Total pages in book: 30
Estimated words: 28323 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 142(@200wpm)___ 113(@250wpm)___ 94(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 28323 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 142(@200wpm)___ 113(@250wpm)___ 94(@300wpm)
“Come,” I mutter, closing the email on my screen. Fucking emails. Technology has made my life harder, not easier, and I look forward to the day of going back to a simple flip phone.
But when the door edges open, I see that it’s not the rotund figure of my housekeeper, but rather the beautiful woman whom I got pregnant. Nova’s literally glowing, with her blonde hair in radiant waves down her back, and a healthy sheen to her skin. Her blue eyes are the color of cornflowers, and oh god, but her figure. She’s curvy all over, with her stomach the sexiest bulge beneath a flowery maternity shirt.
“Nova,” I say immediately, standing up. “I didn’t expect to see you.”
“No, it’s fine, Daddy,” she murmurs while taking a seat before my desk. “Sit.”
I do as she commands, weak-kneed and powerless to disobey.
“Can I ask what I owe the pleasure of this visit to?”
She takes a deep breath before meeting my eyes square.
“I want to talk,” she finally says. “About us. About the baby. About everything.”
I nod, my expression neutral. I know I look like a powerful man in charge, but actually, the opposite is true. This gorgeous young woman has me wrapped around her little finger, and the truth is that I like it. I don’t mind doing everything and anything to make her happy. This is the way things were meant to be.
Damn, you’re a goner, the voice in my head whispers. Fucking pussy whipped.
But the truth is that it’s more than a pussy whipping. Yes, Nova’s juicy, sweet, innocent, womanly, and a witch all at once. But it’s also that I adore this beautiful blonde, and I want to give her the world. Maybe she won’t take the world from me, but I’m here for whatever parts she wants, no questions asked.
Yet I hang in suspense, trying to keep my nerves at bay.
“I’m happy to discuss any or all of it,” I say in a deep tone. “I’m at your convenience.”
Nova nods, her eyes darting away for a moment. But then she looks back at me, her expression fierce.
“You shouldn’t have done that.”
“I know,” I reply immediately. “Not any of it. I fucked up.”
“You did,” she says. “The birth control, comparing me to my mom in bed, everything. Especially barging in when I was on dates with other men. That really took the cake.”
“It did,” I say in a low tone. “Although I’m not going to lie, sweetheart. I’m not apologetic about that one because those boys were just boys. You know it, and I know it.”
Nova nods, slowly, her gaze never dropping from mine.
“Still, you shouldn’t have done it.”
“No, of course not. But now you know why. It wasn’t because I’m totally crazy. It’s because you weren’t actually on birth control, and I couldn’t stand the thought of another man putting his baby in your belly. That’s my baby,” I say in a fierce tone while glancing at her protruding stomach. “You and the child belong here. With me. Under my protection.”
Nova nods slowly.
“I know, Hunter,” she says. “And we need you too. I can’t raise this child by myself.”
“The child won’t lack for anything,” I state immediately. “I’ve already set up a trust for his or her future education, and I’ll set up one for you too, if you want. You will never lack for anything, Nova. You are the mother of my child, and I’ll always be indebted to you.”
She nods again, her expression still guarded.
“And do you promise to communicate with me next time? To trust me, and to tell me what you’re thinking about doing before you do it? To be honest, Hunter, you acted like a crazed man! What the hell were you thinking?”
“That’s the problem,” I growl immediately as hope rises in my chest. Will the brat give me another chance, even after my grievous behavior? Is she extending an olive branch to me? I fervently pray for relief, and swear to walk a straight path going forwards.
“I love you, Nova,” I state, my blue eyes fierce as I meet hers. “It’s not the love of a father, although there are elements of that sentiment, which is why this situation has been so fucked-up. But I love you as a man loves a woman. As he loves his life partner. The way a man protects the woman who means his whole heart, and who deserves to be loved and cherished. I know that now, but I was battling with my feelings for a long time because I was once married to your mom. I loved Betsy, and felt that I wasn’t just betraying you, but I was betraying her too.”
Nova nods, chewing at her lower lip.
“And what do you think now?”
I sigh heavily, looking out the window for a moment. But then I turn back to the young woman, my expression serious.