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“The fucker is gone.” Zayne’s jaw clenched. His green eyes were full of different emotions I couldn’t pinpoint. “You’re sure? It’s not a false positive?”
I shook my head. “While you were away, I fainted, and Sutton reached out to your team’s doctor. She did some bloodwork. To the best of her knowledge, I’m about two weeks along.” I folded my arms over my stomach, afraid that Zayne would see me shaking. “I was scared shitless it was Donovan’s, so Sutton helped me get a paternity test, and I gathered a few pieces of your hair from the bedroom we slept in. I was just emailed the results. That’s what was so important at three a.m.” I held my breath and waited for him to yell at me for sneaking behind his back.
He paced the floor, shoving his hands in his pockets, shock, and disbelief twisting his features. “I’m going to be a dad?”
“If you want to be. If not, I don’t expect you to stick around, but I wanted to be fair and have this conversation with you first.” Nervously, I chewed on my thumbnail.
Zayne looked up at the ceiling and rubbed the back of his neck. “I can’t believe it.” He pinned me with an intense stare.
A messy ball of emotions wedged in my throat as my brain scrambled to fill in the silence.
With a few quick steps, he closed the gap between us, knelt before me, and raised the hem of my T-shirt. Tears welled in my eyes as he kissed my belly, then placed his cheek against my stomach. He wrapped his arms around my waist and stayed still.
“Do you want to keep the baby?” I whispered, smoothing his hair.
He peered up at me. “I wouldn’t have it any other way, babe. I can’t wait to start our family. I never thought I would find my person and have kids, though. I’m in shock that we’re here together.”
He looked at me as if I were the most beautiful woman in the world, and I tucked the moment into my heart and mind to cherish forever.
He rose from the floor, grinning. “Guess we should have a lot—and I mean a lot—of sex now that we don’t have to worry about you getting pregnant.”
I threw my head back and laughed. “I love you, Zayne.”
“Oh, babe. I love you, too. So, fucking much.” With that, he pressed his mouth to mine and dominated me with a kiss.
56
Giselle
“Are you ready to share the news about the baby?” Zayne asked as we stood at the entrance of Pierce’s log home.
“You don’t think it’s too soon? We’ve only known for a week.”
Zayne gathered me in his arms. “We don’t have to say anything until you’re ready.” He kissed the top of my head, then opened the front door.
It was beautiful. I stepped onto light, shiny wood floors that extended into the living and dining area, where a grey stone fireplace stretched towards the vaulted ceiling, and I fell in love with the exposed beams. Fans circulated the air, keeping the temperature nice and cool on that one-hundred-and-two-degree day.
“We’re here,” Zayne called out.
Sutton hurried around the corner, a big grin on her face. “Hi! I’m so glad you’re back.” She hugged him, then me. “How are you doing? A little bit better now that your parents are in custody?”
“Yeah. As long as they go to prison for the rest of their lives, I’ll be fine.”
Sutton placed her hands on her belly. “The girls they kidnapped should take care of that.” She offered a genuine smile. “I’m just happy you’re both here. Pierce, Vaughn, and Claire are out back. Pierce just fired up the grill. I’m starving for a good juicy steak.” Sutton smiled and began walking through the living room.
“I’m glad we’re here, too. It’s nice to think that I actually have friends and can come and go anytime that I want. It’s kind of weird.”
Zayne slipped his arm around my waist. “You’ll get used to it.”
We strolled through the house and into the kitchen. The ample open space was stunning with the stainless-steel appliances, black granite counters, a large island, and a breakfast nook that looked over the property.
Sutton opened the back door, and we stepped onto a spacious patio with an outdoor cooking area.
“Hi!” Claire jumped up and hugged me. “I’m so happy to see you.” She turned to Zayne. “But not you.” She giggled, then gave him an enthusiastic embrace. Even though she was a few weeks behind Sutton’s pregnancy, Claire’s baby bump was quite a bit smaller. I glanced at Zayne, wondering what I would look like pregnant. I secretly hoped for a boy. Maybe I wouldn’t be on edge, worrying about him being hurt like I would if we had a daughter. I made a mental note to add that to the list of what to discuss with a therapist.
Vaughn and Pierce greeted us both with hugs, then settled down around the table.
“Zayne tells me you’re interested in working with us,” Pierce said.
