Chapter Thirty-Eight
ZARA
Despite my intentions to take things slowly with Cole, I am falling hard and fast for my charming, charismatic, and frankly fit as fuck baby daddy. Being with him feels so… right. Which is why I’ve slept in his bed every night for the past seven nights, swinging by my own apartment only to collect clean clothes, and hanging around long enough for my brothers and sisters-in-law to visit.
This evening, it’s Rian and Rebekka’s turn to check in on me. ‘How are you feeling?’ Rebekka asks, as Magda, my housekeeper, places a tray of steaming tea and an assortment of homemade cakes and cookies on the kitchen island between us.
‘Tired, but good.’ I flash her my most convincing smile, neglecting to mention that my fatigue has nothing to do with the child I’m growing in my stomach, and everything to do with his father keeping me up all night, every night, since he so randomly re-entered my life. We’re certainly making up for lost time. And the more time I spend with Cole Hartmann, the more time I crave with him.
My boyfriend is something else. By day, he’s the ruthless billionaire my brothers can’t stand the mere mention of.
By night, he’s the most affectionate, attentive man I’ve ever met.
While Cole is ridiculously busy micromanaging his new project and running the rest of his empire across the sea, he insists we dine together every evening, even if that sometimes isn’t until nine or ten o’clock, by which time I’ve usually consumed my body weight in peanut butter.
Rebekka reaches for the teapot, then hesitates, turning to Magda. ‘Is this decaffeinated tea?’
‘Yes, sorry. I got rid of all the regular tea because I kept getting the teabags mixed up.’ Magda shoots Rebekka an apologetic look.
She and Rian exchange tiny smiles. ‘No, it’s fine,’ she says breezily.
Magda leaves us to chat, busying herself cleaning elsewhere. If she’s noticed my bed hasn’t been slept in, she hasn’t mentioned it. Let’s hope Killian doesn’t find any reason to ask her though, because while all our staff sign airtight non-disclosure agreements, he has been known to be persuasive when it comes to gathering information.
My phone vibrates on the island. The Yank flashes up on my screen. Incoming call. Shit. I snatch it up guiltily and cancel the call.
Rian’s eyebrows furrow. ‘Who’s the Yank?’
I suppose it could have been worse—I could have saved his actual name, or baby daddy.
‘He’s someone I’m consulting for.’ It’s not entirely a lie.
Oh, god. I’m going to have to come clean.
I hate sneaking around.
The phone buzzes again, and I cancel the call instantly.
‘Persistent, isn’t he?’ Rian’s forehead creases into a frown.
‘Oh, you have no idea.’
‘So, when is your big scan?’ Rebekka thankfully changes the subject, then reaches for the teapot. Rian beats her to it, pouring tea into her cup, then into mine, gazing at his fiancée with sheer adoration.
‘Next week.’ I accept the cup Rian places in my hands.
‘Will you find out the sex?’ he asks.
‘Yes, though I’m pretty sure I know already.’ I blow on my tea. ‘I’m convinced it’s a boy.’
‘Are you sure you’re okay with doing this alone?’ Rian’s big brown eyes bore into mine, sympathy flickering in his irises.
A fresh wave of guilt stabs my stomach. I have to tell him—tell all of them—but I’m nowhere near ready. I’m enjoying the little bubble Cole and I have created too much to have someone burst it yet, because when it does burst, it’ll burst with one hell of a bang. ‘I’m not doing it alone,’ I force my brightest smile.
‘Of course you’re not.’ Rebekka pats my hand. ‘You have all of us.’
Yep—for now. Until they find out the truth.
‘Did you guys set a date for the wedding yet?’ I glance at the diamond glittering on Rebekka’s left hand.
