Risking the Crown (The Crown 2)

“What’s going on? Did something happen at the party?” I closed the laptop and faced Kaitlyn.

I didn’t know if I had ever seen her look more worried. And we’d been through a hell of a lot in the past few months.

“I kept thinking there would be some perfect time to talk about it,” she started.

“Perfect time for what?”

She closed her eyes and took a deep breath. “Cole, I’m pregnant.”

“Pregnant.” I looked at her and pushed off the chair. I stood over her.

She nodded. Her eyes filled with tears. “We’re going to have a baby.”

Everything froze. The world stopped. I didn’t care about the lawsuit or my leg. Or the dozen other things that had wedged themselves into our life. All I heard was that word: pregnant.

“Kaitlyn,” I whispered.

“Please don’t be upset,” she pleaded. “I’m so sorry.”

I blinked. “I’m not upset. God no.”

I cupped her face and kissed her with everything I had. My baby was growing inside her. I loved her. My tongue moved quickly as I sucked at the corners of her soft lips.

She broke away, fighting for a breath. “You’re happy about it?”

I laughed. “Hell yes, I’m happy.” My hands moved over her full breasts. No wonder they had been driving me crazy lately. “You’re carrying my child.”

She leapt from the chair. I felt the tears on her cheeks. “Oh my God. I was so worried. And I wanted to tell you, but Mary Ellen was here, and then Aiden and the lawsuit and then Grayson was sick and every time was the wrong time. And I wanted it to be perfect. I wanted to buy some cute little rubber duck or wrap up the pregnancy test in a fancy box.”

I circled my arms around her waist. “You’ve known how long?” I eyed her sternly.

She stepped back. “A few weeks.”

“Kaitlyn,” I growled.

“I know. I know. I’m sorry. I swore to you my birth control wouldn’t fail us. And I know Grayson wasn’t planned.” She looked toward the floor as a tear slid on her cheek. “I didn’t know if we were strong enough for this. I don’t want you to think I’m another Amber.”

God, her words hurt me.

“Baby. I love you.” I tilted her chin upward. “And no, we didn’t plan this. But this is our baby.” I ran my palms to her stomach. “Our baby.”

She nodded and smiled. “It is.”

“And your brother is going to fucking kill me.”

She giggled. “He is.”

I kissed her again. This time more tenderly.

“I have a confession too.”

Her eyes opened. “What is it?”

I reached for the zipper on the back of her dress and slid it to ass, pushing the sleeves over her shoulders.

“I wanted this.” I eyed her hungrily as she stepped out of the dress.

I grabbed her by the hand and led her to the bedroom where I could lock the door in case Grayson woke up early from his nap.