“I assume you and Rafe talked about having kids.”
“We did.”
“So you saw he wasn’t one of those bastards who only wanted kids for duty?”
“Thankfully yes.”
“I feel the same way.”
Okay, so Leo wanted kids, but when did he want them? “But you’re not the heir like Rafe.”
“Excuse me?”
With a nervous laugh, I said, “Rafe needed to have children right away, so he could have an heir. It’s not the same with you.”
A sexy smirk curved on Leo’s lips. “Drea, if you want me to knock you up, all you have to do is ask.”
Giggling at his teasing, I said, “You might regret suggesting that.”
To my surprise, Leo’s expression sobered a little. “Even though you don’t have to get pregnant like with Rafe, you still would want to right now?”
No, I wouldn’t. The only reason why we’re having this conversation is because I was stupid and reckless.
“I wouldn’t mind,” I lied.
“I just thought you might want to finish school or open your gallery.”
“I can still do those things even when I have a baby. I mean, that’s what nannies are for.”
Leo took a few gulps of his beer. Staring out at the water, he shook his head. “I don’t want us to have a baby for a nanny to raise.”
“I thought you loved Talia.”
“I do. But it wasn’t the same thing as having my mother there.”
My heart ached for the little boy in Leo who never really experienced his mother’s love and care. I knew that feeling all too well.
Reaching across the table, I took his hand in mine. “It means a lot to me that you already want so much for your unborn children. I feel the exact same way. Just like I told Rafe, I want to be a mother to my children. I said a nanny when I really meant a babysitter. Someone to just help out for a few hours. Definitely not someone who lives with us.”
My answer seemed to reassure Leo’s fears. Squeezing my hand, he said, “We’ll be fucking amazing parents.”
I laughed. “You’re such an egomaniac.”
“Seriously, though. Forget the part about being rich and handsome and creative. Who makes better parents than those with shitty examples?”
“Not all people with traumatic childhoods make good parents,” I countered.
“They were probably pieces of shit to begin with, unlike us,” he replied with a wink.
I hoped he was right.
CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE: LEO
After spending the rest of the afternoon in bed either sleeping or screwing, Drea and I hurried to get ready to meet Rafe and Maeve. I would be lying if I said I wasn’t slightly nervous about the meet up. I had no idea how Maeve and Drea were actually going to act once they got in the same room together. While the odds of a cat fight were non-existent, it didn’t make the situation any less complicated.
When Drea came out of the bathroom in a red, strapless sundress that showed off her rack, I whistled. “Fuuuuck,” I muttered.
She grinned. “I guess that means I don't have to ask if you like it.”
