Page 19 of Suddenly Pregnant

Getting over him would be a problem for Future Billie. Right now, she just needed him even if she had to goad him into sleeping with her. Self-preservation took a step back to the lust brewing inside her. “I want some sexual experience. I came to this country to see new things, to try new things… and don’t get me wrong, I’m thrilled I’ll have a baby. But so much of my life will change.”

He regarded her in silence for a moment, and she wondered if he’d say no again. She wouldn’t make things easier for him by asking again, she’d let him tell her his reply. Her stomach twisted in knots, and she was pretty sure color drained from her face. If he denied her, she’d be so—

“All right,” he said, yanking her from her thoughts. “It’s happening.”

“Really?” she asked, relief pouring over her and relaxing her shoulders.

“Yes.”

“When?”

“Tonight. After work.”

Joy bubbled in her bloodstream, threatening to expand her veins and explode into her system. Turned out tonight would be very, very eventful. And she couldn’t wait…

Jack should have said no. If he had any sense of decency, he would have. But after she told him more about herself, all he wanted to do was hug her. Naked or not.

He dried his body, then slipped on some lounging pants and cotton white shirt. She’d been a virgin. He’d found her suspiciously tight, but she’d also said she’d been told that before, which didn’t raise any flags. She’d chosen him to be her first. Why? A voice inside him shouted.

Maybe he’d been the one to help her go over the comfort threshold. Or she hadn’t thought much about it and let it happen. Not being in her hometown had given her a sense of freedom to try new things. He sighed. He’d never know.

Bottom line was, she was entitled to a more robust experience. And he’d give her more, gladly.

His phone rang, and he looked at the screen. Amy.

Just like that, any pre-sex anticipation energy dissipated. Still, it’d probably be easier to talk to her than ignore her, otherwise she might try his home phone. His sister always found a way to get a hold of him—when they were teens and he locked himself in his room, she learned how to climb the tree by his window just to annoy him.

“Howdy,” he said.

“Hi Jack. I talked to Dad and he’s been happy with your performance. Bragging about the projections, really,” she said on the other end of the line.

“He knows his company is in good hands,” he said, then went down the stairs to the kitchen. He didn’t really cook often, but tonight he wanted to do something special for Billie. Which was why he’d asked her to do a few unnecessary errands after work, so he had time at home to get things ready. He’d even stopped at the market to grab some items, which was unlike him.

“Let’s hope they stay in good hands,” she said, her voice sobering. “Dad also mentioned the six month deal you made with the shareholders. That’s very bold.”

“I’ve got four months left,” he said, but deep down he knew the six month deal was just to show goodwill, and even if he fucked up in a year they’d be harsher on him. The media, the shareholders, and his father. He sucked in a breath. He hadn’t worked out all the kinks on how he’d break the news that he knocked up his assistant, but he’d wait out the remainder of the six months first, then come up with a plan.

“How did you propose such a thing, though, Jack? Saying you’ll resign if you mess up… that’s a lot of pressure. I hope you’re behaving,” she said.

“I’m trying my very best,” he lied.

“Good. How’s your assistant coming along?”

You don’t want to know.He opened a cupboard and started to grab the pan for the dinner he’d cook Billie. “She’s good. Efficient. Reliable.”

“Excellent. So, are you ready to admit I had a great idea in hiring her?”

“Hiring her was a game changer, Amy. There, I said it,” he said, wondering what his sister would say when she found out how exactly the game had changed. Amy loved kids and would appreciate becoming an aunt, but perhaps not under the current circumstances. She’d think he used her. Did he? Their attraction was mutual, but he was the boss.

Still, he couldn’t stop himself from seeing through what they’d agreed on earlier. He was weak, he was stupid—both, probably. But not sleeping with her wasn’t an option. “I have to go, Amy. Talk to you later,” he said, before he turned off his phone. He had a dinner to cook, after all.

“Hey,” Billie said an hour or so later, when she sauntered into the formal dining area.

She stared at the linen clothed table, walking around it. He’d set the table with more embellishment than he usually would. His mother would be proud to see it. He usually preferred placemats and easy dishes, unless the housekeeper organized it beforehand.

Tonight, he brought out some expensive dishware that Amy had suggested he buy when he moved into the duplex, and added a few candles between the plates, besides the vase with flowers he’d bought earlier. When was the last time he’d produced such a romantic dinner to someone?

He hadn’t been this attentive with Cressida, he realized. If he had, he’d notice her out-of-control drinking earlier on, sensed her disease and perhaps even helped her. But he’d been selfish, like she so rightfully called out.

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