Page 113 of Undeniable Temptation

“We’re all so proud of you both.”

“And we can’t wait to get home to see you all,” Alana added.

“Thank you.” Gabi leaned into Blake. “I’m looking forward to introducing Sophie to her gorgeous aunts and uncles.”

“What happens from here?” Sidney asked. “How long will you stay in the hospital?”

“We’re not sure.” Blake touched a gentle finger to the baby’s nose. “But my first job is to buy a shotgun and let all those little fuckers know my girl is off limits.”

“Blake.” Gabi swatted her husband with her free hand.

“I’m not joking.” Blake remained unapologetic as he spoke to his wife. “The most beautiful girl in the world is going to have thousands of admirers, so I’m starting my stockpile of bullets early.”

Sophie let out a squawk and Gabi turned to face the camera. “We better go. I’ve still gotta work out this breastfeeding thing.”

Another chorus of well wishes came forth as Gabi blew kisses at the camera. Then they were gone, leaving euphoria in their wake.

“The first Reckless progeny has arrived.” Sean shouted with an empty glass raised in his hand. “This calls for tequila shots.”

Ryan groaned from behind her and everyone else dispersed, following the drummer with heavy intoxication in mind.

“You’re quiet,” she whispered to Ryan, already sensing his unease. “Want to talk about it?”

“No. I’m happy for them.”

“I know you are. But I also know you’re upset.”

His scotch glass rose, and she heard him drink heavily from behind her. She didn’t react. She had a sense any sudden movement might spook him.

“There’s something I haven’t told you,” he murmured. “Julie thinks I can’t have kids. She said she’d tried for years with no success. Then bam, she starts fucking around with some other guy and instantly she’s impregnated. It doesn’t take a genius to figure out I’m the problem.”

“You’re not the problem, Ryan.” She trailed her fingers over the hand at her stomach, knowing without doubt he was wrong.

“You don’t know that.”

She shrugged. “Call it intuition.”

He sighed, his disbelief heavy between them. She hadn’t wanted to have this conversation yet. The whole kids thing was scary. She’d planned on waiting until they were back in New York, with the stress of the tour behind them.

“Ryan, there’s something I haven’t told you, too.”

“I’m listening.”

She gripped his hand and turned to him. “I’ve already been to the doctor. I went when we were back in Memphis.”

His lips parted, his eyes widened. But it was fear morphing his features, not intrigue.

“I didn’t want to talk to you about it until we were home. With the tour and media issues… I just… I didn’t want this to be mixed in with all that.”

“Is it bad?”

“It’s something that’s going to affect me for the rest of my life.” She was struggling to keep a straight face. “It’ll affect both of us.”

“Fuck. Is it can—”

She placed a finger over his lips. “Don’t swear.”

“Then tell me.”

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