Page 24

I only hope he’s right.

—

I’m sitting on the exam table, fully clothed, with Braxton standing next to me. Pam has done all her preliminary checks, letting me know my hCG levels are strong, and we’ve talked about the weekend, about the records she has from the hospital visit. Both Braxton and I have answered her questions, and her encouraging smile when I tell her I’m only puking when I feel my stomach becoming empty instead of all day gives me hope everything will be okay. She’s even written me a different prescription for antinausea meds, a new form of tablet that dissolves under the tongue. The pills I’d had were small but difficult to swallow, and I’m almost excited to get the new script filled.

At least I was, until she told me she wanted to check the baby’s heartbeat.

“We can’t do an external one?” I ask, choking and my skin paling. I glance nervously at Braxton, who has absolutely no ideawhythe idea of hearing the heartbeat with an internal monitor might make me nervous.

“We can,” Pam replies. Her short but crimpy-curly blond hair bounces on her shoulders as she smiles. “But you’re still early enough that sometimes it can be difficult. I think it’d be easier, more reassuring for you, to do an internal check.”

Internal. Right.

“I’ll give you a few moments to disrobe.”

My cheeks burn as she gives me a reassuring pat on the knee and leaves the room. I came to confirm the pregnancy and at my first appointment, I told Pam the dad didn’t know yet. The second appointment, she seemed almost surprised I didn’t bring him with me. So her surprise at seeing Braxton might be because she believed I was alone, or she’s swooning over all his exposed ink and a jaw meant for cutting granite.

But now that I’m alone with Braxton, and I’m supposed todisrobein front of him, I feel like vomiting in a way that has nothing to do with pregnancy.

“I can leave,” Braxton says, sensing my unease.

“This is silly,” I say. “I mean, I’ve been naked in front of you, right? You’ve seen me—”

“I want you to be comfortable.”

Goodness, I’m a wreck. “No, I am, it’s just, an internal check isn’t my favorite, and, well, now I’m getting naked and you’re here and want totalkand God, I can’t stop rambling and I’m so sorry and—”

Big, strong, and warm hands clasp my cheeks and Braxton is there, in front of me, bending down. He’s inches away and his presence and his touch snap my mouth closed as I gawk at him.

And then, he’s not just watching me, he’s leaning forward, pressing his lips to mine, and I’m so shocked by his touch and the feel of him and thetasteof him, my lips part, my eyes pop open, and his tongue slides out, sweeping along my upper lip before he’s pulling back, separating, ending our kiss way too soon.

And he’s smiling. Full out, all white teeth, dark eyes glimmering in amusement while I gape at him. My heart is beating so fast I fear a heart attack is on the horizon.

“What was that?”

“I thought if I kissed you, you’d calm down.”

He couldn’t be more wrong. My hand moves to my chest, the frenetic pace of my heartbeat is so severe I’m gasping. “That…well, that didn’t calm me down.”

“Yeah.” He grins. And winks. Winks at me! “It didn’t calm me down either. But Pam’s going to be back soon, so how about you get ready without the freak-out, okay?”

His hands are still on my cheeks. And then they’re sliding to my neck, to my shoulders where he squeezes in the most reassuring and comforting way possible. “I’ll turn around.”

Right. I still have to take my pants and underwear off. “Okay.”

He leans toward me again, presses his lips to my forehead and then he’s gone, giving me his back, and even though he’s wearing a leather coat, I can tell by his stance that he’s not nearly as comfortable as he’s pretending to be.

I quickly take everything off and drape the paper sheet over my lap, leaving my socks on, and when I’m ready, the edges of the sheet tucked under my thighs and backside, Pam knocks on the door.

“Ready?” she calls as she’s already pushing open the door.

“Yup.” I sound like I’m about ready to croak, and Braxton’s deep, rumbling chuckle worsens rattled nerves. He kissed me!

I raise my hand to my mouth and as my fingertips press my lips, they’re taken away, gripped in Braxton’s warm hold. He smiles down at me knowingly and I force my attention on Pam.

She pulls the internal monitor out of the drawer, along with a bottle of lubricant and a condom, and Braxton’s grip on my hand turns almost bone-crushing.

“Is that—”