Page 16 of Irresistible Temptation

“I guess I’ll be back,” Maci says to me.

“I’ll be right here, babe.” She climbs off my lap. I stand, and my hand goes to her lower back as she walks to the door. I only drop it when she follows the nurse out into the hall. I pull out my phone and pull up a contact. I’ve got plans to make, and the sooner they happen, the better.

Me: Hey, I’ve got someone I want you to meet. Are you free tomorrow?

I don’t have to wait more than thirty seconds before I receive a response.

Mom: Hi, honey, we’ll be free for you. Does this someone have anything to do with you being more surly than normal?

Me: I’ll text you before we head over. Try not to cook enough for an army. And yeah, she’s the reason, and it’s no one’s fault but life getting in the way. I’ll tell you all about it tomorrow.

Mom: I’ll cook as much as I want, and you won’t complain. Love you.

Me: Love you.

My mom will get on the phone next, call my dad, then call my brother, and who knows who else. Now that I think of it, we may want to hit Maci’s parents up first before they find out from some random person who knows someone who knows someone. Fuck me, I’ll have to talk to Maci, and fast.

12

MACI

“Um, so, now that the test did in fact confirm what you probably knew all along, can I say something?” We’re back at Tysen’s condo, which, by the way, is out-of-this-world stunning. It’s somehow in the city yet has the feel of nature surrounding it. The big oak trees that have been planted tens of years ago are beautiful, there’s grass in the back and front and even garden beds against the house, though those are currently sitting empty; not so much as a shrub has been planted.

“You can say anything you want.” Tysen looks over his shoulder. He’s in jeans and nothing else. Once we left Luke’s office, after receiving the shock of the century, Tysen suggested we stop by the grocery store to pick up food for dinner and breakfast. At first, I tried to talk him out of it, giving him the talk, you know, the one where you’re an absolute mess and shit just spews from your mouth. Fine, okay, I gave him an out, telling him we didn’t have to do this together, that plenty of parents co-parent, but he shut me up rather quickly. It was with a searing kiss, one that was filled with promises and told me in no uncertain terms that we were doing this,together.

Once that was out of the way, he exited the car, came around the other side, opened my door, and we went grocery shopping. He placed me in front of him once we got the shopping cart and then went about our day. As if I didn’t lose my shit, question every single thing in life, and attempt to push him away. He didn’t budge, and when our, I meanmymoment was over, it was over. Tysen let it go. There was no grudge, no other words he spoke, besidesI’m glad you’re thinking clearly now.I may have had another little hiccup in Luke’s office when the nurse handed me a pamphlet about my options and what to do in the meantime. I’d never once thought giving my child up, but when I saw the paper, my stomach dropped, and I almost suggested to Tysen that we shouldn’t have this child. We’re too new, and this is the worst time possible for me to be pregnant. Then I sat for a minute and realized there’s no such thing as the best time to have a child. Anything could happen even with plenty of money in your bank account, something I don’t have, or being married. People fall in and out of love, life happens, and the world keeps spinning.

That’s when I looked from Tysen to the paper, and realization hit me. I’d already started falling for him the minute he walked into the bar. The reason I left a note is because I wanted more. It didn’t matter that Chad the chode cheated on me or his dad fired me. The man standing beside me is the man I want and need. I tossed the papers in the trash while my eyes peered at Tysen’s. He lifted his chin, and then we left with our fingers laced together.

“As much as I like Luke as your friend and all, there’s no way he’s looking up my dress even if it’s to deliver our baby.” He stops what he’s doing. The man drops the tongs on the tray, abandoning the steak and potatoes he’s grilling, and turns around. The broccoli we picked up is currently steaming in the microwave inside. While he’s sipping on his Macallan, I’m swirling my wine glass filled with ice and sparkling flavored water, another addition we picked up from the store, this one my idea. While I love the sweetness of the lemon lime soda, it’s also super high in sugar. When Tysen kept putting random things in the grocery cart, I didn’t question him until we checked out. He simply shrugged his shoulders and told me Asher’s wife is pregnant with twins, Kennedy was pregnant before, and Luke’s a female doctor; you learn a thing or two when you’re around them. I dropped it and made a mental note to immediately pick up a book on all things pregnancy so I wouldn’t feel behind in the next nine months.

“Babe, didn’t want you to, and I would have put my foot down either way. Lennie sees the other doctor at his practice. It’s cute you thought I’d let my friend look at what’s mine.” He prowls toward where I’m sitting on his killer patio furniture. The couch is where it’s at, big and deep, easy to settle into the corner and relax. The two chairs on either side aren’t bad, either, except I didn’t feel the need to spin or rock in them. On the other side of the patio, Tysen also has a matching table and chairs, where he mentioned eating at tonight.

The weather we’re having this time of year in Florida isn’t going to last much longer. Before too long, the breeze will stop, the mosquitos will carry us away, the temperature won’t drop below eight-five degrees, and the humidity will make you feel like you’re in a sauna.

“Good, I’m glad we can agree on that,” I reply. He bends at the waist, his hands going to either side of the couch. I know what’s coming. I’m more than looking forward to it. Any time Tysen’s mouth is on mine, it’s going to be more than amazing, plus it’s a promise for later. His tongue slides along the seam of my lips, I open on a sigh like I always seem to do, and he moves in. My hand moves up the length of his chest until I’m cupping the side of his face. His scruff against the palm of my hand only spurs me on more. Whereas before now, he was taking and I was giving, allowing him to do all the work, I get in on the action. My tongue moves along his in a rhythm that feels connected and sensual. My core aches, my body tingles, and when he pulls back, I’m not the only one completely under a spell.

“I still don’t like your coloring. I’ll need to get more iron in you,” Tysen says.

“Way to ruin the moment. I wasn’t just thinking about pulling you on top of me or anything.” I roll my eyes at him. The most inopportune time to discuss my health is when I’d really like an orgasm or three.

“You’ll get that later, once you’ve been fed.” He drops a kiss to my lips and moves back to the grill. The unobstructed view of him is one I could get on my knees for any day of the week. Tall, muscular, broad shoulders, an ass that fills out a pair of jeans, and of course he catches me checking him out.

“What, like I can’t look?” I tease, licking my lips when he sends a wink over his shoulder.

“You can look all you want, babe.” He goes back to flipping the steaks and baked potatoes. The meat he chose is thick, massive, and he’s cooking four of them. I tried to tell him that there is no way I’d be able to eat even half of one plus the big-ass potatoes he picked out and I’m sure the mountain of broccoli he’ll insist on putting on my plate. Tysen simply shrugged his shoulder and said we’d have steak and eggs for breakfast. I didn’t clue him in on the fact that there would still be enough left over for lunch and dinner, too. I also realized that this man loves his steak, seeing as how he had it for lunch and is now having it again, and is already making plans to eat it tomorrow.

“I’m not sure you could stop me even if you tried.” I take a sip of my drink and settle back into the couch.

“It’s a good thing I’m not trying.” He closes the lid to the grill, turns around, and grabs his lowball of Macallan to take a sip. I already know he’s gearing up to say something else. I swear to everything if he brings up what I should eat again, I’m going to lose it. I don’t mind eating healthy. In fact, I prefer it, unless I’m near that time of the month, then I tend to go a bit overboard. What girl doesn’t enjoy salt and chocolate in no particular order or mixed together?

“I can see you have something on your mind,” I open the line of communication for him.

“Yep, sure do. Tomorrow, I’m off work, as are you.” My eyebrows furrow. “Samuel told me.”

“Why am I not surprised?” I take another sip of my drink. I’m going to have to talk to my new bestie for the restie. He seems to be spilling all the tea to Tysen when I’m not around.

“Back to the matter at hand, we’ve got rounds to make. Your parents first. We’ll load up your stuff, move it in here, and then we’ll head to my folks. Already gave my mom a heads-up, so you may wanna do the same with yours. I want you settled before you go back to work, and that’s another thing we’re talking about. I’d prefer to keep you on my plane. Samuel has already been offered a job. That was in the works before I knew you’d be there. He made it contingent on you flying with him. It’s three to four days a week, which means a cut in pay from the agency, marginally, but it comes with benefits including health, dental, and a pension plan once I get the ball rolling. There might come a point where it’d be more like five days a week, too. There’s other stuff in the works, but until I have a sit-down meeting with the rest of my friends and co-pilot, I can’t really talk about it.” Tysen tosses this out like it’s no big deal.

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