Charlotte doubled over in pain. Not from the baby, but from Jake. One thing was crystal clear: He didn’t love her.
He cared for her, sure. But she wanted—no, she needed—his love. For the first time in her life, Charlotte wanted to go home and rest in the comfort of her mother’s arms. She crawled into bed and laid her head on the pillow. Just before drifting off, she heard the sweetest voice whisper, Go on home, baby.
Her eyes fluttered open, and her heart rattled in her chest. “Big Mama?” Holding her breath, she listened for a response, but all she could hear was her thudding heartbeat. I’m losing my mind. But she couldn’t shake the urge to call her mother.
Giving in to the impulse, she stretched for her phone on the nightstand and dialed.
Her mother picked up and answered, “Hey, Charlie baby. I was just thinking about you. I saw the cutest little hat and thought Baby Bean would be cute in it. Don’t worry, green is a neutral color, right?”
“Mama?” she whispered, her voice hoarse with emotion. “I need to come home.”
Dead silence echoed from the other end. Charlotte hadn’t expected her mother to be so hesitant.
“Well, if it’s too much trouble then—”
“Of course not, baby. You’re always welcome. Now tell me what happened.”
As Charlotte spilled her guts, a large boulder lifted from her shoulders.
“Charlie baby, may I give you some advice?”
“Of course, Mama.”
“Now, I want you to listen to me entirely and with an open heart, okay?”
“Okay.”
“I think you should come home, but not for the reason I think you want to.”
Oh, goodness. Here we go. “What do you mean?”
“Charlie, sometimes . . . ” Mama’s voice was high and unsure. “Sometimes when the going gets tough, you get going.”
The words stung, and Charlotte tried not to take offense. Tried and failed. “What do you mean?”
“Give me a minute or two, baby. You promised to listen.”
“Fine,” she snapped. “What else?”
Her mother exhaled into the earpiece. “You ran away to New York after graduating from college to get away from us. Didn’t come home except for the holidays or when Big Mama asked you to come down. I understand that now, but I think if you would’ve told us how you felt back then, we could’ve worked out our misunderstandings. You rarely came back home to visit. Only a day or two, max. You’re doing it again. You’re running away, but this time from Jake. I want you to change your perspective. This entire time you’ve been talking about how Jake feels, what he wants to do. What about what you want?” She harrumphed. “You didn’t get yourself pregnant.”
Pacing the floor, Charlotte ran fingers through her hair. “I know. I just don’t want to force him to marry me.”
“And you shouldn’t. But you need to evaluate your feelings, too. I want you to consider your future. Talk to that handsome boss of yours, take a few weeks off, and think about what you want to do. Do you want to stay with Jake? Move back home to Florida? His family is nearby, so Bean can grow up knowing both sides of the family. The sky’s the limit for you. Your life is just beginning.”
She was twenty-six. Worked at a successful nonprofit and had a popular dance class. She could do this thing called life, with or without Jake. Charlotte slowed her steps and smiled. “You’re right, Mama. I’ll take a few weeks off. Damien won’t mind.”
“Or maybe more than a few weeks. You do most of your work on the computer, right? Other than your dance classes, you could work remotely.”
Charlotte weighed her mother’s words. Not a bad idea, plus she could get away from the media’s prying eyes and Threx’s subtle threats. “I’ll ask Damien. Someone is already covering my classes, but the PR stuff I can do from anywhere.”
“Great. I’ll prepare your old room for you. Dad and I’ll be sure to spoil you while you think things through.”
“Sounds good, Mama. Let me talk to Jake when he returns, and then I’ll talk to Damien at work on Monday.”
“I’m excited, Charlie. Things will work out the way they are supposed to. You’ll see.”
• • •
Jake fingered the white and gray linen draping the black wood bassinet. The crib, shaped like a bean, had caught his attention. He didn’t know how he’d ended up at the Pottery Barn, but the all-white nursery in the window spoke to him. Before his brain could react, his feet moved him into the store.
A tall, thin woman with a severe blond bun approached. “Can I help you, sir?” Her eyes flared when she recognized him. Immediately, she went into full salesperson mode, describing the soft, plush microsuede material, soft protective sides, and handcrafted basket.
Her voice droned on as he refocused on the bassinet. He wanted this—for Bean, for Charlotte. He closed his eyes and imagined little Bean sleeping safe and sound. That’s all that mattered. We’re a family. He smiled and then cleared his throat, getting the chatty woman’s attention.
“I’ll take it.”
“It’s a great choice, Mr. Ross. Can I show you some other necessities? A stroller or travel system? Or a lounger and bouncer?”
He shook his head. “No, I think my girl would kill me if I buy anything else without her.” He focused on the bassinet. “She’ll love this.” And she’ll get a kick out of the shape. “I’ll pay now, and let’s have this delivered tomorrow.”
“Right away, Mr. Ross.”
Jake paid and headed home, feeling optimistic. Buying Bean’s first gift for their home brought everything into focus. He and Charlotte were a family and had something special. He wouldn’t allow Threx or anyone else to taint it. When they were ready to marry, they would. And he wouldn’t force her into some centuries-old arranged marriage contract and then a few months, or maybe years later, regret their actions.
He wouldn’t sell his soul for a contract no matter how much money was involved. More endorsements were to come; he had a feeling this season would be record-breaking. He’d make damn sure Threx or any other brand who judged him for his past, would regret not picking him up as a spokesperson. He’d break records and win titles to prove he was the best.
Arriving at the penthouse, he released a relieved breath when he spotted Charlotte curled up on the couch. Her eyes were trained on the television. She was no longer in costume, but rather sported the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle flannel pajamas he’d gotten her.
Stretching her legs, she settled them on the floor. “How are you?”
Jake sat beside her, pulling her feet into his lap for a massage. She hummed in pleasure.
“I’m fine. How are you feeling?”
“I feel . . . ” She wiggled her toes and lifted her eyes to look at him. “I feel like things are going to be fine.” She gave him a small smile.
“I think so, too.” He grinned, knowing what would make her smile grow wider. “I have a surprise for you and—”
“Jake, I . . . we need to talk. Again.” She shrugged. “Sorry for all the serious conversations we’ve been having lately.”
“No problem, angel. What’s up?”
“I think I want to go home.”
“Your apartment?” He wrinkled his brows. “I thought there were already new renters in your place.”
“Not the apartment. I mean home, home.” Her eyes bore into his as she whispered, “Pensacola.”
His hands squeezed her fuzzy-socked feet as something else squeezed his heart. “I don’t think that’s a good idea, Charlotte. I need you here. Need to protect you. I . . . I don’t understand. Why do you want to leave?”
She licked her lips. “I’ve been so focused on you.” She waved toward him. “Your wants, your needs, your desires. And I’ve been so focused on making sure I’m taking care of Bean and dodging the paparazzi that I’m just tired. I need a reprieve, and I think going back home is just the answer.”
“But you don’t even like it there.”
“Mom and I talk almost every day now. Prissy and I are getting along better, too. I think you were right in saying that I misjudged my family.”
“What happened to us being a team?”
“We are a team, but right now I need a time-out.”
“Charlotte, this is madness.” He moved her legs from his lap and rose to stand. “Training camp is starting up in a few months, and I—”
“Won’t be around anyway. How can you protect me then? When I go home, I’ll see your parents and my parents. I have people to take care of me should an emergency happen.”
“Are you trying to punish me?”
“No, Jake. Not at all. I just need to love myself a little bit more.”
“You can’t love yourself here?” Anger dragged his tone to the gutter.
“I need to go home, Jake. I’m not asking.”
“What the hell, Charlotte? I’m sorry I’m not Prince Charming, but there’s no need to throw away what we have.”
Charlotte righted herself on the couch and gripped her knees. “I didn’t ask you to be my prince anything. My moving down south isn’t forever.”
“Can you guarantee that? You and Bean will fall into a routine with the family. You said you wouldn’t separate us, and now you’re going back on your word.”
She shook her head and stood. “I’m not, Jake. You will always have access to Bean. But for once, I’m prioritizing me, and I won’t have you bully or emotionally blackmail me for feeling this way.” Bowing her head, she seemed tired. Lost. He didn’t want her to feel that way, but he needed her more. And with the stalker on the loose, he needed to protect his family.
“I’m leaving in a week.” She opened her eyes, now burning with determination. “I’m sorry if you feel blindsided, but I need this. Can you please try to understand where I’m coming from? Besides, the stalker will be miles away from Bean and me. We probably won’t even need security down there.”
The anger that had heated his blood receded. Giving up the fight, he pulled her into a hug. She relaxed and sighed against his chest. The warmth of her breath gave him a fraction of comfort.
He’d do anything to ensure his family’s safety. And much to his disappointment, it would be better for her to change locations. The stalker most likely had limited resources and couldn’t follow her. And, best of all, the psycho would assume he and Charlotte had broken up. Exactly what she wanted. They were playing right into the stalker’s hands. “Take a few weeks, but please . . . please come back to me. Promise you won’t leave me for long.”
Charlotte didn’t say anything, just tightened her arms around him.
Cracks and splinters crisscrossed his heart. Shoving away the pain, he focused on practicality. “You need to call me. Every day. Even if you think I’m working, leave me a voicemail. I need a daily report and pictures of your baby bump.”
She nodded against his chest. “Okay, Jake.”
He stroked her hair. Despite her soothing promise, he was losing . . . losing big. He wanted to dig his heels into the floor and argue, but no. Charlotte needed a break, and he would give it to her. But that didn’t mean he was giving up on their future together.