"No, Logan." She resisted sternly. "I need time get everything ready."
"Handle it later." He arched a seductive eyebrow. "You're taking care of me now. And I want to take you from behind. In the shower. Watching water pour down your gorgeous body."
Well, when he put it like that …
*
"Can I come in?"
Allison looked up from her computer the Monday after Thanksgiving and saw Rick Dunn standing in the doorway of her office.
"Sure." She smiled.
She'd never thought she and Rick would be on decent terms. Let alone speaking cordially and sharing a smile.
Thanksgiving had been a delicious, fun, chaotic whirlwind of laughter and deepening friendships. Logan's sisters had warmed to her instantly. Stephanie let Allison hold her four-month-old baby girl, and Allison had fallen in love with the plump, cooing, drooling package of preciousness. Between holding the child and her dream hours earlier, the combined experience made her pregnancy so real she couldn't wait to hold her own baby. She and Stephanie and Tracy had talked for hours about babies and raising kids and the joyful craziness of balancing work and family. Logan had divided his attention between showering Allison with affection and having a blast with the brood of kids running around his house. He'd even set up a treasure hunt for the under-ten crowd that kept the pack occupied while the adults enjoyed fine wine and good conversation.
Vivi had behaved herself, and Devon had been in an equally good mood. Then Rick had taken Allison aside mid-afternoon and actually apologized for his behavior toward her. He'd offered an olive branch, and Allison had accepted, relieved to know they were on the same side.
For once in her life, she'd felt like she belonged .
Rick stepped inside Allison's office and approached her desk. "Vivi made a care package for you." His eyes twinkled mischievously. He brought his hand out from behind his back and produced a pie. "She said you can come over anytime and she'll teach you how to bake."
Allison rolled her eyes. She'd never live down her cooking mishap on Thanksgiving. "Just because my first attempt set off the smoke alarms doesn't mean I'm hopeless."
He held up his hands innocently. "Don't shoot the messenger. I'm just the delivery guy."
Right then Devon strolled in. "Hey, Allison. Make some good charcoal pies lately?"
"You both just wait." Allison sent them a mock glare. "I'm going to bake the best pie you ever tasted."
Devon nudged Rick. "Thank God we have a whole year for her to practice."
Rick puffed up in defense of Allison, though he barely contained a smirk. "I happen to like my food with a little extra carbon."
Devon shrugged. "Since Logan's smoke alarms are attached to his security system, the fire department will become regulars at Allison's Kitchen."
Allison folded her arms. "Do you two have nothing better to do on a Monday morning than harass me?"
"Hey, you're part of the family now," Rick said. "Get used to it."
Allison's heart swelled. "I am?"
"Yes," Rick and Devon replied simultaneously.
Allison beamed. Her insides went squishy and soft. Their acceptance meant more to her than words could say.
"So if your kid is a boy, you'll name him after me." Rick nodded as if it were a foregone conclusion.
Devon piped in. "No way. My name is much better. It's gender-neutral. Boy or girl, I've got you covered."
Allison arched an eyebrow. This was so like family. Already fighting over baby names. She loved it. "Maybe I'll flip a coin."
"Heads!" Devon called.
"Let's roll dice," Rick suggested. "More interested odds."
Allison wondered, "Which one of you is going to explain to my child that his or her name was decided by a bet?"
Devon's lips pulled to the side. "I guess Rick will do the honors. He can explain why women's betting skills are far superior to men's."
Rick frowned. "Hey, I resemble that remark."
Allison laughed.
Approaching the desk, Devon grabbed Allison's hand, wiggling the huge diamond on her left ring finger. "I've kept my mouth shut. But now that we're all in this together, I'm dying for the scoop on your ring. Are you and Logan official?"
Withdrawing her hand, Allison folded her fingers tightly. "It was an impromptu thing. Logan hasn't asked me to marry him."
"What the hell is he waiting for?" Rick looked annoyed.
Devon groaned. "What are we in high school? He gave you a 'pre-engagement' ring?"
"The timing hasn't been right." Allison was surprised by her own defensiveness.
Rick spread his arms. "Is he going to wait until you've popped out the kid before he pops the question?"