The Doctor's Pregnant Bride? / The Texas Billionaire's Baby: The Doctor's Pregnant Bride? / Baby By Surprise

Panic had her pulse thrumming in a hurry. “I’m rested. I feel good.”

“You just spent a couple of hours climbing up and down ladders, and holding large pieces of art over your head.” His smile was a slow burn, as if he knew how attracted she was—and how scared to give in to it.

Unless she was truly under the power of wishful thinking, he’d been testing the waters with her all day, making flattering comments, giving her the eye, smiling in that way that showed interest beyond coworker or friend, no matter what they labeled their relationship.

She waited for him to make it clear what he was after, but he didn’t say or do anything. She decided to retreat, to think the situation over. “I should get home,” she said, sidling around him to return to the living room.

“So soon?”

Sara Beth laughed. They’d spent twelve hours together.

She stuffed her notebook in her purse. He swiped his keys from the counter, then stopped and looked around at the partially furnished living/dining room. “Already a big improvement,” he said, eyeing the dark brown leather sofa and side chairs, the modern dining table and sleek nickel-and-leather chairs, and the red-and-brown area rug.

She nodded. “I have to admit I was feeling pretty cocky when you decided you liked the rug we picked out at the store best, instead of any of the others that Caro brought.”

“When I make up my mind, I rarely change it.”

“Even about decorating your place, apparently, which was way out of your comfort zone.”

“I had great help.” He tossed his keys lightly. “I may not have vision, but I know what I like.”

“What do you suppose your parents will think?”

“It will only matter that it’s done. And that my grandmother Holly’s portrait of my mom as a little girl is up in a prominent place.”

They took the elevator down and got in the car. “Want to stop someplace for dessert?” he asked, putting the car in gear.

“I couldn’t eat another bite.”

They drove in silence. She wished she knew if he was thinking about his new decor, her or his work. Most likely, work.

“Look at that,” he said as they neared her house. “Parking right out front.” He parallel parked, shut the engine off and opened his door.

By the time she got out, he was there, extending a hand, which she took reluctantly. “You don’t have to walk me to my door. It’s not like this was a date.”

“Humor me.” He let go of her hand.

They moved up the short walkway, climbed the stairs. She put her key in the door then turned to him. “I’ll see you Monday morning.”

He reached around her, turned the key and opened the door, then gestured for her to precede him up the second set of stairs to her apartment. She wouldn’t invite him in. She absolutely would not, even though she had cookies and cocoa, the perfect ending to the day. She made herself stand in the open doorway.

“Good night, Ted.”

She thought he was going to kiss her, but he wrapped his arms around her in an all-encompassing hug. She felt enveloped … and safe. His body felt familiar, when it shouldn’t. She curved her arms up his back, pulling herself closer, feeling him from sturdy chest to hard thighs. He wrapped one arm around her midback, one a little lower, his fingertips resting on the upper curve of her rear. Her nipples hardened, wanting his touch, wishing he would pull her even closer. She barely resisted pressing her lips to his neck.

She was aware of everything about him—his strength, his heat, the promise of satisfaction for the building need inside her—but also that they worked together. That he was a doctor. That he came from old Boston money, had a place in a level of society she didn’t know.

That a woman like Tricia Trahearn was much more suitable for him.

“Your friendship has come to mean a lot to me already,” he said, his breath disturbing her hair. He stepped back, his hands on her shoulders. “Thank you.”

Friendship. The word righted her world again, put her in her place. She smiled brightly, probably too brightly. “You’re welcome.”

He went down the stairs and was gone, leaving her body aching and unsatisfied—and grateful. She was ready for marriage, a family.

She didn’t need the complication of Dr. Ted Bonner.

Ted spotted Sara Beth standing in front window, watching him. He raised a hand toward her then got into his car without waiting for a return wave. He drove off in a burst of speed.

Why the hell had he hugged her like that? Let his hand drift down to the tempting curve of her rear? He’d been wanting to touch her since he’d come up to her bending in front of his refrigerator earlier, then later on when she’d helped him make his bed after the furniture men had left. She’d leaned over to smooth his sheets. He’d almost cupped that fine rear, had been stopped by her standing up, banging into him, a habit they’d gotten into, being clumsy around each other.

Friends with benefits. He’d been thinking about it all day, as she’d frequently gotten into his space, brushing against him to get a better look at something, smiling at him or pursing her lips as she studied a piece. She had a quick, easy laugh, light and joyful, and a slow, smoldering heat that appeared less often, but did appear, although he had to catch her off guard to see it.

And then there was the hug. He’d taken her into his arms without thinking, prepared to just give her a goodnight hug, a thanks-for-everything short embrace. Then it had become something else. Even she had felt it. She’d moved closer to him instead of away. Her breath turned shaky. She’d gone up on tiptoe, which had aligned their hips. He’d pulled back before she could feel his reaction to her, had seen her nipples pressing against her T-shirt, an invitation he wished he could accept.

Friends with benefits. He needed to give that more thought. Sure, he wanted marriage—but not yet, not even anything close to it. If he took a break now and then from his work, it needed to be for fun, for pleasure, not with an eye toward the future, no matter how much he wanted otherwise.

For pleasure. The thought settled, a hazy fantasy that lingered as he parked and went up to his loft. He admired the newly decorated space for a minute, then decided to take a shower. His answering machine caught his eye, and he remembered the message from Tricia earlier, a call he’d ignored while Sara Beth was there.

Friends with benefits. Tricia would fit the bill, at least the benefits part, and without complications. She’d invited him to dinner next Sunday for his birthday. He had no doubt they’d end up in bed, if that was what he wanted.

And he wanted. But not Tricia.

He wanted Sara Beth O’Connell. Exclusively.

Chapter Eight

A few days later Sara Beth peered into Lisa’s office. “You texted?”

Lisa gestured her in. “Shut the door, please.”

She was looking more stressed each day, her mouth set, a furrow between her brows. It was hard for Sara Beth to see her this way.

“How about we go out tonight?” Sara Beth asked, sitting. “It’s hump day. Half-price drinks at Shots. Free fries with the burgers.” The always-crowded pub and grill was nestled in the center of the Cambridge medical community.

“I can’t. I really wish I could.” Wisps of Lisa’s long hair had fallen around her face, a slight messiness that was rare for her, and it was only eight o’clock in the morning.

Sara Beth leaned toward her. “I miss you. And I’m worried about you. You’ve lost weight. You can’t afford to lose weight.”

“I’ll be fine.” She sat back, all business. “I need an update on your investigation, please.”

Sara Beth frowned at the change of subject. “It’s moving along. We’ve gone back five years so far. The statistics haven’t been analyzed yet, and I think Ted wants to take it back further before we do. To uncover patterns, if there are any, before he comes to any conclusions. He wants a once-and-for-all conclusion. Don’t you?”

“Of course. So, let’s do this. I want you to free up more time, as much as you can manage. We need to get to the bottom of this now.” Her hands were clenched, her knuckles white.

Sara Beth studied her, the way she wouldn’t make eye contact, the lack of a smile. “What’s going on? There’s more than just what Ted and I are trying to learn, which is bad, but not enough to stress you out to this degree.”

“There are some money issues.…” Lisa put her hands over her eyes and groaned. “Oh, God. I didn’t mean to say that. Sara Beth, you can’t say a word to anyone. No one.”