Page 20 of Bartender's Surprise Baby

“Great,” he grinned wide. “Just doing some prep work for the day’s special, St. Nick’s Grilled Sub.” He rattled off some ingredients that made my mouth water and my stomach flip. “What do you think?”

“I think it sounds amazing, and I wish I felt up to being your taste tester.”

His brows dipped. “How about I whip up some soup just for you?”

My heart melted a little more, and I nodded. “That would be nice, but only if you have time. Can’t have you neglecting your customers.”

He wiped his hands on a towel and closed the distance between us before wrapping me in the warmth of his embrace. I inhaled deeply, enjoying the way his masculine scent wrapped around me. “Thanks to you, I have the time to cook for my customers.”

“Thanks to your delicious meals, sales are up. At least they are at the bar, but I assume the bar bill is going up because of the food?”

Levi’s smile was wide and proud. “Sales are definitely up.” He dropped a kiss right on my forehead. “I wouldn’t have done this if you hadn’t forced me into it.”

I laughed at the memory that felt like a lifetime ago. “You’re welcome?” This would’ve been the perfect moment to tell him about the pregnancy, but I chickened out when his lips descended and met mine. I whimpered at the feel of his mouth, gentle yet commanding, against mine.

“Thank you,” he said against my lips before pulling back.

“My pleasure.” Guilt ate at me throughout the shift, but I managed to keep a smile on my face while I assured the good folks of Holiday Grove that my fainting spell was just a blip from skipping too many meals. They all bought it because everyone knew that models, even former models, didn’t eat.

I was dead on my feet by the time the last customer exited the bar, and I wasn’t sure how I would manage to drive home.

“Come on,” Levi insisted, hooking one arm around my waist. “Let’s get you off your feet.” He took me back to his place, showered me—again—and fed me his delicious sandwich, which I ate without sending it back up.

“Damn, that’s really good, Levi.”

“Yeah?”

I nodded and took another bite. “That eggplant and roasted red peppers mixed with the steak isn’t something I would’ve thought about, but it’s incredibly flavorful.”

He beamed a proud smile my way. “Thank you.”

“No,” I sighed heavily, smiling at him softly without any care that he could clearly see my emotions written all over my face. “Thank you, Levi. Your culinary talent is almost as good as your other talents.”

His gaze darkened with desire. “Let’s see if we can get rid of thatalmost.” He scooped me in his arms and carried me to his bedroom, where he showed me just how talented he was. Twice.

And when I fell asleep in his arms, I smiled and promised myself that tomorrow I would tell him.

12LEVI

It was official. I was worried as hell about Rob. We woke up together for the last three mornings, bodies tangled together and smiles on our faces. She would reach for me, or I would reach for her, and our lips would fuse together hungrily, frantic to touch, to taste each other as if we hadn't just devoured each other the night before. But just a few seconds into the kiss, Rob would pull back, jump off the bed, and lock herself in the bathroom for ten minutes.

At least.

This morning was no different. She took off for the bathroom, and I stepped into a pair of boxers, heading to the kitchen for two cups of coffee. Maybe she wasn't taking care of herself the way she should be. Or, another thought occurred to me, maybe she was really sick and didn't want to tell anybody. This morning, however, Rob was still in the bathroom when I came back with the coffee.

My frown wore a hole in the door until finally she emerged. "Hey," I said softly.

She hit me with that brilliant smile, and for one solid moment I felt my heart bang around in my chest like one ofthose metal pinballs. Just as quickly, the smile faded, and one hand slapped across her face, covering her nose and mouth.

My own frown appeared, wondering if this was the day she would unleash her true high-maintenance side. I stood just as she turned and rushed back to the bathroom, taking the coffee mugs with me. I took a few gulps, letting the hot liquid scald my throat and wake me up, not that I needed it because fear wove its way through me like a cobra, tightly coiling around me until every worst-case scenario played in my head.

Rob was curled up on the bed with the blankets pulled up until only her hair was visible. I sat on the bed beside her, placing one hand on her hip, dragging it slowly up and down her leg. "I'm worried about you, Rob. What's going on?"

For a long time, she said nothing, and then a sniffle sounded. And another.

I was like every other man on the planet when it came to a woman's tears, completely ill-equipped to handle them. "Rob, just talk to me." This time I waited her out, sure the silence would force her to speak.

Eventually, she peeked her head out and gasped at my nearness. "Levi," she whispered so softly I would've missed it if I hadn't been watching her.

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