Page 114 of The Heir

"No, I'm pretty sure the pleasure's all mine, Mel," he responds.

Mason gives her a look and a smile that makes my blood boil. Inwardly I seethe, because I know that smileandthat look; it's the same one I give Isobel. Absolutely ready to rip his face off, I lean forward, preparing to get him, when Donna's voice magically breaks through the anger taking over my body.

"Baby, are youpregnant?"

It stops me in my tracks. The room falls to a dead silence, and oddly enough so does my blood pressure, making me relax ever so slightly at the feel of Isobel's fingernails clawing into my forearm. We're sitting there with everyone staring at us, even Mason, who's leaned over completely in his seat to look around Melody at the two of us.

Glancing over at Isobel, I wait for her to say something,anything,but she's stuck looking like a deer in headlights. Leaning over, I whisper in her ear. "Let's tell them, baby. I think your mom already knows." My lips graze the shell of her ear ever so slightly, and she leans in to nuzzle me, making the rest of my upsetness at Mason ease.

"Yes, we just found out yesterday. I wasn't going to say anything because it's Vi's day and we didn't want to take her shine away," she says, pulling away from me, and then turning back to my family who are all in the middle of various expressions. Brody's the most unexpected one; his chest puffs out, and he heaves a great sigh as his eyes water.

"Man," Brody stands up, holding his hand out to me. "I can't think of anyone else who deserves this happiness more than you. I can't believe Vi gets to grow up with a cousin!" I shake his hand with a grin, seeing my father stand up before leaning down to embrace us both.

"Oh, you two!"Dad booms, making Isobel almost jump out of her skin.

He hauls her up out of her seat and wraps her in his arms for a longer hug than I can ever remember personally receiving from him.She brings up a hand to wipe a tear away, and I can tell he's stepping into a father figure role for her.

But it's Donna and my mother embracing with Vi tucked safety between them that makesmyeyes water. They're crying, being emotional as women do, and I can tell we're going to be one close knit family.

I couldn't ask for more, apparently because Mason's fingers are inching towards Melody.

"Get your hand off her,"I shoot across to Mason through my teeth, narrowing my eyes at him.

Well, there's always one more thing to be asked, anyway.

Chapter twenty-six

A True Taking

Three Weeks Later

Ithought I knew what being kidnapped felt like, buttrulybeing kidnapped does interesting things to your psyche.

The day that I was taken from King was one like any other, really. We were getting into the swing of our marriage, finding our normal. Long nights of lazy lovemaking were followed by interesting, exciting days of beginning to expand our business at King Dynasty. Sweetie had taken from sleeping on King's chest to now curling up on my belly.

Three weeks after we announced my pregnancy to our families, I'd gotten up early on a Tuesday morning, and didn't feel sick. Relishing a brief reprieve from morning sickness, King lured me into a nice warm shower where we spent more time kissing than we did actually showering.

His lips grazed mine ever so softly, and I moaned at the feel of his fingers sinking into my hair hampered by the clip holding it in a massive pile on top of my head, keeping it from getting wet. I'd grown to appreciate and love these moments with my husband. So far, he hasn't expected me to, or even let me, shower alone. He takes any opportunity to steal all the intimate moments he can with me, and so far my favorite moments are when he uses his hands.

Seems I'm a physical touch girlie. Who knew.

"Hey, cook breakfast with me before we go in?" I'd whispered up at him, loving the way the water sluices through his hair, over his body, and beads up on his skin just begging me to lick off the little droplets.

The shower was steamy, nice and warm. His soapy hands alternated rubbing up and down my back, and making circles on my belly.

"Hmmm…" he hummed, arching an eyebrow at me. "That sounds nice. What are you thinking of having?"

"Omelets.I love making them. They're so fun." I'd laughed, excited at the prospect of doing something so mundane with him.

"Ohhh, omelets huh? How ironic."

I'd giggled and leaned into him as he massaged my scalp. "Why's it ironic?"

"Because they're my favorite." King kissed the grin off my mouth.

Oh how I miss his kisses.

"Is it really?" I'd replied in a teasing tone.

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