Romeo

Over the next few days, I try my damned hardest to make this woman fall more and more in love with me. In truth, I think I’m succeeding.

The first night we shared my bed, I expected her to slip out and make a run for it. She’d given me her back, trying to put distance between us. However, when the time came to wake up, we were so tangled within each other that it wasn’t funny.

The only laughable part of that morning was her trying not to notice my body’s response to having her so close. Her blush and curious gaze, now that was worth chuckling at.

After that first night, she’s had no issue curling up at my side. No point in putting up a fight when she knows she’s going to lose.

All this time, she didn’t put up any sort of fight on leaving. After this long, she’s even convinced me that she’s happy to be at my side. She’s accepting of the situation.

In the middle of our lunch, she breaks her streak of silence.

“If I’m really going to have to quit, then I want to tell my boss to her face. After everything she’s done for me, I owe her that much.” She leans toward me, purposely pressing against my side while giving me a big doe-eyed stare. “Will you let me?”

Now everything makes plenty more sense.

“On such short notice, I can’t make a promise,” I murmur as I drift my hand beneath the table. Like her, I have no problem using her weakness against her. Tucking my fingers between her thighs, I squeeze her leg. “Seattle is-”

“You guys are going to the city.” My brother, Vivo, takes the best opportunity to make an appearance. He’s got a plate of nachos. “Dante just got home last night. I’m sure he won’t have any issue blowing off some steam.”

Seattle is a long trip. Both of my brothers give me throbbing headaches when they come and go.

“We’re not going out to have fun,” I warn him. They’re the ones who like to go to clubs and fool around.

They’re the ones who dragged me down to Seattle in the first place.

“We’re going to visit a bakery,” Charity aids in hopes it’ll help get her out of this house.

He pauses. “Must be some pretty good sweets if you want to drive down there.” He takes in my frown with a smile. “Yeah, I’ll go with you guys if you need the company. I’ll hunt down Dante.”

The way a grin immediately forms on her lips, I accept that we’ll be heading to Seattle after we’re done with our lunch.

“I haven’t met your brothers,” she murmurs at my side when Vivo takes the hint to eat his nachos elsewhere. “He seems pretty nice.”

“Don’t let that smile fool you. They’re the ones who have to get their hands dirty. While I’m the face of this family, they’re the ones who keep things operational.” I give her thigh one more squeeze. “I promise you, I’m the nice one.”

With a grimace on her face, she decides she should hurry and finish her meal so we can get the show on the road. From her eagerness, there’s no doubting how important this is to her.

I won’t stand in her way. If this is something she needs to do, then I want to fully support her.

Getting my two brothers together after making preparations, we set off for Seattle. Thankfully, those two set out with their own vehicle. With Seth in the driver seat, Charity and I crowd together in the back of my vehicle.

With a long drive ahead of us, I figure I might as well find out a little bit more about this woman to help pass the time. While I might know everything about her after we met, there’s still so much to learn about her past.

She’s got no issues asking me questions about mine. I’m sure we both have plenty of stories to tell.

Arriving at StartBit Tech , Vivo and Dante take their sweet time looking over the menu, hopping in line before we can even signal down the woman we’ve come to talk to. While they have a craving for something sweet, we wait for the owner to come out and talk to us.

“Her name is Eloise and she’s really sweet. She’s also super protective of me.” Charity looks past the counter and into the bakery. “She’s got enough employees to run this place without me.”

It sounds to me like she’s trying to convince herself not to want to come back.

“If you want to continue to bake, I have more than enough men who will devour whatever you put in front of them.” Shoving my hands in my pockets, I shrug. “Even if it’s not good for me, I’d do the very same.”

She gives me a little smile at that.

“I do love baking, there’s no denying that. However, with the baby coming, I won’t be able to see her very much even if I have a bunch of people willing to come here. She’s got this place to run and I’ll have birthing classes to start attending.” She pauses. “ We are attending those, by the way. That isn’t up for discussion.”

I love it when she’s easily able to put her foot down. At first, she seemed to second-guess giving me an order. After spending so much time together, it’s good to see her have more confidence to demand things.

My future wife is going to be one to reckon with. If my men cower at the thought of upsetting me, then they’ll outright fear this woman.

“Stop smiling,” she scoffs as she looks away. The color of her cheeks gives away her flush.

“We’ll do the classes,” I agree, “if that’s what you want.”

Surprised by my words, she nods and turns back away. “Good. You’ll get to watch birthing videos so you don’t pass out during the real thing. I’m expecting you to be in the room.”

“Angel, if you think you’re going to scare me away with a little blood, I assure you, I will be fine.” Not able to help myself, I wrap an arm around her frame and tug her close to my body. When I press a kiss on the top of her head, she tries to swat me away. It’s cute how embarrassed she gets by a little display of public affection. “Throw whatever you want in my direction and I’ll be ready. We both will be for our son.”

“You are too much,” she grumbles. Despite her words, she doesn’t try to pull away. Not until the owner approaches the counter.

She looks at us in surprise before turning her attention to Charity. Unfortunately, I don’t think I have much choice but to let her go.

“Charity.” She strolls around the counter and pulls her into a hug. Sounding relieved to see that she’s fine, I can’t help but wonder if she ever told this woman about her situation.

A little family trouble doesn’t bring on such relief.

This blonde stares at me, squinting. She’s a small thing, trying her best to come off as threatening. She reminds me of a chihuahua. All bark and no bite. Unfortunately, she doesn’t have to be able to hurt me physically to be a problem.

Pulling away from the hug, she nears my side once more. Charity tangles her fingers together. She looks so nervous.

“This is .” She sends me a short-lasting glance and forces a smile as one of her hands cradles her stomach. “This is the guy.”

Eloise looks confused for only a moment before her brows lift. “ The guy?”

Well, now I don’t know if I should be worried or not. Feeling clueless, the best I can do is offer a smile. “I hope you only said good things about me.”

“Only about our one night stand and a little bit of the feelings that came after,” Charity admits. “Mostly good.”

“And it seems you’ve found him again,” Eloise murmurs.

I think I’m starting to understand now. Like Charity, this woman must think I abandoned her from the very beginning. There’s no point in explaining myself. The only thing that matters is the fact that I don’t plan on leaving her side again.

“So, good news. You can tell Jake that he will no longer have to pay for my place. I’m going to move in with and we’re going to raise the baby together.”

Surprised by the sound of hope in her voice, I can’t be bothered by Eloise’s doubt. It might be my imagination, but it sounds like Charity wants to stay.

Forcing my grin away, I can’t help but resume my touch. Needing to keep an arm around her body, she doesn’t bother with pushing me away this time.

She tells Eloise about quitting because of the move. When she tries to apologize, Eloise stops her.

“I want you to be happy.” Her smile looks more natural when we’re together. “If this is what you want, then I am all for it. However, you better not disappear on me.” She looks my way. “Please don’t be greedy and try to keep her all to yourself.”

Charity gives me a look that says I better agree and say nothing else.

I guess I can’t tell this woman that I’m the greediest man she’ll ever meet.

“Of course.” Simply agreeing, I watch as Charity pulls away.

“I’ll come visit again soon. Preferably when you’re not on the clock.” Hugging her as tightly as she can, she squeezes her hands next. “Thank you for everything.”

When they separate, her hand slides into mine and she’s ready to go back. Ready to leave just as much, I find the other two waiting with their purchases in hand.

“Did you seriously need to get that many?” Clicking my tongue at Vivo, I roll my eyes at the two dozen cupcakes in his arms. Dante has cookies.

“You know damn well I don’t like to share.” Vivo hugs the boxes closer to his chest like I’m the one who is going to try and take some from him. “Once the guys get a whiff, they’re going to become savages. I would like to enjoy a few before they get their hands on them.”

Knowing they’re right, I shake my head and watch them get in their vehicle before guiding Charity to our own. Once we’re on the freeway, I cradle her hand in my own.

“How are you feeling?”

Her mouth twitches, teasing a smile. “Better. Like I’m not completely abandoning her.” She pauses before looking my way. “Thank you.”

Squeezing her hand, I nod and bring it to my lips. “It seems like my brothers like the cupcakes. If you want to return, say the word and I’m sure one of them will jump at the opportunity to take you. I trust them with my life.

“Even if it’s weekly?”

“Don’t make a pattern out of it and you can visit whenever you want.” I’m not just saying the words to make her happy, though, I won’t deny how much I like her smile. I’m doing this because I want her to feel like I’m not chaining her down.

Nodding her head, she takes in our passing scenery.

The drive is just as long as the way back. While it might be one that has a nice view, it leaves me drained every single time. The sky is changing colors.

“Ever consider moving closer to the city?” Her eyes follow mine and it’s like she can read my mind.

“I have from time to time. It’s safer in the countryside. Fewer people want to travel out to see me.” I hum at the thought. “Vivo thinks I should buy out a whole complex. I already take care of my men as it is. It wouldn’t be hard to take care of their families while I’m at it.”

“You’re making it hard to believe you’re some bad guy when you talk like that.” Scrunching her nose, her smile shows her amusement. “It’s not a bad idea. At least in the city, we can order take-out. Don’t even get me started on how badly I’ve been wanting orange chicken lately.”

I suppose maybe I should put more consideration in the thought then. I’d wait until after our son is born. I’d hate to make such a big move beforehand. Even if Charity wouldn’t be allowed to lift even a finger, I don’t want any stress in her direction.

Humming in thought, we enjoy the rest of the drive back.

Once we’re back home, I instantly feel relief. Not one on traveling, it feels better to know we’re somewhere safe.

With the sky mixed with dark blues and purples, it’s a bit late for dinner. Charity has a craving for canned ravioli. Not willing to carry such an insult of a meal, I’m relieved to find frozen ravioli tucked away in the back of the freezer. It’ll have to do until I can make it from scratch for her one day.

Happy with whatever I put in front of her, her happiness is what fuels me to keep going.

Like she can sense my exhaustion, she’s the one to lead us to our bedroom to call tonight a done deal.

“I’m thinking about taking a shower.” Coasting across the room, she plucks out her pajamas. Chewing on her bottom lip, she glances toward the bathroom. “You should lay down if you’re tired. However, if you’re not…”

I straighten up at the hesitation in her voice. “If I’m not…”

“You could join me.”

She doesn’t have to ask me twice.