Waking Up Pregnant(41)

                “I don’t know, Darcy. The boarding school thing was something both my parents agreed on. It’s an experience I value. But with you barely halfway through the pregnancy, I don’t really know whether it’s something I’d want for him or her or not. To me this little guy’s personality, drive and temperament will play pretty heavily into my position.” His gaze locked with hers. “But whatever we decide, we’ll decide together.”

                It had been the unofficial theme of their discussion for the night. That they were in this together. Not in a relationship way, but as far as working at keeping communication between them strong.

                She nodded, letting him see the gratitude and appreciation in her eyes. “I believe you.”

                A breeze ruffled the leaves in the trees around the grounds and then caught a few loose strands of Darcy’s hair, blowing them across her face. Tucking them behind her ear, she glanced up to find Jeff watching her with a look she couldn’t read.

                Suddenly self-conscious, she asked, “What?”

                He waved her off.

                “Nothing. It’s late is all.” He braced his hands on the armrests of his chair and pushed to stand. “You ought to get some rest and I’ve got to drive back.”

                Taking her hand, he helped her to her feet.

                They walked back toward the house and, reaching the door, Jeff stopped. “I’ll say good night here. Sleep in tomorrow, will you?”

                At Darcy’s rolled eyes, he flashed her one of those devastating grins that ought to require a special license the way he wielded it. “Come on, so I don’t worry about you.”

                No question, this guy knew how to get what he wanted. “I’ll do my best.”

                Satisfied, he leaned in—probably to drop a kiss on her cheek—only as he neared, the rich masculine scent that had been playing with her senses and control all night caught her off guard. Her eyes closed and her head turned toward him as she drew a deep breath through her nose.

                Whoa—what the heck was she doing?

                Her eyes popped wide, and there was Jeff, inches away, a darkening scowl underscoring his confusion.

                Immediately, she took a step away to put more distance between them, but caught a heel on the edge of the walk.

                Jeff’s hand was there in an instant, guiding her back the way she’d come. Then closer. Until she was looking up into his face, their bodies only a breath away from contact.

                This close there was no getting away from how good he smelled. Her heart was pounding, her breath coming too fast.

                “Darcy?”

                She shook her head. Trying to figure out exactly what to say when the truth—that she’d lost control and he’d, yes, just caught her going in for a whiff of him or whatever the cheap-feel equivalent would be for smelling someone up. This was so low.

                “Honey?” His hold tightened as concern put an urgent edge to his voice. “Are you okay?”

                She blinked. Okay? And then realization...she had an out here. Only her conscience pricked at the idea of passing off blame on her baby for her moment of weakness.

                No, on second thought, she could definitely live with herself.

                Raising a hand to her temple, she offered a weak shrug. “I think maybe I’m a little more worn out than I realized. A little light-headed is all.”