The Hotel Room: His Broken Vows

Chapter Forty-Two - Kate

CHAPTER FORTY-TWO

Kate

The warm hum of the restaurant surrounded them, low conversations blending with the occasional clink of silverware. Kate sat across from Nick at the corner table James had insisted on reserving, wanting something quieter and more private. The intimacy of the setting made her hyper-aware of James’s presence beside her—the subtle brush of his knee against hers under the table, the way his hand rested on the back of her chair whenever he wasn’t reaching for his water glass.

Nick leaned back in his chair, studying the menu with the same exaggerated seriousness that he probably applied to every task. “I’ve got to say,” he drawled, his tone teasing, “pregnancy looks good on you, Kate. Glowing and everything.”

Kate rolled her eyes, though her lips twitched into a reluctant smile. “Don’t start, Nick.”

“Seriously,” he continued, setting the menu down and leaning forward with a grin. “Remember when you were pregnant with Noah? You were waddling around that party in your wedding dress, acting like it wasn’t weird at all.”

Kate laughed, her hand instinctively going to her belly. The memory hit her with a rush of nostalgia. She had been seven months pregnant with Noah, and James’s company had hosted a casual family event. She hadn’t wanted to buy a maternity dress for one night, so she’d slipped into her wedding gown—it had been just loose enough to fit her growing bump.

“You were so smug about it too,” Nick added with a chuckle. “Kept saying you were a ‘bride forever.’”

James smiled warmly beside her, his gaze fixed on her as if seeing her in that dress all over again. “You were beautiful,” he said softly, his voice cutting through the lighthearted tone of the conversation.

Kate glanced at him, her chest tightening at the quiet sincerity in his words.

“And you,” Nick pointed his fork at James, breaking the moment, “were an absolute mess. I distinctly remember you asking me, like, fifty times if the parking lot was too icy for Kate to walk across.”

James chuckled, shaking his head. “I just didn’t want her to slip.”

Kate’s heart softened as she looked at James. He was focused on his plate now, absently cutting into his steak, but the faint pink in his cheeks gave him away. He’d always been like that—quietly protective, caring in a way that made her feel treasured.

“Some things never change,” Nick said, winking at her. “He’s still hovering, isn’t he?”

Kate smiled, feeling an unexpected warmth spread through her. “He is,” she admitted, her tone gentler than she’d intended.

James glanced at her, catching the look in her eyes, and for a moment, the restaurant and Nick’s teasing faded away. There was only the quiet understanding between them, the shared history.

Nick leaned forward. “You know, Kate, I think James might actually be the stupidest man alive.”

Kate was caught off guard by Nick’s light tone. Was he really going there? She glanced at him, half-expecting him to backtrack, but his expression stayed perfectly serious.

“I mean it. The man hit the jackpot with you and he still managed to screw it up.”

Kate looked at James, whose jaw tightened as his gaze dropped to the table. His hands, resting on either side of his water glass, flexed briefly before stilling, a telltale sign of the guilt he carried. The shadows in his eyes deepened, and she could see the weight of her pain reflected there, the way it haunted him.

“Well, he is pretty cute,” she said, her lips twitching into a small smile, trying to lift the moment. She felt a flicker of warmth when James looked up, his eyes softening despite the storm of regret lingering behind them.

“Cute doesn’t excuse stupid,” Nick shot back, though his tone was lighter now. He pointed his fork at James, wagging it for emphasis. “You’re lucky she’s even sitting here with you, man.”

James swallowed. “Believe me, Nick. I know.”

Nick gave him a long, appraising look before nodding and turning back to Kate. “He’s been a pain in the ass to deal with, but I’ll give him this—he’s been working his ass off to make it up to you. Doesn’t mean you have to forgive him, of course,” he added quickly, his tone serious. “But if you do, just know I’m on your side. Whatever you need, Kate.”

Kate blinked, caught off guard by the weight of Nick’s words. There was no teasing now, no lighthearted sarcasm. He meant it.

“Thank you,” she said softly, her fingers brushing over the stem of her glass. She hesitated for a moment before adding, “It means a lot.”

Nick waved a hand, brushing it off like it wasn’t a big deal, but his smile softened. “Hey, someone’s gotta keep this idiot in line.”

Kate smiled, the knot in her chest loosening just a little. She glanced at James, who was watching her with an open expression. It was still strange, seeing him like this—unguarded, vulnerable, trying so hard to rebuild what he’d broken.

Later, as they stepped out into the cool evening air, Kate slipped her hand into James’s without thinking. He glanced at her, surprised but pleased, and gave her fingers a gentle squeeze.

He didn’t say anything, but the look in his eyes told her everything.

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The sunlight streamed through the partially open curtains, bathing the living room in a soft golden glow. Kate sat on the couch, her hands resting lightly on her swollen belly, feeling the faint, rhythmic kicks beneath her fingertips.

She closed her eyes for a moment, letting the quiet lull of the house settle over her. Noah was out with Emily, Lily was at choir practice, and for once, the world felt still.

She heard James before she saw him, the sound of his footsteps almost hesitant as he approached. She opened her eyes to find him standing at the edge of the room, his hands tucked into his pockets, his expression somewhere between nervous and determined.

“Hey,” he said softly, his voice carrying the weight of something unspoken.

“Hey,” she replied, tilting her head curiously. “What’s with the look?”

He didn’t answer right away. Instead, he crossed the room and sank to one knee in front of her, the movement making her breath catch. Her heart thudded in her chest as she stared down at him, the man who had broken her heart and spent every day since trying to put it back together.

“James…” she started, but the words faltered on her tongue.

“I’ve been thinking about us,” he said, his voice quiet but steady. “About everything we’ve been through. And I keep coming back to one moment.”

She frowned slightly, her fingers unconsciously tightening against her belly. “What moment?”

“The first time I saw you in your wedding dress.” His lips twitched in a faint smile, his gaze growing distant for a moment. “You were pregnant with Noah. We were scared out of our minds. We didn’t know what the hell we were doing. But when you walked down that aisle, I knew—I knew you were my life partner.”

Her throat tightened at his words, and she looked away briefly, blinking back the sudden sting of tears.

He reached for her hand, holding it gently between his palms. “And when you were pregnant with Lily, I knew it all over again. Watching you carry our children, watching you love them and love me through all of it… Kate, you’re my forever. You’ve always been my forever.”

Her chest ached, her heart torn between the lingering pain of betrayal and the raw honesty in his eyes.

“And now,” he continued, his voice softening even further, “with this baby, I can’t stop thinking about you in that dress. About standing in front of you and promising you everything—promising you forever. Because every vow I made to you, Kate, they weren’t just words. They were my truth. They are my truth. And I know I’ve failed you. I know I broke what should’ve been unbreakable. But if you’ll let me, I’ll spend the rest of my life proving that those vows still mean everything to me.”

Tears spilled freely down her cheeks now, her free hand trembling as she pressed it to her lips. “James…”

He squeezed her hand gently, his gaze unwavering. “I thought I was supposed to be more than this—more than a husband, more than a father. I thought I had to figure out who I was beyond those things. But, Kate…” His voice broke, and he shook his head. “I know now that I had it all wrong. I don’t need to be more. This—being your husband, being their dad—this is who I am. It’s my purpose. My calling. I know it in my bones.”

Her heart clenched at his words, the rawness in his voice pulling her toward him even as her mind screamed to hold onto her walls.

“I thought I was missing out on something bigger,” he continued, his voice shaking. “But there’s nothing bigger than this. Nothing bigger than you and the life we’ve built. And I’ll never stop fighting for it—for us.”

Kate felt the last of her defenses waver, her tears blurring her vision as she looked at the man kneeling before her. The man who had hurt her in ways she never imagined, but who was also the only man she had ever truly loved.

“You’ve been so stupid,” she whispered, her voice trembling.

A laugh bubbled out between her tears, and his shoulders relaxed slightly as a hesitant smile tugged at his lips. “I know.”

“You broke us,” she said softly, her voice thick with emotion. “You broke me. But somehow you’ve managed to repair us.” Her voice cracked, and she shook her head, tears slipping faster now. “I still love you.”

His face crumpled, raw emotion washing over him. “I love you too, Kate. More than anything.”

She let out a shaky breath and nodded, her fingers tightening around his. “Okay,” she whispered. “You can start proving it.”

The relief on his face was immediate and overwhelming, his grip on her hand firm but reverent, as if she were something fragile and precious. “I will,” he promised. “Every day.”

Kate looked at him, taking in the man before her. The man who had broken her heart and was now so painstakingly working to piece it back together. There was still guilt in his eyes, still sorrow, but beneath it, there was something else—something stronger. Determination. Love. She felt her own heart swell with the undeniable truth of it: she loved him.

She loved her husband.

Her gaze softened as she studied him, her thumb brushing over his knuckles. She loved the way he looked at her, the way he was utterly focused on her, like nothing else in the world mattered. That feeling—of being seen, being cherished—wrapped around her like a warm embrace. Her love for him filled her chest, steady and certain.

And then, slowly, that feeling shifted. It evolved into something sharper, more visceral, the zing of arousal sparking to life like a live wire. Her skin warmed, her pulse quickened, and she became acutely aware of how close he was, of the weight of his hands, the intensity in his gaze. She couldn’t stop the small, teasing smile that curved her lips.

“Great,” she said, tilting her head slightly, a playful edge to her voice. “Because right now, what I need is some relief from these pregnancy hormones.”

James blinked, startled by her words. For a moment, she thought she might have caught him off guard. Then his eyes darkened, the heat in them unmistakable, and the shift was instant. His hunger for her was raw and electric, and it sent a delicious shiver down her spine. He swallowed hard, his voice dropping to a low rasp. “Yes, ma’am.”

The laugh that bubbled out of her was light and easy, a mix of amusement and anticipation. “Are you waiting for an engraved invitation?” she teased, arching an eyebrow.

His smile widened, slow and deliberate, and it was the kind of smile that made her feel like she was the only thing in the world he cared about. As his hands moved to her hips, gentle but confident, Kate felt something loosen inside her. She trusted him in this moment—trusted his touch, his love. And as his fingers splayed over her sides, steadying her, she realized she truly believed it.

He leaned in, his breath warm against her cheek. “You don’t have to ask me twice,” he murmured, his voice a rough promise.

Kate reached up, her fingers brushing lightly over his jaw before tangling in his hair, drawing him closer. “Good,” she whispered, her smile turning softer but no less certain. “Because I don’t plan on stopping anytime soon.”

And as their lips met, the tension between them melted away, leaving only the heat of the moment and the love that had endured everything.

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Kate shifted in the chair, trying to find a position that didn’t strain her back or press uncomfortably against her belly. Lying down was impossible these days, the weight of her pregnancy making everything harder. But the moment James dropped to his knees in front of her, all those aches and pains faded to the background.

“Relax,” he murmured, his voice deep and steady, like a promise. “Let me take care of you.”

His large hands slid up her legs, fingers brushing along her inner thighs in a deliberate, featherlight touch. His lips followed, pressing soft kisses to her skin, moving slowly, reverently. Kate shivered, her hands curling over the arms of the chair as his touch sent heat pooling low in her belly.

His hands were steady as they pushed her thighs apart, his lips pressing reverent kisses to the sensitive skin of her inner thighs. “I love you,” he murmured, his voice low and rough, a promise etched into every word.

Her body softened at his words, and she felt herself begin to melt under his touch. He knew her—knew how to soothe her, how to tease her. His hands moved higher, his thumbs brushing the sensitive skin just beneath the hem of her underwear. Then his lips followed, warm and teasing, kissing her in a way that made her toes curl.

“You’re beautiful,” James whispered against her skin, his voice thick with emotion. “You’ve always been beautiful, but like this…” He trailed off, his hands pulled at her underwear, easing them down her legs and off before gently spreading her thighs once more, exposing her to him.

Kate felt heat rise to her cheeks, but it wasn’t embarrassment. It was the flush of arousal, of feeling seen and cherished. She tangled her fingers into his hair, urging him closer. “James…”

“I’ve got you,” he said softly, his lips brushing over her inner thigh before moving higher. His mouth was warm, deliberate, his tongue moving in soft, teasing strokes. He was taking his time, exploring her slowly, methodically. He let her feel every flick, every kiss, every soft suckle that built her pleasure higher and higher.

Her breaths grew uneven, her hips shifting against the chair as the tension built inside her. James’s hands slid under her, gripping her hips firmly to keep her in place. He knew her body better than his own, every sensitive spot, every motion that drove her wild. It was a knowledge born from years of intimacy, of love, of devotion.

“You’re everything,” he murmured between kisses, his voice a low rasp that sent shivers through her. “My everything.”

Kate’s fingers threaded through his hair, her body arching toward him as he brought her closer to the edge. She moaned softly, her thighs trembling, and James growled in response, his mouth moving with more urgency now. Her fingers tightened in his hair as a fire started to build low in her belly.

His hands gripped her thighs firmly as he pulled her closer to his mouth. He was feasting on her now, his mouth worshipping her with every stroke and flick. Her head tipped back against the chair, a gasp spilling from her lips as the pleasure coursed through her. Her husband. That word burned through her like a wildfire, igniting every nerve in her body. He was hers, and she was his, and in this moment, she could feel it in every inch of her being.

He was aroused—she could see it in the tension of his body, the way his broad shoulders flexed and his hips pressed against the edge of the chair. She could feel it in the way his lips moved against her, the desperate way he held her, as if she were his lifeline.

Her body trembled, the edge drawing closer, her breaths coming in short, shallow bursts. And then James pulled back, his lips glistening, his face flushed. His eyes met hers, dark and burning with something that made her chest tighten.

“I want to renew our vows,” he said, his voice thick with emotion, almost a whisper. “In front of everyone—our friends, our family. I want to stand there and promise you everything all over again. Kate, I—” He cut himself off, his head dipping back down to her, his mouth finding her again.

Her fingers tightened in his hair, her body arching into him. “James,” she gasped, her voice trembling with the intensity of the moment.

He lifted his head again, his breath hot against her skin. “You’re my everything,” he rasped. “I need you to know that. I want the world to know that.”

Kate stared down at him, her heart pounding as the fire in her belly blazed hotter. She could barely focus, barely breathe, and yet his words rooted her, tethering her to him in the most profound way. “Yes,” she whispered, her voice breaking. “Yes.”

James groaned, the sound deep and guttural, and his lips found her again, his tongue moving in ways that sent her hurtling toward the edge. She clung to him, her entire body trembling as the pleasure overwhelmed her. “Yes,” she cried out, her voice high and breathless as she shattered beneath him.

Her husband.

Her love.

Her everything.