Marriage of Convenience

I’d always known that my life could be happier, but I’d always thought the level of bliss I felt now was reserved for romance novels. Sometimes I woke with a start, worrying that it was all a dream. But then Chase would pull me into his arms and I’d immediately fall back asleep, knowing I was safe and loved.

Not that everything was perfect. Chase could hover more than I liked. I never felt controlled, by him, and I could certainly understand his desire to keep me safe. Still, sometimes a woman needed a moment to breathe.

Chase’s life at work seemed to be back to normal if the bickering and sniping that went on between the brothers was any indication. Chase was a loving husband, but he could be pretty ruthless when it came to business and to keeping his brothers in line.

I could hear them arguing from outside Chase’s office as I made my way to visit him, James in tow because he never left my side once I was out of the apartment.

“Some things never change,” Alex said as I approached and she nodded toward Chase’s door.

“I guess not.”

“How about lunch some time?” she asked. “Someplace not owned by one of these knuckleheads.”

“Is there such a place?” I asked.

James snickered and Alex grinned. “There won’t be for long. I think someday the Ravens will own the known world.” Alex shook her head. “Want me to let them know you’re here?”

“Nah, let me surprise them.” I walked over to Chase’s door.

“You’ve gone soft, Chase. Too much of a good thing can do that to you,” I heard Kade say.

“At least I’m not an asshole,” Chase snapped back.

“Not often anyway,” I said poking my head through the door.

Chase smiled when he saw me. Kade rolled his eyes.

“Someday Kade, a woman will get into that prickly heart of yours,” I said.

“Did you just call me a prick?” he said with a grin.

“If she didn’t, I will,” Hunter said, rising from his perch on the arm of the couch. “How are you Sara?”

“I’m very good, Hunter, thank you for asking.” He kissed me on the cheek as he made his exit.

“I’m heading to my office to work on the new club specs,” Ash said to Chase. To me he said, “Personally, I wish you’d soften him up more.”

“Stay out of my business, Chase. I mean it,” Kade said. As he walked past me he said, “If you ever change your mind about that asshole, let me know. I’m available.”

“Get out, Kade,” Chase growled.

Kade grinned, clearly enjoying that he got under Chase’s skin.

Chase came from around his desk, greeting me with a hug and a kiss. “Everything okay?”

“Yep, I just came to see my husband. I hope I didn’t interrupt anything important.”

He shrugged. “We can get back to it later.” He guided me to his couch. “So, what’s up?”

“I brought you a present.” I sat down, and he took a seat next to me.

“It’s not Christmas or my birthday.” He took the rectangle box wrapped in red paper I handed him.

I frowned. “When is your birthday?” There was still so much I didn’t know about him.

“Not today.” He studied the box and then shook it. “What’s the occasion?”

“You need to open it to see.” I smiled at him.

He grinned back, and then reached for me, kissing me fully on the lips. “I’d rather unwrap you.”

My body came alive at his words. “That could be an option after you open your present.”

His eyes flashed with desire and then he ripped the paper off to reveal a gold pen box. “You got me a pen?”

“I don’t know. Open it.”

He lifted the lid of the box and his breath caught. He took out the white plastic stick, reading it. “Pregnant.” His gaze whipped up to mine. “You’re pregnant?”

I nodded, biting my lower lip to keep from blubbering. “Yes.” I hoped that I’d get pregnant right after we renewed our marriage vows, but one month and then two went by and there still wasn’t a baby. I worried that something was wrong, but the doctor assured me that all was well and that sometimes it just took time to make it happen. Then over the last few days I had the same fatigue and nausea I had the first time. And of course, no period. Excited and yet afraid to hope, I’d run out, with James hot on my heels, to get a test. I swore him to secrecy as we returned home and I took the test.

“Oh Jesus, Sara.” He set the box down and pulled me into his lap.

“Are you happy?”

“Ecstatic, baby. How do you feel?” His hand went to my belly.

“Tired and sometimes nauseous, but happy. I have a doctor’s appointment later today, but I couldn’t wait, Chase. I had to come tell you as soon as I took the test.”

“I’m glad you did. I’ll come with you to the doctor’s office.”

“I don’t want to interrupt your day any more than I have.”

“Don’t you know?” he said pressing his palm to my cheek. “You’re more important than the company. You and the baby are the most important things to me.”

“I love you.”

“Ah, I love you too.” He kissed me again, at first slow, but then he slowly increased the burn and lay me back underneath him on the couch. “Now can I unwrap you?”

“Yes.” I hoped no one would come in as he unbuttoned my blouse and undid the front clasp of my bra. He leaned over, sucking one nipple and then the other. They were a little tender, so I winced.

“Did I hurt you?”

“They’re just a little tender.”

He gently cupped one breast and then laved the nipple with his tongue. “I’ll miss these when the baby gets to have them.” He looked up into my eyes. “But it will be worth it.”

We slowly undressed and I was able to change our position so that he was sitting on the couch and I was straddled his lap. I particularly liked this position because I loved to watch Chase as I took control of his pleasure. I stroked his dick, watching as his eyes flashed with wildfire.

I guided him to my entrance and slowly lowered down. Our sighs of pleasure filled his office.

“What will you do if someone walks in?” I asked, nipping on his lips.

“Tell them to leave,” he groaned, as his hands gripped my hips.

“You won’t be embarrassed?” I rocked my pelvis, making him groan again.

“Everyone knows I have sex with my wife.” He snaked out his tongue and licked my nipple, and it was my turn to groan. “They’ll be jealous of me though, so it might be better if no one walks in.”

“Jealous that you have sex?” I rose up and then slid back down, eliciting groans from both of us.

“Jealous that I have sex with you.” He brought his hands to my cheeks and pulled me down for a kiss. “Make me come, Sara.”

And with that, no further words were said, except for a few “fuck yeah” and one “I’m gonna come,” from Chase. I rode him, faster and faster, chasing my own pleasure, heightened by watching him as he reached for his.

“Yes, baby, right there.” His thumb stroked over my clit, and that was it. I was soaring with bliss, my entire body going taut as pleasure flooded me. Chase bucked up, and I felt his essence fill me.

“I love you, Chase,” I said, kissing him hard, wanting him to know for sure how much he meant to me.

“I love you, baby. Fuck do I love you.”

I’d just buttoned the final button on my shirt, when Chase’s father knocked and opened the door. Chase zipped up his pants, and his father’s brow rose.

“Am I interrupting?”

“Not anymore,” Chase said.

My cheeks heated. “I can leave you two to meet.”

“No,” Chase said, taking my hand. “Let’s tell him. Let’s tell them all.”

I grinned. “Okay.”

“Tell me what?” My father-in-law frowned.

Chase called Alex on the phone and asked her to get his brother’s there. Fortunately, none of them had left the building, and within a few minutes all the Raven men were in Chase’s office. It was always way too much testosterone for me, but I stood by Chase with his arm around me.

“You summoned?” Kade said, looking annoyed.

“I did. I have something you all need to know.”

“You know you’re not king yet?” Kade said.

“You know you’re still a spoiled brat, right?” Hunter said to him.

“Boys, let your brother speak,” Cam said.

Chase grinned at me. “Why don’t you tell them.”

I swallowed as joy bubbled up and threatened to make me blubber again.

“Tell us what?” Kade said with an annoyed tone.

“I hope our sons are better mannered than him,” Chase whispered in my ear.

I laughed and then looked at Chase’s brothers and father. My family. “Chase and I are having a baby.”

All the annoyed expressions morphed immediately into cheers.

Cam was the first to reach me and hug me. “Ah my sweet girl. You’ve given me such joy.” He kissed my temple.

Ash was next, giving me a hug. “I still don’t know why you let this big galoot touch you, but I’m very happy for you.” He turned to Chase, giving him a hug too. “I’m happy for you both.” I noted a tinge of sadness in his voice. Chase told me that he thought Ash had loved and lost and I wondered if he was thinking about what might have been.

Hunter wrapped me up in one of his protective bear hugs and then shook Chase’s hand and gave him a slap on the back. “Congratulations to you both. You deserve happiness.”

Kade hugged me last, giving me a kiss on the cheek. “Congratulations, Sara. I know you’ll be a great mother. I’m sure you’ll be able to overcome whatever impact this asshole will have on your child.”

“I can’t wait until a woman brings you to your knees,” I said.

He frowned. “Hey, be nice.”

“Celebration at Kade’s tonight,” Chase said.

“I’m not prepared to close down tonight.”

“Then in the private space.” Chase said. “I’ll cover all costs.”

“I’m charging you double,” Kade said.

Ten minutes later, Chase and I were alone again.

“You’ve brought a lot of joy to my family,” Chase said pulling me into his arms.

“They’ve brought a lot of joy to me too.” I rested my head against his chest, loving the way it made me feel safe and loved. Like I was home. “I just wish your brothers could have their own happiness.”

“My father does too, but they’re all even more hard headed than I am.”

“Do you think they’re a lost cause?” I asked.

“I think it would take an amazing woman to change them, and since I have the one amazing woman, they’re out of luck.”

I lifted my head and looked up at him. “You’re amazing too.”

He grinned. “You inspire me.” He cupped my face in his palms. “You showed me love, Sara. I regret so many things about how we started and how I treated you, but I promise, I’m going to dedicate my life to make you and our child—”

“Children.”

His smile grew wider. “Children. I’m going to spend every day making you and our children happy.”

“Don’t you know, Chase? You already do.”