Tall, Dark and Charming

by Erika Wilde

  The doctor wheeled a machine closer to the table, squirted some gel on Daisy’s stomach that she warned her would be cold—and it must have been, judging by Daisy’s gasp—then picked up the small handheld device and slid it across her stomach while looking at the screen.

  After a moment, an image appeared, and Dr. Lane pointed to the outline of the little tadpole in Daisy’s belly. “There’s your baby,” she said, seemingly happy with what she was seeing. “Here’s the head, the spine, and you can see the baby’s arms and legs, too.”

  Holy shit. Yes, Aiden could see it all, and a huge lump of emotion formed in his throat at the thought of this tiny thing in Daisy’s stomach growing into a little human. Daisy reached out and grabbed his hand, as if she was overwhelmed herself, and he gave her fingers an affectionate squeeze.

  “Let’s take a listen to the heartbeat,” Dr. Lane said, and flipped a switch on the unit that immediately filled the room with the soft, rhythmic whoosh, whoosh, whoosh sounds of a steady pulse.

  Aiden was in awe, barely able to breathe, and that lump in his throat . . . he had to forcibly swallow it back. And even then, there was no denying that tears were threatening the backs of his eyes. He was completely and utterly astonished by the miracle thriving and developing in Daisy’s stomach—a baby he’d never imagined he’d ever have in his life. And the woman he was having it with . . . well, he’d never believed he’d be that lucky to find someone who he wanted to share a family with, either.

  But as he watched the tiny movements on the screen, then looked down at Daisy and saw the pure joy on her face that told him she was equally captivated by their first glimpse and the first sounds of their baby, Aiden was pretty sure that he fell unequivocally in love right then and there. Not just with the son or daughter they’d created during one passionate night together but with Daisy herself.

  The realization wasn’t overly shocking, not when it felt more right than anything else in his life ever had. This was the woman he wanted to spend his future with.

  “Everything looks and sounds pretty good,” Dr. Lane said as she pressed a button, which produced a black-and-white photo of the image on the screen—their little tadpole. “It’s too early to be able to tell the sex of the baby, but I usually do another ultrasound around the five-month mark, and you can find out the gender then if you’d like.”

  Aiden watched Daisy swallow back her own emotions. “The only thing I care about is that the baby is healthy.”

  “So far, so good.” Dr. Lane assured her as she handed the photo to Aiden, then wiped the gel off of Daisy’s stomach with a paper towel.

  Half an hour later they were back in Aiden’s car, and he was pulling out of the parking lot. “So, do you think it would be weird if I framed the ultrasound picture and put it on my desk at work?”

  She laughed, the sound light and happy. “Yes, it’s weird. I don’t think anyone else is going to be as fascinated with the photo as we are. I’ll put it on my refrigerator and you can see it any time you want.”

  “Fair enough,” he said, liking the sound of that. At least until he convinced her to come and live with him, because that was his grand plan. She’d already told him that she’d have to find a bigger place when her lease was up in two months, and he was hoping over the next few weeks she’d realize and come to believe that all he wanted was to take care of her and the baby . . . and love them both. Which was much easier for him to do if they were all living under the same roof.

  But until then, he was going to be patient and use the time to his advantage to make Daisy fall in love with him, too.

  He glanced at the clock on the dash of his car, which read ten after five. “Are you hungry?”

  She thought for a moment, her gaze going from the photo of their baby to him. “Actually, I am.”

  “Let’s pick up something and take it back to your place,” he said, since he had to drop her off anyway. “What sounds good?”

  He glanced at Daisy in time to see her bite her bottom lip impishly. “I’ve really been craving a Greek salad. Especially those Kalamata olives.”

  He arched a brow as he stopped at red light. “So, Kalamata olives and peanut butter cups,” he said of her two cravings. “Together or separate?” he teased.

  The corner of her luscious mouth that he ached to kiss again quirked up in an adorable grin. “Hmm. Actually, now that you mention it, the two things sound kind of good together. Like sweet chocolate, savory peanut butter, and the sour marinade that the olives soak in.”

  He grimaced at the thought. “I was totally kidding, but if that’s what my baby wants, then I’ll get you anything you ask for.”

  She leaned her head back against the leather seat and put a hand over her stomach. “Ahhh, you’re taking such good care of us.”

  “Always,” he said, meaning it.

  * * *

  When Daisy had told him that her studio apartment was small, she’d exaggerated the size, because as Aiden walked into the tiny space, he almost felt claustrophobic, and he’d never had an issue with confined areas before. But the fact that so much was crammed into such a miniscule box-shaped room was enough to make it seem like the walls were closing in on him.

  Jesus, he had no idea how she’d lived like this the past three years. As soon as you entered the apartment, to the left was one long counter and a half-sized refrigerator that constituted the kitchenette. There was no separation into the living room/bedroom area, where a Murphy bed was currently pulled down and filled almost the entire room. At least the bathroom had a door, but from what he could see, it was the size of a broom closet, with a toilet, sink, and walk-in shower barely fitting into the space. An armoire against the wall served as her closet . . . and for such a tiny apartment, it was well kept and organized, probably because she’d kept her personal belongings to a minimum.

  He set the plastic bag with their food onto the counter. “Jesus, Daisy, this entire place is probably smaller than my master bedroom.”

  She laughed. “And smaller than your kitchen, too,” she added, reminding him of the comment she’d made that night she’d come to his place for dinner. “I’ve gotten used to it, but it’s definitely not going to accommodate a baby.”

  He agreed but didn’t respond to that remark, because there was no sense mentioning his idea before she was in the right frame of mind to hear it.

  “We can sit here to eat,” she said, pointing to a small square table that was only slightly larger than a TV tray, with two fold-out chairs.

  He set their food on the tiny table while she retrieved two bottled waters from her mini fridge. They sat down, and he had to chuckle at how awkward it was to eat at a table that was so small they could barely share it, with no room for their legs so they had to sit sideways.

  “I guess you don’t throw many dinner parties, huh?” he said as he unwrapped the roast beef and gouda panini he’d ordered while she removed the plastic top to her Greek salad with extra Kalamata olives.

  She cracked up. “You would be right. Actually, you’re the first person to visit, because clearly, there is no room for guests unless we all want to lie on the bed together.”

  He shot her a wicked grin. “I like that idea just fine.”

  She blushed, then glanced down as she stabbed her fork into her salad. She thought he was referring to sex, and while he’d love to fuck her again, because it had been three long months without the immense pleasure of being inside of her, that wasn’t what he meant by his comment. He really did like the idea of just lying in bed with her—the intimacy of holding her in his arms, the warm, soft feel of her body pressed up against his, and the trusting way she relaxed against him while she slept.

  He’d decided that’s all she was going to get out of him for now, because the last thing he wanted her to think was that the only reason he asked her to move in with him, when the time came, was because of the sex. And for him, it wasn’t about getting laid, but wanting her in his life permanently. And until he felt like she was rea
dy to take that next step with him, he wasn’t going to muddy the waters, or her emotions, with that physical intimacy.

  Chapter Twelve

  Daisy stood up on her tiptoes, trying to get a full-length view of her reflection in the bathroom mirror, which was never possible in the cramped space, no matter how hard she tried to look any lower than her waist. At least she could see that her makeup appeared light and natural and her hair—which she’d decided to wear out of its normal ponytail, braid, or twisted knot at the nape of her neck—was soft and shiny as it fell in gentle waves around her shoulders.

  She’d bought a pretty new floral dress to wear to meet Aiden’s mother, Grace, who’d been back from her cruise for a week now and had finally settled into her routine at home. And even though Aiden had told her that this was just a casual dinner at his mother’s place to get acquainted with his family, she still wanted to make a good impression. Since she wasn’t quite ready to jump into full-blown maternity wear but definitely needed more room around her stomach, she’d purchased an A-line cut that was more fitted at the bust and flared out at the waist and flattered her figure. With her going into her sixteenth week of pregnancy, she’d definitely developed a curve to her belly and had to accommodate that expansion.

  She glanced at the time on her cell phone, and with ten more minutes until Aiden arrived to pick her up, she decided to switch out her larger everyday tote bag for a smaller purse to carry just the essentials—her phone, lipstick, a credit card, and her license—and tried not to let her nerves get the best of her for the evening ahead.

  After enduring her mother’s harsh reaction to her pregnancy almost four weeks ago—and not talking to Diane since—Daisy couldn’t help but feel a little hesitant about meeting Aiden’s mom, even though he’d assured her that there was nothing for her to worry about and that his mother had adjusted just fine to the news of him being a dad—after getting over her initial shock. Grace’s acceptance was important, for the baby’s sake, yes, but if Daisy looked a little deeper, she had to admit that the other woman’s approval mattered in terms of Daisy being good enough for her son.

  Which was a really stupid thought because this meeting wasn’t about her, but rather the grandchild she was carrying, despite her growing feelings for Aiden. And God, Daisy was trying so damn hard to remain immune to his charm, his sinfully sexy dimples, and how incredibly sweet and attentive he was with her . . . because of the baby.

  Since their talk with Sabrina nearly a month ago, Aiden had respected the personal boundaries Daisy had established at work so that there was no misconstruing that her job was her number-one priority. They didn’t talk at the office unless there was a specific reason for them to do so, and even then, they dealt with one another on a professional level and kept their focus on business.

  She couldn’t help the small smile that tugged at her lips, because even though Aiden treated her as nothing more than a colleague at work while in the presence of other co-workers, it was the times that she was by herself in her office that he’d make sure that she knew he was thinking of her. Occasionally, she’d find a wrapped peanut butter cup in one of her drawers to sate her craving for them, or she’d return from a late-morning meeting and discover a plastic container with her favorite Greek salad inside, with extra Kalamata olives.

  He texted her random facts about the baby growing inside her and emailed her cute, funny pregnancy memes and jokes that made her smile and laugh. Every single day, he did something to let her know he was aware of her, even if he couldn’t physically show it. And it was like their little secret at work, one that made her feel special and pulled at the heartstrings that were slowly, gradually unraveling and letting him into that place that was still so afraid to take a chance on love again.

  If his delightful and unexpected surprises at work weren’t enough to wreak havoc with her already fluctuating emotions, then the way he took care of her when it was just the two of them tempted her even more. At least a few times during the week, he stopped by her apartment after work to “visit the baby.” He brought dinner, and they laid in her bed, watched shows on Netflix, and chilled—and not in a sexual way. No, any affection was limited to him holding her hand or a chaste kiss on the lips or cheek that left her wishing and aching for a whole lot more.

  Instead, he rubbed her belly and talked to the baby, assuring their son or daughter that he’d always be there for them and he’d love them no matter what. Those promises never failed to make her throat tight with emotion, that this amazing man had no qualms about showing a softer, more caring side that most guys would never admit to having. She loved that about Aiden and knew their child would always know how much their father cared.

  On the weekends, he’d cook dinner at his place for them, and afterward, he’d either massage her aching feet or he’d run a bubble bath in his Jacuzzi tub and let her soak blissfully until her skin shriveled up and she was completely and utterly boneless. Afterward, bundled up in the soft terry robe he bought for her and relaxing in his bed, she’d let him feed her the Ben & Jerry’s Peanut Butter Cup ice cream he’d discovered at the grocery store. Jesus, that stuff was addictive, and if she wasn’t careful, she’d gain an extra ten pounds before her next doctor’s appointment.

  When her belly was full and her body sated, he’d pull her into his arms and stroke his fingers through her hair until she fell into a deep, dreamless sleep. It was heaven, because being there with Aiden was when she felt the most safe and secure.

  Outside of the office, he pampered and spoiled her and made her feel like a goddess, and now the lines were beginning to blur, because this was all supposed to be just about the baby . . . and it was starting to feel like so much more. And she couldn’t let herself go there. Because if she did, it would be her heart that paid the price.

  A knock at the door startled her out of her thoughts, and she picked up her small purse and keys and went to greet Aiden. When she opened the door, his dark gaze took in her dress and low heels, and an appreciative grin appeared on his lips, putting his panty-dropping dimple on display.

  “Hi, beautiful,” he said, and that’s exactly how he always made her feel . . . so pretty and desirable and attractive. Even now, as her body was changing and she was starting to get curvier than she already had been.

  “Hi, yourself,” she returned with a smile of her own. “And thank you. You look pretty good, too.” Then again, he always did. It didn’t matter what he wore, or didn’t wear, for that matter, the man was simply gorgeous.

  “You ready to go?”

  “Yep.” She stepped out of the apartment and locked the door and was no longer surprised when Aiden grabbed her hand to walk her out to his car.

  Once they were both inside with their seat belts on, Aiden turned on the vehicle but didn’t go just yet. “I have a surprise for you,” he said, and reached into the center console to grab something. “Close your eyes and put out your hand.”

  She did as he asked. “You’re making me nervous. I have no idea what to expect.”

  “That’s why they call it a surprise,” he teased, and placed something small in the palm of her extended hand. “Okay, you can look now.”

  She glanced at the item in her hand, trying to make out what it was. The mini-bauble was white in color with a round head and a squiggly body and tail . . . Her eyes widened as she realized what it was. “Oh, my God, is this a sperm tchotchke?”

  Aiden burst out laughing, the sound deep and low and so unfairly sexy to her susceptible hormones. “What the hell is a tchotchke?”

  “It means novelty item, and you’re avoiding my question,” she said, trying not to laugh, too. “Did you get me a sperm tchotchke?”

  “Get your mind out of the gutter, Ms. Parker,” he said, his voice still filled with amusement. “It’s a tadpole, and the head part comes off and the tail is a USB drive.”

  She was still confused by the odd gift. “Okay . . . why are you giving me a tadpole USB drive?”

  “Because I thought
it was fitting, considering our tadpole,” he said, looking pleased with himself. “On this USB drive is a playlist I made for you and the baby to listen to, since I read online that music can soothe the baby, and you, too, I hope.”

  She legitimately wanted to swoon. It was adorable, thoughtful things like this that pushed Daisy so damn close to falling head-over-heels in love with Aiden. “That was so sweet of you.”

  “I hope you like it.” His gaze warmed as he reached out and brushed her hair away from her cheek, making her shiver as his fingers grazed her skin. “I picked every song on the playlist for a reason.”

  It was getting way too serious and intimate for her, and she tried to lighten the moment. “Am I in for some Sesame Street tunes?”

  “It’s a surprise,” he reiterated, and pulled his hand away to put the car in drive. “You’ll see when you listen to it later.”

  “Okay.” She put the tadpole in her purse as Aiden drove away from the curb.

  A half an hour of easy conversation later, they turned into a nice neighborhood in La Jolla, then Aiden pulled up to a smaller single-story home with a lush lawn and floral landscaping and parked behind two other cars . . . his brothers’, she assumed. Her nerves kicked in again, and she exhaled a deep breath as she released her seat belt and got out of the vehicle. Aiden was quick to tuck her hand securely in his as he led her up to the front door.

  Without knocking, he walked into the entryway and announced his presence. “Hey, Mom!”

  Daisy heard voices from the other room, male and female, as she and Aiden walked through the living room area, and a few seconds later, a woman appeared, a warm, friendly smile on her face as she bypassed her son to greet Daisy.