Page 72 of Code Violation

I haul her onto me so she’s straddling my thighs and we’re nose to nose.

“Aside from your beauty and kindness, I’m obsessed with your strength.” I set a hand in the center of her chest, feeling her heart hammer at a fast rhythm. “You know what you want, and you aren’t afraid to go after it. It might take you a while to get there sometimes, but once you’ve made your mind up, then you’re set. I’ve seen the flickers of strength within you despite the way Kane tried to douse your fire so he could keep you where he wanted you. And here you are right now, making a decision about having a baby with me and saying a big fuck you to the rules society has laid down for us. The ones that dictate that we should be in love for a certain length of time before we get married, have a baby and live in a suburban house somewhere.”

Her eyes search mine as I speak, softening with every word.

“That’s not what you want, is it, Knockout? You want the life and the love you’ve always dreamed about. You want the career and the fun nights out with your friends, where you tell a guy to go fuck himself because you’re not interested. You want to reignite that fire that’s always been burning inside you, and I’m happy to pour gasoline on it until you’re right back to where you once were before my narcissistic brother tried to dismantle you.”

I brush my lips over hers.

“That’s why I love you, Ves. And that’s why I’m going to savor every second of you, this pregnancy, and ultimately, our baby.”

24

. . .

Vesper

“Ugh, why are flight prices always extortionate? Who has seven hundred dollars just lying around for a cramped seat in a tin can?”

I slide my brown ankle boots on and switch my phone from one ear to the other while my sister continues jabbering about the cost of flying to Seattle.

We really want to see each other, but neither of us can afford the travel expenses. It’s ridiculous.

“Wait, no. What am I saying? Of course you can afford it now that you have a rich and famous hockey boyfriend.”

I deadpan even though she can’t see me, “I’ve told you, Silas isn’t my boyfriend.”

“But you’re having a baby with him.”

Switching my phone to speaker, I move into the kitchen and set the handset on the counter, pouring myself a glass of water. I’m constantly thirsty. My boobs ache, and I swear they’re getting bigger. It’s hard to say how much of it is all in my head now that I’ve had a positive pregnancy test.

“And how many people these days have a baby without being a couple? Welcome to the modern world.”

I roll my eyes when my sister doesn’t respond. It’s not that she doesn’t believe in what I just said, more that she doesn’t think I want to co-parent with Silas.

“We’re taking things slow, okay?” I continue, positive that I’d jump into bed with Silas if he walked through my front door right now and stripped naked.

Naomi’s voice turns smaller as she asks a question I don’t want to think about. “When do you plan on breaking the news to Kane?”

The icy sensation trickling through my body has nothing to do with the cold glass of water in my hand and everything to do with the mention of my ex-boyfriend, a name I’ve pushed to the back of my mind lately.

A sharp knock on my front door has me jerking forward.

“Someone’s here. I need to go.”

“Silas?” my sister inquires.

I check the time on my phone, my stomach twisting when I see that he isn’t due to pick me up for another half hour.

“I’m not sure. If it is, then he’s early.”

“Do you want me to stay on the line while you check?”

As much as I appreciate my sibling’s kindness, there isn’t a whole lot she can do from Cincinnati if the person standing on the other side of the door is Kane.

“No, I’m good. I can call you after my appointment with the OB-GYN though.”

“Sure!” She sounds excited. “Ah! I can’t believe I’m going to be an auntie.”