“I changed your doctor,” he says it in such a deadpan way that I literally choke on disbelief. I guess
that’s why I haven’t received any follow up appointments yet. Although to be fair I already knew this
was coming because of his call straight after our appointment.
“Why?” I pretend to sound stern. I’m really not though.
He narrows his eyes at me and sighs, rolling off me onto his back, staring at the ceiling, looking guilty
as hell, arms bent at the elbow, crossed over at his forehead.
“Because I’m still a jealous dickhead. I got you a woman instead.” He throws an arm over his face and
looks a bit remorseful, in a sexy ‘bossy little shit’ kind of way.
I know I should be angry at him. I know I should be throwing all sorts of stroppy tantrums but right now I
just want to kiss him, so I start to giggle. Giggling turns into laughter at the realization that I’m stuck
with this man child who can be so suave and confident one minute, then this insecure impulsive little
boy the next.
“I didn’t think you would find it funny. I was so sure you’d be pissed so I was hoping to just spring her
on you.” I nudge him in the ribs. If he wanted to do that then he shouldn’t have openly called for a list of
female GYN’s in front of me.
“She better not be prettier than me!” I laugh at the absurdity of the two of us, and he relaxes then
laughs too.
“Fuck, no baby. No woman will ever take your beauty queen crown … Are we always going to be like
this?” He turns on his side and leans on his elbow, propping himself over me, his free hand coming to
cup my abdomen possessively, splaying his palm out flat, covering our baby.
“Probably. I mean maybe we won’t be as bad the longer we’re together, but I don’t think I’m capable of
not being a little bit jealous about other women lusting over you.” I smile hopelessly as he leans in and
kisses me softly.
“And I’ll never want to stop beating the shit out any man who dares to touch you, baby.” He smirks at
me and I sigh.
“We’re perfect for each other,” I giggle as his hand trails my face, tracing my features slowly.
“I’ve been telling you that since the day you met me.” He winks and leans down for another passion
fueling kiss. His mouth molding so deliciously to mine, tongue teasing me into complete submission.
“Want to spend the day in bed letting me show you all the ways in which we’re perfect for one
another?” He smirks wickedly, and my body heats up almost instantly. He should know by now that
lately I never turn that down.
“So long as I’m not late for meeting Leila tonight. We have a couple of friends to sort out.” I giggle as
that adoring hand moves from my abdomen to my inner thighs, sliding slowly up under my robe,
arching as he connects with me divinely.
“You look sexy as hell. I’m not sure about leaving you in that bar for an hour. This was dumb.” He rakes
a hand through my hair, catching it in his fist and giving it a little pull to bring my mouth to him for a
gentle kiss.
“Leila will smell a rat if you’re all there when we walk in. I want her to loosen up a little so give us time
to talk before you two come crashing in.” I’m trying to be patient with him tonight, his jealous and
protective side is wanting to dominate but his loving side is trying to give me a little space.
He is visually struggling with himself.
“Then you should’ve let me arrange a quiet club. Less people, less chance of someone knocking into
you and—”
“Stop.” I lean up and kiss him. Jake’s heart is thudding, and the way he keeps rubbing his hands on his
jeans tells me he’s on the verge of a panic attack. He’s turned into a complete contradiction of who he
normally is over this, like our proposal night all over again, and it melts me. He’s been sweating rivers
since we arranged this little Operation, at the thought of me being be out in the big old world without his
constant protection and I giggle at the thought.
“I’ll be fine, we’re going to get a corner seat, ply her with cocktails, and just talk. It’s a weekday, the
place will be quiet, no real party animals on a Tuesday night, Jake. Just people meeting for drinks.” I’m
trying to soothe away the face that has come over him, furrowed brow, infamous Carrero glare and
touch of childish pouting. My heart softens to goo.
“An hour though? I’ll go out of my mind. Maybe if Mathews sat …” He’s close to pacing again, like he
was before, a frantic wild-eyed look draining over his face.
“No. Stop. Seriously.” I take both of his hands and pull them to my waist, he follows obediently.
“Trust me to take care of myself. I was doing it long before I had you. You on the other hand … I’m not
sure you can be trusted out with Daniel Hunter, there’s a lot of things you two could get up to in an
hour.” I point out and his face crumbles.
“You know I never would again, Emma … You know...” Again, with the panic-stricken expression. I
silence him with a kiss.
“Trust,” I say slowly and deliberately with two raised eyebrows and he sags with defeat. That green-
eyed glare is turbulent, but he’s resigned to the fact that this is happening. Realizing that trust is a two-
way thing and he wants me to trust him more than anything in the world.
“Keep your cell out. We’re going to a bar that’s close, really close so if you need me sooner, I’ll be
there.” He raises an eyebrow at me in finality.
I sigh at him then kiss his cheek indulgently before moving off to finish getting ready. He sighs heavily
as he goes to the wardrobe to fish out his usual black shirt and jeans for a night out. I know this isn’t
easy for him, the thought of not being there to look after me, but he needs to let this go. He trusts Nora
and Mathews to take care of me here in the city, and he trusts Sylvana and her staff to tend my every
need when in the Hamptons, so now he needs to trust that I can take care of myself when out with my
girls … when out anywhere in general really. He needs to learn this, or my life is going to be almost
impossible with him in the future.
“Don’t come until I text you. That’s the deal. If Leila is still too hostile, then it won’t go well, so let us talk
her round first. Promise me, Jake.” I turn toward him with my most efficient PA Emma tone, the one that
used to get him to behave. He tenses his jaw as he stares into his wardrobe mulling over his response.
“You have an hour, max, if no text after an hour, then we’re coming.” He grits his teeth and I find myself
eye rolling. I’m not in the mood to keep this going. I’ll have to play it by ear and hope I can deter the
force that is Carrero from turning into a cyclone in that bar if he tries to enter before I need him.
“Stop glaring at your clothes and come over here and help me with my necklace.” I smile at him, a tad
happier as I catch that naughty look wash over his face. I’m in for some serious groping, before
Jefferson takes me to meet the girls; no doubt of that.
* * *
“Whatever you have that’s going to get me smashed in
the shortest amount of time.” Leila eyes the bar tender, wildly tossing that choppy blonde hair back off
her
face. She’s dressed to kill, wearing a strapless, short, tight, electric blue dress with killer spiked heels
that look rather dangerous. Steel spikes sticking out the rears with a defiant look welded to her face.
She’s been this way since we picked her up at her apartment and she’s not our usual, bubbly, happy
Leila at all.
“I’m not getting smashed tonight.” Sarah cuts in. “I have work tomorrow and last time was brutal; we
cooked seafood all day. Do you know how bad raw seafood is when you’re hungover?” She grimaces
at the memory.
“I obviously can’t drink.” I point down. “So, I suppose, I’m on orange squash or something fruity and
non-alcoholic.” Both girls throw me a pitying look but then smile and rub my belly, almost in sync.
They’ve already declared themselves aunties and argued over godmother rights of my future Carrero
offspring.
Back at our seats in the corner I relax a little as I look around, even for a weekday the place is busy
and full but there’s a mellow atmosphere and people are milling around chatting rather than hard core
partying. The DJ box in the corner is on low, playing some chilled music, only adding to the calm
atmosphere. I find myself aching for him to be here already, despite myself, and push it aside.
“Get that dreamy look off your face already and tell me when they’re coming.” Leila breaks in with a
look that says busted. She doesn’t sound happy but not angry either, just resigned, knowing this would
happen at some point.
“What?” I blink at her rapidly, guilt coursing through me and wonder how the hell she worked it out from
just one expression on my face.
“Oh, come on. I’ve known Jake practically my whole
life and I happen to know what he’s like over you. This phony little freedom right here …” she says
pointedly, drawing a circle around me in the air, “…without armed security and a huge plastic bubble
keeping you and his heir safe from people breathing on you … God forbid … I knew instantly you two
had set me up.” She looks rather pointedly at me and then Sarah accusingly. I blush and Sarah just
giggles.
“Gee this one’s sharp. Is that common with all Jake’s friends? Far too quick on the uptake!” Sarah
takes a sip of her drink and watches us both with amusement. I should’ve known she would figure this
out, she’s completely right. My being out of Jake’s sight for any length of time these days screams of
huge red warning flags.
Dammit.
“Okay fine. But we did it out of love and Daniel really wants to see you, Leila. You dumping him is just
plain absurd.” I wave my hands guiltily. She throws back her drink and starts waving manically toward
the bar with her glass in the air. The tender throws her an obvious What? shrug, informing her this is
not a table serving service, but starts making her a new drink regardless.
Leila and her power of persuasion.
“I can’t do it.” Leila looks down at the table and sighs, the feisty girl I adore taking a moment to lower
her angry guard. “He’s going to crush me; the longer I see him the more I fall for him and he’s going to
fuck it all up.” She flails at me in complete raw despair while Sarah reaches out a careful hand. Leila
just looks so broken somehow.
Sarah’s always been good at giving touching, empathetic, love.
“Leila, it’s fear, you’re not really giving him a chance,” she croons at her with her wide doe eyes in
sympathy.
“You never saw him, some girl all over him trying to get in there and he was just so … blank.” A single
tear fills her eye and she wipes it away, angrily, with the back of her hand. Her little face crumbling and
her lip wobbling adorably.
“I’m lost. I don’t get you?” I sit back trying to analyze her face. Trying to put myself inside Leila’s head
and failing. The girl has as many complicated walls and levels as I used to have.
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