Page 34 of Wicked Love

She had changed into a pair of fussy leggings and a long sweater. Her hair was piled on the top of her head, loose strands framing her face. Since we ran away from our parents’ wedding, she hadn’t applied makeup once. The thought she didn’t need her armor around me pleased me.

With a roll of my shoulders, I tried to erase the tension crippling me and knocked on the ajar door. “I have a surprise for you downstairs when you’re ready.”

Grace turned around, her face flushing as if I’d caught her doing something naughty. If only…

“Surprise? Care to explain? Is it hot chocolate? Because I could use a hot beverage right now before going to bed.”

“I can make you a mug later, but it’s something else. Much more exciting.”

Her lips twisted. “Will I be in trouble?”

I grinned, shaking my head. “Not this time.”

“You sure?”

I smirked. “Why? You wanna be in trouble?”

“Mayb—” She pinched her lips together and shook her head a few times. “Nope. Not this time.” She eyed me, not shying away from the attraction simmering between us. Her pupils darkened. Her lips parted on an exhale. Even though we both promised we’d do our best to kill the attraction we experienced every time we stood too close to each other, we were failing. We stood still, and the particles of air around us were electrified. One month together in closed proximity would no doubt be the worst kind of torture. I wondered how long we could resist the pull before we had to walk away.

Grace’s chest moved with each intake of air. I forced my attention back to her face. I could read the same warning signs, that I’d observed on the night we met, dancing in her dark irises. Grace loved trouble. And from the glints in her eyes, she appeared to love it even more when I was involved.

I scratched the back of my head and stared at my feet, breaking the eye contact. “About that surprise. Are you coming?”

The spell we were under evaporated. “Yeah, sure. Show me.”

She followed me down the stairs, and when we inched closer to the fireplace, I said, “Close your eyes.”

“Why?”

“Because it will be more fun. Trust me.”

She sighed. “Fine.”

I pulled her forward and angled her body toward the little furry ball. “I’m telling you, your heart may not recover, and you may fall in love. I’ll do my best to provide what it needs as long as you accept to co-parent with me.”

She tensed beside me. “Joe, are you pregnant?”

“Ha, ha, you think you’re funny?” She shrugged. “Geez, woman. Open your eyes.”

She perused the room until I pointed to the floor.

“Ohmygod. How did you…?” Sparkles shone in her eyes. “Joe, it’s so tiny.” She squatted, caressing the head of our guest.

“Grace, meet DH. DH, meet Grace.”

She blinked, searching my gaze. “How does he already have a name? Did he have a collar on?”

“Because I gave him one.” I smiled big because I was so proud of my choice.

“You did?” A puzzling look painted her face. “DH? What does it mean? I would have chosen something like Mitten. Or Slipper. Maybe Rocky. Or Mozart. In your honor.” That piece of information warmed my heart. “But not DH… Wanna be more specific?”

I shook my head. “Not sure I want to. Trust me, it’s suiting. And it fits us both. Don’t worry. He loves his name.”

“And you know that how?”

“Because I’m his dad and he watched me with his little adorable eyes and nodded when I named him.”

Grace grabbed a pillow and threw it at me. “You’re ridiculous. Since you asked me to co-parent him with you, can we discuss a real name?”