Free The Boss's Love by Casey Clipper Page A

husband. 
     
     
    Darren
                  Darren watched his wife from the kitchen window. Something was up. After scarcely touching her dinner, she had excused herself, stating she needed fresh air. For an hour he had kept a close eye on her but decided not to intervene. He left her with her thoughts to work out what he assumed was her shock of a surprise pregnancy. The problem was that when his wife became withdrawn it always turned out disastrous. She hadn't yet confirmed her pregnancy, which concerned him. He pulled out his cell phone and texted Jack and Carl with orders to keep a close watch on his wife.
     
    ***
     
    Courtney
                  The next morning Courtney left for work earlier than usual. She kept her normal routine not to draw Darren’s attention and feigned going to work.   
                  At quarter after nine in the morning Courtney parked her car at the clinic in downtown Pittsburgh. She had called first thing that morning and managed to get an appointment at ten. Since she had arrived a few minutes early, she remained in her car and internally debated on whether she was taking the right course of action.
                  Deep down it went against her core beliefs not to tell her husband. There was nothing she kept from Darren. Not since the day they met. Yes, the decision to go behind his back was wrong and she prayed if he ever found out he would forgive her. Silent tears rolled down her cheeks. She couldn't approach him with the pregnancy subject. He wouldn’t see her point. She jerked her hand from her stomach when she realized she absently ran her hand over her belly.  
                  9:20
                  The soft music of the radio didn't do anything to soothe her wayward thoughts. Maybe this wasn’t a good idea . What if Darren found out? He would kill her. Figuratively of course. She swiped at the fallen tears. He would forgive her. Darren loved her too deeply to hold a grudge. They’d get past the decision. Though she vowed to go to her grave with it.    
                  9:25
                  She climbed out of her car and headed towards the clinic entrance. 
                  "Courtney." 
                  Her entire body stiffened and stopped in its tracks at the sound of her husband's voice behind her. 
     
     
    Darren
                  Now he had his wife's attention. Desperately he tried to maintain his composure with an even voice, though rage threatened to choke him. What the fuck was his wife doing?   
                  Keep calm.
                  Darren stepped up behind his wife. Her body stood stock still like a cornered animal. He took in her sweet scent of vanilla and lavender that encircled his nose at their close proximity. Home. She was his home. Placing his hands on her shoulders, he gently spun her to face him. Tears streaked her soft cheeks. His heart melted. His Courtney felt she wasn't ready to become a mother. He should have been more understanding and proactive with the baby subject before it had gone too far. His fault. He reached up and wiped the tears. 
                  "I'm sorry," she whispered.
                  "I know." 
                  "I'm not ready." 
                  "I know, but I'll help you." He took a step closer and placed his hand on her stomach. 
                  "But‒"
                  "Shhh, you can't do this, honey," he said firmly, not to be trifled.
                  Her legs gave out and she collapsed into his strong arms. He cradled her against his chest and kissed her forehead.  
                  "Baby, I will never allow you to fail."
                  "I'm not ready, Darren. I want to spend more time with just you. Relish in our honeymoon stage and learn to be a good wife. Pick