She’d stared at it for nearly ten minutes, numb and shaking, before she started to cry.For the first time in years, the future didn’t look like an empty road leading nowhere.It looked like something alive.
Now, as the sun sank outside the window and the rumble of bikes grew louder in the distance, Mara’s heart kicked into overdrive.She smoothed her hair, wiped her hands on a towel, and brought all the food back to their room.
Mara checked the table again.Nothing missing.Dinner was ready.The room smelled like butter and spice.The sound of the front door opening made her jump.
Familiar footsteps then Viper filled the doorway.His presence always filled a room, even when he said nothing.For a second, all he did was look at her.
He looked over the candlelit table, the food, then back to her.Slowly, he curved his mouth into something between a smirk and a real smile.
“What’s all this?”he asked.“We celebrating something?”
Mara’s heart thudded so hard she almost lost her nerve.She forced a small smile, stepping closer.“Maybe.”
He arched a brow.“You make my favorite dinner for no reason?Can’t be that I’m just lucky.”
“Maybe you are,” she teased back.
Viper chuckled, dropped his gloves on the counter, and came up behind her, wrapping an arm around her waist.The scent of oil, smoke, and leather wrapped around her with him.
“You sure you’re not hiding something from me, baby?”Viper asked her.
Her stomach flipped.
“Actually...”She turned in his arms, meeting his gaze.“I am.”
That caught his attention.Viper searched her face.“You in trouble again?”
She almost laughed.“No.Not that kind of trouble.”
“Then what kind?”Viper asked.
Her throat felt dry.“The kind that’s permanent.”
Viper blinked.He tilted his head slightly, that dangerous curiosity surfacing.“Mara.”
Her heart hammered.“I’m pregnant,” she finally admitted.
For a long moment, he didn’t react.Viper just stared at her like the words hadn’t sunk in yet.
Then, slowly, his expression shifted from surprise and disbelief to something else.Viper cupped her cheek, brushing his thumb brushing her skin.
“You’re serious?”he asked, voice husky.
She nodded.“I took three tests this morning,” Mara explained.
A slow grin broke across his face.The look was rare and unguarded, the kind that made her chest ache.
“Holy shit,” Viper said.
Her eyes filled before she could stop them.“You’re not mad?”Mara had to ask.
“Mad?”He gave a low laugh, pulling her tight against him.“Baby, this is the best damn thing I’ve heard in my life.”
She let out a shaky breath, pressing her face against his chest.“I didn’t know how you’d feel.I thought maybe—”
“That I’d walk out?”He tilted her chin up.“That ain’t happening.I might’ve never seen myself as a father, but I’m damn well going to try to be the kind of man this kid deserves.”
Her lip trembled.“You already are.”
