HER BABY'S SECRET FATHER (10 page)

And once he’d made sure the child was stable, first chance he got, he’d call Jaynie and ask how Tara was doing today.

* * *

The last ten days had passed beautifully with Terrance’s help. Jaynie mused what a blessing he’d been on the way home from her six-week post-partum checkup. She had trusted him to babysit while she went, and there were no messages on her cellphone, which was a good sign.

Pulling her car into the driveway, she was delightfully surprised to see Terrance looking huge, and Tara microscopic, on the front porch. He waved at her with a broad smile. All was well.

She parked and he greeted her on the steps with a kiss on the cheek. Jaynie was in love with him. She couldn’t deny it. But she’d keep her secret for now, and most likely for always. By the dreamy look on his face, she guessed he might have feelings for her, too. She knew what she wished for—now, if she could only read his mind…

“So, how’d it go?” he asked, handing a squirming Tara to her.

“The good news is I’m doing great,” she said, reaching for her baby and making little cooing sounds of comfort and clicks of her tongue. She looked up and grew serious. “The bad news is that means I’ve got to go back to work in a week.”

“Do you feel ready for that?” He raised a brow.

“I’m not sure.” She patted Tara’s back.

“What about Peanut?”

“I’ve made arrangements with one of the retired NICU nurses to watch her while I work, and then my mom will be here for a couple of weeks.”

Terrance looked as if he wanted to ask more, but refrained. He opened the door and followed her inside.

“Oh, yeah. She’s ready to eat,” he said.

Jaynie gave a salute. “Reporting for duty, sir.” She smiled and gurgled at Tara, and carried her into the nursery to feed and put her down, then closed the door.

Tara liked a long nap in the afternoons, and Jaynie looked forward to some time alone with Terrance. They had grown closer over the last month. Closer than she’d ever been with her ex-boyfriend over the five years they were together—which was rather amazing, considering she had wanted to marry that jerk. And definitely closer than when she and Terrance had dated last year. What had brought about this change? Was it Tara?

She intended to explore her perplexing feelings for Terrance more, but not right now. Her mind was on something else—something big and gorgeous to look at.

Terrance had been evasive whenever she’d brought up his medical school interviews. “Things went great,” he’d say, or, “I’ll see whether they accept me or not and go from there.” But he’d never go into particulars.

Astounded by the depth of her newfound love for Terrance, Jaynie feared the day he would quit Mercy Hospital and march off to another university across the country, leaving her and Tara with a huge gap to fill.

For the first time in her life she wanted to risk it all—give her soul, have her heart ripped from her chest or spend the rest of her life alone—for even one moment of paradise with Terrance. No book could tell her how to go about it; she’d have to write this one herself.

So, after her thorough checkup, and at her own request, Dr. Marks had fit Jaynie for a diaphragm. And now, this very afternoon, she had high hopes of getting to use it. After all he’d done for her, Terrance had some serious “thank-you” sex due him. Not that he’d think of it that way. But she was looking for an excuse—any excuse—to make love to him. Her fantasy mission was to spend the afternoon close to him, in his arms.

Under Terrance’s tender loving care and feeding, she felt like a new woman. So, after putting Tara to nap, filled with determination, energy and lust for life—lust for Terrance, anyway—Jaynie closed the nursery door and sauntered into the living room.

He sat in the rocking chair, looking like Adonis, reading the paper. Sunlight shimmered through the shoulder-length hair that framed his face. Her mouth went dry.

“I’m going to get something to drink,” she said. “Would you like anything?”

“Sure. Water.” He smiled appreciatively.

Her legs
felt
like water. She needed to regroup, gather more confidence. Positive that she hadn’t been misreading the multitude of signals he’d given her, she filled one glass, took a few swallows, filled another and headed back to the living room, all the while doing battle with her nerves. Why hadn’t she thought to read a book about seducing the man of your dreams?

She brought the water and handed it to him, then circled behind the chair and placed her hands on his wide shoulders. She began to gently massage with warm, vigorous strokes. She admired his strength. He groaned and put down the water. His head fell forward in apparent bliss for a few moments before he straightened.

“Come here,” he said, and reached behind for Jaynie’s hand. “Sit on my lap.”

Taking a subtle deep breath, she complied, sitting sideways across his thighs. He gazed at her and smiled—there was that look again—and a flock of butterflies flew into her chest.

Go for it.

She put her arms around his neck and nuzzled his cheek. Fine stubble tickled her, awakening nerve-endings she hadn’t even known she had. Could the jaw be an erogenous zone?

His large, warm hand caressed her face and she felt his heart thump in his chest. Terrance turned his head and kissed her, long and hard, building their passion slowly. He pulled back just enough to speak.

“I think that red-hot Feng Shui wall is working wonders on the energy in this room.”

She broke away and gazed into his eyes. “You may be right. But I don’t want to think about anything right now.” Her body softened, melting onto his, while their mouths greeted each other again. He probed with his tongue, playful and adventurous, steadily building, firmer and stronger, until the kiss became urgent, desperate. His hands moved over her back, rubbing, kneading and drawing her tight to his body.

On a whim, and fueled by their kiss, she shifted her position, swinging her leg over his lap, facing him full-on. She took his face into her hands and kissed him the way she’d dreamed about over the past week. He moaned and gave himself to her, boosting her confidence. She felt his response under her thigh and grew even braver, pressing into it in a full straddle. A surge of sensation coursed through her core and a new boldness emerged. She’d take control and run with it.

His hands shot to the small of her back and pulled her forward. He pressed her firmly against his arousal, pleasuring and taunting them both.

She moaned. “More. I want more.”

He groaned.

Jaynie broke from his kiss and dropped her head back. Following her hint, he kissed her neck, licking the skin, drawing it into his mouth. She purred and subtly rocked back and forth with their hips locked in place. It felt too good. Heavenly was more like it.

“You’re driving me crazy.” His voice brought her back from wicked, wonderful mindlessness.

Seeing dazed desire in his eyes, she silently got up and with a trembling hand took his, then led him down the hall…into her room.

* * *

The bed called out—large, cool and empty.

Terrance had an impulse to grab Jaynie and throw her onto the mattress and ravish her. Instead, practicing self-restraint, he fumbled and unbuttoned her blouse, all the while frantically feathering kisses lightly across her neck and chest. God, he loved how she responded with shivers. The last button was stubborn, and he popped it open like a snap—hoped she didn’t mind. By the intense look on her face, she didn’t seem to. His excitement grew when he unveiled her lace bra and the lovely flesh hiding just beneath. His fingers explored the bra in total concentration and awe, then boldly removed it.

“So beautiful,” he said.

Her breath caught when he leaned forward and kissed her breasts, gently cupping each one before pressing firmly, memorizing the feel. His thumb lightly swept each nipple until it pebbled. He pulled his head back, to better admire her, and loved what he saw.

Anxious to be skin to skin, he didn’t bother to unbutton his shirt, but ripped it open, sending buttons flying around the room. He laughed as he stripped it off, and she did, too. It helped him relax and calm down the tiniest bit.

Aching with desire, he clutched her bare back, holding her tight, caressing the heat of her skin in his palms, amazed by her silky, soft feel.

They finished undressing each other in a frenzied fashion, unzipping, tugging, removing the final barriers. Finally naked, they embraced.

* * *

The thrill was more than Jaynie could bear. Discovering a glorious new joy of touch, she closed her eyes and, with eager hands, savored every centimeter of skin, muscle and sinew on his body.

He lowered himself onto the bed and reached for her. She crawled on top, sharing her breasts, hips and stomach with his flesh. Heat flashed up her body, flaming her desire. His breathing grew rough when he enfolded her in his arms. Inhaling his scent, she kissed him, tasted him, loved him.

He rolled her onto her back, kissing her neck and jaw, cupping her breast and nuzzling her hair with his nose.

“You’re beautiful,” he said, then sat up and praised her with his eyes.

He gave her the distinct impression that at that moment in time she was the most beautiful woman in the world. Jaynie basked in his attention.

He took her peaked breast into his mouth, and a feeling completely different from her motherly role roiled through her. She arched her back and bit her lip to keep from calling out. His hand wandered across her belly and between her legs. She relaxed for him and he gently opened her, stirring new sensations. Seeming intent on giving her pleasure before taking his own, he continued with the gentle massage. She grew weak and tense at the same time. All the while he watched her, and she tried to look back, but could only concentrate on his intimate touch—until she couldn’t take any more. A deep wave of release crested and rolled over her, reaching every cell in her body. When she recovered, she wanted only one thing.

“I need you,” she said.

His hot hazel eyes blazed with anticipation, and then regret. “I don’t have a condom.”

Jaynie smiled wisely. “I stopped at the pharmacy on my way home today.”

He gave a wicked grin and raised an eyebrow. “You did?” The fire in his eyes made her face flare with heat. “Great.”

He latched onto her other breast with renewed vigor, taking it into his mouth, once again driving her mad.

She moaned as her hand reached for the bedside drawer, pulling it open and blindly digging through it, quickly finding the small foil packages. Never once did she think about her new diaphragm. It would mean she’d have to leave him for a minute, and she couldn’t bear the thought.

He snatched a packet like lightning, fidgeted with it until it ripped open, then rolled the condom in place. Pressing her legs wider, he lunged. Then, as though remembering she’d only given birth six weeks ago, he came to an abrupt stop.

“I’m sorry.” He massaged her thigh. “I want you so much, I’m having trouble controlling myself.”

She smiled at his consideration, but longed for the passion in his eyes and the feel of his strong body as close as only making love allowed. Jaynie bucked her hips in answer.

“You’re killing me, Jaynie.”

With obvious restraint, in a long, luxuriating move, he entered, pressing slowly and completely into her, then growled.

She tensed with tenderness, but gradually yielded around his form. They met at a private, primitive place and held each other dangerously close to the edge. He moved deeper, in and out, then deeper still, finding a perfect spot to love. Time was suspended in sensual oblivion. Step by step, she let go, losing control until she was completely his. She captured him with her hips, loving him back, asking for more, driving him deeper. Driving herself crazy.

Sweat beaded on his smooth muscled chest and she savored the salty taste, loving the hot, damp feel of him on top of her. Heat and juices mixed, making a heady scent, sending primal messages to her core.

Hovering above her, he stared into her face. She was so gone with sensation, she could barely look back. When she did, she saw raw desire burning in his eyes. He was right there with her, teetering on the edge of bliss, as close as two people could ever be.

He held her hips and tilted her just so, as if it could feel any more perfect—it did. She knotted her legs around his waist and went swimming through time and space, flying out of control on an exquisite adventure with Terrance. She rode the wave of pleasure, praying it would never end, until an apex of spasms slammed her through the other side of heaven. Jaynie gasped with intense shudders…and Terrance quickly followed.

Breathless, he collapsed beside her, seeming sated and slack with exhaustion, staying tangled and twisted with her body. He kissed her forehead and whispered, “I love you.” He snuggled into her neck, and then he went still.

I love you?

Though limp, and consumed by their lovemaking, Jaynie shot up, ecstatic. “You do?”

He pulled her back down to his embrace. Grinning, and offering gentle kisses all over her face, he said, “Oh, yeah.”

Elated, she relaxed into his arms and sighed. “I love you, too.”

The perfect moment stretched into several minutes of joy and peace. Completely together. In love. Totally and monumentally content.

She drifted toward sleep.

“Are you awake?” he asked.

“Mmm…”

“I have a question.” He rolled off, onto his side, and leaned on his elbow. “Who is Tara’s father, Jaynie?”

She studied his face—perfection. A foreign tense feeling formed in her stomach. “A man who was never meant to be a part of my life, but who had everything to do with my future. No one you’d know.”

“A one-night stand?”

“A sperm bank donor.”

Obviously grappling with her answer, he furrowed his brow. “How did you choose?”

Folding her hands across her stomach, Jaynie stared at the ceiling. Thinking back, she remembered contemplating that the sperm donor’s thoroughly described physical characteristics reminded her of a certain hunky respiratory therapist, at the time.