Baby, Our Baby!

by Patricia Thayer

  Jake felt as if he’d been hit in the gut. “You’re kidding. I don’t know anything about supervising an assembly crew.”

  Dave shrugged. “You were a captain in the army. You had men under your command, and you had to give orders.” He stood and went behind his desk. “Jake, we can train you in what you need to know about the circuitry. In fact, we’ll all be going through training. What we need is your leadership capabilities and your electronics expertise.” Dave quoted a salary for the position.

  Jake had trouble holding his temper. The money was more than generous. Obviously his father was trying to buy him. He reached for his cane, then politely said, “I’ll think about it.” Jake wanted to go up and tell his dad exactly what he could do with his job offer.

  Dave stopped him. “Look, Jake. I can see you’re angry, but don’t blame your father.”

  “Don’t try and tell me he didn’t instruct you to get me to take this particular job.”

  The supervisor shook his head. “Cliff suggested you for the position, but it was my decision to approach you. It wasn’t until I went through your application that I decided you’d be right for the job.

  “Just think about it, Jake,” Dave went on. “There isn’t much opportunity out there in this area. If you’re going to stay in Webster and build a new career for yourself, don’t let your problems with your father make you turn down a great offer.”

  Jake tensed. It wasn’t a secret that he and his father hadn’t gotten along. There had been several fights over the years, but for the most part, they’d tried to keep their business private.

  Apparently they hadn’t been too successful.

  Suddenly the walls seemed to be closing in on him. He had to get out of there. “I’ll think about it, and let you know.”

  Jake walked out the door. He stared down at the assembly line below, thinking about the position he’d just been offered. All his life, he’d tried to avoid this place. Now he was supposed to walk in and be a supervisor at his father’s plant? He had no doubts he could do the job Dave offered him, but could he work for his dad? He’d hoped he could get a position in which he wouldn’t come in contact with Cliff, but that wasn’t what was being offered. Still, it was the only game in town, and although he’d saved diligently over the years he’d spent in the army, he needed the money he’d put aside for a home for Ali and Joanie. And though he hated to admit it, he was intrigued about the new electronics division. Who knew if this job could lead to something more?

  Something made him look up to the windowed office across from him. Cliff Hawkins stood at the glass panel, overlooking the machine floor. Jake’s chest tightened and his hands gripped the railing.

  His father waved, but Jake ignored him. All he could think about was that night all those years ago, and an eight-year-old kid who’d started hating his father.

  The following week, Jake talked Ali into going Christmas shopping at the mall in St. Cloud. June offered to baby-sit Joanie, and since Ali had the next day off from work to recover, she agreed.

  They’d already made headway with their shopping list when they stopped to have dinner at a quiet restaurant at the mall.

  “You should have warned me how exhausting shopping is,” Jake said.

  Ali glanced down at the many bags on the floor beside him. “If you had left something in the toy stores, you wouldn’t be lugging around so many packages.”

  “This is our daughter’s first Christmas. I want it to be special,” he admitted.

  Ali smiled at the excitement on Jake’s face. A face she had come to love more each day. Was she headed for heartache, knowing he could never return her love? “Why do I have a feeling I’m going to hear this every year? Jake, Joanie isn’t going to remember all these toys. One gift would have been plenty.”

  He frowned. “But most of them are educational. Joanie is so advanced for her age, she’ll get bored playing with just one.”

  Ali shook her head. She knew Jake had been reading books on child care, but she never dreamed he’d become an expert. “Between you and your father, that child gets a present every week. She’s going to start expecting it. I don’t want her spoiled.” Ali took a sip of coffee. “We can put some of the toys away and bring them out later, maybe at her birthday.”

  “Good idea,” Jake agreed, and glanced at his watch. “Now come on. We’ve got some more shopping to do.” He gathered up his packages and grabbed his cane.

  “Jake, you already bought tons of stuff. What more could you need?”

  “There’s your gift. I haven’t bought you anything yet.”

  “I don’t need a gift, Jake.” Just your love, she cried silently.

  “But I want to get you one.” He walked briskly, even with a cane, and Ali had trouble keeping up. Finally Jake stopped at a jewelry-store window.

  Ali came up beside him. “Oh, look, Jake. Those cuff links would be a perfect gift for your dad.” She pointed at the gold links in the window.

  When Jake didn’t answer, she looked over to discover his attention was on something totally different. Diamond engagement rings.

  Ali’s heart was drumming like crazy.

  Jake grabbed her hand and pulled her inside the store. Immediately a sales clerk came to welcome them. “May I help you?”

  Ali jumped in nervously and said, “Yes, we’d like to see the gold cuff links—”

  “No,” Jake interrupted. “I’d like to look at the diamond ring that’s in the window,” he said, and pointed to the display.

  The clerk smiled and showed them to a seat, then went to the window and removed the display. “This is one of my own designs. It’s a two-carat diamond in a Tiffany setting.” The man removed the ring from the black velvet holder and handed it to Jake.

  Jake examined it closely, then showed it to Ali.

  “What do you think?”

  The large sparkling stone took her breath away. “It’s beautiful, Jake. But I don’t think…”

  “Is it too big to be practical?”

  Ali met his dark-eyed gaze, and searched for something that told her he loved her. That Jake wasn’t only wanting to marry her because of Joanie. She didn’t see it.

  “Would you rather just get matching bands?”

  Ali’s attention darted to the salesman, then back to Jake. “It’s a perfect ring, Jake.” It just wouldn’t mean what it’s supposed to, she almost cried. “The problem is, it’s too soon,” she whispered, then got up and walked outside, fighting the urge to run.

  When she was clear of the store, she leaned against the wall and closed her eyes. How could Jake do that to her? How could he force her into a corner and embarrass her?

  “Ali?”

  She opened her eyes to discover Jake’s concerned look. It was a little late for that.

  “I want to go home,” she said.

  He nodded and they headed for the parking lot. Once there he placed all their packages in the back of the car, then walked Ali around to her side.

  Instead of opening Ali’s door, Jake turned her around to face him. Before she could protest, he raised his hands to her hair and cupped her head, tilting her face toward him. Then he lowered his mouth until he was almost touching her. Their breaths mingled. “I guess I need to convince you that we need to be together—that we were meant to be together. I want to marry you, Ali.”

  The second his lips touched hers, skyrockets went off in Ali’s head. She wanted desperately to believe she belonged to this man. For so many years, she had loved Jake Hawkins. He was buried deep in her heart.

  In the darkness of the parking lot, Jake tasted and nibbled at her lips until she moaned, then begged him for more. Ali’s grip tightened, wanting his body against her, wanting him to stop the endless ache inside her.

  Jake pushed her backward, pressing her against the car as his mouth moved to her neck, creating unbelievable sensations in her.

  “Jake…” Ali gasped as he reached the sensitive spot just below her ear.

  He clutched he
r hips and moved her against him, unable to hide his desire.

  “I want you, Ali. Not just for one night. I want you forever,” he breathed, then his mouth closed over hers once again. Sparks shot off as he thrust his tongue into her mouth, imitating what he wanted to do to her.

  Ali’s hands wrapped around his neck, pulling him closer against her to deepen the kiss. Then the sound of voices caused them to break apart. Jake held a trembling Ali until the group of shoppers passed by.

  “Let’s get out of here.” Jake opened the car door and helped her inside. He went around to the other side and climbed in. Before he started the car, he reached over and gave her a long hard kiss.

  “We’re not finished with this, Ali,” he warned, then he turned the key and started out of the lot.

  It was about ten o’clock when Jake pulled into the driveway of the Pierce house. He knew for a fact that Joanie was already in bed, as was Gran June. There wouldn’t be anyone to interrupt them. He got out of the car, then limped around to the other side and opened Ali’s door.

  When she climbed out, he immediately drew her against him, and together they walked to the house. He only released her when he unlocked the door. He pushed open the weathered oak door, allowing Ali to step across the threshold ahead of him. Once they were inside the warm house, Jake reached for her and pulled her against him again.

  There was nothing gentle as his mouth took hers in a searing kiss. A kiss, he prayed, that would affect her the same way it affected him. His tongue swept into her mouth, hungry for a taste of her sweetness. His hands moved over her body, reveling in her softness, at every luscious curve.

  He broke off the kiss. “Ali, I want you.”

  “Oh, Jake,” she whispered. “I want—”

  Jake’s mouth covered hers again. His body grew hotter and harder as his tongue dueled with hers. He stripped off her coat, letting it drop to the floor. He held her captive with a kiss as his hands roamed under her sweater. Finding her bra, he quickly released the front clasp, and her breasts sprang free into his palms.

  Ali’s hands gripped his shoulder.

  Jake released her. Their eyes met in the soft light. He searched her face. “I want to make love to you. Now. Tell me you want the same.”

  He saw only passion in Ali’s eyes. “Oh, Jake. Yes. I want you, too.”

  His cane forgotten, Jake reached for her hand and they walked down the hall. The bedroom was shadowed by the moonlight coming through the window. Jake stood Ali next to the bed, keeping her close, then he covered her mouth in another kiss.

  When he drew back, he removed her sweater, then her bra. “You’re so beautiful,” he breathed.

  “Thank you. I’ve added a little…weight since Joanie was born.”

  His gaze raised to meet hers. “You were perfect before.”

  “I was flat-chested,” she said, and laughed nervously.

  His fingers reached out and toyed with her nipples. Immediately they hardened into tight buds. “You may have been small, but you were so responsive.” He bent his head and took her into his mouth.

  “Oh, Jake,” she cried out, and her knees gave way.

  He gripped her tighter, and eased her down on the bed. He stood back and stripped off his jacket and shirt, all the time watching the way Ali’s auburn hair spread across the pillow.

  He joined her. “Ali, I haven’t been able to stop thinking about you since the last time we made love. I should have called you. I wanted to, but I thought you hated me.” He couldn’t resist her mouth and kissed her.

  “I couldn’t hate you, Jake.” Tears formed in her eyes. “I couldn’t even stop thinking about you…our night together. Every time I looked at Joanie…”

  “Shh. I’m not going to leave, Ali. Not ever. I want to marry you so we can be a family.”

  “Oh, Jake.”

  The rest of their clothes were soon discarded, and Jake proceeded to caress every part of Ali’s body until she was whimpering with need. Jake reached into the bedside drawer and pulled out a foil packet. He turned on the small dim light, quickly rolled on the condom, then turned back to her.

  He placed openmouthed kisses on her sensitized skin, adoring her until she was begging him to make love to her. Her hips rose and rubbed rhythmically against him. His name was a whisper on her lips, and he felt her shiver when his hand moved between her legs.

  “Please, Jake. Make love to me.”

  He wanted this night for Ali—wanted to be totally selfless, concentrating only on her needs. His finger slipped inside to discover her wetness. Then he found her sensitive spot and used his thumb to circle around it, urging her toward the edge. He kept telling himself to hold back, to let Ali find completion first. It was enough to watch her beautiful face, to see her arch her head back, receiving the pleasure he was giving her. Suddenly she exploded in his arms, trembling and crying out his name.

  Unable to wait any longer, Jake moved over her. He spread her legs and entered her swiftly. The invasion caused her to spasm once again. He tried to keep himself in check, his muscles fighting from the strain as he began to move inside her. He closed his eyes. Heaven. Pure heaven.

  Jake couldn’t hold back, nor would Ali let him as she wrapped her legs around him. He began to plunge in deeper…deeper with each of her encouraging whispers. Then all too quickly the tremor began, and he became helpless as he began to fall into the oblivion of pleasure. Groaning her name, he collapsed on her.

  Later he moved off her and pulled Ali against him. He couldn’t speak. The emotions he was feeling were overwhelming. Ali had stirred something inside him. She had touched a place that he’d never let anyone get to before. He had no protection from this woman who had found a way into his heart.

  Ali curled up next to Jake and smiled as she savored the effects of their lovemaking. Now she understood what afterglow meant. She moved her hand over Jake’s chest.

  “That was incredible,” she breathed. “Even wounded.” She realized his cast hadn’t hindered him at all.

  He laced his fingers through hers. “You were pretty fantastic yourself,” he said as he turned toward her and placed a sweet kiss on her lips. “I wanted this time to be good for you.”

  Holding her emotions in check, Ali raised her head and met his dark-eyed gaze. “You were wonderful. Just as wonderful as it was the first time.”

  Jake’s fingers brushed her hair away from her face. “I was selfish that night. All I worried about were my needs. God, Ali, I didn’t even take care that you were a virgin. I didn’t care about anything.”

  Ali also remembered some things about that night, too. Like the fact that she had been the one who’d gone after Jake, and when she found him, she’d been the one who’d done the seducing. After all the years Ali had longed for Jake. That night at the cottage, she took what didn’t belong to her. What might never belong to her.

  She should have waited until he saw Darcie again, waited to see if Jake was truly over her. Ali swallowed back the pain that lodged in her chest, knowing she’d just made her second mistake. “Jake, you were wonderful to me that night as you were tonight,” she said, starting to panic. God, she had to get out of here. “I’ve got to go.”

  “Not yet.” Jake pulled her against him, tempting her with his body.

  “I have to.” She fought back the tears.

  Reluctantly Jake released her. “I guess I don’t need Gran June throwing me out of the house,” he teased.

  As modestly as possible, Ali gathered her clothes and hurried into the bathroom. Don’t cry, she told herself as she jerked on each piece of her clothing.

  When she returned, she found Jake asleep. Relieved not to have to face him again tonight, Ali picked up her shoes, then went upstairs. Stopping to check on Joanie, Ali found her daughter curled up and sound asleep. Ali pulled the blanket up around her precious daughter.

  “Oh, Joanie, what am I going to do?”

  Ali loved Jake. That was fact. But how could she let him break down the barriers, and g
et into her heart again? She knew she was leaving herself open to hurt again, for the day when Darcie returned and demanded Jake back.

  Chapter Ten

  Two days later, Jake took a flight to North Carolina, rented a car and drove to the army base. At the hospital, he was put through numerous tests and examined to see if he was fit for military service. He was classified borderline. With less than a month left on his enlistment, it didn’t matter. Jake was getting out.

  After a lengthy visit with his commanding officer, Jake went to his small apartment off base and cleaned out his personal belongings. He hadn’t accumulated much over the past couple of years. The three rented rooms had never felt like home, just a place to visit between assignments.

  He made arrangements with a moving company to pack up and ship everything home, then he said his goodbyes to the friends from the base. He would miss the military, but everything he wanted was back in Webster, and hopefully waiting for him.

  His thoughts turned to Ali. He’d been so used to seeing her every day that just forty-eight hours apart felt like an eternity. He ached to hold her, kiss her…make love to her. His blood stirred as the memory of her gasps of delight and passionate cries echoed through his head. In his thoughts, she begged him for release—begged him to take her over the edge.

  The commuter plane touched down at the St. Cloud airport runway, jerking Jake back to the present. He glanced out the window as the plane taxied to the terminal. The sky was clear and blue, the open fields covered in snow.

  When the plane stopped, Jake retrieved his carry-on bag and headed off. He hoped that Ali would meet him. But the chances were slim. He had thought that making love would bring them closer; instead, it had created a distance again. The morning after, Ali had seemed to regret their lovemaking.

  After two days and nights away to think, Jake realized he’d bulldozed his way into Ali’s and Joanie’s lives. Maybe it was time to let Ali have some space to think about their future together. Call it male pride, but he wanted Ali to come to him.

  Using his cane, Jake made his way into the terminal, and looked around at the people milling about, waiting to board. Kids were glued to the windows, watching in awe at the planes taking off and landing.