Marriage of Convenience (The Raven Brothers 1)

“So far everything looks fine.” He sat back in the chair. “Let’s see what this test says.” He picked up the stick, studying the results. Then he looked at me. “Mrs. Raven, you’re pregnant.”

I couldn’t stop the grin from spreading. I should have known.

But right after, I felt a little worried. Having a baby was part of the deal, so Chase would have to be happy. But was a business deal all this baby would be? Would Chase continue to be as attentive to me now that I was pregnant? Or would he stop touching me now that I fulfilled my side of the deal? Would he relegate me back to my own room? Would he do it now? There were tons of rooms in this house, so it would be easy to do.

“You okay? Is this unexpected?” the doctor asked me.

I shook my head. “No. We’ve been trying. I just didn’t think my symptoms would be that. I mean, now that I think about it, it makes sense.” I was rambling.

“Do you want me to stay when you tell him?” he asked, his expression showing concern.

“It’s not necessary, although Chase will probably want to know what needs to happen next. Any procedures or special diet, stuff like that.”

“At this point, just take prenatal vitamins and make an appointment to see your regular OB-GYN when you return home. You can live normally, although avoid anything too strenuous. Regular exercise or swimming, things like that are okay. You can continue to have sex if you’re comfortable.”

When I opened the door, Chase rushed to me from where he’d been pacing. “Everything okay?” He slipped his arm around my waist, first looking at me and then the doctor.

“It’s all your fault I’m tired and puking in the morning.”

Chase’s expression turned worried, so I quickly said, “You knocked me up.”

He stared at me and for a moment I wasn’t sure he heard what I said or maybe he didn’t like what I said.

But then a smile spread across his face and he lifted me up and spun me around. “You’re pregnant.” Then as if he realized what he was doing, he set me down. “Sorry.” He pressed his palms to my cheeks and kissed me. “You’re so beautiful.” He turned to the doctor. “What do we do now? Should we go home?”

The doctor laughed, and I imagined he’d seen many men get a little giddy at the news they made a baby. “No, you can finish your trip. Just eat healthy. I’ve left some prenatal vitamins. Non-strenuous exercise is fine, including sex.”

Chase’s eyes widened. “Sex?”

The doctor nodded. “In a few weeks, she’ll want a lot of it. You might need to take vitamins to keep up.

“Really?” Chase looked more shocked than intrigued by the doctor’s statement.

“Hormones are truly interesting things. They’ll increase her libido. Right now though, you’ll feel tired. The nausea can last through the first trimester. Crackers and ginger ale often help.”

“It’s not bad for the baby?” Chase asked.

“If it’s just in the morning and you’re able to keep food down through the rest of the day, it shouldn’t be a problem. If you can’t keep anything down, then you’ll want to see your regular doctor.”

“Thank you,” Chase said shaking the doctor’s hand and then walking the doctor out to the car that would take him back to the airstrip. He hammered the doctor with question after question, making me laugh. It also made me smile. Chase was already thinking like a daddy. This baby wasn’t just a pawn to get control of Raven Industries. Whatever Chase felt about me didn’t matter as much as him loving his child.

I sank into the couch and rubbed my belly. A few months ago, I’d have never guessed I’d be married to a billionaire, much less pregnant. Yet here I was. It wasn’t the perfect situation, but it was better than what I came from. Our relationship wasn’t built on love, but he cared for and respected me. That was more than what I’d gotten from my parents or Glen.

Chase strode in, making a beeline to me. He slid an arm under my back and the other under my knees, and swept me up. “How do you feel?”

“Pregnant, I guess.”

He laughed. “But are you okay?”

“Yes, I’m Happy. You?”

He walked to the bedroom. “Fucking elated.” He grinned at me “I’ll probably have to stop saying fuck.”

“Probably,” I said laughing. I loved that he was so happy about the baby. I’d never seen him so open and free in expressing his emotions. It made me love him more. I wanted to tell him how I felt, but was afraid to ruin the moment if his feelings didn’t run so deep for me. At least I knew he was happy about the baby and would love it. “Where are we going?”