There’s no other woman I want. It’s only you. It’ll always be you."
LJ could have any woman he wants. He’s made it clear that he doesn’t think having a child out of marriage is the end of the world—and still, he keeps repeating how much he wants both of us: me and Sedric.
Maybe, to most people, that wouldn’t mean much.
But I’m not most people.
I’m a woman who, despite being terrified of getting hurt again, desperately wants the chance to build a family with the man I know will always own my heart.
"I want you to meet my parents," he says, after stripping without shame in front of me, his cock still semi-hard, andpulling on a clean pair of boxer briefs before lying down beside me.
The idea of meeting his family doesn’t sit well with me, and I can’t hide the grimace that crosses my face. But then I remember what he told me—that his father had a heart attack when he found out about Jodie’s death, and about the unborn grandson he lost.
"Do they know about Sedric?" I ask in a low voice.
"No. Only Seth knows about our son."
Our son.
God, I’m so screwed.
Just hearing the proud way he says it is enough to warm my heart.
"Why didn’t you tell them?"
"They know you exist. When Jodie died, I explained that my relationship with her had ended for good—and that I’d met someone else. When you came back into my life a couple of months ago, I told them we were together again."
"But we weren’t . . ."
"We always were, Alexis."
I don’t protest. It’s childish and pointless. If I want to give us a real second chance, then titles and labels don’t matter.
"But you didn’t mention Sedric."
"No. I wouldn’t do that behind your back. They’d want to meet him immediately."
"I’m not ready to face them yet. Can you give me a little more time?"
"How much time?"
"Until I’m officially cleared by my doctors. I don’t want to meet them while I’m still feeling fragile—I want to face them on an equal footing."
"My parents aren’t monsters, Alexis. Our family has a toxic streak"—he pauses—"a very toxic streak, to be honest, and flaws like any human. But still, we’re a family—for better or worse."
"I don’t doubt that, and I’m not judging them, LJ, but either way, I need to be prepared. I’d also have to face your sister—and that thought really doesn’t thrill me."
"I haven’t spoken to Lois yet because I don’t want to do it over the phone. Since I kicked her out of the hospital?—"
"You did that?"
"I did. As I was saying, ever since I threw her out, she ran off to Europe on an extended vacation and is avoiding facing me."
"Very mature."
"Yeah. But she can’t run forever. Eventually, she’ll be in front of me, and I’ll tell her exactly what I think."
"I don’t think I’ll ever be able to like her, LJ. I’m not someone who forgives easily."
