Chapter 5 #3
This might not be the most conventional way to start a family, but I’m all in. Charlie, and by extension the baby, are my responsibility, and there’s nothing I want more than to be the man she can lean on through this.
Charlie presses her palm to my forehead. “You must be coming down with a fever. It’s the only plausible explanation for the moody cowboy who can barely tolerate me asking me to marry him. You didn’t even ask if the baby is yours. What if you’re not the father?”
“Doesn’t matter. I’m claiming both of you, regardless,” I state without hesitation.
Even if the baby wasn’t mine—which I’m certain it is—I’d still want them just the same, because they’re part of Charlie, and that’s all the reason I need.
“The baby’s yours,” she says, her voice dropping to a hushed tone. “I haven’t been with anyone else in the past six months.”
A possessive satisfaction tightens low in my chest. “Wouldn’t have mattered if you had. You’re not getting rid of me that easily.” I brush my thumb over her knuckles. “What do you say, Charlie? Marry me… please.”
Her fingers curl around mine for a second, and warmth flickers across her face. But just as quickly, her stubborn mask slides back into place.
She exhales sharply, straightening her spine. “This isn’t the 1950s, Heath. You can’t propose out of thin air and expect me to accept and swoon dramatically in your arms.”
I know a losing battle when I see one, and right now nothing I say or do is going to change Charlie’s mind… at least not right now.
I sigh, rising to my feet. “What exactly do you suggest?”
She nibbles on her thumbnail, lost in thought for a beat. “We co-parent and keep our lives separate.”
Not a fucking chance.
If we do it her way, I’ll miss all the important milestones—watching her belly swell, her first craving, and the baby’s first kick. More importantly, though, Charlie shouldn’t have to do this on her own. Not when I’m ready to step up and be the partner she deserves.
In the past, I had to fight the urge to stake my claim, but I can’t stand on the sidelines anymore. Not when she’s pregnant with my kid, and now that I’ve had a glimpse into the happiness we could find together if we gave in to the simmering tension that’s been stewing for a while.
My proposal might expedite things, but it doesn’t diminish the reality that I’m fully committed to Charlie and the baby.
I take her hands in mine, holding them close to my chest.
“Let me take care of you and our baby, Charlie,” I plead.
She recoils, letting out a dry laugh. “This is all too much. I need a minute to think.”
“I don’t want to raise our kid apart, not before we’ve even given this a chance.”
I’m willing to compromise on most things, but not this.
Charlie plants her hands on her hips. “Oh, and who decided you get a say?”
I pinch the bridge of my nose. “Dammit, woman. I’m trying to do the right thing. Why do you have to make everything so difficult?”
First, she’s mad that I don’t respond quickly enough, and when I try to take responsibility, she pushes me away. This would be a lot easier if I didn’t want her so damn much. Not that I’m telling her that—she’d probably accuse me of losing my mind if I did.
Charlie’s expression softens. “Heath, I can’t marry you. We need a referee whenever we’re within five feet of each other. There’s no way we’d survive living together, let alone a marriage. We’d be right back to bickering before the ink was dry.”
I keep my eyes on her, taking a moment before I reply. “You can’t tell me you don’t remember how good it felt being in my arms that night at my apartment.”
She raises her head, letting out an amused huff. “Hate to break it to you, but even if we did get married, it would be strictly on paper. No hanky-panky included.”
I close the gap between us, brushing a loose strand of hair from her face. “We might not have a traditional marriage to start, but when you become my wife, I plan to be loyal to you and only you.”
She lifts her chin, her gaze holding mine. “Then I suggest you start looking for someone else to propose to.”
My hand lingers as I trace her cheekbone with my thumb. “Problem is, I don’t want anyone else.” I mean it in more ways than one.
Charlie trembles beneath my touch, wetting her lips as her eyes flicker to my mouth. For a moment, it’s like we’re back to the night of the wedding, and all I want is to draw her to my side and kiss her.
She’s the first to come to her senses, shifting back and holding up a warning finger. “There’s no reason to continue this conversation. We’re not getting married. End of discussion.”
I shove my hands in my pockets, fighting a grin. “We’ll see.”
She narrows her eyes. “You aren’t going to let this go, are you?”
“Not a chance. I won’t be satisfied until you’ve got my ring on your finger and we’re living under the same roof. I’m playing the long game, Charlie Bennett, and I don’t intend to lose.”
She shakes her head, letting out a soft laugh as she turns to leave.
“Don’t hold your breath, cowboy,” she calls over her shoulder.
There’s never been more on the line than at this moment, and I’m prepared to do whatever it takes to change her mind.