Wife to the Boss (Managing the Bosses Series, #6) (9 page)

“You're not. Just don't stop.” She tried to catch her breath, loving how winded he left her. Of all the men she'd taken to her bed over the years, no one was like Alex Reid. Between the size of his cock and his confidence when making love... he was the pinnacle of ecstasy, and he was hers. Forever.

“I'm not going to, baby. I'm close to coming, so build it up again and come with me.” He ran one hand up her back, gripping the back of her neck as he lifted a little higher, creating a whole new sensation that sparked electricity deep inside of her.

“Like that. Just like that.” She gripped the sheets and bounced backward on him, forgetting the argument from earlier completely. They would always be able to let things go and get over the trivial. They just had to get naked.

“Come, Jamie! This is it for me.” He yelled as his body exploded, sending her over the edge just by the sound of it.

They worked each other until he moved back and she lay down on her side with a large exhale. He moved up behind her and cuddled her against him, kissing and licking at the side of her neck.

“If this is the result of us arguing, I'm going to pick a fight every day.” He laughed and tightened his arms around her.

“Please do.” She smiled and let her eyes close. “I'm going to sleep for a little while and then go to the hospital.”

“I'll go with you.” He kissed her cheek.

“No, go take care of the situation with Paul. I'll be fine. I promise.” She turned her face enough to get a quick kiss from him and then settled back down as sleep took her under.

*

H
er sister had left the hospital an hour before Jamie got there, or so her mother had bitched for about ten minutes when she arrived.

“Mom. Can I have a minute alone with Dad?” Jamie stopped outside of the ICU door as her mother moved in behind her. Everyone else had already seen her dad. Her nap went from an hour to three, and she was late, which didn't bode well. Nothing ever did with her mother anyway.

“I guess.” Her mom gave her a look and turned to walk back down the hall. By the way she carried herself, Jamie knew she was tired. Too tired to fight, which was almost a good place to keep the woman.

Jamie waited a minute, trying to settle her racing heart before pushing the door open and walking in. Her dad was hooked up to a ton of machines, most of which were beeping or making loud noises.

Tears filled her eyes as she moved toward him. The color of his skin was concerning, and his eyes were wide as if he was scared to death.

“Daddy?” She moved to his side and reached out, touching his hand. It was bloated, as was the rest of him.

He gave her a weak smile, but didn't say anything.

The nurse across from her pressed a button on the machine closest her. “He's doing great. This was an intense procedure that they put him through. It's going to take a few days before he's able to catch his breath and really start talking again.”

“Okay,” Jamie whispered as tears dripped down her face. She reached up and touched the side of her dad's cheek. “I'm here. I'm not going anywhere, okay?”

A tear ran down her dad's cheek, which ripped her open inside. She pressed her teeth into her bottom lip to keep from crying, and moved in closer, rubbing the side of his cheek to wipe away the tear. “The doctors and nurses said you did really great. I'm so proud of you.” She gave him a weak smile as he watched her with glassy eyes.

Was he glad to see her? Her mom? Her sister? None of them had been particularly good to each other over the course of their lives, but here, laying in the hospital, clinging to life, was he happy to have them beside him?

Jamie made herself a promise that no matter what, she was going to start spending more time with her dad. Her mother and sister might be horrid bitches, but her dad was a good man. She needed to have him as a bigger part of her life.

A nurse politely cleared her throat. “I'm going to have to replace a few of these tubes now. I'm not so sure you're going to want to be in here for this part.” The nurse gave her a weak smile.

“Okay. I'll be just outside. Just let me know when I can come back in.” She turned to her dad. “I'll be back. They're going to freshen up some of your stuff.”

He nodded, but his expression never changed.

Jamie leaned in carefully and kissed the side of his cheek before walking out into the hall and closing the door behind her. The sound of him gasping for air left her crushed. She pressed her hands to her mouth and let out a sob as she walked to the bathroom.

Nothing could have been more devastating than seeing him like that. Nothing other than the blood the dotted her panties as she sat on the toilet in the women's room.

“No. What the hell?” She cleaned herself up and got up, walking to the nurses’ station and stopping a younger nurse, who appeared to be friendly.

“Hi. I'm here with my dad, but I'm pregnant and my doctor's labeled it high risk. I'm spotting. Should I go over there to his office, or is there something you guys can do to help me?” She let out a shaky sigh and pursed her lips.

It was nonstop lately. And it didn't seem like it was going to end.

“We can do an ultrasound on you, dear. Let's get you down to the ER and get that going. Do you have someone who can fill out paperwork for you?” She touched Jamie's shoulder.

“I'll call my husband now. He'll be here shortly.” She moved toward the ER with the woman, wishing like hell she had the kind of mother she could lean on or trust to do anything for her, but she just didn't.

She wasn't that lucky.

“
W
hat's going on?” Alex walked into the ER no more than fifteen minutes later.

Jamie was laid on a bed in a gown, and the nurse beside her was preparing her for an ultrasound.

“They're just going to make sure the baby’s okay.” She forced back tears and reached out for him as he gripped her hand tightly and moved in beside her. He leaned down and brushed a kiss across her forehead.

“It's going to be fine.” He kissed her again. “Stress-related?”

“Or us having sex.” She shook her head, unable to hold back her tears.

“It's not sex, usually.” The nurse glanced over as she tugged up the gown Jamie was wearing and pressed a warm cloth to her belly. “We'll figure it out, though. Just nice calm breaths for me. I'll grab Doctor Wang and we'll have him make sure you're all good.”

Jamie nodded. “Thank you.”

The nurse left and Alex moved in to hover over the top of her. He pressed his forehead to hers. “This just isn't going to stop anytime soon, is it, baby?”

She let out a tight sob and closed her eyes as her chest shook. “I don't want to do this anymore. None of it. I'm tired.”

“I know you are.” He kissed her a few times and moved back to wipe at her tears. “The baby is fine, and your dad will be back to normal before we know it.”

“It's not just that. It's the company, and Mark wanting something new, and Paul leaving, and you having chest pains. I don’t know how to fix it.” She reached up and rubbed his chest.

He smiled. “It’s not your job to fix it.” He captured her hand and pressed it to his strong chest. “We'll have this ticker of mine checked out later this week. The rest of it is just part of business. Stop worrying. Your only job right now is to get some rest and take care of you and this little girl.” He brushed his fingers over her tummy. “I hope she's just like you. Beautiful, brilliant, and talks back all the damn time.”

Jamie chuckled and reached up to wipe at her eyes. “You want her to talk back all the time?”

“Yeah. I'm playing good cop, and you're the bad cop.” He smirked and moved down, brushing his lips over her stomach. “Hey, sweet girl. Your daddy's ready for you to come out and play. We're going to build you a Barbie house that you and I can decorate, and your momma’s going to teach you how to do your hair and wear pretty dresses.”

Jamie let another sob leave her as she dropped her head back and listened to Alex share his dreams with their unborn child. If she didn't love him with every ounce of her soul before... she did now. “What if it's a boy?” she whispered through the tightness in her throat. Then the unsaid words,
What if something’s wrong.

“Then he’d better not talk back, and you're not allowed to give him dresses.” He smirked and moved back up as the doctor walked in.

“Hello Mr. and Mrs. Reid. Let's make sure everything is going okay with your little one.” He extended his hand to each of them. “I'm Doctor Wang. I've delivered more babies than the number of years you guys have been alive.”

He chuckled and sat down between Jamie's legs, touching her thigh softly. “This is going to be a little uncomfortable, but just hold your husband’s hand, and you both watch the screen. We're going to see a little heartbeat, no doubt.”

Jamie turned to focus on the screen, as the static made it seem like there was nothing to see. She cringed as the exam began and squeezed Alex's hand.

“The nurse mentioned you were worried that intercourse could cause spotting, and you're right, but the chances of it causing a miscarriage are slim. Just make sure you're not being too rough in your lovemaking, but other than that... you should be good.”

“Good.” Alex lifted his eyebrows. “See... we're good with making love.”

“Too good,” she whispered and turned back toward the screen as the picture cleared up a little. A small black circle throbbed on the screen and Jamie reached out, pointing to it. “Is that the heartbeat?”

“Sure is... but... wait a moment.” The doctor squinted. “Have you had an ultrasound yet?”

“We... Um, have we?” All of a sudden Jamie couldn’t remember.

“Well, there isn’t one heartbeat—”

“What?” Alex interrupted.

“I see two.” The doctor laughed and stood up. “Your little ones are fine.”

“Two?” Alex lifted his eyebrows and stood up. “Are you kidding me?”

“Really?” Jamie narrowed her eyes as her heart constricted in her chest. Two babies?

“Really.” The doctor moved up and pointed to the screen. “We have one heartbeat here and one here. Two babies. Twins.”

“Wow,” Alex breathed, and Jamie turned in time to see his eyes fill with unshed tears. “Can you see if they're boys or girls?”

“Not yet. It's a little too early, but you can ask your doctor to check in about six weeks by my calculations, based on the size of their hearts.” The doctor moved back and walked to the door. “Congratulations, and make sure if you start spotting again, you come see us or your OB/GYN. There's no reason to take chances with such precious cargo.”

“Thank you.” Jamie turned back to the freeze-frame picture of the babies. “Twins. Wow, Alex.”

He laughed and leaned over the top of her. “This is one tragedy that I'm happy to have turn out for good. We're going to need another room at the house for the nursery. How exciting.”

“Let's just keep them in the same room until they're a little bigger?” She turned her attention fully on him. His blue eyes were filled with warmth and his smile lit her on fire.

“Yeah, anything you want.” He leaned down. “We're going shopping the minute we find out what they are. I want us to get the nursery ready early so we can use it as a happy place in the house. Things keep going wrong, but this...” He reached down and brushed his fingers over her tummy. “This is so right.”

“I love you.” She pulled him up for a long kiss.

“I love you more.” He chuckled. “Twins?! Damn!” He hugged her again.

She stared at him and then at her belly. It was going to grow huge. “Twins.” She started giggling, too. “Twins.”

“I know.” Alex gave her a goofy smile.

She shot him one back. “Nothing comes easy for us, does it?”

He cocked an eyebrow. “Apparently sex and conceiving do.”

She burst out laughing as he hugged her. “So, you’re okay. You’re having two babies...” He slowly moved back. “This is crazy. It’s crazy awesome.”

“It is, isn’t it?” Her heart bounced with excitement. It was crazy.

“How about we get you dressed and go check on your dad? He might love the news.” Alex turned and picked up her clothes. “Are your mom and sister still up in the ICU?”

“My mom is.” She moved the table and accepted his help in getting down. She stripped out of the hospital gown. He watched her like it was the first time he'd seen her naked. “What?”

“You. That's what.” He moved in and ran his hands down her sides before stealing another quick kiss. “I'm going to have to walk through the hospital with a hard-on. Good times.”

She laughed and grabbed her pants, loving his humor. “I'm sure it's not the first time you've been turned on in public.”

“No, you're right. Since meeting you it seems to be a regularly occurring theme. I’m like freakin’ sixteen all over again.” He opened the door after she finished getting dressed, and they moved out into the hall. “Let's get something to eat together after we see your dad. That Italian place you love is just down the road. We'll grab a table to ourselves and just relax”.”

“I'd love that.” She slid her hand into his and walked with him back up to the ICU. They paused outside the door and listened before walking in. Her mom was nowhere to be found, but she wasn't complaining. Life was peaceful without her mom and sister in it, and yet to have her dad involved meant figuring out a way of dealing with her mom better.

Her dad was asleep when they walked in, and didn't stir.

Alex's eyes grew wide, and he shook his head. He reached up and rubbed his chest as he glanced over at her. “Damn.”

“Right?” She moved up beside her dad and reached out, touching the side of his face. “He's doing really well, but it's going to be a long trek to being fully healthy again.”

“But he'll fully recover?” He moved around to stand behind her. His strong arms wrapped around her and she leaned back, resting against him.

“Yeah. I think he will.” She closed her eyes and let out a soft sigh. “Now we just need to get our lives in order so that stress isn't the center of everything.”

“I agree, but I'm stressed out just trying to think through how we're going to make that happen.” He chuckled and kissed the side of her neck. “Let's just get through this stuff with your dad and the situation with Paul leaving, and we'll figure things out from there.”