I smile and put my hand on my expanding stomach.
“You look good.”
“Thank you.Don’t lie to me.”
“You do.How are you feeling?”
“Tired.But good.He isn’t expecting me, much like the first time I came to this office.”I smile, thinking about that day in his office, which set a lot of things in motion.It changed everything.“Is he busy?”
“If he is, he’ll stop what he’s doing to see you.”
“Don’t tell him I’m here.I want to surprise him.”
She smiles and puts her head down, waving me over to his door.“I don’t know you’re here.”
Opening his office door, I see he’s on the phone, standing in front of the window, his back turned to me.I close the door quietly, standing behind it and wait for him to turn around.He’s in an intense conversation.He tells the person he’ll be in contact with them soon, when he gets what he needs.He turns to hang up the phone and sees me.The angry intense look fades into a smile.I smile back with relief that he’s not mad at me for listening in on his call and not announcing myself.
“Just what I need.A beautiful woman to brighten up my day.”
“You’re sweet.”He walks over, puts one hand above my head on the door, and kisses me deeply, leaving me sighing, my eyes closed when he pulls away.“I was feeling tired.Now your lips are stirring up renewed energy in me.”
He takes my hand and sits me down in his chair behind his desk then sits in front of me on the desk.“What brings you back to the den?”His smile is warm and the sun is shining in his eyes through the window, making him look otherworldly.I can’t help but touch him.I put my hands on his thigh and smile back.He looks at my hand, one black eyebrow raised.
“Down, boy.I didn’t come here for that.”
“That’s a damn shame.If you change your mind—”
“I came to talk about my mother.”
“That killed it.Like taking an ice-cold shower after a snowstorm.Why?”
“Ava sent her an invitation to the shower.If you don’t want her there, I’ll tell Ava to tell her not to come.”
“I’m fine with it if you want her there, as long as you don’t go over there by yourself and she doesn’t say anything to upset you.”
“Really?I thought you would be more…” I hold my fingers up and spread them out like an explosion.He grabs my hand, grinning.
“She won’t be in our house.She’ll be in a room full of people if she comes, not alone with you.For appearance’s sake she’ll behave herself and act like the grandmother-to-be.”
“I wish she didn’t have to act.”He sees the frown on my face and kisses my hand.
“We’ve talked about your mother enough.How was your day?”
“It was good.I went to see Isabelle and Conner.Her entire house is baby proof but he still manages to get around all of her proofing.I was tired watching her chase him around.”
“You got a look at what your life is going to be like in a couple of years.”
“Yes, I’m sure when this little one is out I’ll be up for the challenge.With a little assistance from you.”
He turns his lip down, shaking his head.“Not me.That there’s woman’s work.”
“Well that there better become man’s work or I’m going to pull out my big ole clown shoes and land a swift kick to your ass.”
He laughs, and I can’t hold a straight face with my threat.There’s a knock on the door.Nick says come in and Karen pops her head in.
“Your father wants to see you in his office.”
“Tell him I’ll call him back.”
