by Tina Duncan
They were both taking steps towards being a real family.
Some were baby steps. Others as significant as man landing on the moon.
Alex put her carefully down in the centre of the king-sized bed. Straightening, he began unbuttoning his shirt before shrugging it off and dropping it on the floor.
Katrina’s mouth ran dry. Alex had a fantastic body, the result of daily jogging and strenuous gym sessions. She watched as his fingers went to his belt buckle.
She could hardly draw breath as Alex kicked his trousers aside, divested himself of his underpants and strode to the bed. Although his movements were economical rather than designed to arouse, Katrina couldn’t take her eyes off him.
A pulse beat between her legs, and a dragging sensation pulled at her insides. Then she wasn’t thinking at all as Alex came down on the bed beside her.
‘Sit up,’ he instructed, his voice rippling down her spine.
Katrina did as she was told, albeit shakily.
Alex stripped her of her clothes with a speed that left her reeling. When his eyes focussed on her naked breasts, they grew heavy, desire tightening their tips into prominent peaks.
‘Back.’ His voice was hoarse.
She did as she was told, this time collapsing back against the pillows, her breath coming in little gasps.
Alex looked at her. Just looked at her.
‘I’d forgotten how beautiful you are,’ he murmured, his voice feathering down her spine. ‘You are truly magnificent.’
‘So are you.’
He didn’t answer her.
At least, not with words.
But his touch told her a lot.
He caressed her almost reverently, as if he were afraid she would disappear in a puff of smoke the minute he touched her.
His hand flattened over her abdomen and his eyes flashed to hers. ‘What did you look like when you were pregnant?’ he asked huskily.
Her breath hitched in the back of her throat. It was the last question she’d expected. ‘Like most women, I suppose—big and fat.’
He shook his head. ‘I bet you were stunning. I would have liked to have seen you swollen with my child.’
It was a beautiful thing to say.
Her heart swelled until it was fit to burst. She wasn’t sure how to respond so she said nothing.
And then she wasn’t capable of thinking at all as Alex bent his head and kissed her.
His hands and mouth were everywhere, fire and silk. He knew exactly what drove her to distraction. Knew what made her cry out loud with ecstasy—and what made her thrash against the pillow.
Unable to contain the sensations coursing through her, she dug her nails into his skin.
Alex lifted his head. ‘Drawing blood again, are you, Kat?’ he asked huskily, using the pet name he only ever used when they were in bed together.
Katrina smiled and dug them a little bit harder. ‘Yes, I am. You’d better be careful you don’t bleed to death.’
Surprised appreciation burst from his throat in laughter that soon turned to a groan as she took him in her hand and boldly stroked him. He left her side only long enough to ensure they were protected, then spread her trembling thighs and plunged inside her.
Katrina cried out. The feel of him filling and stretching her sent pleasure rolling through her in waves. She wanted to hang on to this moment for ever.
Alex froze as if she’d shot him. ‘Did I hurt you? I didn’t think. After the baby…’
‘I’m OK.’ She moved her hips in an upward motion that drew him in even deeper. ‘More than OK.’
His frown turned into a sexy smile as he withdrew and thrust again. ‘I can see that.’
They didn’t talk any more after that. It was as if a spell had been woven around them, transporting them to a magical place where there was just the two of them, dominated by senses spinning out of control and hearts beating as one.
Alex threaded a strand of Katrina’s hair through his fingers and let it drop on to the pillow. It felt like silk and looked like multi-coloured satin, moonbeams picking out strands of cinnamon, gold and honey.
The clock showed it was just gone one in the morning. He should be asleep. Why he wasn’t, he had no idea.
He usually slept through the night without stirring—particularly after making love.
Maybe it was because this was the first time he’d shared his bed with a woman. He’d always thought he wouldn’t like it. He enjoyed his own space, and was partial to sprawling across the sheets without having to worry about someone else getting in the way.
But waking and finding Katrina’s soft, warm body wrapped around his had sent a shaft of pleasure through him.
He picked up another handful of hair and let it play through his fingers. This time some fell against her cheek. Softly, he stroked it back off her face.
Then, giving in to temptation, he reached down and pressed a kiss against the corner of her mouth. She murmured in her sleep and rolled towards him.
Alex wrapped his arms around her and kissed her again.
She blinked and opened her eyes. ‘Alex.’ His name was a sigh on her lips, a sigh that echoed inside him.
‘No regrets?’ he whispered.
She shook her head, and then she smiled at him. Not just with her mouth, but with her eyes. A hand reached inside his chest and squeezed tight. It was the way she used to smile at him. Alex didn’t realise until that moment just how much he’d missed it.
‘No regrets,’ she whispered.
Satisfaction, and an emotion he couldn’t quite define, swept through him. He rolled over so that she was half-lying beneath him. ‘Good…because I want to make love to you again.’
She dug her fingers into his hair. ‘I’m not stopping you.’
CHAPTER EIGHT
‘DO YOU realise that’s the first time Sam has slept right through the night?’ Katrina said the next morning.
Alex brushed her hair aside then angled his mouth against the side of her throat. ‘Obviously she realised that her parents had more important things to do.’ His mouth slid lower, nibbling at the area where her neck met her shoulder. ‘In fact, that’s given me an idea.’
Katrina laughed. ‘I can feel exactly what kind of an idea it’s given you, and the answer is no. We can’t right now.’ To soften the blow, she turned in his arms, reached on to her tiptoes and pressed a kiss against his mouth. She’d forgotten how nice it was to touch him whenever she wanted to and kiss him whenever she felt like it. ‘Our daughter needs feeding before she wakes the entire building.’
‘You’re right. You’d better attend to her before the neighbours call and complain. I’m going to have a shower.’ Looking down at his body, he grimaced. ‘I’d better make it a cold one.’
Katrina giggled.
Alex wagged a finger at her. ‘You’ll pay for that, young lady.’
‘I’ll look forward to it,’ she said saucily.
Alex laughed.
Katrina was still smiling as she went in to the nursery. ‘OK, missy, that will be enough out of you. Mamma’s here to feed you.’
Reaching into the cot, she picked up her daughter and walked to the chair she reserved for feeding.
A couple of minutes later, Katrina looked down at her daughter suckling at her breast and realised that she felt happier than she had in a long, long time.
Even Samantha’s birth, which should have been the most special, magical moment of her life, had been marred by the fact that Alex hadn’t been there to share it with her.
For the first time, Katrina believed they had a future together. Before now she hadn’t even dared to hope that it was even a possibility.
If there was one thing that could bridge the gap between them, it was their daughter. She was a unifying force that could just create a miracle.
‘I think we’re going to make it,’ she whispered, stroking a hand down her daughter’s back.
After dressing Samantha, Katrina went in search of Alex. The smell of f
rying bacon led her to the kitchen.
‘I thought you said you couldn’t cook,’ she said, when she saw the feast he was preparing.
‘Bacon and eggs isn’t what I’d call cooking. All you have to do is shove them in the pan and make sure you get them out before they burn. Even I can manage that.’ He turned and looked at Samantha. ‘Good morning, Princess.’
Katrina put the bassinette down on the floor. ‘Do you need a hand?’
‘No. I have everything under control.’
Katrina watched Alex move confidently around the kitchen. He had on the same worn denims he’d been wearing the previous evening, but this time he’d teamed them with a plain white T-shirt. Both clung in all the right places and Katrina couldn’t stop her eyes from roaming over him.
‘OK. We’re ready,’ he said, and put a plate piled high with food in front of her.
She laughed. ‘I hope you don’t expect me to eat all that.’
‘Don’t worry. I’ll finish whatever you don’t eat.’ His eyes glinted. ‘I happen to be starving this morning.’
Katrina flushed. She knew exactly what had given him such a healthy appetite.
Alex laughed. Then, obviously taking pity on her, he asked, ‘So, how has your first week been?’
‘After last night, how can I say that it’s been anything but good?’
Alex grinned. It was a very boyish grin.
Like her, he seemed more relaxed. More at ease with the situation.
Last night they’d turned a corner. It wasn’t just that they’d slept together; it went a lot deeper than that.
They’d addressed some important issues. Not only had they demolished a couple of stumbling blocks but they’d taken some positive steps forward.
For the time since she’d moved in, they really were a united team, working towards a common goal.
Katrina had to admit that it felt good.
‘You’re good for a man’s ego.’ The grin dropped from his face. ‘But, seriously, how has it been? You have a new baby and a new home. You’re going through some big adjustments. It would be quite normal for you to be feeling a little out of kilter.’
‘I’m getting there. Settling into a routine has helped. But I must admit I feel as if I have too much time on my hands. I can hardly wait to get back to work.’ She gave him an appealing look. ‘Does that make me a bad mother?’
‘Of course not,’ Alex was quick to answer. ‘But, speaking of your job, I’d like you to reconsider going back to work.’
Katrina just stared at him. ‘Why?’
He shrugged. ‘My mother had no choice but to work. She wasn’t there when…’ He raked a hand through his hair and around the back of his neck. ‘Let’s just say she wasn’t always there when we needed her. I’d prefer it if Sam was your main priority.’
‘Let’s get something straight, Alex,’ Katrina said, sitting up ramrod-straight. ‘Sam is always my top priority. I can work and be a mother at the same time, you know. Just as you can work and be a father.’
‘OK. Fair comment. But I’d really prefer one of us to be available all the time. At least until she’s old enough to go to school. And, while I could be that person, it doesn’t make sense financially.’ He placed his hand over hers. ‘I feel strongly about this. Please—will you at least think about it?’
Katrina unbent a little. At least he was asking her, not telling her. ‘OK, I’ll think about it. But I’m not promising anything,’ she added quickly when she saw his smile. ‘I really wouldn’t know what to do with myself. I’m already struggling.’
His smile widened. ‘Well, I might just have a solution for your boredom.’
Katrina grimaced as she cut into a crispy piece of bacon. ‘Don’t put it like that. It makes me sound as though I don’t appreciate Sam, and I do. I love her to bits. She just doesn’t completely fill my day.’
‘You don’t need to apologise. I completely understand. You’re used to being busy; there’s nothing wrong with that.’
‘You said you might have a solution?’ she asked hopefully.
He nodded. ‘I do. In fact, I have a number of suggestions.’
‘What are they?’
Alex gave her another of those boyish grins that made her heart turn over. ‘I’m a big-shot executive, you know. I expect to be paid for my ideas.’
The look in his eyes made it perfectly clear exactly what kind of payment he was referring to.
Desire pooled low in her belly, her nipples tightening in the confines of her bra. ‘Do you, now?’
His eyes glinted. ‘Yes, I do.’
Katrina rose to her feet and went to brush past him. ‘Well, I’d better go and get my purse. I’m sure I can spare twenty cents.’
Alex snagged her wrist and pulled her down onto his lap. ‘Twenty cents? That’s an outrage.’
‘You’re right.’ Katrina nodded seriously. ‘In the current financial climate, we should be watching our pennies. Let’s make it ten cents instead.’
The tips of his fingers found the sides of her ribcage and tickled her.
Katrina writhed like an eel, her bottom grinding into his lap.
‘Stop!’ she gasped. ‘I give up.’
Alex stopped wriggling his fingers and stared down at her. ‘You’re going to have to pay for your insubordination, young lady. The price has just gone up. It’s now going to cost you two kisses for each of my ideas’
She looked at him from under her lashes. In this mood, Alex was simply irresistible. ‘I think I can manage that,’ she murmured, her insides curling in anticipation.
His arms tightened around her. ‘Well, pucker up, sweetheart. Here comes kiss number one.’
Katrina did as she was told and pursed her lips. His mouth landed softly on hers, lingered for just a moment and then retreated.
Her eyes blinked open.
‘Now for kiss two,’ he whispered huskily.
Her eyes fluttered closed again. This time his lips claimed her mouth with searing intensity. When he was done, he ran the tip of his tongue around the edge of her mouth before lifting his head.
‘Just how many of these ideas do you have?’ she whispered.
‘A few.’
‘Good,’ she breathed.
Alex laughed. She could feel the rumble of his chest against her side.
He tapped her on the nose with the tip of his finger. ‘OK. Pay attention now. Because I’m about to tell you about my first idea.’
‘OK. I’m all ears.’
With his spare hand, Alex rubbed the side of his jaw. ‘I’ve been thinking about this apartment.’
‘What about it? It’s gorgeous.’ It was gorgeous—even if she did feel like she was living in a fancy hotel rather than a real home.
‘But it’s not exactly child-friendly, is it? It’s OK for the moment. But as soon as Sam starts to walk it will be a disaster.’
Katrina looked through the open kitchen door at the miles of plush, cream carpet and the glass-topped tables and grimaced. ‘You’re right. In fact “disastrous” would be an understatement.’
‘Which is why I’d suggest you start looking for a new house for us.’
Katrina struggled into a sitting position on his lap and stared him straight in the eye. ‘Do you mean it?’
He nodded. ‘I’ve been thinking about it ever since you moved in, but the time never seemed right to suggest it. I think it is now, don’t you?’
The question was an acknowledgement of how much things had changed between them. Obviously Alex had been hanging back until their relationship was on a more stable footing. Now that they were both committed, he’d put his foot on the accelerator and was ready to go full steam ahead.
She nodded.
‘I want something with a yard for Sam to play in, and maybe a swimming pool,’ Alex suggested thoughtfully.
Katrina remembered his tirade the day he’d learned he was Samantha’s father; he’d mentioned that he’d grown up in a small apartment without a yard to play in.
‘I was thinking about somewhere on the north shore. What do you think?’
‘That’s fine. Apart from the yard and the pool, do you have any other requirements?’
Alex started rattling off a list of criteria that made her head spin. ‘Hang on a minute; I need to write this down.’
Scrambling off his lap, Katrina dashed through to her bedroom, rooted around in her handbag for her notepad-cum-diary and returned to the kitchen.
Sitting back down in her seat, she scribbled down a couple of things, asked Alex to repeat several others and dutifully added them to the list. Luckily, they had similar tastes, and most of what he’d suggested matched her requirements. ‘What about budget?’
He named a figure that took her breath away. ‘Now you’ve lost me.’
He frowned. ‘What do you mean?’
‘I was thinking of the kind of house I grew up in, which was a two bedroomed semi-detached cottage with a garage and a small yard. You’re talking about something altogether different.’
‘Not really. Just something bigger.’
‘And grander,’ she said, trying to keep her tone even.
‘You don’t like grand?’ he asked, raising an eyebrow.
How did she answer that? ‘I guess I’m not used to it. I want a home that…’ She shrugged, not sure how to put her feelings into words. ‘Well, something that feel like a home rather than a showpiece.’
‘Can’t it be both?’
‘I suppose so,’ she said doubtfully.
‘I know so.’
Katrina sighed and chewed on the end of her pen. ‘Wherever we buy, it needs to be reasonably close to schools too.’
‘Which brings me to my next point.’ Alex beckoned her with a finger and a come-hither smile that made her heart go crazy. ‘But not without my payment. Come here.’
Katrina rose to her feet, a tingle of excitement rippling through her. Instead of sitting in his lap, she bent from the waist and pressed her mouth against his. Alex fed his hands into the hair on either side of her head and took control of the kiss.
