Accidental Baby (Fake Marriage Romance 2)

“I’m here.” I wrapped my arms around him, never intending to let him go. He was my tether to the world. My rock. My joy.

He lifted his head. “Always. Stay with me always. Move in here. Bring your matching plates and nicer furniture. Make this house a home with me.”

Tears burst from my eyes again. I couldn’t ever remember feeling such happiness. It still scared me. Intense happiness could drop to ultimate despair, but I trusted Ryder. So I took a breath, shored my courage, and said, “Yes.”

He kissed me and pulled me in for a hug as we rolled again and I could rest my head on his chest.

“Just so you know, if you tell anyone I was blubbering like a baby, I’ll deny it.”

He chuckled. “There’s my girl.” He kissed my head. “I won’t tell. I don’t need people knowing my woman cries when I make love to her.”

I kissed his chest. “I’m just emotional. I’m not used to it.”

“I’m here now, if you ever need to let loose. Emotionally. Not verbally. Although if you need to rant, I can listen.”

“I’ve never had this…felt this before,” I said in a soft voice, afraid to verbalize my feelings and at the same time, wanting him to understand. Knowing that he wouldn’t laugh or make fun of me.

“What’s that?”

“Love.”

“Oh, baby.” He maneuvered me so we were side-by-side, face-to-face. “I should have told you sooner. I love you. I’ve loved you for a long time. It kills me to think you didn’t know you were loved.”

I cast my eyes down, having a hard time with the intensity of the moment. “I don’t feel alone either.”

“That’s because you’re not.” He used the crook of his finger to lift my chin so I would look at him. “And I’m going to do whatever needs to be done to make sure you always feel loved and never alone.” He leaned forward and kissed me.

“I’m still in shock that you want me. I’m not an easy woman to love.”

He shrugged. “It’s not so hard for me. But I see more than you let most people see of you.”

“That’s because I’m naked,” I joked.

He laughed. “You’re glorious when you’re naked.” He leaned in and sucked on one of my nipples, immediately sending sweet erotic sensations to my pussy. “But I see you too, Katrina. Your smarts. Your courage. Your ball-busting attitude.”

I rolled my eyes.

“Your heart and loyalty, and how you stand up for those you care for. I loved how you called Earl out tonight.”

“Yeah, well, he was being a jerk. It was time someone put him in his place.”

“My hero,” he said.

We lay quietly for a moment, and I found so much comfort in listening to his heartbeat where my head lay on his chest.

“Ryder?”

“Yes.” His fingers played with the strands of my hair.

“Did you ever imagine you’d be a father?”

“Yes.”

“With me?” I lifted my head to look at him.

“Yes.”

My eyes narrowed as I studied him to see the truth of his words.