Chapter 37
CHAPTER 37
GAbrIEL
L eah hasn’t arrived at work. She messaged to say she was going to be a bit late, but then there’s been nothing, and I’m getting concerned. Her period was due last week, but that means nothing.
The elevator alert pings across the office and I breathe a sigh of relief as Leah exits, followed by Caleb. What the hell is he doing here and with Leah, of all things?
Leah smiles at him, her hand resting on his arm before she turns away. She inclines her head at me, smiling. Our relationship is still not public knowledge in the office, and I find I’m hating that. Especially at the symphony of “Morning Leah” that go off as she makes her way to her office.
Caleb turns to my office and frowns when he sees me standing in the doorway.
“Gabe,” he says.
I step back and let him enter, closing the door behind him.
“What were you doing with Leah?”
“What?” he asks, taking a seat opposite my desk, while I round it and glare at him .
“Take a breath,” he says after a moment. “I met Leah downstairs as I was coming up. We shared the lift. What’s going on Gabe?”
I sink into my chair and run a hand over my face. “I don’t know.” I shrug, honestly. “It’s just when I saw you together.”
Caleb leans forward in his chair. “Look at me.” He pauses until I raise my eyes to meet his. “I would never do that to you,” he says, his lips pursed. “You know that.”
I nod, holding his gaze for a second before I look away. This is stupid. I know he wouldn’t. But after Rachel. She made it quite clear she dated the wrong twin. Had even come on to Caleb, although he spurned her advances.
“It’s getting serious between you and Leah?” he probes, unable to keep the grin from his face.
I run a hand over my mouth, and Caleb sits back in his chair.
“Well, that was unexpected, but then again, maybe not. I’m pleased for you.” Caleb smiles at me. “Mum’s thrilled, by the way. She likes Leah.”
I groan and bury my head in my hands.
“Why is everyone so invested in my love life?”
“Maybe because since Rachel, there’s been no one of any consequence. No one at all, really.” He smirks.
“I’ve had girlfriends,” I say, suddenly feeling the need to defend myself.
“No, you haven’t,” Caleb fires back, chuckling. “You’ve had fuck-buddies and a few hookups when the need arose. Admit it, you don’t go to parties or socialise like a normal person.”
“Like you, you mean?”
“Exactly like me. I put myself out there and give myself a chance,” he adds, crossing his arms and legs.
“You look defensive there, brother,” I reply, smirking at him .
Caleb glares at me. “You can be smug now you’ve found Leah.”
If only he knew.
“Maybe you need to start up a conversation with someone rather than simply have them ride your cock,” I add.
“I talk.”
“I’m sure you do. Harder , faster , that’s it, baby .” I repeat all the phrases Caleb and his partners shouted out the night on the yacht.
He lowers his brow before re-crossing his arms over his chest. “That was Monaco.”
“Don’t tell me what happens in Monaco, stays in Monaco because you couldn’t wait to run to Mother about Leah and me. I wonder what she’d think if she knew what you got up to that weekend.”
“Time for me to go. You’re clearly in a strange mood, and I have a meeting to attend.”
I laugh. “Not so much fun when the boot is on the other foot.”
“Haha. It’s not long until Mother’s birthday weekend.”
“I know. Mum invited Leah to assist with the fundraiser. We’ll both be there,” I say.
Caleb grins. “She’ll have you walking down the aisle in no time.”
I flinch.
“Maybe Mum will set you up with one of her friend’s daughters,” I shoot back, smirking.
Caleb freezes at the door and groans.
“Heaven forbid.”
“A good girl for her wayward son,” I add as he throws open the door and steps out.
“I’m leaving now,” he says, almost bumping into Leah .
“It’s okay,” he adds, grinning at Leah. “I know he has a meeting.”
“He doesn’t actually, but if you want to believe that.”
Leah chuckles as Caleb dramatically throws his arms into the air. “I’m doomed,” he says, heading off to the elevator. The rest of the office watching him.
“Leah, do you have a moment?” I ask, loud enough for everyone to hear.
“Of course.” Leah steps into my office.
I close the door before spinning her around and pressing her up against it, my lips locking with hers.
When I finally let her go, Leah licks her lips and smiles.
“Is that all, boss?” She grins.
“No.” I take her hand and lead her to my desk. “Is everything okay? You were late in this morning.”
Leah looks away and my heart sinks.
“Leah?”
She raises her gaze to mine, her eyes sparkling.
“I was going to leave this until later, but.” She twists her bracelet around her wrist.
“Leah,” I warn.
She fishes into her pocket and pulls out a stick, handing it to me.
I stare, captivated by the white stick, revealing two blue lines.
“What? When?” I say, my voice cracking.
“This morning. My stomach’s been feeling a little queasy, and when I walked into the bakery yesterday and the smell of the fresh bread. Let’s just say I had to leave.” Her head tilts, and she stares at me.
I step forward and pull her into my arms, my lips crashing down on hers. This might be the office, but...
“We’re having a baby,” I whisper, my heart pounding in my chest. “We’re really doing this. ”
“We are. Although it’s very early days, and?—”
I place a finger over her lips. “A day at a time,” I say, dropping my forehead to hers, unable to keep the grin from my face.
She grips my hands in hers and squeezes, her gaze locked on mine.
“You’re okay with this?” she asks, and I’m shocked by the wobble in her tone.
“More than okay with it. If we were anywhere other than the office. I’d be showing you just how okay I am.”
“You’re sex mad.” She laughs.
“Guilty as charged, but only with you,” I say, realising it’s true.
I like sex, I like it a lot, but before Leah, it was an act, something to relieve stress. But now, I love watching her come apart in my arms, of the way her body is so in sync with mine. But it’s more than that. When I’m around her, the world seems brighter. I’m finding myself, for the first time, actively seeking someone to share the small things in life with.
“Well, it’s a good thing. Some women feel horny during their pregnancy,” Leah says, pulling me away from the realisation that things between us are changing.
I tilt her chin and drop a kiss on her open lips. “At your service,” I say before stepping back as the phone on my desk rings.
“I’d better go,” Leah says, moving towards the door.
“Okay. But don’t think we won’t be continuing this later,” I say, picking up the phone.
Leah grins and waves goodbye, as Amanda connects the call.