Til Debt Do Us Part (Married At Midnight #4)

Chapter 17

Seventeen

Talia

A week later, I sneak into the loft apartment that I share with Dare. Well, sneak is maybe the wrong word. It’s hard for a seven and a half month pregnant woman to sneak anywhere, especially with arms full of shopping bags.

I do my best to move quietly through the penthouse, but Aunt Minnie ruins my discreet entrance. She pops her head around the corner from the back hallway, her eyes shining with excitement.

“Oh my lord,” she exclaims. She sees me lugging the bags inside and hurries over to help. “What have you brought home?”

My cheeks flush. “I may have blacked out and bought too much. I blame it on Dare’s limitless credit card. I’ve never in my life had a piece of plastic that let me take home literally anything in the store.”

“Ah. Come sit down and put your feet up. I was just about to have a cup of peach tranquility tea. I’ll pour you one as well.”

“Thank you,” I manage. “I shopped for too long. Now I’m exhausted and starving.”

“I’ll bring you a couple of fig cookies to bring your blood sugar back up.” She bustles around, putting a tea cup down in front of me and adding a pair of tawny fig bars. I stuff one into my mouth, grateful that she knows me so well. As she pours me a cup of tea, Aunt Minnie’s eyes track the bags. “What have you bought?”

“I’m embarrassed to say that I bought everything that caught my eye at the children's clothing store.” I pull out a box of tiny socks with colorful, goofy dinosaur patterns on them. “I cried over how small and adorable these were, so I figured I should at least buy them.”

“I think Dare will like those.” Aunt Minnie’s grinwidens. “He’ll be so excited to see what you got. And I’m sure he’ll love to see you.”

“I hope so.” I swallow my doubt.

My husband has been out of sorts lately. Not that he's been giving me a play by play exactly, but I can tell that he is extremely stressed when he comes out of his office. This week especially, Dare has rushed off to meetings with Morgan Drilling investors and come back with a hard, antagonized expression on his face.

Aunt Minnie sighs wistfully as she looks over the collection of children's clothing I have set out. “I still miss my bookstore,” she says.

I drape an arm around her shoulder and give her a gentle squeeze. “I know you do. How is it doing, in your absence?”

She waves away my concern. “Oh, they're managing just fine without me. Olive is running things until further notice. But I still worry about how it's all going to turn out in the end.”

I nod in understanding. Taking care of a business can be stressful, especially if it was passed down through generations like Minnie's store was for many years. “Well, my little girl is due in less than two months. Maybe after the baby gets here and we're settled into a routine, you could go back to working at the bookstore part-time? Or maybe even just on the weekends? That way you can ease back into running the store.”

Minnie smiles softly at me, her blue eyes twinkling with amusement and affection. "That's so thoughtful of you, sweetie. I might just take you up on that."

* * *

"Hello, darling girl," a deep voice murmurs, rolling over me. I open my eyes and find my husband looking down at me, his irises sparkling in the shafts of early afternoon sunlight that filter down from the high windows and into our bedroom. I blink and stir, my cheeks warming when I realize that I napped for several hours.

"Oh my god. I could've slept for days. This late in my pregnancy it feels like my body just wants to sleep."

He leans down and gives me a soft, sweet kiss. "How are you feeling today?"

I stretch and groan as I make myself sit up.

"My back hurts and my ankles are swollen. And I am exhausted. But other than that, I'm fine, I think."

Dare's eyebrows rise. "You think?"

I flush and push my hair out of my face.

"I guess I'm not really sure what being pregnant is supposed to feel like, but I'm not complaining. I'm just glad that you're here with me. I can't imagine doing this alone."

"I saw that we no longer have a kitchen island. It's been replaced by a station where shopping bags are deposited."

I wrinkle my nose. "You saw that, huh?"

"I did."

He sits down on the bed, pulling my back against his chest. His hands caress my swollen belly, slipping under my blouse to stroke the taut skin. I melt into his embrace, desire flaring hot and bright.

"How much did you spend today, little one?" His lips brush the shell of my ear, sending shivers down my spine.

I squirm in his arms, not wanting to answer. "I don't know..." I fib.

His right hand slides around to my back. With a flick of his wrist, he undoes the clasp of my bra, baring my breasts to his hot hands.He kneads my breasts and plucks at my nipples.

A whimper escapes my lips, making a quiet rumble of laughter emerge from Dare's chest. His lips find my ear, teasing and sucking.

"Dare..." I whisper.

He shifts, moving my body so that he has access to my pussy despite my swollen belly. One of his big hands slips between my bare legs, finding the damp heat there. Clever fingers circle and press until I'm writhing for more.

"Tell me how much you spent," he rasps, denying me his touch. I make a keening moan in protest, needing the release only he can give.

Pride wars with need, my body burning for his skillful caresses. I can deny him nothing, this man who holds my heart in his hands.

Defeated, I mumble the dollar amount under my breath. He chuckles, the sound dark and dangerous, stoking the fires within.

"Is that all, little one? You'll have to do better than that." His fingers slip inside me without warning, stretching and filling me in all the right ways. I cry out at the sudden invasion, back arching in pleasure-pain.

"Please," I beg, beyond caring about anything but the climax hovering just out of reach.

"Tell me," he demands again, adding another finger to torment my sensitive flesh.

I release a sob, uncaring who might overhear. All that matters is the bliss about to be mine.

Satisfied, he claims my mouth in a searing kiss, his clever fingers working me into a frenzy until the world shatters around me.

I come back to myself nestled against his chest, sated and sleepy. He strokes my hair, gently lulling me.

"I'm sorry I spent so much money," I whisper, my eyes halfway closed. "I promise it's all stuff for the baby."

Dare's lips twitch. "That was our deal in the beginning, wasn't it? The whole reason you agreed to marry me in the first place was because I could provide you with resources beyond what you already had."

I turn my head and open my eyes to look at him.

"I'm still skittish about spending your money."

He shrugs. "You shouldn't be. Now that we are married, it's your money too."

Tears prick my eyes at his acceptance and generosity. No one has ever cared for me the way Dare does, with a love as boundless as the sky.

"I don't need expensive things," I tell him earnestly. "All I want is you."

"And you shall have me, always." He kisses me then, soft and sweet, sealing his promise. "But that doesn't mean I won't spoil you at every opportunity. You deserve to have everything you were denied as a child and more."

"As long as I have you, that's all I need." I rest my head on his chest, listening to the steady beat of his heart.

A wave of gratitude overwhelms me, punching me right in the heart. I start crying, embarrassed and inundated by my sudden torrent of emotions.

He strokes my hair. "Why the tears, Talia?"

I shake my head and bury my face in the blankets.

Gradually, my tears subside. I take a deep, steadying breath and then meet his gaze.

"I'm sorry. The hormones?—"

"Ah." He runs his fingers through my hair, the gesture intimate. "You have nothing to apologize for."

His reassurance calms my anxieties. I smile up at him, filled with warmth and gratitude for this amazing man who came into my life. "What did I do to deserve you?"

"You were yourself." He kisses my forehead, then my lips. "Kind, strong, determined, and so full of love. From the moment I saw you, I knew you were special." He stops, his teeth biting his lip. "You brought light to my dark world, Talia. And now we're going to build a new life together. Once I take control of Morgan Drilling, we'll own the world."

My lips curve upward at his optimistic view.

"We'll also have a baby that cries in the middle of the night," I tease.

Dare grins. "I'll hire a night nurse so we can get our beauty sleep."

I smack his chest in mock outrage. "You will not! I want to experience every part of being a new mother, even the difficult parts."

"Whatever you say." He takes my hand and places it over my rounded belly. "I don't want to miss out on any crucial bonding moments, I guess."

Joy blossoms inside me as I feel a faint kick against my palm. Dare's hand covers mine, his warmth and strength enveloping us both. My mind drifts to the last time I was really, truly happy.

Maybe when I was a kid, playing in Olivia's yard. Olive and I would play house, making mud pies, planting flowers, and hosting pretend tea parties.

"When I was a kid, there used to be this tree I loved."

Dare quirks a brow. "That's not what I expected you to say."

"Sorry. I was just thinking how happy I am. And then I remembered the last time I was this happy. One really strong memory I have is this huge oak tree. It was in Olivia's back yard and we spent all our time under its branches, playing and exploring. We carved our names in the trunk and put wishes written on paper inside a hole we found in it."

"Oh yeah?"

"Yeah." I smile. "Until it was cut down when I was in high school, it was so great. I always loved that old tree," I say wistfully. "It was the perfect place to escape and dream. After a long day of chores and schoolwork, we'd climb the branches or sit with our backs against the trunk."

Dare squeezes my hand, his eyes sparkling with humor. "It sounds like you really loved that tree."

I slap his shoulder. "Don't laugh! Every kid should have a tree like that."

"It sounds like you have one item to add to your list of must-haves when we go house shopping. A big yard with a nice old tree."

Tears prick my eyes at his words.

"I... I never thought about going house shopping. I always assumed that I would just live wherever you live."

"Talia..." He fixes me with his gaze. "I started this whole venture thinking that I was just getting an heir. But I've spent the last few months falling in love with you." He cups my jaw and his eyes flash. "My goal is to make sure that you have every single thing you could ever want."

The breath is knocked out of me and for a second, I struggle to suck air into my lungs. My heart threatens to burst. No one has ever cared for me the way Dare does. And I don't know why he feels like I'm worth any of it, if I'm honest.

Flushing slightly, I realize I can't quite address the feelings that I have right now. So I smile and shift the subject slightly.

"You're going to spoil our baby rotten, aren't you?"

"Absolutely." He grins. "She'll be Daddy's little princess. Now, tell me more about this tree. Did it have a tire swing? I want to know exactly what made you happy as a child."

I snuggle into his embrace and begin spinning stories of better, simpler times. Of picnics in the park, catching fireflies on summer nights, and adventures in the woods behind our house. Dare listens with rapt attention, as if my memories are a treasured gift.

His thoughtfulness calms my anxieties. I smile up at him, filled with warmth and gratitude for this amazing man who came into my life.

Dare tenderly strokes my baby bump, feeling the little one flutter inside. He muses in a low voice about his own childhood.

"It's funny. I had anything and everything my heart desired - ice cream for breakfast, the best bikes money can buy, an entire palace worth of clothes. When I got old enough, I had a fleet of cars and a yacht, too. But all of it feels... empty. My parents and Remy showered Burn and I with gifts. But they never spent much time with us. When they did, it was a boring business event where they talked to other adults. There were a lot of suits and ties in my childhood."

He absently runs his fingers around his throat, under the collar of his shirt. His tie is gone now but I can see his Adam's apple bobbing as he swallows; is he remembering the feeling of a tie around his neck?

I pull Dare's hand to my chest, lacing my fingers with his as I press the back of his hand against my heart. He glances at me as if he'd forgotten for a moment that I was even here and smiles guiltily.

"I guess I shouldn't be complaining about never having to think about money."

My mouth curves up in a gentle smile. "I'll allow it this once."

"It's stupid to feel deprived."

I shrug. "It sounds like you needed someone to really care for you and comfort you. I'm sorry that you went through that. But having lived the experience, you can decide that you're going to raise your daughter differently."

Dare's gaze flits away for a second. His throat works and for a second, I think he's going to say something raw and emotional. But he seems to tamp down on whatever grief he is feeling.

He clears his throat and changes the subject. He rubs his hand over my belly, eliciting a kick. I make a face because the baby just jabbed my kidney. But Dare's gaze is fixed on my belly.

"She's got quite the pair of legs already," Dare murmurs, awe softening his tone as our daughter unleashes another flurry of kicks. "I can tell she's going to be a fighter, just like her mother."

"Hopefully not too strong-willed," I laugh. "Between the two of us, this little girl won't stand a chance at reasonable behavior."

"She'll be perfect," he insists, eyes glowing with pride and love. Then his expression sobers, and a shadow crosses his face. "My childhood was very different. Burn and I had every toy and luxury a child could dream of, but money can't buy happiness. Or love."

I lace my fingers through his, offering comfort. "You have love now. A family who will cherish you for the amazing man you are, not for your bank account or fancy cars."

"You're right." He lifts my hand to his lips, brushing a soft kiss over my knuckles. "I only wish I'd found you both sooner, so I could have spared you years of hardship and struggle."

"All that matters now is building a future together. Our daughter will never want for anything, especially not affection and care. You're going to be an amazing father, Dare Morgan. I can feel it in my soul."

"I think our daughter will be born lucky."

I swallow hard. "You know, I never thought I'd have this. A real family, and a man who loves me for who I am."

Dare cups my face, his gaze intense. "You deserve every happiness in the world, Talia. And I will spend the rest of my life ensuring you have it."

His words pierce my heart, unleashing a swell of emotion.

When the storm passes, I draw a shaky breath and wipe my eyes. "I'm sorry. Hormones again. They are kicking my ass today."

"Don't apologize." Dare kisses my forehead, hands gliding in slow circles over my back. "You have nothing to hide from me, Talia. I want all of you. Everything that makes you who you are."

I smile up at him, tracing the strong line of his jaw. "And you have all of me. Today, tomorrow, forever."

"Forever," he echoes, claiming my lips in a tender kiss.

I find myself thinking that maybe this could work, though there are enormous differences between us. Dare grew up with a silver spoon in his mouth, lavished with every luxury money could buy, while I struggled each day just to survive. He wields power and influence like a natural-born king, accustomed to having the world bend to his whim, whereas I've spent my life battling for each hard-won scrap.

And yet, in some ways, we are two sides of the same coin. Orphans both, denied the one thing every child craves most: a mother's love.

Our little girl will have the attention that we both craved as children, if it's the very last thing I do on this Earth.