Baby Bombshell

by Lisa Ruff

  The sight of his chest distracted her from undressing. Reaching out, she slid her palms over the hair-roughened skin. He swallowed, Adam’s apple bobbing, as she stroked over the hard planes and downward. Anna kissed his throat, then nipped him gently. His scent filled her head, the citrus tang of pure Evan. Smiling in anticipation, she leaned back a little, finding her buttons again.

  Evan followed her forward, kissed her and pushed her fingers aside. “Let me.”

  First he bit her lower lip, before laving the spot with his tongue. Anna shivered when he nibbled at her earlobe. Next came a line of fire as his mouth worked its way down her throat. When he finally got to her blouse, it was slow work as he stopped to kiss her between each button. It was wonderful, but frustrating: she wanted his bare skin on hers even more now.

  “You’re taking too long,” she said with a breathy laugh.

  “It’s called anticipation.” His voice was low and rasping, shivering across her nerves like a caress.

  “What do you think I’ve been doing for thirteen years?”

  Evan threw back his head and laughed loudly. “You? What about me? You’ve been driving me crazy.”

  Anna slid her hands up Evan’s chest and around his neck. “Prove it,” she said with a teasing smile. “Show me how crazy.”

  Evan grinned, his eyes glittering with intent. Carefully, he took one side of her blouse in each hand and yanked. Buttons flew, one pinged on a lamp and landed on the end table, another ricocheted off a painting and fell to the floor. “How’s that?” he asked.

  “It’s a good start.”

  With a laugh, he scooped her closer and put his lips to hers once again. Moments later, her shirt slipped off her shoulders. He dealt with her bra just as quickly. Lying back, he drew her down on top of him again. Anna threaded her fingers into his hair, holding his mouth to hers as he worked her skirt down over her hips and off.

  Shifting to one side, Evan cupped one of her breasts, taking the nipple into his mouth. The sensuous slide of his tongue against skin made her writhe in need. He transferred his attention to her other breast, pushed her on her back again and glided a hand down over her belly, slowing and coming to a stop over the slight mound there. Anna held her breath, fearing his hesitation.

  “Can we do this?” he asked against her lips.

  “Oh, yes,” Anna said on a sigh. “Please.”

  Gently, he rubbed a circle over their child, acknowledging its presence. Then he continued downward to slip his fingers under her panties and touch her most intimate flesh. The tears that rose to Anna’s eyes were quickly burned away in the heat of her passion for this man. Her nails bit into his shoulders as he drew her underwear off, then stroked her to the brink of pleasure.

  Anna groaned when Evan took his hand away. Opening her eyes, she saw him wrenching open the buttons on his jeans and shoving them down and off his long legs. His erection sprang free and she couldn’t resist reaching down to touch him. Evan fell back with a gasp that quickly turned to a moan. His shoulders rose from the bed as the muscles across his stomach tensed.

  Running a hand over that hard, resilient surface, Anna traced a lingering trail from there down one thigh. Evan grabbed her wrists and pressed her back to the bed with a growl. His mouth came down on hers, hard and demanding. Anna joyously welcomed his naked desire. Rising above her, Evan fitted himself to the softness of her body and entered her with one urgent thrust.

  It was as magical as the first time, a complete melding of two bodies into one. His grip on her wrists loosened. Meshing his fingers with hers, he locked their hands together as he began to move against her. Building the pace slowly, he drove them both toward completion. She tilted her hips, drawing him deeper inside. He responded by increasing the tempo. Anna was lost; all she knew was Evan and the intense pleasure he made her feel.

  Opening her eyes, she gazed up into his face. The hot, hungry desire she saw there fed her own. Anna was spinning out of control. He brushed her lips with his just as she tipped over the edge into ecstasy so intense she thought her heart would burst. Arching her back, she strained against the bonds of their joined hands. A cry rose from her throat, joined by his hoarse shout.

  For a moment, Anna thought she would fly to pieces, but Evan’s grip held her firmly anchored to the bed. Safe forever. Unchecked by anger or ignominy, her heart flooded with love and whispered the words aloud into the silence between them. His fingers tightened on hers. A tear fell from her eye, but this time it was from happiness. She would never need anything more than this. Never.

  Chapter Thirteen

  A rain shower had passed through sometime after midnight, kicking the wind up. The moon, appearing from behind the clouds, washed light across the hardwood, just touching the end of the bed. Evan lay relaxed under the covers, watching the bright beam arc slowly across the room. As tired as he was, he should be asleep, but his mind would not settle. That was due to the woman lying next to him.

  With her back to him, Anna lay curled on her side, a warm weight against his hip. Her hair spilled in a shadowed cloud across the pillow. The curls tickled his cheek as he turned his head to look at her, their sweet floral scent filling his nostrils. The urge to roll over and fit himself to the curve of her body one more time was strong. He had satisfied that craving more than once, waking her with slow caresses that led to more. She had done the same, delighting him with her passion and open warmth.

  This time, Evan let her sleep. She needed rest and so did the baby. He remembered touching the evidence of the life they had created. Oddly, he had felt no panic, just awe and an incredible spike of hunger to be inside her again. Every time he made love to Anna Berzani he was amazed. And here he was, contemplating another go, despite his fatigue and a nagging recognition that he was getting in way too deep with this woman.

  I love you.

  Had she said that? Her voice had been a whisper of sound, barely heard over the pounding of his heart. He had listened intently, but she had not said any more, except for the moans and sighs of pleasure.

  Did he love her? He knew he liked having her around his house. She was easy to work and play with: funny, intelligent, undemanding, beautiful. They were incredible in bed together. He wanted her and she wanted him, that was clear.

  Was that love? And if it was, how long would it last?

  The questions roused him from bed. He grabbed his clothes from the floor, put them on and quietly left the bedroom. Downstairs, he opened the door to the deck and stepped outside. The night air was cold, but he hardly noticed as he leaned his elbows on the rail. The dark, calm water soothed him, but dawn would come soon. Evan doubted that anything would be clearer in the light of a new day.

  I love you.

  He clenched his fingers on the cold metal as her words flooded him again. Part of him wanted to believe that Anna had indeed said it. Another bigger, stronger part was already running away in panic. He didn’t love her. He couldn’t. He was incapable of loving anyone. He might feel something like love right now, but all too soon the restlessness would set in and he would crave freedom. When that happened, he would hurt Anna even more. Their child, too. He had paid the price for a father who could not be tied to a wife and child; he would not do that to his own.

  The sky had started to lighten in the east; birds were calling to one another. Evan rubbed his hands over his face, pressed his fingertips into his tired eyes and went back inside. In the kitchen, he looked up, as if he could see Anna through the floor between them. He couldn’t go back to bed and compound this mistake.

  Instead, he scooped up his keys from the counter where he had tossed them last night. At the door, he pulled tennis shoes out of the closet and shoved his bare feet into them. He would go to the club, change clothes there and go for a long run. The exercise would clear his head and maybe put an end to his selfish, hopeless desire. He wanted Anna Berzani, but there was no use kidding her or himself. It wasn’t going to last. Leopards never changed their spots. Why should Evan McKenzi
e think he could change his?

  THE PARTY WAS IN FULL SWING. About three-dozen people had come to wish Ian and Mimi bon voyage. Anna chatted and laughed with friends she knew and some strangers she didn’t. She played with Patrick’s daughter, Beth, for a while. She helped Elaine set out food and argued with Jeannie about how much balsamic vinegar to put into the dressing. She avoided her father, who earlier had asked when she had gotten home last night. She had led him to believe she had come in late, then gone out again early. He grumbled about the hours she was keeping. She wasn’t about to tell him she hadn’t come home at all.

  Luckily, she had slipped into the house undetected and changed out of the large T-shirt she had borrowed from Evan’s drawer. Her blouse was unwearable and more incriminating than the T-shirt. She had collected the scattered green buttons from Evan’s bedroom, but had no needle and thread to sew them back on with. In a fit of pique, she had left them on his nightstand as a reminder of their passion.

  Would he remember her otherwise?

  Evan had been gone when she awoke. Anna had dressed and worked on her computer for a while, trying to ignore the clock ticking off the minutes. Maybe he had gone to get coffee and bagels. Maybe something came up at the dealership and he would call her. Maybe he had abandoned her and was hiding until she packed up and got out of his house.

  She had promised not to hold him to anything. He wasn’t in love with her. He had told her time and again he wouldn’t marry her. She had promised herself she would simply accept his passion for as long as he was willing to give it. No one had deceived anyone. Still, Anna blinked back tears as she poured another glass of lemonade. It was hard work keeping anyone here from guessing how heartbroken she felt.

  Taking her glass to the living room, Anna sat on the sofa next to Mimi. Her friend greeted her with a smile.

  “I hear your dad’s got a big surprise for you.”

  Anna rolled her eyes. “I’m hoping it’s perishable.”

  “Well, if it’s not, how often do they visit?”

  “Often enough. And he keeps track of things like that. Did you see the olive press he gave Patrick and Kate for a wedding gift? Big, useless and they can’t get rid of it since it’s a family heirloom,” Anna said, ticking off points on her fingers.

  Mimi burst into laughter as Ian walked up. He sat on the other side of his wife, curving an arm around her. The affectionate gesture, one that spoke of love and trust, almost made Anna start to cry again. Ian’s brows lowered as he looked at her.

  “What’s wrong, sis?”

  “I’m going to miss you,” Anna said hastily.

  “You can come see us,” he said, his face clearing. “Anytime.”

  Patrick came over, carrying Beth. “Where’s McKenzie?”

  Anna tried to look nonchalant and shrugged. “How should I know?”

  “You’ve been working with him,” Ian said. “How’s that going? You need any help?”

  “What? Evan working?” Patrick asked with a chuckle. “I doubt that.”

  “He’s done most of it,” Anna said with a snap, glaring at Patrick. “I’m just assembling the pieces.”

  She bit her lip when both her brothers looked at her with raised eyebrows. A gleam in Ian’s eyes made Anna squirm. She shot a glance at Mimi who gave a slight shake of her head.

  The loud ringing of a ship’s bell spared Anna from saying any more. At the far end of the room, Antonio was gleefully tugging the rope on the clapper, interrupting all conversation. He had prepared a welcome speech for the party, a long-winded eulogy to his brave son, his stalwart daughter-in-law and her clever son who would soon be leaving for far-flung ports. Everyone clapped in the appropriate pauses and Antonio concluded with a toast in their honor.

  Just when everyone supposed he was finally finished, Antonio rang the bell again. “I have another announcement. Anna Maria, please come here.”

  Anna took a deep breath and squared her shoulders. Prepared for any embarrassment, she went to her father’s side.

  He put a hand on her shoulder and made her face the gathering. “I want you all to know, that my little girl, the gem of my heart, she is going to have a baby!”

  Most of the gathering knew this already, but they all raised their glasses or applauded.

  “She has made her mother and I so happy. To mark the occasion I have a special gift that I want to give.” Antonio disappeared into the kitchen for a moment and came out with what looked like a large wooden box.

  Anna couldn’t believe what she was seeing. With a hand that trembled, she reached out and touched the satiny surface. It was a cradle made of cherry. The headboard was carved in an intricate swirl of curlicues, with delicate flowers and leaves running along the top. The footboard had a matching design. Inside was a soft pad covered with dark blue velvet.

  Her gaze flew to her father’s and her voice came out as a squeak. “Oh, Pop!”

  “For my newest grandchild,” Antonio said, putting the cradle in her arms.

  Anna stroked the wood, fingering the beautiful carvings. Tears rose and ran unchecked down her cheeks. It was the loveliest thing she had ever seen. Antonio had handcrafted similar cradles for each of his grandchildren. She and her father had fought so much lately, it was a gift of the heart Anna had never expected to receive. Yet here it was, proof that, despite their differences, he really did love her. Awkwardly shifting the cradle to one arm, Anna put a hand over her face and sobbed.

  Ian came over and offered her a handkerchief. Mimi patted her on the shoulder. Anna wiped her face, but was unable to speak.

  “Why is she crying so?” Antonio asked Elaine, who had also come to Anna’s side.

  “Hush, dear. She just appreciates the gift.”

  Looking up at her father, Anna struggled to find the words to express her feelings.

  Antonio frowned, his arms crossed over his chest. “She is tired. Evan is making her work too hard.”

  Anna sucked in a breath to disagree just as Evan walked in the door.

  “Speak of the devil. Here he is,” Patrick said, punching him in the arm. “Where’ve you been, McKenzie?”

  “I…I had to stop at the dealership,” Evan said. He had frozen near the door, his eyes wide as he took in the tableau encircling Anna. “What’s wrong?” he asked.

  “This is your fault,” Antonio said, pointing a finger at him. “What do you have to say for yourself?”

  The room got quiet. Evan flinched as if all the eyes in the room were piercing him with darts. “I’m sorry, Pop. It was an accident. But I told Anna I’d support her and the baby. Any way I can.”

  Anna closed her eyes for a moment, then opened them and looked at Evan again.

  “Oops.” This came from Mimi, who clapped a hand over her mouth. She looked at Anna, horror mingled with amusement in her eyes.

  “What do you mean take care of the baby?” Antonio asked, his voice puzzled.

  “Oh, my goodness.” Elaine held a hand to her cheek. She had obviously put the pieces together. “What the hell are you talking about, McKenzie?” Patrick said with a frown, his voice rising. Beth started to cry when he shouted. Kate took their daughter from Patrick’s arms and bounced her, trying to calm her down. “You’ve got to be kidding,” Jeannie said as she sat with a plop on the nearest chair.

  A light had dawned in Evan’s eyes as he realized he might have confessed to his deed prematurely. There was nothing Anna could do. She wrapped her arms around the cradle and hung on to it.

  Antonio finally seemed to grasp the significance of Evan’s words. He turned on the younger man with a roar. “You are the father of Anna’s child?”

  Evan stood tall. He was white-faced, but not backing down. “Yes, sir. I am.”

  Anna shoved the cradle at Mimi and slipped past her father to stand in front of Evan. “Calm down, Pop.” Her order only produced a stream of Italian, harsh and furious. “I didn’t tell you, either, because—”

  “It was not for you alone, Anna Maria.” Antonio’
s voice was alarmingly quiet now. “Evan is a man. He must act like one.”

  “Pop, I love you. But this is between me and Evan.”

  “It is not!” Patrick’s face was livid. “This affects the whole family.”

  “Shut up, Patty,” Ian said. “It’s not your battle.”

  Antonio ignored them all and demanded of Evan, “Are you going to marry my daughter?”

  Evan stepped around Anna. “I don’t—”

  “Stop shouting, Tonio,” Elaine said as Beth’s cries rose once again. “You’re scaring your granddaughter.”

  “I will not have this!” Antonio shook a finger at his wife, then pointed it at Evan. “He must do the right thing.”

  “Pop, please,” Anna said, putting a hand to her head where a killer headache had blossomed. Turning to Evan, she said, “Let’s just adjourn to the kitchen, okay?”

  Anna took a few steps, then turned when she realized no one was following her. Her eyes widened when she saw Evan, one knee on the floor. As she stared, a trickle of sweat rolled down the side of his face. She frowned. “What’s wrong? Are you feeling faint?”

  He shook his head and wet his lips. “Anna Berzani?” he asked, slowly and clearly. “Will you marry me?”

  The words dropped like stones from his lips and rippled to the far corners of the living room. Her father let out a satisfied grunt while her mother gasped. Ian shook his head as Mimi rested her forehead against his shoulder. Kate took Patrick’s hand. Jeannie hugged herself and looked worried. Others in the room were likewise touched or discomfited by the request.

  Anna felt as if she had been hit with a sledgehammer. Her ears rang and her head spun. She stared at Evan for a moment longer. “Why? Because my father wants you to?”

  “No. Because you want it,” he said, looking at her with shaky, uncertain, lusterless eyes. The prospect of marriage had killed the spark that usually shone there.