His Best Man's Baby (16 page)

“Tell me you don’t love me.”

She gasped.

“Say I have no chance with you.”

“Will you go back to Alise?”

“No.”

She eased her fingers from his and clutched hers together in her lap. “It’s wrong, Daniel. I feel bad like I destroyed your marriage. I can’t be the other woman.”

He frowned. “So you’re going to throw away what we could have because of guilt?”

“It’s not that simple.”

“Explain it to me!” He grunted and ran fingers through his hair. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have yelled at you.”

“You call that yelling?”

He shrugged.

“I love Jax too,” she whispered.

He looked like she’d punched him in the gut.

“I’m sorry.”

“You said ‘too.’ That means you still love me.”

She could have kicked herself. “Daniel, I feel like I’m in a tug-of-war. I can’t deal with this.”

“I’m sorry, baby.” She thought he’d back off, but he grabbed her chin and turned her head to face him. The inches between them disappeared. “I’m not backing down. I stayed away long enough. I love you, and I’m
going
to have you.”

His mouth descended on hers. She scarcely had time to draw in a breath before he claimed her lips in a searing kiss. He forced her lips apart and snaked his tongue into her mouth. Wet panties and hardened nipples were the least of her issues when she brought her hands up to push him away. Instead, her fingers curled into his shirt. While she didn’t push him away, she didn’t draw him closer either.

Daniel took his time kissing her, tearing down all her defenses and leaving her raw and vulnerable. When he raised his head, her lips were numb and her heart sore. She put a hand to her mouth and stared at the woman struggling with a full cart, pushing it a slight incline to her SUV. Others entered and exited the grocery store, and out at the main road, cars zoomed by. The entire world went about its business while she had come to a screeching, confused halt. Why wasn’t it easier than this?

“Marry me.”

She shut her eyes. “Daniel.”

“I know I got it wrong years ago.”

“So you
don’t
have a problem with me working?”

“I don’t like it, but I just want you to be happy. If a job makes you happy, we can work around it. I just want you with me.”

Six months ago she might have jumped in his lap and demanded he take her home to stay. “I can’t just walk away from Jax, and I can’t have you both.”

“You’re right about that,” he ground out. She looked at him. The bitter anger in his eyes was almost palpable. “The friendship we had won’t return to the way it was.”

She felt sick.

“The second you choose me, if he touches you, he’s dead.”

“He’s my baby’s daddy, Daniel.”

“And he will have visitation rights.”

She stared. Daniel may have claimed to accept her working, but his words made her feel like nothing had changed. He wanted to control everything. Not that Jax was much different. She didn’t blame either man, but neither of them truly understood her position.

“Can you take me home, please? I’m feeling pretty worn out. It’s been a long day.”

He turned over the car engine. “I hoped we could have a late dinner together.”

Right now she had a lot of thinking to do, and who knew what mental condition she’d have after she spoke with her mother. “I already ate, but can I call you tomorrow?”

He seemed disappointed. “Sure.”

Tae rode in silence as Daniel drove her back to the apartment. When they arrived, the apartment lay empty, and she found a note Jax left. She skimmed it.

“Okay?” Daniel asked.

She nodded. “Yes, I’m okay. I’m just going to bed.”

He hesitated. “Since he’s not here…”

“I’m grown, Daniel. I can stay home by myself.”

“Call me if you need me.”

She thought she heard an emphasis on the word
me
, but let it go. “All right.”

Before she could deny him, he dropped a kiss on her lips and walked out the door. She made sure the door was locked and then returned to Jax’s note. He sometimes took investigation assignments late at night because that’s when most people were off work and Jax could catch them at home. He knew she had a doctor’s appointment the next day and promised to be home to take her and pick her up.

“Home, huh?” she muttered. Well it was a good thing he’d gone. She could rest and think about what to do. A buzz from her phone caught her attention, and she checked it. The text came from her sister Sasha.

“Ma is a mess, crying like you killed somebody. Congratulations on the baby. I’m sad you didn’t tell me, but I know you. Call your mother before she drives me crazy. I beg you.”

A pulse pounded in Tae’s head, but she sat down on the couch rather than heed the call of her bed. Now she knew Daniel had been talking to her mother about getting back together with her. The knowledge pissed her off. He didn’t need to bring her family into things, but at least he hadn’t been the one to tell her mother about the baby. No, the catty Janita had done that.

Her mother had the nerve to wait three rings before she answered the phone. “Hi, Ma, how’s it going? I have news for you, even though I’m sure you already know…”

* * * *

“How did she take it?” Jax asked Tae the next day on the way to the doctor’s office.

“Like my mother takes everything—as if I got pregnant to spite her. She feels we should wait to have sex until we’re married. My sisters and I, I mean. None of us did, but at least Sasha and Janita waited until they were married before they had kids. So I’m the black sheep. She says I broke her heart.”

Jax studied her face in between focusing on the road. “I don’t know your mother at all, but I don’t want her to upset you. I can talk to her if you need me to.”

“No way, Jax. You’d make it worse. I can hear you now telling her if she is going to upset me, she’ll have to wait until after the baby is born to talk to me again.”

He frowned, and his grip on the steering wheel tightened. “That’s what you think of me? That I only care about our son, and your mom can verbally abuse you all she wants after he’s born? I suppose you think Daniel would charm her.”

She groaned. “Don’t start.”

“What did the two of you talk about last night?”

“Are you going to tell me about the job you took?” She wondered if he’d rushed out to take one after seeing how Daniel had settled the craziness with Janita and Terrence by giving them money. Janita had texted her later that Daniel had given them enough for gas back home. She’d even gone so far as to insist if Tae had to marry a white man it should be Daniel. Tae had no trouble seeing a future of Janita constantly trying to dig into Daniel’s pocket with that scenario. Of course she would put a stop to it.
What am I thinking? Like I’m going to accept his proposal.

“Tae.”

She snapped out of her reverie. “What? I didn’t hear you.”

Jax eyed her. “You wanted to know about the case I took, but you’re not listening.”

“I’m sorry.” She laid a hand on his arm and slid fingers down to his hand. Today, Jax wore his usual when he intended to work, a dress shirt and dark slacks. The burgundy-and-white pinstripe looked good on him, and she planned to get him a few more from Brooks Brothers since his birthday was in a few weeks. He would turn thirty-five.

“Tae, you’re still not listening.”

“Sorry!” She squeaked in alarm. “I was thinking about your birthday and what we’ll do.”

He smiled. “We don’t have to do anything.”

“We can afford something, Jax. All our money is going to bills and savings, but you’ve been good to me. I want to do something special.”

Tension around his mouth worried her, but he turned his hand face up to link with hers. Then he drew hers to his mouth to kiss. “We’ll talk about it later. I have to check out a few things while you’re at the doc, so this time I’m not staying, but I’ll be back to pick you up, okay?”

She sighed. “Okay.”

“Tae?”

“What?”

“You’re really fine with it?”

“I know you have to work, Jax. You’ve spent too much time at my side and neglected work.”

“With you is where I belong. In fact, I was doing some thinking.”

Her stomach fluttered, and she suspected it had more to do with nerves rather than the baby kicking.

“What would you say about us combining households? Your apartment is good, but you know I have my house. It’s small but big enough for the three of us.”

She faced the street ahead of them. “The commute—”

“Is only an extra ten miles, not that big a deal.”

“I know.”

The fact was he didn’t tell her he loved her. She wasn’t sure if Jax saying it would make everything perfect. Letting go of Daniel didn’t feel possible yet.

“Can I think about it?”

He sighed. “Okay, but don’t take too long.”

“Or what?”

He smirked. “Nothing. Just don’t.”

She rolled her eyes. “Yes, Mr. Hart.”

A few minutes later, Jax dropped her off. Tae moved to get out of the car, but he grabbed her hand. “Hey, where are you going?”

She paused. “What do you mean?”

He pointed to his lips. The lower, full one particularly called to her. “Right here, beautiful.”

She couldn’t help the grin. Jax, the fun guy, was still in there. “I can’t reach,” she teased. “The armrest and my belly…”

Jax was out of the car within seconds and jogged around the back until he reached her door. He opened it wide and leaned in. Tae got a whiff of his aftershave, and it made her mouth water. She took in the glimpse of his smooth chest through the opening of his shirt’s top button. He’d lain his tie on the back seat, and she knew he’d slip it on at the last minute.

“And what is your excuse now?”

She lowered her lashes. “None.”

Jax captured her chin and raised it before slanting his mouth over hers. He parted her lips and slipped his tongue between them. A moan crept up her throat, and she didn’t hold it back. Jax kissed her deeply, drew back just enough to break the connection but not the warmth of his nearness, and then devoured her mouth again. Her nipples ached to feel his touch, and her pussy grew moist. She squirmed in her seat, needing him, until he deemed her good and conquered. Then he straightened.

“Now you can go inside.” He held out his hand, and she took it to rise. “Okay?” he asked softly. “I can see you inside.”

“I can get there. Thanks.”

She managed to walk with some semblance of control to the clinic door and hurried inside. When she looked back through the window, Jax waved, then gunned the engine as he tore out of the parking lot.

Tae moved through the appointment with her thoughts full of both Jax and Daniel. What would she do? What did she want to do? Daniel asked her to marry him, and Jax wanted her to move in with him. The decision should be simple, but she loved them both. Each man had positives and negatives about him. Jax was a lot of fun, and sex with him blew her mind to pieces. His rough touch although without sophistication gave her life sometimes. Then there was the fact that his job was dangerous, and if he pulled back from it even a little, he didn’t make enough money. Just asking him to ease up in the first place made her feel guilty. She loved her career just as much as he loved his.

Daniel had money. That was not an issue with him. He’d paid his dues and moved up the corporate ladder. He took life a lot more seriously than Jax did, but that didn’t mean she didn’t enjoy being with him. She did. His gentle touch pleasured her and made her feel cherished. She had no doubt she would always come first in his life, and he had already proven he loved her. The man had married a woman who looked like her for goodness sake, but he loved her so much he couldn’t let go and make his marriage work. Guilt rode her because of it even while his actions solidified his feelings. The problem with Daniel was he wanted her at home with his little one. He might claim he would be flexible, but would he? Daniel desired that old-fashioned family dream with white picket fence and a wife who baked cookies and joined the PTA. He might be willing to put that dream aside, but would it make him happy in the long run? Could they overcome their different views of what they wanted in life?

“Ms. Croft, we’re all done. You can get dressed now.”

Tae blinked and glanced down at her belly. The technician hadn’t completely wiped away the gel she used when administering the sonogram. Tae took the offered tissue and cleaned up herself then worked her way off the table. “Can I go to the bathroom before that? I’m about to burst.”

The woman smiled. “Of course. We’ve all been there. Across the hall, second door.”

Tae had been to the clinic a million times. She knew where the bathroom was but made no comment as she dashed as fast her as swollen ankles and rounded belly would allow. Once she handled her business and had washed her hands, she returned to the room but paused long enough to call Jax before she got dressed. After four rings, the phone went to voice mail. She frowned and typed a text message.

“I’m ready. Please come now. I’m starving.”

She dressed and went through the mundane procedure of checking out. Jax still hadn’t called or texted. When she stepped out of the clinic, she searched the parking lot for him, but saw no sign of his car. “Damn it. I could have driven myself, but he insisted. So over this.”

At least she didn’t have to go into to the office. Incredible favor allowed her to work part time in the office and part time at home. Tae considered it a miracle. She might not be on bed rest, but the doctor insisted on little stress. That was the only reason she’d gotten the special treatment, another reason she loved her job.

She checked her purse. No cash. Across the street was a Harris Teeter and a couple restaurants. She could grab something to eat and get some money for the bus. Frowning, she wondered if the CATS bus schedule might be easily accessible on her cell phone.
Stupid Jax.

Then she remembered that Jax never forgot her or missed her appointments. She recalled what happened the last time he stood her up, and all thought of eating disappeared. He might be somewhere hurt and unable to call. What if it was worse this time? What if he was dead?