The Baby Contract

She laughed with delight. “Oh my God. You have a bowling alley in your basement.”

“I do. It’s regulation and all.”

“You like bowling?” She seemed surprised.

“Who doesn’t like bowling?” I took her hand and led to one of the two alleys. “Actually, my mother was the one who really liked bowling. She had this put in. I spent a lot of my childhood down here. Harper too.”

She tilted her head. “I forgot you grew up in this home. It seems to be so you, now.”

I laughed. “It took a while but it feels like mine now. Harper has a place here too but…” I didn’t want to talk about Harper. I knew she was an issue coming between me and Anne. “Anyway, I have to warn you, I’m very competitive.”

She arched a brow. “Did I mention my dad has a bowling alley too?”

I grinned. “Does it do this?” I picked up the remote from the bar. I pushed the button and the brightness of the room dimmed and were replaced with colorful spinning lights. The pins at the end of the alleys glowed and sparkled. Eighties pop tunes blared through speakers around the room.

She laughed. It was so light and free and happy, it filled my chest with joy.

“All these bells and whistles aren’t going to help you beat me.”

I laughed. “Game on.”

Anne was as competitive as I was. It wasn’t a surprise. I knew from when I first met her that she was a strong woman. While I was still the better player, she gave me a bigger run for my money than I’d expected. Truth be told, I thought I’d have to teach her to play. It told me there was still much about Anne that I didn’t know. I hoped to hell I’d have time to discover everything about her.

We were down to the last frame. “I need some inspiration.”

“Oh?” She arched a brow. I wondered if she thought I meant a kiss or sex. At that moment, I wish I had.

I picked up the remote. “I need my special song.” I found the song and hit play. The double stomp and clap beat echoed through the room, followed by Freddie Mercury’s powerful voice.

“We Will Rock You?” Anne laughed.

“Followed by We Are the Champions.” I grinned. “I’m about to kick your fine ass in bowling.”

She watched me with amusement as I picked up the ball. I gave her a wink as I stepped up to the lane.

“Bran?”

“Hmm?” I turned and she’d undone the buttons on the front of her dress. The swells of her tits teased me.

I took my shot, the ball curving into the gutter.

She laughed.

“That’s cheating.” I walked over to her, giving her a hard kiss.

“Not any more than putting on your winning anthem.”

I picked up my ball. “You won’t distract me this time.” I blocked out everything and rolled my ball, knocking down all the pins. Despite the gutter ball on the first shot, I still won. “The song works every time.”

“Who do you normally play down here?”

She had a point. I won every time because usually I was the only one playing.

“Don’t try to dampen my victory.”

She raised her arms over head and then lowered them as if she was worshiping me. “The great God of bowling. I will say, you do have some balls.”

I snorted. “So do you.” I couldn’t think of a time that I was having so much fun. That I felt so happy. It was all because of Anne. I studied her. I could see she was having a good time, but did I make her as happy as she made me?

God, I wish I knew.