by Ally Nelson
“God,” Austin moaned as he shook the last remnants of his orgasm onto Dana’s stomach. That was too close for Austin, he almost messed up. Austin looked down at Dana and saw that she was still gasping for air with her eyes clenched shut. Austin found her post orgasm face adorable and bent down to quickly kiss her lips. He found his clothes and quickly put them on before climbing back into the front seat and handing Dana a box of tissues. “Rest for a few minutes. What’s your address by the way?” Dana mumbled her address to Austin and slowly wiped herself off before she put on her clothes. They were in front of Dana’s house in no time.
“Thank you for bringing me home,” Dana said still feeling quite awkward.
“No problem, I’d hate to have one of my female employees catching the bus home.” Austin said and looked at Dana through his rearview mirror. He picked up her food and handed it to her. “Enjoy the rest of your evening,” Austin said with a neutral expression on his face. Dana couldn’t understand how Austin could just act like they didn’t just make love. Dana was embarrassed, especially since they slept together in Austin’s car, but at least she showed emotions that acknowledged what they did. Dana needed to be bold now. Instead of holding in her feelings, she decided to swallow her embarrassment and say what was really on her mind.
“Um… I’d really like to see you sometimes in a different way,” Dana knew that she said that wrong, but that was the best way she could say it without embarrassing herself even more. Austin narrowed his eyes because he understood what she was saying.
“Are you asking me out?” the overly confident Austin asked and Dana nodded her head. This was getting incredibly dangerous. It was bad that Austin was having an affair, but his mistress wanted to have a relationship with him. He liked her a lot, but he couldn’t give Dana what she needed while he was married. The fact that he was married would probably come up sooner or later, and he was trying to avoid it as much as possible. This was a dangerous situation that he brought on himself.
“We’ve slept together twice now. I think it’s horrible that I slept with my boss, but I am interested in you. You don’t have to give me any type of special treatment at work. I want to know the real Austin Connors, not just your body.” Austin sighed. He appreciated her honesty, it took a lot of courage to say that, but he knew that he wouldn’t be able to give her what she wanted. Austin knew that Dana was a respectable woman, so he knew that if he told her that he was married, she wouldn’t be willing to be his ‘side piece’. Austin decided to lie in order to spare Dana’s feelings.
“I’d have to check my schedule. I’m normally swamped with work. Let me have your number, I’ll let you know when I have time.” Dana gave Austin her number and they said good night to each other. Austin watched Dana as she walked to her house and stayed there till she was safely in. He stepped down on the gas as soon as she closed the door. Throughout his ride home to his wife, he cursed himself for getting into this situation.
*****
A week had passed since Dana spoken with Austin and as she entered into this new week, Dana was feeling horrible. She felt sick to her stomach and she figured that it was from the sushi that she and her father had last night. It’s been a while since she’s had sushi and Ryan had really had a taste for sushi. Unfortunately, sushi didn’t have a taste for her. Another reason she could have been sick was the fact that Austin hadn’t called her yet with a day that he’d be available to go out with her. She wanted to get to know Austin better, she didn’t strictly want their relationship to be sexual. Dana’s hand moved mechanically towards her office phone as soon as it began ringing.
“Connors and Associates, Dana speaking.” Dana said without looking at the caller ID.
“Hello Dana, this is Matt. Can you come to my office? I have some paperwork I need you to go through.”
“Of course, I’ll be there shortly.” Dana hung up the phone and took a deep breath as she stood up. It’s been a long time since she’s been food poisoned and she had forgotten how terrible it makes her feel. If she wasn’t a new employee, she would have definitely called off of work. It took her a little longer to get to Matthew’s office, but she forced a smile as soon as she saw him.
“How are you today, Dana?” Matthew grinned when Dana walked into his office, she was looking as radiate as ever.
“I’m fine, and you?”
“I’m great,” Matthew paused and frowned slightly. As he got a closer look at Dana, he could tell that the woman wasn’t ‘fine’. “Are you sure you’re okay? You look sick?” Dana’s eyes widened in surprise but she gave him a small smile. She had forgotten how perceptive Matthew was.
“I had sushi last night and believe I got a bit food poisoned.”
“Oh no, why didn’t you call in? We would have understood.” Matthew said with concern. Sure, Dana was a new employee, but if she felt bad they would have allowed a call in.
“Its fine, it’ll pass soon. I can take the documents from you.” Dana said extending her hand to him. Before she could take the papers from him, all of the sickness she felt came rushing to her throat. Dana quickly realized that she was about to vomit and placed her hands to her mouth. Matthew jumped up with surprise.
“The bathroom’s over there. Please, let me help you.” Matthew said and Dana quickly shook her head in embarrassment. She ran towards the bathroom and immediately doubled over the toilet bowl. Matthew was so worried about her that he called Joy in to help her. He could tell that Dana was too embarrassed to take his help. Joy was by Dana’s side soon.
“Why didn’t you stay home sweetie if you were sick?” Joy asked as she held Dana’s hair back. Joy had closed the door behind her and Matthew left his office to give the two women their privacy.
“Ugh… I didn’t think it’ll be this bad. It’s been a while since I’ve been food poisoned and I don’t remember ever throwing up.” Dana moved her face from the toilet bowl when she was sure she was finished and wiped her mouth off. She was incredibly embarrassed, but she was happy that Matthew was kind enough to get Joy for her. Joy frowned when she got a good look at Dana. She recognized something in Dana that she had experience with.
“Dana, I don’t think you’ve got food poisoning. I’m not a doctor so I can always be wrong, but I think you might be pregnant.” Dana’s face fell flat in horror.
Chapter Eleven
“Pregnant,” Dana was barely able to get the word out when her OBGYN came back into the room with the news. After Joy told her that she might be pregnant, Dana had made an appointment as soon as possible. Luckily for her, Matthew was kind enough to give her the rest of the week off.
“Yes Ms. Prescott, you’re not that far along. Only a few weeks at best.” Dana looked up at Dr. Williams and tears immediately fell down her cheeks. She couldn’t believe that she was pregnant, she just thought that she was food poisoned. She couldn’t believe it. Not only was she pregnant by a man who she barely knew anything, other than his body, about, but she was pregnant by her boss.
“What am I going to do?” Dana sobbed and covered her face with her hands. Of course she was going to take responsibility for this child, she didn’t believe in abortions and she couldn’t put her baby through the foster care system, but this was something that she hadn’t planned for.
“We don’t offer this service here, but there are clinics that terminate pregnancy, we advise against that and we have pamphlets for other means far as adoption.”
“I would never hurt a child!” Dana shouted in anger. This baby was inside her so it was a human being, she’d never take away anyone’s life. She wanted to know what she’s going to do as far as Austin was concerned, he was the father after all. “I’m sorry, I need to go now.” Dana said and stood up. She couldn’t be in there a moment longer. Dr. Williams nodded her head in understanding and picked up a few pamphlets and gave them to Dana.
“I understand, please read over these if you want. It’ll give you some ideas about steps that can be taken. Call me with what you decide bec
ause I’d like to help you.” Dana nodded her head quickly and went out of the building. She needed to get into contact with Austin, but he never gave her his phone number. This whole situation was so crazy to her and she needed Austin to be there for her. Dana could tell that Austin was a good man, so she was sure that he’d help take care of the child because there was no way that she’d abort the baby, or give the baby up for adoption. Dana couldn’t wait till next week to talk to Austin, so she called Joy at work.
“Connors and Associates, this is Joy speaking.” The woman answered on the second ring.
“Joy, this is Dana. Is Austin in his office?” Dana asked a little out of breath as she flagged down a cab. Ryan was finally able to go to work, so naturally he had taken his car. Dana knew that she couldn’t tell her father yet, she was sure that his heart would be broken.
“Dana, yes Austin is in. He’s should be in for the rest of the day. Is everything alright, Dana?” Dana wanted to scream no, but instead she held her composure. Joy was the one who told Dana she was probably pregnant, and Dana was sure that Joy wanted an update on that. She couldn’t tell the woman yet though, she needed to tell the father of her baby first.
“Everything’s fine, I’ll be to the office soon. I really need to talk to Austin.” Dana said. She knew that Joy wondered what she needed to talk to their boss about, but Joy didn’t ask any questions.
“Alright, I’ll let him know to expect you.” Joy said and the two women ended the call. The ride to the office didn’t take long, but it felt like it took forever for Dana to make it to Austin’s office. She was scared and she wanted Austin to reassure her that everything would be alright.
“Dana, are you feeling better?” Austin asked once Dana stepped into his office and closed the door. Given that the company had an open door policy, whatever Dana needed to say to him must have been extremely important. Normally Dana was a little bashful when it came to speaking with and being alone with Austin, but now wasn’t the time for that.
“Austin…” Dana said with a trembling voice. She tried to look anywhere but at Austin, but she eventually led her eyes back to Austin’s. “I’m pregnant.” Austin’s eyes went wide and his voice caught in his throat.
“What?” Austin said and stood up from his seat in shock. Dana moved closer to Austin’s desk then and she felt tears begging to be released from her eyes, but she managed to keep them at bay.
“I said that I’m pregnant. You’re the only man I’ve been with in a very long time.” Austin couldn’t believe the words coming out of Dana’s mouth then.
“Are you sure?” Austin asked with that same incredulous look on his face and Dana couldn’t help but to get a little agitated.
“Of course, Austin. I went to the doctor today and they confirmed it.”
“No…” Austin said mostly to himself, but Dana heard him. “No! No! No!” Austin’s voice gradually got louder. “You have to get rid of it. I cannot have a child like this!” Dana gasped in alarm. She knew that Austin might be a little upset, but she hadn’t expected for him to be like this.
“Get rid of it? No, Austin. I wasn’t planning on being a mother like this, but I’m keeping our baby.” Dana raised her voice and started shaking. She wasn’t shaking because she was about to cry, she was shaking because she was angry.
“I cannot have this child, Dana. I’m married.” Austin saw Dana’s face turn from anger to complete shock. He could see the hurt in her eyes and he felt bad that he was the one who made her look like this. “My wife found out some time ago that she couldn’t have children. If she knew that I’ve cheated on her and got another woman pregnant, it’ll kill her.” The tears that Dana desperately tried to stop fell sorrowfully down her cheeks.
“Married? You’re married?” Dana cried out in agony. Dana would have never allowed Austin to do those things with her if she knew he was married. Instead of hurting just her, the douchebag hurt her and his wife. Dana couldn’t take the sight of Austin right now and she wanted to slap him hard in the face. She didn’t care if she lost her job, but she would have cared if Austin pressed charges against her. Dana turned on her heels and ran out of Austin’s office.
“Dana!” Austin called out in attempts to keep her from making a scene, but she didn’t care if she made herself, Austin, or this company look bad. Tears fell from Dana’s face and loud sobs escaped from her lips. Several workers paused and looked at her as she passed them; however, only one hand stopped her in her tracks.
“Dana? What’s wrong? Why are you crying?” the familiar deep baritone voice said and Dana looked up with blurry eyes and saw that it was Matthew.
“Matt…” Dana choked out and Matthew frowned.
“Not here,” Looking around quickly, Matthew saw that there were a lot of spectators looking at them. Matthew took ahold of Dana’s arm and pulled her towards his office. He hated to see the beautiful woman crying and he hated more the bastard that made her cry. Once they were in Matthew’s office, he closed and locked the door. Matthew led Dana to the couch and walked to his desk and grabbed a box of tissues and some cool water that he kept in his mini fridge. He came to Dana then and sat next to her. “Here.”
“Thank you,” Dana was blushing deeply at falling apart like that. She just wanted to run out of the building and be done with everything, so being caught by Matthew had ruined that plan. Dana blew her nose and drunk the contents of the bottle. After several minutes, Dana had finally relaxed.
“Dana, it’s none of my business, but please tell me what’s wrong.” Dana looked up at Matthew then with red eyes and decided there was no point in lying.
“I want to quit, Matthew.” This came as a shock to Matthew. Dana told Matt on numerous occasions that she was happy with the company, so he couldn’t understand her change of heart.
“Dana, why? What’s happened since the last time we spoke? I thought you liked it here? I’d hate to see a good employee like you go.” Matthew said and Dana’s heart clenched at his words.
“Austin happened,” Matthew looked at her wanting Dana to clarify what she meant by that and the young woman took in a deep breath. “Austin and I… slept together and he got me pregnant. He just told me to get rid of my baby because he’s married and I promise you that I didn’t know. I know that it was wrong for me to sleep with him, he’s my boss, but I did and now I’m paying for it.” Saying those words out loud to someone else made Dana feel worse. “I should tell his wife. I’d hate to hurt her, but she needs to know.” Dana said more to herself than to Matthew because she couldn’t bring herself to look at the man after telling him what she did.
Matthew was definitely shocked by what Dana told him. He didn’t think that Dana would go for him because he’s her boss, but apparently it was because of Austin. He definitely had a thing or two to say to his older brother. Matthew gently moved his hand under Dana’s chin and lifted her face to look at him. He moved his fingers to dry her tears and Matthew’s sweet action made Dana blush.
“Dana, you don’t have to worry about a thing. Please leave it to me.” Matthew said. Dana wasn’t sure what Matthew could do to help her situation, but the sound of his voice made her trust him.
Chapter Twelve
After Matthew and Dana talked for a long while and he dropped her at home with promises to take care of everything, he went to his brother’s house and waited for Austin to get home.
“It’s good to see you, Matthew.” Amber said and kissed his cheek when she saw her brother-in-law.
“It’s always good to see you too, Amber. How’s everything holding up?” Matthew knew of her situation and knew that she couldn’t have children, so he was pretty sure that’s why his brother had stepped out on her. Regardless of how things were at home, that gave Austin no right to hurt his wife when she was already going through so much pain.
“It’s going,” Amber said with a defeated tone in her voice. Matthew nodded his head empathetically and took a seat in the living room. “Are you hungry? It might be a while b
efore Austin’s back, I wouldn’t want you to die from starvation.” Matthew laughed at that one.
“I’m good, Amber.” Matthew wasn’t in the mood to eat at the moment because of how heated he was.
“Well, I have some work to do. I’m doing a wedding tomorrow and I have a few last minute things that I have to get sorted out.” Amber was a Wedding Planner and made a good living off of her trade, he’d hate for her to forget some important detail just because he came over there without given Austin or Amber any word of it.
“Get your work done, sweetheart,” Matthew said and Amber made her way towards her in home office, and Matthew sat there impatiently waiting for his brother to get home.
Twenty minutes had passed and Austin finally made it home.
“What are you doing here, Matt?” Austin asked when he noticed his brother in his house. Austin didn’t know that Matt was going to drop by today.
“Let’s go into your office,” Matthew said standing up. He didn’t wait for Austin’s reply and stormed off towards Austin’s office. Austin already got bad news that day, he wasn’t trying to hear anymore.
“What do you have to say?” Austin asked closing the door to his office. Matthew didn’t waste any time.
“I hear you got Dana pregnant and you’re not trying to take any responsibility for it.”
“Who told you that?” Austin asked surprised that the information spread around. Someone had to be listening to Dana and his’ conversation earlier.
“Don’t worry about that, Austin.” Matthew said getting into Austin’s face and Austin immediately went on the defense. “I care about, Dana and it pisses me off that you hurt her like this. What about Amber? You know, your wife? She’s going to find out so you might as well tell her before she hears it from someone else.” Austin didn’t take to kindly to his little brother in his face, so he pushed him back.
“First of all, Matthew. What I do in my personal life is none of your concern. Keep your nose out of my business and another thing… I don’t care if you like Dana, she chose me and not you. She’s a lying little slut anyways, so you can…” Matthew didn’t allow Austin to finish his sentence. Matthew caught Austin with a right hook and Austin fell back after losing his balance. He wasn’t going to let Austin speak about Dana like she was nothing. She wasn’t a slut, Austin was just mad because he was being stupid and messed up. Dana already admitted to making a mistake, Austin could have at the very least been man enough to admit to his mistake as well.
