He lifts up on one elbow and looks down at me with a frown. "Why not? You feeling okay?"
"No—I mean yes—I feel fine." I take an uneven breath. "But I have to ask the doctor if it's all right before I do anything that strenuous."
"Doctor?" Gage rises over me, taking my shoulders in his hands. "What doctor? Why the hell would you..." His voice fades as it dawns on him. "My God. Liberty, sweetheart,
are you..." He immediately moderates his grip, as if he's afraid of crushing me. "You're sure?" I nod, and he gives a delighted laugh. "I can't believe it." A flush of color has made his eyes startlingly light by contrast. "Actually, I can. It was New Year's Eve, wasn't it?"
"Your fault," I remind him, and his grin widens.
"Yes, I'll take full credit for that one. My sweet girl. Let me see you."
I am immediately subjected to an inspection, his hands sweeping over my body. Gage kisses my stomach a dozen times, then levers upward to pull me into his arms again. His mouth descends to mine repeatedly. "My God, I love you. How do you feel? Do you have morning sickness? Do you need crackers? Pickles? Dr Pepper?"
I shake my head and try to talk to him in between kisses. "I love you...Gage...love you..." The words catch sweetly between our lips, and I finally understand why so many Texans refer to kisses as "sugar-bites."
"I'm going to take such good care of you." Gage lays his head gently on my chest, his ear pressed to the rhythm of my heart. "You. Carrington, and the baby. My little family. A miracle."
"Sort of an ordinary' miracle." I point out. "I mean, women have babies every day."
"Not my woman. Not my baby." His head lifts. The look in his eyes takes my breath away. "What can I do for you?" he whispers.
"Just say a simple 'thank you/" I tell him. "and have sex with me."
And he does.
I know without a doubt this man loves me for exactly who I am. No conditions, no limits. That's a miracle too. In fact, every day is filled with ordinary miracles. You don't have to look far to find them.
The End
SUGAR DADDY
LISA KLEYPAS
St. Martin's Press *New York
This is a work of fiction. All of the characters, organizations, and events portrayed in this novel are either products of the author's imagination or are used fictitiously.
SUGAR DADDY. Copyright © 2007 by Lisa Kleypas. All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles or reviews. For information, address St. Martin's Press, 175 Fifth Avenue, New York. N.Y. 10010.
www.stmartins.com ISBN: 978-1-4299-1704-9
1 o my husband. Greg, who is my true love, my best friend, my adventure, my comfort, and the compass in the map of my heart. For giving the best hugs, making me feel beautiful, being funny and smart, choosing the perfect wine, taking care of the family, and always being the most interesting person in the room.
Contents
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
CHAPTER 1 CHAPTER 2 CHAPTER 3 CHAPTER 4 CHAPTER 5 CHAPTER 6 CHAPTER 7 CHAPTER 8 CHAPTER 9 CHAPTER 10 CHAPTER 11 CHAPTER 12 CHAPTER 13 CHAPTER 14 CHAPTER 15 CHAPTER 16 CHAPTER 17 CHAPTER 18 CHAPTER 19 CHAPTER 20
CHAPTER 21 CHAPTER 22 CHAPTER 23 CHAPTER 24 CHAPTER 25 EPILOGUE
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
While writing this book, I was blessed with help from as well as the knowledge of many people. It would require the equivalent of a novella to describe all they've done for me. I hope they know how grateful I am.
Mel Berger, an extraordinary agent who has accompanied me through each phase of my career with wisdom, patience, and humor, and has never stopped believing in me.
Jennifer Enderlin, who said she wanted me to have wings, and helped me to find them. Not only is she a brilliant editor, she is a beautiful person, inside and out.
Sally Richardson, Matthew Shear, George Witte, Matt Baldacci. John Murphy. Dori Weintraub. Kim Cardascia, and the rest of the team at St. Martin's Press, for all their talent and amazing work.
Linda Kleypas. Lloyd Kleypas, and Ki Kleypas. for their emotional support and
insights, for helping me to know and understand the people we came from, providing answers to a million questions, and being great company and a loving family. Most of all. for being a small and perfect constellation of guiding stars. Because of you, no matter where I go I can always find my way home.
Special thanks to my smart and exuberant mother, who is. as Marie Brenner would say. a great dame.
Ireta and Harrell Ellis, for giving me the right advice at the right time, helping me to believe in myself, and for showing me the strength and steadfast love that always provide a safe place to anchor. Also for the wonderful evening spent sharing memories of Mac Palmer. Cristi and James Swayze, for their love and encouragement, and for changing my life all those years ago by arranging a Very Good Blind Date.