She moans, and my cock twitches in response. I turn to face the stove to hide my growing problem. I think of the biting wind whipping outside.
“These are my current obsession. It’s one of the few cravings I don’t mind.” Her soft voice spreads warmth throughout my body. Is this what it’s like to have someone home with you? I’d nearly forgotten.
“What are the other ones?” I latch onto the small talk to further distract myself. It’s been a long time since I was this attracted to a woman.
“Ugh. Roasted red bell peppers, and gravy on just about anything.”
I chuckle. “I take it those weren’t a part of your usual diet?”
“No. I loathe them. My parents think it’s hilarious.”
“Oh, where do they live?” I ask, remembering she was spending the holidays alone.
“Not too far from here.” Her voice is subdued and tinged with sadness.
“I’m sorry, are they ill?” I glance over my shoulder.
“No.” Her lower lip trembles and she blinks rapidly.
I turn off the strove and move the peas to the side. “Hey.” I go over and stand beside her. “What’s wrong?” I shove my hands in my pockets to keep from touching her.
“My parents don’t approve.”
“Of the baby?” I whisper, shocked.
She gives a curt shake of her head. “Of my decision to raise the baby on my own and end my engagement.”
“I’m sure you had a good reason.”
“He took a job in California three months before our wedding without telling me. He expected me to rearrange my life to suit his.” She shakes her head. “I never saw that side of him. Not in the two years we were together.”
Disgust turns my stomach. What kind of megalomaniac is this guy?
“I’m sorry.” I take her hand gently in mine. “For what it’s worth, I think you dodged a bullet.”
“I thought so, too. I mean, I was devastated but at peace with my decision. A lie that big shouldn’t be ignored. It’s no way to go into life together. Then ...” her voice cracks, “I missed my period.”
Understanding slams into me like a semi. “You didn’t know you were pregnant when you ended things?”
She shakes her head and sniffs. “No. And suddenly, everyone who supported my choice switched to team Preston. He’s a wealthy doctor with a promising future.”
“Life is more than money and status,” I answer automatically.
“Yeah, but it helps. As a nurse, I don’t make half of what Preston does.”
“And yet, doctors could never do their job without you. You help a lot of people. It’s an admirable job.” I watch her face light up.
“I love it.” Her shoulders slump. “But I wonder from time to time if I’m selfish.” She shakes her head and swipes at her eyes with her opposite hand. “I don’t know why I’m spilling my guts to you. Maybe because you’ve already seen me at my worst.”
“I’m happy to listen.” I squeeze her hand. “I think you’re an amazing, beautiful woman who’s remaining true to herself. There’s absolutely nothing wrong with a mother having a career. You can love both your child and the passion that ignites the spark that lives inside of us all.”
Smiling up at me, she sighs as her tears trail off. “Thank you for that.”
“I can’t say I understand your situation completely, but I can relate in some ways. When I first started my practice, plenty of people thought I was foolish for putting my life on hold. It was a lot of man-hours and focused attention. I missed out on other opportunities.”
Her fingers caress my cheek. “Someone hurt you?”
“Clare and I dated for four years and were engaged for another. It was understood we’d marry once things settled down at the vet’s office—” The memories rush back, clogging my throat.