"New pearls?" he asked.
"Do you like them?
"I don't think I want to eat them."
She smiled then, and he realized that it was the first time she had. And she hadn't moved toward him yet.
"What would you like to start off with?" she asked.
"My choice?"
"The first one is. Then it will be my turn."
He wanted to laugh then. But there was something in her eyes beneath the excitement … apprehension?
He glanced again at the selection lined up on the counter. "It's quite a feast. Why don't you come here and help me select?"
He noticed the slight hesitation before she moved toward him. Once he had her hand tucked safely in his, he said, "I'm kind of leaning toward the whipped cream and chocolate syrup myself."
"Good choice. If we top that off with the hot apple cider, I figure we've hit at least two-thirds of the food pyramid – fruit, dairy and protein."
"I'm lucky to have a scientist keeping my diet on track."
"Want to know what I have in mind for the cider?" Mac asked.
"I always want to know what you have in mind," he said as he tucked a strand of flyaway hair behind her ear. The apprehension hadn't vanished yet from her eyes.
"I melted those little red-hot cinnamon pieces in it, so it's doubly hot. I'm going to drink it and then taste you." Her hand unerringly found the part of him that she was thinking of tasting.
With a sigh that ended on a moan, he rested his head against her forehead. "You're going to be the death of me." Then he carefully removed her hand from his erection. "Before we get to that, why don't you tell me the reason for the feast. Are we celebrating a special occasion?"
"Yes."
Now it was his turn to be apprehensive. Had he forgotten an anniversary of some sort?
Licking her lips, she continued, "I did a little experiment today. And then I reran it five times. I wanted to make sure."
He smiled at her. "You had a breakthrough at the lab. Don't tell me – let me guess. Wilbur is going to live to be a hundred."
"Not exactly. I mean, I didn't do it at the lab. I did it here."
"Here?"
"It came out positive. All five times. And the pharmacist told me the test has a very high accuracy rating. I'm … we're … pregnant."
"Pregnant?" Even as he said the word aloud, he struggled to take it in.
"Yes. That's why I have to get started, using my research, I mean. I'm going to get fat I can't afford to let you get bored."
"Pregnant." He was beginning to absorb it. He could tell by the joy that was zinging through him. "You're pregnant." Lifting her off her feet, he swung her around and around, then abruptly stopped and set her on the counter. "I shouldn't be doing that. Are you all right?"
"I'm fine." Eye to eye, she studied him for a moment. "You're happy?"
He grinned at her. "Very."
Her expression remained serious. "I don't want to bore you. I don't want to lose you … ever."
He kissed her softly, coaxing her into it, pouring everything he felt into it until they were both nearly drowning. Finally, he drew away. "You're not going to lose me. Ever. And I don't know how I'm supposed to get bored. There are so many parts of you that I love. So many parts that I'm still discovering. I can't wait to meet Mac the mother."
She hugged him then, and he felt her lips curve against his chest. Her sigh moved through him. "Let's get started on dinner. You grab the chocolate and whipped cream. I'll bring the cider and the other stuff."
"Appetizers first," he said as he quickly wrapped her legs around him and pulled down his zipper.
"Appetizers?" Her breath hitched as she took him in.
"I'm very hungry."
"You are?"
"Oh, yes. And the appetizer is always the first step to enjoying a great meal. You do like to take everything one step at a time, right?"
"Absolutely," Mac managed.
The laughter, the overwhelming joy welled up between them as they began to move together in a steady and familiar rhythm.
"We'll take it slowly," Lucas promised as he struggled to do just that. But already he could feel her climax begin to move through her. As always, his own control began to slip away. Drawing her closer, he spoke softly. "And when you reach the heights. I'll be right there … with you. Always."
And he was.