Total pages in book: 95
Estimated words: 88115 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 441(@200wpm)___ 352(@250wpm)___ 294(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 88115 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 441(@200wpm)___ 352(@250wpm)___ 294(@300wpm)
Sure enough, it was James, his arms full of groceries for the coming week.
At first, he had been intent on ordering food from the local shop and having it delivered, but after the first two weeks he finally listened when I told him he needed time to himself and went to get them on his own. Now, going into our fourth week, I think he enjoyed the time not spent doting on me.
Not that I thought he resented me at all. In fact, he never once made me feel guilty for how much he took care of me. He never once complained or said anything negative. He really was a saint, in so many ways.
“I’ve got surprise for you,” he said, setting down his groceries and fishing something out of one of the bags.
“Oh, is it gummi worms?” I asked, clapping my hands. Sugar was a restricted part of my diet and I could only have it every now and then, so James placed out my treats strategically.
“Even better.”
He sat on the edge of the couch and handed me a folded stack of papers. Taking it cautiously, I started to read it over.
“This is a cease and desist order.”
“Yeah,” he said, smiling at me like I should know why this was important.
“Why would someone send me a cease and desist order?”
“It’s not for you. Read more of it.”
I looked back down and kept on. Slowly, I realized who exactly this was for and why he was grinning like a maniac.
“This is against Chelsea, Jason’s ex.”
“That it is,” he said, still grinning. “And look about seven pages in.”
I did, shuffling through the stack, until I found what looked like even more legal paperwork. “These are harassment charges, and trespassing. And even slander.” I said, somewhat incredulously. “We’re taking her to court?”
“Most likely not. The lawyer said these are mostly to scare her. But if she pushes it, I’m more than happy to ruin her life.”
“But I didn’t press these, so I don’t understand how these are here.”
“You didn’t have to. My child is being affected by this so I was able to file them myself, and my lawyer is leveraging all the time I’ve lost with my company by being here. I think it’s safe to say that Miss Chelsea Altrieth is no longer going to be an issue. And if she is, I’ll have her in court and then in jail before she can whip up a single poster.”
I couldn’t believe it. I threw the papers into the air, letting them fall down around me like I was making it rain, and laughed. And laughed. And laughed. And laughed.
James hugged me, being his exceptionally careful self as usual of course, and we both shared the moment together. It was nice to have something so joyous after the tense ride we’d had lately, and I felt myself getting caught up in the emotion.
After a few moments, when he tried to pull away, I took a chance and crashed our lips against each other.
Yes.
This was exactly what I needed, and I felt my whole-body heat. James pressed into me, his hands resting gently on my belly, a low groan issuing from him.
The tension ramped up as our bodies started responding to each other, and I leaned against him, willing for him to swallow me up and give me everything that I was craving. But he pulled away at the last moment, standing up so quickly that I nearly faceplanted into the couch.
“Sorry,” he said, giving me a weak smile before crossing to the kitchen to get a glass of water.
“Aw come on,” I whined, laying across the couch. “A little bit of fun is good for the baby!”
“Maybe under normal circumstances,” he said calmly despite the flush to his cheeks. “But the doctor said no strenuous activities”
“It’s alight. I’ll be gentle, I promise.” I said, batting my eyes at him.
“But I wouldn’t,” he said, his smirk only growing.
Oh, something about the way he said it made goosebumps rise all over my skin and my heart skip a beat. Damn, he was so sexy! And he wasn’t even trying.
“Look, if you want to, and I want to, why resist?”
“Because, as beautiful as you are, I value your health, and the health of our baby more than getting my rocks off.”
I sighed and finally sat up. “Fine. I guess one of us has to be responsible.”
“That we do. And since you’re busy healing, it makes sense for it to be me.”
“I guess.” I pouted. But in reality, I was so thankful to have someone like him looking out for me. It wasn’t something I could say happened often. “Well, I think I’m going to take a nap. After that, do you think you’re fine with me cooking dinner, or do I need to be carried on a litter for that too?”