Waking Up Pregnant(69)

                Don’t think about it.

                Darcy slid onto a stool that looked like some kind of industrial spring with a leather padded seat top, and watched the play of muscles across his broad shoulders and down his arm as he used a fork to whip through the mix.

                “Yep...Uh-huh...That’s great...In about an hour, then...Excellent.” Jeff thumbed off the phone and catching sight of her over his shoulder turned. “Hey, you feeling better?”

                “Completely, thanks.” That was the thing about the morning sickness, once it was gone, it was really gone. Well, until it came back. But the interim...she felt like a million bucks.

                Darcy nodded toward the phone in his hand. “Do you have an appointment?”

                “Oh, no. Well, yes. It’s for you. Charlie got the name of a maternity boutique and coordinated the delivery of a selection of clothes this morning. No more itchy seams...you know...touching you.”

                Maternity clothes. Delivered. So she wouldn’t have to go out in clothes that bothered her.

                This man was thoughtful in ways most people would never think of.

                “Thanks, Jeff.” Then forcing herself to bring up what she really wanted to forget, she started, “About when you woke up...”

                Jeff set the phone down on the counter behind him. “I knew you still got sick. But I haven’t really seen the way it affects you for a while.”

                “Not exactly what you had in mind, I’m guessing.” Not after all the seductive promises and racy talk.

                A short breath. “Not exactly.”

                How could it be?

                Jeff crossed to the counter where Darcy was seated and braced on his forearms. A muscle in his jaw started to jump.

                Darcy forced herself not to shift on the stool, not to look away from his remorse-filled eyes when he said, “I’m sorry.”

                This was it. He was going to tell her it was a mistake. He shouldn’t have asked her to come.

                She’d agree, and look relieved while she said it, even if it killed her. Because she’d known better. And because what mattered was keeping their relationship amicable. For their baby and themselves.

                “Don’t be. Neither of us was thinking straight,” she offered, backing up her words with a lightness she didn’t feel. “Seriously, let’s chalk it up to lack of sleep and pheromone overdose and—”

                “Darcy, what the hell are you talking about?” Jeff demanded, whatever guilt there’d been in his eyes now replaced with a sharp accusation. Then, “Forget I asked. I’ve got it, but clearly you don’t. I’m not sorry my morning sex kitten fantasy got rained out by a little reality. What I’m sorry about is you going through this alone. I’m sorry I haven’t been there every morning and through whatever part of the rest of the day this sickness occupies from the start. I’m sorry you’re so used to being on your own, that even now when I’m right here, you’re more comfortable sending me away. Darcy, I’m just sorry it hasn’t been easier for you.”

                “Jeff—”

                “And you aren’t moving out, so don’t even start about it. I just got you here. And damn it, you’re going to let me take care of you and you’re going to like it.” Catching the back of her neck with one hand and her stool with the other, Jeff planted a firm kiss on her, stepping between her legs as they softened together.