Chapter 11
ELEVEN
DECLAN
Zoe closes her eyes and leans back in her chair, patting her still flat stomach with her hand. “You can cook that for me anytime.”
“I will.”
She opens her eyes and smiles. “Thank you, Declan. I don’t know if I’ll ever want you to move out again at this rate.”
“Just as well I have no plans to.” I shoot her a wink. That’s becoming a habit. But she makes me want to flirt with her when I’d thought I was so dead inside.
“I wasn’t sure what your plans would be … after the baby’s born.”
“We’ll work it out when we have to.” I reach for her hand and give it a squeeze. “There’s no rush. I’m here for the duration, and I’ll cook this every night if it’s what you feel like.”
“I’m getting very spoiled.”
I run my thumb over the back of her hand. “As you should be.” Tell me more about your day. You said you can just ride out your contract?”
She pulls her arm away and blows out a long breath. “Well, I told them I was pregnant. And they told me that they don’t really need me.”
“So, you’re not working anymore?” I ask.
She nods slowly. “I’ve been doing a lot more than my contract requires, and it’s meant that the integration has happened faster. This year was going to be a lot of sitting around and maybe offering support, but it looks like that’s not even really needed. I’ll still be logging in and sitting in on project meetings, but my role was always going to be downgraded this year.”
“Our timing was pretty good, then.”
Her mouth falls open. “I’m not sure if I’d say that.”
“Just in terms of your contract. And my retirement. It’s all working out well.”
I’m not even sure what I’m saying. But I do know that Zoe’s pregnancy is already helping keep me grounded. I’m not remotely tempted to drink, and if I spend tonight in front of the television instead of out on the town, it wouldn’t be a hardship.
My only doubt is around whether I could keep that up or not.
Will this always be enough? Or will I go back to wanting more?
I can’t think that way.
“I guess you could say we’re going okay.” She shrugs. “I always thought I’d be settled down before I had babies, but I also thought it’d be before I hit thirty. ”
“Thirty isn’t old to have a baby.”
“No, but my life just didn’t work out the way I’d thought it would.” She smiles. “Mind you, I also didn’t anticipate creating Date Me and the deal to sell it.” Her eyes meet mine. “If things don’t work, Declan, and you want to go back to your life, you know we’ll be okay, right?”
“I do know that, but I have no intention of going anywhere.”
Knowing we’ll be in each other’s pockets leaves me restless. We’ve gone from a one-night stand to not only living together, but being at home together all the time.
Is that really a good way to get to know someone?
The first night I was here, I slept well knowing that Zoe and the baby were safe under the same roof as me. The second night, I toss and turn, wondering how quickly she’ll get sick of me being under her feet.
When daylight peeps through the curtains, I give in and make my way to the kitchen to get started on breakfast.
Zoe’s beaten me to it.
I breathe in the heady smell of coffee, and come to a stop when I reach the living room.
Oh dear God .
She exits the kitchen, dressed in a shirt and a pair of pink cotton panties.
Is she trying to kill me?
Sitting at her desk, she places her mug beside her laptop and opens the laptop lid .
It’s far too late for my cock, which is already standing to attention. I shift my gaze to the floor.
The Band-Aid on her foot makes me wince.
Zoe looks up. “You okay?”
“I … uhhh … I was just reminded of yesterday. Is your foot sore?”
She shakes her head. “No, it’s fine.” Cracking a smile, she stands. “See? Good as gold. It was an accident, Declan. I’m all good.”
“Doesn’t make me feel less guilty.”
She crosses the room and grips my arm. “Please don’t. I just have to get used to living with someone again.”
“Uhh, I can tell.”
Her eyes widen, and she looks down at what she’s wearing. She lifts her hand from my arm and slaps her palm across her mouth before letting out a loud giggle.
“Oh my god. I never wear pants when I’m working at home.”
“I’ve seen you naked, but I’m not sure if I can cope with this every day.”
One of her brows arches, and her gaze sweeps down to my groin.
Oh God, have mercy.
“That’s not helping.” The words leave my lips before I can help it. Is that going to upset her? Is she ever going to trust me if I’m walking around with a hard-on twenty-four hours a day?
“I’m sorry.” Her voice is husky, which just makes it worse.
“I think I’m going to have to start every day with a cold shower if you’re prancing around in your underwear,” I grumble.
She laughs again. “I wish I could say I was sorry, but it’s good to know I still have that effect.”
“Why would you not?” I hold out my palms. “You know I think you’re beautiful.”
Tilting her head, she smirks at me. “Because I’m pregnant. I know you want to be here for the baby, but that has to be so unattractive to a man who didn’t want a baby to start with.” She sighs. “I’ll go and put some shorts on.”
As she steps away, I reach out and grasp her arm. “That’s not how I feel. You’re still the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen.”
Zoe snorts. “I’ve seen your co-stars. I know that’s not true.”
“But it is. It’s what drew me to you in the first place. And pregnancy doesn’t make you less attractive.” I tug her closer. “If anything, it makes you even more gorgeous. That’s my baby you’re carrying.”
Her expression straightens out and she swallows hard.
“Declan.” Her soft tone tells me I’ve hit the mark. And I meant it. I knew she was special the moment I laid eyes on her, and that’s my child in there. All the years of boozing and women, and I got it right with the right mother of my child. I know it.
“I’m a lucky man, Zoe. Even if we’re not together.”
She fans her face with her hands. “Don’t you dare make me cry. You know I’m hormonal.”
“I do now.”
I draw her closer and place a chaste kiss on her forehead. She smells fresh and soapy—she must have already showered this morning. It suits her.
“But please go and get dressed for my sanity’s sake.”
She’s chuckling all the way to the hall door when she turns and smiles back at me. Her gaze flicks down to my cock and back up again before she rolls her eyes and disappears into her bedroom.
These are going to be the longest months of my life.