Carrying the Lost Heir's Child (17 page)

Jake’s eyes darted to her stomach, a wide grin spread across his face. “What did it feel like?” he asked, his hand pausing in mid-stroke over her leg.

“Like someone was inside tickling me,” she explained. “It was faint. The sensations happened twice while I was sitting here watching you and Tyler.”

He brought his gaze back up to hers. “How long were you watching us?”

“Long enough to know you two have a special bond.”

“I love him,” Jake said without hesitation. “I’d do anything for him.”

Lily nodded. “Liz explained the situation. I can’t imagine being a single mom.”

The smack of reality hit her before she realized what she’d said. Jerking her legs off Jake’s lap, she came to her feet. Crossing the wide porch, she rested her hands on the white railing at the edge of the structure.

“You won’t be alone.” Jake’s hands slid around her waist seconds later. She hadn’t even heard him get up and move toward her. “I’ll never let this baby feel neglected and I’ll never let you feel like you’re doing it all by yourself. No matter what happens with us.”

Lily dropped her head between her shoulders and sighed. “There is no ‘us,’ Jake,” she whispered. “Letting you back in...I don’t know if I could survive being hurt again.”

Tears pricked her eyes behind her closed lids as his fingers splayed across her abdomen. “I’m not giving up on us, Lily,” he murmured in her ear. “And I won’t let you give up, either.”

As much as she wanted to resist him and back up her words with actions, she found herself leaning back against his chest as a tear slipped down her cheek.

“I’m not leaning on you,” she told him with a sniff. “I’m not weak and I don’t need you. I’m just tired, that’s all.”

Rubbing her stomach with gentle motions, he kissed the side of her head. “I know, baby. I know.”

Nineteen

J
ake swirled the whiskey around in the glass tumbler. Staring at the amber liquid wasn’t taking the edge off, but he didn’t want to lose himself in the bottom of a bottle, either. Right now he needed a clear head, needed to process what the hell was going on with Lily.

Keeping his hands off of her the past few days had tested restraint he didn’t even know he possessed. But being with her on the porch, witnessing such raw emotions from her had nearly broken him. The damage he’d caused her was inexcusable, yet she’d leaned on him for a moment and he’d taken that as a sign of hope. At this point, he was grasping at anything she’d throw out.

She’d eaten dinner with him, Liz and Tyler and had gone to her room afterward. He hadn’t seen or heard from her all evening and it was nearly eleven. More than likely she was asleep, curled up in that four-poster bed he’d bought from an antiques dealer. The clear image of her dark hair spread all around the crisp white sheets had him clenching the glass before finally slamming it down onto his desk.

If he ever wanted a chance with her, he needed to be open about everything from his life to his emotions. He needed for her to see that he’d changed, he put her first and nothing would come between them again. He couldn’t let more time pass without telling her exactly where she stood in his life.

Standing just outside her door, he pondered for a minute if he should wait until morning. She was supposed to rest, after all, but he couldn’t. He’d given her space and it was time she realized just how serious he was about winning her back.

Tapping on the door with the back of his knuckles, Jake swallowed and tried to ignore his frantic heartbeat. Nerves consumed him, but being a coward now would certainly secure a future without the woman and child he loved.

The knob rattled just as the door eased open. Lily stood before him, her hair spilled over one shoulder, her eyes wide. Apparently she’d been just as restless as he had. A small light glowed from the table lamp beside her bed.

“Can I come in?” he asked. When she said nothing, he added, “I have some things I need to say.”

He worried she would slam the door in his face, a definite right she had, but she opened the door a bit wider and he realized her slamming the door would’ve been a blessing. Now his penance was having this conversation while seeing her dressed in a silky chemise, the same one he’d slid off her body many times before.

Only this time, her belly rounded out the midsection and her full breasts threatened to come out of the lacy top.

He glanced to the unmade bed, the sheets all twisted in the middle. “I’m sorry if you were sleeping.”

Lily shook her head as she sat on the edge of the bed. “I wasn’t asleep.”

Jake remained by the door because if he even took one more step into this room he wouldn’t be able to keep from touching her. Between her tousled appearance and the inviting bed that mocked him, he seriously deserved a damn award in self-control.

But he was here to lay it all on the line. Never before had he done anything so important and so terrifying.

“Damon came by the other day,” he began, shoving his hands into the pockets of his jeans. “We’ve come to an agreement to work on our relationship.”

Lily rested her hands next to her hips. “I know. I was coming down the stairs when he arrived. I listened for a few minutes, but came back upstairs. I’m sorry I eavesdropped. I couldn’t make myself leave until I knew what he wanted.”

Jake smiled. “It’s okay. He said the girls were upset, but they understood my angle and they wanted to get to know their only brother. Damon actually invited me over this weekend for dinner.”

Lily’s smile hit on every nerve Jake had. He missed that smile, missed the light in her eyes...a light he’d diminished and was desperately trying to get back. He didn’t just want that brightness back for only himself, but for her. He wanted her to be that vibrant woman he’d fallen in love with, the stunning light he’d met months ago.

“I’m really happy for you, Jake.”

“He asked if you’d be joining me.”

Lily’s eyes widened before her gaze darted down into her lap. “I don’t think that’s a good idea.”

“I told him I was giving you time to make your own decisions,” he went on, not letting her refusal deter him from his goal. “I hadn’t planned on telling you about his visit because I didn’t want you to think I was trying to sway your decisions.”

Her dark eyes came back up to his. “And aren’t you?”

“Not by telling you his choice to give me another chance.” Jake pulled his hands from his pockets, massaged the back of his neck and took a deep breath. “I’ve time, Lily. I told you to stay for a week and I’ve truly tried to keep my distance. Knowing you’re here, within my reach, has been one of the hardest things I’ve ever faced.”

“I know,” she whispered.

That spark of hope he’d had earlier on the porch grew stronger at her quiet confession—apparently she’d been battling the same war. Jake took another step into the room, then another.

“Tell me you’re ready to give up,” he told her, damning the tears that threatened to clog his throat. “Tell me the thought of living without what we have is more appealing than fighting for us.”

He didn’t miss the way her fingers curled into the sheets on the edge of the bed, nor did he miss her shaky intake of breath.

Her silence was invitation enough to move closer, so close he knelt in front of her, taking her hands and holding them in her lap.

“Tell me that I’ve got no chance with you,” he went on. “Because I won’t give up on us as long as there’s hope. I have to believe you’re not ready to give up or you would’ve left here before now.”

Lily’s chocolate eyes filled as she bit her unpainted bottom lip. “I can’t tell you that.”

Relief flooded him, but he was still not in the clear.

“I know we have a lot to work through,” he continued. “I know I deserve nothing, but I’m asking for everything. I want you in my life, Lily. I want us to be a family. I don’t care if I have to live in LA part of the time and we can come here to get away. You call the shots here.”

“I’m scared, Jake. I’ve never loved like this before, never been so hurt because of it.”

Easing forward even more, he let her hands go and wrapped his arms around her waist as he looked up into her teary eyes. “I’ve never loved like this before, either. That’s no excuse for hurting you the way I did, but I can swear on my life that I’ll never hurt you again. I want a lifetime to love you, Lily. I want forever to be the man you deserve and the father our children deserve.”

She threaded her fingers through his hair. “I’m risking everything by letting you back in.”

“My heart is on the line, too,” he told her. “If you walked out again it would kill me. I love you, Lily. I know when I said it before the timing couldn’t have been worse. But I love you so much I ache when you’re not with me.”

The smile that spread across her face had tears gliding down over her cheeks. “I love you, too, Jake.”

Every bit of tension and fear left his body as he leaned his head forward, resting it against their baby. Lily’s fingertips caressed the back of his neck as he breathed in her familiar scent.

“I won’t keep anything from you again,” he murmured as he lifted his head.

“I know. You’ve shown me the man you are. I want to give us another chance.” She stared into his eyes, and his heart swelled with love at the light shining back. “I do have one stipulation, though.”

“What’s that?”

Her hands framed his face, stroked his jaw. “Maybe a little scruff? I fell in love with a rugged man who turned my insides out that first night in the loft. Maybe you could not shave for a while?”

Jake laughed. “Anything you want. Besides, I’ll be too busy to shave.”

“Oh, really?” Lily lifted her brows. “And what will you be doing?”

Jake’s hands traveled up the silky chemise to the thin straps barely containing her breasts. “I plan on keeping you in bed for the next several days.”

Her body trembled beneath his. “Well, the doctor did tell me to rest.”

Sliding the straps down, he peeled the lacy material over her breasts and palmed her. “Oh, you’ll rest. You can just lie there while I take very good care of you.”

Lily’s head fell back as she arched into his touch. “You have the best ideas.”

Epilogue

T
he grounds were as immaculate as always. The early fall sun shining high in the sky beamed down onto the intimate ceremony. The handsome groom held the bride's hands as their smiles beamed off the other. There was nothing fancy, nothing over-the-top for this outdoor wedding. An arch covered with white buds and sprays of greenery covered the stone walkway, white rose petals sprinkled over freshly cut grass and a family surrounding the happy couple.

Reaching over, Jake took Lily's hand in his. When she sniffed and swiped at the moisture threatening to slip down her cheek, Jake squeezed her hand and leaned over.

“I love you,” he whispered. The man knew just how to press on every single hormonal button she had. He palmed her rounded belly with his other hand. “I love her, too. I can't wait to make you my wife.”

Lily tipped her head to rest on his shoulder as she watched the couple standing before her pronounced husband and wife by the minister.

Damon kissed his bride, sealing his bond with Linda. Only Tessa, Grant, Cassie, Emily, Ian, Jake and Lily were in attendance. The quaint family ceremony was perfect. Every detail taken care of by the Barrington sisters and Lily. For once Linda didn't lift a finger. The younger girls had wanted her to just show up and enjoy her special day.

As everyone came to their feet, Jake pulled Lily into his arms. “I can't wait to marry you next weekend.”

They'd opted to hold off on their own plans until Damon and Linda were married so everybody's focus and celebration wouldn't be torn. They'd also opted to marry just before her exclusive interview in ten days, which would reveal the pregnancy and her marriage all in one shocking swoop. At nearly seven months, Lily had more energy than ever and they'd just found out the baby was a girl...as they'd thought all along.

They'd both immediately known the name—Rose. How could they name their baby after anyone but the woman who, in a roundabout way, brought Lily to the estate?

While Lily loved how private she and Jake had been for the past several months, she was eager to introduce him to her world, to show everyone that true love existed and she'd found it.

They'd visited her mother and she and Jake had clicked perfectly. Lily couldn't be happier with how her family was growing, how she was being welcomed into the Barringtons as if she'd always been part of them. Damon had fully embraced Jake, as well. The two men were already power planning for the upcoming racing seasons. Just because the girls were retiring and gearing up to open a riding school for disabled children didn't mean Damon was ready to let go just yet. Especially with his son breeding Don Pedro. The families were truly meshing in every way.

Linda and Damon turned, moving from one family member offering hugs and smiles to another. So much happiness enveloped them. Each couple had fought through pain, through obstacles that could break most others.

With three more children in the Barrington clan taking off, Lily knew this dynasty was truly just getting started.

* * * * *

If you loved CARRYING THE LOST HEIR'S CHILD, pick up the rest of
THE BARRINGTON TRILOGY
from Jules Bennett

SINGLE MAN MEETS SINGLE MOM
WHEN OPPOSITES ATTRACT...

Available now from Harlequin Desire!
Keep reading for an excerpt from SNOWED IN WITH HER EX by Andrea Laurence.

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