Fake Empire(89)

I don’t move and he doesn’t reach for me.

We usually have sex before bed. Technically we already have. Right now, I’m craving his closeness more than his cock.

Before I can think it through, I roll over. His eyes hold mine as our bodies brush. One warm palm finds the small of my back and pulls me closer. I snuggle against him, tucking my head beneath his chin and tangling our legs together.

“Are you okay?”

“I was nervous to tell you,” I admit. “It feels big.”

“It is big.”

I hesitate before I keep talking. “My parents didn’t choose not to have more kids. When I was born… I don’t know the details, but my mom couldn’t have any more. What if that happens to us?”

“Then we’ll have one kid.”

He makes it sound simple. “My father still resents her for it. Not giving him a son.”

“You think I’d care about that?”

“My parents chose to get married. It wasn’t an arrangement. The way they went from that to who they are now…that’s not what I want, Crew. I know it took more than just not being able to have more kids. But that was part of it, and I—I’m scared. I like who we are now. I don’t want it to change.”

“If it does, it will change for the better. I promise.”

“You can’t promise that.”

“I just did.”

I close my eyes, but I can’t fall asleep.

“What else is bothering you?”

Again, I hesitate. “I talked to Hannah Garner tonight.”

“Oh?” A lot simmers beneath the single syllable. I’m not sure if it’s in regard to her, or that I’m bringing it up. Or because he knows we must have talked about him. But there’s no panic or guilt.

“She told me some things. Some lies, I think.”

“Like what?”

“Like that you had sex with her two weeks ago, in the bathroom of Proof.”

“She was there the night I got a drink with Asher.”

“Okay.”

“I didn’t talk to her. And I definitely didn’t have sex with her.”

“Okay,” I repeat.

“You believe me?”

“Yes. I told her I didn’t believe her and walked away. I trust you. I’m trusting you. Just…don’t make me a fool, okay?”

Crew tightens his grip, so there’s no space between our bodies at all. “I hope our kid is just like you,” he whispers.

“I hope it has your eyes,” I murmur back.

“We’ll figure all of it out,” he promises.

We. I’ve never been part of a we. It just became my new favorite word in the English language. I’m in love with the sound.

And the man saying it.





CHAPTER EIGHTEEN





CREW





The conference door opens mid-meeting. To my surprise, my secretary’s head is the one that peeks through. “Mr. Ellsworth—”

I hold up a hand. “Not now, Celeste. I told you no disturbances.”

“But—”

“Take a message.”

“I real—”

I look up from the presentation for the first time, thoroughly annoyed. “There better be a financial crash or a family death.”

“Well, no. But your wife—”

I stand up, almost knocking the chair over. “What about Scarlett?”

“She’s here. She fainted in the hallway—”

I’m out the door before she’s finished the sentence. “Where is she?” I bark, striding down the hallway so quickly Celeste almost trips trying to keep up.

“In your office.”

The cold fist of fear around my heart loosens a bit when I enter my office to find Scarlett is sitting on my leather couch, looking completely alert and aware.

I shut the door behind me.

She glances up at me and sighs. “I told Celeste not to bother you.”

“What happened?” I ask as I kneel beside her.

“I’m fine,” Scarlett says. She’s holding a bottle of water and playing with the paper label. She tugs at the edge until it rips.

“That didn’t answer my question.”

Another sigh. “I got a little dizzy in the hallway. I felt nauseous this morning. Didn’t have any breakfast.”

“Scarlett.”

“I know, I know. I’m fine, though.” She takes a drink of water. “I just needed a minute.”

I stand and walk over to my desk to dial Celeste’s number. She answers on the first ring. “Crew Kensington’s office.”

“I need you to let Isabel know I’ll miss the rest of the presentation. Have them extend my apologies to Patrick. And push my meetings for the rest of the day.”

“Yes, sir.”

“And, Celeste?”

“Yes?”

“Thank you. I’m sorry I was short before.”

“No problem. You’re welcome, Mr. Kensington.”

I hang up.

“I’m fine, Sport.” Scarlett rises from the couch. “You’re overreacting. Go back to work.” She grabs her bag. “I’ll get something to eat, okay?”