Tempting the Crown (The Crown 1)

“You’re moving into the ranch.”

I stared at him. “What?”

36

Luke

It made sense. It made a hell of lot more sense than trying to start a family in two different states. And what if she was pregnant because of today? My baby wasn’t going to be a thousand miles away from me. No.

“I’m getting those CYAs and putting them in the office. I have shelf space.”

“Luke, slow down.” Alexa shuffled behind me.

I popped the lever on the trunk. She hadn’t bothered to lock the car. I saw her collection of hardware. It was fucking impressive. I reached for one of the awards. It sparkled in the sun.

“Alexa Wilde, Country Year Award Artist of the Year,” I read aloud. “These are pretty sweet.”

She shook her head. “Go back to the other part. The part about me moving to the ranch.”

Her hair was wild and her neck was pink from my unshaven scruff. My mark was all over that girl. If I didn’t live on a hundred acres in the middle of nowhere I’d be more worried someone would see she was wrapped in a sheet, holding her PJs in one hand.

“Right. That’s exactly what I said.”

I collected the trophies in my arms.

“You want me to move here? Now in the middle of this scandal?”

I slammed the trunk and walked back inside. “Are you going to have my baby?”

“Yes.” She smiled.

“Then, you are living under my roof. With me. That’s the end of it.”

Her hands flew to her hips and I laughed when the sheet fell. She tried to catch it a few seconds too late. I didn’t know what she thought she was going to protest, but I appreciated she thought it was worth a try.

“Leave it.” I eyed her.

She stood in the office as I made a row for her awards. When I was finished I pulled her into my arms.

“We are going to rewrite the headline.” I kissed her throat.

“What’s it going to say?” she asked.

“It’s going to say Country Star Marries Star Quarterback.”

Her eyes widened. “Marry?”

I nodded. I’d never wanted her as much as I did now. “You’re already mine. Might as well make it official.”

She nodded. “I am.”

I picked her up, loving how she felt against my chest. “Charlie is going to have a stroke when I tell her to figure this one out.” I chuckled.

Her hands flattened on my bicep, stroking my muscles. “Any chance she might want to take on a new client?”

I stepped over the threshold of my bedroom. “Interesting idea.” I looked at Alexa. “If she could repair my reputation, imagine what she could do for such a bad good girl.” I winked.

“I’m serious, Luke. Do you think I could hire Charlie?”