Chapter 7
Brittany. Trent couldn’t get enough of her. And she responded as if she couldn’t get enough of him. After he’d thoroughly loved her from head to toe, she still had gas in the tank.
So did he. Grabbing another condom from the drawer, he plunged deep with a moan of delight. She rose to meet him, synchronizing her movements with his as if they’d been lovers for years.
They came within a split second of each other, laughing and shouting like kids at an amusement park. He’d never had sex like that.
But as he gazed down at her and gulped for air, he stopped himself from saying so. Instead he settled for a one-word comment. “Amazing.”
“Sure was.”
He soaked up the happiness in her blue eyes for as long as he dared and then left the bed to dispose of the condom. He could not, absolutely could not get hooked on her.
“I’m fetching us something to drink,” she called out from the bedroom. “State your preference or you’ll have to take whatever I bring you.”
“Beer.” He was in a party-hearty mood. Living for the moment.
“Got it.”
When he walked out of the bathroom, she was coming in from the hallway, an open amber bottle in each hand. She hadn’t bothered to put on clothes.
He grinned. “Best beverage delivery service I’ve ever encountered.”
“Eat your heart out, Hooters.” She handed him a bottle. “I thought we’d just drink them in bed.”
“I’m for that.” Scooting onto sheets still warm from enthusiastic sex, he propped himself against a couple of pillows. So did she. Then he tapped his bottle against hers. “Happy Birthday, Brittany.”
“Thank you.” She took a sip and glanced at him. “Are you really going to call me that?”
“Thinking about it. Do you mind?”
“No, but folks will comment on it.”
“Probably. They’ll think I’m a dork. Fine with me.”
“Okay, then. I’ll be prepared for it when we see each other in a week at Desiree and Andy’s wedding.”
So much for living in the moment. She’d already leaped ahead to the following Sunday. “They’ve invited most of the town. We might miss each other entirely.” He didn’t believe that for a minute. He’d locate her whether he wanted to or not.
“You might have to search for me because I’m short, but I’ll be able to find you, no problem.”
“I doubt it. All cowboys look alike.”
“Not true. None of you wear your hats the same.”
“Again with the hat?”
“It’s true. Some tilt it forward, some push it back a little. You wear yours sitting squarely on your head.”
“Next Sunday I’ll tilt it. You’ll never know I’m there.”
She looked over at him, her gaze serious. “You know I will, hat or no hat.”
“Just like I’ll find you, even if you’re trapped in a circle of tall people.”
“So if we’re bound to end up chatting with each other, calling me Brittany might be a good thing. It’ll sound like you don’t know me very well.”
“In other words, you’d rather not have this escapade become common knowledge.” He took a drink, using that to hide a prick of disappointment. He’d figured that would be the case.
“If it comes out, no biggie.” She hesitated. “But since we’re both acting out of character….”
“It’ll cause a stir. Especially in your case. I’m still somewhat of an unknown quantity. They might think I’m just the type.”
“No, they won’t.” She swatted him on the arm. “Everyone has you pegged as an upstanding guy. You should have heard Ella and Faye rave about you tonight.”
“Will this ruin my reputation?” He gave her a look of mock horror.
“Just the opposite. It’ll put the single ladies on alert that you’ve kicked off the traces.”
He groaned. “And that’s the biggest reason I don’t want anything to get out. You said it yourself. I’m not ready. I may never be. I’ve lost my faith in happily ever after.”
“Your parents seem to get along okay.”
“They do.” His chest tightened. “They also say it was dumb luck they happened to choose the right person. My mom told me that when I was going through my divorce. I think it was supposed to make me feel better, but it didn’t.” Time to change the subject.
“My mom believes the same thing. Unfortunately, she didn’t luck out.”
He glanced at her. “Your folks are divorced?”
“For more than twenty years. My mom’s never found anybody she wanted to get serious about, let alone have another child with.”
“Then I take it you’re an only.”
“I am. She would have loved to give me a sister or brother, but as she willingly admits, she’s no Desiree McLintock. Going that route takes a woman strong enough to buck tradition.”
“Her story’s unusual.”
“To say the least. She told me that searching for Mr. Right meant losing valuable time during her child-bearing years and she really wanted kids. I get that.”
“Do you want some?”
“Sure do.” She let out a wistful sigh. “I probably should have taken a page out of Desiree’s book years ago. I’d probably still be single, but at least I’d have a couple of munchkins running around.” She turned to him. “Did you want kids? I mean, before you and the clueless idiot split.”
That made him smile. “You don’t know that she’s a clueless idiot.”
“She divorced you. That’s all the evidence I need.”
Her kindness touched him, even though she didn’t have nearly enough info to make that call. “Thanks. And yes, I wanted kids. She asked if we could wait a few years, which turned out to be a good thing.”
Her gaze turned thoughtful. “Looks like we’re in the same boat.”
“I suppose. I’ve come to grips with it by deciding I’ll be one hell of an uncle. Dallas and Angie are planning on giving Desiree another grandchild or two eventually. I also have two sisters, so one or both of them might have children.”
“There’s the rub for me. No siblings.” She drained her bottle and set it on the nightstand.
“Doesn’t have to be a sibling. I’ll bet Ella and Marsh will be happy to share their baby with Aunt Brittany.”
That perked her up. “They’ve already said so, which delights me. Faye and Gil are trying to get pregnant, too. They already refer to me as Auntie Brit. Aunt Brittany sounds so much better, though. I may push that agenda.”
“In the end, the kids will come up with their own name for you.”
“Yeah, they will.” She smiled. “That’s one of the things I love about them. They’re so funny and creative.” She stared into space, her breathing slow and steady. “I’ll love watching Ella and Faye’s children grow. They’ll be part of my family, for sure.” She turned to him. “But it’s not the same as having my own, where I’m with them every day.”
“No, it’s not.” Something was going on with her. An uneasy churning in his gut warned him that he wasn’t going to like it.
She sat up straighter. “You’ll think I’m nuts for what I’m about to say.”
“I will?” More churning.
“Biologically speaking, time is running out for me. I want to have a baby before it’s too late.”
“I guess you could try a sperm bank.” And he’d wager a sizeable sum she wasn’t thinking that at all. He began to sweat.
“I don’t like the sperm bank idea. I want to know my baby’s father. I want to get pregnant the old-fashioned way.”
“Which is great if circumstances are right for it.”
“I think they are.”
His gut clenched. “No, they’re not.”
“Yes, they are. I want to be a mother. You want to be a father. Why not?—”
He pushed away from the pillows and stared at her. “You’re really going to go there?”
“Yes, I am! It’s the perfect solution to our problem.”
He had no words. How could she suggest such a thing? Their carefree night of passion had just come to a screeching halt. Time to hit the road. “I’m sorry, Brit. That won’t work for me.”