While We Waited (Smuggler’s Hideaway #3)

Chapter 12

Audible – When Hudson changes the rules before Nova has a chance to protest

Hudson

I usher Nova into the event coordinator’s office. Luckily, Terri isn’t in here. Nova scurries past me to the other side of the room and I lock the door.

I cross my arms over my chest and glare at her. “You’re pregnant?”

She places a protective hand over her stomach. “Yes.”

I grit my teeth. She’s pregnant and didn’t tell me.

“Were you even going to tell me? Or were you going to have this baby without me? My kid would be growing up on this island where I live and I wouldn’t know it.”

She holds up a hand. “Slow down. I was planning to tell you.”

“Oh yeah? When? When were you planning to tell me? It’s been eight weeks.”

I remember exactly how long it’s been. How can I not? I think about my night with Nova every night in my bed. Usually with my cock in my hand because Nova is not only sweet and full of sunshine. She’s also sexy as hell. Being with her was the best sex of my life.

“Exactly. It’s been eight weeks.”

I blink. “What?”

She blows out a breath. “The chance of miscarriage is highest in the first trimester. I wasn’t planning on telling anyone until the first trimester was over.”

There’s one flaw in her argument. “Your friends know.”

“They guessed. Pro tip. Never try to keep a secret from Paisley. The genius woman will figure it out.”

“But you were planning to tell me?” I know I’m harping on this point but it’s important. The idea of my kid being out there in the world and not knowing about me burns.

“I would never keep a child a secret from his father even if the father hates me.”

I frown. “I don’t hate you.”

“Really?” She snorts. “You sure act as if you do. Nova, don’t wear that dress. It’s unattractive. Nova, don’t wear a bikini. Nova, your brewery isn’t good enough for my resort. Not to mention all the times you’ve hung up on me.”

I don’t hate Nova. I could never hate her. She’s sunshine and happiness and everything I’m not.

“I don’t hate you.”

“Why? Because I’m your baby mamma?”

“Yes.”

She shakes her head. “I don’t want you to act as though you like me for the benefit of baby Sprog.”

“Sprog?”

She shrugs. “I can’t call the baby it.”

I should have known she’d come up with a cute name for the baby. Everything about Nova is cute. Even her panties are cute. I wonder what panties she’s wearing now. My cock twitches. It wants to know. It wants to know everything about Nova.

“Anyway.” She clears her throat. “I don’t expect anything from you. You don’t have to be involved in any way. I don’t need your money either.”

“My money?” I growl.

She waves a hand in the air. “You know what I mean. Child support or whatever it’s called. I don’t need it. I’m comfortable.”

She’s starting to piss me off.

“I will be involved with this child’s life. And if I want to give you money to support our child, I will.”

Her nostrils flare. Damn. Nova pissed off is sexy. My cock agrees. I clench my jaw. This is not the time to get excited.

“I don’t need your money.”

“I never said you did.”

“Maybe not but you’ve made it perfectly obvious you think I’m not good enough for you.”

Her, not good enough for me? She’s got it all wrong. I’m the one who isn’t good enough for her.

“I never said you aren’t good enough.”

“Actions speak louder than words.”

I prowl toward her. “And what did my actions say the night Sprog was conceived?”

She places a hand on her stomach and I skid to a halt. She’s pregnant. I need to be gentle with her. I need to take care of her. Speaking of which.

“We should get married.”

Her eyes widen. “What?”

“We should get married. Sprog can grow up with his parents in the same house.”

“I’m not marrying you because I’m pregnant. I’m not some football groupie who tricked you into getting pregnant to force you to marry me.”

Which leads to my next question. “How did you get pregnant?”

Her nose wrinkles. “Um, the usual way. We had sex.”

“I know we had sex.”

How could I forget? I can’t. I can’t forget how she tastes. How she feels. How she looks when she comes. It’s tattooed on my brain. “You said you were on birth control.”

“I am.” She doesn’t hesitate. “I have an IUD. I plan to ask the doctor what happened.”

I cross my arms over my chest and her gaze drops to them. Her eyes flare and I can’t help myself. I flex my biceps. She bites her bottom lip. What I wouldn’t give to be the man who has the right to pull her lip from her teeth and plunder her mouth.

But I’m not that man. I don’t want to blemish her sunshine. I want her to shine bright.

“My offer still stands. We can get married.”

“I’m not Chloe. I’m not having a fake marriage. When I get married, it’ll be real. We’ll be in love and unable to keep our hands off each other.”

I can barely keep my hands to myself now. But Nova doesn’t know how tempting she is.

“Okay. We won’t get married.”

“Good. The matter’s settled then.” She tries to scoot around me, but I shackle her wrist to stop her.

“You’re still pregnant.”

She beams up at me. “Yes, I am.”

“You’re happy about this.”

“I want a family. I’m sad Sprog won’t have a grandma or grandpa, but I’ll make it up to him. My mom raised me alone and I turned out pretty darn good.”

Better than good. But she’s wrong.

“Sprog will have a grandma and grandpa. And lots of uncles.”

Her brow wrinkles. “What?”

“My parents will be great grandparents. My brothers will probably be dangerous uncles. If Sprog is a girl, we probably shouldn’t let them babysit.”

Her mouth drops open. “Your parents? Your brothers?”

I close her mouth with my finger. Her smooth skin tempts me but I manage to drop my hand. I stick my hands in my pockets to make sure they don’t stray back to Nova without my permission.

“I’m not keeping my child a secret from my family.”

“Of course not.” She clears her throat. “I wasn’t thinking. I’ve been alone for such a long time, I guess, I forgot.”

I fucking hate how she didn’t even consider my family because she’s used to being alone. Nova shouldn’t be alone. She should be surrounded by beauty and love. All the things I can’t give her.

“I’m sorry about your parents.” The words are inadequate, but I don’t know what else to say. What do you say to a woman who lost her family before she graduated high school?

Pain flashes in her eyes and she ducks her chin. “Thank you.”

She blows out a breath and her smile is back. It doesn’t reach her eyes this time. “Your parents won’t be upset with me for getting pregnant?”

“My parents are pretty laid back. It’s a requirement when you have five boys in the house causing chaos.”

“Five boys? I bet your house was full of laughter and love.”

I shrug. “My brothers are a decade younger than me. Mom got pregnant with me in high school. She and Dad stayed together but they decided not to have any more children until they were older.”

“Your mom got pregnant with you in high school?” I nod. “Phew. She won’t be mad at me for getting pregnant by accident then.”

“I already told you she wouldn’t.”

“Great. But I’d appreciate it if you don’t tell her until I’m in my second trimester.”

I cough to hide my amusement. “You yelled at me in front of everyone at this reception dinner. The whole town knows by now.”

She scowls. “I didn’t yell at you.”

“And you slapped me.”

Her cheeks darken. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have slapped you. I promise I won’t use violence again.” She shakes out her hand. “I’ve never slapped a person before. I didn’t realize how much it hurts.”

“Apology accepted.” I capture her hand and study it. “It’s a bit red but not swollen. You’ll be fine.”

“You have experience slapping people?”

“Not slapping but I’ve taken my fair share of punches and kicks.”

Her eyes flare and I realize I’m caressing her hand. I drop it and retreat a few steps.

“We should probably return to the party before my friends combust from curiosity. I bet they nearly peed their pants when they found out you’re the father.”

She didn’t tell her friends we had sex? Does she want to keep me a secret? Am I her dirty little secret?

She points to my forehead. “Whatever you’re thinking stop. Sprog will come out growling at this rate.”

I motion to the door. I’d rather stay in here surrounded by her wildflower scent but my control is on a razor thin edge now. Knowing my baby is growing in Nova’s stomach is intoxicating.

My cock hardens and lengthens. It knows what it wants.

Too bad. Nova is not for me. Baby or not.