“I did. I plan to talk to his primary doctor just as soon as I can.”
She stepped to him and touched his arm briefly. That was a mistake. Even that had her blood humming. “Thanks, Gabe. I really appreciate it.”
He glanced down before his earnest look met hers. “No problem, but still no promises.”
“I understand.” She smiled and removed her hand. “I’m grateful for any help you can offer him. See you on Sunday.” She closed the door behind her and headed for her car.
As she slid into the driver’s seat, Gabe stepped out onto the porch, his face unreadable. As she drove away, Zoe looked in her rearview mirror. Gabe was still standing there, hands in his pockets.
Why was she already missing him? He truly was a decent guy. She couldn’t think of another person who would have been as understanding or helpful as he had been under the circumstances. Still, she must not forget he was only being so generous because of the baby. What would it be like to have someone like Gabe to come home to at the end of a weary day?
At least for a short while she and the baby had a nice place to live and, better yet, her mother was in a safe place that provided quality care. That was what really mattered.
Not the feelings Gabe brought out in her.
CHAPTER FOUR
LATE SUNDAY AFTERNOON, Zoe led the way in her compact car to Gabe’s house. A couple of guys from work, John and Rick, were helping her move. They had managed to stay right behind her despite their trucks being heavy with her furniture and boxes of possessions.
She was grateful that Shorecliffs House encouraged residents to bring their own furniture when they moved in. Having familiar belongings around had definitely made her mother less anxious. To Zoe’s surprise, her mother seemed content with her new residence.
In a few months Zoe would be living in her own place as well. If she could find the right small house she would buy. A child needed space, other families around them. A neighborhood similar to Gabe’s.
She had managed to salvage the end tables in her living room. With those and one comfortable chair she’d bought with some of the insurance money, she planned to set up a small living area in her bedroom. That way she wouldn’t disturb Gabe when he was home. If she didn’t take steps to keep her distance, she could easily become too involved in his life. That wasn’t what he wanted and she would respect that.
As Zoe pulled into the drive, Gabe stepped out onto the front porch. Had he been watching for her? She pulled as far up the driveway as she could so the two trucks would be as close as possible to the front door. Moments later she climbed out of the car and started toward him.
He wore a T-shirt and worn jeans with tennis shoes. His casual dress somehow made him even more attractive. It would be nice to have him greeting her when she came home every day. What was wrong with her? That fantasy she shouldn’t entertain.
She joined John and Rick, who were already in the process of untying ropes securing her furniture. Gabe came down the two steps toward them.
“Gabe, this is John and Rick.” She pointed to one then the other. “They work with me.”
He shook hands with the men. “I’ll get this end,” he said to John as he pulled her headboard off the truck. Gabe maneuvered the bulky item, and then he led the way into the house with John carrying the other end.
Zoe pulled a box off and carried it inside. Gabe was on his way out of her room when she entered.
“You don’t need to be carrying that. Give it here.” His hands covered hers as he tried to take the box.
Awareness zipped through her. It was always there between them. Even the simplest touch from Gabe had her thinking of that night they had spent together. “I’m fine. It’s not that heavy.” She gave it a tug, removing his hands. “These guys can’t spend all evening here. I need to help.”
“Then why don’t you just tell us where to put things and let us handle the moving?” Gabe followed her back to the room.
John glanced at them then slipped out the door.
She set the box down. “You need to understand right now that you do not tell me what I should or shouldn’t do.”
“And you need to think less about proving your independence and more about what’s good for the baby. Now let us handle it.”
Anger washed through Zoe as he left before she could respond. A minute later Rick and John entered with the footboard. Gabe was right behind them with the rails. Gabe and John put the bed together while Rick returned to the truck. She pointed to the wall she wanted the bed against. Rick returned with a couple of boxes stacked on top of each other. All the men left once again. Zoe started removing bedsheets, pillows and a blanket from a box. She’d stay put and start unpacking if it would keep Gabe from making a scene.
All three men made a couple more trips to the truck.
After one trip she and Rick were left alone. He asked, nodding toward the doorway, “Who is this guy you’re renting from?”
Before she could respond, Gabe entered the room with an end table and said in a tight tone, “I’m the father of her baby.”
John came in right behind him. He and Rick looked at her with wonder then back at Gabe.
Holding up a hand, John said, “No offense, man. We just wanted to make sure Zoe was safe.”
“None taken.” Gabe’s voice still held a hard note. “I’m sure she appreciates having friends who care about her.” Gabe set the table down and stepped beside her.
“Come on, Rick.” John tapped him on the shoulder. “We only have a couple more boxes.”
“Why didn’t you tell them who I am? Are you ashamed?” Gabe asked.
Zoe couldn’t have been more shocked. Why would he believe that? He was an excellent doctor, well respected in his field, smart, had good taste in homes and, most of all, was a wonderful lover. Where had he gotten the idea she might be embarrassed by him? She couldn’t imagine any woman not being proud of being associated with him. “I can assure you that’s not the case. I just don’t broadcast my private life. John and Rick are my friends but not that close.”
“They sure sounded protective of you. I thought there might be more going on.” His tone implied he might be jealous.
No man she knew even came close to measuring up to Gabe. She turned her head and gave him a questioning look. He had to care on some level to have those feelings, didn’t he? Warmth flowed through her at the possibility. The self-assured man for once needed her reassurance. She stepped toward him. “Gabe, there’s nothing to—”
“Well, that’s it,” Rick announced as he and John came in with a box apiece.
Zoe stepped away from Gabe but she felt his attention on her as he said, “Thanks, guys.”
John and Rick headed for the front door, and she and Gabe followed.
There Gabe shook their hands, saying, “Thanks for your help. I appreciate it. I know Zoe does too.”
There he was again, speaking for her. It made them sound like a couple. They weren’t. “I do. I don’t know what I’d have done without you guys.” She hugged John then Rick. “I owe you big-time.”
“Maybe you can make it up to us by bringing us some of your peanut-butter cookies. They’re the best in the whole DC area.”
Zoe was both flattered and embarrassed by such high praise of her cookies. She promised them a batch as soon as she settled in. They said their goodbyes.
“Thanks again,” Zoe called and waved. She turned to see Gabe standing in the front doorway, leaning against the frame. Her nerves buzzed. Not only was she alone with him, she was now living in his house. She walked toward him. “Well, I guess I’ll go finish straightening my room.”
“Wouldn’t you like to sit down for a few minutes? Have something to eat. Not that I have anything here. I was going to order a pizza.”
“I should get some unpacking done. I have to be at work early in the morning. I�
��ve been gone for a week.” For some reason she needed to get to her room, take a moment for herself without Gabe nearby.
Gabe followed her more slowly into the house. Had he made the right decision by inviting Zoe to live at his house? Could he have offered a different solution to her living arrangements? He’d never counted on this attraction roaring through him. He had to keep his emotions in check. Focus on the baby and not the mother. It would be tough, but he would manage it.
Zoe was hiding from him. He was as certain of that fact as he was his name. She wasn’t the type to run from problems. She had more than shown her ability to handle difficult circumstances. Yet he didn’t doubt his judgment. He’d give her space. He still had boxes of his own to empty.
While he worked in the kitchen, he listened for sounds from the other side of the house. There were none. It was as if Zoe wasn’t even there. Unable to stand it any longer, he walked softly to her room. As he was about to knock on the open door, he saw her. She lay sound asleep curled up in a ball on the half-made bed. After the last few days she’d had, or the week, she must be exhausted. He spied a blanket on the cushioned chair near the rear window. Picking it up, he placed it over her.
Zoe moaned and pulled the edge of the blanket up under her chin.
She looked so peaceful. Beautiful, with her eyelashes resting against her creamy skin. This was the woman who was the mother of his child. Would she look like Zoe? She. Did he want a daughter? Could he be a good father to a daughter? Girls needed special care. He wasn’t even sure he could give what was needed to a son.
Zoe would make an excellent mom. He had no doubt of that. The care and concern she’d given the boy at the airport when he was hurt and the love she’d shown her mother all indicated he was right. As open and expressive as she had been with her friends when she’d thanked them for helping her was just another sign of her capacity to love. He could take lessons from her.
He’d been jealous of John and Rick when they had arrived. Had been resentful of the carefree way she’d treated them, especially when she seemed so guarded around him. He would like him and Zoe to at least be close friends. They had been friends at least during that one fateful night. Surely they could build on that beginning? Their baby at least deserved that kind of parental unity.
Unfortunately, standing here and staring down at Zoe wouldn’t win him any friendship points if she woke. Unable to stop himself, he ran the back of a finger along her cheek. Zoe sighed. She truly was lovely. Before he got into trouble, he slowly lowered his hand and backed out of the room.
* * *
A couple of hours later he was waiting for his pizza to arrive when a loud “Dang it,” followed by a crash, came from the direction of Zoe’s room. Gabe ran across the house and down the hall as fast as the twists and turns would allow. When he reached the doorway, his heart almost stopped. Zoe teetered as she stood on the cushioned chair with a hammer in her hand. Around her on the carpet was a broken frame and pieces of glass. She rocked back. Gabe rushed forward, catching her against his chest.
The feel of her in his arms brought back erotic memories: hot kisses, tender caresses and willing woman opening in welcome... Desire like he’d never felt before washed over him. He must master his libido or he’d scare her.
As he lowered her to the floor, his protective instinct propelled his hands to her waist to steady her. The curve there was no longer tiny, but knowing the reason for the change excited him all over again. Without thought, his hands moved to her middle. The gentle bulge fascinated him. His child. He’d never planned to have one, but now he was and everything about the miracle filled him with awe.
Zoe leaned back against him for a second then straightened.
The part of him better left dormant reacted once more to her nearness. His lips brushed her temple.
She stiffened and stepped away. “I’d better clean this mess up.”
“I have a pizza coming. You’re welcome to some.” He moved to the door. “Don’t stand on anything again. Call me if you need to do something above your head.”
Zoe went down on her knees and started picking up broken pieces. She still hadn’t looked at him. “Okay.”
Her tone implied she wasn’t promising anything.
“Zoe.” He waited until she looked up and into his eyes. “I mean it.”
Her expression went hard. “I heard you. But I thought I made it clear to you earlier you have no right to tell me what to do while I’m here.”
He wasn’t going to allow her to push away the importance of what had almost happened just now. “Then I suggest you think through what you’re about to do before you act on it. You or the baby or both could have been seriously hurt if I hadn’t been here to catch you.”
“Ow!” She stared at her hand.
He took an involuntary step toward her. “What happened?”
“I cut my hand.” A stream of blood ran over her palm.
“Give me that.” Gabe took the pieces of glass from her and dumped them into a trash can nearby. Cupping her elbow, he helped her stand. Reaching over his shoulder, he grabbed a handful of his shirt and pulled.
“What’re you doing?” Zoe asked, the pitch of her voice rising in alarm.
“Taking off my shirt to use as a bandage,” Gabe explained impatiently, his words muffled by the material covering his head.
“Isn’t that a little dramatic?”
Pulling the shirt off, he retorted, “Not if you don’t want blood on the new carpet or one of your towels.” He glanced around. “Even if we could find one.” He wrapped the shirt around her hand and applied pressure. “I have a first-aid kit in the kitchen. Go into the bathroom and clean up. I’ll be right back.”
Gabe returned to find Zoe had obeyed his instruction, which surprised him. He had fully expected her to argue or defy him. Putting the kit on the counter, he opened it. After a quick search he found a bandage and removed the covering. “Let me have a look. I want to make sure you don’t have any glass in the wound.”
“I cleaned it well. There’s nothing there. Hand me the bandage and I’ll put it on.”
Gabe ignored her, seizing her hand and turning it palm up. The bleeding had stopped but there was a fine line of red across the pad, gaping slightly at the center. He looked closely for any slivers. “Does it hurt anywhere?”
“No.” Her breath brushed his bare shoulder, setting his pulse humming.
They were so close. Her sweet scent filled his head. He reached for the bandage and applied one end of it. “Hold this end.”
She placed her finger where he indicated, and he pulled off the paper cover of the other adhesive strip, smoothing the bandage into place. Her hand felt so fragile, soft. He ran his fingertip along the line in the center of her palm. Zoe shivered.
Her gaze met his. Time hung suspended. Their faces were so close. His attention fell on her full lips. He’d wanted to taste them earlier but had stopped himself. Here was his chance again. All he had to do was lean forward the least bit to experience them. Did he dare? Would she let him?
Want like a live sizzling wire buzzed through him. His gaze met Zoe’s again. She was watching him, eyes wide with questions. Did she need his kisses as much as he wanted to give them? His mouth moved toward hers as if it had a mind of its own.
The tip of Zoe’s tongue darted out to dampen her bottom lip before her eyes fluttered closed. His blood heated and his body jerked to attention. Her actions were the confirmation he’d been waiting for. There was no stopping him now. A second later his mouth found hers.
The touch of Zoe’s lips was all he remembered and more. So much more. Her mouth, plump and inviting, pulled him in. This wasn’t the flurry and fiery urgency of that one torrid night. Instead it was slow, easy, experimental, answering questions and creating so many more.
Zoe sighed softly and leaned into him, her hands running up his chest. His
arms circled her waist, bringing her against him. Gabe deepened the kiss. Zoe opened for him, eagerly greeted him. Her fingers played with the hair at the nape of his neck as his hands roamed her back, before pulling her tighter. She tasted so good.
The doorbell rang.
Zoe jerked away. Her eyes were wild like a startled animal looking to escape. “We shouldn’t have done that.”
Gabe leaned to kiss her again. He hadn’t had enough. “We’ve done far more.”
Her hands fanned across his chest, pushing, stopping him. “Gabe, we don’t want the same things. You don’t want a spouse or the full-time responsibility of a family. I do. We aren’t living together. I’m your roommate. I only moved in here because I couldn’t think of what else to do. If you cannot respect my boundaries, I’ll have to find another place to go.”
Anger flared in him. It was obvious she felt the attraction he did. The spontaneous spark of their kiss was undeniable proof. Yet she was steeling herself, refusing to act on it. His eyes met Zoe’s, held. “Don’t go. I’ll keep my hands to myself. I’ll stay in my half of the house.”
The bell rang again.
“I’d better get that before the delivery guy leaves.” At the door he stopped and turned back to her. “Just know this. You’ll have to do the asking next time.”
* * *
Zoe stood in the bathroom, shaking. Her heated blood zipped through her trembling body. She looked into the mirror. A woman who had been thoroughly kissed stared back at her. Bright eyes, rose-tinted cheeks and swollen lips all told the story. Zoe ran her fingers over her still tingling mouth.
Every fiber of her body wanted to rush to Gabe and tell him she wanted him to touch her again. Kiss her. Love her. Yet her coldly rational mind said no. There would be nothing but pain if she once more allowed her body to overrule her heart. She couldn’t let her desire for him control what she really wanted.
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