Page 40 of Vegas Baby

Grabbing the ingredients from the refrigerator, he picked up the recipe card provided by the meal service. “There’s not much to tell. We got drunk in Vegas, she became pregnant, and now we’re staying married because of the baby. No big deal.” Yeah, right. Raina would be moving in with him, Howler still had a hard time absorbing the implications, not only to himself but to his family.

“No big deal? Really? You’ve run fast every time a woman wants anything that’s close to a relationship, it’s no wonder I’m a bit perplexed. Unless…”

Howler cocked his head, waiting for Leo’s next words, unsure why he cared so much. Perhaps because Leo was family and other than Sam, he knew the truth, every single detail. “Unless?”

“Never mind. If your certain she’s the one, who am I to judge? I only want what’s best for you and if you think Raina is it, then I have your back.” Leo retrieved an energy drink and popped the top. “Grams is going to flip her proverbial wig.”

Howler had been vocal about his opposition to marriage and his family would give him shit about this latest twist in his life. Would they like Raina? Would it matter? Yes. Howler refused to choose between his old family and his new one. Nor could he stomach to lose either one at this juncture.

“I want to tell her and Pop in person, so please don’t say anything until I say it’s okay.”

Leo took a swig from his drink. “Man would I love to be a fly on the wall.”

“I’m sure you would.” Howler dumped the prepared ingredients into the pan and began to stir the butter and herb mixture. The chime on his phone dinged but he couldn’t reach for it. “Can you check?”

“Sure.” Leo glanced at the phone, a stupid grin lighting his face. “Looks like the wife is here.”

“Shit,” Howler said, halting in the middle of stirring the now glazed mixture.

“You keep cooking, I’ll get the door on my way out.”

“Thanks, man,” Howler nodded, anxious for the night to start. He wanted to get this over with. Yet this was just the beginning. If things went right, she’d be living with him full time. He had no greater feelings for Raina then lust and obligation. Howler wasn’t sure if he could ever fall in love, nor did he want to put himself through hell. He wasn’t certain of anything. Like he’d done most of his life, he’d gone on gut instinct. Sometimes it served him well but occasionally it fucked up his life in a royal way.

He let the alcohol and a woman override his common sense. Yet in his defense, he played along with a joke that became a reality in the harsh light of day. He’d followed his gut in Vegas and now he had a wife and a child on the way. Everything he’d fought against had come to pass.

Except the love part. He could never let himself go that far lest he fall off into the abyss.

Raina raised her hand to knock at the front door of the three-story contemporary and willed it to stay steady. It was a new construction house with sleek and modern lines. Her new home.

Nausea rolled in her stomach but not from morning sickness. This was a big step, perhaps the biggest she’d ever make. The door opened and a man appeared, amused green eyes meeting hers. She licked her lips and smiled back at him.

“Hey, Raina.” Leo stepped aside, his white dress shirt unbuttoned at the throat, exposing a tattoo of a man’s face. He carried a laptop in his arms, along with his jacket. Like Howler, Leo’s suit fit him to perfection. “Howler’s in the kitchen. You can go straight in, it’s open concept so it won’t be difficult to find him.”

“Are you leaving?” she asked, scanning the white walled entry, beautiful dark hardwoods. Bright throw rugs scattered across a huge living room. The place looked like something out of a designer magazine.

“Yes, I’m heading out. Congratulations on your marriage and the baby,” Leo said.

“You know? Of course you know. The email.” She’d sent it to Howler’s email without even thinking about it, and Leo was her husband’s assistant. Her face began to flame. He knew every dirty detail about the contract. “It’s a crazy story, one I can see you’re dying to hear.”

“Shit yeah, but I get a sense it’s a story for another night.” He tilted his head and licked his full lower lip.

“Thank you, Leo.”

“All kidding aside, if you need anything, please ask. You’re family now.” He adjusted the laptop, the slender scars on the back of his hands whitening at the action. “I’ll see you later.”

“Bye,” Raina said, his words bringing tears to her eyes. She had a big family but she wasn’t close to any of them. Once she had her own children, she’d make an effort to correct the situation.

Raina slipped her shoes next to Howler’s in the entry, the coolness of the wood seeping into her black socks.

Fragrant smells from the kitchen made her stomach growl and she followed them through the living room. It was decorated in shades of cream with pops of vibrant color throughout the rectangular space

Howler glanced up from where he stood behind a large island in the chef’s kitchen.

If the house was from a designer magazine, he was the sports fitness model they hired to promote the property. She almost expected to see a beautiful blonde suddenly appear. His female counterpart in this picture-perfect scene.

No, that’s you. You’re his female counterpart and if that bitch comes out of the back room, Raina would take her down. She stifled a hysterical laugh at the silly thought.

Beautiful home, hot guy in the kitchen.

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