Her Baby His Gift (The Slow Burn Duology Book 1) Read online

  “I didn’t think this night could get any worse,” Damian said.

  “I take it Harlem wasn’t too pleased with your promise ring.” Carter figured Damian’s plan wasn’t going to go over well.

  “We have shit to deal with. We’ll figure it out.” Damian was confident about that.

  Carter wasn’t so sure they would figure things out. Damian needed a woman who would cater to his every need. Harlem was not that person. Carter kept his thoughts to himself. “Let me call my assistant so she can finish arranging the hotel and ground transportation for Nate and Melody’s parents.”

  *****

  Damian and Harlem sat close in a quiet corner of the private waiting room. Both needed the feel and touch of the other. Harlem’s head rested on Damian’s shoulder as he laced their fingers together.

  Harlem glanced around. The unease in the waiting room was palpable.

  Carter sat on the opposite side-scrolling through his phone as some woman caressed his back. Harlem had never met her. That was not shocking or surprising. Carter changed women like he changed underwear. He was the only one of their couple friends that wasn’t married or in a committed relationship and probably never would be. He was a proud card-carrying bachelor. Harlem half suspected that Carter was the reason Damian subscribed to the Marriage is Bullshit theology. The man was a selfish whore and didn’t care who knew it.

  Harlem hated when Damian hung out with Carter. There was always some extra THOT hanging around hoping to shoot her shot. If Harlem were honest, her jealousy of other women stemmed more from the nagging doubt that, deep down, she wasn’t right for Damian. On paper, they were perfect. Unfortunately, it didn’t translate to real life.

  Harlem sighed.

  Damian could feel the anxiety coursing through her body. He lifted her hand and kissed the back of it. “I know you two have grown close, but I’ve already told you that Mel and the baby are going to be fine.”

  That was her, Damian. The calm one. The one who could be counted on to be there for the tough stuff. Maybe she was overreacting about everything. People fell in and out of love with their partners all the time. Isn’t he the man of my dreams? She didn’t fully understand her apprehension. It didn’t make sense.

  One thing was sure. Life was short. After Nate and Melody’s car accident, Harlem’s perspective was starting to shift. A person could be here one minute and gone the next. It was strange how life and death situations could make everything much clearer.

  The doors to the waiting room opened and a doctor flanked by another physician walked inside. Immediately, everyone stood, anxious for news.

  “Are Damian Fox and Carter Owens in attendance?”

  “Yeah. That’s me.” Damian got up and walked toward them, and so did Carter.

  “I’m Dr. Wissam, the attending physician to Nate and Melody Steel. They have you both listed as medical contacts.” Dr. Wissam said.

  Harlem wasn’t surprised. All the Principle Partners at Damian’s firm were listed as each other’s medical contacts. However, she was surprised that Carter would be named. He wasn’t a partner but had been friends with Damian and Nate since college too.

  Dr. Wissam continued. “This is Valerie Edwards, the Pediatric physician attending to baby Steel.”

  “Baby, Steel?” Harlem asked.

  Valerie nodded. “Yes. Baby Steel arrived at 9:03pm. He weighs just over a pound and is about eight inches long.” She smiled. “He has a ways to go, but the little guy is fighting hard. Obviously, he is premature and still developing, but overall, his chances are pretty good.”

  A collective sigh of relief was heard throughout the room.

  “What about Nate and Melody?” Damian asked.

  “Yes.” Dr. Wissam addressed his question. “Mr. Steel has been admitted for overnight observation. He was fortunate. While he did sustain a mild concussion and a fracture to the ulna, we haven’t seen anything else that would cause alarm. Still, we would like to watch him to make sure.”

  “And Mel?” Harlem followed-up.

  “We’re keeping a close eye on her. There is a bit of swelling in the brain. We’ll know more once it goes down, but there doesn’t appear to be any other significant injuries or internal bleeding.”

  Swelling to the brain was serious no matter how upbeat Dr. Wissam tried to make it sound.

  “When can we see Nate and the baby?” Damian asked.

  “It’ll be at least an hour.” The doctors answered a few remaining questions before leaving.

  Two hours later, Damian and Harlem stood arm-in-arm looking through the thick glass windows of the hospital nursery, watching Nate greet his son for the first time.

  “He’s so small.” He whispered into Harlem’s ear.

  Her heart wanted to burst. It was so full of love. The emotion Harlem felt watching Nate with his son made her think of Damian. He was going to be an amazing father.

  Shortly before heading into the nursery in the neonatal unit, they had also received word that Mel was in stable condition. The swelling seemed to have stopped, and that was a good sign.

  Harlem pressed her face into the column of Damian’s neck. She breathed in the musky scent of his cologne. He really was a good man and never ceased to amaze her at how solid he was during times of crisis. He wanted a relationship different from what she’d envisioned for herself, but was different bad? A small voice sounded in her head. It can be if you don’t love him like you should.

  Harlem didn’t want to lose him. Was there really any other decision to make?

  Harlem took a deep breath and whispered against his warm skin. “Damian?”

  Slowly, he turned away from Nate and the baby to give her his full attention. “Yeah?”

  “I-I . . . I think I’m ready.”

  Chapter 14

  The flirty laugh of a woman could be heard as Harlem stepped out of the elevator and walked down the darkened hallway to Damian’s office building.

  She immediately recognized who it belonged to. Dana Montgomery. The woman had gone to college with them and was now a Senior Accountant at his firm, Fox, Johnson, and Steele Investments. She had been flirting with Damian for years, and Harlem couldn’t stand her. Damian thought it was all innocent, but Harlem knew better. Dana always laughed a little too loud and managed to stand just a bit too close to Damian for Harlem’s taste.

  After six on a Friday, his Admin was already gone for the evening, as were most of the employees. When Harlem approached the door to Damian’s office, she did what any good girlfriend would do. She stood quietly outside and listened to their conversation. While Harlem didn’t think Damian would ever cheat on her or date someone who worked for him, she wanted to reconfirm it.

  She listened.

  “When I was twelve, I didn’t participate in any extracurricular sports even though I loved them. They were too expensive. I’ll never forget how that made me feel. So, I try to help as many kids as I can. I have to say, this is my first hockey team sponsorship. At that age, I would have been on my ass more than I would have been upright. I don’t know who forgot to tell those kids, but ice is cold.” Damian chuckled with laughter. “Football and basketball were my favs back then. Still are.”

  “You would have been adorable on the ice. I can see you in your cute little hockey uniform.” Dana giggled. “I can’t imagine you not being good at anything.”

  Harlem mimicked Dana as she silently mouthed the same words Dana had just spoken.

  Dana continued to pour on the praise. “You’re one of a kind. Seriously, thank you for supporting my nephew’s hockey team.”

  “No problem,” Damian said.

  “You’re so good with kids. You’re going to be a fantastic father.”

  “I can’t wait. I’m excited about the prospect now that I’ve convinced Harlem to slow down enough to start a family.”

  “If I had a guy like you and he wanted to have a few kids, I’d do it in a heartbeat. I hope Harlem knows that she’s one lucky girl.” Dana said.


  Harlem pressed her lips together in a firm line as her hand automatically went to caress her stomach. It had been almost a year since they decided to have a baby after Nate and Melody’s accident. Having children was a sensitive subject and one she didn’t want Damian discussing with the likes of Dana.

  Harlem had heard enough. She strutted into the office and announced her presence with her response. “I am very lucky, and so is he.” Harlem walked right past Dana without giving her so much as a glance and kissed Damian on the lips. “Hey, babe.”

  He returned her kiss. “Hey.” Damian gave Harlem a slow once-over. “Wow. You look stunning.”

  Harlem exaggerated batting her eyelashes. She was beaming on the inside but played it cool. “Thank you. I always try to look good for my man.” It took every ounce of control not to turn toward that transparent cow and gloat.

  Begrudgingly, Dana spoke. “Harlem.” Her giddiness from a few seconds prior vanished.

  Damian checked his watch as if he couldn’t feel the temperature in the room drop at least twenty degrees. “I didn’t realize it was so late. We are supposed to meet everyone at the restaurant in about an hour.” He turned to Dana. “I’m sorry I kept you so long. Get out of here and go enjoy the weekend.”

  “I don’t mind, and I’m always happy to help. I’m here for whatever you need, Damian.” Dana said it with a blank face, but Harlem was not fooled. However, Damian acted as if he hadn’t heard the tone in Dana’s voice change or understand her meaning.

  Damian was smart. Harlem had a hard time believing he was too slow to pick up on her vibes.

  “Have a great weekend,” Dana said as she sauntered out of his office.

  Good riddance. Harlem was glad to see her go.

  Damian pulled Harlem’s body close. “I’m tempted to throw you across my desk and mess up that hair. I would if it didn’t mean we’d be late.”

  Harlem wrapped her arms around his neck. She had a mischievous glint in her eyes. “There’s nothing wrong with being fashionably late.”

  Damian covered Harlem’s lips with his. Her eyes closed as he exerted just the right amount of pressure. Slowly, Damian pulled back and touched his forehead to hers. “As much as I want to do all kinds of damage, Carter’s introducing us to a potential client that could add almost a hundred million to our portfolio. We can’t be late.”

  Harlem exhaled as her eyes opened. “I hate having to make a good first impression.”

  “You do it with ease. Raincheck?” He asked.

  She planned to hold him to it. “Definitely.”

  Damian pushed off of his desk, placed his hand on the small of Harlem’s back, and guided her towards the door. He had an excellent rear-end view. Damian bit his lower lip while admiring her perfectly shaped backside. I am a very lucky man. He shook his head slightly to clear his mind. Otherwise, he might just say the hell with it and find the closest flat surface.

  He cleared his throat. “I was going to meet you downstairs in the lobby but lost track of time.”

  “I guess it’s easy to do with Malibu Barbie batting her eyelashes and wiggling her flat ass in your face.”

  Damian held back a grin. “C’mon, now. Don’t start.”

  “I know you are not blind. Why is Dana always flirting with you?”

  “She’s not.”

  “She is, and I don’t like it.” Harlem mimicked Dana. “I’ll do whatever you need.”

  Damian continued to downplay the situation. “She did not say it like that. Dana is not interested in me. More importantly, I am not interested in her. I only have eyes for you, especially in that freak’um red dress that hugs every part of your body to perfection.”

  “Great answer,” Harlem said as a corner of her lips edged up into a half-smile. “Maybe I need to hire a smoking hot assistant too.”

  “A, Dana is not my assistant. B, as long as it’s a woman, cool.”

  Playfully, Harlem swatted Damian on his arm. “You think you’re so charming and funny, don’t you?”

  “Yep.” He continued to laugh.

  “How on earth will your big head fit into the elevator? If we get stuck, I’m going to leave you right here because I’m starving!”

  As they waited for the doors to open, Damian pulled Harlem’s back to his front. He let his hand travel down her body to rest on her stomach. “I really think you’re eating for two this time.”

  Her voice softened. “Before the night is over, we’ll know for sure.”

  Chapter 15

  Carter Owens pulled his lightning silver Aston Martin, up to the Alinea restaurant. The special valet service reserved for high-profile clients stood outside, ready and waiting for his arrival and that of his guests.

  Much too handsome for his own good and with an ego to match, Carter exited his car, then walked around to open the door for his gorgeous date.

  The leggy blonde reached for his hand as he helped her out of the car. She gave him her sexiest smile.

  Carter wasn’t moved. Not by having a smoking hot woman on his arm or her smile. Still, he returned it with one of his own. After several dates, Carter had already mentally moved on. He was thinking of calling the raven-haired beauty he met earlier that morning. In his position, beautiful women came with the territory. They were a dime a dozen, almost like wearing an expensive accessory. Joy did have one redeeming quality. Her mouth was golden. Her lips were still swollen from the workout she’d given them on the drive over.

  Joy didn’t know it, but she owed this dinner date to one of his clients. Carter had a couple of hours’ notice that he would be bringing his wife. Therefore, Carter needed to bring someone, and Joy lucked out.

  “I’ve always wanted to come here, but I could never get a reservation.” Joy said as she grabbed hold of Carter’s arm.

  Carter wasn’t surprised. Reservations were hard to come by. “I hope you enjoy yourself.” He may be an asshole, but he was still charming. It was his charm that always allowed people to let down their guard.

  Just as they were about to enter the restaurant, Damian and Harlem pulled up. Carter waited for them to get out of the car.

  He could certainly understand why after just one look, and not a single conversation, Damian would claim Harlem for himself–even though he’d spotted her first.

  Joy didn’t miss the way Carter looked at Harlem and immediately disliked her.

  Carter certainly thought Harlem was stunning. Tonight, she wore her hair swept up with a few tendrils hanging low, exposing smooth caramel toned skin. Any man would want to run their tongue along her Giselle-like neck and kiss that collar-bone. The red dress showcased everything to perfection–breasts that were more than a handful, shapely legs that traveled for miles, a slim waist, and baby-making hips and ass. Carter preferred taller women, and Harlem was that indeed. She possessed an unmatched elegance. Her face was that of an angel with full kissable lips.

  Her mouth was a sin all by itself. He was sure they could make a man forget their own name– until she opened it. Hell, if Carter were honest, she didn’t really have to say anything. Those eyes that were more green than brown could cut a man deep with a single glance.

  Carter did not envy Damian.

  If uptight and judgmental were a human, it would be Harlem. He had no idea how Damian put up with it considering he was the exact opposite. If love really was a thing, he supposed it was the glue that held them together.

  “Hey.” Damian greeted Carter and his date. “Harlem and I were running a little late. Is the client here?”

  “You’re good. I haven’t been notified that they’ve arrived.” Carter introduced the woman hanging onto his arm. “Joy, this is my best friend, Damian Fox, and his girlfriend, Harlem Thomas.”

  They exchanged greetings and began to walk inside.

  Harlem couldn’t wait to get this dinner over with. She and Damian had decided to wait until later to take the pregnancy test. Nerves couldn’t even begin to describe the feeling she had in the pit of her stomach
.

  Once they entered the restaurant, they were greeted by the hostess. Another woman who would have had no problem covering the glossy pages of a magazine. She also was not shy about flirting with Carter in front of his distracted date and slipping him her cell number.

  Harlem would have knocked Damian out if he ever did anything like that to her. Joy was so busy checking her phone that she missed it.

  Harlem leaned over and whispered into Damian’s ear. “Really?”

  “Not our business.” He responded as if nothing happened.

  His seeming acceptance of Carter’s bad behavior drove Harlem nuts. She could never understand how friends could condone such foolishness.

  Once they were seated, Damian and Carter started talking about strategy. She was left to entertain Carter’s date, who could only seem to talk about clothes and makeup. The woman’s mouth was moving a mile a minute, and Harlem did all she could to be pleasant.

  “Harlem, I love your dress. What designer is that?” She asked

  I’m going to need two damn bottles of wine or maybe even a few glasses of Hennessy to get through this evening. She remembered liquor was off-limits until she knew for sure about her pregnancy. “Um . . . I think it is Balenciaga.”

  “I thought the style looked familiar.” Joy giggled like a valley girl from the ’80s. “I didn’t realize he made clothing in your size, so I wasn’t sure.”

  Her size?! She was five-nine and wore a size eight. Was she trying to insult me instead of the hostess who had just exchanged numbers with her man? Harlem sat up straight and elevated her voice in the same air-headed bubble-gum-like manner. “You know? I was surprised to find they made clothes for shapely women with curves too.”

  Joy was caught off guard and decided to up the ante. “Well, I did his show a couple of years ago for Paris fashion week.”

  Why was she trying to compete with her? Weren’t women supposed to make friends with the best-friends’ girlfriend? Harlem didn’t even try to inflect enthusiasm into her voice. “That had to be very exciting for you.”