Seducing Simon

by Maya Banks

  Simon gritted his teeth but lowered his voice to a loud whisper. “I can’t believe you’re so calm about this.”

  A.J. laughed. “You’re worked up enough for both of us. Why should it bother you for Toni to move on and find someone? I mean, she’s going to need someone. I can’t imagine she wants to raise her baby alone.”

  “Yeah, but I don’t see Mike as a likely candidate,” Simon grumbled.

  “Don’t you think that should be up to Toni? Maybe you should step up to the plate,” A.J. finished innocently.

  He glared at A.J. across the table. This wasn’t the first time A.J. had hinted he should ask Toni out. But it wouldn’t work. If it was a disaster how would their friendship fare? And most of all, why would he be asking her out? Just to prevent her from making a mistake with someone else?

  Or could it be he couldn’t stand the thought of her with anyone else? Panic gripped his stomach. What a mess. He couldn’t explain his sense of urgency where she was concerned, just as he couldn’t make sense of his muddled feelings.

  “Shit! They’re coming this way,” A.J. hissed.

  They both lunged for their menus and flipped them open, sliding further down into the booth. Simon watched underneath as they walked by then scowled when he saw their entwined hands.

  Toni slid into the passenger seat of Mike’s truck and took a deep breath. The evening had been surprisingly pleasant, but she had to tell

  him. It wasn’t fair not to let him know what he was in for. And where he stood.

  “Want me to take you home now, or would you like to take a drive?” he asked as he started the engine.

  “Is there somewhere we can talk? There’s something I need to tell you.”

  He looked at her curiously. “Sure. Why don’t we go get some ice cream and sit in the truck and eat it?”

  She smiled at him. “Sounds good.”

  They stopped at the local ice cream parlor that had been in business since the fifties and got cones. They settled back into the truck and Mike rolled down the windows to let the evening breeze in.

  He was handsome. Probably considered downright yummy by most women, and Toni was well aware of his playboy reputation. But she was pretty much ruined for any other man but Simon.

  Mike slurped at his cone then ran a hand through his dirty blond hair. “So what’s on your mind?” he asked, sitting back in the seat and resting his arm on the back. His fingers dangled inches from her shoulders.

  She took a deep breath and looked earnestly at him. “I enjoyed tonight. I really did,” she began.

  “I hear a ‘but’ coming,” he said with a smile.

  “I’m pregnant,” she said baldly.

  “Isn’t that supposed to come after we have sex?” he teased.

  Despite herself, she laughed. “No, I mean I’m pregnant now. Three months pregnant. I just thought you should know. It isn’t in most guys’ dating plan to hook up with a pregnant woman.” She twisted her fingers nervously around the ends of her hair.

  “Whoa.” His face reflected utter shock. He threw out the rest of his cone and focused his attention solely on her. “Wow. Really?”

  She nodded.

  “What about the father?”

  “He isn’t an issue,” she muttered.

  “Holy cow. Do Matt, A.J. and Simon know this?”

  Again she nodded.

  “And they haven’t killed the guy yet?” He sounded incredulous.

  “I haven’t told them who it is.”

  He drummed his fingertips on the steering wheel. “Sooo, where does this leave us?”

  “I guess you’re more qualified to answer that,” she said meeting his gaze evenly.

  “Well I guess my first question is how do you feel about the father? From what I know of you, I can’t picture you hopping into bed with him for the hell of it. Are you still hung up on him?”

  She fought to keep her expression neutral, but she must have given it away because his face softened. “I’ll take that as a yes.”

  She ducked her head. “Is it that obvious?”

  “Yeah it is.”

  She puffed out her cheeks and expelled a long sigh, sliding down further into her seat. “This is hopeless.”

  “Is there no chance for you two?”

  “It’s complicated.”

  “Try me.”

  She jerked her eyes back to him. “Oh no, I know how you guys gossip at the station. No way I want this all over the fire department, much less get back to Matt, A.J. or Simon.”

  He frowned slightly. “I’d never say anything to the guys. Or anyone else for that matter. It might help to get it off your chest. It doesn’t sound like you have anyone you can talk to.”

  She looked suspiciously at him.

  He held two fingers up. “Scout’s honor.”

  He wasn’t the first person she’d choose to confide in, but he was right. She had no one else to talk to, and it would feel good to tell someone. Anyone.

  “All right, but you tell anyone and I’ll kill you.”

  A few minutes later Mike sat back in his seat, a stunned expression lighting his face. “Jesus, Toni. What a mess!”

  “You’re telling me,” she muttered.

  “And he has no idea you two had sex?”

  “No. He thought I was Starla.”

  “Ouch,” he said sympathetically.

  “Yeah, ouch.”

  “How long have you carried a torch for him?”

  “Oh pretty much forever,” she said in a low voice.

  “Damn. That sucks. Well if it makes you feel better, he is a damn fool. I know one thing. If you and I ever went to bed together, you can be sure I’d remember it.”

  She laughed when he winked at her. “Thanks, Mike. It did feel good to talk about it.”

  “No problem. And don’t worry. I’d never say anything. I know we all tend to run off at the mouth at the station, but it’s about non important things, you know?”

  “Thanks. You’re not a bad friend.”

  He sighed and keyed the ignition. “Well I guess that means I won’t be getting lucky tonight,” he said mournfully.