“Don’t worry about it. Strange Bedfellows is doing great. We can afford it. Now we have them, and life is good.”
“Still. How much?”
“I’m not going to tell you. You’re pregnant, and I don’t want you to be upset by anything. Okay? That’s my kid cooking in there.”
“You’re right. I need to forget it.”
“That’s right. That was the past.”
“Somehow, I don’t imagine we’ve seen the last of my dad.”
“Probably not. But we’ll deal with that problem if it happens. Remember, I’m great at solving problems. It’s what I do.”
“That and finding great scripts.”
“And great talent.”
Erica settled back in her seat and watched the scenery. She tried to shake off a vague uneasiness about her father. He might return, and he might not. Depends on how fast he goes through the money Gunther gave him. But I’m not alone. I don’t have to deal with him by myself. Gunther is here.
She closed her fingers around his upper arm and squeezed, shooting him a grin at the same time.
“What’s that for?”
“For being you. And for being mine.”
They arrived home and linked hands. Walking up to their magnificent, sprawling, Spanish-style house, Erica smiled, her mind and body at ease. She had the man she wanted. He’d protect her and the children. Their lives would never be dull. They climbed the steps together, returning to their topsy-turvy, bi-coastal life.
Pregnancy meant Erica hit the sack by nine every night. Gunther babied her, bringing her warm milk, rubbing her feet and ankles, and listening to her prattle on about baby names and natural childbirth. He even agreed to go to Lamaze classes, which surprised her.
Best of all was that he joined her on her early nights. She loved his retiring with her, as she hated being in bed alone. Often, he would sit up with a small light on, working in bed, while she slept next to him.
“I suppose it’s not fair you have all the discomfort of pregnancy, and I have the pleasure of not using condoms.”
“I love sex with no birth control,” she giggled. “And I’m hornier than ever.”
“I know,” he snickered. “Never would have expected that.”
“Speaking of horny,” she said, slipping her arms around his neck, sliding her naked body up against his. Gunther glided his hands down Erica’s bare skin as his mouth captured hers. The phone rang, interrupting their lovemaking.
“Who is it?” she asked, clearly annoyed.
“Dunno.” He picked up the receiver.
There was silence for a while.
“What? She did? Damn. I’m sorry, Stephanie. Yeah. I had no idea.”
Silence again.
“Right, right. No. I understand. I’ll be more careful next time.”
Erica sat up in bed. “What the hell was that about?”
“Shyla Hollings, Grant’s cousin.”
“The one who you got that job for?”
“Yeah. She’s a designer for that new TV show, Marriage Minded.”
“So? What happened?”
“They fired her.” Gunther shook his head.
“Fired her? I heard she was good. A top set designer.”
“Yeah. She was…is. You’ll never guess why.”
“Don’t keep me in suspense.”
*THE END*
About the Author
Jean Joachim, wife and mother of two sons, is owned by Homer, a rescued pug. She’d been writing non-fiction for what seemed like forever until she got up the nerve to try fiction. It was love. Now she spends her days in New York City in the company of her characters, with a cup of tea and a secret stash of black licorice.
Connect with Jean through email: sunnydaysbook@gmail, her blog: http://jeanjoachim.blogspot.com or her website: http://www.jeanjoachimbooks.com She’d love to hear from you.
OTHER SECRET CRAVINGS BOOKS BY JEAN JOACHIM
Hollywood Hearts Series
If I Loved You
Red Carpet Romance
Memories of Love
Movie Lovers
Love’s Last Chance
Now and Forever Series
Now and Forever, Callie’s Story (free)
Now and Forever 1, a Love Story
Now and Forever 2, the Book of Danny
Now and Forever 3, Blind Love
The Renovated Heart
Also:
Love Lost and Found
Under the Midnight Moon
Call of Duty (anthology)
Secret Cravings Publishing
www.secretcravingspublishing.com
Lovers & Liars Page 19