Chapter 136 BOOK 2: CHAPTER 26

Chapter 136 BOOK 2: CHAPTER 26
—Amira—
My breath lodged in my throat. I… pregnant?
I flung myself around and forced a dry chuckle.
“No, I’m not pregnant,” I said, more to myself than to her. “It must be something I ate or drank last night.”
Eloise raised a brow. “When was the last time you got your period?”
The question hit me like a punch to the chest. I opened my mouth and closed it as my mind scrambled for answers.
Weeks had passed. Nausea, fatigue, smells that turned my stomach—I’d dismissed them all as stress.
“Can you at least not tell Nate yet?” I asked. ”At least until I've confirmed this at the hospital?”
Eloise searched my gaze as if weighing the cost of silence. Then she let out a breath.
“Alright. If you insist.”
“I’ll visit the hospital once we get back to Nigeria.”
She slipped a business card into my hand. “Let me know whatever the result is.”
“Amira?” a familiar voice called.
I glanced into the hallway and saw Nathaniel approaching, his face etched with worry. I quietly tucked the card away
“What's going on?” he asked.
Eloise and I exchanged a knowing glance.
“I—I was just asking Amira how she's feeling this morning,” Eloise lied with a smile. “It's good she's doing better.”
Nathaniel sighed and pulled me into his arms.
“Thank goodness you're okay. I was worried,” he whispered and straightened. “Are you sure you're feeling better? We could stop at the hospital.”
I met Eloise's gaze.
“N—no,” I blurted and swallowed hard. “I'm okay.”
Footsteps inched toward us.
We turned as Damian emerged from the corner with heavy eyes.
“Good morning, guys. Am I late to the party?” he drawled.
“You missed the dramatic part,” Eloise said. “We’re onto pleasantries now.”
“Shame.” Damian yawned. “I do enjoy a little drama with my mornings.”
A smile passed between us.
“Good morning, brother,” Nate murmured.
The men shook hands.
“Hello.” I waved.
Damian nodded, smiling. “How are you feeling this morning?”
“Much better,” I breathed.
“Too bad you missed all the fun last night,” he teased. “Same with Nathaniel, who wouldn’t leave your side for a moment.”
My chest warmed as I looked at Nathaniel. He'd truly stayed up all night watching me.
Eloise playfully smacked Damian's back. “Leave the lovebirds alone.”
The sounds of footsteps approaching caught our attention.
A crew member joined us, a practiced smile on his face. “Breakfast will be ready in five minutes,” he announced and stepped away.
Nathaniel sighed. “You heard him. We have five minutes to freshen up before breakfast.”
“See you guys later!” Eloise said, and headed to her cabin.
Damian smirked. “Don’t take too long… unless you want to catch a cold,” he murmured, as he strode away.
At first, I didn’t get the memo— then it clicked into place.
Nathaniel's shock mirrored mine.
I gasped. “Did he just hint at us making out?”
Nathaniel smiled. “Yep! Damian has always been trouble since we were kids.” He leaned closer, his voice dropping to a whisper. “But I— don't think he's far from the truth right now. Because I remember pledging to take off your dress last night.”
My stomach fluttered. “Nathaniel.”
He straightened just enough for his nose to brush mine. “Do you feel that? That’s you already melting for me.”
“Nathaniel...the staff said five minutes.”
The corner of his mouth lifted. “This is the part that you run if you don't want this.”
Before I could respond, he captured my lips in a passionate kiss. Then scooped me into his arms and carried me away.
My laughter rang across the place.
In our cabin, he lowered me back on my feet in front of the mirror and nuzzled my neck from behind.
He wanted me to watch him undress me.
A shiver coursed down my spine as he unzipped my dress—slowly.
I bit my bottom lip and closed my eyes.
“Don't. Open your eyes,” he whispered.
I moaned as I reopened my eyes.
The cold air hit my back, then my torso, as my dress fell away and pooled at my feet.
My legs trembled when he cupped my breasts and stroked gently.
“Nathaniel.”
He kissed my shoulder and stepped back. Eyes not leaving mine, he undressed—piece by piece, until he stood naked like me.
“Wait here,” he whispered and disappeared into the bathroom.
My heart pounded as I stared at my reflection in the mirror.
The rushing sounds of water followed, then came the sweet smell of soap.
Nathaniel appeared at the doorway.
Without another word, he carried me to the bathroom and carefully lowered us into the bathtub, myself straddling him.
I gasped as my entrance brushed the tip of him.
Our lips met in a kiss.
A whimper left me when he trailed kisses down my neck before claiming my nipple with a hunger that left me breathless.
“Yes!” I cried.
His hands caressed my butt before tilting my waist and lowering me gently on him.
My breath caught as I stretched to accommodate him— inch after inch, until he was fully buried inside me.
The world drifted away.
“I love you,” Nathaniel said.
“I love you, too.”
I wrapped my arms around his neck and bounced on his dick.
My breath came in shallow bursts as I surrendered to the sensation of his hands and his shaft stretching me.
One more movement and I shattered around him. He followed closeby, filling me with his warm juice.
“That was incredible,” Nathaniel panted.
We kissed again.
“We'll be late for breakfast,” I reminded.
“Oh, that's true.” Nathaniel smiled and bolted.
We rushed our bath and headed back to the bedroom.
Nathaniel had ordered a new dress for me. He handed it to me and himself stepped into a burgundy shirt and charcoal slacks.
I studied my reflection in the mirror, Eloise's words replaying in my head.
Could I really be pregnant?
Had that night in DC left me carrying a Rivera?
“Shall we?” Nathaniel asked, pulling me from my thoughts.
I nodded and looped my arm around his.
We traced our way to the dining saloon.
“Oh, there they are!” Damian rasped.
“Finally!” Eloise sighed.
“We're sorry for taking time,” Nate said, as we joined them around the table.
Damian smirked. “It's a good thing you took your time.”
Nathaniel and I shared a knowing smile, before turning to the table again.
Time drifted as we ate.
I took a few bites of my food—only for a wave of nausea to hit me.
“Are you alright?” Nate asked.
I met Eloise's gaze.
“Y–Yes,” I stammered. “What’s today's plan… about the government contract?” I asked in a bid to change the topic.
“We’ll handle the meetings and conferences,” Eloise chimed in.
“What?”
“That’s our problem now,” Damian added. “You’re officially on vacation.”
I glanced at Nathaniel, but he wasn't that stunned. He knew!
“Do you know about this?” I whispered.
He leaned closer. “I just found out last night.”
“So, what are we going to be doing?”
“I'm thinking of a trip to London whenever you're ready.”
My breath hitched.
Did he talk about visiting another country like it was his backyard?
I lowered my cutlery on the table. “Yes. I’m ready.”
Nathaniel pushed back his chair and helped me to my feet. We exchanged a warm smile before turning to his siblings.
“I'll miss you.” Eloise stood and pulled me into her embrace. “If you ever need someone to talk to, don't hesitate to reach me.”
Damian approached as she stepped back. “Take care of my brother.”
“I will.” I beamed.
The two brothers shook hands... Then Nathaniel wrapped his arm around my waist and led us away.
He guided me across the deck, down the yacht, his arms only leaving me when I’d settled inside the car.
A smile lingered on my lips as I watched him round the vehicle and join me in the backseat of the lead car.
The convoy eased out of the marina, heading straight for the airport. But my thoughts kept drifting to Eloise and our conversation this morning.
Moments later, we pulled up in the airport and headed to the waiting jet.
I froze. “My luggage.”
Nate kissed my hand. “It's okay. We'll get them on our way back to Nigeria.”
A smile passed between us.
We boarded the jet, settled in, and after a smooth flight, landed at London Biggin Hill Airport.
Nathaniel held me close as we descended the stairs.
“I was thinking we could stop by the mall,” he said.
My eyes widened with excitement.
Shopping would be an opportunity to get a HPT.
“That sounds perfect!” I blurted.
At the mall, I let Nathaniel and his security drift ahead, pretending to study a rack of handbags
Then I slipped into a pharmacy tucked near the food court.
My hands trembled as I grabbed a home pregnancy test, paid for it, and quickly disappeared in the bathroom.
I locked the door and gathered my breath.
Trying to steady my racing heart, I took out the HPT... sat on the toilet, and followed the instruction.
I placed it on the basin, heart pounding as I waited for the result
Exactly at the given time, I stared at the test, and the result stared back at me.