Guarding Me (6 page)

Two weeks later, Maya sat in the obstetrician’s office. The cracked vinyl chair dug into her backside. She folded her hands in front of her belly. Rosie swore she noticed a bump. Maya wasn’t so sure. No more morning sickness and no crazy cravings; she wondered if she was even really pregnant. She sighed again. Levi said he’d meet her at the office.

He’d spent the last fourteen days at her apartment, when he wasn’t working and she had time off. True to his word, he let her dictate what happened in their relationship. She’d changed her status online to “in a relationship” and introduced him to both her sisters. The girls at the diner fell in love with him right away.

Maya snorted.
Love.
What a load of bullshit. Sure, the girls fell in love with him—they fell for all the guys who came into the diner. Her exes came to mind. She’d thought she loved them and they all left. What made Levi any different?

He seemed to be sticking around, but feelings could change. Still, he listened when she needed, responded to her touch like no other, and made her feel like a million dollars, not a pregnant woman. She wanted to believe in love. Wanted to give her heart to Levi, but things were happening so freaking fast.

The bell on the doctor’s office door dinged and Levi sauntered into the lobby. “Damned trainees. Some of them can’t tell their asses from their elbows.” He sat beside her. “Sorry I’m late.” Levi draped his arm around her. “You look beautiful, babe. How’d the interview at the bridal shop go?”

“Fine. They want me to come back tomorrow for a third interview.” She shook her head. “You’re all tense. Who pissed you off?”

“I’ve got trainees learning how to work the radar and they had a hard enough time being the D-side.” He held up one finger. “They could handle using the informational strips and pointing out the planes, but when they’re given the radar, these guys are all falling flat.”

“I see.” Kind of, but she didn’t care. When he got technical and talked about the stuff she didn’t understand, she memorized his words and researched it all on the Internet later. In the past two weeks, she’d learned so much about the aviation industry and herself. Her strength wasn’t gone and neither was her stamina. The time with Nicky had eroded her confidence, but no more. Levi, even in such a short period of time, had managed to build her up and show her she could handle a lot more than she figured.

“I’m not on position and I’m not at the base, so all that doesn’t matter. You’re my focus.” He threaded his fingers with hers. “A third interview. That’s promising. I’m proud of you.”

Before he could say more, the nurse strode into the lobby. “Ms. Adkins, you’re up. Five months. Any problems? Are you feeling any movements?” She swept her gaze over Levi. “Is this the father?”

“No problems and no, I’m not feeling him move yet—at least I don’t think so. It feels like gas. My morning sickness seems to be gone and my energy is back up a bit, though.” Maya shook her head. As much as she might have liked Levi to be, he wasn’t, and she refused to lie. “The father isn’t in the picture, but this is my birthing partner, Levi.”

“A support system is vital. Those feelings of gas you’re having are most likely the baby moving. Very good.” The nurse turned on her heel and ushered them to a room. “Dr. Harmon will be here shortly.”

Levi chuckled and rubbed his fingers across his forehead. “Birthing partner…I guess it’s better than calling me the bum you found on the street.”

“You’re my boyfriend, my partner and the guy who is going to help me get through this little adventure—if you stick around that long. So far, you’re better than the father ever was.” She grabbed his free hand. “Besides, I’ve been thinking.”

“About?”

“When I started at the diner, it was to help Momma and the girls. I’d been working at the supermarket before that. Neither of those jobs is what I want to do for the rest of my life.” She measured her words carefully. She wasn’t ready to bring up Richard or some of the other parts of her past. “The job at the bridal shop is between me and one other girl. I’m scared, but I know I can do what they expect of me. This is the chance I need.”

“Marty won’t like you leaving. He keeps telling me you’re the main reason the customers come back time after time.”

“He’ll have to deal, won’t he?” She gripped his hand tighter. “This is my dream and yes, I’m confident it will work. I’ll make it work.”

When he opened his mouth to respond, she placed her fingers over his lips. “You’re a good knight in shining armor and sexy, too, but I don’t expect you to pick up the slack. I got myself into this, and I’ll get myself sorted out. You’re going to change diapers, though.”

“I can do that.”

* * * *

Twenty-four hours later, Maya bobbed her foot and stared at the empty chair behind the desk. Colette, the owner of the bridal boutique, had stepped out to take a call. The hushed voices in the hallway didn’t sound like anyone talking on the phone. Maya strained to hear who all was on the other side of the door. She placed her hands on her belly and scratched, more for something to do to keep her nerves at bay than anything. She noticed the flutters more—like the peanut was figuring out an acrobatic exercise in her womb.

Behind her the door opened. Colette and another one of the workers, Genevieve, walked into the room. Both women sat on the desk and grinned.

“Well.” Colette clasped her hands together. “We’ve talked it over, and the team and I think you’re the right person to join us. Our only concern is the baby. We’re thrilled you’re pregnant and can’t wait for the little one to come along—we all love babies—but as a collective, we want assurance you’re willing to come back.” Colette tipped her head. “No sense in hiring and training someone who’ll only be around for a few months, then leave.”

Maya straightened in her chair. Things with Levi were great, but reality had bitten her in the butt too many times. “I’ll need maternity leave, for sure, but this is the break I’ve been waiting for.”

Colette clapped her hands, and Genevieve grinned. “Welcome to Satin and Lace Bridal,” Colette said. She opened her arms and hugged Maya. “Your design ideas to pair with the new dresses are wonderful. We love your spirit and your drive. You’re going to fit in here well.”

Maya sat through an hour of procedures, rules and practice fittings. She filled out the paperwork, including the necessary insurance documents. Her head ached and her belly growled. The baby didn’t want to wait for supper. At seven p.m., she left Satin and Lace and headed home. Her phone beeped with an incoming text. She didn’t bother to look at the phone until she pulled over in the pharmacy lot.

Levi’s name popped up on the screen.

Meet me at my apartment. Peaches is here with me. Got a surprise for you.

“Okay, kiddo. A little longer and I’ll get some food.” She scratched her belly. The bump had grown enough for people to assume she was with child, but not enough to be cumbersome. She pressed the buttons to send a return message. “He’d better have put my dog out at least once before he put her in a car or he’ll have a mess I won’t clean up,” she murmured to herself.

There had better be a massage in my future. My feet are killing me.

At the last minute, she added two more characters to the text.

<3

Before she could change her mind and delete the heart, she pressed send. She shoved her phone back into her purse, then headed to Levi’s apartment. He had her thinking thoughts she’d long since buried. Crazy, dangerous forever kinds of thoughts. She’d tried to keep her heart safely tucked behind protective walls, but he seemed to know how to melt her defenses. She gripped the wheel tighter. The other shoe would drop. Something would happen, and she’d have to brace herself for the fall.

She’d picked herself up before when the situation got heavy. She’d do it again.

A few minutes later, Maya pulled into Levi’s parking lot. She sighed. The baby had kicked from the moment she’d left the store. Levi met her at the bottom of the stairs. Seeing him jumbled her thoughts.

“Hey, sexy lady.” He’d dressed up in an untucked soft gray button-down shirt and dark denim. There should’ve been a law against looking so damned sexy. He hadn’t shaved a in a while, and a thin scruff dusted his cheeks. Even his hair had grown a tad longer, not that he had much hair to begin with. Her dog stood at his feet. Her tags clinked as she wagged her tail.

“Thanks for letting Peaches out. I’m sure she needed to go.” She knelt and scratched her dog behind the ears. “Good girl. I bet you had a fun time with Levi, didn’t you?” Maya turned her attention to Levi. “I should tell you all I want is a bath, a foot rub and to cuddle with you, but I have the feeling you’ve got other plans. How’s Peaches liking the apartment?” She twined their fingers and allowed him to escort her to the second floor. “She doesn’t take to strangers. You’re lucky.”

“You’d be surprised what I’ve got in store.” He winked and stopped outside his apartment door. “Peaches and I have had a great day. We got ice cream, took a drive and chilled out. Then we decided to do something nice for you.” He twisted the knob and opened the door. Candles lit the room, bathing it in a warm yellow glow. The scent of buttery mashed potatoes and gravy wafted to her, making her stomach growl more. “So did you get the job?”

“I did.”

“I knew you would. Dinner is served, then I’ve got a nice, long soak for you planned with a foot rub, then we collapse in bed for whatever else you’d like to do.”

Maya clasped her hands in front of her mouth. “There’s no way you’re for real.” Tears pricked behind her eyes. First the baby moving, then getting the job and all of his kindness…she couldn’t take it all in. Peaches danced around her ankles, her claws clicking on the floor. “Next thing I know you’re going to ask me to go steady or something like that.” She sat on the chair he’d pulled out for her. “It’s a little late for a promise ring.” Peaches plopped beside her on the floor.

Levi sat opposite her. He folded his hands, and a smile wavered on his lips.

“What?” She tipped her head. “You look a million miles away.”

“Nothing.” He flattened his palms on the tabletop. “No, it’s not nothing. It’s something.” He stared into her eyes. Even across the table, she felt the heat in his gaze. “Maya, I don’t give my heart away without a fight, and I don’t fall in love.”

“Ah.” She gripped the fork and wished her stomach would settle. “Okay.” Would’ve helped if he’d said before that he wasn’t in the market for love.

“No, it’s not just okay.” He stood, then crossed around the table to where she sat and dragged the chair beside her. “Babe, my ex, Amy, shredded my heart. I thought I loved her, and she was screwing one of my co-workers. She cut me deep. I threw myself into my work and became the clichéd best damned guardsman I could.” He slipped her hand into his and sat. “I didn’t want to try romance again until I met you.”

Peaches looked up for a moment, then stretched out and grunted.

Maya allowed herself to breathe. Not where she thought he was going with the conversation, and thank God. “I’m pregnant with another man’s kid. I’m kind of a fixer-upper model.”
But I like you more than I understand and it happened so fast, I’m scared.
She kept her thoughts to herself.

“I know.”

The scent of his cologne wrapped around her, comforting her. She battled the urge to climb onto his lap. “Levi.”

He closed his eyes and his smile grew. “So sexy.” Levi opened his eyes. His hands trembled. “I want to be the man you need. The one you wake up to and the one you can’t stop thinking about.”

“You’re crazy,” she blurted, even though she believed every word.

“I’ve been told that on occasion.” He inched off the chair and onto the floor. “I was going to wait until later, but if I don’t do this now…” Levi dug in his pocket and withdrew a diamond ring. The stone glittered in the low light. “Maya, I’ve been more than a little in love with you since the day I walked into the diner. You can do anything you want and have any man out there, but I’d be honored if you’d be my wife. I love you so much. I know it’s fast, but I don’t know how to go any speed besides balls to the wall. If it helps, Peaches gave me her approval.”

Maya dropped the fork. A thousand questions popped into her head. Did she want to be tied down to one man when she’d finally earned her freedom? What if he changed his mind about the baby? What if things fell apart? Did she even want to marry him?

Levi shook his head. “I knew this was too fast.” He placed the ring on the table, then stood. “Take the time you need. My feelings won’t change.”

Her strong man, the steady man who served his country and had become her best friend, wanted to marry her.

“When do you start full time at the shop?” The catch in his voice pricked at her heart.

“I start Monday.” She dropped her hands into her lap. “Levi, if you’re crazy enough to want to marry a world-weary woman like me…we’d better be waiting until after the baby comes.”

His eyes widened. He opened his mouth and closed it a couple of times before he finally managed to say, “What are you telling me?”

She slipped the ring onto the ring finger of her left hand. “I’m saying I’ll marry you.” This time, she left her chair and made her way around the table to him. “Aren’t we a pair?”

“The best kind.” He placed his palm on her belly. “I love you.”

“I love you, too.” Saying the words felt right. No hesitations, no worries. Just perfect. “But we have our own space until we do get married. Separation makes the heart grow fonder, and if our schedules are all funked up, we’ve each got a place to chill.”

“Deal.” He scooped her into his arms and bounded down the hall to the bedroom. “But tonight you’re all mine.”

“You’re going to hurt yourself, carrying me so much.” She threw her arms around his neck. “But I like it. Like Thor and a caveman but with a lot more finesse.”

His eyes flashed. He worked the hem of her shirt up over her head, then kissed her bare belly. She smoothed her hands over his head. The tenderness in his touch, along with the knowledge he loved her, overwhelmed her. Levi slipped off her left shoe, then her right and patted her calf.

“Stand.”

When she did, he eased the elastic waistband of her maternity pants past her hips. The garment landed at her feet. Instead of ripping off her lingerie, he stood and grasped her hand. Maya followed him to the tiny bathroom.

“I thought we’d actually eat dinner, not rush through it.” He twisted the knob to fill the bathtub. Peaches trotted into the room behind them and sat beside the tub. “She likes to watch?”

“We talk while I shower.” Maya sank onto the closed toilet. “Who knew having a baby would take the wind out of a body?” Steam billowed around the room, and her dog stretched out on the rug. Her snores battled with the splashing of the water.

“You’ve got another person inside you.” Levi pulled a lighter from his pocket and lit the candles scattered around the edge of the tub. “For you, my love.” He placed the lighter in the sink, then offered his hand. “Come here.” He flicked the clasp on her bra, letting the lacy garment fall to the floor with a plop. The dog sniffed the bra, then huffed and trotted out of the room. Maya exchanged a glance with Levi as he removed her panties. He helped her into the searing water. “Like?”

“Love.” The hot water enveloped her and the stress of the day melted away. “You know what I need.”

“I do.”