Chapter 6
Janelle had to admit they were spot on. She had fun. The play was an amateur rendition of Cinderella and had so much adlibbing – it had the audience which consisted of hopeful parents and even more hopeful children who had been abandoned and were now charge of the stage – laughing uproariously at their antics.
And they were competing, no doubt vying to see who was the most adorable and talented and showing off for the people gathered inside the large community center.
She found herself laughing along with the rest and felt the worry and hopelessness that had been her constant companion, blowing out of her. They were cute and somewhat talented in a rough sort of way.
She was accustomed to professionals and her love for the arts had her attending the various plays at the theaters- but there was something to be said for the artlessness and innocence of children.
Placing a hand protectively on her belly, she felt a jolt at the slight movements against her skin.
“You okay?” She was sandwiched between Michael and David as if they were determined to be her protectors.
She smiled at David and shook her head. “Just the little darlings making their presence known. Want to have a feel?”
He hesitated for a second before allowing her to take his hand and placed it on her slight bump. His eyes flew open and had her laughing softly at his expression.
“That has to be the most amazing sensation,” he whispered, “thanks for sharing it with me.”
“You’re welcome.” Her smile warmed places inside his heart, places he had thought had gone completely shallow and empty.
Tearing his gaze from hers, he concentrated fiercely on the performance going on in front of him and tried his best to ignore the rapid pounding of his heart.
Oblivious of the effect she had on the man seated next to her, Janelle went back to enjoying the show.
*****
“She’s going to make an excellent mother.”
“She is.” Michael murmured in agreement as they both watched her tending to several children who had gathered around her while they snacked on the light refreshments.
“She has a glow about her.”
Michael turned to stare at the man contemplatively. “Most pregnant women have that certain glow. I think it has to do with the changes in their bodies.”
“What do you think she would say if I asked her to marry me?” The statement was delivered in such a casual note that if Michael had not seen the undercurrents, he would have missed it.
“Oh, dear me.” He fanned himself with the program vigorously.
“What?”
“You’re heading into very dangerous waters, my friend.”
“Because she happens to be carrying a multi-billionaire’s kids?”
“That and the fact that she is head over heels in love with him. And I mean gone over twice or even more. And our Janelle had men pursuing her ever since I have known her and that’s a very long time. And one meeting with that son of a bitch and she was gone. Completely gone, never to return.”
“He doesn’t want to be a father,” David said defensively.
“It does not matter. He is Harry McGibbon and those darlings that she’s carrying are the heirs to a goddamn fortune. He’s going to come to his senses and when he does, she will freeze his ass for a bit and then she will take him back. Because she loves him, ridiculously.”
“And if he doesn’t?”
“He will.” Michael predicted grimly. “When did this happen? These feelings you have for her?”
David shrugged and shoved his hands into the pockets of his dark blue dress pants. “Gradually. Damn. I loved my wife – now ex-wife and suppose I always will.
But Janelle…,” he turned to look at the woman surrounded by children and felt a quickening when she laughed at their antics. “She’s truly a beautiful woman.” The wistful tone had Michael reaching out a hand to touch his arm.
“I wish I could give you hope, but as a friend, I cannot give it to you.”
David shrugged. “We’ll see.”
*****
Where the bloody hell was she and why wasn’t she answering her phone. And what could she be doing out at this time of the night and in her condition.
Here he was freezing his damn tail off and marking time for the past half hour. He had sent some money to her account – from his personal account– a very generous amount. He might not be there physically, but he wanted to lend his support.
if she was out with that bastard, he was going to… What? What would he do? He had no rights to her. Yes, he did goddammit. Those babies she was carrying were his, weren’t they? If she is carrying on with that son of a bitch, heads were going to roll. Specifically, his. He could not bear the thought of anyone touching her.
He was about to get out and stretch his legs when he saw the sweep of headlights coming up the road. He had parked his vehicle, the black BMW, he had chosen it for its obscurity – and it was parked beneath a clump of bushes across from her place.
And his view was unobscured – allowing him to see when the strange car turn into her driveway. His mouth tightened and his white knuckled the steering wheel when he saw the man getting out and going around to open the passenger door.
He had to keep his hands on the wheel to anchor himself so that he wouldn’t launch out of the car and kick in his face.
The bastard walked her to the door and helped her in – Christ Jesus! If he kissed her on the mouth, he was going to commit murder.
Hie breath heaved out in a ragged sigh when the man just pecked her on the cheek and waited until she went inside. He had to further force himself to not spin the car and block him, forcing him to get out.
He had to work damn hard to keep his temper concealed. As soon as the car was out of sight, he drove out from his hiding place and into the driveway.
Slamming out of the vehicle, he walked purposefully up the steps and onto the porch. Without bothering to ring the bell, he pounded on the door with enough force to have her pulling the door open.
She stumbled back, her eyes widening when she saw him, one hand flying to her throat.
“Expecting someone else?” He asked furiously, blue eyes glittering.
Not waiting for an invitation, he pushed his way in and marched into the living room.
Taking a deep fortifying breath, she closed and locked the door, going slowly along the passageway and into the living room.
He was standing by the mantle and had removed his jacket which was slung carelessly over the back of the rocking chair. His thick blue-black hair tumbled down his shoulders untidily and the dark blue sweater made his eyes appear almost black.
“Where were you?”
“Out.” She refused to be intimated by the dark look on his handsome face. Or the arrogant quirking of his thick dark brows.
“Clearly. Out where?”
“I’m an adult…”
“Are you screwing him? I want you to clarify things before I find him and beat the crap out of him.” His eyes swept over the see-through black robe she had changed into. “Is he planning to come back? Is that why you’re dressed like that?”
She was suddenly very weary. The joy and hope of seeing him on her doorstep was quietly fading away. “What do you want?”
“Does he know of your…?” He waved a hand in the general vicinity of her belly and she felt her heart sank with the realization that he could not even say it. “Condition?”
“You mean, does he know I am pregnant? Yes, he does.” Her eyes flashed. “What are you doing here Harry?”
“I have a right to be here.”
“Why? Because of this?” She placed a hand on her bump and drew his attention to it. Her hair was piled haphazardly on top of her head with tendrils escaping around her neck.
The robe was sliding off her shoulders and he could see she was not wearing a bra. And the silk molded her rounded belly perfectly. Desire was like a raging storm inside him, and he knew he had to have her right now or he was going to die.
Clearing his throat, he lifted his head to stare into her eyes. “I have transferred a sum of money into your account. Your bank should be calling you in the morning.”
Her eyes flashed. “What is the money for?”
His brows drew down into a frown. “You know bloody well what it’s for. I – I might not be able to be here physically, but I am not going to shirk my responsibilities.”
“So, your solution is throwing money at the ‘problem’? But that’s easy, isn’t it? You have loads of resources. Sending a few hundred …”
“Thousands.” He corrected and had her bristling.
“Take it back.”
“Why?”
“I don’t want your damn money.”
“You want me to be here for you and – and – “he gestured towards her belly and effectively had her temper brimming over.
“Get out. I am tired and I am in no mood to argue with you. Just- just leave.” She started to turn and march towards the door, when a wave of dizziness had her stumbling. He moved towards her swiftly, catching her around the waist.
“What’s wrong?” He asked anxiously.
“Nothing. Let me go.”
Hissing out a breath, he simply scooped her into his arms and strode from the room. Making his way carefully up the flight of stairs, he kicked her bedroom door open and did not stop until he laid her on the bed.
“What can I do?”
“You can leave. I’ll be fine.”
Turning her head away from his laser blue gaze, she closed her eyes, determined to ignore him. When she felt him easing off the bed, she tried to squelch the terrible disappointment that he was leaving.
She was just about to go and get a glass of water when she saw him coming in with a tray and on it was a steaming cup of tea that smelled like ginger and honey.
“I found it in the pantry. Sit up.”
She stared at him wordlessly and did as she was told. He placed the tray over her lap and sat on the edge of the bed.
“I put an ice cube so that it would not burn your mouth.”
She had to swallow the lump that had settled inside her throat. This was what she had been yearning for, this tender loving care of the man who was in this with her. Just his presence and the fact that he made her tea was making her feel warm inside.
“Drink.” He ordered and sat there watching her as she did.
The silence inside her bedroom lengthened as he sat there and waited until she had finished the tea. Taking the tray, he placed it on the side table. Her eyes widened when he started to remove his boots.
“What are you doing?”
“What does it look like?” Next came his sweater and then his jeans. Her eyes flew to his face as the heat made the robe she had on felt like a chain mail.
“I am not having sex with you. You cannot just come here and expect…”
“I just want to lie here with you.” He slid in and pulled her against him, cradling her head on his shoulder. For a few minutes neither of them spoke, just the audible sound of their breaths escaping as they both felt the familiar magnetism of the attraction that had brought them together in the first place.
He had one large hand at the small of her back and it felt as if his flesh was branding her skin. She was so acutely aware of him- her body was responding, even though her mind was telling her that this was not a clever idea.
Nothing had been resolved. The fact that he had made her tea meant nothing. He had not asked about the babies or how she was faring. She should tell him to leave. But she couldn’t. Where he was concerned, her willpower was non-existent. She needed him here.
The feeling of his long, lean muscles against her own fragility was intoxicating. She could feel the crisp dark hairs against her cheek. His scent, that potent cologne he wore assailed her nostrils. His legs were long and powerful and covered in hairs as dark as the ones on his head.
She could feel them on her skin. If she just moved her knee a few inches up, she would encounter his sex and from experienced, she knew how full it was. Her body grew so warm, her nipples became so erect that she thought they were going to explode.
He shifted then, tucking a hand beneath her chin so that he could look into her eyes.
“Better?”
“Yes.” She wanted to resist the answering passion stamped on his usually hard and cynical features. His wildly beautiful eyes were studying her with lazy indulgence, tracking over her features and lingering on her parted lips.
“I am going to make love to you.” He told her huskily.
“I don’t want you to.”
He simply laughed, his hand sliding between the lapel of her robe to capture her breast. A moan escaped her, and she had to clamp her teeth into her bottom lip to stop from crying out.
“is it hurting?” His eyes watched her face closely as he used his thumb to slide slowly over the rigid flesh.
“Yes.” She gasped. “No…” She shook her head wildly when he started to move his hand.
“Please.”
“I don’t want to hurt you.”
“They’re extremely sensitive,” she admitted, her body moving against his in an unconsciously provocative gesture.
“I know what to do.” Pushing her gently back against the pillows, he parted the robe and took it off. She stayed still as his eyes wandered over her breasts and further down where her pregnancy was obvious.
Lifting his head, he stared at her for a moment before lowering to her bosom. Janelle’s fingers gripped the sheets in anticipation. Her body was primed and ready and she could not wait any longer. She needed him. Needed his mouth on her.
He used his tongue to toy with the rigid flesh, using just the tip of it to moisten, his body reacting violently when she reacted to just his light touch.
His body hardened and swelled until his flesh was chafing against the cotton of his underwear. This was where he belonged, he thought as the madness started to invade his mind. The taste of her, the texture of her skin.
He had tried to erase her from his mind to no avail. Taking another woman to his bed had been impossible and he had tried. The last time was at the club when Chelsea had invited herself into his room.
His stomach had turned at even the thought of touching her and he had sent her packing. Because of her – because of the taste of the woman beneath him. He seized her nipple as if in punishment and relished the choppy sounds of her breath.
Her body arched towards his as he suckled hungrily. Transferring to the next nipple, he gave it the same thorough treatment before moving down to the bulge of her stomach.
There he hesitated, his head lifting to look at her.
“It’s okay.” She urged. Emotions were churning inside her and pushing her over the edge.
“I need you, Bobby.” Pride had deserted her, and she did not care what his motives were. She had been deprived of his body for too long. Her fingers sank into the black silk of his hair as he bent his head to kiss her stomach. Sliding further down, he parted her thighs and inhaled the musky scent of her, before bending his head to taste.
His mouth was ruthless, sending her over the edge at just the touch of his tongue. Her cries echoed around the room and sent the madness that was gripping him ripping through his body.
With a snarl, he dragged off his underwear and moved in behind her, sliding into her slowly. Her tightness gave him pause, causing him to grit his teeth, his body burgeoning even more. Wrapping a hand around her belly, he bent his head to her neck where he feasted on the soft flesh.
He moved inside her slowly, rhythmically, meeting her thrusts as he pressed fevered kisses on her neck and shoulders. One hand reached up to cup her breast, his thumb moving over the rigid flesh made slightly sore from his avid attention. Her body vibrated, emotions plunging her into delirious joy.
Her experience was limited, but he was the only man who had ever brought her to the brink of madness. Twisting her head around, she sought his lips, and he obliged her by covering her mouth with his.
Swallowing her moans, he held her as she exploded again, the climax slamming through her already weakened body with the force of a tidal wave. She had not fully recovered before another one was upon her. He increased the pace, his own body quickening, the storm gathering until he could no longer control it.
His body shuddered as he drove into her, his mouth ravishing hers as he poured his seed deep inside her to water her womb.
It took several minutes for the storm to abate, but even then, he was still kissing her, his hands unconsciously roving over her stomach. Lifting his head from hers, he eased out of her, just so that he could turn her to face him.
“Did I hurt you?” His deep voice was filled with concern, his hands framing her face. “Was I too rough?”
“No.” She told him dreamily. “It was perfect.”
His hands slid down her arms and up again until he was cupping her neck. “I wasn’t certain I should be – we should be doing this.”
She smiled at him sultrily, her hands splayed over his chest.
“Isn’t that a little too late to be wondering that?”
“It is.” His smile was rueful. “I couldn’t help it.” He looked deep into her eyes, before looking at a point over her shoulder. “I suppose we should talk.”
“About?” The last thing she wanted was the spoil the moment.
“What we’re going to do.” His expression had turned bleak as he looked back at her. “I cannot be a dad.”
She felt her heart sinking, but was determined not to let it get to her.
“You have several months to get used to the idea,” she pointed out softly.
He shook his head and hated that he was putting her through anything like this. The kicker was that he loved her. The fact that he had never loved anyone before made it even more poignant. He would love to promise her ‘happy ever after’ but he would never lie to her.
He was scared that he would turn into his old man. And there were all these hurts inside him that refused to be buried. His hands framed her face, and he smiled whimsically. “I never counted on any of this.
Never thought I would meet someone who would change my way of thinking.” His thumbs caressed her bottom lip and felt his body quivering with need. She always had the power to make him want more.
He was never satisfied with just having her once and done with it. He was greedy for her. The feelings she stirred up inside him was violent and volatile. It had a certain type of madness that he had never been able to control or resist.
“I want to be the man you deserve, but I’m lacking.” His expression became sober and wistful. “I would give anything to save you from hurt and pain, but I cannot do this. I cannot be the man you want.”
“You are the man I want.” She stared at him beseechingly. She was desperate to reach him, desperate to show him that they could work and become a family.
“I am carrying your babies inside me, and we need you. I need you to be there for me. You do not have to show up for every appointment, even though that would be wonderful.” She added shakily. “But I need you with me. All I am asking is that you take it one step at a time. Please.”
Bowing his forehead to hers, he hissed out a breath. “I cannot make any promises. I need time.” Tilting her face up to his, he took her lips in a kiss that had everything flying out of her mind.