Page 128 of Bargain With the Boss

I smiled up at him. “That sounds really good to me.”

“Then let’s go home.”

He picked up my suitcases of summer clothes that would hold me over until all my things arrived. I followed him out, looking back one last time at the place I’d survived in and then to the man at the end of my driveway.

He was where I would thrive.

I ran down the drive to him and threw my arms around him. He caught me tightly. “What’s this?”

“I love you.”

“I love you too, Duchess.” His lake blue eyes reminded me of the Cove.

“You know this is a little crazy.”

“No risk, no amazing reward.” He pulled me in tight and I knew, for the first time, that it was actually Xavier who was my home.

And I couldn’t wait to get started.

Epilogue

Xavier

August

“Why are we up this early?”

It was Sunday and my beautiful duchess was curled up in the middle of my king-sized bed. Actually, it was ours now. My simple white bamboo sheets, cooling duvet, and two pillows had been replaced with a lilac sheets that smelled of her, about a thousand pillows, and one of five different duvet covers. Today, it reminded me of the ivory dress with the big flowers that I loved so much.

The best part was the rumpled redhead with barely her nose and forehead showing.

My girl loved a cozy morning under the covers.

Which is why I had the air conditioning cranked to survive it.

Worth it.

Every bit of it was worth it.

“Gavin has to tell us something.”

She pulled the covers down enough to narrow her eyes at me. “You are waking me at the crack of dark for Gavin?”

I laughed. “No. That’s just part of it. C’mon, Duchess, up and at ‘em.”

She inched over to the side of the bed and flung the bedclothes back. “This better be worth it.”

I was pretty sure it was.

She stretched her arms over her head and that Sailor Moon T-shirt pulled taut over her rapidly growing breasts. She was a little horrified about that, but I’d certainly been enjoying her body’s changes.

Turns out our lack of condom action had definitely resulted in a baby.

I wasn’t sure it was the first time—the dates were a little fuzzy there—but I liked to think it was that first wild moment together.

I walked over to her, cupping the little baby bump growing inside of her. Her grumpy face went soft as she covered my hand. “How’s our little apple doing today?”

She grinned up at me. “You and your fruit chart.”