Pregnant and Willing, page 1
Pregnant and Willing
A Forbidden Romance
S.E. Law
S.C. Adams
Copyright © 2022 by S.E. Law and S.C. Adams
All rights reserved.
No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems, without written permission from the author, except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.
Created with Vellum
Subscribe Now
Get The Babymaking Service free when you join S.E. Law’s mailing list here. Also, text SELAW to 833-213-3403 to join my VIP text club and get 15% off your first order from my website!
Contents
About This Book
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Epilogue
Sneak Peek: Forbidden Fruit
Sneak Peek: Blackmailed By My Dad’s Boss
About S.E. Law
About S.C. Adams
About This Book
Christine: I never intended to get pregnant, but my a$$hole ex-fiancé pulled a fast one and now I’m all alone during my third trimester. My belly’s huge, I waddle like a lame hippo, and I need it so bad that it positively hurts. It’s the hormones that make me so h*rny, I swear. But who would want a woman in my condition? Fortunately, the escort agency tells me that there are clients who have a fetish for pregnant ladies. Evidently, some men prefer their women luscious, willing … and about to give birth. Even more, Damon Stanton is a billionaire with steel blue eyes, the physique of a Greek god, and *exactly* the right tool to keep me satisfied. But what happens after I have the baby? Will he still want me? Or is this kink only a passing fad?
* * *
Trigger warning: she’s huge … she’s expecting … and she wants it! This story is a follow-up to Dirty Sexy Daddy, where we meet Christine, the pregnant single mother who was in Simona’s labor and delivery class. The sassy woman’s facing challenges ahead, but with the help of a filthy billionaire who likes his women in a very particular state, she’s able to find her HEA. No cheating, no cliffhangers, and always a happily ever after for my readers. This book is a follow-up to Dirty Sexy Daddy, but all of my stories are standalones and can be read in any order.
1
Christine
* * *
Smiling, I look down at my belly, and place a hand over the spot where my baby just kicked. At that moment, he kicks again, jubilantly this time. During moments like this, I don’t think about the hardships we’re going to face on our own, since my no-good ex-fiancé Matt turned out to be an immature prick. I wish I’d never met that loser, but there’s no use crying over spilled milk, so it’s just me and my son now.
“Don’t worry,” I whisper to the child in my belly, “we’re better off without him.” And we are. We have to be because we have no other choice. Besides, I don’t want my son to grow up with a narcissist for a father, and Matt only cares about one thing—himself. At least this way, my child will know love and kindness, not to mention generosity towards others. It sickens me to think of the terrible example Matt would have set for our son, and if I’m being honest with myself, that loser dumping me is probably the best thing that’s ever happened to me in my life because at least now, I’m unfettered and free. I won’t have to worry about Matt’s presence darkening my child’s life.
Plus, I’ve carved out a comfy existence for myself, and a baby will be stretching things, but I can make it work. I don’t exactly make a gold mine as a clerk at Busy Books, but it’s enough to get by until I find something better. As a plus, I have health insurance, which was never even a blip on my radar until recently. Now that I’m saddled with constant appointments to my OB/GYN, I’m glad insurance is paying for it all.
Speaking of work, I better get back to it. It’s so easy to be distracted when I feel the child kick, and honestly, it’s still so surreal to think about the fact that I have a little person growing inside me. It’s almost like having an alien inside, or a parasite of some sort. I know that those are unflattering comparisons, but the baby is a parasite, isn’t it? He literally leaches vitamins, minerals, and nutrients from my bloodstream, which is exactly what parasites do. Of course, I suppose I should be used to it all by now, but motherhood continues to surprise me every day.
Grabbing the cart of books in front of me, I make my way towards the romance aisle to put up the new releases. Busy Books is just a small neighborhood establishment, but the owner does a great job of getting in highly anticipated new releases in all the best genres. I’m particularly partial to romance novels myself, so I love getting to peruse the newest books on my breaks.
Hmm, it’ll be so nice reading with my son once he’s born. I still get the warm fuzzies remembering how I’d recite The Moon in My Room and Steam Train Dream Train with my mom when I was little. It’s a tradition I hope to keep going with my child, and I smile dreamily at the thought.
As I work at stacking and sorting, one of my favorite songs comes on over the speaker system and I start humming to myself as I arrange new books on the shelves. I spot one that has a beautiful cover. Okay, the cover’s not exactly “beautiful” in the traditional sense because it shows a shirtless, handsome dude smiling at the camera while stroking his abs and pecs. It’s kind of a silly pose, but it’s not just his body, I swear! The model also has the most soulful expression on his face, and I swoon a bit before mentally adding this novel to my TBR list. I’m a sucker for good-looking guys, and devouring romance novels amps up my appetite.
“Christine,” a voice interrupts my daydream.
I nearly jump out of my skin. Turning, I see Benjamin, the store’s owner, standing behind me and laugh nervously.
“Sorry, Mr. Roscoe. I guess I was just lost in my head a little bit. Do you need help with something?”
He bites his lip.
“No, I mean, yes,” Benjamin mutters. That’s weird. The older man is usually really friendly, but now he pauses, nervously rubbing the back of his neck. “I didn’t mean to startle you, Christine, but I need to talk to you. Could you drop by the back office for a chat?”
I manage a bright smile while struggling to get to my feet.
“Sure.”
Swaying like an overloaded ship, I waddle behind Benjamin to the back of the store. My heart is pounding and my palms break out in a cold sweat. What could he want? Honestly, Ben’s a nice guy and usually he walks around the store with a bright smile and a cheerful attitude. But right now, fire alarms are going off in my head because something is clearly wrong.
Finally, we get to the back and Ben lets me into a dusty office that’s filled with a small desk and cardboard boxes haphazardly scattered about.
“So how can I help you?” I ask as the older man closes the door with a solid thump. That’s when I notice a sealed white envelope on the desk with my name written on the front. Ominously, there’s also a paper lying next to it face down.
Ben walks around the desk, gesturing to the chair on the other side.
“Please, have a seat, Christine.”
A clammy sweat breaks out over my skin as I pull out the chair and slowly maneuver my huge form into place. Then, Ben regards me with a doleful look.
“Christine, I’m very sorry, but Busy Books is going to have to let you go.”
I gasp as tears spring to my eyes.
“But I don’t understand. Did I do something wrong? You’ve never had anything bad to say about my work here.”
He shakes his head regretfully.
“It’s not because of your performance. You’re a wonderful employee and we really appreciate your cheerful manner, but the store hasn’t been doing well for a while now. Sales have been on a steady decline for the last couple years. For the last twenty years, if I’m being honest, because I just can’t compete with big online book vendors like Amazon. So I had to make a choice, and unfortunately, we can’t keep everyone. I’m sorry.”
Tears prickle my eyes as one hand comes forward to cradle my belly.
“But I’ve been with Busy for two years and I need this job. It’s all I have, and you know that, Ben. It’s all we have because I’m going to be a single mom after the baby’s born. Didn’t I mention that?”
The older man nods his head mournfully again, pulling at his goatee in distress.
“You did, but I just don’t have a choice, Christine. Even though you’ve been here two years, you’re still the newest employee and I decided to do this according to seniority. I’m so sorry.”
I look down and clutch my large belly while fighting back tears. This can’t be happening. Then, Ben flips over the paper on his desk and hands it to me.
“Here, take this. I wrote a letter of recommendation for you, and I’ll be happy to give you a great reference wherever you go next. And I put some cash in the envelope to help tide you over until your next gig,” he says, handing over the envelope. “You’re going to be fine, Christine.”
Tears overwhelm me as I take the letter and envelope and clutch them to my chest with trembling fingers. A large sob erupts from my throat, and as a last ditch effort, I try once more.
“Please Ben,” I say between wracking cries. “I’m in my third trimester, and I need this job for me and my baby!”
Begging
But my manager merely shakes his head.
“I’m sorry, Christine. There’s nothing I can do. My deepest apologies.”
Still shuddering with sobs, I nod and heave myself out of the chair before waddling out of Benjamin’s office. This doesn’t feel real, but unfortunately it is, and my eyes are blurred with tears as I make my way out of Busy Books for the last time. Where will I go now? What will I do? A fresh cry rises from my throat as I grab my bag and stumble to the sidewalk, devoid of hope for the future.
2
Christine
* * *
My legs feel weak and my breath comes in shuddering gasps. A few passersby cast worried looks at me, but I manage to keep moving along while ignoring their gazes. Of course, I don’t have a clue where I’m going. The city passes in a blur, with cabs whizzing on the streets while people argue, stare, and shop, but I’m oblivious. I can’t think, I’m so confused.
After all, I’m about to give birth, yet how will I afford the delivery? Can I just give birth at the hospital and then pay them back later? Does my doctor offer payment plans? Can babies be put on layaway? My stomach lurches and I hurry towards a rest area up ahead. Maybe if I sit, I’ll be able to catch my breath at least.
To my surprise, there’s an empty bench in the sunlight, and I sink down gratefully. Slowly, I rub my hands over my arms, trying to warm myself up. It’s surprisingly cold for a sunny day, and after giving myself a few minutes to calm down, I assess the situation. Oh right, the envelope. It’s my severance, so to speak. Quickly, I pull the envelope out of my purse before ripping it open. Benjamin said it was a little something until my next job, so hopefully it’s a week or two’s worth of salary. Anything will help at this point.
But tears well up in my eyes again as soon as I see the contents. There are only a few bills inside, and tallying them up, I see that it adds up to fifty bucks. Damnit! What good is a measly fifty dollars going to do me? My monthly rent is in the four figures!
I stuff the cash back into the envelope and then shove the offensive item inside my purse before burying my face in my hands to cry. The baby’s going to be here before I know it, and now I’m going to lose the roof over my head. Plus, there are still crucial items I need to purchase, like bottles, diapers, and infant formula. How is this going to work?
Biting my lip, I run my fingers through my hair in frustration, practically pulling out the soft curls. Then with a growl, I grab my phone out of my purse and pull up Matt’s name from my contact list. Maybe my baby daddy and I aren’t together anymore, but this is his child whether he likes it or not. I’m going to tell him to send us money, but that thought is so ludicrous that an insane giggle bursts from my chest. I shove my phone back into my purse. Who am I kidding? Matt never wanted this child, which is exactly why we split up. He wanted me to get a termination, and I refused.
Not only that, but my ex-fiancé is a hopeless slacker whose greatest dream in life is to become a professional poker player. I have nothing against dreams, but let’s be honest: Matt’s never won a tournament in his life. In fact, he’s never won any prize money at all, so my doubts about his career are fully justified. Besides, my ex is a total ass, so I doubt he’d answer even if I did call or text him.
But sitting on this bench is only bringing me down, so I decide to take a stroll to soothe my nerves. At least walking’s still free, and maybe I can enjoy the beautiful weather while the sunshine beats on my shoulders. Slowly, I get up and start lumbering down the sidewalk, hoping that I’m not swaying too much from side to side. But people give me kind smiles and even make way for me because I’m so obviously pregnant.
I mosey past a few clothing shops, an optician, and a bakery with macarons in the window in a rainbow of colors. Should I? But I shake my head and keep going because each macaron probably costs a gold mine. Then, a very pretty brassiere catches my eye in the window of the next shop, and I see that I’m now in front Lily’s Paradise, a fancy lingerie boutique.
Snorting, I look down at myself. I can’t even remember the last time I bought myself lingerie, and even thinking about the worn underwear I’m wearing right now makes me cringe. My grimy granny panties come up over my belly button, and the fabric’s now a dishwater grey from being washed so much. Ugh.
But as I stare into the store, my heart thumps with longing. There are mounds of beautiful satin and lace heaped in piles, and I see a mannequin wearing a particularly fetching pink bra and panty set. I shouldn’t even be considering this. The last thing I need is to be spending money on frivolous lingerie, especially when there is zero chance anyone other than me will be seeing it. But I desperately need a pick me up, and before I realize what I’m doing, I’m opening the door to walk in. Maybe I’ll just look. I don’t have to actually buy anything.
Inside, the store smells sweetly floral, and it’s sectioned into an area for intimates, an area for perfumes and cosmetics, and another area for negligees and robes. Perfect. I head towards the bra and panty separates, ostensibly just to look, but right on the front table is a pink set with the cutest lace trim. They’re 100% cotton, and casually, I flip the tag to see the price. That’s when my lip begins to quiver. Twenty-five dollars for one pair of panties? And another forty-five for the matching bra? How can a simple lingerie set cost so much? There’s no way I can afford this, and these items are probably the cheapest things in the store.
Suddenly, my world comes crashing down again. I’m a poor, unemployed single mother about to give birth any day now. I don’t belong here, and a sob rises from my throat as I turn to leave. Lily’s is for pretty, chic women with doting husbands who buy them expensive strollers. It’s not for women like me, without a cent to their name. Tears fall from my cheeks as I put the panties back, and embarrassingly, an ugly sob escapes my throat as I rush to the front door. But then a voice stops me.
“Honey, are you okay? Can I help you with something?”
Quickly, I blink to clear my vision a bit, and turn to see a sweet looking middle-aged woman who’s holding out a monogrammed handkerchief. She’s elegantly dressed, and I see that the handkerchief matches the monogrammed purse she has slung over one elbow. Sniffing, I take the cloth and try to force a smile, but even that’s not happening today.
“No, thanks, I’m okay. I was just browsing.”
The woman smiles and nods with understanding. She’s maybe in her forties with dark brown hair pulled into a smooth, perfectly styled bun, while a black wrap dress flatters her curves. She holds her hand out to me, and not wanting to be rude I shake her hand.
“Well, I hope you feel better soon,” she says kindly. “We all have bad days. I’m Clarissa, by the way.”
I nod and sniffle pathetically again.
“Christine,” I reply. “Nice to meet you.”
She smiles sunnily.
“So when is your baby due?” she asks in a kind voice. “I remember pregnancy myself. By the time I got to my last trimester, it was so not fun.”
Running a hand over the swell of my belly, I laugh half-heartedly.
“He’ll be here in just a little over two months.”
“Then it makes sense you’re emotional,” Clarissa adds gently. “The hormones are crazy at that stage. I used to cry at every little thing.”
I sniffle again and manage a watery smile.
“Yeah, I’ve been feeling huge and just kind of down lately, so I thought something cute and sexy from Lily’s could be a pick-me-up.” But then I let out a bitter chuckle. “I should have known a place named Lily’s Paradise would be extremely expensive and way out of my price range.”
