“I’m fine, it’s just been a really long day…I’m not a child, Ethan I can take care of myself, I certainly don’t need you or anyone else to do it for me.”
Tugging away from him she walked out the door. “Dinner will be ready in an hour.” She spoke over her shoulder walking away from the closeness of his body. Her heartbeat was thumping at a hundred miles per hour; the hands that were in her pockets were shaking.
Damn but this man was making it so hard for her to appear impervious to his ways…his actions and his caring attitude. Strolling into the kitchen her fingers slipped around the cold cup of tea sipping it as she stepped towards the French doors gazing out into the darkness of the early evening. Switching on the outside light, the reflection was like sparkling diamonds twinkling iridescently back at her as the snow fell to the ground already it was about a foot deep.
At this time of year and living in the village at the foot of the Snowdonia Mountains with the view of the Llanberis Lake was spectacular. In winter it held stillness that enveloped the whole prettiness of the area that was just remarkable.
In the summer it was one of the busiest areas with lots of holiday visitors all wanting to visit the many attractions including Dolbadarn Castle, which went back thousands of years to the time of the native Welsh princes.
The small garden where she grew vegetables in the summer was completely covered in a seasonal wonderland, only her beautiful winter red roses stood out against the starkness of the white snow together with her holly bushes bright red with large plump berries.
This summer she would have a baby to care for. Late April was a perfect time to have a child. Her heart warmed and her fingers rested on her small stomach rubbing it protectively…yes she would be a mummy, a word that was unfamiliar to her but one she would get used to hearing.
****
Ethan tried to nap but he was so tired he was past getting any sleep, so he took a shower. He couldn’t get Belle out of his mind, it was as though he was mesmerized by her by what she did and was doing. Certainly the fact that she was carrying his child weighed on his mind but even before when he’d first met her, that instant his eyes met hers, he was a goner.
They seemed to have a chemistry that was for sure, but there was more. He’d always loved women, their scent, soft skin, silky hair, the curvature of their spine. Even small ears and soft lobes, hers were adorable like little pink sea shells.
He let the hot water fall over his neck as he leaned forward in the shower, his hands on the wall, his head hung low. Reaching for his shampoo, he applied the wash. The scent of pine reached his nose, it was their own brand, that was it had the family name on it but it was his Mom’s business, Gina’s Soaps.
She had started the business long before she’d married their father who’d already taken over his family’s business of Christmas Trees. The soaps and other body care products were a large part of their business. After doing a degree in cosmetology his sister Emily was introducing a new skin care line. Regina or Ginny as everyone called her, was just Mom and he loved her dearly. She had not been at all impressed when he had told her that he wouldn’t be spending Christmas with them but she’d understood when he’d explained the situation.
Although getting a sex lesson from your mom about contraception had been a little embarrassing to say the least. Trying to explain to her that he’d only met Belle once had been easier than he’d expected. It seems that his mom was not oblivious to love at first sight because that’s how it had been when she had met their father thirty-five years ago.
He reached for one of the warm towels and stepped out, drying himself. Dressing in jeans and a blue sweater, he left his socks and shoes off. Looking in the mirror he swept his fingers through his hair and left the room.
He followed his nose because the smell that was swirling in the air was delicious. He heard Belle singing to a Christmas song on the radio, her voice was sweet and light. As he reached the kitchen he stood at the door for a moment taking in the sight in front of him.
It looked like she’d showered, her hair was damp, he was enjoying the view of her ass in jeans swaying to the music…yes siree, he remembered how those cheeks felt beneath his hands.
Damn, the flies on his jeans were getting tighter by the second. A small adjustment was necessary before he made his presence known.
“Something smells good,’ he said as he strode into the room and straight to her side to see what was on the stove. “You didn’t have to go to a lot of trouble.”
Her hand went to her chest as she turned around. “Gosh you startled me.” Belle reached over to the radio turning it down.
“No need to stop singing, I was enjoying it.”
She blushed. “Really, I have a terrible voice but I love Christmas music it’s so happy.”
He looked at her apron and laughed. ‘Santa does it only at Christmas’ was displayed in big white letters with Father Christmas winking back at him.
“Santa does what?” he asked his lips quirking.
“Delivers presents…get your mind out of the gutter,” she laughed.
He chuckled. “So what are we eating?”
“Nothing adventurous, just some roast potatoes with some pork escalope for you, and cheese and mushroom ones for me, honey roast carrots with some fresh bread that I’ve just taken from the oven so I hope you’re hungry.” She bent down to pull the tureens from the oven but he stopped her.
“Hey, you shouldn’t be bending like that I’ll get the food.”
“Jeez, Ethan I’m pregnant not ill.” Despite her comment, she gave him the oven mitts allowing him to bring the food out. “Just put them on the mats on the table in the centre.”
When all the food was on the table he sat down and took from her putting it with the breadboard by her set place.
“Please help yourself.” Belle handed him a plate as she joined him.
“Thank you.” He delved in it all looked so good.
Cutting the bread into a thick chunky slice, Belle set it on the side of his full plate.
“This is delicious.”
“Thank you.” Her smile widened as she handed him the butter for his bread.
“So tell me about the woman’s shelter. What made you get involved?”
Her eyes lit up with pleasure and he could tell it was a project close to her heart.
“It’s about five miles from here in Llanberis, the home was set up not necessarily for abused women but for young women who found they had nowhere to go whether they were alone or had children.” She sighed. “At Christmas there always seems to be an influx it’s so sad that at this time of year young girls find themselves without a home to go to. In this crazy world we live in it is important that these young girls have somewhere to go, some place that is safe and warm.”
Ethan swallowed hard as she stared at him across the table.
“Sounds like hard work.”
“It is for those that work there full time which is why a few of us volunteer our services…I cook extra food and donate that especially at this time of year where there seems to be an flood of girls all so young, who shouldn’t be on their own at Christmas.” She took a sip from her glass of water “I do what I can, I grew up without parents and although I never found myself in the position being alone I understand what it was like not to have a mum or dad.
“You lived with your Gran?
She nodded.
“You miss her?”
Her expression softened as she smiled. “Even more so at this time of year. It was the only time we closed the B&B so that we could be together doing the things that we hardly had time to do when the business was in season.”
Ethan nodded, he understood about family.
Belle handed him the vegetables and he scooped them onto his plate. She certainly knew how to cook; everything tasted really good.
“So tell me,” Belle asked. “What does your family think of you spending this time of year away from home? I’m assuming you have kinfolk?”<
br />
“I have siblings, mom and grandparents.”
He regaled her with the story of his rather humongous family and the time flew. Ethan couldn’t ever remember enjoying a woman’s company so much. This was it; this was what he wanted…Belle, she was perfect for him; now all he had to do was convince her.
Belle looked at her watch picking up a small pair of round glasses; they perched on the end of her nose. He found them bizarrely attractive, and when she found him looking she pulled them off.
“Can’t see a thing without them close up,” she giggled.
“They look good on you.” He smiled.
Rolling her eyes, Belle stood to clear away the dishes.
“You cooked, I’ll clear away…go and sit down, put your feet up.”
Belle looked surprised and he thought she was going to refuse; he would have taken no notice of that.
“Okay, thank you I will.”
“Should I show you where everything goes?”
“Belle, go and sit, I think I can fill a dishwasher on my own and put away some food in the refrigerator.”
“Don’t forget to cover the food.”
“I won’t.” She turned to go, but then came back “Also—” Her body was rigid when he turned her around, undid her apron before giving her a little shove out of the kitchen.
“Belle, honey I’ve cleared away after a meal before, go and rest.”
“I…okay then,” she frowned “But, Ethan…”
“Yes,” he asked his eyebrows rose as he waited for her to finish the sentence.
“This does not mean that you can just come into my life and tell me how to run it even if I am carrying your child.”
“I didn’t think otherwise, Belle absolutely not.” He turned away and kept that smile to himself, slow but sure, slow but sure.
Chapter 4
Belle set a light to the log fire that had been laid that morning. It sparked and crackled along the dry wood and paper, and she let it burn for a few moments before adding another log from the pile stored inside the nook next to the fire.
Sitting back she leaned against the fireside chair and gazed at the leaping flames as they danced around the grate. The warmth was soothing and a sigh escaped her, breathing in the pine from the Christmas tree in the corner of the room her eyes drifted shut just for a second as the scent surrounded her. The lights sparkled iridescently as they switched colours and it sent a pleasant tingle through her.
The decorations had been lovingly placed on the branches, each one bringing back a special memory of the times she’d spent with her Gran. The angel at the top had been used by the family as far back as Gran’s own childhood. It was worn and the head kept falling off but a little glue kept it in place for another year.
This was Belle’s first Christmas without Gran; it had been so hard trying to come to terms with the loss. A tear rolled down her cheek and she bit her lip trying to stop more tears from falling. There had been too many of those and Belle knew she had to let it go; her future was important now, not just for her but the tiny miracle inside her.
“The tree looks nice lit up.”
Lifting her head to the sound of his voice her fingers brushed across her cheek; she didn’t want Ethan to see the tears.
“Why the tears?”
He was far too observant. “I was just thinking this was my first Christmas on my own.”
He sat behind her and then lifted her from the floor to his lap.
“Ethan, what are you doing?”
“You are not on your own, I’m here.”
“Yes you are.” Her smile soon disappeared when she saw a spark in his eyes and she knew what that meant. Every cell in her body jumped to attention. The haze covering his eyes darkened them to navy blue. Slowly his hand cupped her head and gently pulled her forward.
Her mind was saying no--it was screeching at her to stop and her heart was beating so fast it made her feel breathless. Or was Ethan causing that?
His other hand was at her waist and she could feel his fingers searching for the gap between her jeans and sweater. When his calloused fingers touched her bare skin Belle groaned softly.
“You need to stop, now,” she whispered, her lips so close to his that they were almost touching.
“You’re gorgeous,” he whispered.
“No, I’m not, my belly is getting fat and my boobs feel like they’re going to explode.” She put her hand up to her mouth. “I guess that was a little too much information?”
“No…I want to know everything about how you are feeling. I want to be right by your side every step of the way.”
Belle moved her head back, her hands on his chest and pinned him with her gaze. “Are you sure about that, Ethan, because I’ve got to tell you I’m not leaving this house, I was brought up here. My mum and Gran, were before me, and so will my daughter or son.”
“Our son or daughter.”
She heard the strain in his voice and suddenly sympathy flooded through her. At least she’d had nearly six months to come to terms with the discovery. His hand was still resting on her skin and the other had dropped to the small of her back. The pressure was reassuring and she pushed into this hand.
“Do you ache here?” he asked as he intensified the massage.
“A little...sometimes.”
God, he was good at that and she closed her eyes until she felt his other hand reach to just below her breast.
Belle jumped up, and pushed away from his touch. Shaking her head she got up and went to stand by the bay window. No way could she get pulled into this. Whatever was between them was still strong but it was only chemistry…just sex. She’d reasoned it through so many times one amazing sex session. Nothing more. Nothing less.
“Belle?”
She felt him behind her without him touching her. .
“If we hadn’t been remiss about using a condom would you still have come looking for me?”
“Yes.”
She turned around quickly to stare at him. “You’re lying.”
His hands were shoved into his pockets, and he stared at the floor for a second before bringing his gaze back to her. His hair was tousled from threading his fingers through it, he looked rather rakish even though his skin was smooth from a recent shave, it looked so soft she had to clench her fingers hard against her palms to stop herself from reaching up to touch him.
“I didn’t know what to think about what happened with us, I knew it was special I knew you were special. I just wanted to find you and take it from there.”
“Instead you found that you were responsible for what I carry inside me.” She brought her hand protectively to her stomach.
“No…I mean yes, but not the way you say it. Whatever happens I just wanted to find you and be with you.” He pinned her with his stare “To me it was worth leaving my family and Christmas behind just so I could see you again.”
He sounded so genuine, but Belle couldn’t help but think things had been exacerbated by his discovery and now he felt a responsibility for her and the baby. She couldn’t cope with that.
Her voice softened. “Ethan, I know it’s inside you, to be the responsible parent.”
“No.” He wiped his hand over his face. “I want to be with you and our baby.”
No mention of love or marriage. Their chemistry was so good; maybe if she hadn’t fallen pregnant they might have had something together. But now…it was going to be a long time before she would be able to put what was needed into a relationship.
“Please, Belle let’s at least give us a try.”
His pleading almost tore her apart, but so did the thought of him leaving. He’d only been here a day, and already she felt like Ethan had been with her a lifetime.
“I think you should go home and spend Christmas with your family. Maybe in the spring when the baby is due, you can come back and we can work out some things.”
“You want me to leave?”
“I think it’s for the best.”
He moved closer so that she had to look up to him, his hands on the tops of her arms. He pulled her in tight against him. Her body immediately tensed up and he rubbed his hands up and down her arms.
“If you want me to go I will, but I’m not going home. I’ll just go to a hotel and get a room.”
“That’s just silly, Ethan.”
“I know it is so I might as well stay here,” he said with a pleased tone in his voice.
Belle pushed away from him and narrowed her eyes.
“My life is here with you at the moment.” The stubborn jut of his chin proved that he wasn’t going to be diverted from his decision.
“But what about your business, your family?”
“I can run things from here, my brothers will help out, and I didn’t really do much of the labouring. I look after the financial side of things.”
Every word he uttered put a tiny crack in the protective wall she’d built; he was breaking it down brick by brick. Belle couldn’t seem able to stop him and it was giving her hope…false hope. How could it work? It was impossible to even think about it. However it seemed that Ethan Thompson wasn’t a man to be denied anything he wanted.
“So you’ll run a what? A million dollar company from this house in North Wales which is what around three and a half thousand miles from your home?”
The idea didn’t seem to faze him. He shrugged it off. “If that’s what it takes.”
“To do what?” she asked.
“To prove to you that this is what I want…you and our baby.”
“Ethan, this is crazy.”
“No this is us, our life, and our family.”
Damn, this was impossible …she shrugged off his touch and stepped around him.
“I’m going to bed. I’ve got an early start in the morning.” Belle made her way across the room and stopped when he called her name.
“Why so early in the morning?”
“I’m delivering the food and gifts to the young women’s shelter and by the looks of the weather outside with that snow falling, it will take me a while to get there.”
“What time?”
A baby for Christmas (Season of Romance Book 1) Page 3