Chapter 28

CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT

KATE

W ow, that was stressful.

Turning from side to side in my full-length mirror, I take myself in. Yep, twelve weeks and definitely showing. I should've listened to my gut weeks ago and gone shopping for some clothes. Then I got sidetracked with work— what's new —and now I've spent the past fifteen minutes squeezing myself into an A-line dress that is not thanking my ever-growing stomach and cleavage right now.

I can't hold it off any longer. I have to tell my boss. I've been at Preston they will find a replacement who's likely way better than me at my job.

Stepping over to my dresser, I check my makeup again and pick up my favorite rose gold necklace—a thirtieth birthday gift from Easton. Clasping it around my neck, I look at my reflection in the round cosmetic mirror. Pregnancy is changing me, not just externally but internally, too. Yes, I'm freaking out about maternity leave, but deep down, I care far less about the impact it could have on my career than I ever thought I would. I've switched up legal journals for mom and baby books, and you know what, I'm enjoying them. Jensen annotated all the parts he thought were especially important with little notes and tabs.

I haven't seen him much the past couple of weeks, just as he warned me. He's back in his apartment, and training is in full swing, ready for preseason games to start and then for the NHL regular season to get underway on October first.

I miss him for more than just the sex. But I told him I needed time, and while he messages me every day, he's clearly giving me space to process.

There's a part of me that wants to head over to his place now and tell him I'll give us a shot. But the larger part still holds me back. Not that I could go over anyway since I'm headed to Marissa and Brad's engagement party tonight. It's the first time I'll see Tom since we split, and uneasiness settles inside me.

Grabbing my jacket and clutch, I head for my front door but stop dead in my tracks when I almost collide with Jensen.

"Hi," I squeak.

God, he looks amazing in his post-practice training gear, complete with gray sweatpants.

He slowly scans my body, from my black patent heels to my low-cut sweetheart neckline, and he finally meets my eyes. "Where are you going?"

"To an engagement party for my friends." Heat thrums through me from the possessive way he's staring.

"I was just heading over to restock your freezer." He tugs on the strap of his backpack, indicating the meals he's made are in there.

"Thank you. You can still do that; I just need to head out."

He doesn't move from the doorway. "Who's engagement party?"

"No one you know. Just some old college friends."

And Tom.

His eyes widen. "Old college, as in the same college Tom went to?"

"Yes." I prop a hand on my hip. "But it's just a party, and I'm not even sure he'll be there."

I'm ninety-nine percent sure he will be since he texted me about it.

"Come back inside." He points to my living space.

I check my watch. "I'm going to be late."

"I want to talk to you."

"Jensen, I'm going to be late. It's right across town, and I?—"

In an instant, my back is against my closed apartment door, and he's pressing against me, his mouth hovering over mine. The move was soft and gentle but so fast, and it has my knees going weak especially when his breath fans my lips.

"There's no way he gets to see you like this." He scans down my body once more. "Not looking this fucking stunning and not without me by your side."

I'm single, and no one has ever owned me, but right about now, Jensen Jones is the closest any man has ever come. And I hate that I like it.

"Did you get all dressed up for him?" he asks, pushing my long hair behind my ears.

"No, I got dressed up for me."

"Is that so?" His right hand slowly travels up the inside of my thigh, and I squeeze them together as I fight to control my reaction.

"I need to head out. My Uber will be here any second."

"Mmm-hmm…" His lips find my neck as he moves my hair to one side. "But the thing is, my babies are showing in that dress, and now I want you to have my cum, too. I want it dripping down your thighs when you walk into that party."

"Has anyone ever told you that you're a caveman?"

Placing one palm above my head, with his other hand, he slowly pulls down my panties until they hit the floor. His sweatpants and boxer briefs are the next to go.

"No. You. Only you. Only ever you."

Picking me up in his arms, I wrap my legs around his waist, my lacy thong dangling on the end of my heel.

I giggle. "My thong is still hanging from my foot."

Setting me on the kitchen counter and standing between my legs, he looks over his shoulder at my outstretched leg. Grabbing the thong, he tosses it across my apartment, and it hits one of my floor plants, now hanging off one of the leaves.

"Fucking plants," he part grumbles, part chuckles.

"Hey, that's Howard. He's one of my oldies."

Turning back to me, fire swarms his eyes. "Now, where was I? Oh yeah, that's right. Fucking you."

His mouth crashes against mine as one hand cups my face, his long fingers tangling in the hair at the nape of my neck.

Taking one of my hands in his, he wraps my palm around his hard length as we both pump him. "You feel how hard you make me, Princess? Are you already dripping for me?"

"What do you think?"

Pushing my dress over my hips, he swipes a hand through my pussy as he smirks. "I think when you sit down next to him at some fancy table tonight, all you'll be able to feel is me."

He enters me fast, and I gasp from the way he stretches me out so fully.

"So good. Your pussy is so good."

"You feel so big," I gasp.

Pumping into me, his black training top strains against his flexing abs and biceps. The sight from this angle is fucking glorious.

Jensen Jones is glorious.

"Come for me, Princess. Let go with me."

His slick hair falls over his darkened eyes as he fucks into me on my kitchen counter.

"I'm so close, JJ. I'm so fucking close."

"Yeah, you are, baby."

I crash over the edge, my hips losing control as I cry out so loud; I know everyone around us can hear the way this man has just owned every part of me.

Pulling me back into him so he's as far seated as possible, he holds me dead still as he brings my lower lip between his teeth. He shudders and jerks, and I know he's coming; I can feel his warm release as it shoots deep inside.

He pulls out and takes a step back, opening my legs wide as he drips from my pussy. A satisfied smile pulls at his lips. "You're mine—all fucking mine."

I want to argue, give him back talk, and be the brat I always am. But this time, I don't. Instead, I simply lean forward and kiss him.

"Thank you so much for coming tonight." Marrisa kisses me on the cheek.

"It was a beautiful evening." I wrap my arms around her. "I'm so sorry I can't make the wedding but, you know…"

"I know, I know, work."

Well, actually, no. I'll likely be in labor, but she doesn't need to know that.

Walking toward the hotel exit, I hear footsteps behind me and turn around to see Tom rushing to catch up to me.

"Were you going to say bye?" he says, looking hurt.

I've avoided him all night. I don't want to hurt him anymore, and I don't want to get into the conversation of my last text telling him I slept with someone else since we split.

"Sorry, I thought you were busy talking, but I'm exhausted anyway." Which isn't a lie.

"Yeah, pregnancy is tiring," he says, low enough so no one else can hear us.

My eyes flare as he stands there, his hands tucked in the pockets of his black dress pants. "I'm sorry?"

He steps closer. "A lot of people here haven't seen you in a long while, but I know your body like the back of my hand. How many weeks are you, and I assume it isn't mine?"

I prop a hand on my hip, trying to shrug off my shock. "Well, wouldn't it be really awkward for you if I told you I wasn't and I'd just had a few more cakes?"

"But you are. You're glowing. You look…" He sucks in a breath. "You look beautiful."

I drop my eyes to the ground. "I'm twelve weeks." Looking back at him, I cast a tentative glance around the lobby. "But I would ask you to keep this to yourself. It isn't common knowledge."

"Yeah, especially when the dad is Jensen Jones."

I balk. "H-how do you know this?"

"Oh, come on, Kate. I'm a lawyer. It didn't take my analytical brain long to put the pieces together. The way you looked at each other at the gala, the obsession in his eyes." He looks over my shoulder toward the main entrance and huffs out a laugh. "Why am I not surprised?"

I turn around to see Jensen stalking toward us. But he isn't looking at me; he's looking at Tom, murder in his eyes.

Oh. Shit.

Registering Jensen's glare, Tom raises his hands. "We're just talking here, man."

At first, I think Jensen's going to grab him by the throat, but then he stops right in front of him, his hands in fists by his side.

How the fuck did he know where I was?

"Just can't take a hint, won't you?" Jensen hisses.

Tom shakes his head and looks up at the ceiling. "What the hell is wrong with you?"

"I knew from the minute I found out she was coming here tonight that you would take any opportunity to make a move."

I put a hand on Jensen's arm and look around the lobby. Thankfully, nearly all the guests have left or are back in the party. "It's okay. He was just asking me about?—"

"I was asking her about the baby," Tom cuts me off.

Turning to look at me, Jensen thumbs at Tom. "You told him?"

"No, I guessed."

Jensen turns back to Tom. "That's our private business."

His hands are back in the air, and Tom shakes his head. "I've got no intention of saying anything. If you want to hide it from the world, that's your prerogative."

I swear to God, I see flames in Jensen's eyes. "Hide it?" he scoffs. "I'd marry this girl in a fucking heartbeat. She and these babies are everything I want. She's everything I want, and one day, when she's ready, she'll be my wife."

Taking my hand in his, he leads me away from Tom and toward the exit where his white Tesla is parked outside. The lights are still on, and the driver's door is swung open.

Opening the passenger door, I get in without argument, and he leans over to buckle me in.

"How did you know I was here? And why did you go off at him like that?"

Gripping the car door frame above his head tightly, he squeezes his eyes shut. "I'm here because I can't stay from you. I knew where you were because the hotel's name was on your wall calendar. And I went off at him because he accused me of hiding you." His hand flies out to tip my chin as he leans in and kisses my lips. "I want to yell about you to the whole world, Princess. You won't let me, so I'll wait. But like hell am I having another man, let alone your ex, tell me I'm anything but gone for you."