“Fine. I get it,” she snapped, rubbing her temples. “You don’t have to be so dramatic.”
His pulse rate started to return to normal now that she seemed more reasonable. “Good,” he nodded.
“So what exactly do you want?”
“I want to be there for the entire pregnancy,” he said, unable to stop himself from letting his eyes wander over her, imagining her body changing, their child growing inside her. Before he could second-guess himself he stepped closer to her, watching as her dark eyes clouded over with confusion. He knew she couldn’t figure him out. Right now, he couldn’t figure himself out.
Claire had that effect on him. It killed him to be in the same room with her and have her so far from him. He wanted just a hint of her scent, a fraction of her heat, and he wanted to know she felt the same.
Her lips parted as his eyes dropped to her mouth. At that moment, he wanted nothing more than to relive that night they shared in the hotel room. He would have done everything differently. He would have savored every second. He would have carried her to the king-size bed and slowly undressed her, torturing them both as he lingered over removing the fine lace lingerie she wore under the silk dress. He would have kissed and licked each soft, fragrant inch of skin he exposed. And then he would have made love to her over and over again for the entire night.
And he would have stayed and been the man she needed him to be.
“The entire pregnancy?”
He nodded. “Doctor’s appointments, ultrasounds, baby shopping, baby names,” he said, rattling off as many things he could remember from the book he’d just read.
“I get it, I get it,” she mumbled.
“Good. And while we’re on that topic we can discuss living arrangements—”
“Don’t push your luck, Jacob Manning,” she said, wagging a finger at him. He didn’t bother holding back his laughter, but he did refrain himself from grabbing her finger and her hand, and pulling her into him.
“We could buy a big house.”
“We are not living together. Believe me, what happened the night of Holly and Quinn’s wedding will never happen again.”
He cocked an eyebrow, and then let his eyes wander over her lazily. The pulse at the base of her throat quickened when his eyes lingered on her lips. His stomach clenched at the little flick of her tongue as he stared at her mouth.
“Sure,” he said huskily.
“I’m serious,” she whispered, her eyes darting from his eyes to his mouth.
“So am I.” There was no way her plan would work. They wouldn’t be able to resist each other for long, and he was willing to bet his Harley on that. He had to earn her trust, her respect, and then everything else would fall into place.
“Fine. So now can we eat dinner?” Claire asked, walking back to the takeout, expertly destroying the sexual tension.
He joined her at the counter. “Sure. Have you been to your doctor already?”
Claire paused before scooping some salad onto her plate. “Monday morning at ten I have an appointment.”
“Great. I’ll pick you up—”
She shook her head, dumping a heap of lettuce on her plate. “No. I’ll meet you there.”
“Claire—”
“I have to go to work after,” she said, sniffing the lemon potatoes.
“You’re closed on Mondays.”
“The store is closed, but I always go in anyway.”
He groaned. “Okay, fine. I’ll see you Monday at ten.”
She reached out to shake his hand.
He grinned and shook her hand. He had finally gotten through to her.
Score one for team Jake.
Chapter Five
“So you’re sure you’re feeling all right?” Jake ignored Claire’s exaggerated sigh and glanced around the waiting room. It was filled with pregnant women, their spouses, and loads of kids. Loud, obnoxious children. Jake knew there was no way he and Claire could ever be anything like these people. Most of them were wearing sweats and looked as though they hadn’t even run a comb through their hair. There was no way he’d be caught dead in a public place wearing jogging pants. And their child certainly would never be as…as irritating as the ones who refused to sit in their seats and kept squirming and whining for snacks. No, that could never be him and Claire.
“For the sixth time, I’m fine. And you know I was just thinking there is no real reason for you to be here, so if you have to go to work or leave town for a few weeks without calling, go ahead.” Claire’s breath tickled his ear and the scent of her flowery perfume filled him with pleasure. It almost made him calm. Except for the fact that it also got his blood boiling—in a very uncomfortable way since there was nothing he could do about it. He fought the urge to put his arm around Claire as they sat close together on the black vinyl waiting room chairs. His eyes ran over her appreciatively, taking in the flowing pink blouse she was wearing. She was stylish if a little conservative. Her legs, which he knew were beautifully toned and silky, were hidden beneath a sleek pair of dark jeans. He knew she worked out, often seeing her jogging through the town, which reminded him to ask her doctor whether or not she could. He couldn’t remember seeing a pregnant woman jogging.