Page 62 of Sin and Seduction

He just never fucking leaves.

Don’t get me wrong, I want my daughter to have a father, and I am glad that he is trying to prove himself, especially since he got an apartment in the same fucking building as me and built his own nursery for her, but when it comes to us, I stay away. I’ve had a hard time trusting men most of my life, both from past trauma with relationships and my late father, but I definitely don’t trust James Rowen. This is the man who kidnapped me and held me hostage in a barn in the middle of fucking nowhere. This is also the man who gave me the most delicious orgasms that I’ve ever had in my life, but that’s neither here nor there.

Just because he has an apartment and a nursery does not mean he’s equipped enough to be a decent father. He’s moody and arrogant, annoying and impulsive. I can’t imagine him showing anything empathy or care. He’s a child himself. A dirty, rough child with the biggest hands and an even bigger…

Never mind. Every time I let my thoughts trail over him, I always get myself worked up. Besides, it’s the pregnancy hormones anyways. As soon as my daughter is out of me and into the world, I am almost certain that I will have absolutely no attraction to James Rowen.

I looked down at the view before me again, staring at all the buildings that shimmer in the California sun. I look to the right and see the very top of Esmeralda’s restaurant. Christina’s opened about five months ago and has been booming ever since. I’m so thankful that my sister-in-law let me become a part of her team, loving the work that I do every single day. I’ve always had a way with people, and I love marketing her business and drawing her customers in. She hasn’t let me work much lately, with me being severely pregnant, but she does allow me to work remotely. I’ve been going stir crazy this entire pregnancy, and the only thing that has been my saving Grace is the move into my new apartment and the work that I do for the restaurant.

She did mention that because business is doing so well that she does have a plan of opening up a second store, in which case she will put me in charge of that one. I’ve already drafted up outlines and blueprints for it and have even looked at a few locations nearby. As much as I love San Francisco, it makes sense to open up a second restaurant in LA. With the handsome salary that I received from the business as well as from my family, I have no issue having a home here and in Los Angeles. James is my only problem. And by problem, I mean the fact that he never leaves me alone.

A knock sounds at the front door, and I sigh, knowing that it’s him. I take a deep breath and walk to it, resting my hand on the doorknob before pulling it open and coming face to face with James Rowan for the fifth time this week. As soon as he heard where my apartment was going to be, he decided it to be a great idea to move in right across from me. Just when I thought I could get some peace and escape this man, he throws me for a loop yet again.

“What do you want? “ I ask, sounding annoyed, but he doesn’t miss a beat.

He gives me that same cocky, cowboy smile and rests his hands on the doorway, leaning in close. Even though he lives in a nice city and an even nicer apartment, he still dresses like he works in a barn. The same old dusty boots and wranglers, always a white t shirt that shows off his perfectly sculpted muscles in his arms. He’s always spent most of his time working out, but now that he is partners with my brothers and overseeing the new cartel, he’s become absolutely shredded with training. I avert my gaze when he catches me staring.

“It’s good to see you, too, darlin’. How’s my girl today?” I know he’s talking about his daughter in my belly, but I can’t stop the tingle that erupts in my core when he says this.

I roll my eyes and step away from the door and allow him to walk inside.

“Hungry. Hungry all the time. She’s turned me into a cow,” I say.

“A cow? Would you like me to milk you?” he says in a naughty tone, staring me up and down as he rests his arms on the counter.

Oh my god.That shouldn’t make me hot, but it does.

“Gross. Have you gotten her crib yet?” I ask, knowing that was the last piece of furniture he needed for her nursery in his place.

“Set it up myself this morning. Would you like to see it? I can make you breakfast,” he offers with a smile, but I shake my head.

I know, I know. He’s trying. And trust me, all I’ve dreamed of is a man to hold me close and make me breakfast, but I can’t fall for it with this man. He’s too unpredictable and too closed off. I’ll only end up getting hurt if I let myself get involved with him. We will be co-parents together, and that is it. End of.

“I’ll look at it after she is born. Just make sure everything is safe and put together correctly,” I say, walking to the kitchen and grabbing my fourth granola bar of the day.

He watches my movements, staring at me closely like he does it every day. I often find myself wondering what he’s thinking of when he looks at me like this, but I don’t indulge myself too much when the thought crosses my mind. James Rowen is a heartbreaker, and the only intimate memory I will have of him was that one long night we spent in bed together at his barn months ago. The night that knocked me up with this blessing inside of me. For her, I’d do it all over again. For her, I’d walk through fire.

“Speaking of our daughter,” he says, breaking my thoughts.

“Have we thought of her name yet?” he asks and I shake my head.

“I’ll know it when I meet her,” I say, pouring myself a glass of water and sitting on my leather couch.

“You’ve been saying that for months, Gabriela. Can’t we decide on just this one thing together?” he asks in a frustrated tone, and I glare at him.

“Did we decide on the apartment you got across from me? Did we even discuss it? No. As soon as you knew where I was moving to, you bought the tenant out of his lease and moved right in without consulting me,” I hiss, and he slams his hand down on the table, making me jump.

He walks toward me, his stance powerful and intimidating. I look up at him with narrowed eyes, showing him that I refuse to ever yield to him.

“I’m sorry for wanting to be close to my child and the woman who carries her. Is it such a crime that I want to be involved?” he hisses, and I push him away as I stand up, my belly practically touching him with how large it is.

“Maybe I’d let you be more involved if you knew how to control your fucking temper!” I shout, and he scoffs at me.

“I have a temper because a viper is carrying my daughter,” he says and I sneer at him.

I’m about to shout, but suddenly I feel something warm and wet pool between my thighs. I look down at the puddle now at my feet, a gasp leaving my lips.

“What is that? Did you spill your glass?” he asks suddenly, staring at the puddle, too.

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