Baiting Him (How to Catch an Alpha 2)

She falls against my chest, and I close my eyes, feeling my heart beating wildly. “Did I hurt you?”

“No,” she pants, giving my waist a squeeze, “but I doubt I’ll be able to get out of this tub on my own.”

I smile at her comment, then wait until I gather enough strength to get up while holding her. I set her on her feet just outside the tub, then grab a towel for her and wrap her up before hooking mine around my hips. I lead her to the bedroom, and once she’s sitting on the edge of the bed, I reach into my nightstand and dig around until I find the box I’m looking for. I pull out the platinum ring with a large emerald-cut diamond and toss the box back in the drawer, then go to Chrissie, taking her left hand.

“Gus.”

“If you’re going to marry me, sweetheart, you’re going to need this,” I say, sliding the ring on her finger. The moment it’s in place, I lift my head, and her eyes meet mine.

“How long have you had this?”

“Awhile. I was waiting for the right time to ask you. Seems now isn’t just the right time—it’s the perfect time.”

“Oh my,” she whispers, and then tears start to fall down her cheeks as she drops her eyes back to her hand. “Thank you.”

“For what?”

“For pursuing me, for wanting me in spite of my quirks, and for loving me.”

“Baby, you might not think you did, but you baited and landed me right in your trap by being everything you are.”

“Well, then, it’s a good thing I’m so awesome.”

“Yeah, it is.” I laugh, right before I kiss her, thinking I’m lucky as fuck I get to experience this kind of soul-deep happiness for the rest of my life.

Suggestion 18

SPREAD THE NEWS

CHRISSIE

I hold my hand to my stomach, praying that the nausea goes away, because it would really suck if I had to run for the restroom to avoid puking on Leah’s kitchen table.

“I have news,” Leah says, coming toward me with a glass of wine in one hand and a bottle of water in the other. The thought of wine makes my stomach roll, but I swallow the feeling and accept the glass, knowing I won’t drink it. I still haven’t told Leah I’m pregnant . . . actually, I haven’t told anyone that Gaston and I are expecting. Part of me is still trying to come to terms with us becoming parents after only just accepting that I found the man of my dreams when I wasn’t even looking.

“What news?” I ask.

“What is that?” she practically shouts, grabbing my wrist, and I barely have time to release the wineglass before she yanks my hand toward her. “Were you trying to keep this a secret?” At her question, my eyes fly to my finger as she flicks the beautiful ring sitting there from side to side.

“Of course not.” I turn my hand over to grasp hers. “I just . . .” Do I say I forgot that I’m now engaged because I’m also pregnant and kinda focused on that because I’m seriously freaked out? “I’m trying to come to terms with things.” I feel guilty for not sharing my engagement or my pregnancy . . . not that she and Tyler have been trying long.

She grins. “I understand coming to terms with things.”

“You do?” I ask, and she laughs.

“Oh yeah.” She wipes the hilarity from under her eye with the fingers from her free hand. “It wasn’t exactly long ago that Tyler asked me to marry him.” Her eyes take on a faraway look, and her voice is soft when she starts to speak again. “I remember being overwhelmed with fear and happiness at the same time.” Her gaze, full of tenderness, locks with mine. “It all worked out, and now I cannot imagine things between us happening any differently. You’ll feel the same; just give it some time.”

“You’re right. It’s just . . .” I start to tell her I’m pregnant, but before I can get the words out, she steals them right from me.

“I’m pregnant.”

I start to shake my head in disbelief. “You’re . . . you and Tyler are pregnant?”

“Yes . . . and, well . . .” She grins. “We were wondering if you’d like to be godmother to him or her?”

“Oh my goodness.”

“Is that a yes?”

“I . . .” I place my hand over my stomach and shake my head, whispering, “Oh my God.”

I see the happy light in her eyes slide out as her features fill with confusion, and I know I need to pull myself together. “Do you . . . do you think you’d be up to returning that favor, along with taking on the job of my maid of honor?”

“What?” She looks confused.