Total pages in book: 28
Estimated words: 25895 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 129(@200wpm)___ 104(@250wpm)___ 86(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 25895 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 129(@200wpm)___ 104(@250wpm)___ 86(@300wpm)
The tragedy Bo’s just unveiled makes tears spring to my eyes and I run my palms soothingly over his chest.
“You’ll be alright,” I say in a low voice. “I love you, Bo, and I’m here for you no matter what, even if everything else is going haywire.”
Those words jerk my boyfriend back to the present.
“Do you love me?” he asks, those blue eyes searching my own with desperation. “Knowing all this, even? How I’m a fucked-up Dom with a fucked-up family and a fucked-up past?”
I nod.
“Yes,” I say in a firm tone. “I love you, Bo Nielsen, and everything you represent. I accept these facts about you, about your life, and your family. We are only human, after all.”
With that, Bo seizes my mouth in a passionate kiss before pulling away, and to my surprise there are tears in the handsome man’s eyes.
“I love you too, Haley,” he says in a broken voice. “I didn’t know if you’d ever come back to me, or even if you’d want me again knowing all this. But I adore you, baby girl, and I want this child that we’ve created,” he says, sliding a hand over my poochy tummy. “Yes, I hired a private investigator to follow you after you left the cabin, but it’s only because I adore you, sweetheart,” he confesses in a low tone. “I couldn’t live without knowing that you were okay.”
Tears spring into my eyes once more, and I pull him close before pressing my lips to his again.
“It’s okay,” I whisper softly. “We’ve cleared the air now, and there are no more secrets left.”
Bo stares into my eyes, his gaze emotional and turbulent, yet utterly grateful for the love shining in my own.
“No more secrets,” he agrees before claiming my mouth once more, and my heart thrills and then soars because this man is mine, and with our pasts behind us, we can begin anew.
Epilogue
Bo
* * *
Six months later.
“Hey Mom,” I greet into the video chat.
“I have good news!” Carol burbles from what looks like the hospital. “Your father is officially now in remission!”
I smile without trying to wince. “Seriously?”
“Yes, it’s a miracle isn’t it? Paul is going to pull through.”
A mixture of emotions swirled through my chest. I’m still antagonistic towards my father, but that hate is mitigated by the knowledge that my younger brother was an adult when he chose his path. Unfortunately, there were fatal consequences for Calvin’s decisions, but I can’t put that entirely on Paul. Haley’s been instrumental in helping me work through these emotions, and although I still don’t respect my father, at least I tolerate him now (if only for Carol’s sake).
Still, some part of me wishes Paul was gone, as uncharitable as that sounds.
“Is he there?” I grunt.
My mom shakes her head. “No. They’re doing tests right now, but his oncologist says it’s almost definitely resolved. I just thought I’d share the good news with you because this is a big day. Oh, I’m so glad you’re talking again because you know how much the estrangement hurt me! But now, things are looking up. Thank Haley for me, will you, because I know she helped you change your mind, and tell that sweet girl to rest more. She’s always so busy, even though she’s in her third trimester!”
I smile for real this time.
“I will, Mom,” I say. “Love you, and Haley says hi too,” I finish before hanging up.
Then, I leave my office at Club Om and wander outside where the night’s activities have already begun. I spy my pregnant girlfriend seated on a velvet couch in the middle of the club wearing a tight leather mini-dress which only emphasizes her bump. She looks gorgeous and I bend to give her a kiss before running my palm fondly over the large mound.
“Oh you,” she giggles, pulling me close. “You’re so scandalous, always touching me whenever you want.”
I growl. “Of course I’ll touch you whenever I want, honey. You’re having my baby and these curves are mine.” Haley smiles happily at me, and even pregnant, my girlfriend looks as sexy as hell in her leather gear with those brown curls brushed over one shoulder. Her pregnancy has only increased her libido, and her swollen belly makes for some interesting positions that we never considered before. It’s been amazing, and I never thought I’d enjoy pregnant sex so much.
“You’re beautiful,” I rasp, devouring those swollen curves with my eyes.
She giggles.
“Thank you,” she coos, that chocolate gaze running appreciatively up and down my tight leather pants. “Did you get those adjusted?”
I groan and nod.
“Yes. They were so goddamn hard to get off last time, especially when I was desperate to be in you. Never again. This time, there’s a placket, see?” I say, palming the modification at the crotch. “For easy access,” I growl.