in the living room?” he asks.
“No, I’m fine right here.” These boots were killing my feet but I wasn’t about to admit that to him, but this is Grayson we’re talking about and with a growl, he stalks over to me and gathers me in his arms, bridal style. I shriek and try to push him away but my effort is futile; he’s way stronger than me.
When we get to the living room, he sets me gently on the couch and takes a seat in the love seat. “Now that’s better,” he replies and I glare over at him.
“Tell me why you are here and then leave,” I retort. I hate that Grayson can ruffle my feathers like a stressed out cockatoo.
“There’s a function coming up at the law firm. I’m sure you've heard about it.”
“Yeah, so?” I reply.
“So, Garfield’s son wants to take you to it. When he asks, I need you to turn him down.”
“So that’s why you’re here,” I laugh. “Someone is interested in your favorite toy and you want me to steer him away. If you don’t want him to go with me, why don’t you just tell him yourself?”
“I can’t,” he says, frustrated as he wipes his palm down his face. "Even though I’m a partner, his father is still technically my boss as he owns the majority of the votes in the firm. If I piss his son off, I could lose my job.”
“Well, Grayson, looks like you got yourself in quite the bind,” I taunt. I may be skirting the line of Insaneville by riling him up right now, but for once, I don’t feel powerless in this arrangement.
“Don’t play with me, Jade,” he growls.
“Jade? What happened to Raven?” Yep, I’ve seriously lost it.
Standing, he bends and places a firm grip on my neck. Not tight enough to choke me but enough for me to feel he means business. His grey eyes are swirling with anger, and I can’t tell if I’m scared or aroused by his possessive behavior. “This is the last time I’m going to tell you this. Until you spit this kid out, you’re mine. I own you. If I say turn him down, you will. Do I make myself clear?”
“Crystal,” I spit out and he lets me go.
“Good. Have a good weekend and don’t eat too much junk,” he replies before straightening to his full height and walking out the door. As soon as I hear his car start, I run to the door and lock it, not like it’ll keep him out since he obviously has a key, but it makes me feel a little better.
Maybe I have gone crazy but I have this need to defy him. To prove I haven’t completely sold myself to the devil. If Tyson asks me to be his date to the event, I won’t be turning him down. I’m Jade Cooper and no one owns me.
13
Jade
I’m at my desk typing up depositions when a delivery man carrying a huge fruit display comes in and sets the arrangement on my counter.
“I have a delivery for a Jade Cooper,” he says in a cheery voice.
“I’m Jade Cooper,” I reply, eyeing the arrangement. Who the hell would send me this? This thing had to cost a fortune.
“Cool, sign here,” he says, pushing a small tablet in my hands.
I sign quickly but before he leaves, I ask, “Do you know who sent this?”
Shrugging, he says, “Sorry, I’m just the delivery boy.” Turning on his heel, he leaves the way he came and I watch him until he gets into the elevator.
Eyeing the arrangement, I look for a card, anything that says where it came from but I find nothing. Maybe Nichole sent it as some kind of apology. I wouldn’t put it past her. Grabbing a piece of pineapple shaped into a star, I munch on it as I finish up the depositions I was working on before the distraction.
I’m so engrossed in my work, time flies by and soon it’s time for me to get ready to go home. McHottie hasn’t been back to the office, having been in court all day and I didn’t expect to see him either. I don’t have a workout planned and am looking forward
to a nice hot soak in the standing tub at home. Gathering my things together, I don’t notice Tyson until he’s tapping his fingers on the counter.
“What do we have here?” he asks with an easy smile.
“A fruit arrangement someone sent me,” I reply as I place the last of the paperwork that needs to be filed in a folder for me to file when I first come in tomorrow morning.
“You mean to tell me you don’t know where it came from?”
“No clue,” I answer.
“What if I told you I sent it?”
Laughing, I answer, “I’d tell you you’re full of shit.”
“You know, Jade, I love how you don’t tiptoe around me. You say exactly what you mean, not at all caring that I’m your boss.”
“Would you rather I do everything you say?” I ask, raising my brow.
“No. At least, not on the day to day basis at work, but at night, in my bedroom...yes, I do expect you to do as you’re told.”
“Well, seeing as I’ll never be in your bedroom, we don’t have to worry about that,” I tell him.
Unfazed, he walks around the counter and completely takes over my personal space. “That’s where you’re wrong, beautiful, you’ll be in my bed begging me to let you cum, but until then, I was the one to send you the fruit arrangement.”
“Why?” I ask as my skin heats from his words.
“To soften you up. I wanted you in a good mood when I asked you to attend the ball with me. Besides, a beautiful woman like yourself should get things like this all the time.” He moves closer until he’s mere centimeters from my lips. His blue eyes were swirling with mischief, and briefly, I wondered what it would be like to kiss him.
“What if I tell you no?” I reply. My voice comes out low and breathy. I can’t deny that Tyson Garfield has woven some kind of spell over me. He’s charming and the total Casanova I heard about, but he’s also a heartbreaker.