Expecting the Boss's Baby (5 page)

After work, he drove to her duplex and found her on a stepladder armed with a screwdriver while she worked on a curtain-rod bracket. Anyone else looking at her wouldn’t have a clue that she was pregnant. Slim and curvy in shorts and tank top, she was barefoot, but her legs caught and held his attention. Until he thought about the nasty combination of the ladder and her pregnancy.

“Have you lost your mind?” he asked as calmly as he could.

He must have startled her because she let out a little shriek, then jumped and struggled for balance.
His heart hammering, he ran toward the ladder and wrapped his hands around her waist.

“Why did you do that?” she asked, scowling down at him. “You scared the living daylights out of me.”

“Did you forget you’re pregnant?”

“No,” she said. “But as long as no one comes up behind me and disturbs me, I should be fine on the ladder.”

“Let me finish,” he insisted.

“It’s not necessary,” she protested.

“If you won’t do it for yourself, then do it for Cupcake,” he said, using her term of endearment.

She thought about it for a moment, then handed over the screwdriver. “Okay.”

Michael swung her off the ladder to the ground, and climbed it. “Nice screwdriver. I’m surprised.”

“Why?”

“Because you’re a woman.”

“That’s sexist,” she said. “Besides, there’s an unwritten rule. Every woman should have a good screwdriver, a drill, and a black bra.”

The screwdriver slipped in his hand, but he caught it. “And do you?” he asked. “Have all three?”

“Yes.”

Michael was struck with the wicked wanton image of Kate in a black bra and not much else. He sucked in a quick breath and frowned at the odor. “Still smells like smoke.”

“It was strong when I first got here, so I ran two fans on high and went out for a while. I must’ve gotten used to it this afternoon.”

“You know I can’t leave you here, don’t you?” he asked, finishing the screws and descending the ladder.

“Why not?”

“Because if you got hurt, I couldn’t live with myself.”

Her eyes widened. She folded her arms over her chest. “I’ll be fine.”

“I would have thought you’d be fine two nights ago,” he pointed out. “But you weren’t. Any other climbing you planned tonight?”

“No,” she said reluctantly. “If you keep acting nice and attentive, you’re going to confuse me.”

“If you get confused, does that mean you’ll show me the big three?”

“Big three?” she echoed.

“Your screwdriver, your drill and your black bra.”

S
urprised, Kate gave a double take. Her heart skipped a beat. “Are you serious?”

“Yes,” he said, moving closer to her. “I’d like you to show me your big three.”

Was he flirting with her? Michael didn’t flirt with her. “The drill is in my toolbox.”

“And the black bra?”

“Bottom dresser drawer,” she said, wondering how far he was going to take this.

“I want to see it on you,” he told her, sending a wicked rush through her.

“Maybe another time,” she said.

He took her hand when she started to turn. “Is that a promise?”

She studied him. “What is with you?”

“It’s time we left the boss-assistant relationship totally behind.”

“And how do we do that?” she asked.

“I have some ideas,” he said and pulled her into his arms.

He took her mouth in sensual exploration, quickly warming her from the inside out. “Every time I looked at you during the last three years, I said no. I’m not saying no to myself anymore.”

His words surprised and aroused her. He felt solid, strong and distinctly masculine against her. He took her mouth again, this time with his tongue, seeking and seducing her, sipping at her as if she were his favorite drink, and he’d been thirsty for a long time.

“You smell like sex,” he whispered.

Kate felt her knees lose their starch. His desire for her was intoxicating. She slid her fingers through his hair and rubbed her chest against his, craving a closer touch. The atmosphere in the room turned steamy. He slid his hands down to her bottom, guiding her against his hardened masculinity. Long denied needs rushed to the surface, and Kate fought against letting go. “I’m not sure about this,” she asked.

“I’m just practicing,” he said, skimming one of his hands over the side of her breasts. The movement teased and taunted.

Kate bit back a moan. “Practicing what?”

“Practicing for when we’re married.” He skimmed his hand over her breast again, this time closer to, but not touching her tight nipple.

Kate’s moan escaped her throat.

“Do you like that?” he asked, rubbing his thumb over her nipple.

She pressed her breast into his hand, an unspoken confession.

“I’m going to find out what else you like,” he said, and pulled her with him down onto the sofa. Pulling her onto his lap, he lifted her shirt and flicked his tongue over the tip of her breast.

Kate couldn’t suppress another moan. When he unfastened the top button of her jeans, she put her hand on his. He was making her dizzy. “This feels fast.”

“It could be faster,” he said.

She shook her head and swallowed over her dry throat. She lifted her hand and was surprised to find it trembling.

Michael looked down at her hand and took it in his.

“It’s going to sound crazy,” she said, searching his gaze, “but when you said those things in your office the day I quit, a big part of me gave up on you.”

“What are you afraid of?” he asked. “That I’ll abandon you or stop supporting you? Because I won’t. I—”

She shook her head. She couldn’t tell him what
she feared. She had too many fears, and, unfortunately, she had every reason to believe they would come true. “I think I need some time. I think we need to take this slowly.”

His gaze held hers for a heart-pounding moment. “Okay, we’ll trade,” he said. “We go slow, and you come back with me tonight.”

Kate started to shake her head.

“This isn’t negotiable,” he told her. “You can pack or I’ll pack for you.”

“Why? I’ll be fine.”

“I’m here to make damn sure of it,” he said. “You can either walk out of here or I’ll carry you out to my car and let the neighbors stare when you scream. But I’m not leaving you here until your parents arrive.”

She didn’t like having her wings clipped. “I thought you said we were leaving the boss-assistant relationship behind.”

“I’m just practicing to be your husband,” he said in a maddeningly calm voice.

“I wish you would practice differently,” she retorted.

“I will,” he said, his tone dark with sensual promise.

“You’re getting what?” Justin nearly shrieked as he slammed his mug of beer down.

“I’m getting married in less than two weeks, and you two are invited,” Michael calmly said.

Dylan just stared at him for a long moment, then cleared his throat. “Isn’t this a bit sudden?”

“Yes,” Michael said, although he still preferred the idea of chartering an airplane to Las Vegas and taking care of the vows instantly. “It would have been sooner, but Kate’s mother wants a church wedding.”

“Why the speed?” Dylan asked, his eyes narrowed as if he sensed there was more to the story.

“Because there are no doubts,” Michael said. Except on Kate’s part. Michael was damned sure of what he was doing; he just wanted it done as quickly as possible.

“Kate?” Justin said in disapproval. “The only Kate you’ve ever mentioned is your assistant.”

“She’s no longer my assistant. She’ll be my wife.”

“Something about this doesn’t smell right,” Justin said with a frown. “I could have sworn you were just as anti-marriage as I am.”

“Don’t dig,” Michael said in a level tone. “I just wanted to invite you to the ceremony. Kate’s mother asked me to invite my family and I have none. You’re the next best sorry thing, so if you want to come, great. If you don’t, that’s okay, too.”

Justin exchanged an uncomfortable glance with Dylan. He shrugged. “Well, sure, I’ll come. I just think you’re making a big mistake. Marriage is a messy, expensive business. It sucks the life force
out of your wallet like nothing else. Of course, kids are next in line for expensive, but—” Justin broke off as realization hit him. “Kids,” he said, shaking his head. “You didn’t—” He made a grimace. “Oh, damn. She’s not—”

“Don’t dig,” Dylan cut in, correctly reading the closed expression Michael knew he was wearing. “What have you learned about the home for unwed teenage mothers?”

“It’s a good cause. We should donate.”

Justin took a swig of his beer and shook his head. “The irony is just too sweet.”

A short while later, Michael entered his apartment. His conversation with his partners in philanthropy had left him irritated. The knowing expressions combined with the skepticism in their voices made something inside him twist. Michael wanted the marriage done. “Kate,” he called, ready to complete the next step. “Kate, I have something for you.”

Poking her head out the bedroom door, she regarded him warily. “What?”

“I brought you—” His phone rang, surprising him. It rarely rang unless someone was calling him from work. He picked up the receiver. “Hello.”

A pause followed. “Kate Adams?” a male voice enquired.

Irritated at the intrusion, he frowned. “She’s here,” he said. “Who’s calling?”

“Jeremy,” the man said. “Jeremy Ridgway. We dated in college.”

Michael thrust the phone at Kate. “Jeremy Ridgway. You’ve got thirty seconds to break his heart, or I’ll help.”

Kate’s eyes widened. “Thirty seconds!”

“How did he get this number?” Michael asked with a scowl.

“Since I’m captive in your cave, I had my calls forwarded.”

“Twenty seconds,” Michael said.

Kate glared at him and turned her back to him. “Jeremy, it’s been a long time. Yes, my living arrangements have changed,” she said and paused. “Yes, you’re right, I always enjoyed sailing, but—”

“Ten seconds,” Michael murmured behind her.

“I can’t. My significant other,” she said, rolling her eyes at the term, “would object. Thanks anyway. Tell your sister I said hi. Take care. Bye now,” she said and hung up the phone. She shot him a chilling glance. “Was that necessary?”

“Significant other?” he echoed, and ground his teeth.

Kate shifted from one foot to the other. “I was rushed. Nothing else seemed right.”

Michael counted to ten. He couldn’t remember a deal that had exasperated him more. Pulling the jeweler’s box from his pocket, he flipped it open
and took the phone from her hand at the same time he handed her the box.

Kate looked at the ring in complete silence. This time, however, he didn’t see horror on her face. She took a deep breath and finally met his gaze. “It’s beautiful.”

He pulled the diamond solitaire surrounded by tiny pearls ring from the box. “Then you’ll wear it.”

She nibbled her lip. “I—uh—” She cocked her head to one side. “There’s no rush. There’s really no rush for the wedding. I mean, it’s not as if I’m even showing.”

His patience shot, Michael cut to the chase. “How do you plan to explain the baby’s premature birth date to your parents?”

She sighed in resignation. “Okay. How did you know I would like pearls?”

“You used to wear pearl earrings to the office. You touched them a lot,” he said, “as if you liked the way they felt.”

Surprise, followed by a dark wary sensuality deepened her blue eyes. “I didn’t know you noticed.”

“I notice a lot of things,” Michael told her and pushed the ring onto her finger. “It fits.” He tugged her closer. “Seal it with a kiss,” he said and took her mouth.

He inhaled her sexy scent and struggled with the craving to seal the moment with something far
more than a kiss. Her lips were soft, lush and addicting. “Husband,” he said against her mouth. “Say it.”

“Fiancé,” she corrected, pulling back slightly, but holding his gaze. Her reticence alternately aroused and frustrated him. “One step at a time.”

Michael swallowed his impatience. It was better than
significant other.
“You can tell your mother two of my friends are coming to the wedding.”

Her eyes widened. “Pardon?”

“Two of my—”

“—I didn’t know you had any friends,” she blurted out, then seemed to catch herself. “I mean you’ve always been so busy with work that you never seemed to have time for much in the way of personal relationships.”

“We go way back. These two guys stayed at the Granger Home for Boys.”

“Oh, well, can I meet them?”

“Sure,” Michael said. “I told you they were coming to the wedding.”

Kate’s lips twitched. “I meant before the wedding.”

“We’ll see. Anything happen today that I should know about?”

“Not today,” she said.

He lifted an eyebrow at her choice of words. “Tomorrow then?”

“I have an appointment with the obstetrician.”

“Something wrong?”

She shook her head. “It’s routine.” She waved her hand. “It’s a long shot, but last time the nurse told me I might be able to hear the baby’s heartbeat at this appointment.”

“What time?”

“Two o’clock at the Robinson Medical Center. Dr. Dent.”

“I have a conference call with the new manager of R and D on the west coast.”

“No problem,” she said a little too casually. “You really don’t need to be there.”

Michael almost didn’t make it. Although he rescheduled his teleconference, traffic and his latest clueless assistant conspired against him. He strode into the doctor’s office at 2:20 and wangled his way into Kate’s examination room.

Lying on the table with the doctor’s stethoscope on her abdomen, Kate looked at Michael in surprise. “I thought you had a meeting.”

“Rescheduled.”

The doctor glanced up. “Dr. Dent,” she said, introducing herself. “Are you the father?”

Michael felt a clench in his stomach at the question, but nodded. “Michael Hawkins.”

“I’m trying to find your baby’s heartbeat. It may be too early, but…” She moved the stethoscope and smiled, then turned up the volume on a small magnification device. “There it is.”

Michael listened to the fast swishing sound and
his gaze met Kate’s. Her eyes were filled with wonder.

“It’s so fast,” she whispered.

“It’s in the normal range,” the doctor said. “Sounds good and strong. Just one,” she added with a smile.

Transfixed, Michael listened to the sound of the tiny heartbeat and felt something inside him click. Their child, he thought. Although he’d known it was real before, the only outward evidence Kate had exhibited had been morning sickness. The swishing heartbeat made it undeniable. A small somebody was totally dependent on him and Kate. He felt a velvet bond wrap around him.

The doctor removed the stethoscope, gave a few perfunctory instructions, and left. After Kate rearranged her clothing, she looked up at Michael and he saw the same awe-stricken sense of wonder and responsibility he felt mirrored in her eyes.

He pulled her into his arms and put his hand on her abdomen and kissed her. The emotion he felt was electric and too big, too powerful to be contained in a single moment. Kate covered his hand with hers and passionately responded to him. Michael felt a wholly primitive need to claim her as his again. “Doctor’s office,” he muttered to himself and pulled back.

“We could really mess this up if we’re not careful,” she said.

“We won’t,” he said, and he was deadly determined.

“How can you be sure?”

“I’ve got the money. You’ve got the heart.”

Her eyebrows furrowed in concern. “If anything should ever happen to me…” she began.

“It won’t,” Michael said immediately, violently rejecting the notion. “I won’t let it.”

She smiled gently. “I didn’t know you had final say over those things. Life and death happen, Michael,” she told him. “If something happens to me, your money won’t be enough. You’ll have to grow a heart.”

The very thought of it made Michael break into a sweat.

Time was ticking, and Kate felt her wedding date rushing toward her. Unable to bear the tension in Michael’s apartment any longer, she decided to pay a visit to the home for unwed teenage mothers. She must have stuffed the paper describing the charity in her purse. Despite the fact that she wasn’t a teenager and a marriage was in her near future, Kate felt a strong affinity for the group.

The home, which had been a small bed and breakfast hotel in the early 1900s, was located in the west end of town. The building reminded her of a genteel elderly lady, a bit worn, but clean and, in a way, elegant. The receptionist, Tina, who greeted her was six months pregnant and sixteen
years old. “I’m sorry the director was called away. One of the girls went into labor. I can tell you a little about the place though.”