Page 44 of High Stakes

“While I keep you safe.” I finally finish, yet why do I want more? Maybe she is right. Perhaps I am jealous. Jealous at how at ease she is with him and knowing she would choose him over me.

She nods slowly, peering out at Milo. “You told my mother we were trying for a baby, well that I was. But you would give her grandchildren,” I tell her, and she glances at me.

“Did you mean what you said?” I ask. She chews her lip nervously. I know she doesn’t want kids with me, but it’s not an option. However, I also don’t want to kill her, she thinks she’ll be like her mother, but I’ve seen her with Emma.

“Will you keep using the turkey baster,” she asks.

“Do I need to?” I ask her. She stares ahead for a moment, then shakes her head.

“And you won’t sabotage me getting you pregnant?” I ask her, leaning closer. She turns her face to look at me.

“I won’t fight you. If it happens, it happens,” she answers.

I swallow hard, the sensation of victory tingling through my veins. “So, you’re saying you won’t fight me?” I ask, peering down at her, my eyes challenging hers.

“In this,” she pauses and then continues, “yes.”

Her confirmation takes me aback. Not because she’s agreed but rather because there’s an underlying tone of resignation in her voice irking me. She’s agreeing to this not out of desire or love but from necessity, and that isn’t what I want.

“What do you want in return?” I ask, wanting to hear her say it.

For a moment, she appears taken aback by my question but then regains her composure. “You won’t hurt my family,” she tells me, then adds. “Or me. I want you to promise,” she says.

“I don’t want to hurt them or you, Fallon.”

“But you will,” she states.

“Only if you force my hand.”

“I won’t.”

“Then I won’t. Besides, I would never hurt Emma. You don’t have to worry about her; that’s what I can promise.” I admit.

“My father?”

“He’s still alive, isn’t he? But he gets between us…” I don’t finish.

“He won’t.”

I nod. She looks at me for a moment then nods, seeming to accept my answer. We lapse into silence again, the tension between us easing slightly even though we both know what’s about to happen next.

Leaning closer, I see the slightest hint of fear swirling in her eyes, and I force myself to pull back slightly. We have struck a truce of sorts, and I don’t wish to scare her off.

My hand reaches out and gently traces along her jawline as my body moves closer to hers. She doesn’t pull away this time; simply watches me with those entrancing green eyes.

“I won’t hurt you,” I whisper into her ear as I lean down to kiss her.

She doesn’t resist as I kiss her hard. Instead of fighting me, she kisses me back, her lips softening under mine, her body yielding to my touch as I drag her onto my lap so she is straddling me. My hands grip her ass as I deepen the kiss, only for her to pull away. “I’m bleeding, and we’re outside?” she murmurs, casting a glance at the windows.

“No one’s watching except Milo.” I chuckle, and she turns her face to look at him, and he winks at her. Her cheeks flush.

“Come on, we’ll head inside. It’s getting cold out.” I tell her, tapping her thigh. She climbs off me, and this time, I allow her to climb out of the car.

“Where’s Rocco?” she asks, peering around for him. Milo isn’t given a chance to answer when we all jump, hearing a scream. The next second, Sienna comes running from the side of the house, only for Rocco’s arms to lock around her and drag her back. She screams and thrashes.

“I’m not going, please. Rocco, please, you can’t let him,” she thrashes harder when Fallon speaks.

“Sienna?” she asks. Sienna stops fighting Rocco, catching her voice, and they both gape at each other. A moment of distraction for Sienna is enough for Rocco to contain her as she staggers toward Fallon.

---