Delta's Baby Surprise (Special Forces Elite 1)

I sat and listened while Jeremy gave me a rundown on the details of the press conference for today. I’d never attended a press conference, much less participated in one. I was completely out of my element. We drank coffee and I ate fruit at the small bistro table tucked in the corner of his commercial-grade kitchen.

“Whatever you’re doing while I speak, make sure your left hand stays visible,” he instructed. “I want everyone to see that rock.” It was going to take me a while to get used to wearing it. It was ostentatious. No one would doubt Jeremy Hartwell had marked me as his wife.

“Why can’t we release a marriage announcement like normal people do?” I pleaded. “We could hire a photographer and put a picture in the paper beside a nice recap of the ceremony at Magnolia Inn,” I suggested.

“We aren’t normal. And neither is this marriage.” He sighed. “My mother is coming for the money. She’s going to do whatever she can to prove we aren’t real. We can’t give her any ammunition. So we’re going full blast on this. I want every news outlet there. All the entertainment sites. Everyone who has interviewed me over the years. Business. Sports. Celebrity beat reporters. All of it.” He waved his hands in the air. “I want us to be the top story tonight.”

“What if it doesn’t work? What if we aren’t convincing?” I had a nervous pit in my stomach. I had no idea how I would make it through a full press event without throwing up.

“Why wouldn’t we be convincing?” He waggled his eyebrows. “We have consummated our relationship multiple times. I think we know each other very intimately. We’re close. Closer than most husbands and wives.”

I swallowed. “They don’t know that part.”

“Did that make you blush?” he teased. “You liked what I did last night. Tasting you in a new place.”

I almost moaned out loud. He knew exactly what he did to me. He knew he could coax moans from my throat and orgasms from my core. He knew with one look I’d tear off my clothes and offer my body on the kitchen counter. He knew he had me.

“If I could, I’d take you back to bed right now. But I need to prepare the rest of the morning to set up the press conference.”

I sighed, realizing I was disappointed he hadn’t thrown the breakfast dishes on the floor and tossed me on the table. “What can I do to help?” I asked.

“As much as I know you probably don’t want to, you need to let your parents know they could get some calls from the media. And Frannie. She needs a heads-up too. A united family front would certainly help.”

“Ok. What else?”

“You need something to wear for the announcement.”

“What kind of something?”

He rubbed the back of his head. “Something sophisticated, but not too cold and distant. And you don’t want to look dowdy.”

“So avoid the Jane Austen spinster look this time?”

He chuckled. “We have taken a huge detour from Jane Austen.”

He reached into his pocket and withdrew a credit card. “You can buy anything you want. An entire wardrobe if you like. But make sure you have something for the big show.”

I stared at the hard plastic. “You don’t have to do that. I can buy something on my own. I have savings.”

“You’re a Hartwell now, Evie. You get all the perks. I’ll have your own cards for you by the end of the week. You can use mine until then.”

I took the platinum card and flipped it over in my hand. “I’m going to guess there’s no limit on this?” My eyebrows lifted.

“No limit,” he answered. “The accountant will also set up your own bank accounts. You can take care of that debt you were worried about. I’ll make sure it’s all handled quickly. I don’t want there to be any questions about the trust between us. Nothing will demonstrate to the attorneys that I trust you like sharing my fortune.”

It was strange how quickly I had forgotten about the clinic. I didn’t need it any longer. I was going to have my baby a different way. Was it possible this was even more unconventional than my in vitro plans in Newton Hills? I would pay my bill, and the clinic would be in my past. No more appointments. No more long drives for testing. It was just over.

“Evie?”

“Hmm?”

“I need to get to the office. Sasha is waiting for me. I can’t be late this morning.”

I had almost forgotten about her too. The beautiful blonde. “Do you want me to go with you?” Maybe I should meet her. “You could show me your office.” I smiled sweetly.

“No. It’s going to be hectic today. I’ll have a driver waiting for you. He’ll take you to whatever shops you like. Make sure you’re here and ready by four. I promise I’ll be here.”

I nodded. “I can do that. One not-too-sexy, but not-too-matronly outfit coming up.”