The Christmas Baby Bump (7 page)

Stephanie was more animated than he’d ever seen her. It brightened those gorgeous eyes and made her prettier than he’d previously thought, dazzling him with her easy charm. Too bad his eyelids were at half-mast and his stomach so full that he didn’t have the energy to get up and walk across the room to plant a kiss on her. If he didn’t move in the next few seconds he’d fall asleep. Some impression that would make.

“You sit, and I’ll clean up,” she said. “It’s the least I can do.”

He thought about protesting, but the couch felt great and it was the third quarter in the game and Dallas was only ahead by a field goal. Robbie crawled up and snuggled beside him. That did it. “Thanks!”

By the time Stephanie had finished the dishes, Phil and Robbie had fallen asleep. The sight of the two of them on the couch sent a chill through her heart. A memory flashed of her holding her baby, exhausted, eyelids heavy, the couch inviting her to settle down and rest, just for a moment…

Didn’t Phil know how dangerous that was? A pop of adrenaline drove her to rush to the sofa. She delicately lifted Robbie so as not to wake him or disturb Phil. She couldn’t very well hold him as if he had a dirty diaper and expect him to stay asleep, so she brought him to her chest. On automatic pilot, Robbie wrapped his legs around her waist, and hung his arms over her shoulders. She anchored him beneath his bottom and across his back, and he nuzzled his head against her neck. A rush of motherly feelings made her feel dizzy. He was so much heavier and bigger than Justin, her four-monthold baby.

She hugged Robbie tight and, determined not to succumb to her woozy feeling, walked carefully down the hall to his room. She could do this. It was time to prove she could.

As she prepared him for his nap, his sublime expression sent her thoughts to Justin. He’d always looked like an angel when he’d slept.
Sweetheart, Mommy will always love you. Please forgive me.

She bit her lip and fought the pinpricks behind her lids as she wondered how different her life would have been if she’d put her baby to bed that night. Today, through Robbie, she’d pretend she had…

At some point Phil had drifted off to sleep, and the next thing he remembered was a cool hand on his cheek. Her hand. The faint feel of her fingers reminded him of butterfly wings, delicate and beautiful, and easily harmed. Strangely, it made him want to look out for her in the same odd way he wanted to protect Robbie.

He must have stretched out on the couch because she sat on the edge, facing him.

“Are you ready for dessert?” she asked, sending a thought through his brain completely different from what she’d probably intended. “I’ve made some coffee.”

Ah, that dessert.

Through his bleary eyes, her familiar butterscotch-and-cream features came into focus. Without thinking, he took her hand and kissed her slender fingers. “I’d love some,” he said, thinking more about what he’d really like right then.

Heat radiated from his gaze, and half of her mouth hitched into a knowing smile as she edged away. “Don’t move. I’ll bring it to you.”

As he woke up a little more, he got suddenly curious.
“Where’s Robbie?” He sat bolt upright, a sudden knot of concern lodged in his chest.

“He fell asleep, too. I hope you don’t mind, but I put him to bed.”

“You put him to bed? How long have I been out?”

“An hour, give or take a few minutes.”

He scrubbed his face. “Man, some host I am.”

“You’ve been a perfect host,” she said, on her way to the kitchen, practically skipping. This was a side of Stephanie he’d never seen, and definitely liked. She’d come outside and played with him and Robbie, though it had felt like pulling teeth to get her to ask. She’d shared Thanksgiving with them, as if they were a small and happy family—this from the woman who hadn’t been able to go near them in the Japanese restaurant. And now she’d put Robbie to bed.

While she was busy preparing coffee and dessert in the kitchen, he wandered down the hall to Robbie’s room. The door had been left a few inches open, like Roma had instructed Phil the first night she’d left him. Robbie slept peacefully…in his blanket sleeper.

What kind of a woman would think to put him in his pajamas and leave the door ajar? He thought about some of the women he’d dated over the past year. He’d bet his house that none of them would have thought of it. Hell, they’d probably have left him right on the couch where they’d found him, but not Stephanie.

Phil scratched his head as he exited the bedroom, leaving the door as he’d found it. Who would be that considerate?

A mother, that was who.

Was Stephanie a mother? Then why would she freak out around kids? And if she was a mother, where was her child? Maybe she’d been through a bad divorce, and
her husband had gotten custody. Nah, that seemed too outrageous. The woman was a doctor and a great person. Sometimes disgruntled husbands kidnapped their kids. He shook his head, unable to go there, but something tormented her and he intended to find out what it was.

He glanced into the kitchen, at Stephanie pottering around, whistling under her breath. She’d come out of her shell today. He’d just begun to glimpse a different side of Stephanie Bennett, and he liked what he’d discovered. Even with all of his questions, Thanksgiving wasn’t a day to dig up her past. He didn’t want to spoil her upbeat mood; the lady deserved a break.

A subtle smoothness to her brow made him think she’d made peace with herself today, that maybe she’d conquered a demon or two, and he was glad to witness it.

She looked great, too. Those straight-leg jeans hugged her hips in all the right places, and the silky top revealed the hint of a soft, sweet cleavage. And her hair. What could he say about that gorgeous head of hair, other than he’d love to get his fingers tangled up in it?

By the time he sat down, she showed up with two cups of coffee, handing him one and sitting on the edge of the sofa again. “As I said, you’re a fantastic host. I haven’t felt this relaxed in ages. Besides, that’s the beauty of a huge turkey dinner in the afternoon. You get to nap and wake up in time for a sandwich later.” There was that bright smile again. “Oh, and Dallas won.”

“Go, Cowboys!” What was it about her smile that drove him over the edge? From this closer range the fine sprinkling of freckles he’d discovered across her nose looked the exact color of her hair. She was a vision he thought he’d never get tired of, and he wanted to hold
her, to feel her hair on his face, to kiss those freckles, but he was holding a hot cup of coffee instead.

They’d had a great afternoon together, really gotten to know each other better, and he liked every single thing he’d discovered.

She sat next to him with her leg curled under her. She’d slipped off her shoes, and he noticed polished toenails that matched her top. A fleeting image of her in a bath towel, painting her nails, sent a quick thrill through his veins. He wanted her, pure and simple. He wanted to make love to her, to make her come alive.

No risk, no gain.

He set the cup down, and reached for her. “Come here,” he said.

Surprise flickered in her eyes. She put her cup on the table and with no sign of resistance snuggled into his arms. He kissed her cheek then brushed her mouth with his thumb. “You have no idea how much I want to kiss you,” he said.

She tasted his thumb. He saw a flash of fire in those butterscotch depths. There wasn’t any question what her answer was. She tilted her chin to make better contact as their mouths came together.

He picked up where he’d left off at the beach, slipping his tongue between her soft lips, and found her velvet-slick mouth.

She cupped his face and kissed him hard. He delved deeper, ravenous for her taste, then mated his tongue with hers. They made love with their mouths as time ceased to exist. He had no idea how long they’d necked, all he knew was that she matched his heated response, pressing her body against his, smothering him with her lips. He knew where needy kisses like that led, and there was no going back.

The fine skin of her neck tasted like vanilla. She moaned as if he’d uncovered the most sensual spot on her body. He wanted to explore more, discover every area that drove her mad with desire, but she was fully clothed. He’d have to fix that. Immediately. He cupped her breast, and felt the tightened nipple under the thin fabric of her top. His ears were so hot he thought they might spontaneously combust, and his now-full erection pulsed and strained to be set free.

As difficult as it was, he broke away from her firedup kisses, stood, and took her hand. “Follow me.”

With flushed cheeks and hooded eyes, eyes that confirmed she wanted him as much as he wanted her, she followed him down the long hall.

Stephanie watched Phil throw back the covers of his bed and step toward her. He took her by the neck and kissed her so hard she thought her knees would go wobbly.

This was no time to change her mind. Her mind? Hell, she’d misplaced that right around the time he’d kissed her. If she was going to change her mind it had to be now, but desire shivered through her and the only thing in the world she wanted at this moment was to make love with him. She was on fire. A feeling she hadn’t experienced in three years pulsed between her legs, and one thing was very clear. Phil wanted her as much as she wanted him.

Hadn’t she been telling herself to start living again? Every sensation coursing over her skin and through her veins shouted,
Do it! Give yourself permission.
Phil’s mouth clamped down on hers again, and the no-brainer decision was made.

Completely giving in to the moment, she found a way under his shirt and skimmed the taut muscles on
his chest, her hands skating across his substantial shoulders. It had been so long since she’d touched a man this way. She savored the feel of naked flesh. His skin was smooth with a fine sprinkling of hair on his chest, and she wanted to see him. See all of him.

“Let me help you,” he said, pulling his shirt over his head, buttons untouched.

She only had time to glimpse his flat stomach and defined arms before he did the disappearing act with her top. A hot rhythm between her thighs drove her to undo his jeans. He yanked them down and stepped out, his erection outlined through his black briefs. With a rush of desire she cupped the full length of him, restless to see him, to feel him inside her.

To feel. Him. She’d been living on anxiety and tension for so long, this surge of lust intoxicated her. Every cell in her body came to life, heightening his touch and sweetening his taste. It empowered her, made her think she could do anything. With Phil. She pulled his briefs down and watched as he stepped out of them. She’d seen his physique in the wet suit the other day, but it couldn’t compare to him in the flesh. His powerful legs and full erection was a picture she’d hold in her memory for the rest of her life.

With a dark, hooded stare, Phil studied her. “Your turn,” he said. He brushed his warm hands over her breasts, cupping and lifting them as he dropped feathery kisses on her shoulder, and expertly unlatched her bra. “You’re beautiful. So beautiful,” he said in a hushed, reverent tone, kissing each breast.

Their mouths came together again, his lips full and smooth, as they dropped onto the bed. He unzipped and removed her jeans and lacy thong that matched her bra.
“Cute,” he said, eyebrows lifted in approval as he tossed it across the room. It landed on a lampshade.

Phil’s natural banter and easygoing manner helped her relax when she briefly felt out of her depth. What the hell was she doing, having sex with a coworker, with a man known for being a playboy? But she looked into Phil’s eyes, saw unadulterated desire, and lost her train of thought. Again.

Today she needed to be desired. It was a truth she could face, a gift he offered, and she had every intention of accepting and savoring it.

They rolled together into the center of his huge bed, finally feeling every part of each other. The exquisite feel of his muscles and skin fanned the flames licking in her belly. They kissed and tasted, touched and kneaded each other until she was frantic. “Please,” she said, taking him in her hand and placing him between her thighs. She touched her tongue to his, and nibbled his kiss-swollen lower lip. “I need you,” she said.

From the flashing depths of his eyes there was no doubt he needed her, too.

“Let me get some protection,” he said with a bedroom-husky voice.

“Not necessary. My tubes are tied,” she said, pulling him closer.

He cocked his head as if momentarily surprised, but it didn’t stop Phil from seizing the moment and making her needful wishes his complete command.

S
TEPHANIE
crawled out of her postsex haze and glanced at the surfing god beside her. She couldn’t believe what she’d just done—she’d slept with a man after only knowing him for a couple of weeks. Was she out of her mind?

She’d let him tug her down the hall to his bedroom and have his way with her. Now nestled in the crook of his arm, she blinked. Come to think of it, she’d pretty much had her way with him, too. Maybe that was the freedom that having her tubes tied had finally given her. She’d never forget this night, no matter what happened next, and that realization felt great.

He definitely knew how to satisfy a woman, yet he was anything but mechanical or practiced. What they’d shared had been nothing short of fan-bleeping-tastic. When he’d filled her, she’d let herself go with basic instincts and savored each and every sensation coiling tighter and tighter until release had torpedoed through her. Now feeling like a huge mound of jelly, she admitted how much she’d needed this. How glad she was he’d taken her there.

They snuggled warmly in the center of his king-sized bed, lights dimmed, breathing roughly, completely satisfied. Now that he’d had her, he still hadn’t lost interest.
No. He folded her into his chest—his muscular chest brushed with light brown swirls and curls—and stroked her hair. She loved the soap-and-sex smell of his skin and marveled at how smooth it was and how substantial he felt. She smiled against his chest, her hand on his upper thigh. Phil was definitely substantial.

His fingers lightly played with her matted hair, sending chills over her shoulders. She’d thought she was tingled out, but his touch settled that debate. When she looked up at him, a grin was on his flushed face. He’d had a workout, too.

It had been so long since she’d been with anyone, wasn’t this the point where the first-time lovers were supposed to feel awkward and clumsy? She felt anything but as she shared a completely contented smile with him. There wasn’t a hint of regret in his clear-as-the-sky eyes.

“I’ve been fascinated with your hair since the moment I met you,” he said, honey-voiced, giving her shivers all over again.

Truth was she’d been fascinated with his hair, too. She’d loved digging her fingers into it and kissing him hard and rough as they’d rolled around his bed. She liked the thickness, and how there was so much to tug and hold on to. She’d even tasted it when he’d covered her with his compact, muscular body and brought her to orgasm.

“Same here,” she said.

He laughed. “You like my hair?”

She nodded, digging her fingers into his scalp, further mussing the dark blond cloud of hair. He grinned before sudden concern changed his expression. His crescent-shaped eyes grew wide.

“Damn. Robbie! I’d better go check on him.”

He jumped out of bed and pulled on his jeans but not before she enjoyed the view of his sinewy back and handsome behind. He had an obvious tan line left over from summer from surfer-styled trunks.

While he was gone, she stared at the high, beamed ceiling and thought how romantic his French countrystyle bedroom was. The man had had impeccable taste when it had come to choosing this house. There had to be more to him than met the thoroughly satisfied eye.

He’d also made her feel like a complete woman again. Wow. She stretched and arched in the comfy bed, senses still heightened, enjoying the finely woven sheets against her back. She could get used to this kind of escape. And wasn’t that what this two-month job was? An escape from all things?

Phil returned, his smile wide, sexy. “He’s still asleep.” He stripped and jumped back under the covers with her. “Now, where did we leave off?” He nuzzled her neck and ran a cool hand across her breast. Even if she tried, she couldn’t stop her response.

The deliciously warm current he’d started with his fingertips rolled right to her center and, as quickly as that, she was ready for him again.

Robbie’s nap ended much too soon, if you asked Phil. He’d have liked to spend the rest of the night making sexy memories with Stephanie on the best Thanksgiving of his life. But Robbie was awake and protesting by banging on his bedroom door.

“Pill! Whar you?”

“Hang on, Robbie, I’ll be right there.”

“Don’t let him see me in here,” Stephanie whispered.

“Okay.” He took one last glance at her creamy skin
and, yep, her nipples were the same color as her freckles, except, thanks to his attentions, everything about her was much rosier now. He’d have to make a mental snapshot because he had a kid banging on the door.

He hopped into his jeans and strode toward the door, then opened it just enough to squeeze through. “What’s up, little dude?”

“I’m hungwee.”

“Again?” Phil ruffled Robbie’s already messy hair and led him to the kitchen. He smiled at how the boy had put his glasses on lopsided, and how his round belly pushed against the sleeper. The kid was a total wreck, but still managed to look cute.

Did I just use
cute
in a sentence?

He cut up a piece of pumpkin pie, poured him a glass of milk, and sat him at the kid-size plastic table Roma had left. When he was sure Robbie was preoccupied enough with eating, he slipped back down the hall to check on Stephanie’s progress.

She’d put her underwear back on, and the sight of her long torso and shapely legs gave him another pang of pure desire. He couldn’t wait to unload Robbie back on Roma and his father. If all went well, they’d arrive home tomorrow, and his bachelor life would finally be back to normal.

“Here you go,” he said, handing her the clothes he’d found across the room.

“Thanks.”

There was still fire in those dilated pupils, and it took a lot of restraint to keep from grabbing her and throwing her on the bed again. If he was lucky, he’d have six more weeks of great sex with Stephanie—a gift he hadn’t expected when they’d hired the locum.

He liked her pumpkin-colored top just fine, but it
looked so much better discarded on the floor. And would he ever take those great legs for granted? Not in six weeks, he wouldn’t.

Usually, once he’d been with a woman, he was fine with sending her home, preferring his alone time. But he wasn’t anywhere near ready to say good-night to Stephanie. And he still had Robbie to deal with.

“Can you stick around for another glass of wine or some coffee?”

“You know, I’ve scheduled that colposcopy for early tomorrow morning,” she said, clasping the belt over her hips.

He was fascinated watching her, as if he’d never seen a woman dress before. “Then on Saturday night I want to take you to dinner.”

She finished zipping her ankle boots, rushed him, and brushed his lips with a moist kiss. “I’d like that.”

The simple gesture set off another distracting wave of desire. O
-kay.
They had a great thing going, with no strings attached, and as far as he could tell, they were on the same page.

Stephanie willed all the crazy thoughts about the huge mistake she’d made out of her head. By the time her sex-with-Phil high had subsided this morning, she’d realized her blunder. She’d given herself a pep talk on the drive in to the clinic on Friday. Last night had been a one-time thing. She’d gotten carried away, that’s all. Phil probably felt obligated to take her out to dinner. For her part, she’d blame it on that evil sweet-tasting red wine she’d imbibed and the sexy wonders of Phil. Heck, she’d already accepted his invitation for dinner on the weekend and, considering his allure, it would
be extra-hard to tell him there wouldn’t be a repeat bedroom performance.

Old habits were hard to break, and there was comfort in safety. Why couldn’t she figure out what to do?

Celeste Conroy lay on the examination table, prepared for the special procedure. As she’d done countless times before, Stephanie used the colposcope to examine the area of cervix in question and to take a small biopsy.

It only took five minutes.

“You may feel some cramping today. Take it easy. No lifting or straining for a couple of days, and no sex for a week.”

The mention of sex sent her mind back to last night with Phil, making her ears burn. She shook her head, hoping to stop the X-rated visions on the verge of materializing in her mind as she made her last few notations on the patient chart.

Celeste, as always, had a slew of questions, and Stephanie was grateful for the distraction.

“I’ll need a week to get the results,” Stephanie answered, “and I’ll call the minute I get them.”

The busy morning postponed her curiosity, but by lunchtime, when she still hadn’t seen Phil, she asked Gaby.

“He’s at the airport, picking up his parents.”

He’d made it clear he wanted to take their acquaintance to a whole new level once his parents took Robbie off his hands. The thought made her insides scramble up with anxiety yet excited her at the same time. Soon an unsettled feeling had her finding the nearest mirror and taking a good long look.

Make up your mind, Bennett. Either go for a fling
or keep your distance. Don’t leave it up to Phil to decide.

Hadn’t she given herself permission to let go last night? And hadn’t the results been beyond any fantasy she could have dreamed up? After a long inhalation, a tiny smile curved her lips. She had six more weeks in Santa Barbara before she’d be back in her world—why not totally escape from all things Stephanie? And, besides, she’d had her tubes tied—there was nothing to worry about.

The thought of pursuing a carefree romance with Phil launched a wave of flittering wings in her stomach. Did she have the guts to carry it out?

Well, if this didn’t take the prize. If Phil hadn’t been so worried about his dad he’d be frustrated by having to hold on to Robbie for a couple more days. The layover at the airport had made Carl sick and Roma had taken him directly to the hospital once they’d landed. He’d picked up a nasty bug and was already showing signs of dehydration. The big iron man Phil had grown up admiring looked far too human in the hospital bed, and it sent a weary wave of dread down his spine.

“I’ll keep Robbie for the weekend or until you feel ready to take over,” Phil said to Roma.

She sat at her husband’s bedside, her dark hair heavily streaked with silver, holding his hand. “If you could bring Robbie by later today, I’d really appreciate it. I miss him so much.”

“Go, Roma. You don’t have to sit here watching me sleep,” Carl said. “Go and see Robbie.”

She gave Phil a questioning gaze. How different Roma was from his mother, who’d left when things got tough. His mother’s action had jaded Phil and had
planted a lifelong mistrust of women. They couldn’t be counted on to stick around, so why get serious? Roma broke the mold, but she was the exception.

“Come with me,” he said. “Robbie can’t wait to see you. I’ll drop you back here on my way home.”

It dawned on Phil that his fabulous weekend plans, with the hottest lady he’d met in forever, would get put on hold. Again.

Once he sorted things out with Roma and Robbie, he’d give Stephanie a call to give her a heads-up. Either she’d be willing to let Robbie tag along for dinner or they’d take a rain check, but there was no way he’d leave Robbie with a babysitter. The kid would be disappointed enough knowing his mom was back in town yet he still couldn’t go home.

How did you explain such a thing to a kid? He’d step back and let Roma do the chore, see how a pro handled it, and maybe learn something.

Later, after he’d heard the latest doctor’s report on his father and Robbie was preoccupied with building blocks and making his version of the world’s tallest building, or so he’d announced with extra esses and saliva, Phil thought about Stephanie. He thought about how much he’d enjoyed spending Thanksgiving with her, and especially how great it had been to make love to her. And he thought how he’d like to do it again. Soon. But he had to look after the squirt.

So why was there a smile on his face? Because the kid really was a great source of entertainment.

After several attempts, Robbie had made it to ten blocks high, but he’d jumped up and down, knocking the top block off again. Phil stifled a laugh when he glimpsed the expression of frustration cross the boy’s face. Phil had to hand it to him, the kid didn’t quit. He
picked up the same block and balanced it on top of the others, then went hunting for several more.

Phil took the opportunity to call Stephanie. Hearing her soft voice on the phone, it occurred to him how much he’d missed seeing her today, and just how disappointed he was about canceling their plans.

“Looks like I’ll be keeping the kid brother for the weekend,” he said on a resigned sigh. Though she’d made real progress being around Robbie on Thanksgiving, he wanted her all to himself the first time he took her out to dinner.

Phil felt compelled to give her the whole story about his father’s illness, flight home, and current status. Once he’d filled her in they’d settled into an easy conversation, and as Robbie was still erecting the west-coast version of the Empire State building, he kept talking.

Hell, he’d had sex with the woman. They knew each other intimately now. And though completely out of character, he wanted to take the opportunity to get to know her even better.

“Do you have a minute to talk?” he asked. How busy could a person be in a hotel room?

“Sure,” she said.

The problem was that, if he wanted to learn more about her, he’d have to talk about himself. Should he take the risk?

He glanced at Robbie, who’d now moved on to scribbling with crayons in his newest coloring book from Hawaii, and decided what the heck.

“It’s been bugging me. I mean, how does a doctor with an aversion to kids wind up being an obstetrician?”

To her credit, she blurted out a laugh instead of taking offense. Though maybe she sounded a little nervous? “I guess it does seem odd, and please don’t get me wrong,
I love delivering babies. It’s just…well, pregnancy and delivery is one thing, and child rearing is another.”

“See, now, that’s where I get tripped up,” Phil said, trying hard to understand her elusive explanation. “It’s been my experience that people usually go into a specialty profession because it’s their passion. For instance, I chose medicine because of my mother.”