Page 58 of Beautiful Storm

The only way any of this is going to work is if we put our baby first, just like he said.

“If I do this—if—we’ll need to set some rules.”

“I wouldn’t expect anything less.” His cocky composure settles back into place as though he’s won, and while it pisses me off, I don’t argue. Instead I let out a slow sigh.

“I need you to pay attention.” I throw his words back at him, and rather than make him laugh, his face drops and he nods.

“Thank you. First rule…no feelings.”

“That won’t be an issue.”

“Agreed, but it had to be said.” Luke nods as I move on. “Next, no telling anyone. And I meananyone.”

“Ah." Luke grimaces. "That’s not going to work. Yes, we need to keep it quiet around certain people, but we have to tellsomeonein case we need to corroborate our story.”

“Goddammit. Okay, I’ll tell my friend Hayley, but that’s it.”

“Fine by me.”

“Who are you going to tell?” I ask, hesitantly.

“Not sure yet. I’ll decide on a case by case basis.”

“What?” My heart races again. Why am I considering this idea? It’s ludicrous.

“I won’t tell anyone connected to you,” he adds, noting my freak-out, though it doesn’t ease my mind.

“We work together, Luke. We went to school together. Your parents know who I am. Who’s left?”

“You worry too much. I’ll keep it quiet. What’s next?”

“No sex,” I blurt out, and my cheeks heat as I continue. “We arenevergoing there again.”

Luke laughs to himself, and I hate the way it makes me squirm. “You didn’t have to say that either. It’s a given.”

“Okay, good. And last, no fucking around with anyone else. If you’re my husband, you don’t stray.” Luke’s face pales and it’s my turn to laugh. “Did you honestly think I was going to marry you, tell people about it, and then be fine when you continue your fuck-boy ways?”

“I can be discreet.”

“You can be discreet?Ugh. Deal’s off. In fact, I lied—the baby isn’t yours. Forget I ever mentioned it.”

“Fine,” he huffs before his lips curl into a smirk. “That won’t be as hard as you think, but you’re a brat, you know that, right?”

“Believe it or not, while the idea of forcing you to keep it in your pants gives me so much joy, I didn’t suggest it to piss you off. I suggested it to protect myself and our child. The last thing he or she needs is to be born into scandal. You’re not the only one that cares.”

Luke nods, and I sense he’s about to say something but my phone rings, cutting him off. I’m torn when I glance at the screen. On one hand, this is an important conversation that we need to finish, but on the other hand, it’s my boss and I can’t afford to piss him off with the bomb I’m about to drop.

“It’s work.” I cringe. “I should get this. We’ve got our first day of filming tomorrow, and I was supposed to be in the office by now.”

Luke’s eyes flash to the time before he curses. “Say no more. I’m due at the stadium now anyway.” He starts the truck but turns to face me before reversing out of the parking space. “Leave the arrangements to me. I’ll let you know when I need something.”

Our eyes stay locked for a beat before he smiles and looks away.

My mind spins on the drive with so much to unpack from the last couple of hours. It’s strange enough to process the fact that I’m growing a baby inside me, a healthy little human that will be out in the world in less than six months. But then this…

I’m not sure my heart can take anything else.

Did I really just agree to marry Luke?

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