by Cindy Kirk
Lindsay didn’t know what to think. This was a side of her mother she barely remembered. “What are you saying?”
Anita met and held Lindsay’s gaze. “I’ll be here for you.”
Twenty-Two
Owen unlocked his front door and pushed it open. Even after all the sorrows the single-story Craftsman-style house had witnessed within its walls, coming home still comforted him.
Each time he opened his red front door, he thought of Mindy and how she’d begged him to change the color to hot pink. She’d insisted that shade would look perfectly lovely with the dark gray exterior. She might have been right.
If he could go back, he’d paint the door pink just to see her smile.
“You lured me here.”
Owen flipped on the lights and stepped back to let Lindsay enter. He inclined his head, not certain he’d heard correctly. “What did you say?”
“You lured me with your promise of Chunky Monkey.”
“I suppose I did.” Owen chuckled, then sobered. “I don’t think either of us was ready to call it a night. While it was nice having Len and your mother join us, it was also—”
“Stressful,” Lindsay supplied. “And a little bit weird.”
He nodded. “On that note of agreement, follow me to the kitchen.”
Once there, Owen moved to the refrigerator. By the time he pulled the carton out of the freezer’s cavernous depths, Lindsay was sitting at the counter on one of the stools, two large spoons in her hand.
“No bowls?” He took a seat beside her and removed the ice cream lid.
She handed him a spoon. “This is an eat-straight-out-of-the-carton kind of night.”
He bowed to her wishes and waited for her to take the first spoonful before dipping into the rich and creamy depths. “The evening went fairly well considering the bombshell we dropped on your mother. I was surprised how well she took the news, though I think the second glass of Guinness helped.”
“It was creepy.” Lindsay spoke around a spoonful of banana ice cream and chunks of fudge. “It was as if aliens had taken possession of my mother’s body and replaced her with a robot. She didn’t yell. Not once. And she was nice to you.”
“I’m a nice guy.”
“You’ve always been nice.” Lindsay wagged a spoon at him. “That never mattered before.”
“True.” Owen brought the spoon to his mouth. “Do you think the change is because of Len? He appears to be a steadying influence.”
“Steve was a good influence, too, but him being there wouldn’t have stopped her from being nasty if the situation arose.”
“At least now we don’t have to keep the baby a secret.” Owen had found it increasingly difficult as the weeks passed to keep his mouth shut. All the secrecy made it feel as if they were ashamed of the baby.
“I agree. It’s a relief to have everything out in the open.” Lindsay’s gaze turned thoughtful as she sat back, her empty spoon poised over the carton.
She looked so pretty and so at home sitting in his kitchen that it seemed natural to lean over and kiss her.
Her spoon clattered on the counter as his lips continued their onslaught. When her arms looped around his neck, he deepened the kiss.
He’d missed this, he realized, missed this closeness with her. But as the heat rose between them, kissing was no longer enough. He wanted to run his hands across her smooth skin and stroke those sensitive places that never failed to arouse. He wanted to be as close to her as physically possible.
“Stay with me tonight,” he murmured between kisses. “Let me make love to you. I want you, Lindsay. More than I’ve ever wanted any other woman.”
The momentary stiffness he’d sensed dissolved, and she relaxed in his arms. The eyes that met his were intense and very blue. “I want you, too, Owen.”
Giving her one last swift kiss, he hopped off the stool and made quick work of putting away the ice cream.
“Hey, did I say I was done with that?” Her tone turned teasing as she stood. “Maybe I had plans for that ice cream.”
Owen paused, one hand on the freezer door. His mind raced with possibilities. Plans? Yes, he liked the sound of that. “What kind of plans?”
She laughed, a delightful sound. “Go ahead and put it away for now. I think we’ll be busy enough without it.”
Owen liked the sound of that even more.
Lindsay’s heart tripped over itself when Owen shut the freezer door. Feeling like a racehorse in the starting gate, she quivered inside, but remained absolutely still, one hand resting lightly on the center counter.
She knew getting physically involved with Owen again, allowing that level of intimacy, would make it difficult to maintain the needed distance between them.
Still, she yearned for his touch and the closeness and comfort she felt in his arms. He’d said he couldn’t imagine life without her…
When he drew her gently into his arms, there was something in his eyes she hadn’t seen before. Something that looked a lot like love.
Was it only wishful thinking, or had he fallen in love with her, the way she had with him?
She didn’t have a chance to do more than think the question when his fingers slid into her hair and he lowered his head to kiss her.
He tasted like chocolate fudge. Lindsay poured her heart into the kiss, wanting him to know more than any words she could say that she believed they could make this relationship work.
She couldn’t have said how long they stood in the kitchen kissing, warm lips pressed together, hands offering gentle caresses. All Lindsay knew was there wasn’t anywhere else she’d rather be than here, with him.
When the kisses grew urgent and fire bubbled in her blood, Lindsay stumbled down the hall with him. The kisses didn’t stop during the short journey, and she let out a breathless laugh when they finally made it to the bedroom.
This was her first time in his room. They’d always made love before at her apartment. She scanned the room, taking in the mission-style bed, with a duvet in shades of gray, and matching bedside table and dresser. All very masculine.
For a second, Lindsay froze. Did she really want to open her heart to him again? Then he was kissing her, and she realized it was a moot point. She’d already given Owen her heart.
Somehow, miraculously, they made it all the way to the bed with their clothing intact. She stood, the backs of her knees pressed against the mattress, his mouth melded to hers.
Her hands moved up, and she curled her fingers in the fabric of his shirt. She could feel the heat of his body beneath her hands, the steady thud of his heart.
Everything faded except the need to feel more of him, taste more of him, touch more of him. She started with the top button of his shirt, slipping it free before moving to the next.
He chuckled softly against her mouth as he caught on to her plan. “You want to see me naked.”
The good humor in his voice had her lips curving upward as the last button popped open.
With his gaze still fixed on her face, Owen shrugged out of the shirt and flung it to the floor. His pants quickly followed.
Soon, he stood before her clad only in a pair of gray boxers. The moon shone through the bedroom window, bathing his lean, muscular body in a golden glow. He smelled of soap and some indefinable male scent that had desire surging low in her belly.
“One of us is overdressed.” Owen’s hazel eyes glittered in the dim light.
“You’re right.” Lindsay smiled. “Those boxers definitely need to go.”
He laughed aloud, the sound so genuine and warm that any tension lingering in the room disappeared. “I was speaking of you.”
Anticipation had her heart fluttering as she reached for the hem of her top, her fingers clumsy as she tugged it upward.
“Let me help.”
With his assistance, the tunic slid easily over her head. Seconds later, leggings and underwear were removed with the same efficiency. Owen had seen her naked before, but suddenly self-conscious, Lind
say moved her hands to cover the belly that was no longer flat but rounded.
His gaze focused on the small mound. “Let me see.”
Swallowing hard, Lindsay slowly moved her hands aside.
The emotion that flared in his eyes surprised her. She didn’t know what to think when he dropped to his knees before her. One hand gently stroked the swell before he pressed a kiss right below her navel.
She was still reeling from the sweet gesture when he gently pushed her back on the bed, then moved to lie beside her, his boxers remaining behind on the floor.
“You’re so beautiful.” He nuzzled the sensitive spot behind her ear.
He made love to her as much with the words he murmured as with his mouth and fingers. Prickles of pleasure danced across her bare skin as he stroked, caressed and kissed his way up and down her body.
When his hand slipped between her legs, she opened to him, her entire body quivering with need, with love. For him. Only for him.
When he entered her, filling her, hard and firm, she moaned with pleasure. Could something that felt this good be wrong? Lindsay fought the orgasm building inside her, not wanting this to be over so quickly.
As need became want, she kissed him with a ferocity that reflected the depth of her feelings for him. Tonight, she was a tangled mass of desires that centered around one man—this man—the only man she would ever love.
Owen pumped his hips forward and back, again and again, until holding on proved impossible. Lindsay surged against the pleasure swelling like the tide inside her until she could hold on no more.
The orgasm hit her with breathtaking speed.
“Owen,” she cried out as her nails dug into his back and her body convulsed around him. She shuddered over and over again.
He continued to pump, drawing every last ounce of pleasure from her before taking his own release. When he rolled off of her, she felt bereft. Until he tugged her close and kissed her.
Lindsay let her eyes drift shut. As she lingered on the edge of sleep, his warm body pressed against hers, her lips curved.
All her dreams were coming true.
Owen woke the next morning with Lindsay’s hand flat against his chest. It took him a second to remember what had happened. The dinner at Bayside Pizza. Sharing a carton of ice cream in his kitchen. Endless kisses.
He’d wanted Lindsay last night in a way he couldn’t recall wanting any woman. There was something about her that drew him to her. Certainly, she was attractive, with a pretty face, long blond hair and blue eyes. But she was also funny and smart and kind.
Not to mention incredibly sexy. Simply watching her eat ice cream had had his body throbbing with need.
Last night’s lovemaking had gone beyond the physical. The closeness and connection he felt for her was more than he’d bargained for, more than he wanted. If he was being honest with himself, he’d admit he was in imminent danger of falling in love with her.
The realization had him jerking upright in bed.
Lindsay opened her eyes. A smile hovered at the corners of her lips as she pushed herself up to her elbows, blinking the sleep from her eyes. “Good morning.”
Though Owen wanted nothing more than to make love with her again, it couldn’t happen. Not until he got his feelings under better control.
“I’m sorry I woke you.” Owen made a vague gesture with his hand. “I need to get dressed. There are some things at the garage I need to tend to this morning.”
Lindsay inhaled sharply. “What time is it?”
Owen glanced at the clock. “Nine.”
Lindsay’s eyes widened. She flung off the covers. “I told Shirley I’d be in at ten.”
For a second, Owen was confused, until he remembered she’d agreed to help out her former boss. “You have plenty of time.”
“Not really.” She slipped around him and stood, her bare body even more glorious in the morning light. With quick, efficient moves, she gathered up her clothes. “Mind if I use your bathroom to freshen up?”
“It’s all yours.” Owen rose to his feet, feeling oddly put out at what almost felt like a casual dismissal of what they’d shared last night.
Which was absolutely crazy since he hadn’t wanted her to read more into what had happened. Still, a little civility seemed indicated.
“I’ll make coffee,” he called out, just before the bathroom door shut behind her.
Owen took a quick shower in the other bathroom, then dressed. He had the Keurig brewing when he heard Lindsay’s footsteps.
“The coffee is almost—" His smile faded when he saw the look on her face. “What’s wrong?”
She swallowed convulsively, eyes large in a pale face. “I’m bleeding.”
Owen’s heart gave a solid thump. “Very much?”
What did he know about such things? But it seemed more blood would be worse than a trace.
“Just a little, on the tissue.” She moistened her lips. “It was brown, but it was blood. Do you think color makes a difference?”
“I think brown is definitely better than bright red.” Owen forced a confident tone.
Though his insides quivered, Owen didn’t have the same sense of foreboding he’d experienced when he’d called the doctor about Mindy’s headaches. Still, the fear was there.
This is what happens when you allow yourself to love, a cynical voice in his head whispered.
While he couldn’t help but love the baby and wouldn’t change that for the world, concern for Lindsay tugged at his heart just as strongly.
“Why don’t you give Dr. Swanson a call?” He tossed the suggestion out there. “I’m sure it isn’t anything to worry about, but you’ll feel better talking with her.”
“You’re right. It’s after nine. She should be in her office now.”
Lindsay’s wild-eyed glance around the room had his heart lurching. He moved to her and put steadying hands on her shoulders.
“It will be okay.” His gaze locked with hers. “Tell me what you need.”
“My purse. My phone with her number is in my bag. I don’t know where it is.”
“I’ll get it.” Owen covered the short distance to the living room, Lindsay on his heels. The large bag sat on a side table. He handed it to her.
With hands that visibly shook, she fumbled through the cavernous interior, tossing out the deck of relationship cards and a pad of tissues in frustration. “I can’t find my phone.”
He stepped close. “Let me—"
“I got it.” After a few taps on the screen, she pressed the phone against her ear. She glanced up. “I’m on hold.”
Owen swallowed a curse.
“I can’t stop shaking.” She held out a hand.
Owen covered the distance between them. Wrapping his arms around her trembling body, he held her close until the shaking eased.
“Don’t go.” She reached out when he stepped back.
“I’m not going anywhere.” He captured her hand and brought it to his lips, keeping his eyes firmly on her.
“Miss Lohmeier.” A voice sounded on the other end. A real voice. Not a recording.
“Yes, this is Lindsay Lohmeier. I’m a patient of Dr. Swanson. I’m pregnant, and I’ve had some bleeding.” The words caught on a sob, but Lindsay quickly regained control.
As she answered the endless stream of questions, her voice steadied. But Owen heard the fear. He understood the worry that had her in a stranglehold, because he felt the same way.
Please be okay. Please be okay. Owen prayed the words over and over as the conversation continued.
By the time she clicked off and set down her phone, healthy color had returned to Lindsay’s cheeks. Owen took that as a positive sign. Still, his heart continued an irregular rhythm.
Lindsay twisted her hands together. “That was Dr. Swanson’s nurse. She, ah, she asked if I’d had sexual intercourse prior to the spotting.”
Owen inhaled sharply. Had he been too rough? Too aggressive? If he’d done anything to hurt Lindsay or
their baby, he’d never forgive himself.
“I told her yes.” Lindsay glanced at her entwined hands before pulling them apart. “She said in the second trimester a little spotting after intercourse isn’t unusual. It has something to do with the cervix.”
“Do they need to check you?” Owen placed a hand on her arm. “I can take you right now.”
“I asked, and the nurse said it isn’t necessary. This is, apparently, no big deal.” As if sensing he wasn’t entirely convinced, Lindsay offered a smile. “She made sure to tell me this doesn’t mean we need to refrain from having sex.”
Some of his tension eased, but Owen didn’t fully relax. “I could have hurt you and our baby.”
“We’re both fine.” Lindsay spoke with a certainty he found reassuring. “In fact, while I was speaking with the nurse, I felt our little girl move. It was as if she wanted us to know she’s okay.”
Pulling her tight against him, he buried his face in her neck. “If anything had happened to either one of you…”
Owen didn’t finish the thought, couldn’t finish the thought.
She stroked his hair, soothing him with the gentle touch. “I feel the same about you.”
Love rose up inside him and spilled out. He’d vowed to never again put himself in a position to care so deeply. Despite that promise, his heart had been stolen by this blue-eyed blonde who had a way of getting under his defenses.
There was no denying he’d fallen in love with her. Now, he had to figure out what he was going to do about it.
Twenty-Three
“Promise you’ll take care of yourself.” Owen’s gaze searched Lindsay’s face. “If you feel the slightest bit funky, tell Shirley you’re leaving.”
“I promise.”
Owen didn’t like to see her leave this morning, didn’t like it at all. “When you get tired, you sit down and take a break.”
Her hand rose to cup his cheek. “The baby and I are fine.”
He frowned. “I’d feel better if I was there.”
“I didn’t realize you have experience in floral design.”
