by Maya Banks
When she walked in, she was immediately met by Simon who planted a kiss on her lips. “Hey gorgeous,” he said in a husky voice.
A ridiculously large smile burst forth from her lips.
“Now that’s more like it,” he said guiding her into the kitchen. “I haven’t seen you smile like that in weeks.”
Matt and A.J. were in the kitchen doing something that suspiciously resembled cooking. She glanced questioningly at them and A.J. winked at her. “Never let it be said I don’t love you. I’m slaving over a hot stove in your honor.”
“What’s going on?” she asked Simon as he ushered her onto a stool.
“You’ve been overdoing it, and tonight we’re going to wait on you hand and foot. That is if knuckle head over there hasn’t managed to burn dinner.”
“I resemble that remark,” A.J. joked.
Matt set a plate in front of her and a tall glass of tea.
“You guys didn’t have to do this,” she protested.
“Don’t worry,” A.J. said leaning over and whispering in a conspiratorial voice. “Matt and I are leaving after dinner.”
Her cheeks flamed, and A.J. laughed and returned to the stove.
Moments later, he and Matt served up a plate of steaming spaghetti and fresh rolls. They talked over dinner, and for the first time in several weeks, the easy rapport between them all was back.
After dinner, Matt and A.J. cleared away the dishes then made a big show of going out. When they’d gone, Simon guided Toni to the couch and made her sit down. He eased down beside her and put an arm around her back. “Now that they are gone, I thought you could spend a nice relaxing evening. You’re dead on your feet.”
“I am tired,” she admitted.
“Tomorrow I’d like to take you out on a real date.”
She smiled up at him. “I’d like that.”
He caught her lips with his and gently cupped her cheek in his palm. She sighed in utter contentment and lost herself in his touch. When he drew away, she rested her head on his chest, snuggling against his warmth. “Can I ask you something?”
“Sure, anything,” his chest rumbled against her ear as he replied
“When did you become attracted to me?”
“Hmmm well, I think the first time I really took notice was the night Starla and I broke up.”
She stiffened against him, her heart swelling in panic.
“I remember thinking all women should be more like you. Honest, understanding, supportive, straightforward.”
“You make me sound like a faithful dog,” she said in amusement.
“I mean it as the sincerest compliment.”
She pulled away and looked up at him. “What about Starla? Are you two still seeing each other?”
A shuttered look fell over his face. “We aren’t seeing each other. I mean we aren’t dating. I’ve seen her a couple of times just to talk, but there’s nothing between us anymore.”
Unease fell over her as she witnessed his discomfort. Did he still have feelings for her? He’d dated Starla for a long time. Had even been ready to propose to her. It had to have been hard to get over her that quickly.
“Let’s talk about something else,” he said. “How about when you decided you were attracted to me.”
“That’s easy,” she muttered. “Only for bloody ever.”
“Really?”
“Yeah,” she sighed.
She leaned forward to kick off her shoes and rubbed one of her feet in a soothing gesture.
“Here, let me,” he offered, rearranging himself on the couch so he held her feet in his lap. He began massaging the souls and working his way up to the instep.
She moaned in sheer bliss. Leaning back against the arm, she closed her eyes and gave herself over to the exquisite pleasure of the foot rub.
Her eyes fluttered drowsily as she succumbed to her fatigue.
Simon looked up to see she’d fallen asleep while he rubbed her feet. He smiled and continued massaging for a few minutes then he gently lowered her feet off his lap.
Quietly, so as not to disturb her, he got up and retrieved a blanket from the hall closet. He eased it over her and tucked her in. He stood and watched the even rise and fall of her chest for a long time. One thing was certain. If she was going to be his, he’d make damn sure she took better care of herself.
Chapter Seventeen
Toni woke and stretched languidly. The living room ceiling came into focus, and her brow furrowed as she tried to remember how she’d gotten on the couch. The last thing she remembered was getting a foot rub that rivaled any thing she’d ever experienced.
“Good morning, sleepyhead.” Simon’s face came into view. He carried a tray that he set on the coffee table in front of the couch.
She sat up, the blanket falling to her waist. “Smells good.”
“Eat up. We’re leaving in an hour.”
She arched an eyebrow. “Where we going?”
“How does a day at the beach sound? I packed us lunch. We can take the ferry across to Galveston and back, then enjoy a walk along the surf.”
Despite being mid-October, the Texas coast was mild. It had been several months since she’d ventured down to the beach, and she couldn’t think of anything nicer than watching the sunset with Simon. She eagerly nodded her agreement and took the tray he offered.
After she ate the eggs, bacon and toast, she downed the glass of juice and rose from the couch to go shower. A half hour later she walked back into the kitchen wearing maternity jeans and one of her new maternity tops.
“You ready to go?” Simon asked as he collected the cooler from the bar.
She nodded and they walked out to his truck. After putting the cooler in back, he opened the door for her then walked around to the driver’s seat. He paused a moment before starting the engine and looked over at her. “Here’s to our first official date.”
She ducked her head, knowing she was grinning like a fool.
The drove down interstate ten toward Houston. The bright blue autumn sky was unmarred by a single cloud. Just before they turned off the beach exit, he reached over and took her hand. She smiled and curled her fingers around his.
Twenty minutes later they reached High Island and turned down the highway paralleling the shore. She strained to see over the dunes as they continued down the Bolivar Peninsula.
“Want to go on the ferry first then come back to the beach?” he asked.
She nodded in excitement. She’d already pinched herself twice to ensure she wasn’t dreaming. They really hadn’t had much time to talk about their new status, but she hoped they’d remedy that before the day was over. Then she’d have to decide at what point she dropped the bomb.
Chewing on her bottom lip, she cursed her stupidity for the thousandth time. If she’d only played it cool, she might be in this same position with Simon without the burden of being pregnant with a child he didn’t know about.
No, she wouldn’t regret it. Wouldn’t allow herself to wish her baby’s existence away. True it would be difficult to face Simon with the truth, but if things went well between them, it might not be as traumatic as she imagined.
When she looked up they were pulling into line for the ferry boarding. Gulls swarmed overhead, lighting on the dock masts beside the boat. The drove up the ramp and parked.
