Mine Completely ~ Simon (Billionaire’s Obsession #1.4)(5)
Author: J.S. Scott

“Yeah. After he insulted you,” Maddie snapped, irritated.

“He’s not perfect, but he has a good heart,” Kara argued. Sam had been an ass the first time she’d met him, but over the last year Simon’s brother had become dear to her, like a big brother she had never had. And he had saved her from two deranged criminals, risking his own life for hers. She’d forgiven Sam a long time ago for his actions at Simon’s birthday party. He’d been a perfect angel since that incident.

“He’s a man-whore,” Maddie muttered fiercely.

Okay. Kara couldn’t really argue that point. But Kara suspected Sam went through women like a surgeon went through rubber gloves because he’d never met the right woman. Or, he had met the right one…and she had gotten away. Sam never dated a woman worth keeping; he went out with superficial women who only cared about his status and money. They were all stunning to look at, but there was never any genuine warmth in a single one of them. Scanning Maddie’s flushed face and volatile expression, Kara had a feeling that Maddie was definitely a factor in Sam’s dysfunctional relationships with women. “Something happened between you two. Are you ever going to tell me what?”

“No. It was a long time ago and it’s not important.” Maddie released Kara’s hands and rose to her feet, sending her stool backward with a practiced flick of her foot. “You need to start taking prenatal vitamins and see an OB doc.”

“I’ll make an appointment with Dr. Shapiro.” Kara rubbed her tummy, still incredulous that she was actually carrying Simon’s baby. Boy or girl? She didn’t really care as long as the baby was healthy. However…she would love to have a little Simon.

No doubt he’d be bossy and demanding like his daddy. And handsome, with dark eyes and raven hair, just like Simon. Kara smiled, her eyes dreamy, hoping her son or daughter also inherited Simon’s kindness, his generosity, his freaking off-the-charts IQ. Yeah, an adorable little replica of Simon would be incredible, and Kara knew Simon would be a wonderful father. If he wants to be a father. Strangely enough, she knew he would fall in love with the baby, even if he was initially reluctant. He’d spoil the baby shamelessly, the same way he spoiled her. Problem was, Kara didn’t want to force Simon into fatherhood if he wasn’t ready for it. Not that she had much of a choice now.

Maddie nodded her head. “Katherine Shapiro is an excellent OB. Good choice.” Seeing the distant look in Kara’s eyes, Maddie snapped her fingers in front of her face. “Hey, where are you?”

Kara’s head jerked up, meeting Maddie’s eyes with a guilty look. “Um…sorry. I was just thinking about the baby.” And Simon. Always Simon.

“Are you okay? I know this was a shock.” Gently, Maddie rested a comforting hand on Kara’s shoulder. “Don’t worry about the moodiness and being emotional. It’s hormones. Tell Simon and let him help you. He’ll understand your emotional behavior once he understands that it’s caused by your hormones and pregnancy.”

Kara gulped, wondering if he would understand. Dear God, she loved him more than anything or anybody else on earth. What if he didn’t understand? Hopping off the exam table, not really wanting to think about Simon’s reaction, Kara muttered, “I’d better get back to work.” She was here in the clinic for her weekly volunteer shift and Maddie had patients to see. “Thanks for taking the time out to check me over. I thought I was losing my mind.”

“You’re pregnant. Pretty much the same thing,” Maddie answered with a touch of dry humor. “Go home. The schedule is light for the rest of the day. I can handle it alone. Go and talk to Simon. You both need time to get used to this.” She pulled Kara’s unresisting body close and hugged her fiercely. “Everything will be okay. Simon loves you and you love him. You’re getting married in a month and you can’t cancel the wedding – I already have my dress!”

Kara hugged Maddie back, clinging to the petite woman for an extra moment. After Simon, there was nobody she loved more than Maddie. “Thank you, Maddie,” she whispered softly, tears welling up in her eyes.

Oh, Lord, not again. How many times could one woman cry in a single day? I can count the number of times I’ve cried in the last five years on one hand, most of them because of something sweet that Simon did for me. I’m turning into a damn broken faucet that’s constantly dripping water.

Emotionally, Kara knew she was a mess, her emotions swinging radically from one extreme to the other. Not even her damn body was her own anymore. She craved Simon’s hot body every moment of the day. Sure, she’d always been like a female in heat whenever he was near, but now, she wanted to jump his bones every other second. Simon was insatiable, but Kara was betting she could easily surpass him in the carnal need department right now. And then, there was her growing urgency for food, cravings so strong they compelled her to seek out the strangest foods like a crazy woman. One day it was a hamburger, the next day it was chocolate. Today, it was ice cream. She’d do just about anything for a large bowl of the chocolate sundae gourmet ice cream in the fridge at home. Or maybe a gallon or two. Her stomach rumbled aloud at the thought.

Maddie’s laughter flowed lightly over the room. “No morning sickness I take it? Cravings?”

“Food and sex. Sex and food. Which one is more important changes frequently. I’m a little queasy in the morning, but it doesn’t last long and then I’m eating like a horse for the rest of the day. Sometimes I crave things that I don’t even like. How could I have not suspected that I might be pregnant?” Kara answered, annoyed that her brain wasn’t in control of her actions anymore. “If you’re sure you don’t mind, I think I’ll go home. I have to tell Simon, so I might as well get it over with.” Honestly, she wanted to tell Simon as soon as possible and hope he forgave her for treating him so poorly that morning. The look on his face earlier was nagging at her, tugging at her heart.

Maddie snorted as she turned Kara around and pushed her gently toward the door. “You volunteer your time here, Kara. Every damn week, even though you have a full-time job at the hospital. I’m grateful for your help, but you don’t have to ask permission to leave. I’ll be fine.” Maddie hesitated before asking softly, “You said you were scared? Do you mind if I ask why?”

Kara shook her head slightly. With her hand on the doorknob, she stopped, and turned her head to look at Maddie. She didn’t mind her friend asking, but she wasn’t quite sure she could even explain. “Have you ever had something happen to you, something so good that it’s hard to believe that it’s even real?”