Page 128 of The Last Saturday In July

‘What are you doing?’ she whispered.

‘Getting you to stop talking for a minute.’ He grinned, then tipping up her chin with his other hand, he lowered his mouth to hers.

With a sigh, Jess wound both arms around his neck. As Adam angled his mouth to deepen the kiss, Jess shifted her body against his, a breathless laugh escaping her, as he groaned into her mouth. He moved his lips away from hers, kissing along her jaw and down to her neck and, vaguely, Jess wondered if they should lock the door.

Abruptly, Adam muttered something and pulled away. Jess swayed, blinking at him, as she tried to calm her breathing.

‘Why did you stop?’

He ran his thumb across her lips, and she felt a tingle race through her. ‘I just thought we should stop. We’re in work, and it’s a bit unprofessional. Also, I wasn’t sure how you felt about having sex on your desk.’ Judging by the gleam in his eyes, he was probably joking about the last part, she thought. Still, she’d never be able to look at her desk again, without wondering what that would be like. His thumb stroked her cheek and along her collar bone. ‘So, let me get this straight: you’re definitely single?’

‘Definitely.’ Why had he stopped doing that amazing thing with his thumb?

‘No other fiancés I should know about? No stalker ex-boyfriends?’

‘None of the above.’ She wished he’d just kiss her again. ‘I’m also definitely pregnant, Adam. You heard that bit too, right?’

His smile widened. ‘I did.’ He paused. ‘Hang on, I don’t want to pressure you either way about the baby. I mean, whatever you decide … what I’m trying to say is that I’ll support whatever decision you make.’

Jess nodded. A part of her couldn’t believe what she was going to admit, but suddenly it felt like the most natural, wonderful thing in the world.

‘I want the baby.’ She noticed that Adam’s eyes lookedsuspiciously bright.

‘I’m so bloody glad to hear you say that.’

She made a half-crying, half-laughing sound. ‘Really?’

He nodded, tucking some stray hair back from her face.

‘I suppose for now we should get back to work.’

Was he serious? How was she supposed to work after that? ‘Right, of course.’ Almost reluctantly, Jess’s brain caught up. ‘Hang on, aren’t you going back to Switzerland? I mean, why did you come back?’

‘Ah.’ Adam rubbed his nose. ‘I did go back to Switzerland for a few days. But Frank wanted me back here to help sort ...’ he spread his hands, ‘this.’

Jess stared at him. ‘So you’re going back?’ She couldn’t cry. After everything that had happened during the past forty-eight hours, she wasn’t about to burst into tears now. No matter how messed up her hormones were.

‘No.’ Adam’s voice gentled. ‘Since about twenty minutes ago, I’ve decided to base myself here.’

‘Oh.’ Her voice cracked. ‘I’m glad. I mean, your parents will be delighted, won’t they?’

Adam smiled. ‘Hopefully. But they don’t know yet. Nor does Frank. I was waiting to talk to you.’

Jess felt a warm glow spread through her, as the full impact of Adam’s words hit home. He looked thoughtful. ‘Do you want to get out of here for an hour?’

‘That’s a fairly brilliant idea.’

‘I’ve been known to have one or two.’ Adam opened the door. ‘You know we should probably take this slowly, don’t you? You were engaged about two minutes ago. And now, with you being pregnant … ’

‘No, yes, I see that.’ Jess was determined to be honest. ‘I was telling the truth when I said things hadn’t been right between me and Simon for ages, but he’s a good person. I want to make sure I’m not on the rebound.’

‘Do you think you are?’

‘Nope, but just in case, we probably shouldn’t have sex.’ Jess was deadpan. ‘Not for a while, anyway.’

Adam took her hand. ‘So, delayed gratification?’

Jess’s breath caught in her throat, as she met his eyes. ‘You up for it?’

‘Oh, I’m up for it.’ Adam was equally deadpan. ‘And I’m also good at delayed gratification, so we’ll take it slowly.’

Jess felt a stab of disappointment. ‘Really?’

Adam’s eyes glittered. ‘Well, maybe we shouldn’t wait too long, either. It might get a bit trickier later on.’ He glanced down at her tummy, then back up at her again and as Jess felt her face heat, he winked. More seriously, he added, ‘Are you sure you’re all right? This isn’t exactly a perfect situation.’

Jess smiled. ‘To be honest, Adam, I’ve found that perfect is very overrated.’

THE END