My Secret Valentine Baby

My ego too. I hate the idea of him wanting to marry me because of a baby. That’s why each time he brings it up, I get so mad. Because the truth is I want him to marry me because of me. Not a baby. Not that I want to marry him either way…. Right?

Since the morning I snuck out of that hotel room, I’ve had regrets. I’ve wondered so many times what might have been if I stayed. But I convinced myself that I was silly to have those kinds of thoughts. The reality is we were a one-night stand.

I scroll through a few articles about Archer Valentine. His hotel and casino won some awards and hosted some major charity events. I keep digging, seeing that Archer invests in a lot of projects all over Vegas. When I see an article calling him one of Vegas’s most eligible bachelors, I click and scan through it. It was written two months ago.

The article talks about how they can never link him to anyone. That he’s always solo at events or with his sister. I gasp when I read the one-line quote they’d gotten from Archer when they reached out to him about being named one of Vegas's most eligible bachelors.

‘I’m very much a taken man.’ His response to the reporter is right there in black and white.

The article goes on to say they left him on the list because even if he says he’s taken, he’s not married, nor would he give a name. They believe he’s lying. But Archer doesn’t lie or so he said.

“Is something wrong, love?”

“Stop calling me that.”

“Marry me and I will.”

“As of two months ago you were quoted saying that you’re a taken man. Or did you lie?” I ask smugly, thinking I’ve finally got him.

“Are you googling me?” Archer’s smile only grows. I don’t respond, knowing I’m busted. He stands from his desk, walking over to me. Why does he have to be so damn handsome? He smells good too. Wait. Was he talking about me when he did that interview? No way. “I was a taken man the moment I saw you standing at the end of the bar.”

“Archer.” I swallow, peeking up at him through my lashes. He can’t be serious.

“You sealed your fate when you let me have you that night, love. There is no going back. You can keep on running, but sooner or later, you’ll realize you’re mine.”

CHAPTER 5

ARCHER

“What are you smiling about?” Ember closes one eye as if that view will reveal some secret I’m hiding.

“I’m going to be a dad. Isn’t that enough reason to be happy?” I lean closer to the jewelry case. We’re hosting a diamond showcase with jewels from estates, mines, and even the new lab-created diamonds. I have to admit the lab-created ones are indistinguishable from real ones to my naked eye. Ember is a fan of the new diamonds, which is why the Valentine Casino is participating in this exhibition. My sister runs the art and philanthropy part of Valentine Enterprises.

I wonder what part of the hotel operation Mila will want to run.

“Yes, but the expression on your face is more smug than parental bliss.” She shakes a finger at me. “I know you, too, Archer. You’re up to something.”

“Besides creating a home for my new family, I am doing nothing out of the ordinary. Did you get the Oscar de la Renta dress?”

“Of course. Am I not Ember Valentine? They are sending it via a courier from Milan, and it will be here tomorrow. I have a tailor booked to do any adjustments. Do you need help with anything else? Catering? Flowers? Accommodations for Mila’s family? Actually, I haven’t seen her guest list yet.”

“It’s coming.” I check the time. “I’ll leave you to finish here and go and fetch the list.”

I whistle on the way to the elevator, ignoring all the curious stares sent in my direction. Surely a man happy about his circumstances is not that great of an oddity? Mila is googling me and finding out that I’m a wealthy man who can provide for her. She will have no concerns about money or her future. I deserve a moment or two of smugness at having found her, planted my baby in her belly, and securing her for my future.

It’s nearing dinner, which means I need to find my beloved and feed her. I throw open the double doors to my office but the emptiness of the space cuts my whistle short. She’s gone. It’s only six. How can she be gone?

I call HR to obtain Mila’s phone number, but all I get is a voicemail saying that the office is closed at five. Who closes at five? This is fucking Vegas! I grab my laptop and shoot off a few emails to relevant parties, but after ten minutes of silence I realize the business office is closed. Security, however, is not, and one phone call to the head gains me the intel I need.