Page 69 of Richard
She was placing a bowl of fruits on the table when he returned, carrying the scent of his bath with him into the room.
“Hi.” Grabbing her around the waist, he nibbled at her neck. “You smell good.”
“So, do you.” Leaning back against him, she wrapped her hands around his.
“How was work?”
“Nuh uh.” Turning her around, he cradled her face and brushed his lips against hers.
“Remember the Golden Rule?”
“No discussion of work when we step past the threshold.” Her hands crept up his chest, feeling the warmth of his skin through the thickness of his black sweater.
“Precisely.” He nibbled at her lobe. “You cooked.”
“Hmm.” She was lost in a sea of sensations as his lips feathered over her flesh. “Just something I put together. I gave Ms. Hall the evening off and told her not to prepare anything. I spoke to her over the phone, but I could feel the air crackling over the line.
She does not like anyone to invade her territory.”
“Does she know you are the woman of the house?” he inhaled her seductive scent and wondered if she would be offended if he suggested that they go upstairs. He could feel her slender curves beneath the flimsy material and knew she wasn’t wearing anything else.
“I think she needs to be reminded.” She finally found thestrength to push him away.
“Dinner is ready. I would like you to pour the wine.”
He groaned and tried to reach for her again, but she danced away with a laugh.
“Spoilsport," he grumbled.
Taking the bottle out of its icy bed, he studied the label with a frown. “Non-alcoholic? Is something–”his eyes widened fractionally as he stared at her. She was beaming, her dark brown eyes dancing.
“Collette?” He could scarcely breathe. “Darling?”
“I wanted to wait until dessert to tell you.”
“Tell me what?”
Moving toward him, she took the bottle and put it on the table before taking his hands in hers. “How do you feel about a September baby?”
He went still and could swear that every bone inside his body had frozen. He had told her just a month ago that he did not care if they had a baby. All he wanted was her, and he meant every word. Besides, he thought it was too late for them—for him. But now, hearing that they were going to be parents, he felt his insides turning too much.
He was silent for so long that she felt her happiness dimming to be replaced by anxiety.
“Richard?”
He blinked her into focus and felt the love bursting through every part of him. She had entered his life and given him so much, more than he had ever dared hoped for.
“How are you?” he asked hoarsely. “How did you– Are you nauseous? Do you need anything?” His expression turned anxious. “And what the hell are you doing cooking? You should be lying down.
Have you eaten – Jesus!” He gripped her arms tight and released her suddenly as if he was afraid he was breaking her. “Oh darling.” His eyes glittered with tears. “A baby?”
She stood there watching him struggle with every conceivable emotion and felt her heart swelling. “Yes,” Taking his hand, she pressed it against her flat stomach.
“Dr. Grayson says I am very healthy, and I am not nauseous, not yet. And I feel great, so great that I am not going to say anything about you hinting that I am not supposed to do anything.”
“Sweetheart.” His fingers spread over her stomach, and he felt the warmth of her skin through the flimsy material. “I adore you.”
“I know. Now how about dinner–”
