Page 26 of Daigo

Her eyes glazed over. "And we know how delicious that is." She made a moue of distress. "I cannot have coffee, and the soufflé doesn't go with tea." She wrinkled her nose.

"Milk?" he teased.

"Nope."

"Hot chocolate, then."

Her eyes lit up. "Wonderful."

"No." He shook his head. "Stay. I'll get it."

She settled back and watched him stroll from the room. Drawing the warm blanket over her legs, she stared into the flames. She was home, the tree was brightly lit, the fire was warm and lent a coziness to the large room, and most of all, she was with the man she adored. Her hand strayed to her flat stomach. And she was pregnant!

It still had her catching her breath. The fear was still there, of course, but she was a praying woman, and she believed God was going to see them through this, not to mention the fact that she possessed this light inside her that always allowed her to see the brighter side of life.

"Here we go." He came back bearing a tray with the steaming cup of hot chocolate, coffee, and slices of soufflé.

"You sprinkled cinnamon and added whipped cream!" Her eyes glowed. "I'm going to look like an elephant, but it will be worth it. Gimme."

He handed her the tray and took his cup of coffee. Sitting next to her, he hauled her feet onto his lap and just leaned back to watch her. He loved seeing her like this, happy and contented. Pushing aside the worries of what she would be putting her slender frame through, he was determined to give her all the happiness he could manage. He had wanted to take her away for the winter holidays but didn't think it was wise to do so, considering.

"You always said Christmas was your favorite time of the year."

"Hmm." She wriggled her toes and burrowed into the soft cushions at her back. His long fingers were soothing and erotic at the same time as he used them to rub her calves. "Tammy and I used to go to this park where they would have a big fire going in a cut-off drum. People would gather around it and sing Christmas carols. Some generous soul would hand out marshmallows, and there would be pots of hot chocolate and coffee being brewed." She smiled in memory.

Leaning forward, he used his thumb to wipe the white mustache the whipped cream had left on her top lip. Holding her eyes, he sucked it into his mouth, sending licks of fire in her lower body.

"And?" he asked huskily, noting her reaction.

"What?" She couldn't tear her eyes away from what he was doing with his mouth.

"You were talking about the park," he reminded her.

"Oh." Biting her lip, she cleared her throat. "I... er... we'd – I cannot concentrate."

"Why is that?"

"You – oh, damn you, Daigo!" Putting her almost empty cup away, she shoved the blankets off and climbed onto his lap.

"What do you think you're doing?" he demanded when she wrapped her legs around his waist.

"I would think it's perfectly obvious. I'm after having sex with my husband." She tugged the soft cashmere sweater over his head and, with little regard to its expense, tossed it aside. His breath caught as she ran her hands over his smooth chest.

"Hmm," she murmured throatily. Bending her head, she sank her teeth into the side of his neck, jolting him. "You taste like smooth gold." Her tongue soothed the bite and had his blood pressure soaring. "I love the feel of your skin." She was moving on top of him, sinuously, making him yearn. "And I can feel you're more than ready, Mr. Nakano."

With a growl, he gripped her waist and tumbled her beneath him.

"More than," he whispered against her mouth as he started to tug at her robe.

*****

It galled and cut Yuna deep that it was her son's wife who had issued the invitation for supper and not her son. They had barely spoken two words outside the office. She was also furious and hurt that she had to hear it from Shelby that they were having triplets. The news had stunned her and left her with no idea how to respond to it.

"I know you love your son, Yuna, and I'm inviting you over to have supper with us. It's up to you whether you want to heal the breach or not. What I will not tolerate again is your disrespect or total disregard for me as his wife. You might not approve of his choice, but I'm not going anywhere. I'm willing to try if you are."

The challenge had been issued, and Yuna had no choice but to lay down her weapons. It was either that or run the risk of losing her son for good, and that she could not bear.

She had dressed with extra care for the trip. The crimson tailored pantsuit was of the softest cashmere. The green-and-blue silk scarf was a bold choice, but her personal shopper had assured her it was the right one. And she secretly thought it would endear her to her son's wife.