King Maker (King Maker 3)

“She would have found another way,” they both said almost in unison.

“It doesn’t matter. I don’t want that guy fired or blamed for my mistake.”

“Don’t worry, lass,” Griff said.

“Promise me.”

“I promise. Give the phone to Kale.”

I handed it over.

They spoke in Gaelic, but I could see the relief in Kalen’s face. I wasn’t sure what words had been said, but I knew him. He’d likely fought with his best friend because of me.

I would end up spending that week in the hospital. I had complications with a fever and worry over my baby, but once I was released, it was back to Kalen’s penthouse.

New orders for extended rest meant it was going to be a long month. I ordered Chutes and Ladders and Candy Land, games Gabe had never played.

We spent fun-filled hours playing lots of games while I gave Ainsley time to be young and free, a secret between her and me.

I wasn’t exactly on bedrest and did a little cooking when I felt well enough.

Kalen, however, surprised me by cooking a few dinners himself.

The only problem was I was back to being treated like glass. Our playful evening baths were long-forgotten as Kalen refused to touch me.

He worried he would lose himself and get too rough and knock my stitches free. I wasn’t sure I believed that possible, but Kalen did. Thus nothing.

“Why are you sad?” Gabe asked one day.

Humans needed physical contact, or at least I did. Kalen didn’t hold me at night anymore. He was afraid he’d roll on my wounded side and cause me pain for which Tylenol was my only relief option. Every night he set a fort of pillows between us.

“I miss the sun,” I said absently.

Because I’d been the naughty one that hadn’t followed the rules, I did so now. I hadn’t left the apartment without Kalen and he worked all day and most weekends.

“How about a picnic?” Gabe suggested.

There was so much hope in his eyes, I said, “How about we have one now? You can help me and then we can sit by the windows.”

He nodded frantically and his infectious smile cleared some of the clouds that hung over me.

We had peanut butter and jelly sandwiches and leftover cookies Ainsley made as the sun warmed us by the windows and we watched the world pass by on the streets below.

“They look like ants.” Gabe giggled.

“And the cars look like yours,” I teased.

“They do. That one looks like Da’s.”

There weren’t many cars like Kalen’s. So I wasn’t surprised when the elevator opened and he stepped through the door in a mouthwatering suit.

When did a suit become mouthwatering?

My pregnancy libido was on red alert and did a meltdown when he came over and planted a panty-melting kiss on my lips.

“Daddy is kissing Mummy.”

Both Kalen and I froze and turned to look at Gabe.

I wanted to cry, which came easy to me these days. My hormones were on overdrive, which explained the phenomenon.

I wasn’t sure if it was him calling Kalen Daddy, not Da, or him calling me Mummy that had sounded so foreign.

“Mummies get kisses and sons get tickles,” Kalen said, immediately tackling his son and making him laugh.

“You’re home early,” I said.

With his position, it wasn’t often he was home when the sun was still out.

“I thought maybe we could go to the park and later, you and I could go to dinner.”

“Park,” Gabe chanted.

“Yes. Let me get changed.”

I wasn’t exactly dressed to go anywhere. Why change out of your pjs when the prospects of leaving the house were nil?

Kalen was halfway up the stairs when I told Gabe to go potty and get his jacket. It wasn’t yet summer and breezes could make days chilly.

I took my time getting to our room, hoping he’d be dressed by the time I got there. I feared if I saw him naked, I’d tackle him in an undignified manner.

He stepped into the room in only jeans with the button undone at the top.

“See something you like?” he said, full smirk on display.

“Are you ready to go?” Gabe said, running into the room.

“Give me a minute to change,” I said, walking into Kalen’s supercharged closet. It was the size of the room I’d shared with my sisters back home.

I didn’t have much because I told Kalen to stop bringing stuff home for me. It was only depressing to look at clothes I had nowhere to wear.

When I stepped out in a simple long-sleeved tee and jogging pants, Kalen had already pulled on a shirt. My hair was pulled back into a ponytail. No doubt every woman we passed would think me the help, but I couldn’t bring myself to care.

Gabe had fun as Kalen swung him between us every few steps as we walked, annoying the New Yorkers on the sidewalks.

Good thing we didn’t have far to get to the park and wide-open spaces. The vitamin D from the sun did perk up my mood.