Chapter 7
Avalon
Ifrown and sigh with exasperation. I just got a text from Liam that says he’s not going to be home for dinner tonight. Again.
I’m disappointed, and yet I know I shouldn’t be because life has already thrown me so many curveballs that the unexpected has become expected.
Yet I still feel let down at his absence because I want to be with my man.
I want us to share a meal together and spend time chatting about everything and nothing, shooting each other special glances along the way before retiring to the master bedroom upstairs for night of sexy hijinks.
After all, I’m no longer an impoverished barista scraping by.
Instead, after the rendezvous at the cabin, my liaison with Liam continued.
After returning to St. Cloud, I was breathless with excitement for a few days, hoping that the billionaire would contact me.
But of course he didn’t, and disappointed, I fell into a slump.
Except during my Thursday shift, a text from an unknown number came through.
Hi sweetheart, it read.
I stared, puzzled, and then slipped my phone back in my pocket because I don’t generally answer texts or calls from random numbers. But then my cell buzzed again.
It’s Liam, the next message read. I got your number from Sweet Lies, so I hope you don’t mind. Would you be open to dinner sometime? I miss you and our time together. As an incentive, I can make sure my chef prepares those special blue eggs and the purple Japanese yams we discussed.
My heart leapt as I stared at my screen with wonder. Was I really being asked out by a handsome, charismatic trillionaire? Was Liam seeking to extend our rendezvous? I texted back immediately.
Sure, I’d love to try the blue eggs. It’s all about the creamy yolk that gives it flavor, right? I wrote cheekily.
Liam’s response was immediate.
I’ll give you some creamy yolk to swallow, baby girl. As much of it as you want.
Then, we were off. I went over to his mansion that very night, and we didn’t even bother to eat the delicious meal his chef prepared.
Instead, we went straight up the master suite, and Liam claimed me over and over again.
It was heavenly, and as usual, I was dripping with his seed for hours afterwards, my curves flushed and sated.
But he didn’t let me go to work the next day.
“What are you talking about?” I laughed while struggling into my jeans. “Of course I’m going to the café. It’s my job! I can’t just not show up unless I want to be fired.”
Liam shrugged.
“Get fired then. It’s no big deal.”
I stared at him.
“Liam, this is how I make money. How am I going to pay my rent, much less put food on the table? I can’t just ‘get fired.’”
The alpha male shrugged casually.
“How much is your rent? I’m happy to pay it, baby girl, and to cover any expenses you have. You know I’m rolling in dough, so it’s not a problem. Just let me know the amount.”
I gaped at him.
“Liam, we barely know each other. I can’t have you funding my life!”
The handsome man shrugged again.
“Why not?”
I sputtered at his ridiculous question.
“Well … well, just because!”
He grinned at me, blue eyes dancing.
“It’s not just because. There’s a lot of value in having you available to me whenever I want, sweetheart.
I’d love to have your curves on demand, and your sweetness in my bed whenever I want.
Maybe I’m a wealthy man who’s used to getting everything I want, but it’s just cold, hard facts.
Sooner or later, it’s going to happen. You’re mine, Avalon. ”
To say that my heart took off for the stratosphere at those words would be an understatement.
I was breathless with desire and giddy with the knowledge that I belong to Liam.
Plus, I knew in my heart of hearts that Liam was right, so I stayed in bed with him that day, and when my manager called, I happily gave him the “I quit” speech that I’d been rehearsing in my head for weeks.
It felt so good, and I felt lighthearted and free after doing it.
Then, I moved into Liam’s mansion, and have basically become a kept woman.
The CEO works during the day, and then comes home for a gourmet dinner prepared by his chef while I sit at his side in lingerie and high heels.
Then, we go upstairs for our nightly shenanigans, and I’ve never felt more blissful because I love having the handsome alpha male in me.
He’s insanely huge, but I’ve been able to adjust somewhat, although Liam still has to work it in carefully the first time each night.
But I’m in seventh heaven because not only is Liam a dream lover, but he’s also given me my freedom.
I don’t have to worry about working, putting food on the table, or thinking about what comes next in my future.
I don’t have to stress about my lack of a college degree, nor contemplate going back to school so that I can increase my future earnings potential.
Instead, Liam’s given me the freedom to relax, and to choose how I spend my time.
I can lounge around by his pool while reading romance novels, or workout in his private gym while listening to music.
I can go shopping using his credit card, before coming home and bingeing on Netflix to my heart’s delight.
Liam’s provided me a life of leisure, and I’m not ashamed to admit that I love it.
But in the three months since I moved in, things have changed.
He used to come home almost every night for dinner, but lately, he’s been staying late at the office more and more.
I suppose it’s to be expected because the man is the CEO of two companies, and has to earn his hefty paycheck.
Still, it’s disquieting because my life revolves around this man.
Liam Carrington is dynamic, powerful, and sexy, and I’m head over heels in love.
You’re so silly for falling in love, Avalon, the voice in my head chides. You know that’s not supposed to happen.
But it did, so don’t blame her, the other voice in my mind retorts. It’s natural because what woman could resist Liam Carrington, sexy trillionaire CEO?
It’s true, and I smile happily. Still, tonight was a special night because I actually cooked the food myself, and have something incredible to share.
Liam and I use birth control, but protection is never perfect, and we’ve slipped up once or twice.
But I’m young and fertile, and he’s a virile alpha male, and the unexpected happened because I’m now pregnant with his baby!
I took a home pregnancy test yesterday, and couldn’t believe my eyes at the two pink stripes.
Then, I took another test, and another, just to be sure, but they all came back positive.
I am definitely expecting the CEO’s child.
To be honest, I’m not sure how he’d react because he already has two daughters. I have yet to meet Madison or Ellie, but I’m sure they’re sweet girls. Liam hasn’t said much about their mothers either, but I know he’s an integral part of his daughters’ lives.
But still. Disappointment sits heavy in my heart at his absence because I really wanted to tell Liam about the pregnancy.
I wanted to make it special too, so I’m already decked out in a sparkly demi-bra and matching g-string, with the special stilettos that look like they have heels made of crystal.
But the man isn’t coming home anytime soon, and so I pull on my silky robe before carefully placing one of the pregnancy tests right next to his plate.
He often eats after getting home, and I know he’ll see it.
Then I march upstairs, determined to get my beauty sleep because I’m an expectant mama and I need to take especial care of myself …
after all, I’m shielding Liam Carrington’s baby inside my belly now.