“I didn’t just come to give you the cheque,” Ross said in a rush, so quick his words blended together. “I- I wanted to talk. About…” his eyes shifted to her stomach and Teela had to force a hard swallow.
“About the thing I’m apparently lying about?” she said, too harshly. She couldn’t exactly regret it, even though Ross was there to extend an olive branch. Maybe. “Are you here to call a truce or was it more than my cheque in that envelope? Maybe you’re here to serve me. If that’s the case, I must say, you act fast.”
“It’s just your cheque in there,” Ross confirmed. “No lawsuit. I promise.”
“Oh?” Teela stared him down. He didn’t blink. She was very well aware that she could lose herself in those crazy blue eyes. That she wanted to. She took a fumbling step back. “In that case, let me get a robe. I’ll make some tea or something.”
“I don’t need anything. I didn’t actually mean to bother you. I- maybe I shouldn’t have come.”
“You definitely shouldn’t have come,” she said, wishing her voice was more standoffish. Wishing it was rougher, wishing it didn’t sound like a straight invitation up the stairs to her bedroom. Another shiver traced its way up her spine and her panties were probably wet. Who was she kidding? They were soaked. In another second, it would probably be very apparent. “But you’re here,” she rushed on. “So, go have a seat in the living room. You know where it is. Wait for me there. I’ll be- right back.”
She turned and raced up the steps without a second glance. She really hoped Ross stayed by the door for a minute and didn’t watch her retreat up the stairs. Her nightgown probably exposed her boring granny panties and she’d die if he’d seen them.
Of mortification. She’d die of mortification. Nothing else. Not desire. Not from the flames spontaneously combusting from said panties. Not from her ovaries just ovulating while she was already carrying a child and somehow getting immaculately pregnant with Ross’ child for a second time. Not from the shivers tracing their way up and down her spine. Not from the way her heart was thundering wildly in her chest.
Because there was no way the devil was ever getting in her panties. He’d already made her pregnant. That was more than enough.
CHAPTER 8
Ross
A meat and cheese plate complete with crackers and cups of soda was far more than he deserved. Especially at nearly one in the morning. After acting like a dick that morning. Ross knew that, but it materialized in front of him anyway.
Teela, wrapped up in a huge fluffy pink robe that covered every single inch of her skin from her chin right down to her toes- somehow she still managed to look mysteriously sexy in- set everything up, and filled up a plate of her own, before she sat back down in the same chair she’d graced that morning.
They were in the same spots. In the same positon. Nothing had really changed, but everything felt different.
Teela’s green eyes held a little less animosity and a little more hope. It mirrored what was going on in his own chest.
Ross, heart thundering so hard he was afraid Teela could actually hear it, palms sweaty and body in chaos, helped himself to a few crackers, pieces of cheese, and slices of bologna. Nothing like a good midnight snack and a talk about them having a baby together when they were pretty much strangers. He had to use that term because they certainly weren’t friends or acquaintances.
She might have started it, but he’d certainly finished it.
Teela cleared her throat. “Uh- so- I guess we’re going to talk about- er- the baby, I guess. That’s why you really came, isn’t it?”
Ross finished chewing, swallowed hard past the rock ledged in his throat, and nodded. “Yeah. I- I’m sorry about this morning. You caught me off guard. I don’t have the best history with ladies as of late- okay- ever, and I just thought- that uh- you were one more person who just wanted something from me. I went off the hook and it wasn’t your fault. I guess it’s just the easiest button I have to press.”
Teela nodded. Her eyes remained locked with his. Her face held no hint of animosity and with every passing second, her eyes got softer and softer. He wished he could say the same thing for his damn happy little friend in his pants. Unfortunately, his cock liked the happier, softer version of Teela as much as he liked the angry spitfire from earlier.
“Thanks for your honesty. I haven’t had the best luck myself. I actually pretty much swore off guys. For like- ever. That’s why I wanted to have the baby on my own. I didn’t want to have any more shitty relationships. I was done with all that. I wanted a child and I didn’t want to have a man to make that happen. I- er- there are ways now around that and finally, the idea grew on me enough that it didn’t just become a consideration or a threat. I wanted to make it happen so I- I did.”