Page 95 of Broken Boss

“I did. Want to see you, I mean.” She steps closer, her warm scent enveloping me, and it takes everything I have not to sweep her into my arms and go somewhere private. Beg her not to leave.

“I missed you.”

Her breath tickles my neck. I give in and circle her waist with one arm. It’s enough for now. Her curves press against my side, hands on my chest as she steadies herself in her heels.

“I missed you, too,” I murmur back. “And Frank. Did he happen to come with you?”

She laughs, but there’s still a frisson of nerves behind it. I pull back enough to see her face clearly.

“Chris…I have to tell you something.”

Chapter 35

Autumn

His dark eyes pour into mine, like he’s trying to absorb me. I want him to; I want to be his.

But I need him to understand how serious this is. So I reach up with one hand, cup his jaw, get his attention.

He nods, and for just a heartbeat, his eyes drop to my lips. I steel myself before saying, “I’m pregnant.”

His body goes still, but he doesn’t move away or look angry. I realize I’ve leaned back just slightly, anticipating a bad reaction. Chris blinks once and his grip tightens on my waist.

“You’re pregnant?”

Looking up at him through my lashes, I can’t gauge what his reaction is. Or will be. It’s as if the entire room full of people around us has melted away, and it’s just the two of us staring into each other’s eyes.

Then he leans down and kisses me.

I almost stumble back, but Chris catches me with his other hand and pulls my hips tight against him. His arms wrap more fully around me and he lifts me into a spin.

A yelp and laugh escape my lips. “Chris!”

When he puts me down and pulls back, there’s a grin on his face.

“You’re pregnant!?”

Now, the excitement is unmistakable. I flush with pleasure, slipping my hands beneath his jacket, wanting to be as close to him as possible. Alone with him. I nod and Chris kisses me again.

“This is wonderful,” he breathes when we part. He reaches down and splays a hand across my belly. Realizing where we are again, I glance around, nervous that others might see—but he has his back to the room and no one notices this intimate moment.

“You’re—this is okay?”

“Are you kidding?” His eyes, usually dark, tempting pools, are bright. “Autumn, this is amazing. This is all I’ve ever wanted.”

The confession spills out of him, but Chris doesn’t seem embarrassed or ashamed. He only grins wider, focused entirely on me and the baby. I lift up on my toes to press a chaste kiss to his lips.

“Come with me,” he murmurs, ghosting his mouth against my earlobe as we sway to the unheard music.

“Where?” We’re at a barn in the middle of nowhere. I’m not even sure how we got here, but I gave the driver the address on the invitation that Chris had handed over a week and a half ago.

“I rented a place nearby. A cabin. Come be with me there.”

His hands squeeze the thick curve of my waist and my body thrums with need. I nod and Chris takes my hand, pulling me toward the door without a backward glance.

The cabin is small and already lit when we arrive. It’s perfectly curated—all clean pine and beautiful, lush throws over handmade furniture.

Chris locks the door behind us and pulls me toward him, wasting no time.

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