Expecting the Boss's Baby by Leanne Banks Page A

couldn’t tell that Michael didn’t love her.
    Her mother patted her hand. “Now I know you’re all grown up, but I’ve been married to your father a very long time. Katie, when it comes to marriage, giving anything less than one hundred and ten percent just won’t do. If you want to have a happy marriage, you can’t hold back. You have to give it your all. Remember that because I want you to be happy.” Betty sniffed, then her eyes gleamed. “And if Michael Hawkins ever hurts you or mistreats you, he will have to answer to me.”
    Kate glanced down at her five-foot mother and felt a combination of amusement and tenderness. She smiled. “I’m sure he’d rather face down a lion.”
    “Darn straight.”
    A knock sounded at the door and Donna peeked inside. “Show time,” she said.
    Kate felt a riot of butterflies in her stomach. Betty gave her a hug, then quickly scooted away.
    “You can still back out,” Donna told her.
    “I’m not going to back out. I’m getting married.”
    “I know that’s what’s on the schedule, but I just want to remind you that you can still change things. Nothing’s irrevocable right now.”
    Kate slid her hand over her abdomen. “That’s not quite true.”
    “Point taken, but I still think Paris is a terrific alternative.”
    “Donna,” Kate said as she moved toward the door.
    “What?”
    “Shut up and hold my bouquet.” Kate watched her father walk toward her and she felt a jolt of terror. She lifted her lips in what she hoped was a smile. “Hi Daddy.”
    “Hi darlin’. Here’s your big moment,” he said in a choked-up voice, and Kate felt like a fraud. She thought of her parents’ loving marriage. In comparison, this was a sham. Her stomach turned. She was doing this for Cupcake, she reminded herself, and slid her hand through the crook of her father’s arm.
    As she walked through the entryway of the chapel, she immediately saw Michael. He looked sure, but distant, she thought and felt another tremor of nerves. What if this didn’t work? What if she ended up loving him and he never loved her? Kate’s heart wrenched. “Number ten,” she said toherself. “Cookies,” she said, remembering the generosity of the boy Michael had once been.
    “Are you okay, sweetheart?” her father whispered.
    Kate nodded. Cookies.
    She finally reached Michael’s side and her father placed her hand in Michael’s. After that, the ceremony turned surreal. The minister spoke briefly, she and Michael repeated their vows, and suddenly the minister announced, “I now pronounce you man and wife.”
    Michael kissed her long enough for her to feel the impact of him, then said in a tone intended for her ears only, “It’s almost over.”
    Hugs and best wishes from family and friends followed at the reception. Kate felt like a windup doll that was running down. Michael must have sensed when her composure began to fray. Under the guise of an eager groom, he whisked her away from the reception to their hotel suite.
    As soon as he shut the door, she began to tremble from the events of the day. Embarrassed, she sank down on a chair before her knees gave out. She alternated between the overwhelming urge to cry and numbness.
    Michael silently looked at her, disappeared into the bathroom for a second and she heard the jets of a shower. Michael returned and headed straight for her. “You look whiter than that dress,” he said,kneeling down to tug off her shoes. “Stand,” he instructed.
    “What are you—?”
    “Just do what I say,” he said, and, as soon as she stood, he unzipped the back of her dress.
    Shock raced through her. “What—”
    In one sweeping movement, he pushed down the dress and slip, then tugged down her stockings. Her face flaming from her sudden partial nudity, she stuttered. “I—I—”
    Before she knew it, he’d unsnapped her bra and lifted her off the floor. He carried her to the double shower and gently nudged her inside.
    Kate stood in front of the water