“I’m a little tired, would you mind if we went home?”
I was all too eager to comply with her request. “Of course, sweetheart.” I began to guide her towards the coat check, but we were stopped at least three times along the way. They were all clients and despite my desire to bolt, I had to give them each a few minutes. I’d recently merged my business with K-Corp, another investment firm owned by brothers who happened to be two of my best friends. We all wanted to take a step back to spend more time with our families. Merging our companies, along with some smart hires, meant none of us were spending our entire lives in the office. Still, while it was an excellent business decision, it was a big one and some of my clients were still a little skittish.
Hazel greeted each of them with patience and a gracious smile. A frown tugged at my lips as I listened to her speak with them. Over the last month since we’d returned from our three-month honeymoon, Hazel’s speech had begun to lose the country lilt and her tone was calm and refined, rather than high pitched and brimming with excitement. Less and less, I heard her cute farm girl phrases and the charming way she said, “y’all.”
It confused me because I thought this was the life she wanted. To leave her small-town world behind and live in the fast lane. But it often felt like I was losing her. On more than one occasion, I’d been tempted to sweep her up and run away from the city and this high-society life. But, fear stopped me every time.
It took a lot of courage to accomplish everything I’d set out to do in my life. I was known for being fearless and going after the things I wanted. Just like with Hazel. I wouldn’t have left that small little town until she was mine.
So, it was unsettling to find myself paralyzed by a single thought. What if Hazel wouldn’t love me if I didn’t come with this life? If it was just me and my overbearing, jealous, possessive ways.
Chapter Two
Jamison
When we arrived home, I hung up our coats in the front hall closet while Hazel headed for the kitchen. I followed her through the arched doorway on my right and caught up to her just as she was standing on her tip-toes to reach the second shelf of one of the cabinets.
I walked up behind her and grasped her waist, lifting her off her feet and setting her on the counter. Then I easily plucked up the mug she’d been attempting to retrieve. In silence, I went about the task of making her some herbal tea. When it was finished, I filled her cup and waited for her to take a sip and hum in approval.
Son of a bitch. It was the same sound she made when her lips were wrapped around my dick. “Hold that carefully, peaches,” I instructed before lifting her into my arms like a bride and carrying her up the first flight of stairs to our master suite.
I sat Hazel on the bed and took a step back, trying to calm the fuck down. I watched her as she sipped her tea and peeked up at me through her lashes with a slightly coy smile. It was appealing as fuck and made staying in control a mighty feat.
Ever since we confirmed that she was three months pregnant, I’d been extremely careful with her when we had sex. I missed fucking her, but making love with Hazel was also an out of this world experience. So, I focused on being gentle and loving.
Clenching my fists, I forced myself to turn away and take off my tux, then hang it in the closet; letting her have time to finish her tea and for me to get on steady ground.
“Jaimie?”
“Yeah, peaches?” I popped my head out of the closet door to glance over at her. I suddenly felt like a fucking cartoon. My eyes bugged out, the dark green probably molten black from the lust coursing through me. My jaw dropped with my tongue lolling limply to the side, most likely dripping with drool. And my heart was pounding so loudly, I wondered if it was visibly banging out of my chest like a Bugs Bunny character.
Hazel had stripped out of her gown and was standing beside the bed in lingerie I hadn’t known was hidden beneath it. Thank fuck, or I’d have killed every man who dared to look at her. Strike that, we never would have left the fucking bedroom.
She’d let her coppery hair fall in waves down her back, framing her gorgeous face. Her lush body was accentuated by the peach, lace teddy that barely contained her pregnancy swollen tits, caressed her slightly rounded tummy, and molded to the sweet curve of her hips as they flared. Garters and stockings made her legs look impossibly long for someone so petite, and she was still wearing the high, glittery-gold heels that had matched her dress.