Sin City Baby

I stood up and she walked toward me, taking my face in her soft, gentle hands. She stroked my cheeks as I stared into her eyes – eyes which were just a shade darker than the dress she was wearing. Without a warning, she leaned in and pressed her lips to mine. A chaste, soft kiss, nothing more, but it was enough to cause a stirring in my jeans.

“I'm pregnant, Jared,” she said.

Her smile grew exponentially, and she was literally beaming with joy. Her eyes sparkled, and they looked like emeralds in the sunlight. Tears filled her eyes, but they weren't sad tears – she was happy. So very happy.

My hands trembled as I absorbed the news. Now, I knew what Evan had been talking about. She was pregnant, and the child was one of ours. We'd given her what she'd wanted. One of us had, at least. It could be mine. My baby could be growing inside of her.

My protective instincts kicked in right away.

“Are you sure? Are you okay? Is the baby – ”

“Everything is fine,” Hadley said, her giggle ringing like bells. looked past Hadley to Evan who leaned against the wall, his hands in his pockets. He was giving us the space we needed, and I appreciated that, but deep down, this decision involved all of us.

“And you're okay with this, Evan?” I asked.

He shrugged, looking up and meeting my eyes. “I'm willing to do anything for Hadley and the baby,” he said. “I've always wanted a large family. So does Hadley. I say let's give it to her.”

My hands shook even more, and Hadley took them in hers. Her face grew serious, almost like she wasn't expecting my response.

“Are you okay?” she asked, her lip trembling a little.

“I'm good. I'm happy even,” I said, my head spinning out of control. “It's just a lot to take in.”

I turned my eyes upward and met her gaze. I allowed myself to feel the excitement inside of me but hoped it wouldn't show on my face. The love I felt for her, and the feelings I had for the unborn child already, filled me with happiness. Her face relaxed as I smiled.

“I've never been surer of anything, Hadley,” I said. “I just don't know how Gabe is going to handle this.”

“I know,” she sighed and turned to Evan, still holding my hands in hers. “Maybe I should tell him alone?”

> “No,” I countered. “We can back you up. You don't have to be alone. If anyone can stand up to him, it's us. Right, Evan?”

Evan gave me a look that said he had his doubts, but his words were more positive. Comforting. Reassuring.

“Of course,” he said. “We'll always have your back, Hadley. Always.”

“Even if he doesn't agree to the arrangement,” Hadley said. “I just want his blessing, before we continue with anything.”

Again, Evan and I shared a look. I knew not to get my hopes up, because Gabe would never give his blessing for us to be with Hadley. Even if the child inside of her was one of ours. There was no way he'd be okay with such an arrangement. That much, I was sure of.

Hadley looked at me with such hope and happiness in her eyes. Like Evan, I wanted to give her everything she wanted in this world. Whatever it was. I'd never seen myself as someone who would settle down and have children, but seeing Hadley and Grayson inspired me to want that for myself. Not with just anyone, though. But, with her, it was a future I was very excited about.

“I never knew I wanted something so badly,” she said. “And now, I can't imagine anything else. What if he says no? I just can't fathom going back to the way things were before – ”

I pulled her to me, her head nestled in the crook of my neck. Smoothing down her hair, I just held her. Evan looked at me from where he was seated across the room. We'd both do anything for this woman. Anything at all, but we couldn't promise her what she wanted.

We could only promise that the two of us would work together, that we'd be there for her and the child no matter what. I kissed the top of her head gently, and she looked up at me. Our lips met and it was like an electric spark shot off between us. There was so much energy coursing through my body from just that one kiss, and I never wanted it to end. She opened her mouth for me, accepted my tongue into hers as I kneaded her back and shoulders, doing everything I could to help her relax.

My hands moved around, cupping her breasts before moving lower. She gasped, and pulled me in closer, my erection pressing against her body. God, I wanted her.

Evan was still on the couch, playing on his phone. He didn't seem bothered in the slightest. “Geez, think you might take that into a bedroom or something?” Evan teased.

I knew he was right, but I couldn't stop myself. Neither could Hadley. Her hands moved over my chest, then my abs before she cupped my erection in her hands. My jeans were in the way, but she massaged my erection through my pants bringing a groan from my lips.

“Fuck, that feels good,” I whispered into her ear.

I played gently with her nipples, teasing them through her dress. She whimpered, biting her lip and closing her eyes. A soft sigh escaped her. The need was etched across her face. She needed me as much as I needed her.

“Or maybe I'll just see myself out,” Evan joked.