A Bear's Baby (7 page)

Chapter Eight

He’d
raised his eyebrows and had given her one of those looks when he’d mentioned
them both being in Missoula at the same time. She did feel somewhat guilty
about spying on him. She worried he might think she was a stalker. With his
looks and money, he’d probably had his share of those. She was, however,
relieved he wasn’t traveling here so often because he had another woman tucked
away somewhere. Not that she thought she was in the running for an exclusive
relationship with such a man, but still it was nice to know he was only having
sex with her.

“I
want to get Sophie a huge teddy bear. Something she can snuggle with as she
grows.”

Brady’s
voice jarred her for a second. She’d forgotten they were in a toy store. The
old-fashioned kind, uncommon now a days. But Missoula had one, and Brady had
tracked it down.

The
walls showcased board games, dolls, puppets, and basically everything that
reminded her of the items which adorned both her and David’s bedroom when
they’d been growing up. Jenna’s father had over compensated for them not having
a mother. Perhaps the guilt that he hadn’t been a good enough husband, and
driven her to do something desperate like force her to abandon her own
children.

“So
what do you think about this one?”

Brady’s
question took her out of the thoughts.

He
held up what must have been a three foot tall brown floppy teddy bear. There
was something about a bear that made her want to hug it. She shook that idae
out of her mind, aware that the real kind were deadly. And the myth of a teddy
bear being one’s own best friend, well, that was pure myth. These creatures
were nasty predators which needed to be avoided at all costs.

Jenna
bit down on her lip, hoping the tears wouldn’t start.

“I
think he’s great.”

“So
he’s a he?” asked Brady.

“All
teddy bears are male, aren’t they?”

“I
never thought about it before.”

“Do
you think she’ll be frightened of it? I mean until she gets older?” she asked
him.

“Maybe,
but I think she’s going to love snuggling with it. In fact, I think I’ll buy
her a doll too. A girl can’t have one too many of those right?”

It
was at that point Jenna completely lost her heart to this man. He was putty in
Sophie’s hand and she wasn’t even his baby. She didn’t walk and talk yet, but
Jenna could tell he loved her so much. She could only watch in awe as he held
the bear under one arm and pulled down the prettiest doll from the shelf.

“Yes,
I’m going to buy these two items,” he said, handing them to the store
assistant. “I’ll just look around some more.”

“I
should probably get Sam something too. Ash and Chloe are spending Christmas Day
with them so I don’t want Sam to feel he’s left out. Mind you, Liam will
probably spoil him, too.”

“You’re
a really kind guy,” said Jenna.

“I
have the money and I like to spend it on other people who make me happy.”

“I’m
just going over to check out the puzzles,” said Jenna.

“Now,
puzzles, I love those. Maybe Sam would like one.”

He
followed Jenna over to the display. They had three dimensional ones all the way
down to huge wood cutouts for tiny hands to deal with.

So
many to choose from. She had no idea what images would appeal to David the
most. Nothing to do with nature, and no scenes where animals were in the view,
unless they were cuddly puppies and cats.

There
was a cute one of kittens in a basket. Maybe. The ones of old houses of the
West might be just what he’d like. She picked up two of them.

“I
think my brother will enjoy putting these together,” said Jenna.

“Your
brother. Didn’t you say he worked in the law firm with you?”

“Yeah,
he used to a long time ago.”

“What
does he do now?” asked Brady.

“He’s
retired.”

That
was what she always told people. She didn’t know why, but it was the easiest
way to explain what had happened.

“What
do you think of these for guys who fix cars?” He held up two vintage car
puzzles.

“Perfect.”

So
perfect that maybe David might like one, too.

****

He’d
kept it cool and casual. He had an inkling why she’d spied on him. Women always
wanted to advance a relationship faster than men. Shifter or human, females
were females. It was in their DNA to find a man and make him their own. Ideas
of marriage and babies swimming in their heads.

Brady’s
parents hadn’t enjoyed a happy reunion so it seemed ironic that they’d died
together wrapped in one another’s arms when their planet had exploded and
they’d come crashing to earth. It had been the first time he’d ever seen them
look so lovingly into one another’s eyes. Maybe they had been in love, but
hadn’t showed any affection for one another until they realized their lives
were coming to an end.

Perhaps
being orphaned and not really having another shifter family take him in like
some of the other kids had made him self-sufficient from day one on planet Earth.
A little like Nick Pearson, but twenty times more intense.

Jenna
really shouldn’t be falling for him because bottom line was, he was already
married to one thing: his business. She’d be getting her hopes crushed if she
thought he would be wining and dining her, and one day getting down on his
hands and knees and proposing. He’d purposely made sure they went their
separate ways back from Missoula after they’d left the toy store.

“Brady,
Lucy Ahern is here to see you.” Maggie stood in the doorway.

He’d
been so busy, he’d forgotten Lucy was dropping by to show him her designs for
the interiors of some of the model homes. “Show her in,” said Brady.

Lucy
waked in, carrying with a bag slung over her shoulder.

“Hi
Brady.”

“Lucy,
sit yourself down. Can I get you something to drink?”

“Soda
would be fine.”

Brady
stood and poured them both drinks while Lucy took off her coat, sat and placed
her designs on his desk. She took the soda from him and sipped it.

“I’ve
worked on four different ideas and wanted to see which one you like best.”

Brady
sat. Considering interior design wasn’t really her career but something she’d
picked up when she’d come to Kalispell and met Liam, she was gifted.

“These
are all great. I’m going to have a tough decision ahead of me.”

“I
was thinking since the houses will be close to Glacier, we should go with a
more outdoor feel. Natural colors that are seen in nature.”

“I
love that idea.”

“And
you’ll see here that each kitchen will have a bear logo etched into the middle
tile of the floor. I should add that Liam insisted upon it.”

Brady
leaned back in his chair and laughed. How the guy had gone from human hater to
marrying one, he still didn’t know. Liam was of the old school that shifters
were great, human not so much so. Brady had to admit he didn’t really have any
human friends either.

“Would
you like me to leave these with you so you can think about which one you like
best?”

“That
would be a good idea because I am known to take my time, and we’re at a
standstill while they test the soil around the area.”

“That’s
right. Bear said some shifter workers had gotten sick.”

“I
can’t believe it’s caused by something at the site. I think it’s a flu that’s
been going around.”

“Better
to be safe than sorry.

“I
guess so. In the meantime I’ll take these home and look them over.”

“Great,
and I have some nursery designs I’ll be working on, Ava and Lilly have asked me
to design rooms for the babies.”

Brady
leaned back. Amazing how there were suddenly so many babies being born in the
group. Obviously humans and shifters had no trouble reproducing unlike some of
the shifters once they’d arrived here.

“Can
I ask you something?” asked Brady.

“If
it’s when Liam and I are going to have a baby we—”

Brady
put up his hand. “No, that’s your business. I just wanted to know what you
humans assume when we first sleep with you.”

“You
mean men or shifters?” asked Lucy.

“Men.
I haven’t told her about me being a bear.”

“Um,
Hannah did say you were in the café with Jenna Paxton. Are we talking about
her?”

“We
might be,” said Brady.

“Which
means you’ve had sex with her and now she’s wanting to move things on in the
relationship quicker than you’d like.”

“Yes,
and no, it’s not a relationship. I made it clear it was just sex, but she
followed me to Missoula while I was…there on business. That’s a sign she’s
checking up on me right?”

“Brady
look at yourself, you’re handsome…not as handsome as Liam, I should add.”

Brady
smiled. He liked Lucy and could see why Liam had fallen hard for her.

“We
think we can handle the just sex bit but I don’t think it’s in our genes. I
think it’s our hormones that make us want something more permanent from a man,
bear or not.”

“That’s
what I’m worried about.”

“So
are you reluctant to get involved because she’s a human or just reluctant to
get involved, period?”

“I
always told myself if I get married, and if being the key word here, it will be
with a shifter. No offense to you.”

“None
taken. You know what you should do? Just take one day at a time with her.”

One
day at a time. Yeah, maybe he was overthinking things and they should just
enjoy the great sex.

****

“Have
you given any more thought to the IVF?” Dr. Winslow asked.

Jenna
had. She’d given it lots of thought. “I have, but I hate my baby being fathered
by someone I don’t know.”

Dr.
Winslow nodded. “Anyone who might donate? I mean, an old family friend, maybe?”

“There
was only one guy but he’s out of the running now.”

“No
chance of a relationship on the horizon?”

Jenna
thought of Brady. “There’s a man I’ve been…” The word ‘fucking’ popped into her
mind, but she being that honest might shock the doctor.

“We’ve
slept together a few times.”

“And
is he a possible candidate? Would you like him to father your child?”

“Oh,
yes.”

Those
two words had slipped out of Jenna’s mouth before she’d been able to switch on
her inner censor.

“Then
the next step is to ask him to donate sperm. It’s a simple process for him. In
fact, most men don’t have any problem giving a donation.”

The
thought of Brady jerking off into a cup almost made Jenna laugh.

“Let
me know what he says and we can get the appointment set up for him and for you
to be inseminated. However, if you’re already sleeping together you could just
forget about birth control.” She winked at Jenna.

Chapter Nine

When
an attorney asks for a personal meeting, it can only mean one thing. Brady knew
that Jenna had called about the soil samples and was waiting to hear back.
She’d called him about an hour ago to say she was on her way to talk about the
findings.

Maggie
knocked on his door. “Ms. Paxton is here to see you.”

“Show
her in, would you?” Brady took a sip of his coffee which had turned cold and
bitter.

Jenna
stood in the doorway, holding onto a file folder. Small flakes of snow
glistened in her hair. Her red coat with a tie belt clung her around her
curves.

“Is
it snowing again?”

“Yeah,
started when I got half way here.” She pulled up a chair and placed the folders
on his desk. “Okay, do you want the good news or the bad news first?”

He
knew it. He tapped his fingers on the desk. “Good news.”

“They
have finished with their samples and testing.”

“Bad
news?”

“You’re
going to have to clean up the area before you can build there.”

“Clean
up the area?”

Jenna
opened up the file. “They e-mailed these to me before I left. There’s some
contamination of the soil. It seems at the moment, they can’t identity exactly
what has seeped into it. Two of your workers reported flu like symptoms and
there might be some connection.”

Brady
remembered what Lucy had said about the guys getting sick. Whatever this
contaminant was, it was affecting humans and shifters alike.

“This
is going to put the project back months,” said Brady.

“You
could get slapped with lawsuits from the government, and not to mention the
workers. I can assure you don’t want that to happen, because in the long run
that will cost you big time in legal fees. There’s also your reputation to
think about, too.”

She
was right. “Okay, so once it’s cleaned up, I can start building again?”

“Yes,
they’ll have to inspect it again, but I’ve gathered together some companies who
are recommended in clean ups like this. One of them worked on the contamination
in Libby.”

“So
this isn’t from the old copper mining days?”

“They’re
not sure right now,” said Jenna.

Brady
leaned back on his chair. He hadn’t foreseen any of this. He rubbed the back of
his neck. He just wanted to get away for the evening. Relax, have a nice meal,
listen to some music and yes, have a good fuck. That always got the kinks out.

“Would
you like to come see my cabin in the woods?” Brady asked her.

“I
would and there’s something I’d like to ask you, a favor in fact, said Jenna.

He
couldn’t wait to hear what that was.

****

A
cabin in the woods. Her father once had a hunting cabin and it looked like a
garden shed compared to this place. This was a cabin, but a high end one. Jenna
ran her hands over the shiny logs that lined the living room. A huge window
overlooked the valley below. A gas fireplace sat on the wall on the opposite
side of the room. Rugs that seemed ideal to snuggle on, lined the floor. Ideal
place to make love and make a baby.

“Can
I get you something to drink?”

Brady’s
voice startled her. Since he’d entered her life all she’d done is daydream.

Her
father would not have approved. However, every one needed a dream, or life
wasn’t worth living.

“Sure.
You have any red wine? I’m in the mood for red instead of white.”

“I
certainly do. You want to come to the wine cellar and pick one?”

“This
place even has a wine cellar?” she asked.

“Sure,
and a sauna and a Jacuzzi tub. Tennis court and swimming pool out back.”

“And
you said this isn’t going to be your permanent home?”

He
shrugged his shoulders. “I’m thinking maybe it will be. Follow me.”

Brady
led her through the kitchen. Wow, hers would fit into this place four times.

“You
like to cook?” she asked him.

“When
I’m in the mood.”

He
flicked on a light and opened back a door. She followed him into another area.
They went down some steps and into what looked like a wine store. Bottles lined
all the walls.

“The
previous owner, an actor, sold it to me and threw in some bottles of wine with
the price.”

Brady
switched on an overhead light.

“Actor?
A famous one?” asked Jenna.

“A-lister,
but he made me promise I wouldn’t reveal his identity.”

“Really?”

Brady
nodded. “Lots of them have homes around here. They’ve pushed up the price of
real estate in these parts. Let’s take a look for a good red wine.”

Brady
fingered some of the bottles, pulling out one or two and reading the labels.

“I
heard this was a great year for red wines in France.”

He
held it up to show her the black bottle with a red label.

“Then
I’ll try that.”

“Now
I’m in the mood for some red wine, too. Maybe I’ll grab a couple and I won’t
have to come back down here again.”

They
walked back into the kitchen. Jenna saw Brady’s dance shoes cleaned and shiny,
and smiled. The other night they’d been splattered with slush and dirt.

“Are
you learning all the ballroom dances, or just the tango? Which I have to say, it
looked like you’d nailed it.”

“Nope,
I still have to get my moves right. So far I’ve learned the waltz, the quick
step and the jive.”

“Wow.
Where are you planning to use all your new skills?”

“Social
events … maybe.” He un-popped the cork and poured her a glass of wine. “Let’s
take these and go sit in front of the fire.”

That
sounded heavenly. She walked behind him. He switched on the fire and flames instantly
danced around the artificial logs.

“You
mind if I sit on the floor to drink this?” asked Jenna.

“Make
yourself at home. In fact, I might even join you.”

Brady
sat beside her and they sipped the wine.

“Whoever
the A-Lister was, he had great taste in wine,” said Jenna.

“Probably
an assistant or someone chose it. Pampered bunch of people.”

Jenna
leaned sideways and rested her face on chin on her hand. “This is a beautiful
home,” she said, looking up at the chandelier that was bigger than her entire
living room. Sparkling lights from its crystals played on the ceiling.

“Yeah.
I have lot of space and I like being out in the middle of nowhere. I can run
whenever I want, too.”

“My
father used to have a hunting cabin on the other side of Kalispell.”

“I
don’t hunt and I hope you don’t either,” said Brady.

She
shook her head. David never had either, and her father should have left it at
that. “No, I don’t,” she said. “I’m more the stay at home and read a good book
type of girl.”

Brady
smiled. “This house even has a library. If you want to wander up there later
and take a look around, you’re welcome to take any book you want.”

“Stocked
by the A-Lister like the wine cellar?”

“Some
of them, sure, but most are my own collection. Someone told me to invest in
first editions. I’ve always loved books and it made sense.” Brady moved to his
side and also rested his chin on his hands. Handsome, sexy, intellectual.

What more could a
woman ask for in a baby daddy?

“What
was it you wanted to ask me? You said you needed a favor?”

Jenna
thought it would be easy to just ask if she could use his sperm for her IVF. No
strings attached, and he wouldn’t have to pay child support. No obligation to
either her or the baby.
 
She circled the
rim of the wine glass with her index finger, the noise singing out in the
sudden silence in the room.

Suddenly
she couldn’t bring herself to do it. What if he said no? Their client-attorney
relationship would be strained. He might even take his business elsewhere and
he’d every right to that. She couldn’t risk it.

“I
was wondering if you’d like to stop by my house for drinks on Christmas Day. It
will just be me and my brother.”

“I’d
love to. I’d like to meet your brother.”

Now
what had she done? She’d have to prepare him for David. And how would David
react to a complete stranger stopping by?

“That’s
great,” she said.

He
poured her more wine. Her face was flushed from being close to the fire. The
wine was making her sleepy and a little horny, too.

She
reached out and ran her fingers over his face, loving the feel of the stubble
on his chin. Without saying a word he reached over and began to unbutton her
blouse. So slowly and so precisely, in a way only he could. She welcomed the
sudden coolness that hit her chest when all the buttons were open. Brady traced
the outline on the lace of her bra. Her nipples responded by turning hard and
strained against the lace.

It
was his lucky night, or maybe it was hers, because she was wearing one of the
bras that opened at the front, and not the back. She wondered if he realized
that, but she got her answer.

He
unclasped it, her boobs suddenly free and hanging, ready for his attention.

Brady
took the weight of the right one in his hand, held it and then brushed his
finger across the nipple. Shit, that felt so good. Jenna put her wine glass
down and dipped her finger into it. She wiped it across her nipples.

“Is
that an invitation?” asked Brady.

“If
you want it to be.”

She
lay flat on her back as he shadowed over her body. His head went lower. His
tongue made one swipe across her nipple, and then across the other one.

“Boobs
that produce wine. You’re one of a kind,” he said, dripping more wine on them.

This
time he sucked her nipples, making them pucker and ache. He reached up under
her skirt and pulled on her pantyhose.

“What
have I told you about these? You know I hate them.”

“Sorry
I didn’t think we’d be doing this.”

He
yanked them down her legs and then put his hand back underneath her skirt for
her panties. She lifted her butt, allowing him to free them from her hips and
thighs. He unzipped her skirt and pulled that away, too. Brady passed his
fingers over her curls as she reached for the wine glass and dipped her finger
again. This time she swiped her folds and pussy entrance with it.

“Another
invitation?” he asked.

He
spread her legs and put his head between them, quickly lapping at her opening,
pressing his tongue inside and exciting her in ways she didn’t think could be
possible. Her belly quivered and her thighs shook as his tongue snaked over her
folds and then her clit. He took it between the very front portion of his lips
and flicked it with his tongue.

Oh
yes, nothing like a little clit action to make her lose all her common sense.

“You
know, Brady, you won’t need a rubber this time around because I’m on the Pill.”

He
looked at her like he’d just been told his money had doubled. His eyes narrowed
and he smiled.

“That’s
music to my ears. I hate those things.”

Shit,
she was lying. Being stupid, trying to get pregnant without his permission.
This wasn’t her. She’d never been like this, but she wanted
his
baby. She guessed he wasn’t the
marriage and white picket fence type of guy, and if she missed this opportunity,
she’d never forgive herself.

He
stood and unzipped his pants, and dragged them down his legs. Next, he pulled
down his boxers and kicked them away from his ankles. His cock stood up on his
belly.

In
one elegant and swift movement he was down on the floor again, between her
outstretched legs, and then he entered her. Nothing between them this time.
Brady began thrusting inside her. She glanced momentarily at the fire, the
black rug she was on, a handsome man moving over her. It was every women’s
dream to conceive like this.