Page 69 of Off Limits Daddy

Ihad to admit that my life right now was nearly perfect, the threat of the mob notwithstanding. As Aidan grinned up at me, after we high-fived his getting a math problem correct, I had this moment of reflection of just how right this felt. He was slowly coming out of his shell, and I was discovering that I'd been right in that being a father was something that filled my soul with joy. I suppose it went against gender norms how much I enjoyed taking care of the house and Aiden. I cooked and cleaned and folded laundry. And for right now, until Aiden was safe, I was his teacher. I know that anybody who looked at me saw a man who was better suited to being a bouncer, but on the inside, this life of family and domesticity was what I really wanted.

And despite the stupidity of it, I very much liked my life with Veronica as well. She was an independent woman who didn't need me. But at night, when she'd come into my bed and surrender her pleasure to me, in those moments, I felt a connection to her that I didn't want to break. It was more thanthe sex. I loved her strength and determination. I like how she always kept me on my toes. I was fascinated by the woman who appeared to the world to be an ice queen, but underneath, there was so much more to her. I wanted to discover everything about her even as I knew she didn't want to be discovered. She kept parts of herself guarded, and while it was frustrating, I saw it as a challenge. Maybe before this whole situation was said and done, I'd be able to break through whatever was keeping her distant from me.

I shook my head, knowing that I was setting myself up for heartbreak. But what could I do? Deep down, I was a romantic. I was a man who believed in love and happily ever after. For a time, I questioned it until I saw Brett and Miranda and then Lindsay and Oliver find true love, and I wanted it as badly as I wanted to be Aiden's father.

"You're a pretty smart kid. Did you know that?"

Aiden looked down at his paper and then back at me, grinning again.

"I think it's about time that we take a break. How about we go get some lunch?"

He nodded. "Grilled cheese?"

Now I was the one grinning like a loon. Aiden very rarely asked for what he wanted. "Grilled cheese it is."

In the kitchen, I grilled up his sandwich, cutting it in two and setting it on the plate, along with a few grapes and carrot sticks.

"Here you go, Mr. Smart Boy." I set the plate in front of him and then went to get a glass of milk. As I did, I heard the buzz of the garage door opening. I took a quick look out the window and saw Veronica's car in the drive getting ready to pull in. I was relieved because while in our little bubble, life was good, I always had to be cognizant that someone was after Aiden. I had good security, but that didn't mean there weren't people out there who could figure out how to breach it. Veronica told me therewere agents watching the house, but I never saw them, which I suppose was the point. All that to say, there was a little bit of me that was always on guard.

I pulled out some more bread and began to slice more cheese thinking Veronica might join us. She entered the kitchen, looking at Aiden and then to me.

I smiled at her, liking seeing her in FBI mode, her dark slacks and coat over a white shirt, her red locks pulled back. Sexy agent. "Hey. You're just in time for some lunch. Can I make you a grilled cheese sandwich?"

"I need to talk to you."

I'd seen Veronica angry and annoyed. On occasion, I saw her laugh. And I had seen her in the throes of passion. The expression on her face now wasn't any of those and it concerned me.

"Is something wrong?" Instinctively, I walked toward Aiden, prepared to protect him from whatever she needed to tell us.

"It's not about that. I need to talk to you. Alone."

Confused, I looked down at Aiden. "Eat your lunch, okay? I'll be back in a minute. I just need to talk to Veronica."

Aiden shrugged as he popped the grape into his mouth. Deciding he was okay, I followed Veronica, who led me down the hall into the room I was now using as an office.

"What's going on?" The nerves under my skin prickled with concern.

For a moment, she stood and looked at me. "I'm pregnant."

I stared back, the words taking a while to sink in. "What?"

"I am pregnant."

Veronica was pregnant.

My gaze slid down from her face to her belly as I took in the idea that a life was growing there. A life that I had helped create. A warmth filled my chest. My lips spread into a smile.

"You're pregnant." I stepped toward her, wanting to gather her close and hug her. But her hand shot out, pressing against my chest and keeping me away.

"Duncan, don't."

I stopped short, my brow furrowing as I studied her. "What's wrong?"

She looked at me with such exasperation. "This isn't real between us. Remember, it's fake."

I arched a brow. "Those orgasms you're having aren’t fake."

She rolled her eyes, and I didn't like how it made me feel dismissed, made me feel small. "That's just sex. That's what we agreed upon. Remember? Having a baby is not a part of my plan."