The Billionaire’s Secret Wife(27)

The pleasure was drowning her, but unlike before, she couldn’t break free, keep control of any part of herself. It was Justin—his scent, his sound, his warmth, the knowledge of his vow—that pulled her deeper and deeper. Even as the orgasm shot through her with a blinding intensity, she drowned in him.

And when he joined her, his voice hoarse as he cried out, they drowned together, their limbs tangled. And she was afraid she might never reemerge.





Chapter Nine




Vanessa opened her eyes. The room was dark but warm, and she was alone in bed. Had the wedding been a dream? No. She was in a hotel room, and her body was pleasantly sore from loving the night before.

She turned and saw a bedside clock glow: ten thirty-three. She wondered briefly if it was p.m. still, then bolted upright and covered her mouth as nausea hit her. Clenching her teeth, she ran to the connecting bathroom. She managed to reach the toilet before she lost everything in her stomach.

Feeling wrought out and gross, she slumped. The toilet flushed, and a big hand rubbed her back.

She closed her eyes. Of all the things for Justin to witness. “Help me up.” Her legs felt like wet noodles.

He pulled her up easily, and led her to the sink as though he’d read her mind.

“Can I have a few minutes in private?” she asked.

“Sure. I’ll be right outside if you want anything.”

She nodded, but she wouldn’t be needing him again. There was nothing in her stomach now. Sighing she rubbed her face. She didn’t know why her body decided to start having morning sickness all of a sudden. Maybe it was the strange city and bed. Once she went home, she’d feel better.

After brushing her teeth, she took a quick shower. Morning sickness or no, the hot water cleared her head, and a good night’s sleep had put a lot of things into clearer perspective. She would talk with Hilary as soon as she could, but at the same time she wouldn’t be so gloomy about the marriage. What was done was done. Hadn’t she known that becoming pregnant with Justin’s child would bring about changes to her life? She couldn’t deny either Justin or the child a chance to bond with each other. They had the right, and she had a feeling Justin would be a good father.

She put on the hotel robe and went out with a towel wrapped around her hair. Justin was at a desk, working on his laptop.

“Anything urgent?” she asked.

“No. You want to eat? I already had something, but didn’t order any for you because I wasn’t sure what you might be in the mood for.”

Ugh. Food. “How about… some hot lemon tea and dry toast. Maybe with some fruit?”

Justin ordered while she dried her hair. She could hear his voice over the whirring of the dryer. Her toes curled at the deep, masculine tone. He hadn’t been cold to her after he’d found out she was pregnant. It was like some switch inside him had been flipped. Maybe there was another switch inside him that could make him permanently faithful, sweet and perfect.

When her hair was dry and falling in sleek layers around her face and shoulders, she went outside without bothering to pull it up. It seemed like too much work.

The breakfast was waiting. Justin had also ordered a pitcher of freshly squeezed orange juice. “Just in case.” He kissed her. “Take your time. Our flight doesn’t need to leave until noon anyway to make your mother’s party.”

Vanessa snapped her fingers. “I knew I was forgetting something. I have to buy her a present.”

“Don’t worry. I’ll take care of it.”

“Really? What are you planning to get in my name?”

“A high-end espresso machine. Ceinlys likes her coffee.”

Her eyes widened. “You noticed?”

“Of course.” He tapped the tip of her nose. “I notice a lot more than people think I do.”

She frowned and nibbled on her toast. Justin had met her mother maybe five times.

“Don’t worry. Everything I notice about you is positive,” he said, his voice light.

Wasn’t that positive back in November. But she didn’t want to bring up their fight. “I’m glad. And I see I need to perfect my poker face.”

“I like it better when you’re open.”

“I’m a lawyer. I can’t have everyone reading me like that.”

“It’s not everyone. Just me.”

* * *

Justin didn’t know exactly how to explain it, but he knew nobody else understood Vanessa the way he did. It was crazy how he could just look at her face—no matter how impassive—and perceive her feelings. Just moments ago, when her guard was down…he could almost read her thoughts. And he liked it that he could understand what his wife needed without her having to say it.