Page 35 of Vegas Baby

“Let’s move to the conference table,” Raina said as she regained control of herself and her thoughts.

Briefcase in hand, he offered a curt nod and slid into the seat she’d indicated. He leaned back in the chair, his brown eyes sweeping her from head to toe. Was he picturing her naked? Why in the world did that question pop into your head? He could be admiring her dress because Howler made a habit of complimenting her clothes. Get a hold of yourself, Raina.

Eyeing the table, Raina wanted to sit as far away from him as possible, but they had to review contracts and it wasn’t practical. She slipped into the chair next to him, catching the subtle scent of linen and starch she associated with Howler. His hair was combed into a traditional cut, the sides shaved, and he’d grown a short-cropped beard. The style enhanced his angular looks and her discomfort increased.

“How is Veer?” Raina opened the folder to reveal the legal documents. She was pleased her hand remained steady and in control. It was the only thing that seemed to be working for her. Her stomach gurgled, the sound loud to her ears. She clenched her fist around the pen in her hand praying the sickness would lift. “I skipped lunch,” she lied, crossing her legs. The action seemed to push the bile up her throat and she uncrossed them, her shoe landing on top of his. “Sorry.

“No problem.” He moved his foot, a noticeable lift at the corners of his mouth. “Veer’s fine. He’s anxious to get on the field and play.”

He was laughing at her. Jerk. She wished she could laugh it off as easily. Raina pinched the bridge of her nose, trying to ward off tears. It was as if every one of her insecurities were out in full force and she couldn’t control her own emotions. She had one expectation from this meeting, the ability to stay calm and dignified. But Howler made her nervous and that would never do. She used the purple sticky note to turn the page to the first revision, anything to occupy her mind.

“How are you doing?” he asked, his husky voice sending a chill along her spine.

“Keeping busy, and you?” Small talk. This was good. She could do small talk. Her stomach rumbled again and she pleaded with herself not to get sick.

“You really should get something to eat. It’s not healthy to skip lunch. Do you want to grab something from the coffee shop and come back to this in fifteen?”

No, she wanted to get this over with as soon as possible. Raina pushed her heel into the carpet and pinched the bridge of her nose. She inhaled, trying to pretend she was engrossed in the documents. The sooner she got rid of him, the better.

Coward.

“Let’s get through this, I have dinner plans. There aren’t many changes. I—” The words blurred and her head began to spin. “I think I’m going to be sick.” She twisted around, grabbed the nearest object and lost the contents of her stomach in Howler’s briefcase.

“I’m so sorry… You should go…” Raina hugged the expensive leather to her chest, wishing the earth would open and swallow her up as wave after wave of nausea hit. She heard Howler moving about but she dared not raise her head to see what he was doing. Probably better this way. He’d be pissed about his briefcase but at the moment, she couldn’t care less.

Howler rushed into the bathroom, the sound of her retching turning his stomach. This wasn’t exactly the way he’d imagined this meeting playing out. He’d expected some awkwardness but this was way out of left field. She was obviously sick and had asked him to leave but he couldn’t abandon her in such a state.

Why not? You’re no damn hero. Tell her assistant and go. Easy as that. Except no matter how their marriage came about, she was still his wife. In sickness and in health. Grams had raised him to honor the commitment of marriage, even though his own father had butchered the very foundation of the institution.

Although he had no strong emotional ties to Raina, they had a bond now, something not so easy to dismiss. And he’d never been able to resist helping someone in real need.

He snatched up the folded linen towel on the vanity when a piece of white plastic fell out of the towel and onto the tile floor. He bent and picked it up, his knees weakening as recognition dawned.

No. Fucking. Way.

Exhaling, he turned on the faucet and wet the towel. He stared at his own reflection for a long second, trying to reconcile what he’d seen with what he knew. Howler raised the plastic stick once more and studied the blue plus sign. Positive. She was pregnant.

Raina was pregnant.

Was the baby his? A chill of something he couldn’t name stole his breath and he splashed water on his face. Calm the hell down. You don’t know you’re the father. And if he was, then what?

“Somebody kill me now,” came Raina’s muffled words from the other room.

Turning off the water, he clenched the towel and the pregnancy test and went back into her office. He wouldn’t kill her but once she was done being sick, he’d get some well-deserved answers. Her head was bent over his briefcase, her dark hair styled in a conservative bun, exposing her neck. He draped the towel over the nape of her neck and poured a glass of water. Taking his seat, he pressed it into her hand “Here, drink this.”

She accepted the water, her hand shaking, and brought it to her pale lips. Her face was drawn, perspiration dotting her high forehead. “Thank you but you don’t have to stay. I’ll be all right.”

“I can’t leave. My keys and my wallet are in my briefcase.” And I want some answers. He placed the plastic stick on top of the blue file folder and rested his elbows on his knees.

“Oh, my Lord,” she groaned, her knuckles white. “I’m so sorry. I’ll buy you a new briefcase.”

Howler didn’t care about the briefcase. He cared about that white stick taunting him. When he’d thought of his future, it had never been with children or a wife. Too late, he had both. His tie felt constricting as a tinge of panic hit.

Raina sat up straight and the towel dropped to her shoulder. She pulled it off and scrubbed at her face. “Why is it every time I’m around you, I do something stupid?” she asked, her question muffled by the fabric.

He could say the same thing about her. “I have that effect on people.”

She half chuckled, half sobbed. Blowing out a breath, she zipped up the briefcase, face flushed. “I’m feeling a bit better now. I’ll get your keys and wallet. If you want to take the contracts with you, we can resched…” Raina tilted her head towards the table and her leg began to shake. Blue eyes met his, her lips pressed together as she pointed to the test. “What does it say?”

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