Lauren looked at Seth and Jenna, and then back at Jim in panic. “Do we want to know?”
Her nervousness only made him laugh more.
“I think we already know the answer, don’t we?” Jim teased. “Dizzy spells, morning sickness, and an insatiable lust for pasta, cannoli, and other things I’m not telling this crowd. My only question is—are you okay with this?”
Lauren shook her head and closed her eyes. “I don’t know yet. Regina says I’m in denial.”
Definitely going to be hell to pay with Dr. Logan, Jim thought, grinning like an idiot.
“I can see why you would be in shock. Can I be happy for both of us until you figure out how you feel?” Jim asked, walking toward her, intending to do whatever it took to show her how happy he was about her in his life. “I already know for sure how I feel about it.”
Before Jim reached her, Jared stepped up to Lauren and put a hand on her shoulder. “You don’t have to have his baby, Lauren. You have other choices. If you didn’t intend to get pregnant, you can always have an abortion.”
Lauren tore her gaze from Jim’s and glared at the hand on her shoulder. When she looked at Jared, there was steel in her glare.
“Are you actually suggesting I kill my child?” Lauren demanded, her face flushing with anger.
She grabbed his wrist from her shoulder, twisted and turned his arm and elbow out until Jared fell to his knees in the space between her and Jim. She didn’t put him flat on the ground because she was too dizzy to bend that far to talk to him. The moment he’d made his vile suggestion, she had decided Jared Smith was going to listen to her. And this time he was going to hear her, or she was going to break his damn arm.
“Lauren—what the hell. Hey, you’re hurting me,” Jared protested, surprised and a bit fearful to find his knees scraping brick pavers and that he was unable to break her hold.
Lauren held Jared to the ground with one hand, not even breathing hard.
“Look at me,” she demanded, totally expecting Jared to obey and unsurprised when he did. “Now listen up, you—you—premature ejaculating bastard. I’m done with you. I was done with you seven years ago when our divorce was final. Now get the hell out of my life or you will be the sorriest man that ever lived.”
She looked up at her mother whose mouth was open in utter shock.
“That goes for you too, Lydia. If you want to be a part of my life in the future, you’re going to have to earn your way back into my good graces. I know who I am and what I want. This is my party tonight and I don’t want either of you here any more. You both need to leave, and right now.”
Lauren looked up to see Casey covering his mouth to hide his smile. “Casey? Will you escort my mother and Mr. Smith out. They’re disturbing my other guests.”
“No problem at all, Ms. McCarthy,” Casey said, no longer bothering to hide his smile. “Uh—you going to turn him loose so he can stand up and walk?”
“Thinking about it,” Lauren said sweetly, still fuming. “I’m still a little too pissed to let go right now. I like seeing him on the ground. I’m trying really hard not to do anything worse to him.”
At that, Jim covered his mouth with his hand, looking between Jared Smith and Lauren. He was impervious to the crowd and the whispering. There wasn’t even any urge to kill Smith. Lauren had already done a damn good job of socially killing him.
A gray-haired, well-built man with broad shoulders pushed through the crowd. He walked up to stand near Jared Smith, but looked up at Lauren and smiled.
“Aikido nikkyo. Excellent choice for subduing a troublemaker, McCarthy-nan. I’m glad to see you working things out in your personal life, instead of on my mat.” The man looked down at Smith and bent close to his ear. “Lauren McCarthy has been kicking my best student’s asses for five years hoping one day to have the chance to cut loose on you. I’m her sensei and the only man in the dojo who can stop her when she’s in a temper. If she ever lets go of you, sir, I suggest you run while you still can.”
Proud as hell of the hot-headed woman he’d fallen in love with, Jim reached out and put a hand on Lauren’s other shoulder. She turned her furious gaze to him, but it immediately softened at his smile.
“Turn the man loose, honey. Smith’s not going to bother you any more,” Jim said softly.
At Jim’s softly spoken words, Lauren’s hold loosened, and she stepped back one step to keep from grabbing Jared again. She calmed herself with breathing exercises as Casey and three other guys gathered up Jared and Lydia McCarthy to lead them away.
After the applause of the crowd had died down a bit, Lauren turned to the man who was both teacher and friend. “I didn’t know you were here tonight. Thank you, Morrow sensei, for intervening once again.”
“It’s date night, but Angela and I decided to catch the movie next weekend. I’ve got to say—you throw a good party,” Morrow Sensei said. “Great entertainment.”
He looked at the man standing shoulder-to-shoulder with Lauren, the one who had calmed her with a loving touch. He reached out a hand to him. “Joseph Morrow. And you are?”
“The man who’s going to marry Lauren McCarthy—Jim Gallagher. It’s a pleasure to meet you. I’ve been asking Lauren if I could come watch her fight,” Jim said, shaking the man’s hand.
Joseph looked at Lauren and then at Jim. “Sure. Sounds like it might be next year before she can be on the mat again,” Joseph said with a laugh.
“We don’t know yet,” Lauren began, then her gaze fell on Jenna and Seth, who were smiling. She let out a long sigh. There was no use staying in denial. “You are probably right, Morrow sensei.”
“Are you aware of Lauren’s temper, Mr. Gallagher?” Morrow sensei asked.
Jim shrugged and smiled. “I discovered it early on in our relationship. She put me on her kitchen floor when I made her mad.”
Joseph Morrow laughed.
“On the other side of her anger is a very passionate and giving heart,” Morrow sensei said, reaching out to rub Lauren’s arm. “Congratulations on the baby, Lauren. Come talk with me about teaching.”
After Joseph Morrow walked away, Jim lifted his arms and Lauren walked into them.
He held her, stroked her back, and spoke softly in her ear where only she could hear. “I am planning to marry you, Lauren McCarthy. I’ve been wanting to tell you all evening. Hector found our miracle, honey. My divorce will be final in a few weeks. Cassandra’s parents are going to adopt me, so I really will be her brother.”
Lauren lifted her head and searched Jim’s eyes to see if it were all true. It was everything, absolutely everything she wanted to hear.
Jim laughed at her wistful expression, hugged her close and whispered even more softly. “And God, lady, I want to spend the rest of my life with you eating cannoli and letting you help me become as good in bed as Ben Kaiser.”
It was better than winning the lottery, Jim decided, when Lauren finally threw back her head and laughed. He tilted her face up, thumbing the lingering tears away. He didn’t care who heard the rest of what he wanted to tell her.
“You know, I can’t wait to see you full out fight. When you put Smith in that wrist lock, it was the hottest thing I’ve ever seen a woman do.”
Lauren sniffed. “So what—you think I took five years of martial arts classes for the express purpose of turning you on.”
Jim was shaking his head. “No. I think you got your black belts to make that asshole you married pay when you got the chance you got tonight. Turning me on was just a perk, but I really like the way you handle your problems.”
“You’re not such a saint either, Mr. Moneybags. Did I really hear you offer my mother a half million dollars to get out of my life?” Lauren asked.
“My assets are going to be yours—all of them, even the money,” Jim said, laughing at her pained expression. “I know you’re intimidated by all the financial stuff. So just trust me—if Lydia agrees to the terms, it will be a great investment.”
“Jim
—I didn’t try to get pregnant on purpose. Do you believe me?” Lauren asked.
“Yes, of course. Hey, Kaiser. Where are you?” Jim yelled over the crowd. “Tell the press to get a picture of this.” Jim watched a hand shoot up over some heads with a thumbs up.
“If you got pregnant from the first time, and I’m guessing you did, that was definitely more my fault than yours,” Jim said, stroking her cheek with his hand. “Don’t kick my ass for what I’m about do okay? This is going to be good publicity.”
There was a gasp when his lips met hers and his tongue entered her mouth. Jim gathered Lauren against him until there was no second guessing how turned on he was by her. He ran his hands over her hips lifting her up to meet his arousal even as she wound her arms around his neck.
“Later, baby. I promise,” Jim said, surprising her by scooping her into his arms. The crowd caught their breath, and people were speaking in hushed whispers.
“Excuse me please,” Jim said, smiling to the crowd. “The future mother of my child needs to sit down.”
The crowd parted for the giant man carrying the giant woman. Jim saw Sydney and Alexa motioning him to a large chair they’d brought out of the house. Jim walked to it and sat down holding Lauren in his lap.
“Well, that ought to seal your notorious reputation,” he said to her quietly, breathing hard. “I’ll get up and let you sit normally as soon as I can breathe again. Grand gestures are hard over forty.”
Lauren hid her face against his neck, giggling. “I’ve also put on a few pounds, I hear.”
“Who told you that?” Jim asked, laughing and sarcastic at the same time. “Want me to beat them up for you?”
“No. I need Sydney to design my wedding dress,” she said softly.
“Then Sydney gets to live until it’s done,” he told her.
Jim stood, and then sat Lauren softly back down in the chair. Regina and Alexa looked on smiling.
Jim looked at Regina. “I know what you’re probably thinking. You think I got her pregnant on purpose because I’ve always wanted children. Well, I didn’t do it on purpose, but I refuse to feel guilty about being happy Lauren is carrying my child.”
“Good for you,” Regina said, laughing. “Guilt lasting more than a few days is always a waste of energy and time. But I can see I’m going to have to be more firm when I talk to clients about having unprotected sex in the future. Did either of you ever use anything at all?”
Regina just laughed as both of them shook their heads.
Alexa smacked Regina on the arm. “Oh, leave them alone. They were just too hot for each other to care.”
Sydney walked over and knelt down to put himself on eye-level with Lauren. “We have orders for all three scents from every buyer. When they saw you put that guy on his knees, they lined up. People love a little notoriety, and you’re a hit, honey.”
Lauren smiled at Sydney weakly, but looked up at Jim. “I’m still hungry. Did they serve any dessert tonight?”
“Nothing as good as cannoli, but I’ll see what I can find.” Jim kissed the top of her head and walked off to get the pregnant love of his life more food.
Epilogue
They were gathered at Alexa’s house to celebrate the success of the product launch. Lauren was on her third plate of food. She was incredibly sick first thing every morning, but ate like a starving woman for the rest of the day. She was definitely going to have to watch the pasta cravings or she’d weigh as much as Jim by the time the baby arrived.
“What is with young men these days?” Alexa asked Regina and Lauren, looking across her living room to Allen, Seth, and Jenna chatting and laughing as if they were all nothing more than casual friends.
“If I ever wrote a book, I would have to do years of research to understand men under thirty.” She tilted her head toward the group, drawing Regina’s and Lauren’s attention to the trio. “I’ve concluded metro males are a totally different breed.”
Regina studied the group and narrowed her gaze at Allen Stedman, and then switched her gaze to Seth Carter. “Want me to tell you what’s going on?”
Lauren stopped eating. “Yes—and I want the whole explanation this time. Not just the answers, Regina—I want your secrets.”
Alexa looked at Regina. “Enlighten us, Dr. Logan. All I see is two men who should hate each other as competitors yet they’re acting like the best of friends. What am I missing?”
“Well, I think there’s still some male competition even though it isn’t being shown, but younger men have been socialized to be sensitive and nice about everything, even sex. Look closely at their bodies if you want to see the truth. See how Allen has relaxed back and just seems to be listening to Seth and Jenna? He’s pulled his considerable physical strength away from Jenna and Seth, effectively saying to both of them with his body that he is not a threat. Now notice Jenna’s knees are turned toward Seth instead of Allen. That reveals the man she’s really tuned into physically at this moment. See Seth leaning forward on his knees. He’s totally aware of her signals, even if subconsciously. You can certainly see if Seth moved any closer into Jenna’s space, he’d be falling into her lap. Body language, my friends, is a dead giveaway every time,” Regina said lightly.
“Does their body language to each other mean Jenna and Seth are going to get together?” Lauren asked, in awe of Regina’s analysis. She certainly hoped it was the case.
“No,” Regina said, laughing while her eyes stayed serious and sad. “I only wish it were so simple. Body language reveals their true feelings, but it doesn’t mean they will figure it out or act on the truth. You and Jim had tons of communicating body language for years before you actually got together. The tipping point always seems to be a combination of circumstances, luck, and what I like to think of as fate.”
“So which male would you bet fifty bucks on ending up with Jenna?” Alexa asked, knowing full well Regina was almost never wrong.
Regina studied the trio again. “Which man is going to bed her? Or which man is she going to end up with for the long haul? They could be two different things.”
Alexa looked at Regina and sighed. “Forget I asked. There are some things a mother doesn’t need to know. I’ll wait until the movie is released.”
Regina laughed and put her arm around Alexa’s waist for a hug. “Very wise decision.”
“Well, I know who Jenna’s going to end up in bed with,” Lauren said, watching Seth drop food in his lap, and Jenna scoop it from his crotch, blushing and running off when she realized what she had done. “Seth makes Jenna mad, makes her blush, and still she can’t keep her hands off him. It’s only a matter of time when the urge is that strong. I just hope they’re both smart enough to use birth control.”
Regina snorted. “Oh, now you’re wise about relationships and an advocate of safe sex,” she teased. “I concluded you were working on permanent destruction of your sainthood by becoming a pregnant bride. Did you read the article titled Pregnant Perfumer Reveals Secret Baby at Product Launch? It was hysterical. Ben and I read it over breakfast. My personal favorite was the one with the picture of you forcing Jared to his knees. I’m going to put it on my bulletin board at work. The title is awesome: Perfumer McCarthy’s Answer to Abortion Suggestion. It makes me laugh every time I see it.”
“I didn’t do any of this to become notorious,” Lauren denied strongly, “I was just getting more of what I wanted from Jim. I still can’t get enough of him, Regina. He’s threatening to sleep in the guest room just so he can get some rest.”
“Poor tired man,” Regina said sarcastically. “That will teach Gallagher to knock you up.”
“I always knew you were a passionate woman,” Alexa said, putting her arms around Lauren. “Part of your insatiable lust is baby hormones, honey. Enjoy it now. You’re in for a lot of mostly sleepless nights after the baby comes.”
“Jim is going to get some temporary live-in help for us. I’m sure I’m going to need it at my age,” Lauren said, grateful for her fu
ture husband’s thoughtfulness.
“Speak of the devil,” Alexa said, smiling.
“Whose devil?” Lauren asked on a laugh, turning to see Jim walk up and put his arm around her. “Oh, mine this time.”
“Let’s stop for cannoli on the way home,” Jim whispered, laughing in response to Lauren’s giggle as she hid her face in his neck, smiling at Alexa’s and Regina’s approving sighs.
# # #
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~ Donna McDonald
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Other books by this author
Dating A Cougar
Book One of the Never Too Late Series
Dating Dr. Notorious
Book Two of the Never Too Late Series
Dating A Saint
Book Three of the Never Too Late Series
Dating A Metro Man
Book Four of the Never Too Late Series
Carved In Stone
Book One of the Art of Love Series
Created In Fire
Book Two of Art of Love Series
Captured In Ink
Book Three of Art of Love Series
Commissioned In White
Dating A Saint Page 26
