Under Pressure [IAD Agency] (Siren Publishing Classic) (28 page)

Bella sighed again. “I know. I guess after all that’s happened, it’s just difficult to believe that I don’t have to worry about him anymore. It just seems sort of anticlimactic.”

“Death is pretty final. I understand what you’re saying though. It will take some time to get used to, but now we can focus on the future and living our lives.

Wow, talk about a perfect opening. She wanted to tell him, but she didn’t know how. It was better to just say it, get it out there.

“Jason?”

“Hmm?”

Oh God, how did she tell him?

Jason must have sensed the inner turmoil going on inside her because he moved so he could face her. Soft moonlight filtered in from the windows casting the room in its silvery glow. Bella had learned to read him so well.

Without saying a word, she could see his questioning look. Bella nibbled on her lower lip in a nervous gesture that made him frown in concern.

He leaned down and quickly kissed her lips, soothing the spot where her teeth had scraped with his tongue.

“What’s wrong, baby?”

“Well, that depends,” she hedged. “We never talked about…well, family.”

His frown deepened. “Of course we have, sweetheart. You know my family is gone. But that doesn’t matter anymore. You’re my family now.”

“Yes, well, of course.” Bella’s laugh was strained. “I meant, kids. We haven’t been using protection. Do you want children? We’ve never talked about a family…with us…you know, being parents.”

Jason face lightened instantly. He leaned down to gently rub his lips against hers, once more unable to hold back the need to love her in ever possible way. “Bella, of course I want to have children with you. I know I should be protecting you, but I love being inside you without anything between us. I don’t know what kind of father I will be, but I will try not to drive you crazy being overprotective. If you want to wait, we can try something else.”

Bella mumbled something as she rubbed her head into his chest.

“What, sweetheart?”

She pulled back sharply and all but screamed into his face. “It’s too late!”

Jason jerked back comically. Oh man, this was not the way she wanted to do this. Some other time the look on his face would have made her laugh because she had never seen Jason look as shocked as he was in that moment.

Fear had her babbling. “I know it’s quick, but I just found out when Dr. Dixon told me I was pregnant in the clinic when I was drugged, and I wasn’t planning it, but I love making love with you without condoms, too, but I’m not on the pill and maybe I should have told you, but I already love our baby, and I don’t want to rush you into—”

Jason let out a war whoop that shook the rafters as he jerked her off the bed and spun her around.

Her arms flew around his neck out of pure self-preservation.

“Jason, your arm! Your ribs!”

“Who cares about that! We’re having a baby!”

His laughter made her heart soar, and she threw her head back and joined in his joy until he set her down abruptly on the edge of the bed.

“Christ, I shouldn’t be spinning you like that. Are you okay? Do you feel all right?” He held her face in his hand, his gray eyes shining with such happiness that all she could do was nod. His smile disappeared as he reared back once more, his body taking a warrior’s stance.

Uh-oh.

“What do you mean Dixie told you?” He leaned over her, forcing her to lean back as he roared, “
That was days ago
!”

She gulped, not scared but unable to put her fears into words properly. “I…I didn’t know how to tell you. I didn’t know if you would…want the baby.”

Jason hunkered down in front of her, only wincing slightly at the pain of his bruised ribs. “Oh, love, of course I want it. It’s our baby, yours and mine. How could I not love it already?” His hand reached out to lie across her belly, and she placed hers over his.

“I love you so much.” Her voice shook as she tried to hold back her tears.

Jason’s eyes glowed with love at her words, and he picked her up to move her back to the center of the bed. He lay down on top of her as he settled his mouth over hers in a kiss so passionate he was surprised the sheets didn’t burst into flames.

Bella opened her legs for him, cradling his large body.

He slid home with a sigh of contentment, her body taking him deep inside her as if he belonged.

“I love you, lass.” Jason’s voice was rough with emotion as he slowly made love to her, using his body to show her just how much his words were true.

THE END

WWW.BOOKSTRAND.COM/LAURIE-ROMA

Laurie Roma lives in Chicago and is the author of the IAD series. She has always loved immersing herself in a good book and now enjoys the pleasure of creating her own. She can usually be found tapping away on her keyboard, creating worlds for her characters while she listens to music. Of course her playlist depends on her mood, but then again, so does her writing.

An avid reader of the romance genre, nothing bothers her more than annoying characters. Seriously, who wants a happy ending for someone that pisses you off? She loves tough alpha-male heroes and strong heroines that have brains as well as beauty. Her novels are filled with both passionate romance and down and dirty lust-driven interludes, as she believes both are essential to a good love story. She loves to hear from her readers and can be reached at
[email protected]
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