“Well, when do you plan to tell him? You can’t keep something like this from him for too long Alex. He needs to know.”
“Ian I’m not up to discussing this with you right now please. I need to get some sleep.”
Ian smoothed the stray hairs back from her face and kissed her on the forehead. He felt even more protective of her now. He would care for her and help her through this difficult time. What would Peter say when he found out? He probably wouldn’t let Ian near her again. Ian could understand that.
“Okay baby. You get some sleep and I will too. I’ll be right here. We’ll talk about this some more when you’re rested.” Ian stripped down to his boxers again and crawled in next to her.
“Ian what the hell are you doing? I just told you I’m pregnant and you pat me on the head and crawl back in bed with me?”
“Alex. You’re still very sick, pregnant or not, so I’m not leaving you.” He lay on his side and couldn’t stop himself from laying his hand on her belly.
“So you’ve got a little Alex in there maybe? I bet she’ll be every bit as beautiful as her mother.”
It hurt. God how it hurt. Alex had been with someone else. He’d never wanted to believe she had ever made love to anyone else but they hadn’t been together now for at least four months. Four months...
“How far along are you Alex? When are you due?”
She knew the question was coming so she should have been prepared with an answer. She stumbled in her mind for what to say. He couldn’t know. Not yet, maybe not ever.
“I’m not sure. I just confirmed that I was pregnant with a blood test but I haven’t actually seen the doctor yet. I won’t see him for another month yet.”
“A month? That’s crazy Alex especially since you are so sick. Isn’t there something they can give you for the sickness?”
“If it doesn’t pass soon I’ll see about getting something to help but I can assure you it’s all quite normal and, keep your fingers crossed, it won’t last too much longer.”
“You’re far too sick to carry your usual work load Alex. You need to cut back. You need to tell Grainger...”
“Ian,” Alex interrupted. “Let’s not talk about this now. As I tried to tell you before none of this is any of your concern. It’s my pregnancy. Let me deal with it.”
Ian continued to rub her belly and wonder. Could it be his? No, she would tell him wouldn’t she? She said it was none of his business and it was her pregnancy. Wasn’t that telling him it wasn’t his? Should he just come out and ask her? Did he really want to know?
“Okay baby. Have it your way for now. Let’s get some sleep Mommy.”
He smiled and rolled away from her to get some sleep. He couldn’t touch her. He needed to think. Needed to think of what to do but first he needed some sleep.
Chapter 9
Alex was confused. She didn’t know what to think of this man. She told him she was pregnant, he thought it was someone else’s baby and yet here he lay sound asleep in her bed. Did he wonder at all if the baby might be his? He’d looked upset when she had blurted it out. She didn’t understand this man at all. Did he or didn’t he want her? Did he or didn’t he want this baby to be his? She absolutely could not read him. But she knew he’d held her hand all night long and hadn’t been scared away with her announcement. What was she going to do about this? Should she risk it all and tell him the truth? Should she tell him she loved him, wanted a life with only him and their children? Why not? What did she have to lose now? If he walked away, he walked away. Things would be no different than they were now. She would be a little embarrassed at first but she would get over the humiliation. She was gonna have to sleep on that.
Two hours later Ian awoke, showered, dressed and made a light lunch for Alex and himself. He heard the shower running now. Alex must be feeling better. He didn’t know what to say to her when she appeared. What should he say? He had to ask her if there was a chance he was the father. But was now the right time?
He looked up to find Alex standing in the doorway. She wore khaki capris and the tiniest, daintiest, pink tank top that ended just above her belly button. Her skin was bronze and smooth and he wanted to reach out and touch her belly again. He needed to know. Was he going to be a father? She must have blown her hair dry just a bit because her hair was just slightly damp from her shower and her blonde curls were out of control. He needed to touch her but was afraid. Afraid he couldn’t stop at just touching.
Ian was staring at her with his eyes half open. She could see the desire...the need in his eyes. What he did to her with just a look! Her nipples pebbled to rock hard. She should have thrown on a bra. She wanted to throw herself in his arms and forget everything except how she felt at that moment. She needed him. Needed to make love to him or she would die.
“You are so beautiful.” Ian had barely gotten the words out. His throat was dry and his desire had him tongue-tied. Did she know the affect she had on men? On him?
Alex chuckled and smiled. “We’ll see if you still think so in a few months when I blow up like a balloon.”
“You’ll be even more beautiful then.” Ian slowly walked towards her and she shivered. She knew what was about to happen and she didn’t want to fight it. She loved this man and was having his child. It may not be smart but it was the right thing for her. It was what she wanted; to hell with being smart.
Ian stopped abruptly and returned to grab a cup of coffee from the counter. He’d backed off from his intentions and she wasn’t sure why.
“Here. Have some coffee. I ran out and got some decaf. I remember hearing that a lot of caffeine isn’t good for babies.”
The man was certainly a mystery. He would be a doting father if he was given the chance. Only if...
“Thank you. Can you believe I am actually feeling ready to tackle the day? As a matter of fact I can’t believe how good I’m feeling now.” And how extra fabulous I’d be feeling if you’d only followed through and taken me in your arms.
“I’ve got a small shaved ham sandwich here for you and some crackers and cheese. I wasn’t quite sure what your stomach would be up for now.”
“Thank you. Actually I’m starving. It looks good.”
They both ate their meal in silence with each afraid to even steal more than a glance at the other. The tension was becoming more than Ian could bear. She smelled so clean and fresh from her shower. Was that strawberries he smelled in her hair? He wanted to bury his face in her curls and breathe in their scent. He wanted to taste her skin. Dear god...
Alex got up from the table and carried their dishes to the sink. She started to fill the sink to wash the dishes. He watched her tiny behind as she moved and imagined entering her from behind. He grew hard thinking of being inside her. Dear god I love this woman. I need her and it doesn’t matter whose baby she’s carrying. Ian got up and went to stand behind her and wrapped his arms around her. She shut off the water in the sink, closed her eyes, and arched back to feel his hard body. He snuggled her neck and teased her with his tongue making circles on her neck and laving in her ear. She nearly collapsed. She so loved his caresses.
“Alex I need you. Feel how much I need you.”
Alex could feel his rigid heat pressed against her bottom. She reached behind herself to feel his erection. She could feel the dampness that formed between her own legs as Ian gently massaged her breasts with one hand while the other came to rest on her belly.
Ian whispered in her ear.
“It’s okay to make love to you isn’t it Alex? We won’t hurt the little one will we? Do you want to make love to me Alex? Have you missed me as much as I’ve missed you?”
Alex brought both hands behind her to grasp his neck and arched even more to meet his touch. “No, we won’t hurt the baby Ian and yes, I’ve missed you. My body has missed you so much. I’ve missed you so much.”
Ian grabbed the hem of her tank and pulled it over her head. She was bare from the waist up. He rained kisses all over her neck, shoulde
rs and back. Her skin was on fire and her fresh scent drove him wild. She was always so responsive and the little moans she made when he touched her breasts were almost enough to set off his own climax.
This would be the first time Alex had made love to Ian since she realized she was in love with the big clout. The anticipation of what he would do to her had her so moist and ready for him. Ian unclasped her capris and slid them along with her panties down her legs then turned her to face him as she now stood naked before him. Ian backed her against the wall and threw off his shirt and drug his pants to his knees. He then lifted Alex by the thighs and slowly lowered her onto his bulging shaft. She gasped once he filled her to the limit and emitted one of those groans that brought him to his knees. Dear god she was tight. So tight for a woman who had been his lover for ten years.
Alex couldn’t control her desire. She grabbed his shoulders and began to pump him wildly.
“No Alex. Slow down. I want this to last forever. I don’t want to rush. I want to feel your lips surround me and hold me for as long as we can.”
Ian took control of the pace slowly easing in and out of her. He was right Alex thought. This was nice. Sooooo nice. Ian continued to go slowly but thrust himself deeper each time he entered. Alex could feel the orgasm slowly building within her. The man was magic, pure magic. She wanted to hold back and make this last forever too but she didn’t have the willpower Ian possessed.
Ian began to whisper naughty things in her ear and she knew his erotic talk would set her off. He was such a wonderful lover. She knew she could never be satisfied with anyone else after being with Ian. She opened her eyes and gazed at him. He was so enjoying her body she could tell. Was it like this for him when he had sex with other women? Did he simply have sex or did he make love to them as he did to her?
“You’re so tight baby. So tight and it feels so good to be inside you. Will you be this tight after the baby is born? Will we still fit so good then? Will you still be with me after the baby Alex? Tell me Alex. Tell me I need to know. His thrusting became harder and faster. “I need to know Alex is the baby mine? Tell me Alex. Am I going to be a father? Please Alex. Tell me the truth. Tell me…tell me.”
“Oh my god,” Alex thought. What do I say? What do I say? Alex was so near the edge now. Harder, faster, deeper he thrust as he continued to question her.
“Is the baby mine Alex? Is it Grainger’s? Talk to me baby. Tell me. I need to know Alex. Dear god I need to know. Is the baby mine? Is it mine Alex?!”
“Yes! My god yes Ian! It’s your baby. It’s your baby!” With those words they both tumbled over the edge with Ian brutally thrusting inside her and coming with a force she had never seen before. He cried out her name as she clung to him, her legs wrapped firmly about his waist. When their climaxes ended they remained against the wall and didn’t move. Alex was frightened. She didn’t know what to think. What would happen now? Would he be happy about the baby? Would he want her to get rid of it? Ian finally broke the silence.
“Yes Alex! Oh, yes baby, yes! That’s what I wanted.” Ian cupped her cheek so he could hold her still and look directly into her eyes. “I never asked Alex but are you happy about the baby? Do you want our child?”
“Oh, Ian of course I’m happy. I would never consider not having your baby Ian. I’m going to hate myself for telling you this but I’ve never been with Peter. I’ve never been with anyone but you. You’re the only possible father of my baby.”
“What?” Ian said in disbelief. “Alex I...really?” He said with a grin.
“Yes really you jerk. Now don’t get a big head about that and put me down. My legs are about to fall off.”
Ian gave her one last hug and twirled her around. He patted her on the behind and nudged her toward the bathroom. “Go get yourself cleaned up baby. We’re going shopping.”
“Shopping? What for?”
“We need to get ready for this baby of course. Now scoot along and hurry up.”
“Ian we need to talk before we go shopping. I mean seriously talk.”
“I know Alex but I don’t want to spoil this good feeling yet by getting serious. Let’s just enjoy ourselves today. Okay?”
“Okay,” Alex agreed. Well, here goes. What have I got to lose? Alex grabbed Ian's face with both hands and declared her feelings in a soft voice yet very firmly. “I want you to know Ian Foster that I love you and I love this baby and you will talk to me about what this all means sooner or later. I won’t be put off for long.” She gave him a short, tender, wet kiss and went off to get freshened up. There, she had finally done it. She had declared her love to the idiot now he was going to have to deal with her and the baby. She only hoped that by admitting her love to him that she hadn’t blown her and her baby’s future.
Chapter 10
The afternoon was the best afternoon of Alex’s life. Ian had gone crazy on this shopping spree. He’d bought a bedroom set for the baby including a changing table, dresser and crib as well as a musical mobile for the crib. He’d bought quite an array of baby toys as well and now they were in Baby’s ‘R Us looking at clothing that could be bought without knowing the baby’s sex. Alex finally had to put a stop to the spending.
“Ian I am so pleased that you are excited about the baby but I really don’t have the room to store all this in my apartment yet. You’ve got to give me some time to figure out how I’m going to arrange things. I haven’t thought that far ahead yet.”
“Apartment? Alex you won’t be living in an apartment with the baby. But we’ll talk about that later.”
“Actually, no Ian. We need to talk about all this now. It seems as though you’re making decisions for me without consulting me. Who says I won’t be in my apartment? Let’s get out of here and go get something to eat and talk. I’m starving.”
“All right babe. I’m pretty hungry too. And we’ll talk.” They checked out their purchases and when they left the store they bumped right into Don Anderson.
Alex saw the shock register on Don’s face. “That’s just great,” thought Alex. She knew Don would rush back to the office and mention something to Peter about seeing her with Ian.
“Alex…Foster. Good to see you. What brings you over to Babies ‘R Us?”
“This cannot be happening,” thought Alex. Think fast girl...think fast.
While she was still anxiously trying to think of an answer Ian spoke up.
“My brother just had a new little one last week and Alex was kind enough to come along shopping with me to suggest what they might need. It’s their first.”
“Well how nice. My granddaughter’s expecting her first and my wife is invited to a shower this weekend but she’s been ill so she asked me to run over and pick up some things for her. She’s been quite sick for a few days now. I thought maybe that was the bug you’d picked up Alex. How are you feeling today dear? Did you get plenty of rest?”
“I’m feeling much better thanks Don. I knew all I really needed was a good night’s sleep and I intend to get back home and take a nap as soon as this man feeds me like he promised for helping him out. How ‘bout that dinner Foster?”
“One thing I’ve learned about women Don is that they are monsters when they’re hungry. I better get some food in this little lady’s belly and get her home to bed.”
Ian sent Alex a sly grin at that last remark and saw her wince.
“I suspect I’ll see you next week Don during the Jacobs trial?”
“You sure will Foster and I hope you aren’t bribing my counsel with dinner to get her to divulge her secrets.”
Ian chuckled.
“If only it were that easy to get her to talk. She never shows me any mercy.”
“Well good. I’m glad to hear that. I’ll see you tomorrow Alex.”
Don left with a nod to Ian and a puzzled look on his face and entered the store.
“Thanks for the save Ian. I was stumbling in my mind with what to say to him. I’m sure he’s wondering why I’m not at home resting. Did your b
rother Max really have a baby last week?”
“Yeah he did. A little boy, 7 lbs. 8 ounces. I can’t wait to get to Ohio to see him. They named him Samuel Ian. Take a look at his picture.”
While Ian dug out his wallet Alex noticed a familiar figure approaching them on the sidewalk. Oh, no!
Alex grabbed Ian’s sleeve and whispered.
“Ian...Ian...
“What baby?” Ian looked up just as Grandmother Fairchild strode up to the couple. Things could not get any worse. First Don, who would undoubtedly mention to Peter that he’d seen her here and relate to him Ian’s little quip about getting her home to bed, and now Grandmother. When had Babies ‘R Us become such a popular shopping spot?
“Hello Grandmother,” Alex said a little too happily. “What brings you this way?”
“I have a baby gift to buy for Amelia Anderson’s granddaughter’s baby shower. Would you please explain to me why you are here and more importantly why are you here with him? Shouldn’t you both be at work?”
“Well, hello Julia. It’s very nice to see you,” Ian said ignoring Julia’s rude comment. “Alex was helping me pick out a few gifts for my new nephew. Max and Karen just had a baby boy last week. I’m playing hooky today but I understand Alex was given the day off after her big victory yesterday.”
“Yes. I read about that victory in the newspaper this morning. It’s a shame my granddaughter couldn’t take a second to phone her grandmother about her good fortune.”
“I’m sorry Grandmother. Things just all happened so fast I didn’t think to call and then I got sick...” Damn. That was the wrong thing to say.
“Sick? I thought you looked a little peaked. You have terrible bags under your eyes. Didn’t you get any sleep last night?” She sent Ian a glare making it obvious that she thought Ian had kept her up all night.
“I’m feeling much better Grandmother. I did get some good rest. I’m headed home right now to take a nap.”
“Well, since you’re here why don’t you help me with my gift selection like you did Foster here and then I’ll drop you back home?”
The Ten Year Affair Page 8