Lovers by Night Read online

  “I didn’t tell him. He found out yesterday, and he wasn’t very happy with me.”

  “I bet not.” Paige was still trying to wrap her head around this whole idea.

  Her mother laughed. “But I did find out how he felt about me. One look at my face and he was up in arms and wanted to beat someone to a pulp for hurting me. And then when I told him he couldn’t beat up a car and told him the truth, he grabbed me and held me and told me he loved me.”

  More tears escaped Paige’s eyes as her mother teared up as well. “Well, I’d love to meet him. I don’t know how you managed to hide him from me.”

  “You’ve developed a busy life. I would dare to say you’ve been a bit preoccupied lately.”

  Thoughts of Brandon swarmed her and erased the smile from her face. “I guess I have been.”

  “It’s the doctor, isn’t it?”

  Paige sighed. “Yes.”

  “Are you two involved?”

  “Depends on what you mean by involved.”

  “The look on your face tells me what I need to know. You’ve fallen for him.”

  Paige looked away, gazing out the kitchen window. The trees swayed, dropping leaves to the ground. “I guess I have.” She turned to stare at her mother again. “Stupid of me, but yes, I fell for someone who will be leaving in a matter of a couple of months.”

  “Oh, Paige.” He mother stood up and folded her arms around her. “Our hearts sometimes make decisions without consulting our brains. Does he feel the same way?”

  A sob shook her chest, and she couldn’t contain it as she hugged her mother back. “I don’t know.”

  “Oh, my baby girl.” Audrey rubbed the back of Paige’s head as she cried against her. “Are you pregnant, Paige?”

  “I don’t know. The condom broke. I bought the morning after pill, but it is sitting in the front seat of my car. I don’t know if I should take it.”

  Audrey pulled back and tipped Paige’s face, brushing stray hairs back away from her tear-stained cheeks. “Listen. There isn’t a right or a wrong answer here. You make your choice, and know that no matter what it is, I’ll be here for you.”

  “Thanks, Mom.”

  *

  Brandon paced his apartment. He hadn’t heard from Paige all day. He knew she was at her mother’s, but it still drove him crazy that she hadn’t sent at least one text. He didn’t want to crowd her, so he hadn’t tried contacting her either. Should he have?

  “Damn it!” He ran his hands through his hair. Never in his life had a woman gotten to him this much. His fucking brain was consumed with her. Sleep had evaded him most of the night. He couldn’t get the picture of her worried and hurt face out of his head. Hurting her hadn’t been in his plan. He felt awful. Hell, it wasn’t as if he’d purposely broken the damned condom.

  He plopped down on the sofa. This had been the longest Sunday he’d ever experienced. Would he have to wait until tomorrow morning to talk to her? “Hell no.” He shook his head. He’d drive to her damned house. No way could he go that long and not know that she was all right.

  Frustration clawed at him. He craved the sight of her. Part of him regretted walking out her door last night. It had been hard not to demand she sit and talk with him. Leaving her alone felt wrong inside. But he knew she wanted space. And as much as it pained him to give it to her, he had.

  A knock sounded on the door. He leapt to his feet and raced across the room. In a way he felt like an idiot for the overzealous sprint, but who cared? It wasn’t as if anyone was here to see him act like a love-struck fool. The thought sobered him as his hand wrapped around the cool metal of the doorknob.

  Love? Where had that come from? Had he fallen in love with Paige? He gave himself a mental shake. Right now wasn’t the time to ponder that. He twisted the knob and opened the door. Paige stood in front of him, and it took all his effort not to reach out and pull her into his arms. But the look on her face didn’t seem receptive for that type of greeting. Cold air pushed its way around her and into his apartment, bringing him to his senses. He stepped back. “Come in.”

  She stepped over the threshold, and he closed the door behind her. “I’ve been worried about you.”

  She turned to look at him. “I can’t stay.”

  His chest tightened. He noticed the red rim of her eyes. She’d been crying. He reached out to touch her arms, and she pulled back. “Paige, what in the hell is going on? Why have you been crying?”

  “I decided not to take the pill.”

  Shock had his gaze widening, and he rocked back a little. “Okay.” Holy shit! Why wouldn’t she have taken the pill? And why was it not as upsetting to hear that news as it should have been?

  “Okay? Is that all you have to say?”

  He let out a whoosh of air and ran his hand through his hair. Sorting through his emotions right now was hell. “What do you want me to say? I respect your decision. It’s your body and your right.”

  She let loose a frustrated laugh. “Quoting patient rights?” She shook her head. “If I’m pregnant, I don’t expect you to feel obligated.”

  “What the hell is that supposed to mean?”

  She looked away. “I made a choice, and I don’t expect you to alter your life around my choice.”

  “What the fuck, Paige? Do you really think I could just leave and not think about the fact I might have a child? Or be there for my child? Is that what you think of me?”

  Her gaze met his. “I don’t think you’re a bad person. I just know that this isn’t what you wanted. And just because I chose not to take the pill doesn’t mean I expect anything from you.”

  “Well, I’m not your fucking father, and I will take care of my responsibilities.”

  She flinched.

  “Fuck. I didn’t mean to say that, Paige.” He reached for her again as he saw a tear escape her eye. Damn if he wasn’t fucking all this up.

  She brushed it away with the back of her hand and took a step toward the door. “I just thought I should tell you what I decided. I’m going to leave now.”

  “Damn it.” He sighed, reaching out to snake his arm around her waist and draw her to him. Her back met his chest, and he groaned. He didn’t want her to walk out. He’d never expected her to walk through his door tonight and tell him she wanted to ride this crazy wave. And he wanted to ride it with her. Was he crazy? Having a kid? Yesterday he hadn’t thought about it as a good thing, but right now, holding her close, it felt so damn right.

  “Don’t.”

  Her broken plea cut through him. “Paige, I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have said that.” The trembling of her hand caught his attention as she covered his.

  “It would be so easy,” she whispered.

  “Stay with me.”

  She squeezed his hand and then pulled away from him. “I can’t. I…”

  She didn’t finish what she was saying, and Brandon watched as she walked out the door. A pain seared his chest. “Fuck that!” He whipped open the door and marched after her. He wasn’t going to stand by and let her walk away from whatever this was between them. Not without a fight.

  Her head turned as he ate up the distance between them. “You’re not getting away that easy.” He grabbed her, and she yelped as he tossed her over his shoulder, turned, and headed back through the front door of his apartment.

  “Put me down!”

  He kicked the door closed then marched toward his bedroom. She balled up her fists and hit his back. He swatted her ass.

  “Ow! Brandon, this isn’t funny. Put me down, now!”

  “As you wish.” He dropped her onto the bed.

  She pushed her hair out of her face. “What in the hell do you think you’re doing?”

  He lowered himself on top of her. “I’m not going to let you walk out of that door and my life. Not without a fight.”

  Her fingers gripped his biceps, ready to push him back, but his words stopped her. Her gaze met his. “What do yo
u mean?”

  “You drive me crazy, Paige. And I can’t let you just walk away. Yeah, you get to make choices, and you chose not to take the pill, but you sure as hell don’t get to choose how everything in this relationship is going to go.”

  “I wasn’t aware we had a relationship.”

  He closed his eyes and growled. “Stubborn woman.”

  She didn’t get a chance to react. His lips met hers, and all thoughts of why she should resist him fled. Her mouth opened to his seeking tongue. She wound her hands into his hair and pulled him closer.

  This wasn’t a good idea. Really she should come to her senses and push him away and guard her heart. But with the crisp taste of him in her mouth and the feel of his powerful body pressed against hers, she couldn’t think beyond wanting him. She spread her legs, and his erection pressed against her pelvis. She gasped, breaking the kiss.

  His lips and teeth started a journey down her neck. “You drive me fucking wild, Paige.”

  She moaned and raised her hips to meet his. “This is crazy.”

  He nipped at her ear lobe. “I know. But I can’t stop. I don’t know that I will ever get enough of you.”

  Her heart lurched. “What are you saying?”

  His hand dipped beneath her shirt, and he covered her breast. “I’m saying I need you.”

  Need wasn’t love. And damn, she loved him. It would hurt when he walked away.

  He pulled back and looked into her eyes. “I’m in love with you.”

  Astonishment laced his words. Paige held his stare. Happiness filled her chest. She’d hoped he would fall for her too, but after the way he talked last night about adoption and morning after pills, she figured he’d moved her firmly into the temporary category.

  He smiled then kissed her soundly before pulling away. “I think I fell in love with you the first time I ever saw you.”

  Tears started to track down her cheeks, and she smiled. “I love you too.”

  He kissed her again, and she pulled at his clothes. The need to be close to him drove her mad. Their movements were frenzied as they undressed. When his skin touched hers, they moaned together.

  “I’m so stupid, Paige. It took me nearly losing you to realize I love you.” He kissed her.

  She broke away with a gasp as his cock rubbed against her entrance.

  He rocked forward again. “You know what?”

  “What?” She sighed and bowed her back.

  “I’m glad you didn’t take that pill.”

  “Really?”

  “Yeah. Because the thought of you having my child makes me happy.”

  She couldn’t keep from crying. “It does?”

  “Nearly as much as the thought of you being my wife.”

  “Are you asking me to marry you?”

  “Will you make me the happiest man alive and become my wife?”

  She couldn’t speak through the tears of happiness clogging her throat. She nodded her head ecstatically.

  He laughed, brushing tears from her face. “I love you. And I want to be with you forever. I went crazy last night when you asked me to leave. I don’t want to ever leave you again.”

  She hugged him tight. “I don’t want you to leave me again either. I love you so much, Brandon. Make love to me.” She raised her hips, gliding her pussy against his cock.

  He growled and nipped the sensitive skin on her neck. “Are you sure about this baby thing? Because I really don’t want to put a condom on right now.”

  She slipped her hand between their bodies and guided the head of his erection to her opening. “Nothing between us anymore.”

  He captured her lips and pushed forward with his hips. She cried into his mouth, and he drank it down. The feel of him inside her was glorious. He matched the rhythm of his tongue with his pelvis. Slow, long, sensuous strokes that had her yearning for more. She moved beneath him, meeting every thrust.

  Pleasure built in her core and had her writhing. He pulled his lips from hers and moved one hand to her ass, holding her still as he pistoned in and out of her.

  “I love you, Paige. More than anything.”

  Ecstasy overwhelmed her as her orgasm rocked through her body. His muscles tightened, and he moaned loud as he came inside her. The warm rush of his seed made her clench tighter, and she whimpered as she held him close.

  For a moment they stayed locked together, their labored breaths mingling. He then moved to his back, taking her with him to lie on his chest. She rested her head against the steady, rapid beat of his heart.

  A small breathy laugh made his chest rise and fall. She tilted her head and looked up at him. He was smiling as he looked at the ceiling. “What’s so funny?”

  “I just can’t believe how fast things changed in my life.”

  Panic tried to grip her. She pushed away from him and sat up. “Is it a bad thing?”

  He rolled his eyes at her then grabbed her by the arm and tugged her back into his embrace. “Stop. It’s not a bad thing. It’s just surprising. Kind of sneaked up on me.” He brushed her hair away from her face. “I had no idea when I came here that I wouldn’t be leaving.”

  “So you want to stay here?”

  “I want to be wherever you are.”

  She smiled. “I would have gone to New York with you. I probably would have frozen my ass off, but I would have gone.”

  His hands slid down and covered her ass. “I wouldn’t want anything happening to this ass that was unpleasant.”

  “This is really happening?”

  His lips touched hers in a sweet kiss. “This is definitely happening.”

  Epilogue

  Six weeks later…

  Brandon glanced down at the band of gold encircling his ring finger before opening the front door of his and Paige’s house. They’d been married for three weeks. People at the clinic had been a little shocked at the development, but the gossip surrounding their union had begun to die down.

  The wonderful aroma of lasagna hit him as he stepped over the threshold. He’d hit the jackpot with Paige. She was beautiful, funny, an excellent lover, and damn if she couldn’t cook to boot. “Smells wonderful, honey.”

  Paige came around the corner from the kitchen. “Hey, babe. How did your meeting with the CEO go?”

  He smiled. “It’s official. The clinic hired me.”

  She walked up to him and kissed him soundly. “I bet your nurse isn’t going to like that news. I don’t know how she puts up with you.”

  He smacked her ass. She tossed her head back and laughed. Pulling her close, he whispered in her ear, “She gets fringe benefits.”

  She pressed closer to him, and he knew she’d be able to tell he was turned on. Hell, around her, he stayed that way.

  “Looks like you’re happy to see me.”

  “Always.” He kissed her deeply and started to guide her toward their bedroom.

  She broke away from him. “Nope. No dessert first tonight. Mom and Frank are coming over for dinner, and we need to share the good news with them.”

  “They already know I put in to stay here, and we all figured it would happen. So why not call them and cancel and we can still do dessert first.” He made a grab for her, and she danced out of his reach.

  “Not that news.”

  He sobered. “What news then?”

  Her hands went to her belly, and his knees went weak. His gaze darted to her eyes and then back down again. “We’re having a baby?”

  She smiled. “Yes. We’re having a baby.”

  Joy blasted through his chest. He closed the distance between them and lifted her in his arms. “I love you so much, Paige. And I’m going to be the best damned husband and father ever, or I will die trying.”

  She hugged him tight. “I love you too. And you already are the best damned husband, and I know you will be an awesome father.”

  His lips found hers, and he carried her into their room. If Mom and Frank showed up, t
hey were just going to have to wait. Because, right now, making love to his wife was the top priority. Paige and his child would always be his number one.

  A Thank You from Fated Desires

  Thank you so much for reading Lovers by Night!! We’re so happy you’re enjoying the Tempting Signs series! We do hope if you liked this, that you would please leave a review from where you purchased this or on another platform. Not only does a review spread the word to other readers, they let us know if you’d like to see more stories like this from us.

  Lovers by Night is a special novella in the Tempting Signs series. The series is written by twelve authors for each sign of the zodiac. Make sure you find all twelve stories throughout the year! Some are interconnected so you will see cameos from characters you love.

  If you’d like to know more about Fated Desires, check out our website or email us at [email protected].

  You can also find out more through our MAILING LIST.

  Also, join our Fated Desires Book Club to interact with our authors.

  Make sure you read the complete Tempting Signs Series from Fated Desires

  Each title will be released in 2015 and 2016 during the time of their Zodiac Sign

  Aries:

  Lust Actually

  By Heather Long

  Taurus:

  Forever Devoted

  By Virginia Nelson

  Gemini:

  Gemini Rising

  By Ranae Rose

  Cancer:

  Finally Found You

  By Carrie Ann Ryan

  Leo:

  Before the Rain

  By JoAnne Kenrick

  Virgo:

  Under the Lights

  By Rebecca Royce

  Libra:

  All’s Fair

  By Kate Richards

  Scorpio:

  Dark Sky

  By Katalina Leon

  Sagittarius:

  Into the Night