Page 124 of Bargain With the Boss

“I lied. You had every right to get angry about that.”

“But not about the medication. That’s not for me to make you feel bad about.” I pulled her into my arms. “My college girlfriend had an abortion and didn’t let me know until after she did it.”

“Oh, Xavier.” She pressed her cheek to mine. “I’m sorry.”

“We were far too young and she was probably right to do it, but I was more hurt that she didn’t tell me first. She just sideswiped me with the information like she’d gone to the dentist or something.”

She wrapped her long arms around my shoulders and I sunk into her warmth. The old hurt didn’t sting quite as badly. I let itgo as part of my past. Part of a what could have been that didn’t belong to me any longer.

She laid her cheek on my chest. “I didn’t take it.”

“What?”

She stepped back enough to look up at me. “I didn’t take the pill. I couldn’t bring myself to. I don’t know if there’s a baby, but there could be.”

“I know it’s not the best time for it, but if it is...”

She rose onto her toes and pressed her lips to mine. “It would be so loved. Just like I love you. Even if it’s illogical to love you already, I do.” She kissed me again. “I love you beyond measure.”

Hearing it back drained all the words out of my head.

I’d never expected someone like Sydney, but she was exactly what I needed.

Who I’d never dared to wish for.

“Take me home, Duchess.”

She nodded. “I can do that.” She stepped away from me, but our fingers still tangled. We bumped along one another as she led me out of the workroom to her office. “I have a few things I want from my office.”

I nodded. I wouldn’t put it past her mother to destroy her things in a petty rage.

The office suited her. It was filled with plants and smelled of the spicy orchid I associated with her. A fresher version. As if the plants pulled all the corporate stillness out of the air and replaced it with everything she was.

Here, she’d been the most Sydney I’d ever seen.

And seeing her space, I knew I’d do anything to make her dreams come true.

“Think these will survive in New York?”

“With a little love and attention.” She carefully placed all the pots that had been scattered around her room onto her desk. “I’m not sure how we’re getting all of these out of here.”

“Maybe a delivery place. Not quite U-Haul, but you do have a lot more than will fit in a car.”

She sat at her computer. “I know of someone.” Then she swore. “She locked me out of the system already. Unbelievable.”

“Kind of tracks, doesn’t it?”

She sat back in her chair. “I wish it didn’t have to be this way.”

I went around her desk to crouch next to her. “I’m sorry, Duchess.”

“I know. All I ever wanted was her to see me. She never has.”

“I do.” I stood and drew her out of her office chair. “From those intelligent golden eyes that knocked me back on my heels to this heart.” I lay my hand on her chest, feeling the kick of her heartbeat increasing. Then I coasted down her chest to her hip, dragging her into me. “To this body that drives me insane.”

Her eyes were pools of warm amber. “You know, I never did christen this office.”

“Is that right?”