His entire bloodstream ignited with a wild rush of adrenaline and disbelief and something fucking holy.
“A…baby?” he echoed, his voice cracking around the word.
His gaze locked onto hers, stunned and raw. “You just said—? Fuck. Ababy.”
For a beat, he didn’t move. Just stared at her, like his world had tilted and righted itself all at once.
This wasn’t just love now. It was alegacy. Her and him, building a future, a family.
Holding her on his lap, Jamie’s arms tightened. Then, ever so slowly, he guided her backward onto the mattress, leaned in, and slid his hand over her abdomen.
His fingers flexed like he could shield her from the whole damn world with just that one touch.
“This…” he whispered, voice rough with emotion. “This isours. You and me, love. And this little one…”
His eyes lifted to hers, glinting with fire. “This baby belongs to me, just like you do. I’m going to protect both of you with everything I’ve got.”
He leaned forward, pressing the softest kiss to her belly, then another, firmer one to her lips.
“You have no idea what you’ve done to me. I knew you were mine the day you made me that damn bacon butty.”
A tear slid down her cheek as she gave a trembling smile. “So… you’re okay with it? With our little bacon bit?”
His laugh broke on a breath. “Okay with it? I’m fucking wrecked with how much I love it already.”
He pressed his lips to the back of her hand, then to her belly.
“How?” he asked. “I mean… I know how, obviously, and it was fucking magnificent, but we used protection.”
She nodded.
“It still happens, Jamie. On the day of the competitions, I’ll be over five months. I can’t ride now. It’s too risky. I have to pull out of the event until after it’s born.”
His eyes lifted to hers. “Fuck, love. You’ve already sacrificed so much.”
“I haven’t lost anything,” she whispered. “Not if I still have you.”
He cradled her face with both hands. “You do, Shannon. You haveallof me. Forever. But I won’t let your dreams take a back seat.”
He sat on the edge of the bed, legs spread wide, forearms braced on his thighs like a man preparing to negotiate a war, not surrender.
“We’ll work it out,” he promised.
His gaze dropped to her belly, and his next words slipped out with a reverent exhale.
“Christ, you’re having my baby.”
This was it. No more secrets.
“I need to tell you something, and you’re going to hear all of it.” His hand covered hers, warm and steady, anchoring them both to the small swell beneath her top.
“Marcus and I…we’re billionaires.” He watched her expression. “I didn’t tell you. Not because I didn’t trust you, but because I just wanted you to give me a chance without thinking I was all about the money.”
She stared at him, but she didn’t speak. Just held on.
“I’ve had women throw themselves at me for a piece of my life—for the name, the power, the money. And then you came along, calling rich men assholes and handing me a bacon butty like I was just a guy in your yard. You saw me without all the extras. And that pulled me in, Shannon.”
A tear slipped down her cheek, and he caught it with his thumb.
