What if, after my wavering, they were no longer sure about me? Well, I’d just deal with it.
But as it turned out, I didn’t have to worry.
They raced over to me and there were kisses and hugs all around. I could have sworn Sumner had tears in his eyes. Chase and Ash high-fived each other, and Gio grinned.
I high-fived them back, tears in my eyes, and fell into luscious kisses with the most amazing men I’d ever known.
> Chapter 32
AVRIL
Not long after I’d committed to the guys, the DA arrested Devon. He was only in jail, his trial a long way off, but they’d made it hard for him to get out on bail. And once he did get out, they took his passport so he couldn’t flee the country. My heart broke for him, not because of what he and I could have had, but rather for how he wasted his life—everything he’d achieved and had yet to achieve. He didn’t need the extra money he got from his illegal activities. He was rich before all that. But he lost his way. Nothing was ever going to be enough. And now, he had less than nothing. He’d lost it all—friends, family, self-respect. Such a waste.
Using the trust he’d set up for me, I was able to fund the art school I was establishing. I knew it would make him feel good, knowing his life had not been a complete waste, by ensuring special kids had access to regular art classes.
My new life was just insane, and I was insanely in love with it. Business at the gallery was booming since I’d signed a couple of the hottest artists in the city, and the Kink Lab folks had turned out to be great patrons of the arts, too. In fact, when the gallery had shows, we were packed to the rafters, often selling out of an artist’s work in one or two days. It was unheard of. Blu had come to work for me, running the gallery and the Kink Lab parties so I could focus on the school.
But the best part was my new family—the four guys, and little Ruby. In fact, I’d started taking Chase’s little one to work with me on occasion. She was a huge hit and great practice for what was to come.
Yep, I was pregnant.
And no, I didn’t know who the father was.
Try telling that to your ob-gyn, or bringing four gorgeous men to your first ultrasound. We caused quite the sensation when we did that, but hey, we were in New York. Pretty much anything went there, anyway.
The happiest day of my life—so far, anyway—was when I sprang the news on the guys. No one was more surprised than me to see the results of peeing on that little stick, but, boy, did I shock the shit out of the guys. In a good way.
We’d been over at Chase’s for a family dinner. He’d cooked a mean pot roast and we were all complaining about our stuffed bellies while hanging out in the living room with after dinner drinks. I was holding Ruby because, well, I couldn’t resist the little angel. The guys loved holding her too, but I usually got first dibs. She was so squeezable-y delicious and chubby. I never wanted to put her down. I didn’t even mind changing her diapers, something I never thought I’d say.
“Cara, you are so beautiful with that baby. I love watching you,” Gio said, sitting back on the sofa with his ankle crossed over his knee, a drink in one hand, and a big smile on his face.
Chase nodded. “You are great with her, Avril. And she’s really taken to you.”
As if on cue, Ruby turned and grabbed a fistful of my hair.
Chase came rushing over. “Hey, hey, Rubes, don’t torment our friends.” He attempted to pry her pudgy little fingers open and off my hair, but I pushed his hand away.
“I don’t mind, darling. I need to get used to it, anyway.”
Ash frowned. “You need to get used to having your hair pulled? By a baby?”
“She likes having her hair pulled. At least she did last night—” Sumner said.
“Okay! Let’s not talk naughty in front of little Ruby. What I was trying to say…”
I looked around the room at my four loves—Chase with his blond good looks, Ash with his exotic features and coloring, Gio with his thick black hair and Roman profile, and Sumner with his dimples that made my panties wet every time he flashed them—and took a deep breath.
“I wanted to tell you guys that our little family is going to grow.”
“Huh?”
“What does that mean?”
“Whatcha talkin’ about, sweetheart?”
Sumner was the only one who didn’t say anything.
At first, he frowned at me, like he was thinking hard. Then he tilted his head.