by Lindsey Hart
“I didn’t just come to give you the cheque,” Ross said in a rush, so quick his words blended together. “I- I wanted to talk. About…” his eyes shifted to her stomach and Teela had to force a hard swallow.
“About the thing I’m apparently lying about?” she said, too harshly. She couldn’t exactly regret it, even though Ross was there to extend an olive branch. Maybe. “Are you here to call a truce or was it more than my cheque in that envelope? Maybe you’re here to serve me. If that’s the case, I must say, you act fast.”
“It’s just your cheque in there,” Ross confirmed. “No lawsuit. I promise.”
“Oh?” Teela stared him down. He didn’t blink. She was very well aware that she could lose herself in those crazy blue eyes. That she wanted to. She took a fumbling step back. “In that case, let me get a robe. I’ll make some tea or something.”
“I don’t need anything. I didn’t actually mean to bother you. I- maybe I shouldn’t have come.”
“You definitely shouldn’t have come,” she said, wishing her voice was more standoffish. Wishing it was rougher, wishing it didn’t sound like a straight invitation up the stairs to her bedroom. Another shiver traced its way up her spine and her panties were probably wet. Who was she kidding? They were soaked. In another second, it would probably be very apparent. “But you’re here,” she rushed on. “So, go have a seat in the living room. You know where it is. Wait for me there. I’ll be- right back.”
She turned and raced up the steps without a second glance. She really hoped Ross stayed by the door for a minute and didn’t watch her retreat up the stairs. Her nightgown probably exposed her boring granny panties and she’d die if he’d seen them.
Of mortification. She’d die of mortification. Nothing else. Not desire. Not from the flames spontaneously combusting from said panties. Not from her ovaries just ovulating while she was already carrying a child and somehow getting immaculately pregnant with Ross’ child for a second time. Not from the shivers tracing their way up and down her spine. Not from the way her heart was thundering wildly in her chest.
Because there was no way the devil was ever getting in her panties. He’d already made her pregnant. That was more than enough.
CHAPTER 8
Ross
A meat and cheese plate complete with crackers and cups of soda was far more than he deserved. Especially at nearly one in the morning. After acting like a dick that morning. Ross knew that, but it materialized in front of him anyway.
Teela, wrapped up in a huge fluffy pink robe that covered every single inch of her skin from her chin right down to her toes- somehow she still managed to look mysteriously sexy in- set everything up, and filled up a plate of her own, before she sat back down in the same chair she’d graced that morning.
They were in the same spots. In the same positon. Nothing had really changed, but everything felt different.
Teela’s green eyes held a little less animosity and a little more hope. It mirrored what was going on in his own chest.
Ross, heart thundering so hard he was afraid Teela could actually hear it, palms sweaty and body in chaos, helped himself to a few crackers, pieces of cheese, and slices of bologna. Nothing like a good midnight snack and a talk about them having a baby together when they were pretty much strangers. He had to use that term because they certainly weren’t friends or acquaintances.
She might have started it, but he’d certainly finished it.
Teela cleared her throat. “Uh- so- I guess we’re going to talk about- er- the baby, I guess. That’s why you really came, isn’t it?”
Ross finished chewing, swallowed hard past the rock ledged in his throat, and nodded. “Yeah. I- I’m sorry about this morning. You caught me off guard. I don’t have the best history with ladies as of late- okay- ever, and I just thought- that uh- you were one more person who just wanted something from me. I went off the hook and it wasn’t your fault. I guess it’s just the easiest button I have to press.”
Teela nodded. Her eyes remained locked with his. Her face held no hint of animosity and with every passing second, her eyes got softer and softer. He wished he could say the same thing for his damn happy little friend in his pants. Unfortunately, his cock liked the happier, softer version of Teela as much as he liked the angry spitfire from earlier.
“Thanks for your honesty. I haven’t had the best luck myself. I actually pretty much swore off guys. For like- ever. That’s why I wanted to have the baby on my own. I didn’t want to have any more shitty relationships. I was done with all that. I wanted a child and I didn’t want to have a man to make that happen. I- er- there are ways now around that and finally, the idea grew on me enough that it didn’t just become a consideration or a threat. I wanted to make it happen so I- I did.”
Ross nodded. “That makes sense. I could see myself doing the same if I was a woman.”
“Really?” Teela’s brow rose.
“Okay- no. That was a stupid thing to say. I don’t know why I even said that. I mean, if I wanted a child at this point, I’d likely adopt. I feel the same way you do. About relationships. I have yet to meet someone who wasn’t just in it for something I could give them. Like I said.” He shifted nervously on the couch. God, why was he repeating himself? He sounded like a sorry-ass version of a broken record about what not to do while dating. Was anti-therapy a thing. Like, he could counsel singles against relationships instead of giving dating advice?
“I get it,” Teela said graciously. “I- I’m sorry for the way I spoke to you earlier. At work- and uh- this morning. I don’t usually go off like that. I’m a pretty level person most of the time.”
“I guess I bring out the best in you.”
Teela winced. “I might have told my friend that you were the devil. I might also have called you a troll in my mind over and over instead of using your real name.”
“How complimentary. I’m sure you’re not the first.”
“But I’m carrying your child. After I found out about that I was- shocked. I don’t think you’re supposed to find out that kind of stuff. Please don’t ask me how I did and how I know. I won’t give up any names. I don’t want to cost anyone their job. They didn’t mean anything by it. I was just going off about how much I disliked you and- uh- it just kind of came up. I guess she thought it was better that I know instead of hating my child’s father forever. That would be a bit harsh. She really meant well. She told me to do exactly the opposite of what I did. She’d be appalled if she found out that I’d told you that I know. She’d strangle me if she knew we were sitting together here talking about it.’
“Strangle? That’s harsh. You have violent friends.”
Teela cracked a small smile. “Okay, she wouldn’t really strangle me. She’d probably honestly turn into a spluttering horrified mess because she’d think for sure she was going to lose her job. She was practically crying last night when I told her that I’d quit mine.”
“That doesn’t have to be permanent. You can cash that cheque and still have your job back.”
“Really?” The disbelief in Teela’s voice broke his heart.
“Of course. I- I thought about this all day. I meant it when I said I don’t want to be a doormat and a bank account to someone, but then I thought that maybe there is a way I could provide for the baby. I could give you your job back and give you the ability to help yourself. I was the one who came and screwed everything up.”
“Don’t you have someone already?”
“I did bring in a lady, but she was just temping. She lives in Philly and doesn’t want to commute or relocate. I was hoping to hire someone local. It’s easier to give you your job back than it is to retrain someone. You know how the company works and how it runs. Plus there might be the whole pissed off staff thing. People don’t like the firings I had to do. They like it even less that you quit. I’ve had my fair share of stink eyes over the past few days.”
“All deserved, no doubt.”
“No doubt.” The easy banter w
as strange. Almost too easy. Ross could get used to it and that was a scary, scary thought. He couldn’t afford to get used to anything.
“I- what more did you want? I mean- would you want to meet him or her? Be a part of his or her life? What exactly did you come here to talk about? I was so shocked, and I reacted without even thinking. I didn’t want you to be a bank account. I had this idea in my head that you’d actually want to know your child. You might have others out there, but this one, you’d know for sure. I didn’t feel right, when I knew, about keeping that information a secret. Although, maybe I should have.”
“No-” Ross cut her off. “I’m sorry if I made you think that. This isn’t something I ever anticipated happening. I should have, based on the fact that I- uh- donated samples a couple of times, but I thought that information is kept secret. I know it is.”
“Yeah… please. Please-”
“I’m not going to do anything about it. Your friend and the clinic are safe. I was just being an asshole this morning. I’m sorry. It didn’t make it easy, I’m sure.”
“It wasn’t exactly an easy conversation.” Teela nodded in understanding and again, Ross had that strange, shivery sensation where his heart banged a little harder. Like they could actually be friends. Get along. Parent together. “It probably bowled you right over.”
“It did. I reacted badly. There wasn’t any call for it. I really am not a troll or the devil, though I probably haven’t given you cause to think otherwise. I’m just a normal person. I’ve worked hard to get where I am. I’m overly defensive about it. I can be a dick when challenged. I grew up here though. I’m a small town kid at heart. I want to be taken seriously for who I am, not what I can do for people. Sometimes I wish that people could just see me, not the suit, not the company, not the money.” He was back on the broken record track. How romantic.
Teela nodded again, but then her face changed. It went from serene to panicked. Her eyes widened and her face paled dangerously. Ross stood up and was about to ask her what on earth was wrong, because it was clear something was horribly wrong, when she threw her plate to the side and ran out of the room like she’d just realized the house was on fire.
Stunned, Ross trailed after her. Because he was a dipshit he finally figured out what was going on when Teela hurtled into the bathroom just down the hall.
He’d never actually held someone’s hair back while they were throwing up, but he was about to get a crash course.
It was crazy to think he’d woken up that morning and his biggest worry had been the store. Life had been relatively normal.
How quickly his world was upended. Everything was different. He was holding back Teela’s hair and tracing small patterns over her back while she retched in the small bathroom. He’d never actually seen himself as a dad. The thought was just so abstract, something saved for the future and for maybe’s and for whenever his mom bugged him about giving her and his dad a grandchild. He was their best hope given that he was an only child.
Twelve hours ago, life was normal.
Now he was smack dab in the middle of a parenting/pregnancy crash course.
Strangely enough, he didn’t hate the idea of being a dad. He didn’t hate the idea of having a child with Teela. Which meant he probably needed to have his head examined. ASAfreakingP.
CHAPTER 9
Teela
If there was a list of ultimate mortification, the major items would be thoroughly checked off. Answer the door in a tiny, see-through nightgown. Check. Have a strange heart to heart with enemy numero uno. Check. Give in and admit The Troll wasn’t such a troll. Double check. Admit that said non-troll is actually ridiculously attractive. Hard check. Puke all over said attractive non-troll. Check, check, check, a million times, check.
Okay, maybe she hadn’t puked on him or all over him but puking in front of Ross was pretty mortifying.
And Teela had to hand it to him, Ross didn’t so much as bat an eye. Just turned on the tap and filled up the glass she kept by the sink and passed it to her along with a clean washcloth he found under the sink.
Ross must have had a pretty good mom. In that moment, as she sipped water to erase the horrible taste from her mouth, she realized he’d be a good dad.
He wasn’t the devil. He wasn’t a troll. He was actually pretty damn nice.
Teela turned to face Ross, who was leaning up against the doorframe, giving her some space. “Er- sorry,” she mumbled. “I’ll just brush my teeth and then I’ll be out.”
He didn’t move. Or blink. He might as well have been made from stone. Really good looking, super attractive, panty melting stone. “This happens often?”
“Uh- not that often. Every other day maybe. Sometimes not. I don’t know. It’s worse when I get nervous. Or anxious. I guess those butterflies start it and uh- the nausea, which is always kind of there, finishes it off.”
One dark brow arched. “I didn’t mean to make you nervous.”
“You didn’t. I- it’s okay. I feel worse at night. And in the morning. I’m better after I eat something when I get up but then it kind of starts up with the heartburn around eight and it just burns and burns and if I try and eat something, sometimes it fixes it, sometimes I end up- uh- here.”
“I’m sorry.”
That caught Teela off guard. She reached out and gripped the pedestal sink’s lip. “Why? You don’t have anything to be sorry for.”
“For all the upheaval these past few days. It can’t be good for- you or the baby.”
Teela glanced in the mirror and when she realized she was a sweaty mess, with her hair clinging damply to her forehead, she nearly groaned. She quickly reached up and swiped the sticky strands back where they belonged.
“You don’t have to be sorry. You didn’t know that buying one more store was going to be such a challenge.”
Ross actually chuckled softly, and sweet potatoes, the sound was like angels singing. It was rich and deep and a little dark and did things to places that Teela wasn’t even quite sure she knew existed to have things done to them.
“You’re right. I thought it was going to be a walk in the park, given that I used to live here. It’s kind of my hometown. I thought it would be like coming back after a real long time away. That people would welcome me with open arms kind of a deal.”
“It sounds like they did, for the most part,” Teela admitted. “It was just me. And I didn’t know you grew up here, so you’ll have to excuse my bad manners. I could blame it on the pregnancy hormones, but that wouldn’t even be true. Everything I said and did had nothing to do with being pregnant.”
Ross slowly nodded. His eyes grazed her body and her already flushed skin heated up another ten thousand degrees. She was glad that her robe hid the way her nipples suddenly went hard as rocks and the spot at the juncture of her thighs tingled. Even if it wasn’t like Ross could actually see that. The robe was too hot, and it was slightly damp after her puke/sweat fest but she was glad for the barrier it created between them.
“I’ll head back to the living room then. If you’re okay, we can keep talking. If not, I can go…”
“I- no. I’m okay. Once I get it out of the way, I feel a lot better.”
Ross gave her another sympathetic look that she didn’t quite know how to decode and disappeared out of the doorway. His soft steps sounded down the hall.
Teela turned on the tap and splashed cold water against her overheated skin. It felt good but she couldn’t quite reach the strange warmth that was seated far too close to the mushy part of herself that she’d never been able to fully turn off.
In her previous relationships, she was always the one giving. Her exes were too selfish to realize that she even had needs half the time. If she went on vacation, it was to a spot of their choosing. If she went out for dinner, it was to a place they liked. If she moved in, she had to work around their space, which usually meant bringing or buying a dresser because they weren’t going to make room in the closet for her crap. She used to be an o
ptimist, but the previous years had ground her down.
Teela doubted there were nice guys out there that were still single. She seemed to have a bullshit magnet that attracted only the worst kind of men. Everyone had their breaking point and hers came two years ago. When she got tired of being stepped all over and used and ground down. She’d been single since then and with the big 30 rapidly approaching, she’d one night, after a few too many drinks with Amy, mentioned that she was perfectly fine with being single the rest of her life. Amy asked about kids and one thing led to another and she’d come up with the idea of single parenthood. Something Amy knew all about, given where she worked.
And bam. The night the power went out and Amy came over bearing stolen sperm and syringes kind of just happened.
Then Ross.
Now, suddenly, despite everything, she wasn’t actually looking at raising her child alone. She wasn’t sure if that terrified her more or less. And the fact that it was Ross Day. Who might not actually be such a self-centered prick after all. He might actually be kind of nice underneath all those protective layers. Layers she was far too familiar with herself.
After a thorough teeth brushing that made her feel almost human again, Teela wondered back to the living room. Her condo was small, but Ross wasn’t where she expected him to be. She glanced around, wondering if he’d decided that leaving was the better option after all but a shrill whistle from the kitchen signaled that maybe he was still there. Or maybe her kettle needed an exorcism.
She actually smiled at the absurd thought. It had been a long time since she’d laughed about anything silly or stupid and it felt good. Too good.
Teela found Ross bent over two mugs. He poured steaming water into them. He turned when she shuffled in.