Page 62 of The Tycoon
“It is, Princess.”
Gently pulling her towards me, I reach to touch her lower abdomen. I can’t help but smile as my fingers caress her tiny bump. Her pregnancy didn’t seem real for the longest time, she had such an easy first trimester. Her only symptoms were pure exhaustion and a voracious appetite for strawberry shortcake and sex. Now that she’s beginning to fill out physically, it’s cementing everything in my heart and mind. I couldn’t be happier; I am so excited to be a dad.
“I love that you’re starting to show,” I admit.
Dancing her glassy eyes over my face, she snuggles closer.
“Mama sure isn’t. We still have another three months until the wedding. She’s so afraid that I’m not going to fit into my dress.”
Rolling my eyes, I push out a sigh. My Mama should be grateful that we didn’t get pregnant right away. Dolly will only be twenty-five weeks pregnant by the time we get married in Lake Como. It could be worse; she could be well into her third trimester.
“I’ll have a talk with her, she needs to not stress you out. I’m not worried in the slightest about you not being able to fit into your gown. You’re going to be the most gorgeous bride, Dolly. You’ll be full and glowing, carrying our little girl,” I reassure her, giving her a warm smile.
Returning my smile, she nuzzles her lips against my chest.
“When should we tell your family?”
“What, that we’re having a girl?” I ask.
Nodding her head, she traces phantom shapes over my skin with her index finger.
“Yeah.”
Pulling my lips into a smirk, I let her in on a little secret.
“My brothers already know. I told them right away when we got the results from your blood test.”
Gasping in shock, she gives my peck a playful slap.
“Sutton!”
Feigning pain, I give her an apologetic look. I probably should have asked her first. Oops.
“I’m sorry, I’m sorry! I was just really excited and neededto tell them. Plus, I love the fact that they know something Mama doesn’t. It’s been too long since we’ve had a new secret to keep between us all.”
Humming softly, she shrugs her shoulders at my answer. I know she isn’t thrilled, but there’s a little mischievous glint behind her eyes that lets me know I’m not in the doghouse.
“You do have a point. I kinda love that too. But when this comes back to bite you in the ass, I had nothing to do with it,” she says, suddenly laughing. “Oh, God. She’s going to be so upset!”
Joining in on her laughter, my mind runs wild with different scenarios. My Dolly is right, Mama is going to be furious. I hope we can somehow manage to keep it from her until our wedding. That’s my goal. My brothers better cooperate until we’re all gathered at our rehearsal dinner in Italy.
“She will be, but she will get over it,” I reply, my lips pressing a kiss to the crown of her head.
“Yeah, I’m sure you’re right,” she says.
Taking in a breath, my palm drifts across her tiny bump. I know we need to get ready to leave, but I’m soaking in every second of our afterglow. I want to pinch myself to make sure that this isn’t some fragment of my imagination. I’m still so grateful that she chose to be with me. That she chose to overlook my darkness. That she chose to be my wife and mother of my child. I owe this woman so much, and I will spend the rest of my lifemaking sure she knows how desperately I love her.
“Thank you, Dolly,” I say softly.
Lifting her face from my chest, she gives me a curious look.
“For what, Sir?”
Meeting her loving eyes, I allow her to stare into my very soul. Much like I did on our very first date, what seems like a lifetime ago.
“For choosing me.”
Giving me the sweetest look, she resumes her touch on my chest. I’ll never truly know what’s in that beautiful mind of hers, but I feel with every fiber in my being that she came to her decision out of love and not fear.
“You never have to thank me for that, Sutton,” she assures me, dragging the tip of her finger to draw over my heart. “I’ve learned during the hundreds of hours’ worth of therapy I’ve had is that our love is stronger than anything,including your darkness.And just as long as I remind myself of that, I’ll never regret giving you my heart. You are my soulmate, plain and simple.”
Swallowing hard, I commit every honeyed word to memory. I know I don’t deserve her but as I’ve said, I’m a selfish, gluttonous man.
“I love you, Princess,” I husk, my voice thick with emotion.
Closing the space between us, she presses a handful of barely there kisses upon my lips. Lifting her hand, she lovingly brushes the unruly hair from my eyes.
“And I love you, Sir…now let’s go live happily ever after.”