Page 36 of Baby Maker

“Why do you say that?”

“She’s young, beautiful, sweet, and without all the complications of us older women. She’s not looking for marriage or children. Perfect for you.”

A cloud passes over Keegan’s features. “Is that a fact?”

“It is. You’ve said that you have no desire to have a family. Most women over the age of thirty are looking for long-term. A sad but true fact.”

“What are you looking for, Calli?”

His question reverberates inside my heart, bouncing around like a ping-pong ball. The truth is that I don’t know anymore. Between my earlier conversation with Simon and my muddled emotions surrounding the man next to me, not to mention the monumental decision facing me about being a single mother, I’ve no idea which direction to head.

But I refuse to mire the handsome doctor into yet another of my deep and depressing chats. Today is for levity. “Right now? I’m looking for caffeine.”

“You’ve come to the right place, even if that is a bullshit answer.” He holds open the door, and I pass easily under his arm. Hey, there are a few perks to being a foot shorter.

“Is it wrong to say I have no idea?”

“Not at all. It’s honest.”

I scan the menu, because it’s far easier to look at the wall than stare into Keegan’s mysterious blue pools. I get lost there, and I’m still learning my way around being his friend. Trickier than I thought. Much trickier. “I wish I could be like you. Dating for sport. Not looking for anything beyond a fun time. I’m not built that way. I’ve always been too serious and sentimental for my own good.”

“Trust me, my life is far from ideal. Even if someone is warming my bed at night, they’re not in it the next morning. It’s beginning to feel like a shallow pursuit of pleasure that’s no longer pleasurable.”

I swallow back the nausea bubbling up from my core. I don’t dare ask how many women have gotten twisted up in his sheets over the last week.

There have to be some limits to our friendship. My sanity insists upon it.

“Have you thought about my offer, Calliope?” He grazes my lower back with his fingertips, barely dusting against my skin.

But it’s more than enough to trigger memories of that night. Those few stolen moments where we caved to our primal desires.

Brain, will you stop thinking about that night? It’s not happening again. At least not with me in the role of heroine. Ally likely will have a run at it later, though.

Ugh.

“I have.”

That intoxicating caress pauses, but Keegan doesn’t remove his hand from the small of my back. “And?”

“Are you sure you wouldn’t rather take someone else? Someone you can get snookered with and have a few nights of crazy sex? Forget it all when you hit the Rhode Island border?”

I expect a snort of laughter or an embarrassed chuckle. I get neither. Instead, Keegan steps closer, wrapping his arm around my waist, his breath tickling my ear. “Has it ever occurred to you that I asked you for that very reason?”

The bark of laughter flies from my lips. What an ass. “Oh, I get it. I’m your shag for the weekend.”

Keegan returns my chuckle, but his grip remains firm. “Obviously. I have high standards.”

“Are you sure about that?”

“I’m turning over a new leaf. So, are you coming? Do I have to beg?”

“Begging might be fun.” I’m maintaining a cool facade, a lighthearted exchange. But internally, my hormones are firing on all cylinders, and it’s getting harder to breathe the longer his firm body is pressed against mine.

“Calli, I’ll make you a promise. You go with me, and you won’t have to beg for anything. I’ll give you anything you want. As many times as you want it.”

Holy hell, it’s hot in this coffee shop. I run my hand along the back of my neck as Keegan’s low chuckle sounds in my ear.

The bastard. Getting me all hot and bothered and enjoying every second.

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