Her breath hitched and her pulse thrummed in her neck. “Oh.”
“That’s why I should wait out here.”
She wiggled out of his arms, her body brushing his erection. “I’ll just be a minute.” She carried the flowers to the kitchen and stretched to grab a vase off the top shelf.
He could just barely see her across the room, her sexy ass almost peeking out below the edge of her skirt. “Need any help?”
Her sultry laugh made his cock twitch. “Oh, no, you don’t. Stay right there.” She opened the faucet. “So, where are we going?”
He yelled across the condo. “I thought we could go to Willow Creek Inn in Cedar Hill. Or we can head into Philly. Your choice.”
“I’m too hungry to wait for anything in Philly. Let’s go to Willow Creek.”
Rascal crept toward the door, eyeing Michael suspiciously. He scooped the aptly named cat up before he escaped into the hall. But the bugger just hissed at Michael and leapt out of his arms, escaping down the hall to Maggie’s room.
“Hello, young man. Are you here to pick up Maggie?”
Michael spun around to find an older woman standing beside him. After a minute, he recognized one of the elderly residents of Oak Grove. “How are you doing tonight, Mrs. Monroe?”
“I’m doing well. I heard you were back in town. I’m sure your mother is thrilled.”
“She is, yes ma’am.”
She patted his hand. “Are you the father of that baby of hers?”
Michael startled. Had Maggie told her neighbors about the baby when they hadn’t even told his family yet? Regardless, he couldn’t help feeling prideful. “Yes, ma’am.”
She shook her head and clucked at him. “Well, you should marry that girl. In my day, a girl got married before she had a baby.”
“I’m trying, Mrs. Monroe, I’m trying.” Michael laughed and patted the pocket where he’d tucked her ring, just in case tonight was the night she decided to marry him.
Maggie slid up beside him. “Hello, Mrs. Monroe. How’s Mrs. Fleming doing?”
“She’s doing better, dear. Thanks for asking. I was just telling this young man he should be putting a ring on your finger.”
Maggie stiffened and tried to step back but he snaked his arm around her waist. “We were just heading out to dinner. It was good to see you again, Mrs. Monroe.”
“Have a nice evening.” She shuffled her way down the hall.
Michael turned to Maggie and raised his eyebrows.
She shrugged her shoulders. “Nosy neighbors, what can I say?”
He bit his tongue to keep from asking how Mrs. Monroe knew Maggie was pregnant. He couldn’t resist, however, taking advantage of the situation. He leaned closer. “You know, if you moved in with me, you wouldn’t have nosy neighbors accosting you every time you step out your door. Of course, you may have to deal with a sexy man who wants to accost you every chance he gets.”
She laughed and smacked him across the chest… but she didn’t answer. “Let’s get going. I’m starved.”
Michael escorted her down the hall and out the door. As soon as he stepped outside, the cold December wind slammed into his body. He wouldn’t be surprised to wake up to snow on the ground. What he wouldn’t give to get snowed in with Maggie and snuggle up under the covers with her as a storm raged outside the windows.
He rushed around the car to open Maggie’s door, bowing in a huge gesture. “You’re chariot awaits, madam.”
“Thank you, kind sir.” She perched on the edge of the seat.
Before she swung her legs into the SUV, he slid between them, his hands resting on her hips, and kissed her. He nibbled on her lower lip, then her upper one. Just as she reached for him, he pulled back. “Now that I’ve had a proper greeting, we can go.”
He tucked her into the car and shut the door before he got completely out of control.
“Tell me something I don’t know about you,” Michael said as they drove out of town.
Maggie raised her eyebrows.
“What? I want to get to know you.”
She ran a single finger up his arm, leaving tingles in its wake. “I think you know me quite well, don’t you?”
Heat rose on his cheeks. She could always embarrass him in ways no one else could. “Well, sure, in that way. But I want to know Maggie the person. I want to know what makes you tick, what you’re afraid of, what you were like as a little girl. More than the few morsels you’ve spared me.”
After a moment, she answered. “Failing. I’m afraid of failing.”
He snuck a quick glance at her before snapping his eyes back to the road. He should have saved this conversation for dinner, when he could really see what she was feeling. But she was giving him this glimpse into herself—he wasn’t going to pass up this opportunity. “What do you think you’re failing at?”
She scoffed, threw her hands up, and blew her hair off her face. “Everything. My life is a mess. I have no business having a baby if I can’t even take care of myself.”
He pulled her hand onto the console and linked their fingers. “I think you take care of yourself just fine. And you’re also taking care of half the town. It can’t be easy hearing some of the things you do and still stay upbeat. Who do you talk to when it gets to be too much?”
“I don’t need to talk to anybody.”
“I’m not saying a counselor, but everyone needs someone in their life that they can dump their troubles on. Someone to share the burden.” He could be that person, if she’d let him.
“There’s my mentor, Barry, and I have my friend Cheryl. She lives in Philly. I don’t see her that often, anymore, though.”
That was an idea. Maybe he could track down her friend, set up a girls weekend for Maggie. She wasn’t likely to plan it for herself, but she probably wouldn’t hate him too much if he made the arrangements and told her when it was a done deal. “You have me. You may not agree, but we’ve always been friends as well as lovers. Don’t forget that. I want to be here for you.”
Huh. Maybe his wanting to get married wasn’t just about doing the right thing for Maggie and the baby. She’d told him he was in like with her, and that was true. But maybe they’d both underestimated his feelings. Instead of convincing Maggie she needed him in her life, should he demonstrate how he felt? Maggie didn’t do needy, and all of this time, he’d been trying to persuade her to let him help.
Yeah, she was afraid of failing, but that wasn’t really what scared her. She was scared of being dependent on someone who let her down. So she did everything in her power to make sure she didn’t need anyone else, just in case. Well he’d just show her that he’d never leave her, that she’ll never be alone.
“I know, and that’s sweet Michael. But I’m thirty-five years old. I put myself through college and grad school. I’ve lived alone for half of my life. I don’t need help.”
“Do you really think asking for help makes you weak?”
She didn’t answer.
“Asking for help doesn’t make you weak, it makes you smart. Asking for help means you know your strengths and weaknesses and are using both the best way you can. No one can get along in this world alone.”
“I’ve done fine by myself all these years.”
“And what I’m saying is that you don’t have to do everything alone anymore.” Because Operation show Maggie the love was in full effect. Her parents had taught her that she couldn’t count on anyone, that words were meaningless without the actions to back them up. Michael would show her exactly how he felt about her, that he could carry some of her burden and she could still be the strong woman he loved.
He spun that thought around in his mind for the rest of the trip. Before long, he pulled up to the curb at Willow Creek Inn. The valet opened Maggie’s door before Michael could rush around, but he extended his hand to help her out. The parking attendant’s eyes were locked on Maggie’s legs as she stretched them out of the car. Michael barely contained his growl as he shot the man a dirty lo
ok. He raised his hands and stepped back. “Just admiring a beautiful woman, man.”
“Just keep your eyes off her.”
“Or what?” Maggie raised to full height, her face just below Michael’s. “I don’t appreciate the cave man act.”
“I’m sorry.” He wouldn’t be sorry for protecting her, though. He held out his hand to her, but she stepped onto the curb and strode into the restaurant ahead of him, her hips swaying each time the heels of her stilettos clicked on the pavement.
Michael slid a couple bills into the valet’s hand and rushed after her, reaching the door just before she did.
She scowled as he held the door open for her. “I can open a door, you know.”
“I know you can. My doing something nice for you doesn’t mean you aren’t able to. It just means I want to do something for you. I know you haven’t had anyone in your life who made you their priority, but give me a chance to show you. Please?” He wasn’t above begging at this point.
She lowered her chin. “You’re right. I’m sorry. I overreacted.”
He hadn’t meant to make her feel bad, but damn, she took this independent streak way too far. “I understand, I really do. I think your independence is sexy as hell. I love that you don’t take shit from anyone and will stand up for what you believe in. But having me behind you, supporting you, doesn’t diminish that.”
He let that hang in the air as they approached the hostess station. “Bennett?”
“Right this way, Mr. Bennett. Your table’s ready.”
Michael’s hand returned to Maggie’s lower back as he escorted her through the restaurant. More than one head turned to appreciate her, and every man in this room would know she was with him.
He held her chair until she sat and then took his own.
“Thank you. I shouldn’t have gotten so upset out there. I know you, and I know opening a door or holding a chair is part of who you are.”
“My Dad would have my hide if I didn’t.”
“Then your father raised you right.”
Finally, she gave just a little. He’d take it. He wove his fingers through hers.
The waiter approached their table. “My name is Jacques and I’ll be your server tonight. Can I get you something to drink while you peruse the menu?”
Maggie opened her mouth but Michael interrupted. “We’re celebrating. How about a bottle of your best sparkling cider?”
“Very good, sir.” Jacques nodded at Maggie and then left.
Michael studied his menu until sounds of chuckling interrupted him. “What?”
“Sparkling cider?”
“You can’t drink and I want tonight to be special.”
“What are we celebrating?”
“You, me, the baby, our first official date of our new relationship. We have a lot to celebrate in my opinion.”
She smiled but returned her attention to her menu. What was going on in that head of hers? For someone who prided herself on getting people to talk about their feelings, she kept her own locked up tight.
A few minutes later, the waiter delivered their drinks and they placed their order. Michael poured each of them a glass of bubbly, and after handing Maggie hers, he held his up. “To you, Maggie, the mother of our child. I’m in awe of everything you’ve accomplished and what you still will. I know you’ll be a great mother to our son or daughter. I only hope I can be worthy.”
Tears filled Maggie’s eyes. “No one has ever said anything like that to me before.”
“Well, they should have. I mean every word. This baby may have thrown you for a loop—it sure threw me for one—but I can’t help being excited about the possibilities. I mean, there’s going to be a little person here in May, and he or she is going to be the best of both of us. Maybe she’ll have red hair like her mother—”
“Or maybe he’ll have that cute dimple like his daddy.”
The enormity of their conversation crashed into him. Shit, he didn’t know how to be a father. At least he had Dad as a great role model. As soon as they told the family about Maggie’s pregnancy, Michael was going to sit down and talk to Dad. He’d steer Michael in the right direction.
Maggie raised a single brow in his direction. “What are you thinking about?”
“I’m just thinking that I can read all the books in the world, spend hours researching on the internet, and still not have a freakin’ clue how to be a father. I mean, how am I going to know when the baby is hungry, or needs to be changed? How will I know when to put him or her to bed, or…”
Maggie threw her head back and laughed.
“What?”
“Thank God I’m not the only one freaking out. Welcome to my world.”
He had been a bit stoic and unfeeling about how this pregnancy affected Maggie. But now that he’d realized that his commitment to her was more than just out of obligation, everything took on a new meaning. That was what happened when you loved someone. Wait, he didn’t really love her, did he?
Maggie said something else but Michael didn’t hear the words. His mind was focused on the realization that had just slammed into him. He loved Maggie. That explained everything, why he was so focused on showing her he could help her, why he kept insisting they move in together. It had crept up on him so slowly that he hadn’t realized it until everything had come together tonight.
He was in love with her.
His heart raced and sweat broke out on his brow. He swiped his forehead with his napkin.
“Michael, did you hear a word I was saying? You looked like you were a thousand miles away.”
He covered her hand. “I’m sorry, honey. Yes, I’m listening.”
“I was just asking about Christmas. I know that your family gets together a lot for dinner, so I wanted to know what to expect.”
Christmas was a much safer topic than his feelings, especially since Maggie didn’t return them. At least not yet. “It may sound like a big deal, but it’s really not. Someone is always bringing a guest. Shoot, the first time I met Sarah was over a family dinner. I’m surprised she agreed to marry Lucas after meeting all of us at once!”
“You’re not helping my nerves here.”
“I’m sorry. I expect it’ll probably just be family. Let’s see… Lucas, Sarah, and Lily…” He counted on his fingers. “Joey and Brittany, Sawyer and Rachel, Mom and Dad, and the two of us. So eleven people.”
“That’s hardly small. Everyone else is paired off. They’re going to get the wrong idea.”
“What idea is that?”
She waved her hand between the two of them. “That we’re, you know, together.”
“Aren’t we?” What did she mean? She’d agreed to tell them about the baby, to consider his proposal. And he loved her. That should be enough, right? He fingered the box in his pocket.
“Not like that. Not really.”
“We could be if you agreed to marry me. And we are dating.”
“I said I’d think about it. I’m sorry, I can’t promise any more right now.”
Michael bit his tongue so he wouldn’t blurt out the words he’d regret. Maggie didn’t love him, not the way he loved her. Maybe she’d never be capable of loving him that way. That was okay. He could love her enough for the both of them.
The waiter interrupted them to set their dinners on the table. That was for the best—he could take up this conversation another time. Maggie wasn’t ready to talk about her feelings, and Michael didn’t know how to declare that he loved her. He couldn’t just blurt it out. When he initially proposed, she’d shot him down and convinced him his feelings weren’t love. She was wrong. So he had to romance her, use his actions to demonstrate his love, and then she’d believe him when he said those words.
Maggie sipped her sparkling cider and left a drop on her lip. She raised her napkin but Michael stilled her hand. “Allow me.”
With only his tongue, he licked the spot of liquid and then brushed his lips over hers. She gasped and he slid his tongue into her mouth. He c
ouldn’t hold back anymore. Kissing Maggie was like a drug, and he was hooked. He lowered his arm to her waist and pulled her closer. Her hands snaked around his neck, his skin burning from her touch. She gave herself to him physically, but that wasn’t enough. He needed more. He needed her emotionally. He needed those parts of her that she kept locked away—the little girl who just wanted someone to love her like her parents didn’t. He could be that man for her.
Someone cleared their throat behind him. He pulled away far enough to rest his forehead on Maggie’s as heat crept up his cheeks. Her chest heaved. She wasn’t as unaffected as she’d like everyone to believe.
“I’m sorry to, uh, interrupt, sir. Are your meals to your liking?”
He chuckled. “Absolutely. Hers especially.”
Maggie blushed and lowered her head.
After the waiter left, Maggie whispered, “I can’t believe you did that. The entire restaurant is staring at us now.”
Michael sat back. She had no clue, did she? “Honey, they were looking at us long before I kissed you. You are the most beautiful woman in the room. Of course they’re looking.”
Color rose on her cheeks. “You don’t have to keep saying things like that.”
He brought her hand to his lips. “But it’s true, and I’m going to keep telling you how beautiful you are until you believe me.”
She shifted in her chair and pulled her hand away. She might be uncomfortable with him wooing her, but he wasn’t about to stop. Throughout the rest of the dinner, he kept touching her, a simple brush against her arm, stroking her cheek as he fed her a bite of his food.
Every minute that passed, his erection grew. He hadn’t thought this through very well. He couldn’t very well ravish her now that she was pregnant. Despite what the books said, what if something happened to the baby? If he kept this up, he’d spend the next five-and-a-half months painfully hard.
Maggie didn’t say much else as they finished their meal. He was a bit surprised when she asked if they could leave as soon as they’d finished dessert. Had he ruined their date by being too aggressive? He had such a hard time reading her these days. In the bedroom, she was always clear about what she wanted. But otherwise, it was like peeling an onion—he kept finding another layer he didn’t expect and didn’t know how to manage.
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