Baby of Mine (Baby O’ Baby – Stand Alone Series – Book One) Test 1

Summary.

This is book 1 of Baby O’ Baby – Stand Alone Series. Noel Pentagraph has had bad luck with men all her life. She hasn’t found that one, the one who can pull her out of herself and show her she doesn’t need a shell to hide behind. But she prefers to stay hidden inside her shell. Her best friend decides it’s time for her to come out of her shell, and introduces her to a side of herself she never knew existed. For one night, she agrees to come out. Who knew that would be the night she meets the man of her dreams? But will she be the woman of his dreams once he sees her back in her shell? -This book series is a Stand Alone Series, there are no sequels to any of the stories-

Prologue: Accidents Will Happen.

-September 13, 2019-

Noel Pentagraph sat in the cab’s backseat as it drove through the streets of her hometown. Her doctor warned her not to travel so close to her due date, but she wanted to have her daughter in the same town she was born in.

And it also put her far away from Quinton Saber.

She never wanted to see that lying, cheating bastard ever again. To think, she once thought she loved the man. Thought he was the one she’d waited twenty-six years for.

No, she may not have been innocent when they met, but she was faithful to him. And he was her first love. Isn’t that more important?

Her thoughts were so involved in her past that she never saw the car swerve into their lane—she never heard the cab’s horn or the squealing tires.

The impact threw her forward, and she hit her head on the metal cage separating the front seat from the back. She fell to the floor, unconscious. The car rolled a few times before settling in a ditch.

The car that had hit them was caved in; the driver’s head stuck out the windshield.

In the quiet of the aftermath of the squealing tires, crunching metal, breaking glass, and a rolling car, the rarely traveled road was almost dead with silence. All that could be heard was a bird’s song, and the chirping of crickets as the car in the ditch’s tires spun in the air.

Quinton Saber was driving down an unfamiliar road, searching for his ex. She may be a conniving bitch, but he couldn’t get her out of his head.

Maybe if he looked at her carrying another man’s child, he would be able to get her out of his mind.

His mind was so focused on Noel Pentagraph that he almost didn’t see the car in the middle of his lane. He swerved just in time to miss it and hit a tree on the other side of the road.

Five minutes later, Quinton slowly opened his eyes with a heavy groan. His head rested against the airbag, and he felt a drop of blood slide down his forehead. With a grunt, he touched the drop of blood, then fought with the airbag for a moment. He growled with anger and annoyance as he reached for the cupholder. He fumbled for his pocketknife, flipped it open, and angrily stabbed the airbag. Once the airbag was deflated, he tried to unfasten his seat belt. Once again, his knife came in handy as he cut the straps.

This is why he keeps a knife in his vehicle.

He shoved his door open and stumbled out of his car. He looked at the damage to his vehicle and grunted. It will be in the shop for a long time—if they can even fix it.

Probably not, since the airbag went off.

“Damn it,” he grumbled.

He looked over his once beautiful sports car. It was pretty much wrapped around the tree.

With a grunt, he walked to the road and crossed to the car in the middle of the lane, facing the wrong direction. He walked to the front of the car and felt his stomach churn. The driver’s head was through the windshield. He could tell by looking at it that if he tried the move the man, the glass would cut his head off. Better to wait for the fire department to help. Hopefully, the man won’t wake up before help gets here.

That’s if the man’s alive.

He walked closer to the car and gently placed his fingers under the man’s nose… Nothing.

Quinton could smell the heavy stench of alcohol and noticed the empty bottle on the passenger seat. He shook his head. He paused as something hit him upside his head. If this drunk idiot is in the middle of the street like this, that means he hit another vehicle.

He looked around and found the cab on its side in the ditch.

“Shit,” he grumbled.

He made his way to the car. By the looks of everything, the car had rolled a few times before settling in the ditch. Quinton pulled himself up the underside of the car and stood on the doors. He carefully moved to the driver’s window. The driver was held in place by his seat belt. Quinton carefully reached in and felt for a pulse at the man’s neck… Nothing.

“Fu*k,” he cursed.

“Mmmm.”

The mo*n had Quinton freezing where he was. That was a very familiar sound, but it couldn’t be her. God isn’t that cruel. Is he?

The mo*n came again, and Quinton quickly opened the back door. Inside the back of the cab—against the other door—laid the woman he’d once loved more than his own life. Until she betrayed him and got herself pregnant by another man.

But that was then, and this is now. And even though she’s very much pregnant with that man’s child, she needs him.

His heart soared when her eyes opened, and she looked at him. When they brightened with recognition, he could swear he saw tenderness in their depths. But then they turned cold as ice.

“Get away from me,” she growled at him.

“Noel,” he said, watching her. “You were in an accident.”

Noel looked around her and whimpered when a pain shot through her head. She touched the blood dripping from her forehead and mo*ned. She barely remembered flying forward and slamming into the rails.

“Come on.” Quinton held his hand out to her.

Noel shook her head. She wasn’t going anywhere with the cheating asshole.

“Noel,” he said with irritation.

“Don’t come near me,” she sneered.

He glared at her. “You have no reason to speak to me like that. Now, come on!” he growled as he moved gently into the car.

“I don’t?” she asked with a laugh.

“No,” he grunted. “You don’t.”

She snorted. “I have every reason to!” she shouted at him.

He took hold of her shoulders and stared into her eyes. “Can we get out of here? Then you can yell at me for no reason.” His eyes glared into hers as he sneered. “None that I can see, anyway.”

She screeched in anger. “I hate you!”

He snarled. “Feeling is mutual, darling. Now let’s get you the fu*k out of here!”

She whimpered and froze in place.

“What now?” he grumbled.

Speechless, she looked down at the front of her pants.

Quinton looked down and cursed. Her water broke.

“Aren’t you a bit early?” he asked, looking into her scared eyes.

Noel nodded. By about a week. But she wasn’t going to tell him that.

“All right, come on, let’s get you out of here.” He gently helped her up and through the open door. “Where’s the father?” he asked once they stood on the side of the car.

She looked at him, confused for a moment, then almost slapped herself. “You mean Oliver?”

“Yeah, him,” he grumbled.

Noel shrugged. “He’s back in New York.”

“What the hell are you doing traveling way out here alone?”

“I wanted to have my baby in my hometown.” She screamed when a pain shot through her body.

“Yeah, you’re going to be doing that, all right,” he grumbled.

He held her as the contraction had her doubled over, screaming.

“Right out in the middle of the road.”

She laughed once the contraction settled. “Like mother like daughter.”

He smiled. “You’re having a girl?”

She stopped laughing. “Yes.”

Quinton grunted at the change of tone in her voice. Why was she so hateful to him when she’s the one who slept with another man and got pregnant, then rubbed it in his face that her lover could knock her up and he couldn’t?

“How am I getting down from here?” she asked, looking down at the ground.

Quinton grumbled and jumped to the ground. He held his arms up to her and smirked. “Come on, cara. I’ve got you.”

She glared at him. “Do not call me that, and I am not jumping into your arms.”

He sneered. “Sit on your a*s and reach down to me.”

“Oh,” she said as she tried to sit. “That is very hard to do with this stomach in the way.”

He could tell by the sound of her voice how irritated she was. It made him smile—knowing she was irritated. Yeah, so it was cruel after what just happened, but fu*k, she deserved it. Still, he should have thought about her stomach before jumping to the ground and telling her to trust him when he wasn’t sure what he was doing. She has him so flustered he can’t think of much except how much she hurt him…

He heard dripping and looked at the gas tank.

“Ah, fu*k.” He looked back up at her. “Come on, cara. We need to get out of here.”

“I can’t,” she cried as she tried to sit again.

“Your child’s life is in danger!”

More than she realizes if they don’t find a way to the hospital before she has the child three months premature.

Noel took a deep breath and plopped herself down on her rump. A sharp pain exploded across her butt cheeks, but a few bruises were worth it to save her daughter.

“Now, come here.” He held his arms up to her again.

Noel looked down at the only man she had ever loved. If she could only tell him the truth. Tell him everything. But she can’t. He never loved her. She’s not rich enough for him, and he wants nothing to do with children. He’d told her once that he could not have kids, and he was glad. ‘Who wants the responsibility?’ he’d said.

Well, she does. Damn it! Then to see him with the rich and beautiful Ashly Angelette. Whose father is Italian like Quinton’s.

They’re both rich and beautiful, while she’s an ugly bumpkin.

“Slide toward me,” Quinton said, pulling Noel from her thoughts.

With a huff, she started to slide toward him, then screamed.

Quinton quickly pulled her into his arm as another contraction had her screaming and almost convulsing. He held her as he headed for the road. The contractions stopped when he got to the other side of the road.

“What are you doing out here?” she whispered.

Not that she’s complaining, exactly. She was grateful for him saving her, but why was he in this Podunk town? As he had called it.

“I’m here to see you,” he admitted.

She stared at him. “Why?” she whispered.

He looked into her eyes, but before he could answer, the cab exploded, sending them to the hard ground.

Chapter One: Angelic.

-December 16, 2018-

“Come on, Noel!” Veronica Spelling hollered to her best friend.

“I don’t know if I should do this,” Noel grumbled.

“Of course, you should.” Veronica smiled as she looked at Noel. “You look great!”

Noel smiled shyly. “This isn’t me.” She looked down at the halter top and mini skirt she’d let her friend talk her into wearing.

Veronica grinned. As she knew she would, Noel looked hot in the black halter top that showed off her large breasts and midriff. The black miniskirt and pumps showed off her long, gorgeous legs, voluptuous curves, and ass.

Veronica has always been envious of Noel’s figure. Some women called her fat, and Veronica called her perfect. As do many of the men who have seen her, even in her regular clothes.

It was a pity her friend never dated any of the men who appreciated her figure.

“I look fat,” Noel grumbled.

Veronica chuckled. “You look anything but fat.”

Noel snorted as she looked at Veronica’s perfect body in a similar outfit. The only difference was that Veronica’s top was a deep purple and her skirt—if possible—was shorter than Noel’s.

“Dare will meet us later at the club,” Veronica said. “He’s picking his best friend up from the airport. He says he may be able to convince him to join us.”

Noel frowned. Dare, or Darrel Rollings, has been Veronica’s boyfriend for over a year now, and they keep expecting the man to pop the question, but he hasn’t. You can tell he loves Veronica… Maybe he’s waiting for the right moment.

And both have been trying to get Noel to date again.

It has been three years since Noel had a serious relationship. She has been on a couple of dates—here and there—but nothing serious. None of them have made her want to invite them home—or into her life.

Three years is a long time to go without s*x, as Veronica and Darrel have pointed out—more than once.

Noel has survived this long; she can survive a few more years. Right? Oh, who was she kidding? She’s so hard up; she’s wearing this outfit she would have never thought of wearing before—in her entire life.

“I say, the first man to grab your ass, take him out into the alley….”

“Hell no!” Noel yelled, making a disgusted face.

Veronica laughed. “All right. But maybe Dare’s friend will be gorgeous.”

Noel snorted. “I doubt it.”

“What? You don’t think Darrel can have hot friends?”

Noel laughed. “Your boyfriend is the hottest piece of man in over two thousand miles. What are the chances of there being two of them?”

Veronica shrugged.

“None—that’s the chances,” Noel said.

Veronica chuckled. “You never know.”

Noel snorted.

Two hours later, Noel was proven wrong.

“I don’t know why I let you talk me into this,” Quinton mumbled as he followed his best friend into a noisy club.

“Because I want you to meet my girlfriend. You’ll be my best man at the wedding, after all.”

Quinton shook his head. “It’s that serious, is it?”

“Oh, yeah.” Darrel grinned. “Wait until you meet her.”

“And I bet she has a friend.” Quinton chuckled.

Darrel smirked. “As a matter of fact, she does.”

“Uh-huh,” Quinton snorted. “She must not be pretty if you’re pawning her off on me.”

“You’re despicable,” Darrel grunted.

Quinton laughed. “Well, aren’t you the one who said I would sleep with anything with tits and a nice ass?”

Darrel snorted.

“Well. Is she pretty?”

Darrel shrugged. “She’s cute.”

Quinton grunted. “Which means—get a paper bag.”

Darrel laughed. “She’s not ugly. She’s just not my type.”

“She’s more my type?” Quinton asked.

Darrel nodded. “Right down to the….” He stopped talking when Quinton stopped walking and stared ahead of them. “What is it?” Darrel asked.

“I think I found an angel.”

Darrell followed where Quinton was looking and grinned. “That’s Veronica.”

“That is Veronica?”

Darrel nodded, and Quinton was jealous for the first time in their friendship.

“Isn’t she divine?” Darrel asked, a love-sick look on his face.

“I thought you were more into slimmer women.” Quinton scowled.

“Are you saying she’s too fat for me?” Darrel asked with a grunt.

“No, of course not,” Quinton snapped. “But I would think you would be more interested in the other woman. She’s more your type,” he growled with annoyance.

Darrel looked at Quinton with a confused look, then started laughing.

“What’s so funny?” Quinton asked.

Darrel stopped laughing and grinned. “I should have known.” He shook his head. “Veronica is the other one. You’re drooling over her best friend, Noel.”

Quinton smiled. ‘Noel,’ he thought. He liked her name. It was like her name was being sung to him. He’ll never hear Christmas carols the same again.

“You said she was cute,” Quinton grumbled.

Darrel shrugged. “Like I said. She’s not ugly.”

Quinton shook his head. “You’re wrong, my friend.”

Darrel looked at Quinton. “Oh?”

“She’s beyond cute. She’s… she’s exquisite. Maybe not a classic beauty, but she’s….” He couldn’t put into words what he thought of the beauty sitting at the table with his best friend’s girlfriend in this noisy club.

“Beautiful?” Darrel supplied with a knowing smile.

Quinton shook his head and watched as a light captured Noel’s blond hair. “It’s more than that—she’s more than that.” He swallowed when Noel looked over and spotted him.

Their eyes met, and his heart stopped beating.

“Quinton.” Darrel slapped his best friend on the back and smiled. He knew his old friend would like Noel.

“Angelic,” Quinton whispered.

Darrel chuckled. “Shall we join them, so I can introduce you to her?”

Darrel started to move forward, and Quinton stopped him.

“Do they know who my family is?” Quinton asked.

Darrel looked at Quinton. “No.”

“Don’t tell them,” Quinton whispered. “I want to be a regular guy.”

Darrel grinned. “All right.” He likes that idea.

It was bad enough that his friend was taller and better looking than he was. Being rich and the son of a duke made things even more complicated. He liked it when they were on even grounds.

“I’m a working-class, half Italian, whose mother is American,” Quinton mumbled.

Darrel chuckled. “The only thing you left out was your riches and nobility.”

Quinton grinned. “Exactly. I have plenty of Ashly Angelettes in my life. I want someone to want me, not what my money or title can do for them.”

Darrel nodded. “I understand.” And he did.

Many nights in college, he’d had to toss women from their room who wanted to know what it would be like to bed a nobleman from Italy. None of the bimbos understood that Quinton is an American—who happens to be the son of an Italian duke. Though a wealthy duke.

“I must meet my angel,” Quinton said as he headed for the table.

Darrel sighed. Vani is going to kill him when she discovers he kept this huge a*s secret from her.

Noel stared at the gorgeous man standing across the club from them. He was staring in their direction. There’s no way he was staring at her. Not when there were so many beautiful women around the club. She’s much too big to attract a man like that.

“Noel?” Veronica whispered.

“Do you see him too? Or am I imagining him?”

Veronica didn’t have to ask who. She looked up, and her breath caught in her throat.

“I think you have been proven wrong,” she whispered.

When Veronica noticed her boyfriend beside the man her bestie was ogling, she grinned.

“I believe you have caught the attention of Dare’s friend.”

Noel shook her head. “He’s not looking at me. There’s no way he’s looking at me,” Noel said with a hitched breath. “He’s out of my league.”

Veronica snorted. She could strangle every person who ever called her beautiful best friend fat or ugly. Veronica had had to go as far as shoving food down Noel’s throat when Noel starved herself for a week to lose twenty pounds before summer.

Noel is beautiful inside and out. She has a great body, large breasts, wide hips that Veronica wished her thin frame had, and a kick-ass butt. She’s gorgeous. Why can’t everyone else see what she sees in her friend?

Even Noel’s jackass ex-boyfriend had called her fat and tried to get her to lose weight. When Veronica caught Noel shoving her finger down her throat after dinner, she’d forced her to dump the jerk.

NOONE will EVER threaten her friend’s health—ever again.

Veronica looked at the man with her boyfriend again and grinned. This man is definitely looking at Noel. The look in his eyes showed that there was more than just a simple attraction; he was looking at her as if he was worshiping her. His eyes stayed set on Noel as he walked toward them.

When they reached the table, his eyes moved down to Noel’s voluptuous breasts, and his eyes lit with desire. When he looked back into Noel’s eyes, he smiled, and the smile brightened his blue eyes.

“Veronica,” Darrel said, leaning down to ki*s her lips.

Veronica smiled at her boyfriend. “Hello, love.”

“Veronica, Noel. This is my best friend, Quinton.”

“How do you do?” Veronica smiled at the second s*xiest man in existence. Next to her man, of course.

“I do just fine.” Quinton took Noel’s hand and ki*sed it. “And how do you ladies fare?”

“G-good,” Noel stumbled.

Quinton smiled. “I am happy to hear that, cara.”

“I-I’m Noel,” Noel said with wide eyes.

Quinton smiled and leaned down, ki*sing Noel’s knuckled again. “I know, my sweet cara.”

“Then why do you keep calling me Cara?” she asked, a puzzled look on her face.

Quinton grinned, and Darrel chuckled.

Noel stared at Quinton’s face. His grin had changed his face. He was gorgeous before, but now—he looked like an Adonis. A tanned, muscled, beautiful Adonis.

“It is not a name, cara,” Quinton said, his eyes roaming over her face. “It is an Italian word that means….”

A loud noise behind Quinton made them look to see the commotion. Two large men came into the club, hooting, and hollering.

“Noel!” one of the men shouted when he saw them.

“Oliver!” Noel called out as she jumped to her feet.

Quinton was pushed out of the way when the large man pulled Noel into his arms and loudly smacked his lips against hers.

Veronica chuckled as she looked from Noel and Oliver to Quinton. The new man in her friend’s life was very jealous.

“Let’s dance!” Oliver shouted as he pulled Noel onto the dance floor. “Your new man is very beautiful,” he whispered into her ear. “Much better than the last.”

Noel giggled. “He’s not mine.”

“No?” Oliver asked. “Then why is he shooting daggers at me with his eyes?”

Noel peeked at Quinton, and her mouth dropped open at how the man looked at her and Oliver—as if he meant to kill Oliver.

“You’re not used to men finding you so irresistible that he will kill to have you.” Oliver chuckled.

Noel shook her head. “I’m not worth that kind of affection.”

Oliver shook his head. “You are more than worth it. Any man who does not see it is an idiot.”

She sighed. “Tel that to my ex.”

“Believe me, Noel, I have.”

She smiled and squeezed him close. Olive has been her friend since they were in high school, and he stood up for her when the others teased her because she was flat-chested and overweight—according to them, anyway.

Over the years, he has gotten into more trouble beating up boys, and then men—for her.

“Peter looks bored.” She giggled when she saw the large man standing off to the side, watching them. A girl hovered over him, squeezing his largely muscled arms.

“Peter is always bored,” Oliver sighed.

“Then take him to a proper club.” She chuckled.

He grinned. “We were at one—until I heard you were out having fun and wearing….” He held her out from him and stared at her outfit. “What the hell are you wearing?”

She chuckled and shook her head. “Voni talked me into it.”

He laughed and pulled her back against his muscled chest.

“Of course she did.” He looked up and grinned. “Oh look, your man is coming our way.”

“He’s not my man,” she hissed.

He tilted his head back and laughed. “I think he thinks differently.”

“He doesn’t even remember my name.” Noel pouted.

He grinned. “I don’t think he will ever forget your name.”

“But he does,” she sniffled. “He keeps calling me Cara.”

Oliver snickered. “Oh Noel, sweet, sweet, Noel. He’s not calling you by a name.” He stopped talking when the beautiful man stopped behind Noel. “I guess my time is up.” Oliver grinned as he leaned forward and whispered into Noel’s ear.

“Look up the WORD cara when you go to work Monday.

Chapter Two: Panty Thief.

Noel watched Oliver walk over to Peter, then turned to face Quinton and smiled.

He didn’t ask if she wanted to dance. He pulled her against him and wrapped his arms around her.

“A friend?” he asked.

She smiled. He’s jealous of Oliver!

“Very close friend,” she whispered.

They moved to the music together.

“How close?” he whispered into her ear.

A chill slid down her back. “He went to high school with me and Veronica. He saved me from bullies.”

He pulled back and frowned down at her. “I couldn’t imagine anyone bullying you, cara.”

“Well, believe it.” Her bottom lip pouted out.

Quinton held back a groan. He had never wanted to ki*s a woman as much as he wanted to ki*s her right now. She was so beautiful, and her body was something a man could sink his teeth into. He brushed a strand of hair from her cheek and tucked it behind her ear.

“What could they possibly have bullied you about? I see you as head cheerleader, valedictorian, prom queen.” He grinned down at her and watched her cheeks turn a rosy pink. “Am I correct?” he asked.

She smiled up at him. “You only got one right.”

“Let me guess.” He looked into her beautiful grey eyes. “Prom Queen.”

Noel laughed so hard her side hurt. When she finally calmed her laughter, she looked up at him. He was studying her face with a broad smile. She wondered what he was thinking about.

What Quinton was thinking about—was how beautiful her laughter was. It was like wind chimes in the breeze.

“Valedictorian,” she finally answered.

His eyebrow raised in surprise. “Not prom queen?”

She shook her head.

“Did you go to your prom?” he asked, pulling her closer.

She nodded. “Oliver took me and Voni.”

He whistled. “Two girls, huh? And there were no catfights?”

She giggled. “We went as friends.”

He nodded. ‘Yeah, sure, friends.’ He’d seen how Oliver had held her while they danced.

“Cara,” he whispered.

The music changed, and he pulled her closer.

Noel sucked in a breath when his body pressed to hers. It felt good to feel him that close.

“Your outfit is driving me insane,” he said as he looked down at her breasts.

She smiled. Veronica had been right.

“You have an amazing body,” he mumbled, his right hand splaying across her bare lower back, his left hand taking hold of her right hip. “Just perfect for lovemaking,” he whispered, his fingers digging into her hip.

Noel felt her cheeks flush and hid her face against his chest. She has never blushed so many times in her life.

Quinton smiled and watched her hide her flushed face against his chest. He wondered if anyone had ever told her how beautiful she truly was.

“You’re such a tease.” She chuckled.

He grinned. “But I am not teasing you, cara.” He pulled her closer so she could feel how much he wanted her. “I’m very serious.”

Noel sucked in a breath when she felt his more than ready c*ck pressed against her.

He mo*ned and ground himself against her. Instead of pulling away—as she would typically do—she moved with him.

“You’re so beautiful.” He ki*sed her forehead, making butterflies flutter in her stomach.

Quinton groaned. He has struggled with his erection since seeing her across the club. When he’d pulled her to him, he’d lost every struggle he still had in him.

The movie, ‘Dirty Dancing,’ had nothing on the way Quinton and Noel were moving together. It was so hot; people were backing away from them so they didn’t catch fire when the couple combusted.

“I want you,” Quinton whispered into Noel’s ear.

“Yes,” Noel whispered.

‘What are you doing?!’ Noel yelled at herself.

But oh, she wanted this man more than she had ever wanted, anything or anyone.

Without a word, he took her hand and dragged her off the dance floor.

Veronica smiled as she watched Quinton lead Noel off the dance floor and down the hall toward the bathrooms.

“Did you pick that outfit for her?” Darrel asked.

Veronica nodded with a broad smile. “She needed to come out of her shell.”

Darrel laughed as he pulled her onto his lap. “Marry me,” he said without thinking.

Veronica looked at him and punched him in the arm.

“Owe. What was that for?” he complained.

She glared at him. “This is not a romantic place to propose.”

He chuckled. “Shall I take you to one of the bathrooms and ask you as I plunder you on the tile floor?”

She squealed and jumped to her feet.

He laughed and pulled her back onto his lap. She sat there with her arms crossed.

He ki*sed her nose. “I’m sorry, love. I shouldn’t have just blurted it out. But my emotions got the best of me. I am so full of love for you, I couldn’t stop the words from slipping out.”

She softened at his words and smiled at him.

“I really had a better place planned. I was going to ask you tomorrow with a ring and everything.”

Her smile broadened, and she ki*sed him. “Ask me again tomorrow night—with the ring, and I’ll give you my answer.”

Noel giggled as Quinton pulled her into the women’s bathroom. He closed and locked the door, then turned to her.

“Here?” she asked, looking at him.

He grinned. “The women’s bathroom doesn’t stink.”

She chuckled, then froze when she realized what those words meant.

“So, I guess you’ve done this before?”

He grinned as he walked over to her. He pulled her into his arms and backed her up against the sink counter.

“A few times,” he admitted.

She frowned.

“You haven’t?” he asked, looking down at her outfit.

All of a sudden, she felt like a total and complete slut. She pushed him away and headed for the door.

He grabbed her arm and spun her to face him.

“What’s wrong?” he asked with a confused look.

She frowned and tried to pull away from him.

“Cara.” He pulled her against his chest. “Are you a virgin?”

She shook her head.

“Then what’s wrong?” He moved her hair from her face, and she wanted to purr.

Shit, since when does she purr?

“I-I don’t know you,” she whispered. “I’ve never done anything like this before.”

He grinned. “I’m honored to be your first.”

Her cheeks turned a bright red, and he softly ki*sed her lips. She mo*ned, and her body relaxed.

“You look so damn s*xy in this,” he groaned.

“I-I don’t usually dress like this,” she admitted. “Veronica picked it out for me.”

He grinned. “And how do you normally dress?”

She frowned and shook her head. He ki*sed her frown.

“No need to tell me.” He turned her back against the counter. “Now. Let’s get back to what we came in here for—before someone starts pounding on the door.”

She sighed as he claimed her mouth again. When his tongue slipped past her lips and ran across her teeth, she opened for him. They groaned as their tongues touched.

“Oh, cara,” he breathed when he finally broke the ki*s. “Your ki*s is like a drug—I can’t get enough.”

His mouth claimed hers again, and she mo*ned as she wrapped her arms around his neck.

Quinton lifted Noel onto the counter and kneaded her hips as he ground his hardness against her warmth.

“Ohh,” she mo*ned when she felt him pressed against her.

“I would love to see you and love every inch of your body,” Quinton said as he took hold of one of her breasts.

He slipped the halter top down and looked at her large, milky white breasts and rosy-pink nipples.

Quinton grunted as he latched onto one of those delectable nipples.

Noel mo*ned and held his head to her breast. She has never enjoyed this before. It has always been painful and made her nipples raw. But apparently, the two other men she has been with had no clue how to do it properly.

Quinton moved his hand between them and slid it up her skirt, searching for her warmth. When his fingers found the skimpy panties, he found she was already wet for him. He smiled against her nipple, then let go as both his hands went under her very short skirt. He grabbed hold of her panties and yanked them down her legs. Quinton smirked as he dangled the panties from his finger.

They were black lace and made his c*ck strain painfully against his pants. He quickly placed her panties into his pants pocket, then grabbed her hips and pulled her to the counter’s edge. She’d watched him with wide eyes as he played with her panties. He smiled as he slipped her shoes off her feet, placed them on the counter beside them, then wrapped her legs around his hips.

“Quinton?” she asked, watching him with wide, beautiful eyes.

“You’re so beautiful, cara.” He smiled.

She smiled shyly. The woman has apparently not gotten enough compliments.

‘Shame,’ he thought.

He pulled her skirt up to her hips, then unfastened his pants. Once his c*ck was released, she looked down with interest and smiled. He chuckled, then moved his pelvis forward and entered her.

Noel cried out, and her arms tightened around his neck. He paused for a moment as she got used to him, then started to move inside her. She was so tight he knew he wouldn’t last long.

“Oh my God,” she cried out, tightening her legs around him, pulling him deeper into her.

“Cara,” he cried out.

He claimed her mouth with a searing ki*s.

Noel mo*ned as she moved with Quinton. She has never felt anything like this before. The sensations were beyond words.

He leaned her back against the mirror and took a nipple into his mouth.

“Quinton!” she cried out.

“Yes, cara,” Quinton whispered.

He pulled her against him again and ki*sed her.

She smoothly moved with him—it was as though they had been designed by God to do precisely this.

He has never felt anything like this before. He has taken many women to bed, but never has it been like this. The sensations, the feelings. She’s definitely not a onetime thing. He wants to have her every day, hell, every hour.

“I’m sorry this is so rushed,” he grumbled as he slammed into her.

“Mmmm,” she mo*ned as she ki*sed his neck.

“Cara,” he groaned when she started to suck on his skin. “Oh, God.”

“Mmmm,” she mo*ned again.

Noel let go of his neck and grinned at the red mark she’d left. She hasn’t given a guy a hickey since high school.

He didn’t seem to be bothered by it. He grinned at her, leaned down, and sucked on the top of her left breast. She sucked in a breath when he lifted his head and left the same mark she had left on his neck.

‘Well, shit.’

He smirked and leaned down to pull a nipple into his mouth again. Noel cried out and slid her fingers through his silky black hair. When the explosions started, she sucked in a shocked breath. She has never had such an explosive org*sm before.

When Quinton felt Noel tighten around him, his own release had him calling out her name as pure ecstasy rushed through his body.

“You do know my name,” she breathed.

He chuckled. “Of course I do, cara.”

Noel felt a slight annoyance when he called her Cara again. First thing Monday morning, she’s looking the damn thing up, as Oliver suggests.

The doorknob jiggled, and someone pounded on the door.

With a laugh, they straightened themselves, put Noel’s shoes back on her feet, and headed for the door.

“Wait.” Noel stopped. “My panties.” She looked at him accusingly.

He looked at her with a wicked grin. “I’m keeping them.”

She shook her head and held her hand out to him. “I need them.”

He shook his head again. “Nope.”

The pounding got louder, and he pulled her into his arms.

“As a matter of fact.” He ki*sed her shoulder. “I don’t want you to wear them ever again.”

“That pair?” she asked, confused.

He grinned. “Any, ever, again.”

She laughed until she realized he was serious. “I could never do that.”

He smirked. “Then I’ll just have to steal them every time I find them on you.”

She grunted, and the pounding on the door became angry. If pounding could have emotions.

He took her by the hand and opened the door. He pulled her through the line of women waiting to use the restroom.

Noel felt her cheeks heat as the women whistled and let out catcalls as they passed. Her chicks were still red when they re-joined their friends at their table. When she looked at Veronica, she and Darrel were grinning from ear to ear.

Noel sat in the chair across from Veronica, and Quinton sat in the chair next to her.

The knowing look Noel got from her best friend made her want to hide.

Chapter Three: Stay With Me.

Noel laughed and talked with Veronica and the guys until midnight. When she said she should be getting home, Quinton placed his hand on her thigh. She slowly looked at him, and the look in his eyes made her body ache for him. He wasn’t ready to give her up. When his hand slid to the inside of her thigh, she didn’t stop him. When his finger found her wet center, she almost fell apart.

Quinton felt himself harden when his finger found her wet and ready for him. It was a mixture of himself and her. She had been so tight before—he’d almost disbelieved her claim to not being a virgin. Not that it would have bothered him, but he wouldn’t have taken her on the bathroom counter in a club if it was her first time.

He would have taken her to his hotel room, to a real bed. That idea was still appealing. He slid his finger inside her, and she jumped to her feet. He chuckled as he looked up at her. He placed his finger with her juices into his mouth and sucked. Her taste exploded on his taste buds, and he wanted more.

Noel stared at Quinton. Did he seriously just suck on the finger he’d had inside her?

She used her head to motion for him to meet her outside, then turned to Voni and Dare. “I’ll see you guys later. I need to get going.” They both nodded and smiled a knowing smile at her. She grunted and turned to Quinton. “It was nice meeting you.”

He grinned. “It was my pleasure, cara.”

She smiled, then picked up her bag and left. She walked to the alley beside the club and waited. She hoped he’d understood her.

Quinton watched Noel leave, then turned and smiled at his friend. “I think I’m going to head to my hotel.”

Veronica jumped to her feet when he stood and took hold of his hand before he could leave. “Please be careful with her,” she whispered.

“I’m always careful.” He grinned.

“She hasn’t had anyone in three years.”

He stared at her. Well, that explained a lot.

“And it wasn’t a good relationship.” Veronica watched Quinton’s face. “I caught her doing things….” She stopped. Should she tell this stranger Noel’s private business? Well, if it will help…

“What did you stop her from doing?” Quinton asked.

“From unconsciously killing herself.”

Both men looked at her, shocked.

“You never told me about that,” Darrel said.

She looked at him. “Because it’s Noel’s business.”

“What did she do?” Quinton asked, squeezing her hand to get her attention.

She turned to him. “I caught and stopped her from shoving her finger down her throat to make herself throw up after dinner.”

The men sucked in shocked breaths.

“And the other thing?” Quinton asked.

“I hadn’t seen her for a week, so I used my spare key to her apartment and found her almost dead on the couch. She could barely move. She’d been starving herself, only drinking broth once a day. It took me and a couple other friends to shove food down her. She cried the whole time.”

“Why?!” Quinton asked, disgusted.

What would make her do such a thing?

“To lose twenty pounds,” Veronica whispered. Maybe it was a mistake to tell him all of this.

“Why would she need to lose twenty pounds? Is she vain?”

Quinton groaned inwardly. He’d thought he’d finally found a real woman.

“No!” Veronica yelled. “Her boyfriend told her she was too fat to wear the bikini I got her.”

Quinton squinted at Veronica. “And she believed him?”

Veronica nodded. “She has always been called fat. She’d been horribly teased in high school for being flat-chested and fat. That’s how we met Oliver.”

“I see,” Quinton grumbled. “So, she really was bullied.”

Veronica nodded.

“But flat-chested?” he asked with a laugh.

She smiled. “If you’re around long enough, we’ll share some pictures from high school with you. She was, well, like she is now, but without the, uh….”

“Large breasts?” he finished for her with a smile.

Veronica nodded. “She didn’t develop until twelfth grade. When she turned seventeen, it happened so fast.” She chuckled.

He smiled. “I’ll be around.” He squeezed her hand again. “Thank you. This explains a lot. Like, why she’s not used to getting compliments from men.”

Veronica nodded. “Don’t tell her I told you about any of this.”

He nodded. “You have my word.”

Quinton let go of her hand and turned from the table. He hoped Noel was still waiting for him. He hurried outside and looked around for her. Quinton found an entrance to an alley and headed toward it. He smiled when he saw her leaning against the wall of the building next door to the club. Her foot was against the wall behind her as she looked at her watch.

“Waiting for someone?” he asked as he walked toward her.

She looked at him with a brilliant smile and pushed herself away from the wall.

“I was worried you hadn’t understood my gesture.”

He chuckled. “I got it, loud and clear, cara.”

She smiled. “What took you so long?”

“Had to get away from our friends.”

She chuckled. “Good enough.” She ran the distance that separated them and jumped into his arms.

Quinton laughed as he held onto her bare a*s cheeks. Her gorgeous legs wrapped around his hips so wonderfully.

“Ah, cara.” He breathed in her scent, then ki*sed her.

“I love your lips,” she said as she licked them.

He groaned and moved into the shadows. He pressed her against the wall, and in no time, his c*ck was out, and he slammed it into her. She cried out in pleasure as they moved in quick, intense movements.

As they tumbled together into ecstasy, he ki*sed her hard.

“Come to my hotel with me,” he said with a heavy breath. “Spend the weekend with me.”

Noel sighed. “Okay.”

She wasn’t sure why she’d agreed to spend the weekend with Quinton. But she knew it was the right thing to do.

Noel looked around the hotel room. She’d expected him to take her to one of the run-down hotels on the edge of town, not one of the most expensive hotels in the city. You have to be loaded to afford a hotel like this in New York City!

“Not what you’d expected?” he asked with a chuckle when he saw the look on her face.

She shook her head. “How… how can you afford this?”

He shrugged. “My boss pays for it.”

She whistled. “Nice boss. I wish mine splurged like this.”

Quinton smiled. “What do you do for a living?”

For some reason, he figured she was some rich man’s secretary.

She shrugged in answer. “Does it matter?”

“Nah.” He grinned and pulled her into his arms.

She sighed and leaned into him.

“We have all weekend.” He ki*sed her forehead. “All week if you want.”

She smiled. “I need to be at work Monday morning.”

He shrugged. “Or not.”

They both chuckled. He leaned down and ki*sed her. She mo*ned against his lips.

“I really wish I could,” she whispered. “But I’ve never missed a day of work in four years.”

He looked at her, his left eyebrow raised. “Never? Not even once?”

She chuckled and shook her head. “Not even once.”

“Not even a sick day?”

She shook her head and buried her face in his chest.

Quinton chuckled. He could see that. Her body rejecting any virus that dared to come near her.

“Well, then, I guess we’ll have to make the most of this weekend.” He lifted her and carried her to the bed.

Noel sucked in a shocked breath. None of her other lovers had ever tried to carry her like this. She was going to be spoiled by the time this weekend was over. No man will ever compare to Quinton Saber.

He laid her on the bed and climbed in with her.

“I want to see all of you this time.” He smiled, his eyes lighting with desire.

Her cheeks flamed as she stared up at him.

He smiled at her, caressed her inflamed cheek, then leaned forward and ki*sed her. Before she knew what was happening, she was lying on the bed, completely naked. Her hands moved to cover her body, and he stopped her.

“No,” he whispered. “Let me see you.” He pulled her arms down and stared at her body.

Quinton was so hard he ached to be inside her again. It was rare for him to take a woman more than once. Only a few have shared his bed on more than one occasion. Like Ashley Angelette. Rich, beautiful, a pampered daddy’s girl.

The complete opposite of Noel.

Noel lay in the bed with her arms at her sides, her naked body bared before him. Why had she agreed to come here?

“You’re so beautiful,” Quinton whispered, taking in the sight of Noel before him.

White, soft skin. Large milky, high breasts, with large pink nipples. Flat stomach with just enough skin to run his fingers over, which he did and gloried in the feel of her flesh. Wide, narrow hips, perfect for holding onto while he fu*ked her from behind. Which he is definitely doing this weekend. Ribs barely covered, just enough to not look sickly. She was medium-boned, so everything looked bigger than it was. But how could anyone call her fat?

“C-can I see you?” she asked nervously.

He grinned. “But of course.”

Noel watched Quinton roll out of bed and turn to her to strip his clothes off. Her eyes grew wide when he took off his shirt. She stared at his broad shoulders and muscled chest. If she were a dog, she would be panting right now. Shit, she wasn’t sure if she wasn’t. His muscles rippled across his chest and down his arms as he took off his pants and boxers. She felt herself become wetter than she has ever been just from watching a man undress.

Noel watched the muscles in Quinton’s legs ripple as he stepped out of his pants and looked up at her. Her eyes traveled up his thighs to his c*ck, and she grinned to see it standing at attention, pointing straight at her.

She licked her lips, and he grunted.

“Do you like what you see, cara?” he asked.

Her eyes traveled up his flat muscled stomach, well-chiseled chest, with dark coarse hair, to his handsome, smiling face. When their eyes met, she recognized the hunger in his eyes. She knew he saw it reflecting through her own eyes.

“Yes,” she breathed.

His grin widened, and he crawled back onto the bed. “Good.” He ki*sed down her body, making her p*ssy pulse with every ki*s.

She closed her legs when his mouth touched the curls between her thighs.

“Let me taste you, cara,” he whispered.

She shook her head. What was he doing? After what they’ve already done tonight…

“Cara.” He looked up at her.

“Let me take a shower first.” She moved to roll out of bed and head to the shower.

He held her down on the bed. “Cara, I want to taste you—now.”

Her cheeks turned a bright red as he pried her legs apart. When his mouth came down on her again, she groaned.

Quinton mo*ned; she smelled and tasted like s*x. He slid his tongue between her inner lips. She mo*ned as he ki*sed, licked, and sucked on her. He could tell she was getting dizzy from the sensations by the look in her eyes. He grinned and pulled her clit into his mouth. She gasped and bucked her hips.

“Has no one loved you down here before?” he asked.

“Only after I’ve washed, and never anything like this.”

He grinned. “You’re clean, cara. It’s just a bit of me down here.” He pulled her clit into his mouth again, and she cried out.

“Ohhhh,” she mo*ned as she lifted her hips again.

He grinned as he applied more pressure, then ran his tongue over the nub. When she cried out again, this time louder, as her body rocked with her org*sm, he held onto her. Once her body settled, he moved and ki*sed up her body.

“Good?” he asked with a smirk.

She mo*ned and nodded.

He chuckled. “Has no one made you org*sm like that before?”

Noel shook her head. Her two former lovers were slobbery and apparently inexperienced down there.

“I think you’re more than ready now, cara,” he whispered.

She nodded and spread her legs wider.

Oh yeah, she was more than ready for this beautiful, wonderful lover.

Chapter Four: Just Added Adorable.

They spent the weekend together in his hotel room. Ordered food to be delivered to them, took baths and showers together and screwed on almost every surface in the room.

They didn’t talk much, except for the short moments between fu*king. They mostly talked about what they liked and didn’t like.

Noel was too afraid to open up completely to him. She didn’t want to ruin what they had.

What if he hates the real Noel Pentagraph?

Quinton had a hard time not telling Noel about the biggest part of his life. If he did, she would find what a womanizer he was before he met her. Not to mention his money and title.

But would she care? She didn’t seem like the sort who would.

But then again, what does he really know about her?

Saturday night, Darrel took Veronica to a quiet, romantic dinner, as he’d promised.

When dessert was delivered, she sunk her fork into the gooey mess and found a ring in the center. She chuckled as she pulled the chocolate-covered diamond ring from the rich dessert.

“Will you marry me?” he asked with a wide grin.

“Hang on.” She was still chuckling as she placed the ring into her mouth.

He stared at her as she sucked the chocolate from the ring.

Veronica pulled the mostly clean ring from her mouth and grinned at the diamond.

“This may be enough.” She waved a waiter over. “But is it real?”

Darrel stared at her with wide eyes.

When the waiter came to the table, she asked for a mirror. “I would like to make sure this diamond is real….”

“Dammit, woman! It’s real!” Darrel growled.

She looked at him with mock innocence. “But how do I know if it is or not?”

Darrel jumped to his feet and moved around the table. She laughed when he hauled her to her feet and into his arms.

“What’s your answer, witch?”

She grinned. “Of course, I’ll marry you. Even if the diamond isn’t real….”

He grunted. “It’s very real.”

She shrugged. “But how will I know without testing it?”

“Damn crazy a*s woman.” He leaned down and ki*sed her.

Veronica laughed and wrapped her arms around his neck.

The others around them cheered and congratulated them.

Darrel placed the ring on her finger, and they left the restaurant to go home and celebrate in private. But not before she grabbed her delicious dessert to go.

Sunday morning, Veronica weaseled the hotel, and room number Quinton was staying in from Darrel. When the man answered the phone, she asked for Noel.

Noel squealed with happiness as she hung up. She turned to Quinton with a beaming smile.

“Darrel asked Veronica to marry him last night.”

Quinton smiled. “Looks like we have a wedding to look forward to.”

Monday morning, Noel sat at her desk with her computer on and connected to the internet. It took her just a minute to look up the WORD cara, and her heart skipped a beat.

“It’s an endearment,” she whispered.

There were several different meanings, even for the spelling KARA. But he had said it was an Italian word.

“Dear one,” she whispered.

“Oh. My. God.”

Noel looked at her assistant. “What?”

“My dream man just entered the library.”

Noel looked from Brandy to the entrance, and her heart skipped a beat. Quinton stood just inside the library, looking so good she felt her clit pulse with excitement. No one has ever made her feel that before.

“He looks to be looking for someone. I’ll go see if I can help him,” Brandy said excitedly.

“You do that.” Noel let out a breath, then turned to the filing cabinet.

He can’t see her like this. She wants him to remember her as the sultry woman who’d spent the weekend in his hotel room, NAKED.

Quinton looked around the library. His father wanted him to read a couple of books that would help him with the meeting he’d come to New York for. He’d called Darrel and asked if the library would have the books he needed.

Darrel had told him the librarian would know. Then he’d said. “Ask for the librarian. Do not talk to the assistant, Brandy. Talk specifically to the librarian and no one else.”

Quinton had replied. “But isn’t the assistant there to assist so the librarian can do more important work?”

Darrel chuckled. “Trust me, you’ll be happy you asked for the librarian.”

Quinton snorted and thought of his friend’s words. Was Darrel trying to set him up with someone new already? He may have appreciated it, before, but not after the weekend he’d spent with Noel. He doesn’t want anyone else. In fact, he planned to talk his father into opening a headquarters in New York and moving here permanently, so he could be near Noel.

“Can I help you?”

Darrel turned to the pretty brunette and smiled. She beamed up at him, and he knew from the look in her eyes that he could easily bed her. But he won’t be doing that anymore.

Noel was worth more than a thousand girls like this one.

“I was told to ask for the librarian,” he told her.

She grinned. Could she be the librarian?

“I’m the librarian’s assistant. I can help you.”

‘She must be Brandy,’ he thought.

“No, but thanks. I need the librarian.”

She pouted and pointed to the front desk. “She’s over there.”

He nodded his thanks and walked to the large desk in the middle of the library.

“Excuse me.” He looked down at the blond head. “I was told that you could help me.”

“From whom?” she whispered softly.

Quinton studied the blond head. It looked familiar.

“A friend told me you and only you could help me.”

Noel grunted. ’Damn you, Darrel,’ she thought, avoiding looking up at Quinton.

“What do you need?” she whispered, trying to keep her voice low enough he wouldn’t recognize it.

Quinton stared at the librarian. She really took being quiet in the library to heart. He told her what books he was looking for, and she started typing into the computer.

Those hands! He would know them anywhere. They were all over his body all weekend.

“Look at me,” he ordered.

Noel sighed. She knew she couldn’t hide from him for long. She looked up at him, and the look on his face confirmed her greatest fear. Now that he has seen her, the real Noel Pentagraph, he wants nothing to do with her.

Quinton stared at Noel. He’d found her angelic at the club Friday night. And as they spent the weekend together, she’d appeared more and more beautiful.

But now, here, in her own environment, he found her adorable, as well as angelic and beautiful, especially with those glasses.

“Cara.” He smiled.

Noel frowned. She knows what that word means now. But now, him standing here, saying it to her right here, while she’s dressed like this, in her comfortable environment, she knows he’d meant nothing by the endearment. Just something to call her, to make her crazy all weekend.

She’d told him her clubbing outfit wasn’t her usual style. She’d known he wouldn’t find her attractive in her usual attire. That’s why she hadn’t told him she’s a librarian.

‘Damn you, Darrel!’

Quinton couldn’t help but smile at Noel. Now he knows why Darrel told him to ask for the librarian.

She looked at her computer, then stood. “The books are in the back,” she said as she moved out from behind the desk.

Quinton had to blink twice. She wore a white button-up blouse with a long flowery skirt. He felt himself harden and had to keep himself from grabbing her and hauling her off to a closet.

He followed her, and his mouth became dry as he watched the natural sway of her hips. God, if he had thought she was s*xy Friday night, today she was the Goddess of librarians. Downright irresistible.

“Here they are.” She reached above her for the books he was looking for.

“Let me.” He reached past her and easily pulled the books down.

“Do you want to check them out or read them here?” she asked without looking at him.

“Cara,” he whispered.

Noel pushed her glasses up. “I have work to do.”

He sighed, making her stomach do a somersault.

“I guess I can read them here.” Maybe that will give him more time with her, even if it’s just glances from across the library.

She nodded, and they carried the books to a table. When she turned to walk away, Quinton reached for her hand and stopped her.

“Cara, what’s wrong?” he asked.

She turned to him and smiled. “Nothing is wrong. I just need to get back to work.”

He watched her. Something was definitely wrong, but he let her go.

Noel took a deep breath and sighed. Maybe she should let him know that he’s off the hook.

“Quinton,” she whispered when he sat in a chair at the table.

Quinton looked up at Noel and didn’t like the look on her face.

“I understand.” She smiled.

‘Understand what?’ he wondered.

“This weekend meant a lot to me,” she sighed.

“Me too,” he whispered.

Noel looked into Quinton’s blue eyes and almost cried. “But it’s Monday now, and I understand its time to move on.”

‘Move on?’ he thought angrily.

“I won’t make any trouble for you,” she whispered, then turned and walked away.

‘Trouble?’ he thought, staring at her a*s as she walked away. ’She has been nothing but trouble from the moment he laid eyes on her.’

With a grunt, he opened the first book but couldn’t concentrate; her words continued to play in his head and haunted his every thought.

“What the hell was she talking about?”

Noel placed a book into its place on the shelf. Brandy had gone home hours ago, and the library was due to close in an hour. The late hours were the quietest, with just a few college students studying. This was the perfect time for her to put away books and have some quiet time for herself.

She squealed when arms wrapped around her from behind.

“What did you mean about you being no trouble?” Quinton’s voice vibrated in her ear.

An electric current flowed through her body when his hand brushed over her breast.

“I….” She couldn’t talk. Both his hands were now on her breasts. She looked down at his tanned hands on her white blouse and groaned.

“Do you really want to move on?” he asked, his tongue slithering into her ear.

A shiver rolled down her spine. “It’s what you want.”

He spun her around so quickly she dropped the book she was holding.

“Who the fu*k said I wanted that?” he demanded irritably.

She frowned. “I know it is.”

“Do you?” Quinton asked angrily.

How dare she blame him for her wanting to end everything.

“They all do,” she cried.

His anger cooled as he stared at her. “Who does?”

“All men,” she said, standing up straight. “I’m not what most men want in a woman.”

He grunted. “Have you not realized yet that I’m not most men?”

She opened her mouth and closed it.

He grinned. She’s speechless.

“But I saw your surprise when you saw me behind the desk.”

He chuckled and gently touched her cheek. “Ah, cara. Of course, I was surprised. You told me you don’t normally dress as you did on Friday night. But you hadn’t told me how differently.”

She frowned, and her head bent down.

He tipped her chin up with his finger. “But it doesn’t mean I don’t like what I see.”

She looked up at him, and he smiled.

“You have added the word adorable to my long list of how to explain your beauty.”

Her cheeks turned bright pink, and her eyes opened wide.

“Especially with these glasses.” He pushed her glasses back up her nose.

She reached for them, and he stopped her.

“Oh no, you don’t.” He laughed.

“I’m not very attractive in this getup,” she whispered. “It really is okay if you’re not turned on by me anymore….”

He slammed her into the bookshelf behind her and pressed his body to her.

“Does this feel like you don’t turn me on?

Chapter Five: Pound to Pound.

Noel stared into Quinton’s blue eyes as he pressed his very hard c*ck against her. He was just as turned on by her today as he had been all weekend. Maybe even more…

“Cara,” he whispered.

She smiled. He does mean the endearment.

“Quinton,” she almost cried when she said his name.

He claimed her mouth. When their tongues met, they groaned.

“Noel,” he breathed, his hands working on the buttons of her blouse.

“We shouldn’t do this here,” she whispered.

He smiled. “Where’s my adventuress?”

She mo*ned when he pulled both her breasts from the white lace bra. She softly cried out when he took one of her nipples into his mouth.

“Shh.” He chuckled. “You don’t want the librarian to hear us.”

She chuckled and ran her hands through his hair. When she pushed his head back to her nipple, he grinned.

“There she is.” He took her nipple back into his mouth.

When his teeth lightly scrapped across her sensitive nipple, she pulled his hair and groaned.

“Quinton.”

He had a bit of trouble getting her long skirt up around her waist—but he managed. When his fingers found her panties, he let go of her nipple and looked at her.

“Tsk, tsk.” He smiled. “I guess I get to add to my collection.” He stripped her of her panties and looked at them.

Quinton grinned. They were white lace, like her bra.

“Please,” she begged. “They go with the bra.”

He looked at her bra, then at the panties. He liked the lace and wanted to see her in nothing but them.

“I will give these back to you later,” he promised as he tucked them into his pants pocket. “But only on the condition that I get to see you in them.” He ki*sed her throat. “Them and nothing else,” he whispered.

He pulled his head back and looked into her eyes. What he saw flashing back at him told him he was going to get exactly what he wanted.

He quickly unfastened his pants, wrapped her legs around his hips, and entered her.

“Oh my God!” she cried out.

He grinned as he started to move inside her.

“You’re always so tight,” he groaned.

“I’m naturally tight,” she gasped when he slammed into her.

“I like that,” he said as he ki*sed her.

“You’re the first,” she whispered.

He paused and looked at her. “They didn’t enjoy how tight you are?”

She shook her head. “They always had trouble getting in, and they were nowhere near as big as you.”

He grinned. “Noel?” he whispered as he started to move inside her again.

“Yes?” she answered dreamily.

“When they tried to enter you, were you wet?”

Noel thought about that for a moment. “No, I don’t think I was.”

He chuckled as he ki*sed her. “It’s not your fault, cara,” he assured her. “They didn’t turn you on.”

She thought back to her ex-lovers. No, they hadn’t really turned her on, not like Quinton does.

“No one has ever turned me on like you do,” she admitted.

Quinton groaned at her words. He started to move harder and faster, pushing himself deeper into her warmth. He slammed up into her so hard he saw her eyes roll to the back of her head.

“Ooohh,” she mo*ned.

“C*m for me, cara.” He ki*sed her as he slammed into her as hard as he could without hurting her.

She mo*ned, her nails digging into his shoulders as her head tilted back. He licked and ki*sed her throat as he slammed into her tight p*ssy. He took one of her nipples into his mouth and felt her world shatter. She tightened around his c*ck, and he called out her name as he shot his c*m deep inside her.

He held her pinned to the bookshelf as they tried to catch their breaths.

“Quinton,” she breathed.

He smiled. “Never doubt that you’re desirable.”

She sighed. “You’re the first to say so.”

He ki*sed her. “And I plan to be the last.”

-Saturday, January 26, 2019-

“And Smile,” the photographer said as he took pictures of the bride and groom.

“Where’s the best man and maid of honor?” the photographer asked.

Veronica and Darrel looked at each other, then burst into laughter.

“Probably in a broom closet somewhere,” Darrel said, still laughing.

Having seen the looks Noel and Quinton had been giving each other during the ceremony, Veronica was pretty sure her husband was correct. She sighed, husband.

“Do we search for them?” Veronica asked.

Darrel shook his head. “I really don’t want to catch them again.”

Veronica laughed again. She remembered the horrid tale of Darrel visiting Quinton at his office last week and walking in to find Noel bent over the desk, Quinton behind her. They’d looked at Darrel without stopping.

“Some privacy,” Quinton had said.

Darrel had closed the door and could hear them laughing on the other side.

For over a month now, those two have been inseparable. When Quinton got transferred to the new branch in New York, Noel had invited him to move in with her.

Veronica was happy to see her bestie happy. She just hoped it lasted.

“Sorry, we’re late!” Noel called out as she and Quinton entered the room, holding hands.

Veronica groaned when she saw her maid of honor’s hair. It was out of its style and standing up everywhere.

“Your hair,” Veronica mo*ned.

Noel went to a mirror and shrieked, then turned accusing eyes on Quinton. “You said it looked fine.”

Quinton grinned. “It does. I love that look on you. Disheveled looks s*xy on you.”

Noel and Veronica groaned.

“But it doesn’t look good in pictures,” Noel whined.

Quinton smiled. “I’ll fix it.”

“No!” Noel and Veronica yelled at the same time.

“I have a brush in my bag,” Noel grumbled as she went to her bag.

“Let me brush it for you,” Quinton said, following her.

“No,” she mumbled. “You’ve done enough damage.”

He chuckled. “I’m sorry, cara. I prefer your hair down, and I got carried away….”

She snorted. “You think?”

He pulled her back against his chest, making her groan.

“Let me fix it,” he breathed into her ear.

A chill slid down her spine. “Okay,” she whispered.

He grinned and took her bag from her. He retrieved her brush, and within five minutes, Noel’s hair was good enough for pictures.

As they gathered for pictures, Veronica noticed purple lace poking from Quinton’s coat pocket and laughed. Noel had warned her that Quinton would steal the pretty purple panties that matched her maid-of-honor dress.

While Veronica and Darrel were on their honeymoon, Noel took her one-week vacation, and Quinton took her to the beach. He bought her a bikini and had to fight the urge to take her in the sand in front of everyone.

He noticed changes in her body as she lay on the sand in the sun. She’d gained a pound or two since they met, and her breasts were heavier. His influence has caused her to gain some weight, but he’ll never tell her she’s too fat. It actually turned him on more. There’s more of her to hold. But really, what is a pound or two?

The week at the beach went by too fast. They made love, played in the water, made sand castles, made love, sipped drinks with umbrellas, made love…

They even got to know each other better.

Like, Quinton learned why Noel’s parents named her Noel. Her birthday was a week before he met her. Her parents had been on their way to visit family, and Diana Pentagraph went into labor and delivered their beautiful little girl in the back of their car. They’d been listening to Christmas carols, and ‘The First Noel’ was playing when their screaming baby was brought into the world.

Noel learned that Quinton couldn’t have children. When he was seventeen, during a baseball game, he’d been hit hard enough in the crotch with a bat that he passed out. The doctors did many surgeries, and in the end, he has use of his genitals, but he had a one-in-a-hundred-thousand chance of getting a woman pregnant. And at thirty-two, he has come to accept it.

“Who needs the hassle of kids anyway,” he’d said.

But she wants kids. It doesn’t matter, anyway. How long is she going to keep his attention? Two months? Three? A year?

She’s noticed she’s gained weight, but he hasn’t said anything. He either hasn’t noticed, or he doesn’t care.

She’d put her money on—he hadn’t noticed.

Wait until he does, then she’ll be out of his life so fast, her head will be reeling for days.

“I hear you went to the beach while I was on my honeymoon,” Veronica said as she and Noel sat at the café they used to meet at every day for lunch before Quinton came along.

It has been a week since Noel and Quinton got home from their vacation, and Veronica just returned from her two-week honeymoon.

“Yeah,” Noel said as she nibbled on her lunch.

She hadn’t been feeling well lately.

“Noel, what’s wrong?” Veronica asked. “I’ve been informed that you and Quinton haven’t been all over each other since you got back from the beach.”

Noel sighed. “We learned a few things about each other while on vacation.”

“Such as?” Veronica asked.

“Such as… Did you know he can’t have kids?” Noel blurted out.

Veronica’s eyes widened. “At all?”

Noel shook her head. “At all.”

Veronica frowned. She knows how much her bestie has wanted children since they were kids.

“There’s always adoption,” she said, looking up at Noel with hope.

Noel smiled. “Yeah, I guess.”

“But there’s more,” Veronica said, studying her friend’s face.

Noel nodded. “I’ve gained weight, and I fear Quinton will notice and dump me.”

“How many pounds?” Veronica asked.

Veronica looked at her friend’s gorgeous body and the way she was picking at her food. The last time Noel gained a couple pounds while dating, she’d tried to starve herself, but Veronica stopped her. If Quinton calls Noel fat, she’s going to kill him.

“Three pounds,” Noel whispered.

Veronica laughed. She wished she could gain three pounds. She’s about fifteen pounds underweight.

“It’s not noticeable, Noel.”

Noel nodded. “Men notice.”

Veronica sighed. She guessed that was true—since they see us naked. “If he notices and calls you fat, he’s not the man we thought he was.”

Noel sighed. “You’re right. But I fear losing him more than anything….”

“You love him.” Veronica smiled.

Noel nodded. “I do.”

Noel decided to visit Quinton at his office after her lunch with Veronica. Her friend was right, and she and Quinton needed to talk it out.

They have only made love three times since they returned from the beach a week again. She missed the excitement of being with him.

“Quinton?” she whispered as she walked into his office.

His secretary had learned long ago not to stop her.

“Noel.” He smiled as he looked up at her.

Noel frowned. He’d said Noel, not cara.

“We need to talk,” she said as she stood before his desk.

Quinton got to his feet and moved around his desk to stand before her. He leaned his hip against the corner of his desk and watched her.

’Here it is,” he thought. ‘I can’t give her children, so she’s going to end everything.’

“All right, Noel. Talk.”

A tear slid down Noel’s cheek.

Quinton got to his feet. He hadn’t expected that. He knows it’s real; Noel is not good at faking emotions. All of her emotions were painfully real, and he liked that about her.

He reached for her and pulled her to him. “Cara?” he whispered.

She was crying now, tears streaming down her cheeks, horrible noises that wrenched his heart.

‘You’ve done it now, Quinton Saber. You made the woman you love cry.’

He paused. Does he love her? He looked down at her tear-streaked face and smiled. Yep, he’s in love with her. And soon, he’ll introduce her to his world.

“Cara, what’s wrong?” he asked.

“D-don’t call me that unless you mean it.”

He grinned. “I do mean it, cara,” he assured her.

“We haven’t been together much this week,” she sniffled.

He sighed. “No, we haven’t been together much this week. I thought it best to give you time to think about everything.”

She started crying again. Quinton moved to pull her to him again, and she took a step back. His body filled with anger.

“I’m sorry I can’t give you the children you want. I thought maybe us would be good enough!” he snarled.

She stared at him—her eyes red from crying. “You think I’m mad you can’t give me children?”

He shrugged. “What else could it be?”

She cried out and turned her back to him.

“Cara,” he whispered.

He moved behind her and placed his hands on her shoulders. He could feel her sobs.

“What’s wrong?” he asked, turning her to face him.

“I’ve gained three pounds,” she cried through sobs.

“What?” he asked, turning her face up to him.

“I’ve gained three pounds,” she whispered with a hiccup.

He almost laughed. Noel’s sobs were because she’s gained a few pounds? What kind of men had she dated before him that she feared a few pounds?

Hell, she could gain a hundred pounds, and he’d still love her.

Chapter Six: Time Will Tell.

Quinton has never in his thirty-two years thought those thoughts or felt with all his heart that it was true. Truer than anything he has ever thought or felt in his life.

Soon he’ll be taking her to Italy to meet his father, the duke.

Then they’ll get married, and she’ll be all he’ll ever need.

So, he thought.

“I can try a new diet. I read about one that sheds a pound a day….” She stopped talking when he pulled her against him and ki*sed her.

She mo*ned as she leaned into him.

“Don’t you dare diet because of three pounds.”

“I was afraid you’d discover the weight gain,” she cried.

He sighed. “I noticed, cara.” He looked into her eyes. “I don’t care.”

She made a cute noise and threw her arms around his neck. “Then why have you been upset?” she asked, clinging to him.

“Because I thought you were angry with me because I can’t give you children.”

She pulled back and looked up at him. “But why would that upset me? We can always adopt.”

He took a step back, and she frowned.

“I don’t want to adopt, cara.”

“Why?”

Quinton sighed. How would he tell her he doesn’t want someone else’s child? He wants his own or none at all.

“I have accepted that I will never have children,” he said. “I don’t need or want children, cara. As I said before. Who needs the hassle?”

The sadness in her eyes made him want to retract his words. But he stood firm. If she can’t share his life without children, she isn’t the one for him.

But he knows that’s a lie. He loves her; he has never loved anyone before. Not like this.

“Isn’t a life with me enough?” he asked. “Cara?”

Noel sighed. As much as she wants children, she loves him more. Besides, they can spoil the hell out of Veronica and Darrel’s kids, then send them home and make love all night.

A genuine smile spread across her face. “Of course, you’re enough, ti amo.”

Quinton grinned. She’d learned how to say I love you in Italian. He pulled her into his arms and ki*sed her, then leaned to her ear and whispered. “Le parole non possono descrivere il mio amore per te.”

Noel didn’t understand what he’d whispered to her, except one word, amore.

He loves her!

They made love on his office couch, and everything returned to normal.

-March 18, 2019-

Quinton stared at his father. The man had come to New York when he heard his son had fallen in love with a woman from a small town rather than a rich princess.

“Mio Dio, Quinton. She’s a librarian!”

“I don’t care, Father. I love her.”

Manuel Saber snorted as he stared at his son. What was the boy thinking?

“Is it so hard to accept that your son is in love with a librarian and not a woman like Ashly Angelette?” Florence Saber asked from her perch on the couch in her son’s office.

“It’s bad enough he can’t give us grandchildren or an heir to the dukedom, but now he has chosen a penniless waif who probably looked at his wallet and threw herself at him,” Manuel growled.

Quinton grumbled and growled. He didn’t like his father calling Noel a penniless waif.

“Manie, you seem to forget that I was a penniless waif, and your father didn’t approve of me,” Florence said with annoyance.

Manuel made a noise and took a deep breath. “But Ashly Angelette comes with a dowery. That will make up for there being no heir.”

Florence made a disgusted, growling noise and got to her feet. “In the hall, now.” She pointed to the door, then huffed out of the room.

Quinton watched his parents leave and held back a laugh. His beautiful mother has always had some kind of hold over his father.

‘Like Noel does me,’ he thought with a smile.

“I guess that’s what love does to you,” he said with a happy sigh.

His father had left Italy for his love. They’d raised three children in California. When Quinton turned thirty, his grandfather had died. His parents moved to Italy, so his father could take his rightful place as duke.

Quinton sighed and thought of his younger brother and sister. His brother Henry’s the youngest, and his sister Carolina’s the only girl and middle child. And spoiled rotten. But a good person as well. Both his siblings are already married and have children. So why does his father care if he has kids or not? After Henry takes it from Quinton, his brother’s son will take it from Henry. Not like the bloodline ended with him.

Manuel entered the office with a scowl, a smiling Florence close behind him.

Quinton wanted to laugh. He knows that look. His mother threatened to take something from him, something only she could give him. She’d done it before when he’d wanted to stay in America when they’d moved to Italy and a few other times during his childhood.

Florence winked at Quinton before she took her seat on the couch.

“I’ve decided to bless this union,” Manuel grumbled. “But only if she signs a prenup.”

Quinton frowned. “No.”

“No?” Manuel asked, stunned.

“I will not ask her to sign a prenup.”

“She can rob you blind, boy!” Manuel hollered.

Florence moved off the couch and looked around the office while her husband and eldest argued. She’d known something was up when her son suggested Manuel put a headquarters in New York, then asked to transfer.

She spotted a framed picture on one of the shelves and picked it up. The woman standing beside her son was in a beautiful purple gown, her long blond hair down her back and over her shoulders. The smile in her son’s eyes told her that this was the woman who’d captured his heart. This must be from Darrel’s wedding back in January.

“She doesn’t know who I am!”

Her son’s shout brought her back to the conversation.

“What do you mean she doesn’t know who you are?” Manuel asked, his temper simmering in the background.

“I never told her,” Quinton said.

“For heaven’s sake, why?” Manuel demanded.

“I wanted to be a normal guy for once.” Quinton leaned against his desk. “I wanted someone to want me for me, not my money or title.”

Manuel started to soften. He, too, had wished the same. He’d been lucky when he found Florence.

“She has no clue you’re rich?” he asked his son.

Quinton shook his head. “None. She thinks I’m a working-class man, my boss pays for everything, and it was pure luck that I got transferred to New York.”

“Oh, Manuel,” Florence sighed and handed Manuel the picture she was holding.

Manuel looked at the picture and smiled. He’s never seen his son so happy. The woman in the photo was lovely; he could see what his son saw in her. And he must admit he could see the same love in the girl’s eyes.

“Didn’t she catch the bouquet?” Florence asked.

Quinton smiled. “Yeah. And I caught the garter.”

Florence grinned. “A match made in heaven.”

Manuel sighed as he set the photo on his son’s desk. “All right, no prenup.”

Quinton smiled. “Thank you, Father.”

“But I have one stipulation,” Manuel said.

“Manuel,” Florence warned.

Manuel held up his hand to his wife. “He’d made this promise before he met the girl; he cannot back out.”

“What is it, Father?” Quinton asked.

He would do almost anything to marry Noel.

“Take Ashly Angelette to the Spring Ball this weekend.”

Quinton stared at the papers on his desk. How could he have agreed to take that pompous daddy’s girl to the Spring Ball? That, of course, happened before he’d met the woman of his dreams.

“Now what?” he grumbled.

‘You go to the ball, then you tell Noel everything and hope she forgives you,’ he told himself.

“Then I ask her to marry me,” he whispered.

A smile spread across his face. He liked that idea.

“Quinton?”

Quinton’s head shot up at Noel’s voice. She was wearing one of her long skirts and a button-up blouse; she must be on her lunch break.

“Cara,” he said as he stood.

She smiled and ran to him as he walked around the desk. She ki*sed him, and he held her as he ki*sed her back.

“Oh, Quinton,” she mumbled against his lips. “I have missed you so much.”

He chuckled. “It’s only been six hours, cara.”

She ki*sed his neck. “Eight since we last made love,” she whispered, her body trembling.

He grabbed her hips. “Yes, I see.” He grinned. “Much too long.”

Noel squealed with delight when he shoved the papers off his desk and pressed her face to the top of his desk. Her skirt went up, and his pants went down so fast she sucked in a breath of shock and pleasure when he slammed into her.

Quinton went to the Spring Ball with Ashly, but he had a miserable time. He missed Noel, and all he could talk about was her to anyone who would listen. And many did, shocked that the notorious playboy had fallen in love with a librarian, of all things. But the way he talked of her, they could see he was hooked, and there was no reeling him back. Everyone was happy for him.

That is, everyone except Ashly Angelette.

Who was this woman to come into her world and steal her man? She will just have to see about that!

When they left the ball, Ashly made sure the photographers got a shot of her ki*sing Quinton.

Quinton pushed Ashly off him and scowled. But the deed was done. Quinton was just glad that Noel doesn’t read that kind of magazine.

-Two Days Later-

Noel was sitting at her desk in the library when a package came for her. That’s odd. She never gets personal mail here. Maybe it’s from Quinton. She started to open the package when she felt another bout of nausea. She dashed to her private bathroom. When she finished, she flushed and brushed her teeth. She must have caught a bug or something; one was going around town. She should see a doctor today.

Noel went back to her desk and picked up her phone. She called her doctor, and he had an opening for two hours from now. That’s good.

She picked up her belongings, placed her package in her bag, and then called her assistant to the front desk.

“I’m going to be gone for a few hours. Do you think you can hold down the fort until then?”

“Right on, Captain,” Brandy said with a mock salute.

Noel groaned and rolled her eyes. “You’re so corny at times.”

Brandy grinned. “You okay, boss?”

“I don’t feel well. I have a doctor’s appointment.”

Brandy frowned. “But you never get sick.”

“I know.” Noel moved around the desk. “That’s why I’m seeing my doctor.”

An hour and a half later, Noel sat on a bed in her doctor’s office, waiting for some test results. She hoped it was nothing serious.

“Well, Noel,” her doctor said as he entered the room.

“Give it to me straight, Doc. Am I going to die?”

Doctor Eugene Proctor chuckled. “Nothing as serious as that.”

“Then what is it, Doc? How serious is it? I’ve never been sick a day in my life, well, except chicken pox, but my mother made me catch them, so I wouldn’t get them as an adult….”

Doctor Proctor laughed. “Calm down, Noel.”

Noel took a deep, calming breath.

“You’re pregnant,” he announced.

Noel stared at him blankly. “But I can’t be.”

“You are.” He nodded. “About three months along.”

‘Oh my god,’ she thought. ‘My child was conceived on a noisy club’s bathroom counter, or was it against the wall in the alley, or perhaps in the hotel room….’

“Noel,” Doctor Proctor said with concern when he saw the look on her face.

Noel looked at her doctor. “But I can’t be pregnant.”

“Have you been s*xually active?”

Noel’s cheeks turned bright red when she thought of just how s*xually active she had been in the past three months.

Her doctor saw the look on her face and chuckled. “Then it’s definitely possible.”

She shook her head. “He’s sterile.”

Doctor Proctor’s eyebrows furrowed. “Have you been active with more than one man?”

She quickly shook her head. “Just one.”

Noel told her doctor Quinton’s story. That he has a one-in-a-hundred-thousand chance of getting her pregnant.

Her doctor patted her hand. “Sometimes a doctor can be wrong.” She eyed him, and he chuckled. “But I’m correct about this. You’re pregnant.”

“But I’ve had periods,” she mumbled.

He smiled. “Some women continue to have their periods.”

She sighed. What is she going to tell Quinton? He said he didn’t want kids.

But that was when he thought he couldn’t have any.

Chapter Seven: Savage My Heart.

Noel left her doctor’s office with a prescription for prenatal vitamins and a smile on her face. The doctors all those years ago had been wrong. Quinton can have children—the proof was nestled inside her.

She sighed with happiness when she thought of the look on his face when she told him.

She sat on the bench at the transit and pulled the package from her bag. She opened it and pulled out a magazine. On the cover was a couple embracing.

‘Lord Quinton Saber with the beautiful Miss Ashly Angelette at the Spring Ball, Saturday, March 23, 2019.’

Noel stared at the picture of Quinton ki*sing another woman.

‘Why?!’ her brain screamed.

She flipped through the magazine for the article. When she found it, she read it and her heart pounded so fast in her chest it hurt. When she finished, she swiped a tear from her cheek.

‘The son of a Duke.’

Why hadn’t he told her? And why had he gone to a ball with another woman? Is he ashamed to be seen in public with her? She started to cry. He’s embarrassed to be seen with a penniless librarian.

She switched transits and headed to his office. She’s going to talk to him about this, and he will explain everything, then she’ll tell him she’s having his baby.

Noel walked into the building, which apparently his father owns, not some unknown boss. His father, a DUKE.

Good Lord, what they must think of her?

Noel froze when she saw a woman walk out of Quinton’s office and walk toward her.

Ashly noticed Noel and started straightening her skirt, then clasped the top buttons of her blouse.

“You must be the penniless waif Quinton has been amusing himself with.” Ashly grinned. She recognized the fat woman from the pictures in Quinton’s office.

Noel said nothing.

“That’s what he calls you, you know. We had a riot at the Ball. He talked about how he fooled you just to get your panties.” Ashly laughed. “What he saw in you, even for procreation, I will never understand. The ugly bumpkin from a Podunk town.” She laughed harder and watched the color drain from the fat bitch’s face. “Oh, and he wasn’t kidding about how fat you are.”

Noel felt the tears run down her cheeks.

“Awe, did you really think you could capture the son of a duke? You’re just a girl from a stupid Podunk town who has her hands in the wrong cookie jar.” Ashly Angelette stepped closer to Noel. “Poor people should stay on their side of the tracks.” She glared at Noel. “Quinton can’t have children, and I’m sure you want a dozen, the trailer trash you are.”

Noel blinked away the tears and still said nothing to this horrible woman.

“I, on the other hand, want no children. So, he and I are perfect for each other. He told me it’s a good thing he can’t conceive. Because if he knocked you up, he’d pay to get rid of it, and I mean, get rid of it permanently.”

Noel whimpered and forced her hand from touching her stomach. She can’t let him know about the baby; he’ll force her to get rid of it. No, she can’t tell him.

“Just so you know, he’ll be calling you today to break it off. My father has raised my dowry, and we’ll be married next month,” Ashly said as she passed Noel.

Noel heard the woman leave the building and wanted to collapse to the floor and cry.

Quinton threw his paperweight across the room. How dare Ashly come to his office with her blouse half unbuttoned and her father’s money on her lips. She’d made enough trouble with that fu*king ki*s for the cameras. Now everyone thinks he’s going to marry Ashly. Hell, even his parents called him—confused. He’d explained it to them, and his father had apologized for forcing him to take the bitch to the Ball.

Then she tells him that her father has upped her dowry. Like money will make him love her. He only loves one woman, and he needs to hold her in his arms and tell her everything. Even the Ball and the magazine.

Quinton walked out of his office and looked at his secretary. She gave him an apologetic look for letting Ashly into his office. He nodded; he knew how pushy Ashly was. To think—he’d once thought she was the most beautiful woman in existence.

She doesn’t even hold a candle to Noel.

“Can you get Noel on the phone for me?” he asked his secretary.

The woman smiled. He knows how much she likes Noel.

Noel watched Quinton with his secretary. He’s making the call to dump her. No, she won’t answer; she’ll run… Her phone rang, and Quinton looked in her direction. He smiled when he saw her.

‘He wants to see my face when he tells me it’s over.’

“Cara,” he said as he walked toward her.

“Stay away from me!” she hollered, then turned and ran from him.

“Cara,” he said as he caught up to her and grabbed her arm.

When he spun her around to face him, she slapped him across the face as hard as she could.

“Don’t ever call me that again!” she spat at him.

“Noel?” he asked, holding his hand to his burning cheek, stunned.

“I’m going to save you the time, Lord Quinton,” she seethed.

Quinton sighed heavily. She’d read the magazine.

“I can explain,” he said.

“Don’t bother,” she growled. “It has all been laid out for me by your girlfriend.”

“What are you talking about? You’re my girlfriend.”

She snorted. “Not anymore. And I’m glad it’s over. Now my life can get back to normal!” So much of that was a lie.

He blinked at her. “What are you saying?”

“I’m saying it’s over, kaput, done. You never have to look at my ugly bumpkin face again!” She turned from him and ran from the building.

Quinton stared after her. What the fu*k just happened?

-Two Weeks Later-

“Man, you need to fix things with Noel,” Darrel said as they sat at a bar together. “Your broken relationship is tearing mine up.”

“How so?” Quinton asked, staring at his best friend.

“Because Voni is so pissed at you, she takes it out on me.”

“Why is she pissed at me? Noel is the one who dumped me,” Quinton grumbled.

~ After Noel ran from his office building, Quinton had gone after her. But he couldn’t find her anywhere, not even at their apartment. He has tried to call her for the past two weeks, but she ignores his calls. And no one will tell him where she is.

A week after Noel left him, Ashly came to see him again.

“I wanted to give you time to get over her before I proposed a new dowry,” she’d said, handing him a piece of paper.

He’d looked at it, and his eyes had opened wide. She’d gotten excited over his look of shock.

“We’ll be married by next month, then we’ll honeymoon in France….”

“No,” he’d said, tearing the paper in half, then half again.

She stared at him. “No?”

“No.” He tossed the torn paper into the trash.

“But you….”

“Don’t mistake my shocked face for acceptance.”

“But… but she left you….” She stopped talking when he grabbed her by the throat.

“What do you know about her leaving me?”

“N-nothing,” she choked.

He got into her face. “Let me make one thing clear. I don’t care how much money your father throws at me. I’m not going to marry a woman who wants me for my title,” he growled in her face, then let her go. “And no amount of anything will help me get over Noel.”

She screeched and stomped her foot. “Fine, marry the bumpkin!”

“What?” he asked, staring at her.

Her face paled, and she ran out the door before he could move. ~

“Earth to Quinton,” Darrel said, waving his hand in front of Quinton’s face.

“What was that?” Quinton asked, looking at his best friend.

Darrel shook his head. “You’re never going to be the same. Are you? Man, Veronica is going to kill me for this,” he mumbled as he wrote something on a napkin and then handed it to Quinton. “That’s where she’s staying. But maybe you should….” He didn’t get to say the rest—Quinton was already gone.

“How is the little one?”

Noel looked at Oliver and smiled. “Hungry.”

Oliver chuckled. “Dinner is ready.”

She smiled and stood up from the bed. She has been taking more and more naps lately.

Oliver and Peter have been so sweet. When she’d shown up at their door in tears, Oliver had pulled her into his arms and held her while she sobbed. Peter had ushered them into the living room, where they sat, and she told them everything.

They offered her their spare room, and she has been with them since. They take her to and from work, and Brandy has been instructed to warn Noel when Quinton comes into the library. He was coming in every day looking for her; until one day—after Noel finally told Brandy parts of what happened—she’d screamed at him to leave Noel alone, that he’d done enough. And they haven’t seen him since.

The doorbell rang, pulling Noel back to the present.

“I’ll get it,” Oliver said with a smile.

Noel nodded and followed him to the kitchen.

Quinton’s eyes opened wide when the large man Noel called Oliver answered the door. He should have known she’d go to him. Her hero.

“I want to speak to Noel.”

Oliver snorted. “I bet you do. Haven’t you done enough?”

“Why do people keep saying that?!” Quinton bellowed. “I didn’t do anything.”

“Does a certain photo bring back memories?” Oliver asked, glaring at the man who hurt his sweet Noel.

“It’s just a stupid picture,” Quinton growled.

“Nevertheless,” Oliver said. “You cannot speak with Noel.”

“I won’t leave this hall until I speak with her,” Quinton said. “You can beat me, and I will lie here in the hall—bleeding—until she talks to me.”

Oliver snorted. He would love to beat this man senseless, but Noel would kill him if he hurt the father of her unborn child, no matter how angry she was with him.

“I’ll see if she’ll talk to you.” Oliver closed the door in Quinton’s face.

Noel noticed Oliver’s angry face when he came into the kitchen. She watched him run his hand through his red hair as he looked at her.

“It’s Quinton.”

“What?” she asked with a shocked breath. “How did he find me?”

“I don’t know. He won’t leave until you talk to him.”

“Oh, he won’t, will he?” she growled.

“Maybe you should tell him about the baby,” Peter suggested from the other side of the room.

Noel shook her head. “You know what Ashly said he’ll do if he finds out I’m pregnant.”

“Ever think she was lying?” Oliver asked.

She shook her head. “He told me himself that he doesn’t want kids.”

“Noel,” Peter said.

Noel shook her head.

“What will you do when you start showing?” Oliver asked.

“I’ll tell him you’re the father,” she said, looking at Oliver.

Oliver and Peter laughed.

“No one will believe it,” Oliver said.

“The one person who needs to will.” She moved past Oliver and walked straight to the door.

Quinton watched as Noel opened the door and stared at him. God, he’s missed her. He wanted to ki*s her, but the look on her face warned him to stay back. He’ll fix everything with her fist. Then there will be lots of ki*sing.

“What do you want?” she asked as she moved into the hall.

God, even pissed she’s beautiful. Has she gained more weight? Who cares? She could get as big as a house, and he’d still love her.

“I came to talk,” he finally answered.

“Then talk.”

He took a deep breath. “Look. Ashly Angelette and I….”

Her name on his lips undid her. “She can have you!” she screeched. “I’ve found that I never really loved you. You were just a substitute for the man I really love.”

Quinton’s anger erupted from his body. “Is that so?!”

“Yess,” she hissed. “And he did something you can never do for me!”

“And what’s that?” he asked, glaring at her.

“He gave me a baby!” she yelled. “I’m going to have Oliver’s baby. He and I discovered that we’d been in love since high school. And now I’m going to have his baby. And I don’t ever want to see you again!”

Quinton swallowed past the lump in his throat. She’s going to have another man’s child? What they had together meant nothing to her?

Noel stood in the hall seething and watching Quinton.

‘Please,’ she begged, almost crying. ‘Call my bluff, Quinton. Don’t believe I’m like this!’

“I see,” Quinton said. “I’ll have my belongings out of the apartment by this weekend, and you can move back in. I’ll transfer back to California.”

‘NO!’ she wanted to scream out loud. “Fine,” she said, then moved into the apartment and slammed the door.

Once inside, Noel slid to the floor against the door and cried.

On the other side of the door, Quinton pressed his hand against the door. “Goodbye, cara,” he whispered, then turned and headed to the elevator.

Noel felt a strange pull and got to her feet. She opened the door, but he was gone.

“Don’t those two see how much they belong together?” Peter asked as he and Oliver watched Noel.

“Maybe one day they will,” Oliver sighed. “But for now, we have a friend to look after.”

Peter nodded, and they moved to Noel. They took her into their arms and held her as she cried.

That weekend, as he promised, Quinton got out of the apartment—and a week later, he was back in California.

Noel forgave Darrel and settled back into her old life, except for one difference.

She’s carrying the man she loves, baby.

Chapter Eight: Let’s Try Again.

Chapter Nine: Let’s Try Again.

Chapter Ten: Let’s Try Again.

-September 13, 2019-

Quinton shook his head as he got to his knees. Noel screamed as another contraction had her body coming up off the ground.

“Noel,” he breathed, rushing to her side. “Did you get hurt?”

She shook her head. “No, but Angelica is coming.”

He smiled. “Angelica, huh? Did Oliver pick it?”

Noel snarled at him. She wasn’t going to tell him she picked the name because Darrel told her Quinton had called her an angel when he’d first seen her.

“You have nothing to snarl at me about,” he said, watching her.

She laughed. “You think so?”

He nodded. “I do.”

“Well, I disagree.”

Noel screamed again. She grabbed the top of her maternity pants and started tugging them down. “She’s coming!” she cried out when she saw Quinton staring at her, trying to pull her pants down.

He shook his head. “Right.”

Quinton removed Noel’s shoes and helped her with her pants.

“No panties,” he said when he noticed her lack of panties and looked up at her face.

Noel shrugged. “I find them uncomfortable around my big fat belly.”

No way was she going to tell him she often went without panties just in case she ran into him.

“Not fat,” he said as he pulled her shirt up to look at her stomach.

She snorted. “Fat and ugly.”

He shook his head. “You have never been either.”

She snorted again. “Ugly bumpkin from a Podunk town.”

“Who the fu*k said that about you?” he asked with annoyance.

“You did!” she hollered.

“I have never said anything even close to that about you.”

She sniffled, tears running down her cheeks. “I’m just a fat nuisance.”

He placed his hand on her stomach. “You’re not fat; you never have been.”

She snorted. Something was wrong with her nose; she wanted to rub it but didn’t want to look even worse in front of him.

“And I’ve never seen you as beautiful as you are now, even if it is someone else’s baby.”

She burst into tears.

“I’m sorry,” Quinton whispered.

He didn’t mean to remind her that it was too early for her daughter to survive.

“My bag.”

“What?”

She pointed to where she’d dropped her bag when the explosion knocked them down.

“In my bag is a blanket I bought for when I brought Angelica home.”

“Oh.” He scrambled to her purse and found the blanket on top.

“My phone is in there too,” she said, watching him.

He pulled her phone from her purse and looked at it. “Dead.”

She groaned, then screamed as another contraction had her sitting up. “I need to push!”

“Wait.” He laid the blanket out so her daughter would slide onto the soft material rather than the hard ground.

“There. Are. Scissors. In. My. Bag,” she panted. “You can use them. To cut. The. Cord.”

He nodded and searched for the scissors.

“Need. To. Sterilize.” She groaned at the pain.

Quinton went to his car and found the lighter his brother had given him a few years ago. He rushed back to Noel when she started screaming again.

“She’s coming!” Noel cried out.

Why is God being so cruel? Sending Quinton back into her life… their life. He doesn’t want children!

“Breathe, cara,” Quinton said, helping her get through the contractions. “I’m going to feel.” He pointed between her legs.

She nodded. He moved his hands to her core to see if he could feel anything.

“Well?” she asked.

“I don’t know what I’m doing, cara. But I don’t feel anything yet.”

“Sterilize the scissors.” She sighed and laid back on the ground.

He took his jacket off, folded it, and placed it under her head. She smiled a thanks, and he smiled back.

Quinton sterilized the scissors and then placed them on her bag, away from the grass and mud around them.

Another contraction came, and she sat up again. “I really need to push now,” she mo*ned.

He coached her as she pushed and screamed.

An hour later, a beautiful, perfect, silky black-haired baby came out screaming.

“Oh, cara,” he breathed as he looked at his daughter. “How could you keep this from me?”

He wrapped Angelica in her blanket and looked at Noel.

Noel cried as he handed her their daughter.

“Please don’t take her from me,” she cried as she held Angelica close.

Quinton stared at her in disbelief. He shook his head, then cut the cord and tied it off. Once everything was done, he stared at the only woman he’s ever loved and their beautiful baby girl. How could she have done this to him?

“Noel,” he whispered.

“Please,” she cried.

He turned from her. He needed to get them to a hospital. But how? Maybe the drunk driver has a phone. He’d left his at the hotel in his hurry to see Noel. He found the diver’s phone and dialed 911.

He returned to Noel and smiled when he saw her nursing their daughter.

“Ambulance will be here soon.”

She nodded. Still crying over their daughter.

He used the phone to call their family and friends.

The next day, lying in the hospital bed with their daughter in her arms, Noel still wouldn’t talk to him.

The door opened, and a nurse peeked in. “There’s a very large group out here who say they want to see Miss Pentagraph.”

Quinton nodded and looked at Noel. She still looked petrified and held Angelica close to her. She even refused to let the nurses take her if he was around.

With a sigh, he followed the nurse to the waiting room.

“Quinton! Oh my God, is it true? Were you both in an accident?” Veronica asked in a panic.

Quinton nodded.

“You okay, man?” Darrel asked.

“I delivered my daughter on the side of the road after a drunken asshole caused the cab—she and her mother were in—to roll several times into a ditch. I crashed into a tree, destroying my favorite car. So no, I’m not okay.” Quinton looked around the room. “And Noel thinks I mean harm to our daughter.”

“Sorry, man,” Darrel said, backing away from his friend.

“Did you all know that Noel was pregnant with my child?!”

No one said anything, which was answer enough.

“And you!” Quinton hollered, rushing at Oliver. “Did you know the baby was mine and not yours?”

“Of course I did,” Oliver said.

Quinton grabbed the man by the collar. “Why did you take her from me!?”

“Please remove your hands from my husband,” Peter said, watching Quinton.

“Husband?” Quinton let go of Oliver and backed away.

The two large men watched him as he placed his hands over his head.

“Will someone tell me what the fu*k is going on?!”

Quinton opened the door to Noel’s room and smiled when he saw her nursing their daughter.

“Hello, cara,” he said as he moved to the bed.

Noel’s eyes opened wide as she looked at him. She covered Angelica with the blanket and leaned over her—away from him.

“Noel.” He sat in the chair beside the bed. “Our friends told me everything.”

She started crying.

“Oh, cara, don’t cry. You have nothing to fear from me.”

“You… you won’t take Angelica and send her away?”

“Good God, Noel. What kind of man do you think I am?”

Noel cried harder. “Please send me with her!”

“Damn it, Noel!” He jumped to his feet.

Angelica released her hold on Noel’s nipple and started to cry with her mother.

Quinton took a deep, calming breath. “If you had just told me you were pregnant before, Ashly got her talons in you.”

“I just found out,” she whispered as she soothed Angelica. “I was on my way to tell you.”

He sighed and sat back in the chair. “I was told I could never have children.”

“My doctor said that doctors are sometimes wrong.”

He laughed. “That’s a huge thing to be wrong about.”

She looked down at Angelica, who’d fallen asleep.

“She’s our miracle baby,” he whispered as he watched the angelic baby sleep. He looked up at Noel. “You named her Angelica because Darrel told you what I’d said when I first saw you.” It wasn’t a question.

She hid her smile. “Yes.”

“Cara. Why did you believe Ashly?”

She sniffled. “I saw her come out of your office. She was buttoning her shirt. And everything she said made sense. Why would the son of a duke want me—when he could have her?”

He sighed. “Because I love you, not her.”

She sniffled. “But why?”

“Because you are kind, beautiful, exciting, yet calm and reserved, and I’ve never wanted a woman the way I wanted you the moment I saw you.”

She blinked and stared at him.

“Why would you believe I would hurt our child?”

“Because you told me you didn’t want kids.”

He groaned. “Cara, I only said that because I thought I couldn’t have any.”

She started to cry. He sat on the bed and held her. She laid her head on his chest as she cried.

“I love you, cara.” He ki*sed the top of her head.

“I love you, too.”

He sighed. “Never doubt that you and our daughter mean the world to me. I would die for either of you. Hell, I almost got my a*s kicked by those two behemoths out there.”

Noel giggled. She knew he was talking about Oliver and Peter.

“I can’t believe I haven’t realized Oliver is gay.”

“They hide it well,” she whispered.

He chuckled. “They sure don’t look it.”

“Looks can be deceiving.” She smiled.

“What are they trying to be, Arnold Schwarzenegger?”

She grinned. “Actually, Oliver has beaten a few of his records.”

“Bodybuilders,” Quinton snorted. “Should have known.”

“I’m sorry,” she whispered. “I should have come to you.”

He sighed. “Yes, you should have. But then again, I should have forced you to talk and listen to me.”

She sighed and looked up at him. “We both fu*ked up.”

He laughed. “You’re telling me.”

“Why did you go to the Ball with Ashly Angelette?”

“Because my father gave me his blessing to marry you, but I had to take Ashly to the Ball. I’d promised before I ever met you. Ashly had ki*sed me in front of the cameras so they’d capture it.”

“But why?” she asked.

He laughed. “Because I’d ignored her all night and spent my night talking about you to anyone who would listen.”

“Oh, Quinton.”

He leaned over and ki*sed her. She sighed against his lips.

“Let’s never separate again,” she sighed.

He nodded. “God, I missed you. That’s why I was here. I couldn’t get you out of my head.”

She nodded. “I know what you mean.”

“Let’s agree to talk before we act.”

She smiled. “Yes.”

Quinton looked down at his daughter. “Can I hold her now?”

She shifted so she could hand him their little girl.

“Ah, my little cara. You look so much like your mama.”

“Except for your dark hair,” Noel whispered.

He chuckled. “That’s how I knew she was mine.”

“I hoped she would look like you. So I’d see you every time I looked at her.”

He grinned. “Now all you have to do is look to your side. Because from now on, that’s where I’ll be.”

“Quinton?”

“Yes, cara?”

“What had you said to me in Italian the first time I told you I love you?”

Quinton sighed with pleasure and happiness.

“Words can’t describe my love for you.

Epilogue: Happily, Together.

-Six Years Later-

“Happy birthday to you, happy birthday, dear Angelica, Happy birthday to you.”

Everyone cheered as the six-year-old little lady blew out her candles.

“What did you wish for?” Quinton asked, smiling at his little girl.

“I can’t tell you,” Angelica said. “You know that, Papa.”

Quinton laughed. “Of course, cara, of course.”

“Frankie, you get back here!” Noel hollered, waddling after their three-year-old.

“Woah.” Quinton snatched his toe-headed son up into his arms. “What did you do now, little man?”

Frankie smiled; his teeth were rainbow-colored.

“He’s eating the crayons again,” Noel said, out of breath, as she placed her hand over her large stomach.

“Eeww,” Angelica said, wrinkling her nose. “I never ate crayons.”

Noel looked at her daughter. “No, you ate paste.”

Angelica looked at her mother with wide, unbelieving eyes. Both her parents laughed at the look on her face.

“Cake,” Frankie said, looking at the giant chocolate cake.

“Teeth first,” Noel said.

Quinton grinned. “I’ll take him.”

“Thank you.” Noel smiled sweetly at her husband.

“Mama, can I open my presents now?” Angelica begged.

“Not until after cake and ice cream,” Noel said.

Noel watched their friends and family as they chatted and ate cake with large scoops of ice cream.

“If I had been told seven years ago that I would be this happy, a husband and father, surrounded by those I care about, I’d have said, “You’re full of shit,”” Quinton said as he wrapped his arms around Noel from behind.

She smiled as his hands splayed over her stomach.

Quinton sighed. He’d thought he would never have children. Yet here he is, with two beautiful kids and one on the way. Proof that Noel is the one for him.

Even his father admitted Noel was the right woman for his son when he found out she’d given his sterile son a beautiful baby girl.

“I love you,” Noel whispered.

Quinton ki*sed her neck. “You’re the fire that lights my flame.”

Chills raced down Noel’s spine. “You found the words.”

He nipped her earlobe. “I love you, are the only words I need.”

She giggled. “You do know how to woo a woman.”

He laughed. “I’ll show you some wooing tonight.”

“Mama!” Angelica hollered.

“It’s time for presents,” Noel whispered.

“You’re mine tonight,” he said before he released her.

Shivers ran down her spine as she headed to her daughter.

Even after all these years, they could still turn each other on with a single word or touch.

That night, while their children slept, Noel and Quinton made love in their large bed.

“Cara,” Quinton breathed as he collapsed to the bed.

“Am I fat?” Noel asked, looking at her husband.

Quinton chuckled. “No, cara, you will never be fat.”

Noel smiled. “Liar.”

He rolled onto his side and placed a hand on her stomach. “You carry my child inside you, cara. That’s a miracle in itself.”

She sighed. “One of these days, I’m going to be fat.”

He shook his head. “Anyone who calls my wife fat will get a fist in the face.”

“My hero.” She smiled as she touched the side of his face. “Are you glad you married me?”

He chuckled. “Glad?” He shook his head. “Ecstatic.”

She sighed. “Nine more to go.”

“Nine more what?” he asked, confused.

“Kids.”

“Mio Dia!” he cried out.

She laughed. “Okay, one more.”

He smiled. “We’ll see, cara.”

“I always get what I want from you,” she whispered.

He laughed. “That you do, cara.”

And she did—three years later, she got one more little bundle of hellion joy.

The End.