Page 58 of Sweet Possession

* * *

Back home Asher does as he said he would and cooks me dinner. Then he draws me a bubble bath with essential oils. He said it will help me relax. I don’t think anything could achieve that right now.

My mind is still in that doctor’s office as she confirmed what I already knew. Glancing down at my flat stomach, which is visible through the water and bubbles, I wonder how far along I am. I reach down and cup my tummy with my hands. Pregnant. I still can’t believe it. And with my teacher, no less.

I groan, releasing my stomach and lying back against the tub. I feel exhausted by everything. This week would be too much for most people, but I’m the one going through it. I still don’t know how I feel about having a baby. I mean, yes, it’s something I wanted eventually, and I can’t think of a better person to do it with than Asher, but I’m still young. Am I doing the right thing by keeping the baby?

Our child will be loved and want for nothing, that’s for sure, but can I do this? I still have so much I want to do and achieve. I want my art studio. I want to see more of the world than just Miami. Can I still do all this? Can I have it all, just like Asher said?

No one is telling me I can’t. I know it’s my own doubts talking. There are plenty of teenage moms out there who have gone on to succeed and make a life for themselves. I can too. I’m a fighter. A survivor. I can do this.

“Everything okay, angel?” His raspy voice startles me, making my eyes fly open. Asher stares down at me with nothing but adoration and love. My heart bursts in my chest, and for the first time in what feels like forever, my lips curve into a smile.

With this man by my side, I know I can do this. Reaching out, I take his hand. “I’m okay. Still in shock, but okay.”

He squeezes my hand and sits on the edge of the tub. “I know it’s a lot to take in, angel. I know it’s not something you planned on right now, but I believe everything happens for a reason. I’ve never told you this, but the night I saw you, it was fate. I had never been in that club before, but that night I ended up in that part of town. It was the best decision I ever made because it brought me to you. From the moment I saw you, I knew you were mine, knew you were the reason I ended up there. And now look at us. We are going to have a baby, and I know it’s selfish of me, but I want this. I want you.” He reaches down, placing a palm on my stomach. Warmth spreads through me. “You and this child are everything to me. And I will do anything to protect you both.” By the time he is finished, tears are streaming down my face. His words are just what I needed to hear. Without thinking, I push up and wrap my arms around his waist, almost pulling him into the tub with me.

“Thank you,” I mumble against his shirt.

Asher chuckles, untangling himself from my grip. I frown until he reaches down and lifts me against his chest. “Nothing to thank me for, angel. If anything, I should be thanking you for giving me a life I never imagined but that is perfect and right. I thank whatever power above for bringing me to you. I love you, angel.”

“I love you too.” I snuggle deeper into him as he carries me through to our bedroom. Asher makes quick work of grabbing a towel, drying me off, pulling one of his shirts over my head, and putting me in bed.

Then he slides in beside me and, like he said before, everything feels perfect and right.

ChapterThirty-Three

ASHER

I woke up this morning happier than I have ever been with my angel and baby wrapped up in my arms. I didn’t want to leave the safety of our bedroom, wanting to lay there with her forever. But reality set in, and we had a job and school to get to.

Now I sit in my classroom, trying to teach class, but all I can focus on is the girl sitting in the second row. She is glowing. Growing my child in her belly. Just watching her and thinking about it makes me hard.

I have never loved anyone as much as I love her, and I never will. I wasn’t lying to her when I said from the moment I saw her, I knew she was mine. And now everything has slotted into place. I can’t wait to see her grow round with my baby. And I can’t wait to make her mine forever. My angel will be my wife. But one step at a time. I know she’s still freaking out over the pregnancy, and an engagement right now would probably tip her over the edge. So, for now, it can wait.

“Mr. Grant,” a voice calls snapping me from my thoughts.

My glare lands on Chanel Gruyeux, self-appointed queen bee of Coral Lakes and a total bitch to whoever she deems beneath her. She smiles seductively at me, fluttering those long, fake lashes of hers that look like spider legs. “Yes, Miss Gruyeux?”

“Oh, he speaks. You looked lost in your own world. Maybe I could help with that,” she purrs. Snickers break out around the room, but I don’t care about any of that. My gaze stays on the spoiled brat who thinks she is being clever.

I smirk, but it’s not a nice look. It’s confirmed when Chanel’s smile drops. “Be inappropriate again, Miss Gruyeux, and you will spend the rest of the semester in detention. Do I make myself clear?” My voice is low, threatening.

She blinks, all smugness gone from her face, before swallowing with a curt nod. Moving my gaze from her, I look at my angel. She’s trying to bite back a smile, but I see it clearly. I may be possessive over Remi, but she gets just as jealous and possessive over me. I love it. My cock hardens further in my pants, and I just want to get home so I can strip her naked and bury my head and my cock between her thighs. I stifle a groan at the thought. Four o’ clock cannot come fast enough.

Growling quietly enough that no one hears me, I work through math equations with the class, readying them for an upcoming test after the holidays. Pushing most of my thoughts about the girl who has my heart away, I lose myself in numbers. So much so, the time flies by and before I know it, the bell is ringing.

Chairs scrape against the floor, and excited chatter breaks out around the room, no doubt at the fact that school is out for a couple of weeks for Christmas. “Alright, alright. Settle down,” I say sternly, making silence descend and all eyes dart to me. “I know it’s the holidays, but make sure you study.” They groan. “I mean it. I will be testing you all the first week back. No exceptions.”

There are several more groans, eyerolls, and aMr. Grant obviously needs to get laidcomment, but I ignore all of it. They can do and say what they like, they know I don’t mess around when it comes to tests.

Eventually, they all file out; all except for one. I don’t even have to look to know who it is. Remi steps up to my desk, her scent hitting me. I glance up at her with a smirk, briefly glancing at the door to make sure we’re alone. We have enough people onto us, we don’t need any more. “What can I do for you, Miss Hale?”

She rolls her eyes. “The doctor called. We have our appointment next week.” Her brow arches, eyes widen. I know what appointment that is without her having to tell me, and I can’t wait.

I lean back in my chair, steepling my fingers and laying them across my abs. “Good. I did ask for them to get us in as quickly as possible.” Dropping my voice to a whisper, I add, “I can’t wait to see how far along you are.” My eyes move to her flat stomach before moving back to hers. She chews her full bottom lip as she shifts on her feet. I know she is nervous, scared, but she doesn’t need to be. “Baby, you are allowed to feel how you want, but just know that we are going to be okay. Everything will be okay. I’ll make sure of it.” I feel like I’ve said the same thing hundreds of times now, but I will keep saying it until she believes me.

Because I mean every word of it.

---