PROLOGUE
ROMAN
Four Years Ago
“Are you sure you don’t want to go?” my wife, Chloe, asked as she stopped beside me while I poured my morning coffee.
I took a sip and set the cup down as I turned to face her. “I would love to go and get a peek at this little monster one last time,” I said as I placed my hand on her swollen stomach. “But I have that meeting this morning.”
“Reschedule,” she begged, sticking her lower lip out in a pout.
I chuckled at how adorable she was. “I wish I could, but if I want this business to succeed, I have to do these things. I won’t ever get anywhere by canceling important meetings.”
She rolled her green eyes as she wrapped her arms around my neck.
“Damn your work ethic,” she said with a smile as she went up on her tiptoes. Ever so slowly, she moved her mouth to mine.
I wrapped my arms around her as I held her against me, lost in our kiss. The longer I held her, the more excited I became. My cock throbbed, and she pulled away with a soft laugh.
“Seriously?”
I grinned, not in the least bit ashamed.
“What? I’m attracted to my wife. She’s beautiful. Sweet. Perfect. And she’s having my baby.” I touched her stomach at the perfect time.
The baby kicked.
“Mm, you’re pretty sweet too,” Chloe said, rubbing her stomach as if to soothe the baby. “But you’re such a smooth talker.”
I chuckled. “I do what I can, babe.”
She laughed and playfully smacked my arm.
I shrugged, smiling back at her. Chloe was my world. Everything about her drew me in, right down to her sweet voice and compassionate personality. She was really perfect.
“Just saying.” I picked up my coffee and took another sip. I needed the energy. Today was going to be a long day. I had to ace this meeting. My whole world rested on getting things sorted. Providing for my family always came first. Now, with our baby on the way, I was doubling down on everything. I wanted to be the best husband and dad. That meant making this meeting.
My company, Blackframe Systems, was really beginning to take off.
“I gotta get on the road before I’m late for my appointment.” She leaned in and kissed me once more.
As she pulled away, I caught her wrist in my hand, keeping her from rushing off.
“Do you want me to send you pictures of the sonogram?” she asked.
“No. I’ll look at them tonight after dinner when we add them to the baby book,” I told her, excited for the little tradition we’d started. “I want to see them with you.”
She grinned. “Whose turn is it for dinner?”
I rolled my eyes, knowing it was my turn to plan dinner for us. “I’ll grab us something on my way home this evening.”
“OK, but nothing spicy this time,” she warned, kissing me once more.
When I released her wrist, she broke our kiss and dashed out of arm’s length, knowing I’d try pulling her back in. She giggled and grabbed her bag from the corner of the island.
“See you tonight. Love you,” she called out.
“Love you,” I replied as I watched her head for the door. “Drive safe! It’s supposed to storm later.”
