Total pages in book: 41
Estimated words: 39687 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 198(@200wpm)___ 159(@250wpm)___ 132(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 39687 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 198(@200wpm)___ 159(@250wpm)___ 132(@300wpm)
They had never seen eye to eye, but she didn’t have to live like this, not with him. Not with knowing his family could remove his child from her.
Once he finished in the shower, he had to hold her, to feel her in his arms. Entering this marriage, he’d not liked her at all, and had thought any prolonged time spent with her would be a nightmare.
He loved holding her, relished it even.
Climbing into bed, he waited a few minutes, allowing the blanket to heat him up, before pulling her close. He pressed his face against her neck, and she let out a sigh.
“Are you okay?” she asked.
“I’m fine.”
“I didn’t think you’d come to bed. You’d be out celebrating with all of your family on getting the deed done.”
“I’ve got you to take care of, and I’m not going to let you out of my sight.”
“If all they wanted from you was to make me pregnant, you’ll be wanted to do stuff elsewhere, not be with me.” She rubbed her cheek against his chest. “You feel nice.”
“That’s me. The nice guy.” He felt fucking nervous.
He’d killed men since before he was a teenager, had fucked his fair share of women, and commanded men twice his weight, and he’d never once been scared or nervous.
Laura was pregnant with his child.
Possibly even a girl.
There was a fifty-fifty chance his baby would be a female.
His father would take matters into his own hands, and even though he didn’t know this child, she was innocent. His blood.
She belonged to him and Laura, and he felt a wave of protectiveness wash over him.
There was no way he was going to allow anyone to take his child from him.
He would protect her with his life, and until they found out the sex, he would stay by Laura’s side, no matter what.
Putting a hand on her waist, he didn’t feel any bump or any evidence of her pregnancy.
“It’s hard to believe a baby is growing inside me.”
“I’ll protect you.” He kissed her forehead.
“I know. You always protect your own, and I can accept that.” She looked up at him, smiling. “Thank you, Marcus.”
“What are you thanking me for?” He frowned, a little put out by her smiles and sweet talk.
“Because, you’re not going to leave us. I was so scared I was going to have to do this all alone, but now I know I’m not. I’ve got you.”
“Laura, there is one guarantee I can give you. You will always have me. Always. I won’t leave you.” He pulled her close, holding her tightly, knowing he’d do whatever was necessary to keep her safe, even if it meant breaking his oath to his father. Laura and his unborn child were his main priority.
Chapter Ten
Two years ago
Laura had always wanted to go to a nightclub. Her father had agreed to letting her go out and party with some friends, only she had a nice big butch bodyguard to keep her company, and it meant not a single person was willing to dance with her. Anyone who came close was pushed aside.
She didn’t even know the guy’s name, and he was invading her happy time.
Her friends already had men who were buying them drinks, having a good time.
Standing at the edge of the dance floor, she watched as the men held her friends. Not that they were close friends, far from it. She had merely been at the table, working on some of her research when a party had been mentioned and the invitation had been spread to her.
They had all given her any excuse not to come, if she was busy.
She had come, and she could tell none of them were happy about it.
The last thing she wanted to do was mope, but she couldn’t stand by watching them as her nightmare bodyguard stopped her from having fun.
“I’m going to the bathroom.” She took a couple of steps and glanced over her shoulder to see him following her. “Will you stop? I’m not going to let you come and stand in line for me. I swear I will make your life a misery if you don’t give me this!” She wanted to throw a tantrum, but she never caused a scene. Most of the time she disappeared to her room, waiting for the event or party to be over before leaving.
It was always better for her that way.
There wasn’t a line for the bathroom, and she walked in, seeing Marcus standing in the bathroom, typing away on his cell phone.
He glanced up when he saw her, and she quickly moved into one of the stalls. She didn’t need to go and sat on the seat, pulling out her cell phone and bringing up a game. Any game. She never played games on her cell phone, but right now, it seemed more important to her than going outside where the nightmare bodyguard was waiting to ruin her night. She kept on clicking on the keys, not really understanding the game or what she was meant to do.