Page 65 of Vegas Baby

He straightened in his chair, dread hitting the pit of his stomach. She’d gotten quiet and it freaked him out. “Is everything still on track?”

She raised vivid blue eyes to his, her face pale. “Not exactly.”

His heart picked up the pace and he laid down his fork. Was there something wrong with the baby? He searched her features, but she didn’t appear upset. “Well, don’t keep me in suspense.”

“I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to be so dramatic, it’s…” She reached across the table and clasped his hand in hers. “When the technician did the ultrasound, she heard two heartbeats.”

“Two heartbeats? As in two babies?” Holy shit. It was difficult enough to reconcile a wife and one child, but two? Panic rioted through him, icy fear twisting his gut. Throat tight, he made to loosen his tie when he realized he wasn’t wearing one. “We’re having twins?”

“Yes, we’re having twins.”

Chapter Twenty-Five

“You’d better get going or you’ll miss your plane.” Raina unlinked her arms from around Howler’s neck, regret in every word. He was heading out on another business trip, not leaving her forever. Yet everything inside of her wanted to beg him to stay.

“Yes, I should.” He kept his hold on her waist and captured her earlobe between his lips, nibbling the flesh. His simple touch triggered a rush of raw desire, and she curled her hips into his, aching for more than just the physical. His weight pressed her back against the glass panel next to the door. Strong hands pulled her in tight, fingers splaying her butt.

“Are you sure you need to go? I mean, there is a tropical storm coming. It could turn into a hurricane before it reaches landfall.” And I’ll spend the entire time glued to the weather channel, worrying. Silly and irrational but she couldn’t help herself. She loved him with every fiber of her being.

Howler tongued her earlobe, his breath hot on her neck. “She’s only in the country for another week. If I don’t meet with her now, I might lose the opportunity to sign a rising star.”

The doorbell rang, and she released a soft curse. “It’s either the town car or Trent. Or both.”

He lifted his head and dark eyes, liquid with want, met hers before he kissed her again, his lips a gentle caress. She lowered her eyelids, heart aching at the tender touch.

Voices sounded close and Howler took a step back, his arms falling from around her waist. Flashing a regretful smile, he bent and picked up his briefcase, the jeans he wore hugging his nice ass.

Raina curled her fingers, nails biting into her palm. His physical withdrawal left her feeling empty inside. Oh my God, she was starting to be one of those needy people she swore she’d never be. She opened the door, the cool moist air brushing her hot cheeks. Trent stood out on the circular driveway, talking to a man in a black suit. From the way the men were smiling, more transpired than a friendly hello.

“I’ll text you when I land,” Howler said, slipping past her and jogging down the steps, suitcase in hand.

“Have a good flight.” She feigned a perky smile while inside she wanted to beg him to stay. Stupid hormones.

“Hey Trent, take care of Raina,” Howler said as he passed the men.

Her heart melted a tiny bit more at his caring remark. Boy, she had it bad and it was becoming ever clearer how truly hard she’d fallen.

“Will do,” Trent called back, handing a card to the cute driver.

Sighing, Raina went inside, leaving the door open for Trent. It took incredible strength on her part not to stand and watch the car disappear down the driveway. She rubbed her hands up and down the arms of the flannel shirt she wore. It had been raining all day, the temperature dropping to the low fifties. She couldn’t seem to get warm after the spring-like weekend they’d spent at Grams. Of course, now that they shared the master bedroom, Howler had kept her warm. The big bed would be lonely without him.

Trent entered the living room, a bag of to-go food in hand.

Raina twisted to look at him and winced as a cramp shot down her back and into her thighs. She gripped the couch cushion until the muscles once again relaxed.

“Are you okay?” Trent asked, unpacking the delicious smelling food.

“I overdid the yoga today and my legs and back are feeling the burn.” Her stomach growled, and she massaged her thighs, wincing at the deep burn. Raina hadn’t eaten since earlier that morning. She’d been, um, otherwise occupied with satisfying her other, more urgent hunger, one that seemed to be escalating.

“Yoga? Is that what you call it?” he asked, wiggling his eyebrows.

A hot flush stole up her cheeks and she ducked her chin, feigning innocence. Was she that obvious? To Trent, yes. He was her closest friend and could read her like a book. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“You do realize you were leaning against glass and it’s as see through as your little lie.”

“We were both fully clothed, you couldn’t have seen much,” she said, certain the inevitable blush ruined the chastisement. Why she was embarrassed disturbed her more than it should have. “And I wasn’t lying. I did yoga this morning.”

“And then you did Howler, didn’t you?” Trent crumbled the white paper bag and threw it into the garbage. “You naughty little minx, do tell all.”

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