Page 23 of Hidden Rocco
She never wanted this moment to end.
Rocco was perfect and she left her chair to kiss him deeper.
He traced her hips and she was in heaven until the kiss ended. He retook his seat and waited for her to sit back too.
Her chest was heaving, her body aching with need, but she sat again.
He reached for the plates like he was going to clean. She reached out to help as she said, “But I do. Jacob clearly does. So, will you stay for a while? It might be more than just protecting me, but I’ll still pay you.”
He stopped and the plates clattered. He met her gaze and his face turned red. “Now that sounds really awkward.”
True. She took his free hand. “Better we talk about the truth and then figure out where we go from there than let it fester.”
His hand turned and their fingers brushed against as each other as he asked, “What do you mean?”
Mica refused to fall for a man just because he made her life on paper seem better—she knew it didn’t work that way.
This time she wanted to trust her desires so she met his gaze and said, “Life is short. I almost died a year ago and I haven’t been attracted to anyone since.”
He scratched his neck, flexing his muscles as his face darkened. “I haven’t dated in a while either.”
Good. Yes. She nodded and couldn’t help smiling as she said, “So we’re both free, we’re both alive, and it’s okay that we explore whatever is happening. Either way, lovers or not, I want you to stay. I’ll send the money to your mom as agreed.”
“Are you honestly afraid Ali’s family will come for you?”
Technically she had the crown prince now, not that Jacob was quite legitimate. Engaged wasn’t married, and she had more than enough that her son wouldn’t ever want a kingdom anyhow.
He’d have a hotel empire which should be enough for whatever he wanted in life. Mica helped Rocco with the silverware on top of the plates. “I’m not afraid…I’m certain they’ll come. Jacob will inherit a lot from me but also from Ali. Since I didn’t die and he was born… it skews that family’s inheritance. I’m sure Ali’s family would want Jacob, if they could find him.” With her out of the way.
Rocco stood with all the plates but she went to help. Without her staff, she and Jacob were alone here and she wasn’t afraid of soap. He said, “Money isn’t a bad thing…”
“It’s not a reason to give up my son, and nobody will take him from me.” She followed Rocco into the kitchen, checking her baby monitor on the counter in case Jacob awoke.
“I’ll help keep you safe.” Rocco placed the dishes in the sink.
She took her place beside him to wash and for once felt like she belonged to someone. Who he was before he came here wasn’t her business. She still hadn’t said how much she had or her name either and right now, together, this was nice.
Chapter 7
Jacob’s cries woke Mica fast. She jumped out of her bed, tossing the sheets and comforter to the side, and picked up her baby in the crib across the room.
The moment she did, her head spun and her heart skipped erratically. Not again.
In her sleep shorts and wife beater, she wasn’t quite dressed, but she wasn’t naked.
If she was found this way, she’d be decent—she refused to go back to any hospital. Who would care for Jacob?
That was a bad thought as her medication was in the downstairs refrigerator—she’d meant to replenish her emergency supply.
She held her baby to her breast to ensure he didn’t fall and carefully hobbled back to the bed as pain rushed through her.
Now was not a good time.
She needed her medication.
Jacob was so calm now, in her arms, but she knew his expressions. He’d need a bottle soon.
He relaxed her too. She needed to be strong for her baby.
