Stay(75)

My eyes close, and fifty tears hit my cheeks. I can’t stop them. “Stephen…”

He cups my face in both hands. “Do you still hate me?”

My head moves slowly side to side. “You make it impossible for me to hate you. You always have.”

His full lips part, curling into a sexy grin, and the helplessness is gone. In its place is that confidence, that bossy shine in his eyes. “Impossible?”

Even in tears, I can’t resist. “Maybe I spoke too soon…”

Strong arms circle me, pinning me against his chest. “You love me. Say it.”

Our noses touch, and his lips are so close, I could stretch up and kiss him. “Why should I?”

“Because you do.”

“So cocky, Mr. Hastings.”

Leaning down, he kisses me gently, touching my lips with his tongue, lighting my insides with his touch. “I came here to get you. I want you in my life. I need you. Let me take care of you and Eli always. Come home with me today.”

“I just accepted a position at Elite…”

“Give them your resignation.”

“Eli really likes being with his cousins.”

“We’ll fly him out as much as he wants.”

Scrunching my nose, I slide my hands around his waist. “Are you proposing to me again?”

“No.”

Confused, I try to pull my hands away, but his arms lock down on them, pinning me in place. “I never filed the annulment papers, Mrs. Hastings.”

“Stephen!” My shoulders drop, but I stop trying to get away.

“I also did this.” Reaching into his pocket, he pulls out a long envelope and hands it to me.

Stepping back, I carefully take out the thick stack of folded papers. They’re covered in a blue sheet, and at the top it’s stamped as official government documents. Scanning quickly, I’m not quite sure what it means.

“Are these…?”

“Revised custody papers. My lawyers convinced Burt it was in his best interest to sign. He can’t threaten you or use your son against you any more.”

Pressing them against my chest, I look up at him through watery eyes. “You did this for me?”

“I want to do everything for you.” He reaches into his coat pocket and holds out the two rings. “Say you’ll let me.”

My lips poke out, and I frown. “I don’t want you to do everything for me…”

“Most things, then.” Catching my hand, he slides the rings back on the third finger of my left hand. “Just stay. Stay with me always. Say you’ll stay.”

Reaching up, I place my palm on his cheek. He lowers his chin to kiss it. “I do love you, Stephen Hastings. I’ll stay.” His eyes close, and he laughs, resting his forehead against mine.

I’m grinning as well, when I add, “We need to check on something.”



* * *



“Who do you think was the first person to say ‘in the family way’?” I’m lying on my back, basking in post-orgasmic bliss.

Stephen is between my thighs, both arms wrapped around my waist, kissing my bare stomach. “Some old prude who would never eat your sweet pussy.”

I squeeze him with my knees, laughing as I thread my fingers in his wavy hair. “Good thing you don’t say it.”

Warm lips touch my skin. “How’s my little girl behaving in there?”

“It’s too soon to know.” Leaning my head down, warmth floods my chest seeing him so happy.

When I brought him upstairs, I wasn’t sure what the pregnancy test would say. My throat was tight but I took his hand, carefully leading him to the counter where the white stick lay with the pink cap firmly in place. It was an answer we’d get together.

“Is that…”

His voice trailed off, and I nodded, looking up to see so much hope in his blue eyes. Contagious hope pushed so strongly against my chest, I was almost afraid to look, afraid it might say no, we weren’t pregnant.

I guess we could always try again…

I had barely lifted the stick, barely read the little blue yes when his lips were on mine. We were laughing and struggling to get our arms around each other, a tangle of limbs until he caught my cheeks and kissed me so many times. Our lips chased each other’s as we laughed, tears streaming down my cheeks.

He lifted me off my feet and carried me to the bed, but he didn’t make it above my waist, not that I’m complaining.

Now I can’t resist teasing him. “For someone so set in his ways, I’m surprised you want another girl in the house.”

He runs his nose along my navel, kissing my skin again. “She’d better have big blue eyes and long blonde hair just like her pretty mamma.”

“Her pretty mamma wishes you’d make your way a little higher and kiss me.”

Sexy blue eyes cut up to mine, and that naughty grin appears. The sight of it curls my toes, and heat zips through my core. I’m ready to welcome all of him when noises downstairs freeze us.

“I don’t recognize the car.” Ethan’s voice is in the hall, and I pull my shirt down fast.

Stephen hops up on his knees. “Is Eli here?”

He’s so excited to see my son, I pretty much fall head over heels in love with him all over again. “He should be.”