“We’ll find you one of the best physicians. I’m sure they’ll verify the pregnancy as well,” I say.
What are the chances it’s a false positive?
Will I be disappointed if I found she isn’t pregnant and this is all a mistake?
My hands roam up and down her arms, trying to coax her. She’s trembling, and I can’t tell if it’s my doing or the adrenaline from telling me the news.
“Talk to me,” I say. “Tell me what you’re feeling.”
“Nervous. Scared. Terrified.” Her gaze isn’t on me, and I reach for her chin, tilting her head and forcing her to meet my stare. Her blue eyes are brighter, clearer, but filled with doubt.
I don’t ever want her to feel that kind of doubt about us or with me. “I’m sorry,” I say. “I realize I’ve been a hard ass on you.” I pull her tighter and rest my forehead against hers.
“It’s not your fault.”
I laugh softly. “I appreciate that, but I haven’t made things any easier on you or on us.”
She doesn’t argue with me. There’s no reason for her to, because she must know I’m right. Cali shifts slightly, resting her head against my chest. I wrap my arms around her, cocooning her in my embrace.
“You’re my boss,” she whispers against my chest. “This seems like a problem.” Cali gestures at her stomach.
“Only if we make it a problem.” I rest my chin on the top of her head. “You’re having my child.” I exhale, trying to let the words sink in. It feels surreal. “Anyways, you work for Levi. I’m just the guy you report to.”
She chuckles and rubs at her eyes.
Is she crying?
My thumb swipes across her cheek, wiping the remnants of tears away. “I promise, I won’t make your life hell.”
“You’ve already been doing that,” Cali mutters. She rubs her face into my chest. “Do you remember that night in New York?”
I stiffen at her recollection of the interview and me being drunk much later that evening. “What about it?”
Apparently, I hadn’t consumed enough to make me completely forget what happened, including telling her that I was falling in love with her.
“I really thought you were going to kiss me in my hotel room.”
Her words make me relax. I thought she was going to bring up the other thing I had said. “I should have kissed you, but I was drunk and that would have been wrong.”
“You’re not drunk now, are you?” Cali asks, lifting her gaze back to mine.
“I’m not,” I say, and stare at her perfect ruby lips. They’re begging me to ravish them. But my daughter is in the next room over with her friend. “But we can’t be making out like teenagers on the couch. Julianna is home.”
“I know; she let me inside,” Cali reminds me.
“What do you suggest we do?” I want to take this little private party to the bedroom, but I don’t want to push Cali. It’s been quite the day, discovering that she’s pregnant and me learning I’m going to be a father again.
I lean my forehead against hers, breathing her scent in. She smells like lavender and vanilla. It takes all my willpower not to run my tongue down her neck and listen to her moan as I excite her.
Cali reaches for my hair, trailing her fingers through my scalp. Her touch is sensual and calming, luring me to kiss her.
There’s only so long I can keep up this charade, pretending I don’t want to devour every inch of her. And I’m losing fast.
My breath catches when she shifts slightly and leans closer, her breasts grazing my chest. I growl and press my lips hard against hers. I need her like I need air to breathe.
Her lips part, allowing me entrance, and I willfully take what’s granted.
She’s mine.