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CHAPTER ELEVEN

Tara

I WAKE UP slowly. My stomach rolling like it used to in the early days of my pregnancy. Damn. I thought I was done with this. I struggle to get up and swing my legs out of my bed. My entire body aches. Once I feel like I can stand without falling, I make my way to the en-suite bathroom. Completely oblivious to the boxes stacked up in the corner of my room, that weren’t there when I left for work.

I do my usual morning business and brush my teeth. There is a weird taste in my mouth that I can’t pin point. Almost metallic. Making my way back into my room, I grab clothes to change into. I’m just getting my shirt pulled over my head when I am startled to a stop as I spot a figure in the doorway to the hall. Without waiting for my eyes to focus and recognize the person, I scream.

Who the hell is in my apartment?

Doesn’t matter. No one should be here.

I grab the lamp off of the dresser beside me and whip it as hard as I can at the figure.

They duck and it shatters against the wall.

“Calm down Tara.” I recognize that voice.

“Sean?” I blink my eyes a few times. Trying to focus on the image before me. “What the hell are you doing here?” I yell. Even though I recognized him and don't think he is a threat, I still look for something else to find to throw at him.

“Look, I get that we got off on the wrong foot at the doctor’s, but I told you on the card. I'm here for a second chance.”

“They were from you?” I ask.

“Yes they are from me, who else would they be from?” Before I can answer, he continues on ranting. “Are you seeing someone else? Have you let someone else fuck you while my child is in your belly? How long have you been seeing him? Is that baby even mine?”

My hand finds the wooden angel figurine I keep on my dresser and launch it at him. He ducks, so next goes a bottle of half used perfume. “Fuck you Sean! I know who my baby’s father is. I’m not some whore who can’t keep her legs closed. Besides, I signed your stupid NDA. Me and my child are none of your concern. You made damn sure of that. I even have the contract to prove it.” I yell back as I continue to throw random objects at him. Mid-duck, I decide to make my move. I cross the room, and grab his wrist. He seems so stunned at my outburst that he’s not sure how to respond. He lets me drag him out of the room.

I pull him behind me and storm over to the front door. I’m so full of angry adrenaline, that I don’t realize that it’s already unlocked, or that there are two strange men standing just on the other side.

Without looking, I whip open the door, and with as much venom as I can infuse into my voice, say “Get. Out!" Instead of him walking out, the two men in suits walk in. “What the fuck? Who are you?”

“Kitten, you really need to stop cursing. Our baby can hear you, and at this rate their first word will be fuck.” Teases Sean.

Momentarily stunned into silence, I watch as one of the two men goes to my hall closet and grabs a broom and begins sweeping up the shattered glass in the hallway while the other grabs a moving box I hadn’t noticed and walks back out the door I’m still holding open.

My jaw is dropped the entire time.

What the fuck!

Meanwhile Sean has closed the little gap between us. He pulls my hand off the door and leads me over to the couch. My mind is struggling to understand what is happening.

He sits down first, and drags me onto his lap. That snaps me out of my stupor. I try to get up, but he holds me tight.

“Easy hellcat.” He says, as he pulls my head to his chest and stroke my hair like I’m a child. I refuse to admit that I like it. “I shouldn't have yelled, or accused you of cheating.”

“Cheating?” I repeat, and return to struggling to get away.

He ignores my question and instead moves to put his hands on my belly. Since getting off his lap is impossible at the moment, I turn my attention to trying to pry his hand off my baby. It doesn’t work. He’s stronger than me. His hand gently caresses the small bump, then he surprises me by leaning down and pressing his lips to my belly. Then straightens, kisses my forehead, and finally, my lips.

What the fuck? I have to be dreaming. There is no way this is real.

“Have you eaten yet?” For a moment I’m still paralyzed. Wondering what in the world is going on.

This isn't Sean. At least not the Sean I met briefly while spending the weekend naked, or even the Sean I confronted at his club weeks ago.

My stomach decides to answer for me by growling loudly. My cheeks flush at the loud, embarrassing sound. He kisses my lips again before grabbing my hips and helping me stand.

“I'll take that as a no. Let's go.” Still too shocked to speak or even protest, I allow him to pull me out of my apartment, leaving the two men in suits to continue working, with another three stepping in around us as we make our way to the elevator. Once we are in and the doors shut, I find my voice again. “What the hell is going on?”