Chapter 19
Kade
Secure the Uterus was coming along nicely, but I didn’t push for her to move in with me. She needed to come to that conclusion herself—especially after leaving her family the way she had.
All I could do was prove myself. As a partner. As a potential daddy.
Her birthday present was mounted on my bedroom wall. My daily reminder of what was at stake.
It didn’t matter when my shift ended or whose place we slept at—I needed to be beside her. Inside her. Every single night.
We waited until she was eight weeks pregnant before I drove her to the next town for her appointment.
I was dying to see a little bump, but seeing the dark void of her womb with our child resting inside was… exhilarating.
“Oh, that’s it,” she whispered. “It’s real.”
The technician was taking measurements, her back to us.
“Of course it’s real. Don’t you remember how deep I came inside you?” I whispered back.
She was not amused.
“I want to try for twins next. Maybe triplets.”
She gasped and shoved me.
I didn’t budge.
She needed to know she was stuck with me for life.
Not just because I’d knocked her up.
Not just because my come practically had its own lease inside her.
There wasn’t a version of the future that didn’t have her in it.
No reality where I’d let her go.
Because what we had wasn’t a fling. It was fate, dressed in handcuffs and laced in filth.
And when you find a woman like that?
You don’t just hold on.
You never let go.
I smiled sweetly and kissed her cheek, slipping my fingers between hers to clasp her hand. When her grip tightened around mine, I knew. It might take her a little longer to come to the same conclusion—but eventually, she’d realise:
I am inevitable.
?? ?? ??
Her door opened just as I reached the last step. I paused, taking her in.
She wore a dark brown pencil skirt with a cream blouse. The thick belt drew my eyes to her belly. No cardigan—so I could see the lace of her bra.
Her feet were bare, pink-polished toenails on display.
“Where’s your cardigan?” I asked, wondering how many men had seen her breasts.
If I couldn’t take my eyes off them, how could anyone else?
What if the kids had a trip to the fire station?
She laughed and slapped her hands on my chest, sliding them up to my shoulders.
“I took it off.”
I relaxed and backed her into her apartment, burying my face in her shoulder. She tilted her face up and I captured her lips.
What started as a gentle kiss had me growling into her mouth as I cupped her ass. The skirt was tighter than her usual dresses. I delved deeper, hot, wet, citrus on her tongue—
A throat cleared.
“I hope I’m not interrupting.”
Grammy.
I groaned as Juliette pulled away.
“You are, Grammy,” I muttered, watching my hopes and dreams of bending her over the table in that skirt vanish into thin air.
“How rude,” Grammy said, slapping my shoulder as she breezed past to greet Juliette.
It was all my fault for not closing the damn door.
They wandered off down the hall, chatting like old friends, and I closed the door with a sigh.
Then I heard Grammy’s voice drop to a suspicious hush.
I rushed into the living room.
“I heard a little rumour that you two made an out-of-town visit… to a certain medical centre,” she said, pinning Juliette with a look.
Juliette’s eyes flew to mine, wide and panicked.
“Grammy, your intel is incorrect,” I said smoothly.
She was worried—rightly so. If word got out before she was ready, it could hurt her job. That was the dark side of small-town life.
“I disagree,” Grammy said with a sly smile. “The Golden Girls have a network that extends beyond Farrow’s End. We’re branching out.”
“I’ll put some tea on,” Juliette squeaked, darting across to the kitchen like it was a magical force field that could repel Grammy’s interrogation.
“Grammy—” I started.
“Hush.” She waved a hand without even looking at me. “When do I speak to the pastor?”
Hmm.
Actually… this could work in my favour.
Another scandal attached to my name, but if it meant persuading Juliette into a lifetime vow… yes.
I guided Grammy to the couch, sneaking a look at Juliette, who was now opening and closing cupboards like she’d never made tea a day in her life.
“What did you have in mind, Grammy?”
She eased down beside me, patting my cheek with her gnarly hand.
“I always knew you were like your grandfather—just a bit slower on the uptake.”
I smirked, even as Juliette dropped a spoon with a loud clatter behind us.
Grammy didn’t flinch.
“I’ll get the pastor,” she muttered under her breath. “And the good cake pans. We’re having a wedding.”
She didn’t need to add before the baby comes. I knew she wasn’t judging—she was protecting.
“I need some help with her ring,” I murmured.
“You can have mine resized,” she said, patting my hand.
“But you love that ring,” I said, frowning.
“It’s a Mercer heirloom. I helped your brother buy his house—this one’s yours.”
“I could see Juliette loving the history behind it.”
“She’ll love the diamonds even more,” she chuckled. “May your love continue to bloom. It’s done these old eyes some good, seeing you come back to the living.”
“Grammy,” I murmured, kissing her cheek.
“Another baby, eh? You made quick work of that.”
“Yup. Grace’ll have a cousin soon. But don’t tell anyone yet.”
“My lips are sealed—for two weeks. After that, I’m blabbing to anyone who’ll listen.”
Two weeks to get Juliette onboard.
I smiled.
I managed to get her pregnant the first day I met her.
Operation Secure The Wife was officially underway.