Page 24 of Surprise Baby for Mr. Fischer
I sighed.
And now I sat in my car, butt glued to my driver’s seat, unsure of what to say to him, my gaze flicking to my purse on the passenger seat. Inside was the sonogram from my appointment yesterday. I made a last-minute decision to bring it, just in case Lincoln wanted to see it. I’d decided to not find out the baby’s gender until I’d talked to him. If he wanted to know, it was only fair that we made that choice together.
Or if he needed proof.Would he believe me, or would he think I was just some crazed fan?
Taking a deep breath, I opened my car door and walked around to the front of the house, tugging my puffer coat closer to me as the chilly ocean breeze blew past me. Even though we didn't have snow yet, Rhode Island’s early December wind would rip right through you.
The beauty of the house charmed me with its weather-tinged shingles and view of the water beyond. I took the front steps slowly, wishing the meeting with Lincoln was over already.
I pursed my lips and banged three times on his brightly-painted blue door. He must have been waiting for me since the door flung open in seconds.
“Harper, you’re here.” He sounded surprised.
His doubt wasn’t entirely misplaced. I hadn’t been sure I’d be here until now either.
My brain stopped functioning the moment he filled the door. His muscled forearms crossed over his chest, the sleeves of his henley pushed up, tattoos peeking out. His jeans clung to his thighs and—I needed to stop my thoughts before I melted in a puddle of need on his doorstep. Even if he was sex on a stick, I had to stop ogling him. “Yup.”
Stellar choice of words, Harper.
He ran his hands through his sandy-blond hair. Was he nervous to see me too? “Well, come on in. It’s a bit chilly out today.”
“Brrr,” I said, inwardly rolling my eyes. How had I been reduced to one-word sentences?Get a grip!I chastised myself.He’s just a man. A man I’d slept with and never been able to forget.
I stepped through the doorway. He wasn’t kidding about the massive amount of furniture in the space. My eyes darted to the two rooms that flanked the foyer. The pieces shoved together were eclectic antiques—Louis XV, and XVI styles, American Regency, and English Chippendale styles were all represented with various patterns.
While the picker side of the business was what I preferred, I could still appreciate the beauty of the furniture set before me. Hope was going to be so jealous. This type of find was totally her jam.
He lifted his hands and gestured to the rooms. “Apparently, there was more furniture in storage than what they showed in the pictures and to my realtor during her walkthrough.”
“I brought a notebook and my camera, so I can document some of the pieces you have.”Yay, I finally managed an entire sentence around him.
He shut the door. “Can I take your coat?”
I jumped back, but the door behind me stopped me from going any further. “No!”
He jerked back at the sharpness of my tone. “Oh-kay.”
I tried to give him a smile. “No, thank you. I’m a little chilly and need to warm up a bit.”
I couldn’t take off my coat yet. It hid the fact that my stomach had popped out and with the right shirt there was no mistaking the small bump that now protruded. I wanted to tell him, not show him. Hopefully, an opportunity would present itself.
“Whatever you want.” He moved closer to me and tilted his head. His unusually colored eyes—one forest green, and the other a pale grayish blue—roamed over my body.
If he came any closer, there was a good chance he’d hear my heart thudding in my chest. His hand shifted closer to my face, causing my breath to catch in my throat. A sigh fell from my lips when I realized he was only tucking a wayward strand of hair behind my ear.
I moaned as he ran his fingertips along the side of my jaw. My eyes fluttered closed. I pressed my thighs together, feeling my core throb. After all this time, I still craved his touch.
“I regretted not getting your number the moment I got on that flight.”
My eyes popped open. “What?”
“I let you go too easily.” His eyes darkened, and every bit of his desire for me hit me in the gut.
“You already got me into bed. You don’t need to resort to flattery now.”
“Don’t do that.” His hand now curled around my jaw.
While his touch was gentle, his expression was not. The heat of his hand seeped into my skin. My body warmed, and longing for his continued touch consumed me. My nipples pushed against my bra, making me want to whimper. They were extremely sensitive thanks to the pregnancy. The faint scent of his spicy, woody cologne with hints of cardamon and sandalwood tickled my nose as I took in a deep breath.
