He offered me a small smile. “Excellent question, Willow. I am comfortable facing this with some control over the situation and the people involved. I have been looking for the right woman and nobody threw me off as you did from the first moment we spoke.” He lifted my hand and kissed my knuckles in a gentlemanly manner. “I want you. I like that you lead an uncomplicated life and have no ties holding you back. I like that you are determined and feisty—” he gave me another flirtatious wink. “And I want you to be mine. I want you to be completely devoted and invested in me… in our family.I was lightheaded from all the information he had dumped on me. The sensation was bizarre; I was hovering over us, watching myself sitting with this handsome yet lonely man.A part of me was yelling profanities at myself for entertaining this absurd conversation. I wondered what I would be called if I accepted this proposal. I couldn’t be called a ‘prostitute’ because Nicholas wanted to marry me. Slave
Was I willing to sign a contract, to be married to Nicholas even though I knew he didn’t love me? Moreover, I didn’t love him either. On the other hand, our feelings could transform into love later on. But was I willing to risk the chance that we might never love each other? Nicholas insisted that I had a choice. That I could leave when I was no longer happy. But if we already had kids by then? What kind of damage would our kids suffer if Nicholas and I split because of a loveless marriage? Was this the right way to marry and bring life into the world? ‘Children.’ I choked up at the thought. Was I really ready to have children? It was clear to me that Nicholas wanted children from the very beginning of the arrangement. Of course, he would want that; he wouldn’t be the one carrying the children around for nine months and suffering through morning sickness and too many other complications. The idea of having children excited me. In fact, the thought of a large family surrounding me w
"However, what are we going to tell people if I appear out of nowhere and marry you?" I peeked at him, fighting the urge to throw myself at him. "We'll have to agree on exactly what the story we tell people is. Coming up with something believable shouldn't be that complicated." I didn't have the level of confidence about the matter as he did. "The non-disclosure clause shall remain in force even if our arrangement is no longer practical for either one or both of us. Nobody else should know about it, regardless of what the future holds." I moved on with a placid nod. The next paragraph spoke extensively about the monetary exchange. Money was the subject of the next segment. As I read through everything he wish to give me, my jaw dropped. It was all spelled out in black and white, from the stipulations he mentioned the night before to the bank accounts I'd have access to while with him. "Nicholas, I can't accept all this. All of this is unnecessary." "It isn't excessive in any way.
"You have to understand, Nicholas, that none of this is familiar territory for me. Since my mother's death, I haven't had someone whom I answered to or update on my whereabouts. This is going to be a challenge for me, and if you really want this to work, you'll have to compromise." He smiled as he said, "I understand. I don't want to alienate you by being overbearing. However, I'd want to point out that there are a variety of other activities you can engage in outside of academics. I'm confident I could teach you everything you'd study at QCU, and possibly more." At this point, the grin had become permanent. "Plus, I'm sure my mother will herd you into working for her charitable projects." When his mother was mentioned, my anxiety returned. "Well, I appreciate your modesty about Nicholas Rowe University, but I think I'll continue with QCU for the time being." As he chuckled, I took a few deep breaths. "Does your family live nearby?" He smiled and nodded. "Yes, Geoffrey, my brothe
The following few hours passed quickly. Nicholas called his attorney right away to schedule an emergency meeting. Afterward, he showed me the best sights in the city all the while riding in the back of his car. We made a quick stop at his attorney's office, where I met Benson and promptly agreed to hand over my life after the contract changes were made. As we left the office together, I had to fight to keep the panic attack at bay. I was rich in the blink of an eye. I had consented to marry a man I hardly knew, have sex with him, and to some extent submit to his authority. I had to remind myself that I had not agreed to the proposal simply because I was desperate to belong. I was not out of my mind. And as the thought gripped me, I got closer and closer to backing away... to pushing Nicholas away. As we got back into the car, Nicholas wound his fingers with mine, nearly skipping and whistling. He slid into the seat next to me, and I couldn't help but note, "You're terribly cheerf
Although I questioned if I had to be ashamed of how wet I was, I laid my worries to rest when he appeared to like it. I was so intensely drawn to him that I was unreserved in my desire. He muffled my groans and slipped a finger inside. His thumb slid and stroked upward, while he followed to push another finger inside me. I cried out against his mouth. This was far nicer than all of my previous self-stimulation attempts. Then his lips returned to my ear. "Willow, does this feel good? Do you enjoy it when I touch you?" "Yes." "When we go home, you're going to get fucked. Are you prepared?" Yes! Yes, a billion times over. I was unable to speak, but I did nod vehemently. "You're close. I want to see your pretty face " An orgasm tore through me soon after, and I tried not to scream out too loudly from the pleasure rolling through my body. A wave of peaceful bliss followed as Nicholas softened his strokes, easing me down from my high. "You're so lovely," he whispered. When the car
Our bodies were inseparable as I stroked his hair, trying to come down from my orgasm by distracting myself. He craned his cane so that he could look at me. Our faces were so close that I felt his slowly calming breath on my clammy skin. I wondered whether I appeared to be as content as he did when he grinned with satisfaction. "Are you alright?" I blinked. "Yes." Before giving me another kiss, he traced my lips. "Thank you for giving me the pleasure of being with you." That's right, I gave this man my virginity. I had no regrets. "I appreciate you making it good. I've heard a lot of terrifying tales regarding people's first times." He smiled and looked down at me with mirth dancing in his eyes. "Practice makes perfect, sweetie. So, it will only get better." He kissed me, showing me just what he was promising. Sooner than I wanted, he got off me to settle down by my side. We simmered in the afterglow for an unknown amount of time. He occasionally gave me a kiss or brushed a str
He stroked the back of my hand with his thumb, trying to comfort me. And it worked. "No, I wouldn't like to call it quits because your best buddy was aware of the truth. I assume you know why I prefer to keep it between the two of us. It's to keep you safe." No doubt. I'd be regarded as a whore if people found out. No one wanted to be married to a so-called whore. I nodded and said, "I get it." I inhaled deeply before dialing Lory's number. She responded right away. "Where in the world are you? Why haven't you given me a call? What is happening? Thanks to the hours of stress you gave me, I fear I am balding." I had to move the phone away from my ear to let her scream to her heart's content. "Are you done?" I eventually questioned. "I'm hoping for an explanation," she told me. I crossed my fingers as I started. "Lory, he's wonderful and amazing. The experience has truly been fantastical. Both he and I love each other. We're currently eloping. We're tying the knot." She started
Nicholas POV:"What's the bad news?" Willow asked, squeezing my hand."We're going to keep you here. You're going to spend the rest of your pregnancy in this bed. I'm sorry. I know it's the holidays, but it's safer to keep you on complete bed rest and under observation. We're going to give you injections, which will help mature the babies' lungs. This blood pressure monitor will take measurements every ten minutes, and we'll continue taking daily blood and urine samples, along with daily ultrasounds."Willow and I were both quiet for a minute. "How long do you think I'll be here?" she finally asked."It's always best for the babies to mature as long as possible inside you, but at the first sign your health is being compromised, I'll deliver them." Dr. Whitney marked something off on Willow's chart before looking back over at us. "It could be hours, days, a week. It's difficult to give a firm timeline right now. But we want to keep you hear until the C-section is due."As soon as Dr. W
Nicholas POV:I'd always been a deconstructionist, breaking down complex issues into simpler parts to understand the whole better. I supposed the same could be said when I analyzed my life. It could be broken down into two basic parts: before Willow and after Willow.When I really looked at it, the truth was that I never lived much of a life before Willow. I was accomplished, admired, and even desired and envied by almost everyone around me. I'd once thought that was enough. But I was wrong. I'd never been more wrong.The last four and a half years had brought me so much more than I ever imagined possible. Much more than the decades preceding combined. More happiness. More fulfillment. More meaning. Before Willow, I was content with being successful in business, even at the expense of personal relationships. After Willow, my satisfaction was found nowhere near the billions of dollars at my fingertips.It was in her smile. Her laughter. The way her eyes lit up when I told her how beaut
Three Years Later:I glanced down, straightening my robe. My stomach was in knots as I waited for my name to be called. It was a big day not only for me but also for those I loved. My eyes drifted over the crowd, my heart stuttering at the glimpse of familiar faces. "Yo, Willow! Are you going to come out with us tonight for some celebratory drinks?" I turned to smile and shake my head at my fellow graduates. "Sorry, guys. I have plans with my family." My family. I wanted to wrap myself up with those two words. It was four years to the day that I'd crossed a similar stage and received another diploma. But my life couldn't have been more different than it was back in Atkins.This time there was no dread from wondering if I'd have anyone present to cheer for my success. This time I didn't have any longing in my heart for my own loved ones in the crowd. This time I didn't have the uncertainty of what tomorrow would bring. This time my family was there. All of them. After William's bi
Then another contraction hit, and I was cursing Nicholas and his sperm. He had me in his arms and inside the car in a flash, the others piling in behind us."Squeeze my hand if it hurts. Breathe with me." Nicholas was holding me close, murmuring in my ear while the car zoomed through traffic. "Where's your father?" Clara asked him. He shrugged. "I don't know. Probably in a cab somewhere. I ran and didn't wait for them to catch up." I giggled a little at Clara, who shook her head and pulled out her phone to call Jefferson. Then I remembered where he had been and turned to face him. "What happened? What did they say?" "She's out of our lives now." "What does that mean?" His eyes hardened and he frowned. "Let's concentrate on this now. I don't want you thinking about that nonsense." I huffed. "Just tell me."He looked around at everyone before meeting my gaze again. "Okay. They're pleading her out. Evidently, Simon talked her out of going to trial, wanting to avoid the media circ
Since my release from the hospital, we had weekly appointments with Dr. Whitney, our last one being the day before. I was already two centimeters dilated, and she suggested I could go into labor at any time. I had worried it was too early, but she assured both me and Nicholas that our son was full-term and healthy. It was a difficult decision, but I had agreed to have a C-section. It was scheduled to happen in another week and a half... if I didn't go into labor before that time. When she explained the intracranial pressure from bearing down and possible complications from my recent concussion and ensuing brain swelling, Nicholas pleaded with me to choose the surgery. I could actually feel the fear rolling off of him. The choice to go with the doctor's advice made sense on all fronts and calmed him down significantly, even if I was still a little nervous. "I'd rather stay here today."I kept brushing my teeth, my eyes meeting his in the mirror as I shook my head. I spit and rinsed,
I scanned around the room, noting each of those who were most important to me. Lory exchanged silent smiles with Francis. Courtney and Geoffrey laughed and tickled each other. Laura gushed over Virgil and John. Sarah chatted with Clara and Jefferson.Each of them was special to me in their own way, and my heart felt so full knowing they were here at this moment to celebrate with me and Nicholas. That they shared our sorrows and our joys. None of them were blood-related, but they were all my family.Clara was seated next to us and took my hand, breaking me out of my thoughts. "Before opening all the gifts, I did want to talk to you about your baby shower." I'd forgotten all about that. I cringed, remembering her wanting to give me a huge party. "I'm not really sure..." She stopped me. "I was thinking—considering everything—that maybe you'd prefer something small? Maybe we could even do it here? Just us girls?" I nodded. "That would be great." She grinned. "I have the perfect plan i
His lips were back at my ear again. "Relax, Willow. Here..." he broke off, massaging my thigh a little before lifting my leg and nudging his knee between mine. "Open up for me." It had been so long, and I was too tensed with excitement that I was inadvertently making it difficult for him to get it in. I focused on his chest rising and falling against my back, calming with each breath I took in time with his. With his caution and trying to be tender, it took longer than normal. But finally, he filled me, and I bit my lip, moaning from the feeling. One of his arms was nestled under my neck, his hand on my breast, while the other gripped my hip as he pumped slowly in and out of me. "Is this okay?" he asked. "Does your head hurt? Anything?" "No. It’s fine. This feels good." And it did. It felt great. Yet... something was off.I tried to twist around enough to kiss him, but it wasn't the easiest task. Twisting my body was the one thing that still hurt my ribs. His lips met mine briefl
“You got the short end of the stick as you were growing up, but you didn’t let that stop you. You weren’t bitter about it or trodden down. And I remember thinking how strong you were when I met you.” He leaned in and brushed my lips with his. "It's the same now. If I were you, I would be so angry. But you're smiling and beautiful and happy about the snow..." He broke off and shook his head.I threaded my fingers with his, not needing him to say another word. I knew what he was trying to say, and it meant the world to me that he felt that way. Suddenly the baby kicked hard, and both of our mouths fell open, our eyes widening in surprise. "You felt that, right?" I asked, knowing he hadn't been able to feel the baby move much at all up to this point.He nodded slowly, his eyes glancing down at our hands. "He's going to be a soccer player." I giggled when he bent over to place his head on my belly. "Kick for Daddy. Kick me." It took a few pleas for him to get his wish, but he sat back
Willow POV:He looked like he would explode if he didn’t get time to relax. Finally, his shoulders fell and his lips curved slightly into a smile of resignation. This was a sign that he was giving in.He stood up and hovered over me for a moment, surprising me when he buried his head in the crook of my neck, nuzzling and kissing. It bit back a gasp.Nicholas was far from shy when it came to public display of affection, but it was awkward for him to be so forward, even if it was only in front of Virgil."Maybe I should leave..." Virgil said slowly.Nicholas mumbled 'yes' as I said 'no' at the same time. I laughed and put my hands on his cheeks, to push his face away, taking pleasure in the sight of his small smile."I'll be right back," he said. "Please take a shower." I ran my fingers through his much longer-than-normal hair. "And maybe sneak in a trim."He laughed, and it was the first time I'd heard that sound since my fall. I liked his laugh. It was infectious. It made everything