Chapter 35
Miles
It’s been two weeks since Penny and I came back from our little getaway.
We’ve already fallen into a routine that feels anything but boring.
I leave for work early in the morning after making her coffee and breakfast—though lately she barely keeps anything in her stomach. She’s exhausted all the time, so I don’t mind doing all the cooking.
Then I come home, make us supper, and we spend the night either watching TV or listening to Penny ramble about her newest obsession: turning me into an investor.
I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t anxious as hell waiting for her to decide what she wants to do about the baby, but I don’t want her to feel pressured, so I haven’t brought it up again.
“Sugar?” I call as I step into our home.
“Here, baby.”
And fuck me, my dick still reacts every time she calls me that.
I follow the sound of her voice to my former guest room, which Penny has claimed and transformed into her office.
There are now three computer monitors, a huge desk, her stationary bike, and a bunch of boxes with her books.
I already promised custom-built bookshelves.
“Hey, you,” she greets me as soon as I walk in.
“Hey, yourself.” I lean down and kiss her quickly. “You had a good day?”
Her entire face lights up.
“Yes. It’s been amazing, actually.” She’s so excited, she’s vibrating. ”And I found something.”
That sentence alone should probably terrify me, considering she’s been trying to convince me to invest my savings for two straight weeks now.
“What’s going on?” I ask cautiously as I drag over a chair beside her.
But I love this woman, so here I am.
“So you know how I’ve been talking nonstop about you investing some money?”
I snort. “Hard to forget.”
“Well…” She spins one of the monitors toward me. I found this property.”
Three massive screens fill with pictures of what can only be described as a haunted mansion.
“Please keep an open mind,” she says quickly. “I truly believe this place has a lot of potential.”
“Boss,” I say carefully, “I trust your instinct, but that place is hanging by a thread.”
She sighs. “Just listen first.”
I gesture for her to continue.
“This mansion was built in the early 1900s and sits on five hundred and thirty acres of land.”
I whistle low.
“Right?” she says triumphantly. “Game changer.
As she talks, I can practically see her brain working at full speed.
“If we’re able to restore it to its gilded-age glory—and I know we can—we could sell it for millions and millions of dollars.
Plus, all those billionaires looking for a place in the mountains wouldn’t need to buy undeveloped land and threaten the community.
They’d be more interested in properties like this, which, according to my very preliminary search, there are quite a few of. ”
I stare at her.
“You’re a genius, boss. But I don’t think my savings are enough to buy a place like that,” I tell her honestly.
“I know.” She waves the concern away. “I’d invest too, and when it’s time to renovate, I’ll handle the finances and operations while you handle the renovation side.”
“So what you’re suggesting is that we create something like a family business? You want to be a part of MacAllister Construction?”
Her eyes are bright as she nods.
“So what’s the hard conversation you need to have with Gio?” I ask with a frown, not allowing myself to get too excited at the idea of working with Penny again just yet.
“Well…” She drags out the word as she gets up from her chair and straddles me.
“If we’re doing this, I won’t have much free time to continue as his financial advisor. I’ve had that thought in the back of mind for a while, and as much as I enjoy working with him…”
She presses a slow, sweet kiss to my lips. “I enjoy working with you way more.”
“You like working with me boss?” I ask as I rock my hips into her core.
“Yes,” she hisses against my lips.
“So what I’m hearing is that you’re missing our quickies in the office.” Thrust. “The thrill of getting caught.” Thrust. “The crew hearing how good I make you feel?” Thrust.
“Yes, fuck yes,” she moans as she starts meeting my movements.
“Fuck, I’m going to come in my pants,” I groan as I pick up speed.
“Wait.” She freezes on top of me.
“What’s wrong?” I open my eyes, scanning her body frantically to make sure I didn’t hurt her.
“There’s something else we need to clarify.”
She climbs off my lap.
I whimper at the loss of her weight.
“So… I’ve been thinking a lot about this baby,” she starts as she places a hand on her belly.
My heart somersaults.
This is it.
She’s about to tell me what she decided.
“And even though I’m terrified of being a mom…” Her voice grows smaller. “Terrified of bringing a child into the world knowing their daddy is younger than me.”
She lowers her gaze.
“Wait a minute,” I stop her before she can keep spiraling. “What does our age difference have to do with anything?”
“Miles, we need to be realistic. I’m five years older than you, and maybe right now it might not be obvious, but eventually, it will be. I don’t want our child getting made fun of because of it.”
Her voice is so tiny, I don’t even recognize it.
“Hell no, Penélope,” I say as I stand up.
I cross the room in two strides and pull her into my arms.
“If some loser ever tries to make fun of our kid because his momma is older than me, I’ll teach our child how to defend themselves.” I cup her face firmly. “And if that doesn’t work, I’ll take care of it myself.”
A reluctant smile tugs at her lips, but I’m too worked up to let it go.
“But don’t even think, not for one second, that I’m going to let that be the reason we don’t have this baby.”
Her smile grows. “I was also reading that at thirty-five I’m considered a geriatric pregnancy.”
My brain stalls out for a second.
“Fuck that. Is that even a real medical term?” I demand. “Because if people think thirty-five is geriatric, they’re delusional. You’re the hottest woman I’ve ever seen in my life.”
She cackles at my indignation.
“Yeah, laugh all you want,” I grumble. “But I'm never going to get tired of making love to you. Not at thirty-five, not at sixty. Hell, not even at ninety—even if I have to take the blue pill to keep up.”
I pull her back into my arms, needing her close again.
Her body visibly relaxes against mine.
“So wait,” I say as I slowly put her down on her feet, “what you’re saying is… we’re having the baby?”
My chest feels so tight I can barely breathe while I wait for her answer.
“Yes, Miles.” Her eyes soften as she looks at me.
“There are still a million things to figure out, and I know it’s not going to be easy.
But if there was any doubt left in my heart…
” She reaches up and cups my cheek. “Seeing the hope on your face and the emotion in your eyes tells me I’m making the right decision. ”
I fist pump the air before lifting her into my arms again.
“Penélope Marie Levine, me haces el hombre más feliz del universo,” I say in my best Spanish.
I still need a lot more practice if I want to impress her mom someday, but I want Penny to know her heritage matters to me. I want our kids to grow up knowing their roots.
“You make me the happiest woman in the universe,” she says back to me.
I grin before capturing her lips with mine, pouring every ounce of love and excitement I feel into it.
When we finally pull apart, I rest my forehead against hers.
A smirk slowly spreads across my face. “How about we celebrate this news by christening a new spot in the house.”
“I thought we were done christening the house.”
“Are you up for a little adrenaline rush?”
She nods eagerly.
“Maybe.” I shrug innocently. “Then I guess we gotta go to the roof,” I say as I take off for the stairs.
“Wait.” Her voice is panicked. “Is it safe?”
I raise an eyebrow. “Boss, do you really think I’d put you or the munchkin at risk?”
She looks away, trying and failing to hide her laugh.
“Boss,” I warn, walking up the stairs with her clinging to me like a koala bear. “Take that back.”
Her laughter bursts free as I scoop her into my arms again and start taking the stairs two at a time.
And hearing that sound echo through our home is all I need to know everything is going to be okay.