Page 105 of Love Me Forever

Finally, she set it down. "Just so you know, I was reading about my favorite Bridgerton."

"Which one is that?"

"Anthony, of course."

"Right. What's with this blanket? I don't remember seeing it here before."

I immediately felt her tense even as I kissed her on the side of her neck. I pulled back, watching her. "What's wrong?"

"I ordered it. I thought I needed a cuddly blanket. Is that okay? I didn't think about asking you."

I kissed the corner of her mouth before moving up to her ear, putting a hand on her belly over the blanket. "You can buy anything you want, Bonnie. I want you to feel at home here."

"This isyourhome, though. I don't want to invade your space."

I kissed her neck, dipping the tip of my tongue along her jawline. She shuddered. "Babe, you're not. I love having you here. If you want to buy a goddamn tent, I'd be okay with that."

"Why would I buy a tent?"

Because my woman had been getting strange ideas lately. She’d ordered no fewer than six different beds for babies, insisting that she wanted to see them all side by side to decide which one would be better. She hadn't found a single store that carried all of them, so she couldn't compare them. I thought that was nuts, but instinct told me to keep that opinion to myself. They'd all been delivered this past week. Today, Tate, Sam, and Luke were stopping by to help me assemble them while Megan and Lexi went with Bonnie to a yoga class that Ashley taught.

"Do you think I have time for another chapter before your family arrives?"

"I need to talk to you about something."

I straightened up, finally looking at her. I interlaced our fingers, squeezing hers lightly.

She swallowed hard. "You're scaring me. What is it?"

"Your mother dropped by the hotel."

Bonnie gasped, pushing herself into a sitting position. Her hand was shaking. "My mom? At your hotel? When? I didn't know she was in Chicago."

"She came by this week."

"What did she want?"

"Money."

"Oh my God. I can't believe this. I'm so sorry, Travis. I... I’ll talk to her. Why would she even bother you? Wait, how does she even know you're... you? I never mentioned what you do or even your last name.”

“Sam tagged you in some photos he posted online.”

“I'm so sorry."

I clasped her shoulder. "Stop apologizing. This isn't your fault."

"She's my mom, and she’s never been like your family. I’m so embarrassed." I could see tears beginning to form in her eyes.

"Babe, never be embarrassed. I love you. My family loves you no matter what, got that? You don't have to apologize for her behavior. I set her right. And I told her not to bother you until she straightens things out in her own life."

Her eyes were wide and fearful, and I hated it. Why the hell did I tell her?

"This isn't right," she murmured. "She shouldn't have come." Her whole body was shaking.

I sat behind her so her back was against my chest. I hated that this was what her mom did to her. Bonnie was a strong woman and had made it through a tough life with parents who were selfish. She needed to know she was a Maxwell now and had the family she'd longed for. I’d make sure she understood that.

"Bonnie, forget about it. I just wanted you to know so there would be no secrets between us. I told her I'd protect you no matter what because you're mine. Don’t doubt that, okay?"

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