Page 53 of Code Violation

“Every single decision is yours to make. But it would be remiss of me to let you take that pill without knowing where I stand. You’ve told me how much you want a family, and I’m telling you, as my girl or my baby’s mama, I’m going to stand by you, support you, be the man you fucking deserve. Do I want you to love me back?” He tips his face toward the ceiling. “Hell yes, I do!”

I giggle and nestle my head in the crook of his neck. Breathing him in.

“Fuck Kane, fuck circumstances, fuck societal norms that dictate the order of how things should play out in life,” he breathes into my hair. “If you want to raise a baby with me, then I’m going to be there, in whatever way you need. I worship the very bones of you.”

“Wow.”

Silas kisses my hair. “You think I’ve lost my mind, don’t you?”

“No,” I say in a small voice, a million different thoughts cycling through my mind. “I’m wondering where I go from here because regardless of you and me, a decision about whether or not I take the pill sitting on my bathroom counter needs to be made.”

“I know, and I’m being honest when I tell you the decision is yours to make. I will still love and support you, no matter which way you choose to go with this.”

I pick my head up and rest it against the wall, studying every line and feature in his face. There’s no doubt that Silas’s child would be beautiful, inside and out.

“I think I need some time to process everything.”

After a second, he nods once, but doesn’t let go of me.

His eyes dart between mine, as if he were analyzing my thoughts. “Have I freaked you out?”

I gaze up at the white ceiling. “Freaked me out? No. Taken me out? Absolutely. I never saw any of this coming, but I want you to know that whatever happens, I appreciate your honesty. If only all men were like you.”

When I look at him again, there’s another question on his lips, and I’m tempted to ask what it is. I know he’d tell me, although I’m not sure if I’m ready to hear it.

I care so deeply for the man in front of me, and I can definitely picture him as an amazing dad. Regardless, there are too many clouds obstructing my ability to see if I could love him one day.

“If I don’t take the pill and I end up pregnant, Kane will be a huge problem.”

His jaw tics. “Do you trust me?”

“Yes, I do.”

A rough palm cups the back of my neck. “Then let me worry about him. Your life doesn’t need to cross paths with his anymore, and I’ll make it my mission to protect both you and our baby.”

My toes tingle at the way he says “our baby.”

Holy shit, this is madness.

So, why is there a kernel of excitement begging to curl my lips into a smile?

“I think he might try to kill you, and I’m not joking. Kane will go ballistic.”

Silas doesn’t look at all intimidated. If anything, he’s calmer than he was two minutes ago. I suppose I would be, too, if I’d just admitted to being in love with someone after years of hiding it away, never sure if I’d get a chance to shoot my shot with them.

Silas Stanton is in love with me.

Little old me.

“Here’s the thing, Ves: I don’t actually care. I’m done with my brother, and I’ve made peace with that. To me, he’s just another asshole who lost the best thing that ever happened to him.”

I raise a brow, making light of the compliment because—like most women—I’m terrible at accepting them. “Now I feel bad for calling you a grumpy bastard behind your back all this time.”

Full lips crash into mine, and I whimper into his mouth, sliding my tongue against his. I might not reciprocate the feelings he has for me, but that doesn’t mean I’ll never get there.

I sure love kissing him.

“I’m going to give you the time you need to think everything over,” he murmurs against my lips. “I’ll have my cell on loud, and I’ll be waiting—very fucking impatiently—for you to let me know which way you want to take this.”