Jacey puffed out a breath. “I hear you. It’s part of the reason I didn’t hesitate to organize a few days’ break with Megan, even with the full moon close. My wolf is like a lazy puppy at present instead of a hungry stray.”
Henry barked out a laugh. “That’s the sex.”
Jacey hid his grin behind his glass. “That too.”
“You could confess about the condom, offer her the alternatives, which as I see it are: one, the morning-after pill; two, wait and see what happens because she might not get pregnant; three, termination at a later date. As for the other—your wolf might have claimed her, but you haven’t done a blood exchange yet.”
“The tie between us exists already. I sensed it before this happened. Now it feels stronger. The blood exchange is a mere formality.”
“You don’t do things the easy way.”
“Nothing about this is easy,” Jacey agreed. “Megan is the first woman to grab my attention since Moira. I like her a lot.” He drained the last of the whisky, savoring the burn down his throat. “I might go back to bed. Thanks for listening.”
“Dad?”
Jacey stilled beside his stool, emotion tightening his chest. “Yeah?”
“No matter what happens, I have your back.”
Jacey reached over and embraced his stepson, a wave of love filling him. “Thanks. See you in the morning. We might be late for breakfast.”
Henry squeezed him in return and pulled back. “Nah, I think you want to avoid your turn cooking. You’re meant to cover for London, remember?”
* * * * *
The next morning
Megan woke slowly, warm and rested after the best sleep she’d had for days. Without haste, she rolled over, searching for Jacey.
He was already awake, gaze subdued. “Morning, beautiful.”
Pleasure filled her on hearing his husky greeting. “Have you been watching me?”
“Yes.”
“Is something wrong?” Something in his expression started her stomach roiling. She swallowed and licked her lips to moisten them.
Regret chased across his features, a flicker of apprehension.
“Is there a story in the paper about us? In the gossip section?” That might explain his behavior.
“No, I don’t think so.”
“Oh. Well, that’s a relief.” She would have expected a story after the fuss the press had made when they left the sports ground.
“The condom broke last night.”
She gaped at him. “The condom?”
“Yeah, it broke.”
“Oh. Oh!” She bolted upright, her mind still groggy as she strove to make sense of the repercussions. She counted. Crap, she was in the right part of her cycle.
“Given the circumstances, the local doctor would be willing to make a home visit. He could give you the morning-after pill.”
“No.” Her answer was instant and came from part of her brain that wasn’t completely online yet. She’d always wanted children, and while a broken condom wasn’t an ideal method of conception, she couldn’t destroy a possibility.
His brows rose. “No?”
“I-I…why didn’t you tell me last night?”
“You dropped off to sleep, and I figured I’d give you a few hours without worry.”
“Oh. What do you want me to do?” She couldn’t read him, couldn’t discern the way his thoughts headed. The morning-after pill, a termination—no. Neither were an option for her—not if she was pregnant. Her mind shuffled through her options. Only one choice she found acceptable.
He winced, let her see the sliver of pain in him before he answered. “I will support whatever decision you make.” Sincerity blazed in him.
This man would stand behind her decision. She believed him in a heartbeat.
“If I’m pregnant—”
“If you’re pregnant, we will be together and I will offer support and my love. Megan, I’m halfway in love with you now. You make me happy.”
He sounded so confident, so certain of his mind. Most men would sweat this calamity.
She wanted to hug him for his support. “I’ll have to return to Auckland, for a short time anyway.”
“I can’t live in a city, Megan. I’ve committed to help Henry and Gerard, but even if I hadn’t, city life isn’t for me.”
“No, that’s not what I meant. Heck, I don’t know what I meant—just that I have to go back, make decisions, whether the broken condom has consequences or not.”
If she didn’t return to her job, and this weekend had made her consider the alternatives, she’d turn to writing. She could ghostwrite and work on her own books. She could coach a rugby team, something she’d always wanted to try. A baby…
She crawled off the bed and went to him, took his hands in hers. “I always thought I’d left it too late for a child. Charlie and I…well, we wanted children. If I’m pregnant, then I’ll wait and see. Termination—no, that’s not for me. Financially, I could cope with a child.”
“I would help.”
If she didn’t return to Auckland. “I don’t want to see a doctor. Not yet.” She squeezed his hands. “I might have a shower.”
Jacey nodded. “Do you still want to spend time with me?”
Megan considered days of loneliness, stress too, as she made plans for her future. At the very least, Jacey could listen and offer suggestions. “I haven’t changed my mind. I’m not sure how soon pregnancy tests work, but if it’s soon, we can do that together.”
“Thank you.”
She paused at the en suite door. “Why?”
“You haven’t screeched at me or blamed me for the broken condom. I suspect most women would.”
Jacey waited until the shower switched on before pulling on jeans and a T-shirt. He’d have time to cook breakfast after all.
He found Henry in the kitchen again, making a start on French toast. “Did you sleep?”
“A little. How did it go with Megan?”
“If she’s pregnant, she wants the baby. She seemed calm. Didn’t cry or shriek.” Maybe too calm.
“You should know in a few days, right? Her scent will shift before a pregnancy test is viable. Will you let me know?”
“You’ll be the first one to know. We’ll hit you up for babysitting duties. Think of this hypothetical child as payback.”
Henry cracked five eggs and beat them with a whisk. “I wouldn’t mind a brother or sister. How come you and Mum didn’t have more kids?”
“It didn’t happen for us, then Moira became sick. You want me to grill the bacon?”
“Yeah, and put on the coffee. I could do with a cup.”
“I need another whisky. Guess I’ll make do with coffee.”
“Morning, Pop.” London breezed into the kitchen with Gerard a few steps behind her. “Smells good. Have you worked out your great escape yet? I did a load of washing and hung it outside. Gerard helped and said he could hear the reporters at the gate.”
Huh! The reporters were the least of his problems this morning. Somehow, he had to woo Megan and persuade her to stay in Middlemarch. His happiness and that of his wolf depended on his persuasion prowess.
* * * * *
Maxwell’s Resort, Cromwell, South Island
Megan was pregnant. Jacey smelled the change in her scent and everything in his world shifted yet again. Although part of him had known—suspected—confirmation struck him with panic. An adult shouldn’t have this type of mishap, yet a part of him thrilled with excitement.
A child.
A permanent tie to Megan.
His wolf stirred, prowling his mind and pushing at his control. The knowledge excited his wolf, and his feelings for Megan—hell, he was so close to loving her, he might as well call it by the correct name. He loved Megan and wanted her and the baby in his life.
It was meshing their futures that was the problem. Megan still intended to go back to work. She said she wasn’t sure what they’d offer her, but she owed them the courtesy of listening to
their vision of her future. And she had a business appointment, arranged by her agent. He still wasn’t clear why she needed an agent and she’d been vague on the subject.
After one day of rain, the weather had cleared to a sunny morning. He glanced at Megan who stretched out on a deckchair, a book in hand and his worries eased.
“Want a drink? A tea or coffee?”
She placed the book facedown on her lap.
Jacey came to an abrupt halt. Wolves. She was reading about wolves and their behavior?
“Is there any fruit juice left?”
“No, but I can ring reception. Or we can go for a walk. Good book?” He thought he’d slid his question into the conversation naturally.
“This? I like to read non-fiction. Wolves are fascinating creatures, and I feel an affinity for them.”
She bore a wolf scent, even stronger now. Curious.
“Want to walk to the café down the road instead of ordering in? It’s a nice day, and no one has bothered us while we’ve wandered around town.”
“Yes please. Their blueberry-and-white-chocolate muffins are scrumptious. I wouldn’t say no to one for morning tea.”
“After that huge breakfast?”
Megan laughed. “I’m blaming you for all the exercise, both in and out of bed.”
“You complaining?”
She closed her book and stood, her lips curling into a sassy smile as she leaned closer to kiss him. “Never. I’ve never felt better.”
“You look beautiful. More rested than when you arrived.”
“I’ve caught up on my sleep. That always helps. Now about that muffin. I’m ravenous all of a sudden.”
He remembered Moira saying how much food she’d eaten while she’d carried Henry. Unable to resist, he slapped Megan on the backside. “Let’s move then, before they sell out of their muffins.”
She shot him a reproachful look and headed indoors to collect a hat. “The chocolate ones aren’t as tasty.”
“Don’t forget your glasses.” Jacey slapped a cap advertising Perth on his head and reached for her hand. “You can tell me all about wolves during our walk because I find that anything that fascinates you, interests me too.”
“I like reading about big cats. Leopards and lions. Mythological creatures like dragons intrigue me and I’ve always gravitated to myths and legends. Ghosts and things that go bump in the night.”
“Yet you ended up with a career in sports. You could have gone ghost hunting or become a zoo keeper.”
“You’re teasing me. How did you end up in security?”
Jacey entwined their fingers once the path leading to the front gate of the resort widened. They passed pots of lavender, bare of flowers given the season. Henry had told him they usually had snow by now, but the one light cover they’d received in Middlemarch hadn’t lasted for long. Only the tops of the hills bore the whiteness of winter snow.
Once they exited the gate, they turned to the right and walked along a hedge-lined lane.
“My father was in the army and I followed in his footsteps.”
“Didn’t your parents worry about you?”
“I’m sure they did. Just as I worried about Henry. It’s a parent’s job to worry about their children.”
“If we have a child…” She trailed off, her expression one of anxiety. “I’m worried that if I am pregnant, you’ll leave me. I…” She waved a hand, as if shoving her spoken words out of the way. “Forget I said that.”
Jacey stopped walking and turned to face her. He cupped her face in his hands. “I’d marry you in a heartbeat. The only reason I haven’t mentioned it already is because we haven’t known each other for long. I thought we had plenty of time to get to know each other and work through the other obstacles.”
“My job?”
“And my preference for Middlemarch.”
“I feel different here. I don’t know whether it is my imagination or something else.”
Jacey squeezed her hand, wishing he could level with her, but his mind told him it was too soon. He needed to approach their relationship carefully, or he’d scare her away. “We could stop by the chemist while we’re out walking, although I checked the internet. A few days after your first missed period is best for the test.”
“I’m going crazy with the not knowing, but it’s too soon then.”
“I’ll just have to take your mind off the topic. What do you say to an afternoon snooze before we head off to dinner at that historic pub later this evening?”
“Plan,” Megan said and resuming walking, reaching for his hand of her own volition. He rather liked her fingers wrapped around his.
Once she learned the truth—the fact she was pregnant—he hoped she’d still want him around. He didn’t know what he’d do if she rejected him.
Megan stared at the pregnancy test, purchased from the local chemist shop. The girl who had sold the kit to them had said it was too early for an accurate result, but a positive result showed on the stick. She was going to have a baby. She stumbled out of the luxurious bathroom holding the stick in her right hand.
“I’m pregnant.”
Jacey stood and went to her. He enfolded her hand in his and led her to a navy-blue two-seater. He sat beside her, his arm loosely wrapped around her shoulders. “Are you okay with that?”
“I—we’re both older. What if we embarrass our kid at the school gate because we’re old?”
Jacey barked out a laugh. “We can work around that problem. Not that I think it is one. No, are you okay with being pregnant?”
Concern lined his face, glinted in his pretty eyes and her heart squeezed. “I think I’m fine with it, which is strange given the circumstances,” She tested her mind and a smile slid into place along with happiness. “I’m excited.”
“Good.”
One word, but it shimmered with emotion. They grinned at each other.
“Do you feel up to a nap?”
“No, I don’t want a nap.” A chortled escaped at his disappointment. “I want to have some hot, steamy sex.”
“Vixen.” He followed this up with a kiss that smoked her insides. Passionate and caring, hands wandering, shaping, tormenting her. He cupped a breast, and desire kicked in her belly. This man—what his touch did to her. She shuddered under his attentions, her travel to arousal swift and sure. Maybe it was the pregnancy. Maybe it was Jacey. Maybe it was a combination of the two. All she knew was that this twist, this wrinkle in her smooth-running life, should bring a burst of fear and anger, yet happiness came in its place.
And she realized something. Contentment filled her—more than she’d experienced for a long time.
Chapter Eleven
Later that night. Dinner, Cromwell Pub
“This is a gorgeous place,” Megan said as she glanced around the tables, set with white tablecloths, sparkling glasses and silverware. “And the view is incredible. I’m glad we came early, so I can still see a little of the surroundings.” She turned to take in the panorama of green fields stretching out before them, the lights popping on to combat the growing darkness. The pub crouched on the edge of a hill, the historic building erected during the time of the gold rush. A gas fire burned in the center of the room, flames flickering between logs that looked real.
A beanpole-thin waiter with dark hair and a beginner’s mustache showed them to a table for two, situated to take in the view. He gave them menus and filled water glasses. “The special tonight is roast lamb with rosemary potatoes, Brussel sprouts with chestnuts. This comes with a homemade mint sauce. Would you like something to drink?”
“We’ll have a bottle of sparkling water,” Jacey said.
The waiter nodded and hustled away to deal with other diners.
“I’m not going to drink alcohol, but you don’t have to abstain.”
“The bubbles are to celebrate. I might have the odd drink in the future, but not tonight.”
Megan reached across the table for his hand and squeezed it. They weren’t marr
ied, but this man drew her with a magnetic force. She wanted to keep him. The revelation gave her pause.
The sensible part of her snapped ramrod straight and started to lecture. So quick. Too quick. How can we trust him? The romantic part of her stood toe to toe and did a loud raspberry.
She scanned her menu. “If the food is as good as it smells, we’re in for a treat. I’m craving meat. The lamb sounds good, but I think I’ll go for the steak.”
“I’ll take the lamb and you can try some of mine,” Jacey said, reminding her of Charlie in that moment. They might not resemble each other, but at heart, they bore the same gentlemanly manners and pure heart.
So there, her romantic part said and did another raspberry.
“We need to make plans,” Jacey said, his manner tentative.
“We do,” Megan said. “I’ve been thinking about the future. This is what I’m thinking. I have to go back to speak with my employers and work out my notice.”
Jacey gave her a slow smile. “You’ve decided to resign?”
“Yes, travel during a pregnancy will be too difficult. Following the Sevens tournament for example would have me flying all over the world. Hong Kong. Dubai. San Diego. South Africa. Japan. And that’s only a few of the destinations. It’s tiring even at full fitness. I have another offer I can’t tell you about, but I could do the majority of the work from home with minimal travel. If it’s okay with you, I think I could live in Middlemarch.”
“Yes,” he burst out, his grin broad and lighting up his blue, blue eyes. “That’s wonderful. We can live with Henry and Gerard or we can buy land nearby and build. Whatever you want.”
“The setup you have is good. I thought it would be weird, but your suite is private and I love the communal feel of the rest of the property. London is a sweetheart, and we’d have built-in babysitters.”
“If we’re in Middlemarch, we’d have those anyway,” Jacey pointed out. “What about Henry? Is it weird living near my son?”
She thought about it. “I like Henry and Gerard. The only thing that is lacking is an office. I’ll need an office.”
“Ah, but we have a spare room next to London’s office. We’re using it for storage at present, but we might rearrange things.”
My Plan B (Middlemarch Shifters Book 11) Page 14
