“God, no!” Poppy gives an awkward laugh. “Trust me. I need to be the one to talk to him.” She pauses. “No matter what. I will be ready for you in the morning.” Inhaling, she adds, “Are you sure about your parents’ though?”
I grin. “My parents’ are embarrassing, but they will be happy to meet you and baby bump. They’ll also start getting on Ryan’s ass to settle down with one girl. I can’t wait for that.”
“I have a feeling I might get free entertainment.”
“Oh! You will that.” I take her elbow and lead her away from the office and out through the backdoor. “Don’t worry about anything.”
My hand flexes with an itch to cover her bump. I want to press against our baby and tell the bean that I’ll protect him or her. My head is dizzy with everything running through my mind. Relief runs through my blood with how easily she agreed to move in with me, though. I am surprised. How long will she stay? Until the baby is born or forever?
One way or another, I’m going to make sure she has every reason to stay in Lexington with me.
Five
Poppy
Furious is the only word to describe David this morning. He’d been in his room when I’d gotten back to the hotel last night, and I'd been glad.
After talking with Jaxon and having his hands touching me, his mouth making love with mine, I’d felt tingly and hot. I’d needed my space to think about what I had agreed too. I'm a grown woman and shouldn't need to move in with Jaxon and his family. I do have money put away, not to mention my apartment. If I'd been thinking correctly, I'd have gone there instead of to my brother’s house. I should have known better. I’d been upset and confused and gone to my only family.
While he steams and paces outside of my room, I pack a bag so that I'm ready when Jaxon arrives. I will come back for my other belongings. I don't want to prolong his contact with David because I'm worried about what my brother will say. He doesn't know my feelings for Jaxon, or maybe he does. However, he thinks Jaxon saw an opportunity with me and took it.
Sighing, I zip the bag and glance at the door. I need to go out there and face David before I leave. Casting a glance toward the window, I can’t help wishing I was already away from here and the disappointment I’ll see on David’s face.
“Better get this over with,” I mutter to myself, leaving the sanctuary of my bedroom.
David stops pacing and faces me, albeit warily. "Why?" he says. "Why won't you let me look after you and the baby?"
I swallow hard. “Because Jaxon is the baby’s father.”
"You wanted this when you came here, didn't you? You had no intention of coming back with me?" David steps closer, and nerves jump in my belly. “You’re making a big mistake going with this guy. You don’t know anything about him!”
“Stop shouting.” I move and sit on the sofa. “I can’t handle you like this. You know I came here to tell Jaxon. I didn’t expect him to want me to move in with him. I was surprised and agreed.”
"He only wants the baby! You know that, right? The baby, Poppy. His family has money. Remember that." David storms into his bedroom, the door slamming behind him.
Tears prickle behind my eyes as I slowly pull myself up from the sofa. My legs carry me toward the bedroom. In seconds I’m out of the hotel room and heading down into the lobby. Just in time too.
Jaxon seems nervous as he looks around the lobby, but when his eyes land on me, his mouth splits into a grin, and his happiness shines in his eyes. My mouth wobbles as I try to smile back, and I watch as Jaxon’s smile turns into a frown. He rushes over and cups my face, drying my tears with his thumbs. “You’re upset. Why?”
Releasing my bag, I wrap my arms around his waist and bury my face against his chest. It feels soothing when he slides his fingers through my hair and holds me close. His long-sleeved t-shirt is thin, and the heat from his body warms me up.
“You’re sneaking away? Poppy?” David hisses from behind.
Jaxon stills, and his hold on me tightens as though he expects my brother to take me away from him. I guess that's what Jaxon is doing—taking me away from David.
“You must be Poppy’s brother? I’m Jaxon McKenzie.” Jaxon moves me into his side and offers his hand, which gets ignored.
Pulling myself together, I glare at David. “I left while you were occupied elsewhere to prevent this kind of confrontation.” I pause and press against Jaxon, wanting to get closer, needing his reassurance that I’m doing the right thing.
Jaxon presses a kiss to my forehead and whispers, “I have you.”
"David, you're the only family I have left. My best friend." I wince slightly at my admission. "At least you were until you became possessive of me, and I don't understand why."
David glances around and whispers under his breath, "This isn't the place for this discussion." He hesitates and then, stepping forward, kisses me on the cheek. "You’re my best friend too, sis.”
Then he’s gone.
Breathing a sigh of relief, I grab my bag, and have it taken from me. "I'll take this." Jaxon winks, and briefly swoops in for a kiss, causing my belly to flutter with excitement.
He's gorgeous. Worn pale denim fit his thighs and butt to perfection, and the white long-sleeved t-shirt brings out his tan and certainly shows his arms as they flex. Jaxon smirks as he catches me checking him out.
I smile and raise a brow.
Laughing, he takes my hand and walks me out front to where he’s left the car.
After I'm comfortable in the car, he tosses my bag into the trunk, and then we're moving out of the city.
Jaxon keeps passing sidelong glances in my direction. I know this because I can't take my eyes from his profile. The man had snared my attention from the moment I'd laid eyes on him. I hadn't been looking for anyone, and I hadn't intended to let anything come of the attraction I later discovered was mutual. In the end, I'd decided life was too short and went for what I wanted in a roundabout way.
“Tell me about your brother,” Jaxon asks.
Sighing softly, I stare out of the front window and decide where to start. "My brother and I are complicated." I give him my attention. He's a much more exciting view. "David is older and put me through college when our parents died. I owe him a lot, and I guess he's my home. When things get tough, I've always run to him. Like I did after my night with you."
Closing my eyes, I rub at the tension I feel across my brow. “David can be possessive, as you’ve witnessed. He worries about me.”
"This time is different, right? I sensed something more." Jaxon quickly glances at me before turning his attention back on the road.
"I'm not sure what's going on with him. He didn't want me to come with you." I shrug. "He didn't want me to come and find you either."
His hands tighten around the steering wheel and his jaw clenches. “I’m glad you did.” Stopped at the lights, he turns and gives me such a heated look that my face flushes a deep red. He grins and clears his throat.
I’m so easy were Jaxon is concerned.
Wiggling around in the seat, I let my eyes drift closed as the gentle rocking motion of the car makes me sleepy.
Six
Jaxon
Moving down the long driveway to my parents' house—which I still call home—I'm hit with a sudden jolt of nerves. I hadn't thought this through. All I knew when I saw Poppy and, figured out I was going to be a Dad, was that I wouldn't let her go. I needed her with me so I could make sure she didn't disappear as quickly as she had the last time.
My parents are cool, but perhaps I should have given some thought to having a woman move in with me, and the fact she's pregnant. I wince at the idea of the lecture that Dad and my uncles might give me. Growing up, they'd grilled safe sex into our heads, to the point of it becoming embarrassing.
After being with Poppy, I never wanted a rubber to separate us. She'd felt terrific wrapped around me—all slick and hot and sexy as fuck.
Groaning, I shift uncomfortably in my seat while at t
he same time, I hope I get the opportunity to experience that again. I know I need to tread carefully. The last thing I want is for her to be in tears because of me. My sister Sofia was always crying while she was pregnant, much to her husband, Shane’s horror.
So, stopping the car in front of the ranch-style house, I'm relieved that I thought about my sister. The family has a habit of dousing any lust running through my blood.
Switching the engine off, I unclip my belt and run around to Poppy's side. She's still snoozing and looks so damn cute that I want to cradle her in my arms and take her straight to my bed. I want to hold onto her while she sleeps—that’s all I want right now—to keep her and know she is mine.
Instead, I catch Mom hovering at the window as I lean forward and brush Poppy’s dark hair back from her face. She moans seconds before her green eyes focus on mine. “We’re here,” I whisper.
“Hmm,” she stretches and pauses when she notices my eyes caressing her body.
“You’re beautiful.” I smile and quickly kiss her on the lips. “Let’s go inside before Mom thinks I’ve lost my manners.”
Unclipping her belt, I enjoy the way she reacts to me being close, so I make sure to hold her gaze as I grab her hips and lift her down to the ground. Her eyes darken, and if I'm not careful, Mom is going to get an eye full—of something no son ever wants his mother to see.
“I’m nervous, Jaxon,” Poppy admits, chewing on her lip.
“If you don’t stop chewing on your lip, I’m going to put my mouth there and give my mom something to watch,” I growl.
“You wouldn’t dare?”
With a smirk, I cup the back of her head. Holding her close, I press a kiss against her plump lips. “I don’t want to stop,” I whisper, my eyes following the tip of her tongue as she runs it between the seam of her lips. “But,” I force out, “we need to.” Taking a step back, I take her hand and gently tug her toward the house.
Glancing at the windows of the house, I can’t spot Mom peeping through the curtains anymore. Smiling, I turn and look at Poppy, who looks like I'm leading her into the lion's den. I chuckle. "Mom and Dad are great. You have no reason to worry. Trust me." I squeeze her hand and pull her into my home.
I roll my eyes when I notice Mom and Dad on the sofa, Dad, with his arm around Mom as she snuggles into his side.
Poppy fidgets beside me and hisses, “Jaxon, say something.”
Giving an awkward laugh, I clear my throat. “Poppy, this is my mom and dad, Rosie and Ruben.”
Mom jumps up. “It’s lovely to meet you, Poppy.” She raises a brow, staring at me like I’m a naughty child. “Jaxon?”
"Poppy is my girlfriend, and she's pregnant." I grin so damn full that I catch Dad off guard.
Poppy looks just as surprised as my parents do after my admission. I'm not sure at which part though, at least from my parents' point of view. I know I've surprised Poppy with calling her, my girlfriend. I'm not calling her anything else—she's carrying my child, so I'm allowed to have a claim over her.
“Another grandchild?” Mom whispers. “Oh, Ruben.”
Dad moves in behind Mom and wraps an arm around her waist. “Welcome to the family, Poppy,” Dad says in a rough voice. “It’s nice to meet the woman who has had our son tied in knots for months.”
“We had a misunderstanding,” I add. “I’ve asked Poppy to move in here with me until we can find a place of our own.”
“Of course.” Mom grins, her hands twitching. “How far along are you?”
“Just over four months.”
“Baby will be moving now?” Mom says, excitement in her eyes.
“Yes.” Poppy grins, her free hand caressing the baby bump.
"May I?" Mom asks, and there is no mistaking what Mom means by her question.
Poppy squeezes my hand and moves into my side, which my parents' notice. Dad frowns, and Mom stills.
I turn my gaze toward Poppy, and I see tears hovering in her eyes. "Hey, it's okay." I brush the loose tears away with my thumb.
“I’m sorry, Mrs. McKenzie—” she meets my gaze, “—I’m hesitant because Jaxon hasn’t felt our baby moving yet.” Turning back to my parents, she adds, “I’ll be more than happy for you to feel your grandchild later.”
Overcome with emotion, I drop my forehead to hers and kiss the tip of her nose.
“That’s so sweet,” Mom says, hands over her heart. “Our son is an amazing young man, Poppy, and I’m so glad he’s found you again. No mother likes seeing her son upset.” She pats Poppy on the hand. “Jaxon, why don’t you show Poppy upstairs and I’ll make some tea and cakes. Ready in an hour.” Mom flutters off, leaving a smirk on Dad’s face.
“I hope she isn’t offended?” Poppy asks, her chin wobbling.
“She isn’t.” Dad grins. “Better do as your mother suggested.” He follows Mom.
With a slight tug, I lead Poppy upstairs while wondering what she thinks of my home and my parents. It should feel strange having a woman here. However, I like Poppy being with me, which is why I lead her to my room, cringing as I catch sight of the unmade bed. "I was eager to get going this morning." I shrug. "I hope you don't mind sharing with me. I want you close. Make sure you don't disappear on me again," I quietly admit.
"I'm not going to disappear, Jaxon. I promise." Poppy moves further into the room and slowly turns around. "Won't your parents have something to say about me sharing a room with you?"
“I don’t need my parents’ permission to share a room. I’m a grown man, Poppy, in case you hadn’t noticed.”
She laughs. “Oh, I noticed.”
Her amusement is so spontaneous that I feel the barrier that had me hesitant with her break. Keeping my eyes focused on her, I close the distance. She watches me warily. However, her eyes become heated when I place my hands on her hips and slowly move her backward until she's sitting on the end.
I kneel at her feet and ask softly, "Did you mean what you said about touching our baby?"
Tentatively, she reaches out and caresses the side of my face. I do the most natural thing in the world and turn into her touch. “I meant it. Not even David has touched my stomach.”
Nodding slowly, I swallow hard when Poppy takes my hand and presses it against the swell of her belly. I feel a slight movement against the palm of my hand and lift my surprised gaze to Poppy's. "She's moving."
“It could be a boy.”
Shaking my head, I place my other hand on her belly and move them around, enjoying the feeling of touching her. “I don’t care what we’re having, as long as both you and our baby are okay.” I dip my head, not wanting her to see the emotion in my eyes.
She takes my breath away, and with so many emotions going through my body, the last thing I want to do is scare her away.
Her hands cover mine on her body. “Would your mom mind if I lie down for a bit?”
“Are you okay?”
“I didn’t sleep well last night.”
Smiling, I move toward the closet. "Let me change the bed, and then you rest for as long as you want to."
Shaking her head, Poppy moves closer. “The bed is okay.” She kicks her shoes off while holding my gaze, a teasing glint appearing in hers. Her hands reach for her blouse and slowly start to open the buttons revealing smooth skin.
I’m disappointed she has a stretchy thing beneath her shirt. It doesn't hide how swollen her breasts are and, she laughs when I stare.
“It’s the pregnancy.” Tossing her shirt to the chair beside the bed, she slips out of the navy leggings.
Swallowing hard, I nervously usher her into my bed and cover her with the quilt. When she smiles and pats the space beside her, I don’t wait.
I kick my shoes off and staying on top of the quilt, lie beside her.
She's beautiful, with her dark hair spread out on my pillow. I've often wondered over these few months about how she'd look in my bed—the real thing is so much hotter.
“Can I ask you something?”
He
r eyes search mine as she nods.
“Would you have looked for me if there wasn’t a baby?”
She doesn’t glance away, which I consider positive, and then she answers, “I wish I could say yes, but honestly, I’m not sure. I missed you. I may have thought about you once or twice.”
“Only once or twice, huh?”
She reaches out and caresses my face, rubbing her thumb along my cheekbone, and enjoying the feel of my facial hair beneath her fingers. "A lot, if you must know. You were still a student. I didn't want to get in the way of what you had planned for your future. I thought one night would get each other out of our systems." She pauses. "It didn't work."
“I looked for you,” I admit. “I saw you with David and thought he was your boyfriend.”
"What?" She blinks and tries to shove herself up from the pillow. However, I gently push her backward.
She asks, "You came after me?"
"I did. Not right away, but once I realized you weren't coming back. Last night in Kenza, my brother was talking me into going after you again, regardless of the fact I thought you had a boyfriend.” I shrug. “And then there you were looking gorgeous.” Grinning, I add, “I think you need to wear that dress again. For my eyes only, of course."
"Of course." She giggles, becoming silent. "Are you sure I'm okay being here." She puts her fingers over my mouth. "I don't mean because of your parents, I mean—"
I remove her hand and kiss her palm. “I know what you mean.”
Seven
Poppy
My heart thumps behind my breastbone as I feel the sincerity behind Jaxon’s words. He very slowly slips a hand beneath the sheet and spreads his fingers over our baby. The heat from him warms me in places that I shouldn’t be thinking about right now.
I mean, he's a sexy man and, lying here in bed with him, while I'm wearing only a thin barrier from his touch, hurts—the right kind of hurt. My limbs twitch, wanting to open wider and beg for his touch. I’ve always reacted this way to Jaxon—from the moment we met. Nothing has changed with how my body reacts to his closeness. I’m also sure Jaxon would have no issue with putting out the fire burning through me.
The Pregnant Professor (McKenzie Cousins Book 11) Page 3