Read Rage Online Free by Kat Mizera

Due to the nondisclosure agreement we all signed, I can’t talk about the details of my work, but he knows I’m a security expert for a bodyguard and security company.

“Today was quiet,” I say, and it’s true. “I actually spent part of the day hanging out with Courtney. She’s having her baby any day now.”

He nods. “It seems to be a very family-oriented company.”

“It is.” And here’s my opening. “That’s actually something I wanted to talk to you about,” I say carefully.

He cocks his head and pushes his glasses up on his nose. “What do you mean?”

“I know it’s soon, but the truth is, I’m getting older.” I toy with my wine glass because I need to do something with my hands. “I guess I need to know if this relationship is going anywhere. If you’re looking to move in together, settle down, maybe buy a house.”

His brows knit together ever so slightly and he cocks his head. “It might be a little soon for that, but yes, if things continue to go well, that’s the direction I’d like to go. I’m not getting any younger myself.”

“And that’s the other thing.” I hesitate because it’s hard for a woman like me to be vulnerable. “I need to know your thoughts about…children.”

His brows lift. Just a little. Like he’s trying to hide his surprise. “Are you asking if I want…children?”

I nod, watching his face.

“I see.” His expression is more thoughtful than anything else but it takes him a long time to formulate a response. “I’m forty-seven,” he reiterates finally. “Even if you got pregnant today, I’d be forty-eight before the baby came, and you said children, plural. So, I’d be fifty for the birth of a second child. Honestly, I don’t know if I’m prepared for that.”

My heart sinks.

Shit.

I really thought shy, nerdy Roger was the one who would be willing to take this leap of faith with me. He’s been open about the fact that not a lot of women are willing to give a middle-class guy who’s balding and severely near-sighted—not to mention heading right smack into middle age—a chance. Just like a hunk-and-a-half like Rage would never have any interest in dating a curvy computer nerd like me.

It’s a shame too, because as far as I’m concerned, Rage is the perfect guy. Tall, strong, and handsome, with a gentleness that belies his large physique. And that smile. It gets me every time. Too bad he would never think about me as anything more than a friend.

I really need to stop thinking about him.

“So, is that a no?”

“Is that a dealbreaker for you?” he asks as the waiter brings our dinner.

I wait until the waiter has refilled our wine glasses and we’re alone again.

“To answer your question,” I say quietly, “yes. It is a dealbreaker. I want a baby. Sooner rather than later. In fact, I was going to ask you if you were willing to start trying. But I guess not.”