“And the job. You had a hand in that, too?” She blows out her breath, and I shake my head.
“I wanted you to have a safe job that paid you enough to live on.” I take her hand and kiss the back of it. When she doesn’t pull away, my heart beats a little easier. “I love you more than anything in the world. I did all this to make sure you were safe.”
“But you did it without telling me.” As her bottom lip trembles, I lean over and kiss it.
I hold my hand over my heart and swear, “I’ll never do anything without telling you again. From now on, I’ll tell you everything I’m going to do.”
Kat blinks and bites her bottom lip. “I’m still upset and hormonal.”
It’s my turn to blink. “Hormonal. Those fuckers didn’t lie about the baby?”
She shakes her head and lays it on my shoulder. “I guess someone followed me to the drugstore yesterday when I bought a test.” She looks up and swallows. “I planned to tell you tonight.”
Shock holds me immobile. Those fuckers. Holy shit. We’re having a baby. Happiness overrides my rage at the reporter. I’ll deal with the son-of-a-bitch later. I pull my girl close and swing her around. “You know what this means?”
She laughs and looks into my face. “You’re going to be even more insane?”
“Now, I’m really Daddy.” Dropping to my knees in front of Kat, I wrap my arms around her thighs and press my face against her flat stomach. “I already love you so much.” I look up into my girl’s eyes and see tears flowing down her cheeks. “I love you, too. Thank you for making me so happy.” She runs her soft fingers through my hair, and I sigh.
“I love you, too,” she winks at me and adds, “Daddy.” Always pressing her luck. This girl keeps me on my toes. It’s one reason I can’t resist her.
Chapter 11
Kat
Throughout our relationship, a little voice in the back of my mind kept whispering that all the wonderful opportunities dropping into my lap were too good to be true. I dismissed the warning and jumped in with both feet. Falling in love with Hudson was a dream come true. Discovering I was carrying his child was the happiest moment in my life until everything came to a crashing halt. Reading the awful article broke my heart. Believing he’d played me for a fool was devastating, but I secretly hoped he would have an explanation.
As he kneels in front of me talking to our child, I run my hand through his thick dark hair. After assuring him I love him and teasing him a little, I sigh. “You have to discuss things with me. I don’t want to be blindsided again.”
Hudson stands and wraps his arms around me. “I’m going to take care of you and our little one. No matter what it takes.” I open my mouth to object, and he places his finger over my lips. “But I will discuss my plans with you from now on.” He lays his forehead against mine and smiles. “We’re a team.”
He grabs my hand and pulls me to the door. As we walk down the stairs, he looks over his shoulder and smirks. “Since I’m paying for both places, you have no excuse not to move in with me now.”
“Oh, hell to the no fucking way,” my brother roars from the bottom of the stairs. “You knock up my little sister and your old ass better marry her, or a news story will be the least of your worries.”
Hudson pulls me to a stop and sighs. “Don’t worry. I’ll take care of your sister.”
“I didn’t ask you to take care of her. I said you need to make an honest woman out of her,” Kevin insists, and I try to step in but Hudson tugs me back behind him.
“Kevin, let me handle everything.” Hudson and Kevin stare at each other for a few moments, and something passes between the two men. I glance over at Darla as she stands in the living room doorway, and she shrugs. She has no idea what’s going on between the men either.
After we escape my brother’s home, Hudson drags me next door to his house. His parents’ SUV is parked in the driveway, and he swears the entire way up the sidewalk. “Fuck. We’re never going to get alone time ever again.”
We walk into the foyer and find Mrs. Russo cooking while Mr. Russo flips through television channels. “Hey, son. I decided to make dinner for you guys.” Hudson’s mom smiles as she stirs something on the stove. “It’ll be ready in about fifteen minutes.”
“Dad, what are you guys doing here?” Hudson ignores his mom and growls.
“Your mom thought you might fuck this up. She’s here to save you.” His dad shrugs and sips from his bottle. “I’m here to check out all your channels. I never realized televisions came in eighty-four inches before.” Mr. Russo points his beer at the huge TV hanging on the wall and mouths, “It’s big.”
“Fuck. There isn’t going to be a better time than this. Stay right here.” Hudson storms away, and I realize life with this family is always going to seem like an episode of the twilight zone.
He returns and drops to his knees in front of me. My shocked gasp fills the room as Hudson pushes a stunning diamond ring onto my finger. “I love you. Please tell me you’ll marry me and make me the happiest man on earth.”
“Thank God. I thought he’d pull the ‘my baby in your belly is your answer’ like your dumbass did,” Mrs. Russo yells to her husband
After Hudson drops his head against my belly, I see his shoulders shaking. He looks up and there are tears running down his cheeks. “Please don’t let the nuts run you off. I’d hate to have to kidnap you.”
“Dammit. The apple doesn’t fall too far from the tree,” Mrs. Russo grumbles and smacks her son’s head. She leans down and hisses in his ear, “Stop while you’re ahead.” Then she smiles and winks at me before calling to her husband, “Let’s go. Their dinner is ready, and your son has things under control.” She glares at Hudson for a second and follows Mr. Russo out the door.
The next two weeks pass in a flurry of activity. We decide on a small intimate wedding at the Russo compound. Mr. and Mrs. Russo insist I call them Mom and Dad, but I’m having a hard time adjusting to the change. The day before our wedding, Hudson’s politician friend, Thad, from Washington DC flies in for our wedding. Seeing Thad and Hudson interact drives home the difference in the men, and one last worry of mine is laid to rest. There’s no way Hudson will ever miss his life in politics. He doesn’t have the right temperament for the job.
“If we don’t get down there, my brother is going to have a heart attack.” Bianca walks in and smiles. “You look beautiful.”
“So do you. I love your outfit.” She’s stunning in her navy-blue dress and tan high heels, with her auburn hair pulled up in a twist at the back of her head.
As she sniffles and hugs me, tears begin to form in my eyes. “Don’t make the hormonal woman cry before the wedding.”
Bianca steps back and takes my hand. “Let’s go before my mom comes looking for us.”
Hudson is standing at the bottom of the stairs. His eyes darken as he watches me approach. “God, I love you. I’m the luckiest man alive,” he whispers in my ear and takes my hand. “Now, let’s go tie you to me for life.”