by Erin Bevan
“Alex, what’s going on?” He squeezed her hand as he pleaded.
“I’m…pregnant, Max.”
Did he hear her wrong?
“Wait? What?” He pulled his hands from hers, and stared down at her belly, confusion taking over.
Pregnant. How. With whom?
“H…how? By the bastard from the bar?” he stumbled over his words as he shot to his feet and paced. “Didn’t you use protection? Please, God, Alex, tell me you used protection,” his voice escalated.
Why hadn’t he thought to ask that before? That night was so out of character for her, maybe she hadn’t. What else had this guy given her?
“Stop yelling at me,” she demanded and rolled her eyes. “Of course, I used protection. I had a little lapse of judgment, but I’m not a complete idiot. You don’t have to be such a jerk.” She crossed her arms.
So he’d offended her, but hell, it wasn’t a totally stupid question. Max stood in front of her. “Of course, you aren’t. I’m sorry. That’s not what I meant. I…I’m just shocked is all.”
“Yeah?” Now, her voice was strangled as more tears fell down her cheeks. “Well, how do you think I feel? When the news gets out, I’m going to lose my job. And my parents?
How much shame will I bring to them? I’ll be the talk of town. You know Serendipity Falls is little Mayberry. That’s why Shelby and I drove so far away to have a good time.”
The talk of Serendipity Falls? Not if he had any say.
“Your parents will get over the shock, and love having a grandchild. But your job. Why would you lose your job?”
“It’s in the contract I signed. There’s a morality clause. Having a child out of wedlock is terms for dismissal.”
Why would she sign a contract like that? “Can they do that? Legally?”
“It’s a private school, they can do whatever they want, and since I signed the contract, they have every right to fire me.”
“But they wouldn’t, would they? You’re the best teacher they’ve got.” Alex was the best teacher in the county, and he knew because his company had funded the award money for the district’s Teacher of the Year Awards for the past five years. She’d won three years in a row, more than any other teacher in the county’s history.
“Yeah, and what a great example I am. ‘Hey kids, get drunk on tequila shots and have unmemorable sex with a random stranger who knocks you up.’ Real fine example. Oh, God.” Alex placed her head in her hands, wiping the tears from her eyes. “How did this happen?”
He didn’t want to think about how it happened, but what could he do? How could he make this better?
“Alex, honey,” Max sat beside her and rubbed his hand on her back. “I know this is a lot to handle, but I’m here. Right here with you every step of the way. Just like you were for me growing up. What can I do to make you smile again?”
Alex had sat with him in the lunchroom when no one else would. She’d played with him, helped him with his homework, and defended him when people made fun of the holes in his pants or his second-hand shoes…part of who he was today was because of her. And she was the reason he strived to do more, be better than the lonely junkyard dog he’d been raised as.
“Nothing.” Alex dropped her hands from her face and gave him a half-smile. “There’s nothing you can do, and I know you’re here for me, and I’m thankful.” She tapped his knee. “But this is my problem to figure out. The worst part is, no matter how hard I’ve tried, I can’t remember the guy’s name. Nothing. I don’t even know if I asked him.” Alex sighed as she wiped another tear from her eye.
“What about Shelby? Do you think she knows his name?”
“No.” Alex shook her head. "Besides, by the time I started dancing with mystery guy she was already dancing with someone else. I don’t remember seeing her much after that.”
“And this guy…he hasn’t looked you up on social media or anything?”
“No, but if he didn’t know my name, how could he?” Alex wilted. “God! I’ve made such a mess of things.”
“And you didn’t give this guy your number?”
“No. That much I know, and because of my foolishness, this baby won’t ever know his father.”
No father.
Not knowing where you come from was something Max wished on no one, but at least this child would know his mother, and have a fine one at that.
“This baby will have no father, and…” Her breathing became ragged and fast. Too fast as she tried to puff out the rest of her words. “And…and…its mother won’t have a…job.” She sucked in a deep breath, her chest heaving.
She breathed for two now. No way would he have either of them hurt on his watch.
“Okay. Head between your legs, let’s go.” He dipped her head down, and held her there, rubbing his hand the length of her spine as he scooted himself closer, their thighs touching. “In and out, Alex. In and out. It’s all going to be okay.”
She must’ve changed her shampoo back because the amber scent he learned as hers engulfed him, and he pulled her closer, clinging to the Alex he’d known all his life, the reality of her situation sinking in.
Despite the change of events, he was in heaven, having her here in his home, confiding in him with her problems. They could fix this, together. Somehow.
“It’s all going to be okay,” he whispered.
Alex was going to be a mother. This child, a bastard child. She’d be the talk of the town for the next nine months, if not possibly more. Her child could be ridiculed and made fun of the same way he had been growing up without a dad by his side.
I like to invest with men who have families.
Thurgood’s words echoed in his mind. The answer to his desires and her needs smacked Max in the head like a glass bottle of his bestselling hot sauce.
Her breathing slowed. Good. He needed her to get it under control for what he was about to do.
And how was he going to do this? He didn’t have a ring or fancy words.
“You ready to sit up?” he whispered.
She lifted her head, some of the color coming back to her face. “Yeah. I’m sorry. I can’t believe I’m blubbering like this.”
“Hang on.” He stood and stepped into the bathroom to grab some tissue. “Here,” he handed her the toilet paper.
“Thanks.” She took the offering and wiped her eyes. “I just don’t know what I’m going to do.”
“I know what you’re going to do.” He paced again in front of her.
“I think I know what you’re going to say.” She cringed.
“You do?” He raised his eyebrow. Cringing. That wasn’t part of his vision. A smile. Happy tears, maybe, but not cringing.
“Yes. The doctor said I have options, but I just can’t. I can’t abort this baby, Max. I can’t. It’s not this baby’s fault. I’d never forgive myself if I did that.”
Abort the baby?
Mistake or not, she was a good woman—of course she would give up her own happiness, her own life for the life of another. That was exactly why this was the right thing to do.
“You don’t have to Alex, because you’re going to marry me.”
She sat upright, and her eyes widened. “Wh…what?”
Shock. Perfect. At least the cringe disappeared.
“Alexandra Mills.” He took her hand in his and slid down to one knee. While this isn’t how he envisioned proposing, or the time, this is exactly what he had to do. For himself. For her. For this baby. “Will you marry me?”
5
“Marry you?” Alex’s thoughts slowed as if her mind ran through sludge. Processing his question seemed impossible. And if she didn’t have enough news for one day, he threw something like this on her? Now? After the biggest bombshell of her life was dropped on her, he proposes now?
Her heart fluttered seeing Max down on one knee, his leafy green eyes staring back at her. How many times had she dreamed of them being more than friends? Dreamed he would look at her with desire and not just as
his best pal? Or his savior from all his clingy, past endeavors? And how many times had she’d seen him bring those endeavors home, knowing he wasn’t a man to commit. He wasn’t one to lay down roots with anyone for long. Poor guy didn’t know exactly what roots really were.
She closed her hand around his. “Max, I appreciate what you’re offering, but this isn’t the answer. Besides, I know you don’t want to get married.” She squeezed his hand, his palm clammy against hers. Even the thought of getting tied down with her had him sweating. “I have to figure this out on my own.”
A spark of something…worry maybe…relief? She wasn’t sure which, but whatever it was flashed in his eyes before the controlled, confident Max took over again.
“Alex.” He turned over her hand, running the tips of his fingers over the vein in her wrist. His soft touch sent tingles of pleasure sparking over every inch of her body. Her insides pulsed, and she had an overwhelming urge to throw him to the floor and have her way with him. To have a moment, not forgotten or lost from the haze of tequila shots.
It’s the pregnancy hormones talking. Has to be.
“You’re my best friend, Alex.” Max continued running his hand over her wrist, doing his best to drive her delirious with desire. If he could make her feel this crazy by simply touching her wrist, what else could he do? A delicious shiver ran down her spine.
“Are you cold.”
“What? No.” She pulled her hand away and suppressed the urge to fan herself. Hot and bothered, on the verge of sweating, even, but definitely not cold. And confused about whether to be angry at his pity proposal or happy that her friend wanted to help her out.
“It’s the perfect idea.” He sat beside her on the sofa, his knee bumping hers. “We work so well together, and you need a husband to keep your job and a father for this baby. I need a wife if I ever want to seriously consider winning this election. It’s a fact—married politicians win more elections than unmarried ones, and this new investor I want to work with made it clear he didn’t want to invest with me unless I had a family. It’s a win-win for us both.”
A win-win?
“So, what? Are you suggesting a marriage of convenience?” This was not at all how she imagined being proposed to would be. She was supposed to be in love. The man proposing was supposed to be in love with her. This should be a moment filled with joy and zero doubt. Instead, she was knocked up, and her best friend was proposing a marriage of convenience as if it was the 1800s.
“Well…” He nodded his head. “More or less, yes.”
More or less? What was the more? What was the less?
“Max. I don’t…” Alex shook her head and stood to pace. “I don’t know. How would this work? I don’t think I could be married just on paper.”
“Well, then we don’t get married just on paper. We get married.”
Married people had sex. They’d never had sex.
“What exactly do you mean?” Because she needed more clarification on this matter. Make that a lot more clarification. Especially on the sex part.
“I mean a wedding. Friends. Family. The whole thing. I’m sure your mother would want that for her only daughter, and I think I look pretty good in a tux, if I do say so myself.” He stood, straightened the collar of his shirt and gave her a cocky smile.
She knew he looked good in a tux, even though it had been about ten years since she’d seen him in one. Prom, their senior year. Since then, he’d filled out more, his chest was broader, his shoulders wider…everywhere just grew…bigger. Or so she’d been told.
But he never mentioned sex, so she may never have the chance to discover that part of his anatomy for herself. Then again, did she want to?
“I…I don’t know, Max. You’ve never been a one-woman kind of guy, and I’m not—” She stopped herself. She couldn’t say she’d never been one to sleep around because her current state proved that to be a humongous lie.
“You’re not one to sleep around.” He reached out and grabbed her hand again, his thumb doing that little dance number over the vein in her wrist again causing her neurons to fire on all cylinders. “Alex, I know you. I know you better than anyone on this planet. You like your coffee with two heaping spoonfuls of sugar, you like to sleep late on Saturdays then stay in your pajamas for the rest of the day watching Hallmark movies. Your grandmother taught you to knit because you wanted to make hats for children with cancer, you wish upon a star every night after you say your prayers, and you think people who lie are the scum of the earth.”
Her heart did a little lurch. He did know her, but what they would do would be lying.
Marrying him, claiming this baby as his. Lying to everyone she loved. Lying to her family, her friends, and her employer. How could she marry him based on a lie? A farce for convenience. Especially when she hated liars, and yet, she’d be one herself.
You have a baby now, Alex. You can’t think about yourself anymore.
“Max.” She squeezed his hand—for one, to get his attention, and secondly because if he didn’t stop caressing her wrist she’d melt into a puddle on his sofa. “Of course you know those things. We’re best friends, but what about chemistry? Love?”
“You don’t think I love you?”
His eyes pleaded with her, almost as if there was more he wanted to say…but wouldn’t.
No. She was reading too much into the situation. Max was an open book. What he said he meant, and what he did he meant. He meant that he loved her as a friend, and he meant that he wanted to marry her, to solve her problem and his.
“I know you do.” She dropped his hand and rubbed hers together.
“And chemistry, Alex.” He grazed her cheek with his fingertips then trailed his touch through her hair by her ear. “Sometimes those things take time.”
Alex closed her eyes and leaned into his palm. He was warm and safe. Not with her heart but he would protect her, keep his promise to her. Could she allow herself to pretend they were in love? And if he didn’t think they had chemistry now, how did she explain this slow burn building through her entire body?
But if they tested the waters and it failed, their friendship would be ruined.
“It would be a mistake.”
“Yeah?” He traced the pad of his thumb over her lips before he moved his palm down the side of her neck, rubbing his fingers into the back of her hair. “And why is that?”
She stopped breathing for a second, her heart daring to explode at how good his hand felt on her skin. In all their years of friendship they’d sat close a thousand times, but not like this. Not with the same amount of heat pulsating through her. “B-because you don’t stick.”
“I told you I could change.”
He looked into her eyes, his hand still caressing the back of her neck, as he leaned in, their lips were mere inches from touching. Her skin tingled as if her blood wanted to claw its way out of her body.
“Do you really think you can?” she whispered, her words coming out as soft pants more than actual words.
If he didn’t kiss her, she was going to melt into a puddle right there at his feet. She didn’t know if it was his cologne, him touching her so soft and so sweet, or his lips so close to hers, but she was getting dizzy. Dizzy with desire. Desire that had been buried way down for years. It took all her willpower not to grab him by the collar of his shirt and yank him to her, pull him in for the hot, searing kiss she knew they would share.
“Yes,” he said, and her breath shuddered as she met his soft gaze.
She couldn’t look away.
With his hand still on the back of her neck, he pulled her closer.
This was really happening. Max was going to kiss her.
Before she had another coherent thought his lips claimed hers and against her better judgment she gave herself over to him, his kiss sending a soft, euphoric wave over her whole body.
I’m kissing Max.
You can’t kiss him. He’s your best friend, her mind whispered, her doubts trickling to the surfa
ce.
Don’t think. Enjoy.
She tried to convince herself as her hands took on a mind of their own as they roamed the tops of his strong thighs, then travelled up to grip the front of his shirt, ready to tug…before a flicker of doubt grew into a roaring scream.
He’s your best friend!
She pushed back from his embrace, his breath as ragged and hasty as hers. Pressing her hands to her cheeks, they were hot to the touch. Unable to meet his eyes just yet, she glanced down needing a moment to get a grip on herself before combustion became her only option. Her gaze caught on his arousal straining against the fly of his jeans. Oh, good Lord. She snapped her gaze back to his. Apparently, she wasn’t the only one hot and bothered and the rumors about his endowment were true.
Holy bananas.
No!
Don’t think about bananas.
“Was that chemistry enough for you?” he asked, racking his hand through his hair, and his chest heaved.
“Max, I need…” Alex grabbed her purse, shot to her feet, and headed for the door. “I need some time to think. Can I get back with you tomorrow?” She turned to face him and stumbled backward on the rug behind her before she hit her back on the wall.
“Careful, Alex.” He rushed to her side, placing a hand to her stomach, searing her even more as the heat from his touch traveled down to her lady parts.
Silly vagina.
“You don’t want to hurt the baby.”
The baby. He already acted as if he cared for her baby.
This was too much. All too much.
“I’ll call you. Tomorrow.” She fumbled her way to the door, but couldn’t seem to get her hand to cooperate to open it.
“You know.” He placed a calming hand on hers and helped her with the knob. “I always thought the woman I asked to marry me would be excited. Happy.”
Oh, she was excited all right.
Too excited, and that was the problem. She had to get out of there. Away from his intoxicating cologne, his drop dead gorgeous green eyes, and his all too muscular chest.