Page 99 of Accidental Fiancé

That was the question, wasn't it? I had spent so much time defining myself by the bakery, by the work and the struggle of building something from nothing that I hadn't allowed myself to think of what I wanted beyond that. I had wanted to expand the bakery, sure, but that was going to take eight years or longer, according to my projections.

I couldn’t deny that my life had drastically changed. Over the last few days, especially after everything that had happened with Chloe’s confession about the fire, I had been forced to think about just how much. Re-opening the bakery, building the clientele, and becoming successful enough to expand, all of that felt daunting in a way that didn’t make me happy. Not anymore.

“I want to be here,” I said finally, my voice soft but certain. “I want to be home, with you and Piper, and if we have any other kids someday, I want to be home with them, too. I want to be a housewife, a stay-at-home mom.” My thoughts ran away with my mouth. “I’m rambling, please stop me, or tell me I’m crazy, or… anything. Just please make me stop talking”

Julian's expression melted as he looked at me, his eyes wide and warm. “Kids? You're thinking about kids?” he asked, wonderment in his voice.

My heart did a funny little flip at the way he said it, like the idea was new to him but also something he'd been wanting to hear. I smiled as I traced my fingers along the curve of his jaw. “Yeah, I am. I think I want that.”

For a second, he just stared at me, his eyes locked on mine as if he were trying to memorize my face. Then he grinned that boyish, charming smile that always gave me goosebumps. “Does this mean you want kids with me?”

I rolled my eyes, laughing at the surprise in his voice. “Of course, I do, you idiot. Who else would I want them with?”

He pulled me closer, his arms wrapping around me as he kissed me slow and deep, as if the idea of starting a family had made him fall for me even more. “I love you,” he murmured against my lips, his breath hot and sweet.

“I love you too,” I whispered back, feeling the warmth of his words settle into my chest. Each time I said it, I wanted to say it again. Wanted to scream it from the rooftops. I loved Julian Black in a way that was overwhelming. There was nothing I wouldn’t do for this man. He gave me peace and relaxation, and I wasn’t sure if I ever really had that before him.

Growing up in a struggling household, relaxing wasn’t something we did. Relaxation was as much a luxury as any brand-name purse, so it didn’t come easy. Life was hard work, and achieving success was even harder. If I wanted something, I had to push for it.

But now, I had Julian, someone who made me feel like I could breathe fully for the first time in my life. Even if he lost all of his money tomorrow, I knew we’d get through it because we had each other.

The truth was, I hadn't been sure about kids for a long time. Not until I reunited with Julian. I had been so focused on my career, on making something of myself, that the idea of slowing down and settling into a family life hadn't seemed possible. Another luxury for rich people, not for people like me.

Lying there in his arms, it felt like the only thing that made sense.

“But,” I added, pulling back slightly to look him in the eye. “I'm not saying I’m done with baking. I just don't want to run a bakery again, not right now anyway.”

Julian tilted his head, curious. “So, what's the plan then?”

“I've been thinking about writing a cookbook,” I replied, the words coming out slowly. I was still getting used to the idea, but the idea compelled me to say it out loud. “Something that combines the recipes I've learned over the years, maybe with a focus on simple, accessible baking. Something for people who want to bake at home but don't have a ton of time or money. Then maybe I’ll write another about baking up single servings, or baking for two. Not everyone wants to bake enough for a large family—I’m still mastering that skill myself, to be honest. It’ll be a lot of work, and you and Piper will have to eat a lot of mistakes, I hope that’s okay.”

His eyes lit up as he listened, and I could see him processing the idea, his mind already working on how to support me. I had never seen that look in a partner's eyes before and it was refreshing. “That's brilliant,” he said, his voice full of excitement. “You'd be amazing at that.”

I smiled, feeling a surge of relief at his understanding. “It's something I can do from home,” I added. “So, I can be here for you, for Pip, for any other little ones we might have running around someday.”

Julian laughed, the sound deep and rich as it rumbled through his chest. “So, we're really doing this, huh? Kids, cookbooks, the whole deal?”

I nodded. “Yeah, I think we are.”

He grinned, pulling me closer until our faces were just inches apart. “I can't wait.”

Before I could respond, he kissed me again, this time with slow, deliberate intensity that sent a shiver down my spine. I moaned, my hands sliding up his chest as I kissed him back, letting everything else fall away. All I could think about was him, his lips, his hands, the way he made me feel like I was the only thing that mattered. Everywhere he touched me, I came alive.

Especially in my heart.

His hand slid down my back, his fingers brushing over my skin. I loved the way he touched me. Part ownership, part worship. I pulled him closer, my body arching into his, craving the closeness, the intimacy. Every touch, every kiss was electric, like we were rediscovering each other all over again.

“I thought we were supposed to be talking about cookbooks and kids,” I teased, pulling back just enough to look into his eyes.

He smirked, his hands still exploring the curve of my waist. “We are,” he murmured, his lips brushing against my neck. “But I can't help myself when you're this close.”

I laughed, the sound turning into a soft moan as his lips found that sensitive spot just below my ear. I shivered against him. “You're impossible.”

“I know,” he whispered, his voice low and full of desire. “But you love me anyway.”

He was right. I did love him. I loved him so much that it overwhelmed me, like it was too big to fit inside my chest. How could anything be this good?

But when he reached between my legs, I stopped overthinking it. He knew my body as if we had been together foryears, not just under two months. The craziest two months of my life, to be sure, but still. I didn’t understand how he knew exactly how to play my body but it didn’t matter.

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