Pregnancy Plan (4 page)

“
I told you. I don’t want to wait
around until the right guy comes along.” Jillian strolled toward
the window. “There aren’t any easy solutions.”

He scanned her appearance and sank onto the
bed. Her brown pageboy hair stood in disarray. Her jeans stretched
tight across her round full hips and her oxford shirt clung
invitingly to her breasts. Her face, devoid of makeup, showed every
emotion. He couldn’t remember the last time anyone had intrigued
him this much.

He wanted her. He conceded that fact.

But, did he want to give her what she
wanted?

Make love to her?

Easy.

Get her pregnant?

No problem.

But could he handle his responsibility as a
father?

Support? Yes. And he didn’t doubt her
ability to be a good mother.

Yet?

“
Look, Derek, I know we’ll never agree
on this subject, so why don’t we agree to disagree and let it
go.”

She held her hands out as in surrender.
“Jason couldn’t understand so I guess it’s just a woman thing.”
Disappointment marred her face and hit him in the gut before she
turned to the window.

“
No, Jillian. Like my brother, I can’t
let you go through with this. It isn’t right.” He leaned back on
his elbow to restrain himself from crossing to her. “Who are you
going to ask to donate sperm for this crazy plan?”

“
Well, if you wanted to, you could.”
Mischievously, she peered over her shoulder and grinned.

“
What?”

“
The turkey baster doesn’t care. It’s
not picky about whose sperm I use.”

Derek sprang to his feet. She couldn’t be
serious. He crossed the room and crowed her against the window. “If
I donate sperm, I’ll do it the old-fashioned way and make love to
you. You won’t need a turkey baster.”

“
Okay, I was only kidding.” Her hands
held him at bay.

“
Maybe that’s the answer.”

“
What answer?” She stared suspiciously
at him.

“
Maybe we should make love.” He cupped
his hands over her shoulders.

“
Now wait, I told you I don’t want to
get involved or hurt anyone.”

He tugged her closer. “But don’t you see? I
know the ground rules, so I know this is a short-term affair for
the sole purpose of getting you pregnant.”

“
But why would you agree to those
terms?” She frowned at his offer.

“
Maybe I want to help a friend achieve
her goal.” He smiled.

Considering the benefits of the plan, he
could find no reason to back out. He’d have a child to carry on the
Harris name. He wouldn’t have to worry about leaving a wife alone
for months at a time. And if something should happen to him, they’d
both be taken care of.

No downside.

His hands slid over her back and he drew her
closer until her breasts brushed his chest.

“
But why would you be willing to have
a baby with me?”

The uncertainty in her voice revealed her
desire for him to carry through with the plan. He pressed his
advantage. “Because with you, I won’t have to worry about an
emotional commitment. No wedding, no marriage, no wife. We can
enjoy each other and go our separate ways.” He brushed her shirt
aside and lowered his head to rain kisses along her neck. “That’s
not to say, I won’t support my child.”

“
But...”

“
I’d still expect to see my child when
I’m in the States.” He found her speeding pulse
intoxicating.

“
And you’d be okay with being a
part-time father?” She didn’t sound convinced he’d be happy being a
part-time parent.

Having her so close blurred his ability to
carry on an intelligent conversation. “Yes,” he mumbled between
kisses and felt her shiver under his touch. Energy pulsed through
his body.

“
Derek, this isn’t a good idea. After
all, you’re the brother of my brother’s best friend.” She evaded
his lips and buried her head into his shoulder. “It won’t
work.”

“
Why not?”

****

Pulse racing, Jillian scrambled for a way
out.

Making love to him frightened her more than
never having children. He’d broken her heart once. If they made
love and he left her again, she’d shrivel up and die.

Cringing, she shoved out of his arms.
“Okay.”

He released her. “Okay?”

She stepped quickly away and rushed for the
door. “Call me in six weeks and we’ll get together.” He should be
back overseas by then.

“
What?” His left eyebrow lifted. “Why
not now?”

“
Well, I’m not ready.” She turned when
she reached the door. “I have too many other issues that need my
attention right now. The store, my house, they both have to be
updated and remodeled.” Her voice sounded shaky, but she continued.
“The timing is all wrong.” She waved her hands around for emphasis,
and her right hand landed on the doorknob. She gripped it
tightly.

Derek laughed, undisturbed by her demands.
He strolled to the bed and sank onto its surface. “I don’t believe
this. All evening you’ve been trying to convince me that having a
baby is the most important thing in your life.” He leaned back on
the bed. “And now you don’t have time. Someone has developed cold
feet.”

She whipped around, hating his ability to
read her so well. “Fine, if you don’t like it, you can leave.” She
jerked the door open and waited for him to stand.

“
Not yet.” His innocent look only
agitated her more. Then he patted the bed. “Why don’t you come over
here and we’ll discuss it. Then once we’ve decided, we’ll go out
for ice cream.”

Couldn’t he give her some time to get used
to the idea? But no, the obstinate man wanted things his way. The
man was so exasperating, sexy, and totally wrong for her.

Yet, she still wanted him.

Slamming the door, she stalked to the bed.
“Look, you can’t be the father of my child. I was only kidding when
I suggested it.”

He caught her by the waist, yanked her down
on top of him, rolled, and pinned her to the mattress. Hair flying
and face flushed, she struggled to gain control of her racing
hormones.

His muscular shoulders flexed under her
fingertips. The weight of him felt like a fantasy come true--chest,
stomach, hips, legs, every part matched up perfectly. The strength
in him weakened her resistance. Besides, all her writhing under him
only seemed to add to his determination.

She surrendered, and his gray gaze claimed
her.

“
You’re right, I panicked.” She
admitted, “I’m not sure I can go through with this.”

“
Why not? This is what you said you
wanted, a man to give you a child.”

“
I know, but I never expected…this.”
She waved her hand up and down their bodies.

“
You want
this
as much as I do.” Slowly, he lowered his
lips to hers, giving her plenty of time to know his
intentions.

She closed her eyes. His scent invaded her
senses, and a tidal wave of longing swept through her. Soft
feathery kisses rained over her lips. She fought to catch his
kisses, but as quickly as she moved, his mouth skidded away.

“
Derek, I...”

His mouth captured hers, and whatever she
had intended to say was lost in the moist heat of his kiss. She’d
forgotten his seductive power. Memory came too late. Giving him
free access to her mouth, she melted in his arms. Or did she
ignite? Either way, she felt as though they could go up in flames,
a spontaneous combustion. She combed her fingers through his hair,
tugged him closer. Then she drank in the spicy flavors of his
lips.

His hands traced the lines of her body as
his wicked tongue slid against hers. His thumbs traced the
undersides of her breasts.

She broke for air. Her breathing labored,
while he trailed butterfly kisses across her cheek to her ear.

“
Jillian, tell me you want this,” he
whispered. “Tell me you want to make love to me.”

Her mind splintered in a million different
directions. “I can’t think, Derek. You’re driving me wild.”

She played with his soft curls, twisting
them around her fingers. She couldn’t let go, didn’t want to stop,
yet if she didn’t, could she survive his walking away when it
came?

****

He nibbled on her ear and traced the outer
rim with his tongue. He provided her time to recover from his kiss.
He didn’t want to seduce her into making love. She needed to be a
willing partner.

The soft curve of her neck beckoned. He
guided his lips to the opening of her shirt and stopped at the
first button.

“
Can I?” His gaze indicated the
obstacle in his way. His index finger brushed the delicate skin
between her breasts.

She nodded, then added, “I don’t want to
disappoint you.”

He smiled and unbuttoned her blouse.
“There’s no way you could disappoint me, Jillian. Just tell me what
you enjoy.” His gaze ran across the exposed skin, revealed as each
button slipped from its slot--creamy white skin--full plump breasts
covered by a lacy pink bra, both fascinated him. How could anything
be so perfect?

“
God, but you’re beautiful.” He
charted a path to her waist and then glanced up to catch the
uncertainty in her huge eyes. “We’re in no hurry. We have all
night.”

He fought to hold his desire at bay, and
waited for a response.

“
I want you to touch me.” Her hands
drew his head to within an inch of her lips. “I want you to make
love to me.”

Heat shot through him as her lips covered
his. This time when her mouth opened her tongue darted out, met
his, and fought for control. Her hands raced over his head,
shoulders, back. She wiggled beneath him, worked one leg free and
draped it across his hip.

Shoving the shirt off her shoulder, he
helped her out of the garment.

“
You have such soft skin, Jillian.
Just looking at you drives me crazy.” His hands continued their
path toward her breasts. “It’s heaven to touch you.” He brushed her
breast with his fingers.

She moaned softly.

“
Can’t you tell how much your body
wants me?” He bent his head and kissed her nipple through the thin
fabric. She convulsed beneath him.

“
Did you like that?” He gazed at her,
gauged her reaction. Her eyes squeezed shut, her breath ragged, her
face taut with passion, she slowly opened her dreamy brown eyes.
“You know I did.”

He cupped her breast and removed the lacy
material covering it. He licked the coral tip. Drawing it slowly
into his mouth, he wrapped his tongue around a firm nipple and
tugged gently. A groan escaped and mingled with his as he captured
her other breast and squeezed.

Kneading, stroking, he delighted in the pure
joy of touching her delicate skin. She couldn’t stay still. Her
impatient caresses lit briefly on his neck before rushing down his
back.

“
Derek, that feels so
incredible.”

He shifted, releasing the catch on her
bra.

“
Can you shed this sweater?” She
clawed at the fabric, trying to tear it off his shoulders. He
smiled and pulled free of the garment. Her hands rushed across his
bare chest and into his hair before tugging his head back down to
her seductive lips. Urgently, she opened her mouth beneath his,
demanding entry.

He allowed her to control the kiss, while
his hands roamed free, exploring each delectable curve--waist,
hips, thighs. He touched and stroked every inch of her he could
reach. Rolling to one side, he released her lips to feast on her
breasts.

The lush swell fed his hunger while his hand
journeyed downward. Jillian held her legs tightly together.

Softly, he caressed her inner thigh,
teasing her with a deep massaging rub, followed by a light tender
touch. He drove his hand deeper and deeper between her legs.
Finally, Derek placed his palm over her. She arched into his hand.
Her wet heat seeped through her jeans.
Good, she’s ready.

His name whispered from her lips, and her
nails scraped his shoulders. Greed raced through him, and he
dragged his mouth from her breast to cover her lips. His impatient
fingers found the button of her jeans. Then her zipper. Crisp hair
tickled his palm as he rushed lower. Her intimate flesh begged for
his touch. He opened her, then slid a finger inside, and teased her
with slow, rhythmic movements against her budding point of
desire.

She ended the kiss, her breathing labored.
He couldn’t believe the intensity emotions displayed on her face. A
beautiful sight he’d never forget. Joy filled him at giving her so
much pleasure.

“
Derek, you have to stop. I can’t take
any more.”

No way with her so close, she needed just a
little nudge and then…He captured her lips, sliding his tongue into
the same rhythm as his fingers.

****

Jillian shoved at his hand, her body
suspended in a vortex of fire, burning with the need to explode.
She fought the raging emotion, but he continued to drive her, his
probing fingers shoving her closer and closer to completion. Unable
to stop him, she grabbed for him, running her hands down his
stomach to his hard erection. She stroked him, matching her
caresses with the rhythm he set.

With a deep groan, he broke free. His quick
movements made short work of their clothes. She laid her hands on
his shoulders as he rose between her legs, his gray eyes dark with
desire.