Page 31 of Pregnant by the Texan
“Forget that one,” she said, and he chuckled.
“We’ll get back to talking about business tomorrow. Tonight I have other things on my mind. You don’t have any morning sickness, do you?”
“Not a bit so far. I just can’t eat as much and sometimes I get sleepy about two in the afternoon.”
“Why don’t you catch a few winks. The world won’t stop spinning if you do. You’re vital to Royal, Stella. You’ve done a superb job, but the world will go on without you for the time it takes you to get a good night’s sleep.”
“Thank you, Dr. Nichols. How much do I owe you for that advice?”
“About two dozen kisses,” he said, and she laughed, pushing him on his back and rolling over on top of him.
“I’m going to pay you now.”
“Best collection I’ll ever make,” he said, wrapping his arms around her.
* * *
Aaron stirred and rolled over to look at Stella. She lay on her back, one arm flung out, her hair spread over the pillow. She was covered to her chin by the sheet. Even in her sleep she stayed all covered, which amused him.
She continued to fill in for the mayor. It amazed him how people turned to her for help, everyone from the city treasurer to ordinary citizens. He didn’t think Stella was even aware of the scope of what she was doing for the citizens of Royal. She was one of the key people in restoring the town and securing assistance for people. She was willing to accept his help and he could introduce her to so many people who would contribute to rebuilding Royal. He liked being with her. He liked making love with her. She excited him, and the more he got to know her, the more he enjoyed her. If she would agree to marriage, he thought, with time they would come to really love each other.
He thought of Paula and Blake, and the dull pain came as it always did.
Along with it came second thoughts. Maybe he was wrong about never being able to love someone else again. And maybe Stella was right—the only time to marry someone would be if he was as wildly in love as he had been with Paula. If he only married to give his baby a father, and wasn’t really in love, that wouldn’t be fair to Stella and might not ever be a happy arrangement.
He thought the fact that they got along well now and he liked being with her would be enough. The sex was fantastic. But there was more to life than that.
He sighed. He wanted to know this baby of his. He wanted to be a dad for his child, to watch him or her grow up. Aaron wanted to be a part of that.
If he didn’t marry her, she could marry someone else who would take her far away where Aaron wouldn’t get to see his son or daughter often. Maybe he needed to contact one of his lawyers and get some advice. The one thing he was certain about—he did not want to lose his second child.
He lifted a strand of Stella’s hair. She excited him and he liked being with her. She was levelheaded, practical. If he gave it a little more time and attention, maybe they could fall in love.
He had been a widower for seven years now. How likely was he to change?
If anyone could work a change, it would be Stella. She had already done some miracles in Royal. If Mayor Vance recovered, someone should tell him exactly how much Stella had stepped in and taken over.
Desire stirred. There might not be love, but there was a growing fiery attraction for both of them. He wanted to be with her and he was going to miss her when he returned to Dallas. Right now that wasn’t going to happen—without her being beside him—until after the holidays. He would worry about that when it came time for them to part.
He leaned down to brush a kiss on her temple as he pushed the sheet lower to bare her breasts so he could caress her. Then he shifted to reach her so he could trail light kisses over her full breasts. Beneath those buttoned-up blouses she wore, there were some luscious curves.
She stirred, opened her eyes and blinked. Then she smiled and wrapped her arms around his neck, pulling him down so she could kiss him.
Forgetting his worries, Aaron wrapped his arms around her, drawing her close as he kissed her passionately.
* * *
It was Saturday, but still like a workday for her with all that needed to be done in Royal. She glanced at the clock and sat up, yanking the sheet beneath her arms. Alarmed, she glanced at Aaron. “Aaron, it’s nine in the morning,” she said, horrified how late they had slept. “Aaron.”
He opened his eyes and reached up to pull her down. She wriggled away. “Oh, no, you don’t. We’ve got to get out of this bed.”
Looking amused, he drew her to him. “No, we don’t. It’s Saturday. Come here and let me show you the best possible way to start our weekend.”
“Aaron, I work on Saturday. Royal needs all sorts of things. I have a list of things to do.”
“Any appointments with people?”
“I don’t think so, just things to do.”
