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“I guess you don’t throw many dinner parties, huh?” he said as he unwrapped the roast beef and gouda panini he’d ordered while she removed the plastic top to her Greek salad with extra Kalamata olives.
She cracked up. “You would be right. Actually, you’re the first person to visit, because clearly, there is no room for guests unless we all want to lie on the bed together.”
He shot her a wicked grin. “I like that idea just fine.”
She blushed, then glanced down as she stabbed her fork into her salad. She thought he was referring to sex, and while he’d love to fuck her again, because it had been three long months without the immense pleasure of being inside of her, that wasn’t what he meant by his comment. He really did like the idea of just lying in bed with her—the intimacy of holding her in his arms, the warm, soft feel of her body pressed up against his, and the trusting way she relaxed against him while she slept.
He’d decided that’s all she was going to get out of him for now, because the last thing he wanted her to think was that the only reason he asked her to move in with him, when the time came, was because of the sex. And for him, it wasn’t about getting laid, but wanting her in his life permanently. And until he felt like she was rea
dy to take that next step with him, he wasn’t going to muddy the waters, or her emotions, with that physical intimacy.
Chapter Twelve
Daisy stood up on her tiptoes, trying to get a full-length view of her reflection in the bathroom mirror, which was never possible in the cramped space, no matter how hard she tried to look any lower than her waist. At least she could see that her makeup appeared light and natural and her hair—which she’d decided to wear out of its normal ponytail, braid, or twisted knot at the nape of her neck—was soft and shiny as it fell in gentle waves around her shoulders.
She’d bought a pretty new floral dress to wear to meet Aiden’s mother, Grace, who’d been back from her cruise for a week now and had finally settled into her routine at home. And even though Aiden had told her that this was just a casual dinner at his mother’s place to get acquainted with his family, she still wanted to make a good impression. Since she wasn’t quite ready to jump into full-blown maternity wear but definitely needed more room around her stomach, she’d purchased an A-line cut that was more fitted at the bust and flared out at the waist and flattered her figure. With her going into her sixteenth week of pregnancy, she’d definitely developed a curve to her belly and had to accommodate that expansion.
She glanced at the time on her cell phone, and with ten more minutes until Aiden arrived to pick her up, she decided to switch out her larger everyday tote bag for a smaller purse to carry just the essentials—her phone, lipstick, a credit card, and her license—and tried not to let her nerves get the best of her for the evening ahead.
After enduring her mother’s harsh reaction to her pregnancy almost four weeks ago—and not talking to Diane since—Daisy couldn’t help but feel a little hesitant about meeting Aiden’s mom, even though he’d assured her that there was nothing for her to worry about and that his mother had adjusted just fine to the news of him being a dad—after getting over her initial shock. Grace’s acceptance was important, for the baby’s sake, yes, but if Daisy looked a little deeper, she had to admit that the other woman’s approval mattered in terms of Daisy being good enough for her son.
Which was a really stupid thought because this meeting wasn’t about her, but rather the grandchild she was carrying, despite her growing feelings for Aiden. And God, Daisy was trying so damn hard to remain immune to his charm, his sinfully sexy dimples, and how incredibly sweet and attentive he was with her . . . because of the baby.
Since their talk with Sabrina nearly a month ago, Aiden had respected the personal boundaries Daisy had established at work so that there was no misconstruing that her job was her number-one priority. They didn’t talk at the office unless there was a specific reason for them to do so, and even then, they dealt with one another on a professional level and kept their focus on business.
She couldn’t help the small smile that tugged at her lips, because even though Aiden treated her as nothing more than a colleague at work while in the presence of other co-workers, it was the times that she was by herself in her office that he’d make sure that she knew he was thinking of her. Occasionally, she’d find a wrapped peanut butter cup in one of her drawers to sate her craving for them, or she’d return from a late-morning meeting and discover a plastic container with her favorite Greek salad inside, with extra Kalamata olives.
He texted her random facts about the baby growing inside her and emailed her cute, funny pregnancy memes and jokes that made her smile and laugh. Every single day, he did something to let her know he was aware of her, even if he couldn’t physically show it. And it was like their little secret at work, one that made her feel special and pulled at the heartstrings that were slowly, gradually unraveling and letting him into that place that was still so afraid to take a chance on love again.
If his delightful and unexpected surprises at work weren’t enough to wreak havoc with her already fluctuating emotions, then the way he took care of her when it was just the two of them tempted her even more. At least a few times during the week, he stopped by her apartment after work to “visit the baby.” He brought dinner, and they laid in her bed, watched shows on Netflix, and chilled—and not in a sexual way. No, any affection was limited to him holding her hand or a chaste kiss on the lips or cheek that left her wishing and aching for a whole lot more.
Instead, he rubbed her belly and talked to the baby, assuring their son or daughter that he’d always be there for them and he’d love them no matter what. Those promises never failed to make her throat tight with emotion, that this amazing man had no qualms about showing a softer, more caring side that most guys would never admit to having. She loved that about Aiden and knew their child would always know how much their father cared.
On the weekends, he’d cook dinner at his place for them, and afterward, he’d either massage her aching feet or he’d run a bubble bath in his Jacuzzi tub and let her soak blissfully until her skin shriveled up and she was completely and utterly boneless. Afterward, bundled up in the soft terry robe he bought for her and relaxing in his bed, she’d let him feed her the Ben & Jerry’s Peanut Butter Cup ice cream he’d discovered at the grocery store. Jesus, that stuff was addictive, and if she wasn’t careful, she’d gain an extra ten pounds before her next doctor’s appointment.
When her belly was full and her body sated, he’d pull her into his arms and stroke his fingers through her hair until she fell into a deep, dreamless sleep. It was heaven, because being there with Aiden was when she felt the most safe and secure.
Outside of the office, he pampered and spoiled her and made her feel like a goddess, and now the lines were beginning to blur, because this was all supposed to be just about the baby . . . and it was starting to feel like so much more. And she couldn’t let herself go there. Because if she did, it would be her heart that paid the price.
A knock at the door startled her out of her thoughts, and she picked up her small purse and keys and went to greet Aiden. When she opened the door, his dark gaze took in her dress and low heels, and an appreciative grin appeared on his lips, putting his panty-dropping dimple on display.
“Hi, beautiful,” he said, and that’s exactly how he always made her feel . . . so pretty and desirable and attractive. Even now, as her body was changing and she was starting to get curvier than she already had been.
“Hi, yourself,” she returned with a smile of her own. “And thank you. You look pretty good, too.” Then again, he always did. It didn’t matter what he wore, or didn’t wear, for that matter, the man was simply gorgeous.
“You ready to go?”
“Yep.” She stepped out of the apartment and locked the door and was no longer surprised when Aiden grabbed her hand to walk her out to his car.
Once they were both inside with their seat belts on, Aiden turned on the vehicle but didn’t go just yet. “I have a surprise for you,” he said, and reached into the center console to grab something. “Close your eyes and put out your hand.”
She did as he asked. “You’re making me nervous. I have no idea what to expect.”
“That’s why they call it a surprise,” he teased, and placed something small in the palm of her extended hand. “Okay, you can look now.”
She glanced at the item in her hand, trying to make out what it was. The mini-bauble was white in color with a round head and a squiggly body and tail . . . Her eyes widened as she realized what it was. “Oh, my God, is this a sperm tchotchke?”
Aiden burst out laughing, the sound deep and low and so unfairly sexy to her susceptible hormones. “What the hell is a tchotchke?”
