“You’re so crazy.” She laughed. “Okay, I won’t go nuts. I’m glad to see you, too, Ted.”
He matched her smile. “Well, good, that’s great.” He nodded. “Some things should be kept simple, uncomplicated. We wrapped that kiss in a nice little package and put a label on it. No problem.”
“Whatever you say,” she said, still smiling. “I can’t always follow your out-of-left-field rationale, but I don’t feel like arguing the point. I’ll go get my purse and sweater.”
“Wait a minute,” he said, not releasing her. “First of all, I want to tell you how pretty you look. You’re really lovely, Hannah.”
“Oh, well, thank you. You look very spiffy yourself, Mr. Sharpe.”
“Subject two.” His smile faded. “Did you give a concert of Claire de Lune to the entire building because you get a rush from playing Claire de Lune at sonic-level volume, or was it therapy because you’re stressed about the evening ahead?”
Hannah sighed. “I admit I’m nervous. I suddenly didn’t know why on earth I’d agreed to this outing. I would have canceled, but you seemed to have disappeared for the past few days.”
“I was around,” he said. Man, he really was a clever son-of-a-gun. Creeping up the back stairs had been well worth the effort. “Look, there’s nothing to be jittery about. You know me, and within ten minutes of meeting Deedee and Ryan, you’ll feel as though you’ve known them for a long time. Trust me.”
He grimaced.
“Erase that. Bad choice of words. So, okay, don’t dwell on whether or not to trust me. Just keep an open mind and be receptive. Yes? Yes. Let’s go.”
Ted dropped his hands from her shoulders and glanced around the room.
“Hey, Daisy,” he said. “There you are. Listen, kid, stay out of the refrigerator and don’t watch any dirty flicks on the cable channels. Got that?”
Hannah laughed in delight at Ted’s nonsense, then went to retrieve her purse and sweater.
As they left the apartment, she realized her jangled nerves were now calm, cool and collected, and she had a lovely sense of anticipation about the evening.
“Oh, my goodness,” Hannah said. “I can’t eat another bite. It was all so delicious, but I’ve definitely reached my limit.”
“Waste not, want not,” Ted said. He slid Hannah’s plate in front of him and took a bite of the remainder of her cherry pie. “Mmm, not bad.”
“When I was pregnant with Teddy,” Deedee said, “I never seemed to fill up. I ate like a piggy the entire time. Jillian didn’t have much of an appetite when she was carrying the triplets, though.”
“She still ended up looking like a life raft,” Ryan said.
Deedee rolled her eyes heavenward. “Don’t you dare start that again. You’re lucky you lived through your last crummy descriptions.”
“Ah, yes,” Hannah said, smiling. “I’ve been informed that I’m the size of a volleyball.”
“You’re hopeless, Ted,” Deedee said.
“Why? Volleyballs are nice,” he said, with a shrug. “I’ve never met a volleyball I didn’t like. There’s nothing insulting about being called a volleyball.”
“We’re ignoring you, Ted,” Deedee said. “Hannah, have you started putting the baby’s nursery together yet?”
“No, I need to explore the used-furniture stores. I’m hoping to find a crib, changing dresser, high chair, all of those sorts of things at reasonable prices.”
“That’s a good idea,” Deedee said, nodding.
“Do those places deliver?” Ted said.
“Oh,” Hannah said, frowning, “I didn’t think about that.”
“No problem,” Ted said. “My Blazer can carry a lot in the back. We’ll load it up and bring it all home.”
He glanced up quickly at Hannah, Deedee and Ryan, all of whom were staring at him.
“To your home, Hannah,” he said. “Your apartment, the place where Daisy allows you to live with her.”
“Thank you, Ted,” she said quietly. “That’s a very generous offer, and I appreciate it. I realize you’re busy, so I’ll see if I can make a deposit on what I find, then we’ll go get it.”
“Not good,” he said, pushing the now-empty plate to one side. “You might not know what to look for as far as construction, sturdiness, that sort of thing. I’d better tag along when you’re shopping.”
“I can’t ask you to—”
“Take him with you,” Ryan said. “It’ll keep him off the streets and out of the bars. Listen, Ted, have a measuring tape with you to check the distance between the rungs on the crib. Some of the old ones aren’t up to code.”
Ted nodded. “Got it.”
“Ask about lead-free paint, too,” Ryan said. “That’s very important.”
“Let’s leave the baby-furniture experts to their madness, Hannah,” Deedee said. “You and I are off to the powder room.”
“Why do they call it that?” Ted said. “I’ve never seen a woman trek in that direction with a big can of talcum powder.”
Deedee got to her feet. “You are so strange, Ted Sharpe.”
“Well, I think about stuff like that. Powder room. Lord, that’s dumb.”
Hannah laughed, then walked away with Deedee.
As Hannah and Deedee stood in front of the mirror in the powder room freshening their lipstick, Deedee suddenly laughed and shook her head.
“Darn that Ted,” she said. “From now on, every time I go into a ladies’ room, I’m going to be watching to see if anyone uses powder, even if it’s only on their nose.”
“I know what you mean,” Hannah said, smiling. “I don’t think Ted’s mind ever stops.” She paused, meeting Deedee’s gaze in the reflection of the mirror. “Did you know that Ted bought me a darling kitten the day you got Teddy the puppy? Well, yes, I guess you were there when he found Daisy for me.”
“No, actually, we had already headed for home with our bouncing beagle. Ted told us about Daisy later. He also shared the story of why you named her that. Your gran sounds like she was wonderful, Hannah.”
“Yes. Yes, she was. And Daisy? She’s so cute. She has really made my apartment seem more like a home, too. That probably doesn’t make sense, but it’s true. It was so thoughtful of Ted to get me a kitten.”
“Ted Sharpe,” Deedee said, nodding, “is a very nice man. You should see him with Teddy and the other MacAllister kids. He’s a natural as a father. All the little guys absolutely adore him.”
Hannah replaced the lipstick in her purse. “I can tell he’s very fond of them, but he’s made it clear that he’s a Professional Uncle. That’s in capital letters, I’ll have you know. I’d say Ted is a confirmed bachelor.”
“Oh, I don’t know,” Deedee said, snapping her purse closed. “Granted, he has industrial-strength sex appeal and women dissolve at his feet, but even the mighty tumble. He’s just liable to go down for the count one of these days. You know, fall in love, get married, have a whole bushel of kids.”
Hannah shrugged.
“Hannah Johnson,” Deedee said, “that shrug spoke volumes. Don’t you view Ted as an available man?”
“Well, yes, I suppose, but I’m not an available woman.”
“Why not? Because you’re expecting a baby?”
“There’s that, plus the fact that I never intend to become seriously involved with a man again. Not ever.”
“Oh, that’s how you feel now,” Deedee said breezily, while watching Hannah’s face intently. “But we women are notorious for changing our minds.”
“I won’t. You see, Deedee, I lack the ability to determine whether a man is really who he presents himself to be. I have a track record of being very wrong.”
Deedee smiled brightly. “But in Ted’s case, you have reference letters, of a sort. I guarantee that he’s really a good guy.”
“No, he’s a good friend to you and Ryan, and a super uncle to Teddy and the other MacAllister children. You have no way of really knowing how he treats women on a man-to-woman plane.
”
Deedee frowned. “Oh.”
“And I don’t intend to find out. Are you ready to go back to the table?”
“Wait, wait,” Deedee said quickly. “You are going to allow Ted to be your friend, aren’t you? Help you shop for baby furniture and what have you?”
“Well,” Hannah said thoughtfully, “yes, I guess so. He is a good friend. Daisy is proof of that. Yes, I’d like Ted to be my friend.” She walked toward the door.
“Well,” Deedee mumbled, “that’s a start.”
The couples chatted comfortably over cups of coffee, then left the restaurant. In the parking lot, Deedee told Hannah she’d call soon so they could get together.
“Wonderful,” Hannah said. “I’m eager to meet Teddy.”
“And Scooter,” Ryan said. “You just haven’t experienced life until you’ve had Scooter MacAllister bounce straight up in the air and lick your nose. Man, that is one weird dog.”
“Scooter is emotionally attached to Ryan’s feet,” Deedee said. “It’s amazing.”
“It’s ridiculous,” Ryan said.
“Scooter probably needs a dog shrink,” Ted said. “You know, some guy to hold her paw and ask her how she got along with her mother.”
“Oh, good grief,” Hannah said, laughing.
Goodbyes were exchanged, and Ted was soon easing the Blazer out of the parking lot and into the busy traffic. He tuned the radio to an easy-listening station and soft, dreamy music filled the air.
A lovely sense of well-being floated over Hannah, causing a smile to form on her lips. With all the turmoil she’d endured in her life over the past months, she was acutely aware of how serene she felt, as though all was right with the world.
“Did you enjoy the evening?” Ted said.
“Oh, my, yes,” she said. “It was lovely, absolutely perfect.”
He nodded. “Good.”
“I’m expressing my official thank-you, Ted, for tonight. I’ll only say it once because you said I went nuts with all the thank-yous when you gave me Daisy. So…thank you.”
“You’re very welcome, Ms. Doodle. I had a great time myself and I thank you for that. I’m sure you could tell that Deedee and Ryan were more than pleased to meet and get to know you.”
“They’re marvelous.” She paused. “No, the word you used was ‘terrific,’ and you were right. I’m so eager to see Teddy.” She laughed. “And Scooter, the famous bouncing beagle.”
“Okay, we’ll make plans to go visit as soon as possible. We need to get shopping for baby furniture on the calendar, too.”
“Yes.”
We, we, we, Hannah’s mind echoed. Ted said it so easily, so naturally, as though it was a given that they were a “we.” It had a nice sound to it, made her feel warm inside.
There were times when the reality of her being alone caused a chill to sweep through her. It would sneak up on her when she least expected it, making the “alone” become “lonely.”
We.
Such a small word, two letters, but it possessed remarkable powers for its size.
Tonight, just for tonight, she mused, she was going to keep and savor the soothing comfort of Ted’s “we.” The whole evening had been splendid, and she’d top it off with the warm fuzzy feeling his “we” evoked. There was no harm in indulging herself like this for a short time. It would be like having a snifter of rich brandy after a delicious meal.
With the dawn of tomorrow, she’d accept with a smile that her world comprised herself, the baby and Daisy. That was fine, the way it was. It would be a sunny daffodils-and-daisies day.
But tonight? Tonight, she was part of a “we.”
At the apartment complex, Ted parked in his designated spot, then came around to assist Hannah from the vehicle. He encircled her shoulders with one arm, and she moved close to his side as they went into the building, then entered the elevator.
At her door, Ted extended his hand for her keys, which she placed in his palm.
“Coffee?” she said.
“Yes.”
Daisy greeted them as Ted closed and locked the door behind them.
“Hi, Daisy,” Hannah said, smiling. “Did you have a nice evening? Mine was marvelous.”
“Yours,” Ted said, “isn’t quite over.”
Hannah looked up at him and her breath caught as she saw the raw passion radiating from his blue eyes.
Oh, dear heaven, she thought frantically. There was no doubt whatsoever that Ted Sharpe wanted her, wanted to make love with her now, right now.
She had to move, run or shake his hand and say good-night. She had to do something to break the spell he was weaving over her with those mesmerizing eyes.
Ted lifted his hands and framed her face.
“We have to end this evening properly,” he said, his voice low and husky. “We really do, Hannah.”
We, her heart sang.
Ted lowered his head and captured her mouth.
And Hannah was lost in a sea of raging desire.
She parted her lips and met his tongue eagerly as her lashes drifted slowly down and her hands entwined his neck.
The kiss was ecstasy, heated and hungry, sensuous.
Sharpe, stop, Ted’s mind hammered. He was losing control. He ached with the want of Hannah, was slipping past the point of reason, going right over the edge.
He tore his mouth from hers, forming the words good night, Hannah in his head, pulling them forward from the depths of the passion-laden haze that consumed him.
Say it, he mentally ordered himself. Say, ‘Good night, Hannah.’ “I want you, Hannah” he heard instead. “I want you so damn much.”
Hannah opened her eyes slowly, and a soft, womanly smile formed on her moist lips.
“Yes,” she whispered, “I know. I want you, too, Ted. We want each other, and it’s right, it truly is, because…because it’s we.“
Chapter Seven
A groan rumbled deep in Ted’s chest as his mouth melted over Hannah’s once again. He drank of her sweet taste, savoring it.
When he finally broke the kiss, she kept him close to her side as she led him down the hall to her bedroom. Hannah snapped on the small lamp on the nightstand, casting a rosy glow over the room, then brushed back the blankets on the bed. She straightened and looked at Ted.
Neither spoke, but words weren’t needed.
It was as though they’d been transported to a magical world where thoughts were known, sent and received, understood.
There was an interwoven aura in the room of crackling sensuality, combined with the peaceful calmness of realizing that what they were about to share was so very right and real.
Ted drew Hannah into his arms and kissed her; gently, reverently, communicating the message that she was special, cherished.
She trembled.
He took a step backward and began to remove his clothes, dropping them unheeded to the floor. Hannah started to undress, placing the garments neatly on a chair by the nightstand.
Her back to Ted, Hannah suddenly stilled, her eyes skimming over her own naked body, seeing the heavy breasts, the protruding stomach where the baby was nestled. How would he view her swollen body? She reached out with a visibly shaking hand to retrieve her dress, to cover herself from Ted’s scrutiny.
But Ted knew her thoughts as though she’d spoken aloud and he moved behind her and rested his hands on her shoulders. He dipped his head to bury his face in the silky cascade of her dark hair. Shifting his hands, he turned her toward him, slowly, so slowly, then looked directly into her eyes.
“Hannah,” he said, “we, just like you said, we are the only ones in this world we’re creating at this moment. Just the two of us.”
“Yes,’’ she whispered.
He smiled as he traced the shape of her lips with one fingertip, then dropped his gaze to her body, his smile changing to an expression of awe and wonder.
“Ah, Hannah,” he said, his voice raspy. “You’re so beautiful, so beautiful.”
So
beautiful, his mind echoed. She was woman personified. Femininity in its purest form. Within her was a miracle, a new life. She possessed the ability to nurture that baby, carry it safely until it was ready to meet the world. It was breathtaking. Wondrous.
Ted lifted one hand, then tentatively splayed it across her rounded stomach.
He met her gaze again and Hannah smiled at him warmly, her flicker of fear now forgotten.
She felt…beautiful, she realized, so incredibly feminine. She was woman. And Ted was the epitome of man. It was so simplistic, yet held the complexity of a wonderful mystery never to be solved.
Her eyes roamed boldly over his naked body, savoring the sight of his broad shoulders and chest, his flat belly and powerful legs, his arousal that announced his want of her, the blatant desire that she had evoked.
She inched her fingertips into the moist curls on his chest, relishing the feel of them and the taut muscles beneath.
Ted leaned toward her to kiss her and she parted her lips to receive his questing tongue. Moments later, he ended the kiss, lifted her into his arms, then laid her gently in the center of the bed. He stretched out next to her, resting on one forearm.
“You’re exquisite,” he said, his voice rough with passion. “I want you, Hannah, but it’s more than that. This…” His gaze swept over her, then back to her eyes. “This is a miracle you’re sharing with me, and I’m honored, I truly am.”
“Oh, Ted,” she said, unexpected tears misting her eyes. “What a lovely thing to say. Thank you.”
“No, I’m thanking you.”
They touched, caressed, explored. Lips followed where hands had gone, glorying in each new discovery. Passions soared until their breathing was labored and hearts beat wildly.
Finally, finally, Ted moved over her, keeping his weight from her on straightened arms as he entered her. He watched her face for any sign that he was hurting her, but saw only want and need as raw and earthy as his own.
“Yes,” Hannah whispered. “Oh, Ted, yes.”
He started to move, slowly at first, then with increasing tempo. She matched him, meeting him, welcoming him, as she clutched his shoulders.
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