LACY
12 MONTHS LATER
As I look out the kitchen window, I sigh in contentment. How did this even become my life?
“Hey, baby!” Hudson calls out as I hear him come in. Even though it’s the weekend, he worked today. Harvey is up with his grandparents, and I’m enjoying the peace and quiet in my new home. Griffin has done an amazing job with this house. Hudson wanted my opinion on everything, so it has some special touches that I really wanted and helped make it mine.
We spent last weekend planting vegetables in our own vegetable patches before we all jumped in the pool. My weekends are no longer about running around and doing a million things, but more a slower pace, enjoying what life has to offer.
“In here!” I yell as I wipe down the kitchen. I spent the morning dusting his magnificent art collection that we just put up yesterday. He had Dali and Picasso, among many others in storage in LA, and it was so nice opening them all and hanging them in the hallway. I just hope Harvey doesn’t kick a ball into them or something. I turn around, seeing the love of my life walk into the room, clutching something in his hands.
“Hey, I’ve got a surprise for you,” he says, and I smile brightly. He always comes home with something. He spoils me way too much. Little does he know that today I also have a surprise for him.
“Oh, really?” I ask with a quirked eyebrow. His gifts are something that he started buying for me the moment we met each other and they haven’t stopped since.
“Well, it’s Saturday, and we haven’t been to the diner in forever.” He unpacks the brown paper bag and puts a sundae on the table, and I laugh. It’s true, we haven’t been for our usual weekly sundae in a while. My mom is healthy, still in remission and doing well. She and Jennifer are best friends and running multiple knitting groups now. Harvey is a year older, his school and friend life keeping us busy as we run him to sports and school events constantly. He is such a bright and kind boy, with a great group of friends and he and I are so close it’s almost hard to remember what life was like without him in it. Work is also busy; the new distillery spa has opened up, and I’m keen to start yoga more regularly.
“Ahhh, I have missed these,” I say, grabbing two spoons and meeting him at the table.
“I missed you,” he growls, taking my lips with his, our kiss passionate and too quick.
“And a cherry?” I tease as I take a seat, him sitting opposite me as he grins.
“Put it in your mouth, baby,” he says seductively, and my pussy throbs just from his words.
I remain silent as I do as he asks, grabbing the stem of the cherry. My eyes don’t leave his as I place it in my mouth, sucking the juice, then biting into it, enjoying the explosion of sweetness. A little juice runs down my lips, and he is quick to catch it. He stands and leans over the table, hands threading into the hair at the back of my head to lift my jaw how me wants me. Licking the side of my mouth, he kisses me thoroughly. He’s always loved me and food. I giggle as he sits back down, and we both start to dig in.
“So I need to speak to a doctor,” I say to him seriously as we dig into the sundae. He stalls at my words, the spoon of ice cream now halfway between the bowl and his mouth.
“Are you feeling alright?” he asks, frowning with concern.
“Well, I’ve been a little tired…” I try not to smile and give anything away.
“Have you been sleeping okay? Are your nightmares back?” he asks, still frowning, obviously trying to think if he has noticed anything different about my nighttime habits.
“No, no nightmares,” I say, shaking my head. I haven’t had a nightmare for about a month now, and although I know they will come and go, I’m glad for the most part they are few and far between.
“I’ve also been feeling a little nauseous.” I think the penny has dropped, so I stay tight-lipped.
“Holy shit, your breasts are bigger too,” he says, his eyes now wide, and a smile starts taking over his face as he looks at my chest and then back to me. “Tell me, Lacy, are you…” He’s barely able to get the words out, and I’ve already started crying.
“Oh God, my hormones are already all over the place.” I give up the ruse as tears stream down my face, and Hudson bolts up from the chair and rushes to me.
“Are we having a baby?” he asks as he falls to his knees on the floor in front of where I’m sitting and I nod.
“Yes, Hudson. We have a baby on board; Harvey is going to be a big brother,” I tell him, and he jumps up and hugs me. We haven’t been deliberately trying, but Hudson is a touch older, and we thought we would just see what happens. Apparently, I’m reasonably fertile because it didn’t take long at all.
“Yes! Oh my God, Lacy,” Hudson says, grabbing my hands and lifting me from the chair. “Are you serious? We are having a baby?” He still sounds in disbelief as his eyes water.
“Yes, we are.” I nod again. “I took three tests this morning, and they all said the same thing.”
“Lacy, every day I get with you is a blessing, but to have you bring our child into this world is the most magical thing I could ever have. Harvey is going to be so excited. I can’t wait to meet him,” he says, and I frown.
“Or her,” I say, making him smile.
“Or her. I hope she is just like her mom,” he says as he pulls me close. I take a deep breath and smile, finally feeling at peace.
CONNOR
The moment a billionaire walks into my wellness clinic, it’s clear we don’t get along. Somewhere between the incense and the herbal tea, he starts insulting the business and stealing my ideas. Right then and there, I decide he needs to go.
But then he offers me a job. One I can’t refuse. I have big dreams and even bigger bills to pay, and this opportunity will set me up for life.
So I find myself in Whispers - the small town where the billionaires secretly roam. There’s more money in this town per square foot than anywhere else in the country, and thanks to Whiteman Whiskey, I’m now building my dream spa. For them.
If only Connor Whiteman would leave me alone.
Owner of the company, Connor is what girls call swoony. He’s huge, all man, charming, seductively sweet - just like his liquor - and also best friends with the president. Not to mention, a pain in my side.
As a plus-sized woman, I’ve faced my share of insecurities, yet Connor instills confidence I never knew I had. Our arguments become electric, our flirting off the charts. But he is my boss, I’m his employee, and we’re playing with fire.
I should have stayed away. I should have kept my distance. Because when my past comes back to haunt me, it puts him in danger, and I don’t want them to take Connor down too.