Chapter 13
Kade
As vulnerable as Juliette felt right now, I couldn’t suppress my elation.
She had no idea I’d been watching her—in her classroom, at the Graham farm, every quiet little corner of her new life. She didn’t know she was coming to my birthday party tomorrow either. Grammy had set her up nicely.
But I couldn’t rush her. Not yet.
You don’t startle the prey when the noose is already snug around her neck.
“Let’s get you to bed.”
She followed without protest, her fingers curled into my shirt, holding on like I was the only solid thing in her world.
Good girl. She didn’t let go. Not once.
That’s right, little mama.
I’m all yours.
?? ?? ??
Long after she drifted off, I lay awake, staring at the ceiling.
My mind ran through the next steps—for her, for us, for the new life growing in her womb.
Project Secure the Uterus was still fully operational.
For the first time in a long while, I let myself relax. My body sank into the mattress beside her, my hand resting over the place where our future slept.
And after what felt like forever, I had enough hope in my heart to dream again.
For now, that was enough.
?? ?? ??
She managed to surprise me. Not only did she take my family in her stride, she’d walked right up to me and kissed my cheek, wishing me a happy birthday. Grammy must be losing her touch. Or Cathryn had blabbed.
No one knew what we did, though. That was ours—for a little while longer. She was guileless and charmed young and old alike. It was hard to believe she was a city girl.
“She’s perfect for you,” Mom said, handing me a plate.
“She is,” I agreed, taking my slice of cake from her. “I can’t believe you still throw me a birthday party.”
“You’ll understand when you have your own. And like you requested, it’s only family this year.”
The cookout had been a success. No one questioned Juliette’s refusal to drink—not when she sweetly blamed it on having to drive. Even Grammy reined herself in.
The sun had dipped low, casting golden light over the yard as the party began to wind down. Laughter softened, chairs scraped across the deck, and someone started packing away the food. I didn’t wait for an excuse. I caught Juliette’s hand and tugged her toward the front of the house.
She followed easily, her fingers tightening around mine as we approached her yellow rust bucket.
“Your birthday present is in my apartment,” she said softly, just as we reached the car.
I turned to her, brushing my fingers through a loose strand of hair that had slipped free.
“Is that an invitation?” I asked, letting the pad of my thumb skim her jaw.
She hesitated, glancing back over her shoulder.
The entire Mercer clan stood watching us. Even little Grace had joined in, perched on her granddad’s arm, eyes wide and curious.
I sighed and stepped back, opening the car door like a gentleman.
“Let’s get out of here before Grammy starts planning the wedding,” I muttered, trying—and failing—to wedge my long legs into her toy-sized car. “Damn. This thing’s not road legal, is it?”
She laughed, soft and breathy, and for a moment the glow on her face was worth every awkward bend in my spine.
?? ?? ??
It was strange, walking up the stairs and entering through her front door like a normal man—like someone she’d invited in.
I wondered if she had any idea I’d already been through everything in her apartment.
Probably not.
One of her kinky little books was still in the bottom drawer of my desk at the station.
I was just thinking about some of the filth she read when she suddenly thrust something into my hands.
Before I could thank her, she turned on her heel.
“I’ll put some coffee on,” she said, wringing her hands as she moved toward the kitchen.
“Sure thing,” I murmured, glancing down. “Thank you for my gift.”
“It’s nothing. Just a homemade project,” she mumbled as she poured water into the coffee machine.
I pulled the silver ribbon loose and peeled back the navy-blue wrapping. Inside was a small box frame.
She’d stuck the pregnancy test inside.
And beneath it, spelled out in colourful baby blocks, were the words:
Hello, Daddy.
Pink, blue, yellow, green.
The kind of colours they used for nurseries. For onesies. For hope.
I stared down at it for a long moment, the ache in my chest spreading like warmth.
Hello, Daddy.
That was me.
I cleared my throat and set the frame gently on the kitchen counter between us.
Then I walked around and took the glass pot from her hands.
“Forget the coffee,” I murmured, my voice low. “I want to thank you properly for my gift.”
Before she could protest, I took her hand and led her straight to the bedroom.
I slipped her cardigan down her shoulders and let it fall to the floor.
She stared at me—wide-eyed, lips parted—but I smiled.
“Take off your dress.” My voice dropped to a purr. “I didn’t forget how you like it, sweetheart. Deep and dirty.”
She licked her lips and swallowed like her throat had gone dry. Her gaze darted briefly to the door.
I tilted my head. “Or do you need my handcuffs?”
A slow shake of her head. No. But her eyes told me everything.
Good girl.
Her hands rose to the front of her dress. She worked at the small pearl buttons while I grabbed the hem of my T-shirt and tugged it over my head.
“You gave me a gift I’ll cherish.” I unbuckled my belt, slow and deliberate. “Now I’m going to make sure you scream my name so loud, every damn neighbour you have knows exactly who owns this sweet pussy.”
Her hands faltered at her stomach—just for a moment.
“Off.”
Her eyes dipped to my chest… then lower. No argument. No hesitation.
She slipped her arms free from the dress and let it fall in a quiet whisper to the floor.
Goddamn.
Bronze skin kissed with gold, rich and warm like slow-poured syrup.
She wore cream lace—soft and delicate—but there wasn’t a granny pant in sight.
No.
She’d dressed for me.
“Are you wet for me again, Juliette?” I asked, toeing off my boots.
“Yes,” she whispered, breathless.
“Good girl.” I pushed my jeans down, watching the way her eyes stayed locked on me. She was waiting—still, quiet, obedient.
“Lie back on that bed,” I ordered. “Spread your legs and show me. Show me the pussy I bred.”
I watched as she slipped off her lace panties, slow and deliberate. She didn’t look at me—not once—as she walked to the bed and sat down.
I caught a glimpse of her—just a hint—and waited, breath held tight in my chest.
Then she lay back.
Rested her heels on the edge of the mattress.
And spread herself wide open.
For me.
God damn.
She was worth every second of the wait.