Chapter 15

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

JENSEN

S etting my weight on the rack, I sit up on the bench and grab my towel, running it across the back of my neck.

A few days back home in Alberta to see my parents and going for final suit fittings will leave me next to no time to work out. Hollie's schedule makes Jon's look like a free skate.

Rising from the bench, I make my way over to the leg press when I hear a thud above the eighties rock music playing from my speakers.

I grab my phone and open the smart camera app.

Kate.

What's she doing here? And should I throw on a shirt?

Nah, fuck it. Might as well make her Saturday night, remind her of what she's missing.

Another knock sounds as I step out of the gym and move for the front door. "Patience, Princess!" I shout loud enough so I know she can hear it and no doubt offer me her trademark snarl when I open the door.

Pissed off Kate is the hottest kind of Kate.

But she doesn't wear a snarl as I open the door to my apartment. Her expression is completely unreadable. For the first time in forever, I can't read her.

"Hey," I say, holding the door open in one hand and a bottle of water in the other.

"Hey." Stepping into my apartment, a place she's been to many times before as part of a group but never alone, she doesn't pause for one second to admire my bare chest.

Shutting the door behind us with a soft click, I turn and rest my back against it, crossing my ankles.

She looks beautiful today, almost radiant. Her usually thick and luscious blonde hair somehow looks even thicker. Her cheeks glow, and her eyes sparkle.

Twitching her nose, she looks around in disgust. "What's that smell?"

Because I can't help myself, I lift an arm and sniff. "One hundred percent man, Princess."

"Stop calling me that! And I'm not talking about you. What did you have for dinner?"

I run a palm over my mouth to hide my satisfied smile. She didn't deny that I'm all man. "I wasn't that hungry, so I made myself a bacon sandwich."

She slams a hand over her mouth like she's about to puke. "That is gross!"

"Bacon?"

"Yes!" Her voice muffled by her hand. "Bacon, meat." She heaves again. "Meat is gross."

No cock jokes, Jones. Hold it in.

"I didn't know you didn't like meat," I say, pushing off the door and making my way into the living room.

She follows behind me, her clutch between her hands. She's clearly been out somewhere; the fitted cream pants and black blouse she wears are hot as fuck and definitely not everyday clothes.

Looking as surprised as me, she sets her clutch down as we both take a seat on the black leather couches opposite each other. "Apparently, it's a new thing."

I narrow my eyes at her. "I gotta admit, I wasn't expecting it to be you interrupting my workout."

"Yeah, well, I wasn't expecting to be here today either."

She's being weird. "Can I get you a drink or something?"

"Um, a glass of water would be great. Thanks."

I fight the urge to hand her the bottle I'm drinking from just to test her reaction. Instead, I stand and walk to the kitchen.

Again, she follows me and stands at the island, looking around the vast space. "You have a nice place."

I look over my shoulder from where I'm standing with the fridge door half open. "Thanks." I sound unsure. She's never complimented anything about me, not since that night in Riley's.

Handing her a water, she twists the cap and takes several large gulps. "It's hot out there today. I'm really hot."

"Damn right, you are." I throw her a wink.

Rolling her eyes, she sits at my island and places her clutch next to her.

"Can I be honest?"

"Yeah, I guess," she replies, still taking in my place like it's the first time she's seen it.

"You look different; you're acting it too."

She flushes. "Different, how?"

I come to stand on the opposite end of the island and lean forward, resting my forearms on the white marble. Pinning her with my eyes, I smile a genuine smile this time. "Well, for one, you're not being a straight-up bitch to me. And two—" I round the island and stop, swiveling her stool towards me but not touching her yet . "You look more stunning than ever."

She takes a sharp breath. "Has anyone ever told you that you're really forward?"

I shake my head and smile again. "Nah, they normally do all the work. You're the exception, Princess."

God, I love the way I can make her flush with such ease. That night in Oxford lives rent-free in her head. She definitely wants more.

Looking down at her gold sandals resting on the stool, she twists her hands together. But the next surprise she has for me tears my heart clean apart. Her lips start to shake.

Is she crying?

Katherine Violet Monroe…crying?

"Hey, hey." I tip her face back up to mine with my index finger.

She looks up at me, and she's definitely fighting back tears. "I'm really sorry. I shouldn't have come. I'm not ready to tell y?—"

"Tell me what, Kate?" My damaged heart stops beating altogether. "Tell me what? "

"I'm really sorry. In fact, no, I'm not that sorry. It's both of our responsibility. But for the love of all that is holy, please don't freak out on me." She twists her hands together again.

"Kate, I'm gonna be really honest right now. You're scaring the shit out of me. What's going on?"

Twisting hands fly in front of her face, but I reach up and pull them apart. "Don't hold out on me, Princess. You turned up at my apartment, drank my water, and now you've started crying on me. What's wrong?" A growl rumbles from my chest. "Is it Tom? Has he hurt you? I'll fucking murder him."

"You're kind of scary and a bit over the top, you know that?" Her blue eyes look deep into mine.

Thump, thump, thump. My heart races faster.

"Has he hurt you?" I repeat.

"No," she whispers. Our eyes are still locked, and my hands are still over hers, framing each side of her face. "I'm pregnant, Jensen."

What? She's having his baby. I'm going to puke now.

"With Tom's baby? Did you know before we?—"

"No." Another whisper. "It's yours. My doctor confirmed it."

Sh-she's having my…baby?

The girl of my fucking dreams, literally my dreams, the girl I can't stop obsessing over. The girl I've shared the best night of my life with is…having my baby.

Silence.

I pin my bottom lip between my teeth, trying to hide my smile—Jensen Jones, Mr. Non-Commitment, surprised by his own reaction to being a daddy.

For her, I'll be anyone.

"Why would I freak out, Kate?"

She rolls her eyes. "Duh, you don't do relationships, let alone with a ‘spoiled princess.' And now you find out I'm pregnant with your baby."

"Say that again."

"Spoiled princess."

"No. The last part. Say it again."

"I'm pregnant with your baby." Her voice is breathy as she repeats the words that cast over me like velvet.

Hands still on either side of her face, I lean forward and brush my mouth across hers, smiling against her lips. "I got you pregnant."

"Well, yes."

Kissing her gently, I close my eyes. Fuck me, she tastes like heaven. "Don't you go freaking out on me now. But all I can think about is doing it again, just to be sure."

She pulls back, wiping her deep blue manicured nails across her bottom lip. "What?"

I don't even hesitate as I pull her back into my bare chest. Kate sitting on a high stool is perfect kissing height. "You think you know everything about me. That you have me all figured out. The truth is, Princess, you know nothing about me at all. But I know every single part of you. What makes you tick, what makes your thighs clench, what makes you seethe with rage. I know your favorite dishes and your favorite restaurants. I know what cases you've recently won at work and that the nail polish you're wearing right now is your favorite since you wear it six months out of the year. You hate me because I keep you guessing. I challenge you. And for once in your fucking life, I make you want someone for something more than just a few dates and a fuck. And that scares the shit out of you. I know it does because it scares the shit out of me too."

Her breath catches in her throat, and I go to kiss her, but more deeply this time.

"No."

"No, what?"

"No, don't kiss me again."

I close my eyes and brace my hands on the arms of her stool, squeezing the bars in my palms. "Don't freak out on me, Katherine."

"I've just told you, the person you apparently can't stand, that I'm having your baby. And then you come with all of this? How am I not going to freak out? I was already freaking out at the baby part. You, on the other hand, want to put another baby in me."

Scratching at my chest, I smile at her. "I didn't mean another, but since you suggested it…" I turn serious at the look of horror on her face. "I'm obsessed with you. I've been obsessed with you since the moment you wore my jersey and sat on my lap. Since the moment you placed your lips against mine. Sure, I didn't plan on having a baby. And it's true I'm not into commitment. I've got my reasons for that." I sigh. Taking one of her hands in mine. "But with you, and only you, I'm not scared to have a baby. Just like I'm not scared to be with you. I've been fantasizing about it for too long."

"Together?! Oh, you're way too much!" She pushes off the stool and grabs her clutch, racing over to the front door. Just as she makes it, she trips on the mat and stumbles forward, crashing hard onto the wood.

"Fuck!" I bolt across and gather her in my arms. "Are you okay?" Pressing my palm across her lower stomach. "For fuck's sake, Kate, be careful."

"I-I need to leave."

A red bump starts to appear on her forehead. "No way are you leaving. My pregnant girl just crashed into a door. There's no way I'm letting you out of my sight."

She scoffs. "Let me make a couple of things really clear for you, Jensen. I'm not your girl. I'm Kate Monroe. I might be carrying your child, but we are not together. Also, I am leaving, thank you very much. I'm fine."

Kate rests her hand on the handle behind her, but I shoot an arm out and press my hand firmly against the door to prevent it from opening. Her back is to me as I squeeze my eyes shut, her citrus scent swirling around me. "Don't go. I'm sorry I came on strong. But eighteen months of you driving me wild, and then this news lit the simmering fire I've been burning for you. I'll give you time to think about us, to come to terms with how we're meant for each other. But while you do that, just know I'm going to be at your every beck and call. I'm going to spoil the shit out of you and my baby. You're my princess, Katherine."

She doesn't say another word as she pulls on the handle, and this time, I release my arm, letting her leave.

Pulling the door shut behind her, she leaves me standing in my empty apartment, processing everything that's just happened and all that I've admitted out loud. Just like popping the cork on a champagne bottle, I exploded, unable to reel in my feelings anymore. But how the fuck was I supposed to hold everything back when she turned up at my place and brought me the greatest news of my life on what has always been the hardest day? July sixteenth—the day Lauren walked out of my life and left me standing at the altar but now, the day Kate Monroe offered me the best gift I've ever received.