Pregnant by the Texan

“We’re not in anyone’s way and I doubt they want us to leave.”

“I didn’t realize how long we’ve talked,” she said.

“Have dinner with me. Then I’ll give you a ride home tonight.”

“I’m still staying here at the inn until the repairs are done on my town house,” she said.

“I’m staying here, too, so I’ll see you often,” he said. She had a faint smile, but he had the feeling that she had put up a barrier. Was she trying to avoid the attraction that had boiled between them the last time they were together? Whatever it was, he wanted to be with her tonight for a time. “Unless you have other plans, since we’re both staying here, then, by all means, have dinner with me.”

There was a slight hesitation before she nodded. “Thank you,” she replied. Even though she accepted his invitation, she had a touch of reluctance in her reply and he had the feeling she was not eager to eat with him.

“Is this headquarters for you?” he asked, his thoughts more on her actions than her words.

“Not at all. I’m not in charge—just another administrative assistant from town hall helping like the others.”

“Not quite just another administrative assistant,” he said, looking at her big blue eyes and remembering her passionate responses. For one night she had made him forget loss and loneliness. “Should your town house be on our list of places to help with reconstruction?” he asked her.

“Thank you, no. The damage wasn’t that extensive, but I was pretty far down on the priorities list. I finally have the work scheduled and some of it has already started. I’m supposed to be back in my place in about a week. Thank goodness. I want to be there before Christmas.”

“Good, although I’m glad you’re staying here in the hotel because that means we can see each other easily,” he said, deciding he would get his suite moved to whatever floor she was on. “They’re setting up for tonight and I need to wash up before dinner. Want to meet again in an hour?” he asked her.

“That’s a good idea. I’ve been busy since seven this morning and I’d welcome a chance to freshen up.”

As they walked out of the restaurant, he turned to her. “What floor are you on?”

“The sixth floor. I have a suite.”

“The same floor I’m on,” he said, smiling at her.

“That’s quite a coincidence,” she said in a skeptical voice.

“It will be when I get my suite moved to the sixth floor, after seeing you to your suite.”

She laughed. “I can find my own way to my suite. You go try to finagle a suite on the sixth floor. I don’t think you can. It’s hopeless. Every available space has been taken because of so many homeless folks having their houses repaired after the storm. People reserved every nook and cranny available in Royal and all the surrounding little towns. Some had to go to Midland, Amarillo and Lubbock. We’re packed, so I don’t think I’ll see you on my floor.”

“So you approve if I can get a suite,” he said.

“I figure it won’t happen,” she answered, looking at him intently.

“Not if you don’t approve,” he said.

“I don’t want more complications in my life and you’re a wicked influence, Aaron,” she said mischievously, for the first time sounding as if she had let down her guard with him.

“Wicked is more fun and you know you agree,” he said softly, standing close in front of her. “I’ll show you tonight when we’re together.”

“Oh, no, you won’t. I don’t need you to show me one thing. We’ll have dinner, talk a little and say good-night. That’s the agenda. Got it?”

“Oh, I have an agenda. I had it the moment I walked through the door and saw you sitting there with Cole. One of the goals on my agenda is to get you to take down your hair.”

“Amazing. One of my goals is to keep my hair pinned up, so one of us is going to fail completely,” she said, her blue eyes twinkling.

Eager to be with her for the whole evening, to flirt and dance and hopefully kiss, he leaned a bit closer. “If I placed my hand on your throat, I’ll bet I’d feel your pulse is racing. You want the same thing I do. I’m looking forward to dinner and spending the evening together.”

“I’m looking forward to the evening, too, so I can talk to you more about how you and your company can continue to help with the restoration of Royal. You’re doing a wonderful job so far, and it’s heartwarming to know you’re willing to continue to help.”

“We’ll help, but tonight is a time for you to relax and catch your breath. It’s a time for fun and friendship and maybe a kiss or two to take your mind off all the problems, so don’t bring them with you. C’mon, I’ll walk you to your door,” he said, taking her arm and heading to the elevators.

She laughed. “Well now, don’t you have a take-charge personality.”

“It gets things done,” he answered lightly as they entered the elevator and rode to the sixth floor. When they got off, she walked down the hall and put her key card in a slot. As she opened the door, she held the handle and turned to him.

“Thanks, Aaron. I’ll meet you in the lobby.”

“How’s seven?” he asked, placing one hand on the door frame over her head and leaning close. “It’s good to see you again. I’m looking forward to the evening.”

Her eyes flickered and he saw the change as if she had mentally closed a door between them. “Since I’m leaving town tomorrow, let’s make it an early evening, because I have to get up at the crack of dawn. My life has changed since you first met me. I have responsibilities now that I didn’t have then.”

“Sure, whatever you want,” he said, wondering what bothered her. For a few minutes downstairs she had let down that guard. He intended to find out why she was now being distant with him. “See you at seven.”

“Bye, Aaron,” she said, and stepped inside her suite, closing the door.

As he rode down in the elevator, his thoughts were on her. He knew she had regretted their night of lovemaking. It was uncustomary for her and in the cool light of day, it upset her that she had allowed herself to succumb to passion. Was she still suffering guilt about that night?

He didn’t think that was what had brought on the cool demeanor at the door of her suite. Maybe partially, but it had to be more than that. But what else could it be? He intended to find out.

He took the elevator back down and crossed the lobby, determined to get a suite on the sixth floor even if he had to pay far more to do so.

It turned out to be easier than he had thought because someone had just moved out.

My lucky day.

Two (#ulink_d78926c7-f7b6-5a29-b3e7-b51e13c6c82d)

Stella Daniels walked through the living room of the suite in the Cozy Inn without seeing her surroundings. Visions came of Aaron when he had strolled to the table where she sat with Cole. Looking even better than she had remembered, Aaron exuded energy. His short dark blond hair in a neat cut added to his authoritative impression. The warmth in his light brown eyes had caused her heart to miss a beat.

She had a mixture of reactions to seeing him—excitement, desire, dread, regret. She hoped she’d managed to hide her tangled opposing emotions as she smiled and greeted him. Her first thought was how handsome he was. Her second was happiness to see him again, immediately followed by wishing he had stayed in Dallas where the company he shared with Cole was headquartered. His presence complicated her busy life more than he knew.

She’d offered her hand in a business handshake, but the moment his fingers had closed over hers, her heartbeat had jumped and awareness of the physical contact had set every nerve quivering. Memories taunted and tempted, memories that she had tried to forget since the one night she had spent with Aaron in October.

It had been a night she yielded to passion—which was so unlike her. Never before had she done such a thing or even been tempted to, but Aaron had swept her away. He had made her forget worries, principles, consequences, all her usual levelheaded caution, and she had rushed into a blissful night of love with him.

Now she was going to pay a price. As time passed after their encounter, she suspected she might have gotten pregnant. Finally she had purchased a pregnancy kit and the results confirmed her suspicions. The next step would be a doctor. Tomorrow she had an appointment in Austin. Her friends thought she was going there to visit her sister; Stella hadn’t actually said as much, but people had jumped to that conclusion and she had not corrected anyone. She did not want to see a doctor in Royal who would know her. She didn’t want to see one anywhere in the vicinity who would recognize her from her appearances on television since the storm. If a doctor confirmed her pregnancy, she wanted some time to make decisions and deal with the situation herself before everyone in Royal had the news, particularly Aaron.

Tomorrow she would have an expert opinion. Most of the time she still felt she wasn’t pregnant, that something else was going on. It had only been one night, and they’d used protection—pregnancy shouldn’t have resulted, regardless of test results or a missed period.

She studied herself in the mirror—her figure hadn’t changed. She hoped the pregnancy test was wrong, even though common sense said the test was accurate.

Given all that was going on, she should have turned Aaron down tonight, but she just couldn’t do it.