“We really shouldn't be talking about this here,” Adam finally said. “You never know who's listening.”
Huh. Now Adam thought about having that conversation in this house – go figure. A bit too late, though. I reached down for the doorknob, but Casey put her hand on mind, trying to stop me.
“Does this mean what I think it means?” she said softly.
“Yeah, sounds like it,” I said.
I should be hurt that Danielle had lied to me, that Adam had betrayed me, and that they were working together to fuck me over. To steal the company and my father's fortune from me. I should be hurt. But, as I stood there, staring at Casey, all I could do was smile.
She was carrying my baby. More than that, it was obvious we cared about each other, deeply. This wasn't the plan, I hadn't intended on settling down with anyone so soon, but the idea of being with Casey – actually being with her – pushed away any doubts from my head.
“I'm sorry, Malcolm,” she whispered. “That's just so heartless.”
“That's my family, Casey. That was why I wanted to shield you from them,” I said.
“I understand, Malcolm,” she said.
She reached out and stroked my face, and I closed my eyes, leaning into the warmth and gentleness of her touch.
“When I'm with you, none of that matters,” I said.
When I opened my eyes, and caught her looking at me and smiling. I smiled too. As I looked at her, I was overcome by a wave of emotion. Casey inspired thoughts and feelings inside of me I wasn't even aware I could have. She made me feel things more deeply than anybody in my life ever had before. Being with her made me feel like the last piece of the puzzle that was my life was finally falling into place.
And when I opened my mouth to speak, the words that came tumbling out surprised even me.
“I hope we can make this about more than just business,” I said. “A lot more.”
She looked at me with wide eyes, her lower lip trembling. “What are you saying, Malcolm?”
“That I'd like you to be more than just a surrogate, Casey,” I said. “I'm saying that I'd like to raise our child together. That is, if you'll have me.”
She gasped, and her cheeks turned a nice shade of rosy pink. She smiled so wide, I was afraid her head was going to split in half, and her laughter was like music to my ears. God, she was everything I'd ever wanted in a partner. Why had it taken me so long to realize that?
“I'd love that, Malcolm,” she said softly. “You have no idea how much I'd love that.”
“Good, because I love you, Casey,” I said. “And I love this child growing inside of you already. More than I ever thought possible. I'm going to take care of you, you know. You and your family.”
“I love you too,” she said.
Our eyes met, and that was quickly followed by our lips. I wanted her so badly in that moment that my body ached for her. Cried out for her. I leaned forward and pressed her up against the wall, my hands sliding along her body. She moaned, gently.
“We shouldn't – ” she said.
“Why not?” I asked, pulling back briefly. “I don't care if anyone finds out about us. We're going to be together.”
“No, I don't mean that,” she laughed, ruffling my hair a bit. “Just that we should probably confront Adam and Danielle We should probably expose them for the lying pieces of shit they are. Sooner, rather than later. I want to humiliate them.”
“A woman after my own heart,” I chuckled. “Let's go rip them a new one, shall we?”
“And let's take your company back too, Malcolm,” she said. “Once and for all.”
Yes, everything would be just fine with her at my side. I'd finally met my match, my true partner in crime. She was everything I always wanted and more. With Casey at my side, I knew there wasn't anything I couldn't accomplish.
As I looked into her eyes, I smiled, knowing the most amazing days of my life lay ahead of me still.
EPILOGUE
NINE MONTHS LATER...