by Roni Adams
“Yes, honey. I promise I will do what he says, but the couch is the same as a bed.”
“If you’re on the couch, you’ll be tempted to get up, just for this thing or that.”
His mother reached out her hand and his father took it. “Do you really think I’m going to take a chance at anything going wrong?” Her voice cracked even as she smiled.
Shane’s mouth went dry, and he felt as if someone had punched him in the gut as reality hit home. His mother was seriously ill. He tried hard to think positive; cancer wasn’t always a death sentence. It could be treated. That was, if it was cancer. Whatever it was, she would be fine. She had to be.
His mother looked over at him, and then her gaze slid to Krista. “Aren’t you two going to even ask what the doctor said?”
Chapter Nine
Shane couldn’t speak. His mouth was numb, and somehow he thought if she didn’t say the word, he wouldn’t have to deal with it.
When he didn’t say anything, Krista set her tea down and moved forward on the couch. “What did the doctor say, Mary?” Her voice was calm and soft as if she’d done her best to keep it even.
His mother’s eyes filled with tears, and she glanced to her husband. Shane almost lost it when he saw the tears well in his father’s eyes.
When she looked back at both of them, a glowing smile graced his mother’s pale face. “I’m pregnant.”
For a long second, it didn’t register what she’d really said. Then Shane jerked his head back and frowned. “What?”
Beside him, he heard Krista’s shocked intake of breath.
His mother laughed. “Isn’t it the damnedest thing, honey? All these years, nothing, and now in my forties—wham.”
He looked at his father who grinned from ear to ear before focusing on his mother again. “A baby? You’re pregnant?”
His mother’s eyes welled with tears. “Trust me, we are as shocked as the two of you.”
“I doubt that’s possible.” Shane didn’t like to think of his parents doing...that. “But how? I mean, Mom, you’re forty-five years old!”
“I haven’t gone through menopause yet. The doctor said a lot of unplanned pregnancies happen to women in their forties. But there’s a lot of risk involved; there will be tests to make sure the baby is fine, and unfortunately, strict bed rest due to health concerns.”
“I, uh, didn’t think you could get pregnant?” Krista commented.
“Neither did we.” She smiled fondly at her husband. “We tried and tried after Shane, and it never happened. Now, for whatever reason, out of the blue, I’m pregnant. I thought I’d be looking at grandchildren soon; instead, I’m going to be raising another child.”
“That’s why everything needs to be so careful,” his father said. “We need your help. Your mother has got to stay in bed. This is a risky pregnancy to the baby...and to her.”
“That’s what I was going to ask next. Is this safe for you? At your age, to carry a baby and give birth?” Krista asked.
“I’m healthy and in good shape. The doctor sees no reason this can’t be a full-term pregnancy if I follow his orders.” She laid her hand over her stomach. “I’m still in shock, amazed that this has happened.”
Shane didn’t know what to say. He was going to have a baby brother or sister? One that was twenty-five years younger than him? Too weird. This was all too weird.
Unable to sit any longer, he stood.
“Shane?” his mother called to him as he started to leave the room.
He stopped, then turned. Relieved as he was she wasn’t dying, his mother, who he considered middle aged, was pregnant. This was too much to process. “I just need some air.”
He walked from the room and out onto the front porch, breathing in large gasps of cold air. His parents had always wanted more kids, but never in a million years did he think they still could.
The door opened, and he turned, expecting Krista, but it was his father.
Shane shoved his hands in pockets and stared out over the front yard. “I can’t believe this.”
His father stepped to the porch railing and turned to face him. “When Dr. Sullivan called us this morning, I thought the worst. When he started laughing and told us that we were expecting...well, for a minute, I thought he was playing a joke. I wanted to punch him.”
“Do you really want to raise a baby now when you should be thinking about what you’re going to do in retirement?” Shane blurted.
His father’s hand landed on his shoulder. “It’s a lot for all of us to take in, but don’t lose sight of the joy in all this. For whatever reason, a new baby is coming into this family, and I have to believe he or she will be a blessing, just like you were.”
“I guess.” Shane still couldn’t bring himself to say he was happy about the whole idea.
“So, now that we have that squared away, how about you tell me why Krista is still wearing the Thanksgiving sweater she wore all day yesterday?”
Shane couldn’t look at his father and ducked his head to hide his smirk. “Guess she must really like that sweater to wear it two days in a row.”
His father snorted. “I’m in too good a mood this morning to lecture you, but just remember, that girl in there is damn special to your mother and me. If something happens to her because of you, there will be hell to pay.”
“Yes, sir.” He had no clue where he and Krista were going.
“Let’s get back inside. Your mother is worried that you’re mad at her.”
Shane twisted his mouth. “I’m just mad there’s no coffee.”
His father laughed. “I’ll go down and get us some from the gas station.”
While the guys were out on the porch, Krista fought her shocked haze about the announcement. “We thought you were going to tell us something entirely different when we got here.”
Mary nodded. “I’m sure you were, but you can understand, this wasn’t news you share on the phone.”
“I still can’t believe it. A baby. How wild is that?”
“Pretty wild. All those years of trying everything with nothing happening, and now, poof, out of the blue, I’m pregnant.”
“I know you’ve been tired and dizzy, but other than that, do you feel okay?”
Mary picked up the glass of ginger ale and took a long sip. “Exhausted. Like I couldn’t lift a feather. I can’t believe how tired I am. This morning, the smell of coffee had me heaving, which I thought was curious until—” She gave a small chuckle. “—the doctor gave me the news.”
Krista watched her friend’s face, loving how excited she was. For many women, a baby at this stage might be a disaster, but Mary glowed.
“I’m so happy for you.”
“For all of us. This isn’t just Gary’s and my baby, you know, this is a new family member for all of us. I know Shane isn’t too happy about it right now, but I’m so proud at the role model he will be for a new brother or sister.”
“Are you worried? I mean, about being older parents?”
Mary shrugged. “I haven’t had time to think about it. I suppose it will be different. We were so young with Shane. Barely twenty, and now we’re in our forties. It’s obviously going to be different, but hopefully in good ways. Plus, if Shane were to have any kids, say in the next five years, they could grow up together.”
Her friend narrowed her eyes, and Krista felt her face flush. She finished her tea and set the cup down again. “Don’t read too much into anything.”
“Like the sweater you’re still wearing from yesterday?”
“This isn’t what it seems.”
“It seems to me that you and Shane are sleeping together on a regular basis. Are you really sure about this? You know what it would mean if the two of you end badly.”
Krista lifted her chin and tried not to feel embarrassed. Mary was her friend, but she was also Shane’s mother. “We aren’t going into this thinking it’s a forever thing. Nowadays people sleep together without being together.”
“I’m not that out of touch. I’m aware that folks just hook up, but you and Shane aren’t just some random people, and one of you is going to get hurt. My problem is figuring out which one of you to worry about first.”
“Right now, you need to worry about that baby and yourself. Let Shane and I sort this out on our own.” Krista stood up and picked up the empty tea cups. “Are you hungry? Can I cook you some breakfast or something?”
“Maybe just some toast and peanut butter. Do you mind?”
“Nope. I’d be more than happy to get you whatever you need, as long as you stop interrogating me.” She smiled down as she walked past.
In the kitchen, she set the cups in the sink, added a couple slices of toast to the toaster and looked longingly at the coffee maker.
“Dad’s gone to the gas station to get us each a cup, but we have to drink it outside so Mom can’t smell it.” Shane walked into the kitchen, moved to her side and pulled her into his arms. “How crazy is this?” he whispered.
She knew he wasn’t talking about them this time. “I’m still stunned. But so relieved.” Snuggled into his chest, she closed her eyes, so grateful they weren’t discussing treatments and hospitals. Instead, they were going to be picking out baby names and nursery colors.
Lifting her head, she studied him. “Are you okay with this? Not that it matters, but you seem a bit stunned.”
Shane glanced toward the doorway. “It’s kind of embarrassing, don’t you think?” he whispered.
She smirked. “I actually think it’s really, really sweet. What a great gift for them after all this time. Your mom hated the empty nest, you know that.”
“Yeah well, a new puppy would have cured that.”
Krista reached up on tiptoe and kissed his mouth. “Be happy for them, Shane. Think of them as a couple instead of your parents. They’re on cloud nine right now.”
He pressed his mouth to hers, and when she would have pulled back, he slipped his tongue between her lips and kissed her passionately. Shivers of desire, stronger than she’d ever experienced with anyone else, tore through her. She’d only read about wanting another person this much, had never known it truly existed, but all thoughts of reason went out of her head when Shane took her in his arms.
Nuzzling her neck, he kissed a trail of heat down to her collarbone. “Dad asked me why you seem to like this sweater enough to wear it two days in a row.”
She giggled. “Your mother commented as well. Guess we didn’t think that through, did we?”
He lifted his head. “I wasn’t thinking at all, except to get here and get it over with.” His hand crept to her breast. “Now I’m thinking completely different.”
“Stop that.” She pushed at him as the toast popped in the toaster. “Your father is bringing us coffee, and I’m supposed to be making your mother some breakfast.”
Shane held her tight. “But I got cheated again out of waking you up properly.”
Her heart flip-flopped at the hot desire in his eyes. “Your mother needs her rest, so after we have our coffee with your dad and get her settled, we could head to my place for a shower and a nap. How’s that sound?”
“You don’t have to ask me twice.”
An hour later, the short drive to her house seemed to take forever. Ever since the brief kiss in the kitchen, all she could think about was making love with Shane. Desire rolled around and around in her belly until she thought she’d lose her mind before they got inside.
All thoughts of being cool and collected and taking a hot shower first went out the window as she pushed open the front door and stepped inside. The naked lust in Shane’s eyes made her knees weak.
He pressed her against her front door and kissed her hard. Just like last night, the physical attraction between them was too much to put off, and she moaned at the unleashed passion in his kiss. His hurried hands skimmed her body, touching everywhere, but not lingering. He jerked her sweater up, and she helped him get it over her head. Her bra was only a quick twist of a clasp away and soon joined the sweater on the floor.
Shane shed his jeans while Krista dragged his long-sleeve shirt from his body. He scooped her up into his arms and tumbled into the oversized chair in her small living room. Krista straddled his lap as greedy fingers moved across her nipples, escalating her need for him.
She leaned forward and kissed him. “I thought we were going to take a shower and then a nap.”
“We can, after.”
He grabbed her face in both hands. His tongue tangled with hers, teasing her to dance with him. Thrilled with the hard, naked muscles under her fingertips, she stroked his hardened nipples. She slid her palms along his shoulders and wiggled her hips, rubbing herself against his already hard erection. Shane bucked up under her. A sound, much like a laugh and a moan, escaped her as she trembled.
“Let’s go to my room,” she whispered against his mouth. Her body ached to have him inside her. Another few minutes of him stroking her skin and she was going to drop to the carpet and beg him to jump on her.
He laughed. “Don’t want to do it in a chair?”
“I don’t care where I do it, as long as it’s with you.” Wow. Where did that come from? She lifted her gaze to find the shock echoed in his expression.
“You mean that?”
She swallowed hard, trying to make her voice sound nonchalant. “Sure. You’ve got some pretty addicting stuff, Donovan. I’m done resisting. We can do it in the chair...on the floor...in your truck...”
“Hmm, pretty enticing.” His hand lifted one breast, and he stared down as he rubbed his thumb across her nipple. “How about outside?”
She frowned and wet her lips, trying not to lose control as his fingers drove her crazy. “In the winter?”
He wiggled his eyebrows “No, next summer. On my deck. I’ve always wanted to do it on that chaise lounge on my deck.”
“That would be weird; Dave’s too close. He’d watch. We’d have to do it in my backyard—more secluded.”
He nodded. “True. Okay, it’s a deal. Your backyard, next July, and I’ll bring my chaise lounge over.”
Her stomach clenched, and her heart squeezed. For a flash, she could easily see them doing exactly as he described, but then reality hit her full force. There was no way they’d still be together in six months. She flipped her hair, hoping once more to sound casual about it all. “That’s a long time away. Are you sure you won’t be tired of doing this with me by then?”
“Not if I have a promise that we’ll do it outside.” He squeezed her buttocks and ground his hips into hers once again.
Her hands trailed down his belly. “I’ll have to make sure to keep you interested then.”
His erection tented his boxers, and she slipped her hand into the front slit to touch him.
Shane’s palms framed her face and pulled her in for a slow, sinful kiss. Krista molded him in her palm, and he groaned deep in his throat when she began to pump up and down. “Climb on me,” he whispered against her lips.
“I have another idea.” She pulled his boxers down, and he lifted his hips as she tugged them off.
Spreading his legs, she slid to her knees in front of the chair. She wrapped her hand around his swollen erection and lowered her head to taste him.
Shane’s fingers threaded through her hair. “I should complain and tell you not to, but I don’t have that kind of willpower.”
He moaned as Krista rolled her tongue underneath his velvet hardness. She slid her gaze to his, loving how she could make him lose his mind with a few strategically placed kisses.
Who would have ever guessed this would happen between them? That she’d be on her knees doing what she was doing to Shane Donovan, and he’d be loving every second of it.
Damn, this is a weird Fall.
Krista closed her eyes and focused on her task at hand, drawing him into her mouth and sucking as his fingers slid into her hair.
Shane grew agitated under her, bucking his hips upward. “Krista, I can’t ho
ld out, you better stop or I’m going to lose it,” he gasped.
Around him, she muttered, “Mmmm, I think that’s the whole idea behind this exercise.”
A few brisk pumps and Shane’s harsh, guttural cries satisfied some strange feminine need inside her. She’d completely driven him out of his mind and taken control of his pleasure. All the other times when they’d had sex, he’d been in control and leading the way. This time, it was all her, and she liked that he’d been unable to stop himself from letting go.
A few moments later, she set back on her haunches and gazed at him as he reached on the table for a tissue.
“Now you’re in real trouble,” he muttered.
“You think that scares me?”
“As soon as my legs don’t feel like rubber, I’m going to carry you into the shower, and drive you crazy.”
“Is that a threat...or a promise?” She pushed to her feet and headed down the hall.
Several hours later, Krista drained the spaghetti as Shane dished up the sauce off the stove. Scooping some on each plate, she was again struck by how weird it was to be here with Shane Donovan, not only making love, but now having a cordial dinner together in her kitchen.
It was scary; this turn of events. She loved every second of them, but she was extremely aware of the thin ice they were maneuvering upon. One false move, and without any doubt, it would crack and break, and she’d get hurt.
Seated across from him at the kitchen table, she watched him cover his plate with grated cheese. “So, I didn’t ask you earlier, which do you want? A baby brother or a sister?”
“Thanks, for a few minutes there I’d forgotten all about the pregnancy.” Shane glanced at her. “What difference does it make?”
She tipped her head, looking off to a spot beyond him. “I can easily picture you with a baby brother. You could relate more to a boy, I think, no matter what age.”
Shane tucked into his dinner. “Again, other than making sure my mother gets through this ordeal safe, the rest has nothing to do with me.”