Page 21 of Miracles and Marriage (Making a Family #5)

He nodded. He couldn’t think of a reason he’d need her, but if it made her feel better, he’d go along with it.

It was quiet when she left. He found the vase and filled it with water.

Taking off the wrapping paper, he stuck the flowers in.

They were bunched together and looked bright and cheerful.

He quietly walked to her room. She was sleeping, her face slightly flushed.

Placing the vase on the nightstand, he left as quietly.

Cal made a space for himself at the dining table, powered up his laptop and went to work.

Zoe woke late afternoon feeling better. She breathed a sigh of relief.

Most likely the worst was behind her for this month.

Stretching, she noticed the flowers beside the bed.

Mums were such a fall flower. She loved them.

These were burnt-orange, bright yellow and a pale cream. Lovely. She was feeling pampered.

She rose and went to the bathroom, taking a leisurely shower. Dressing in loose-fitting pants and a warm sweatshirt with bunnies on the front, she wandered out to get something to eat. She stopped suddenly when she realized Cal sat at her dining table. She’d thought herself alone in the apartment.

“What are you doing here?” she asked.

He glanced at her.

“Feeling better?”

“Much. I thought you left hours ago.”

“I did. I went home to get a few things. I came back before your sister left. Need anything?”

“The flowers are from you?”

He nodded, watching her closely.

She smiled, surprised.

“Thank you, they’re lovely.”

“Need anything else?”

“Nothing I can’t get myself. Go on home, Cal.”

“I’m staying,” he said calmly. “Cute bunnies.”

Zoe glared at him, but Cal merely returned her stare with an amused one of his own. She considered demanding he leave, but had a suspicion he’d ignore her.

Continuing to the kitchen, Zoe set about preparing tea and some muffins. She tried to appreciate his willingness to help, but she didn’t need it or him. Even her sister knew better than to crowd her space. Yet the more she thought about it, the more she was touched he stuck around.

Once her light meal was ready, she carried it into the living area. She could demand he move and let her use the table, but she’d just as soon eat the snack on the sofa. Still, she wanted to do something to assert her rights in her own place.

He looked at her.

“Is that enough?”

“For now. I’ll eat more for dinner if I still feel okay.”

“I’m starting to realize how severe these attacks can be,” he said, rising and coming to sit beside her on the sofa.

“Doctors don’t recommend surgery lightly,” she said, feeling as if he took up more than his share of space.

She couldn’t move without being obvious, but he seemed too close. Glancing down she saw there was more than a foot of sofa between them.

“All the more reason to see if you can get pregnant as quickly as possible,” he said.

She could feel herself grown warm with embarrassment.

She wasn’t comfortable discussing sex with Cal.

It was one thing to relive every moment at night when she was alone in her bed, or during a break at work, but the thought of shedding her clothes and his and making love again was more than she could casually handle with him so close.

“Be easier if we lived together,” he continued. “We wouldn’t be limited by a trip to the cottage.”

“Okay, you have made your point several times. I agree for when I’m fertile. But other than that, there’s no reason to.”

She’d make any concession to get him to stop pressing her on the matter. She needed to maintain her independence.

He studied her for a moment.

“When you’re ready my place is bigger. I have two bedrooms. You’d have more privacy.”

“Fine.”

“So when do you think you’ll move in?” he asked.

Was there a hint of self-satisfaction in his tone. Zoe frowned. She felt pressured.

“In a week or so.”

Once there she imagined there’d be nightly bouts of sex.

She almost caught her breath at the thought.

She’d loved the two nights at the cottage.

She just wished there was a bit more to their relationship.

All intimacy required some time to develop.

Physically they had been as intimate as two people could be, yet he held so much in reserve, she didn’t feel close to him as she’d like. Did he feel that way about her?

“I hope you have a streaming service. I thought we could watch some movies this evening.”

“You don’t have to stay.”

“And miss the movies?”

The rest of the weekend passed uneventfully. Cal left Sunday morning after she assured him she was past the worst. Still feeling shaky after her bout she didn’t do much that day beyond reading and going for a short walk. But at least she got out of the apartment.

Always in the back of her mind was the thought of moving in, temporarily, with Cal in a few days. What would it be like to share a space with him?

Monday at work, Cal called to check on her. She was busy and quickly told him she was fine.

Tuesday he stopped by her office for a moment.

Wednesday he had Emily call in the afternoon.

Thursday he stopped by as Zoe was ready to leave.

“Going home?” he asked, leaning against the doorjamb.

“Yes. I’m fine, Cal, as I’ve told you every day this week.”

“When are you coming to my place?”

She hesitated a moment, taking time to button her coat. It was cold outside.

“In a few days. Next weekend.”

She dare not procrastinate beyond her optimum fertile time. Yet she felt as shy as a schoolgirl around him these days. She had to shake that feeling off and get on with the business of having a baby.

Looking at him, she made her decision.

“Saturday.”

“Then let’s go out to dinner tonight or tomorrow. Early Saturday, I’ll help you move your things to my place,” he suggested.

“I’m only bringing a few clothes, not moving,” she protested.

“Want to go to the cottage afterward?” he said, ignoring her comment.

“Don’t you have to go to Richmond to sort things?”

“It can wait a little longer. I’ve decided to rent the house for the time being. I can always sell it later if I want. I’ll need to get it cleared before I list it with a rental agency. But there’s no great rush.”

“This way you keep it in the family longer,” she said.

It showed a surprising sentimental streak in the man. She hadn’t expected that.

“Who knows, our son or daughter may wish to live in Richmond when grown.”

Her heart skipped a beat with his casual mention of their child.

“What are you worried about?” he asked.

She was surprised he’d picked up on how she felt.

“Nothing.”

“Something.”

He pushed away from the door and walked across the office to stand beside her. Leaning over, he brushed his lips against hers. She jumped back.

“That’s it, isn’t it. You don’t like me touching you.”

“I like it.”

She could get to like it too much.

“It feels rushed. I know it is, because of time. I feel funny about it all.”

“So spending time together will help you feel more at ease, right?”

“I guess.”

“Then come to dinner with me tonight.”

She debated. He had a point: if she felt more comfortable around him, things would be easier.

Only, she was afraid getting too comfortable would mean she might grow to care for him more than he wanted.

Still, this was only dinner.

“All right.”

She nodded, watching him speak, wondering when he would kiss her again. Far from disliking his touch, she was really afraid she’d grow to like it too much.

Cal took her to a grill near the capitol on Thursday evening. The food was delicious and due to the dearth of customers, the service was excellent. Once they’d been served, Zoe glanced around.

“I haven’t been here before. Is it a favorite of yours?”

“It’s my second time. I came with a couple of men from work a few months back and we enjoyed it.”

She cast around for another topic of conversation, smiling when she had the perfect question.

“Tell me about growing up in Richmond. We grew up in the District, so how did living in Virginia compare?”

“Probably similar. Played cowboys and Indians when young, sports as a teen.”

“We all played sports in high school. Which ones, basketball or baseball?”

He looked at her in amusement.

“Is this an inquisition?”

She shrugged.

“Sort of. You know lots about me, but I still don’t know a great deal about you. What was your favorite sport?”

“Baseball in spring, football in fall, pickup games of all kinds in summer.”

“Not basketball? You’re tall enough,” she asked.

“I played in school but didn’t care about it one way or another.”

“What did you do best in school?”

“Math.”

She blinked.

“I’m surprised. Why aren’t you an accountant?”

He laughed at that.

“Merely because I was good at it didn’t mean I wanted to deal in numbers all day long. What were you best in?”

“History.”

“So, why not be an historian or a teacher?”

“Good point. I love what I do, actually. I find it more fascinating than any other job I can think of.”

“Me, too. The training I received in the Army enabled me to open Protection, Inc. There are new programs and training courses I take all the time to keep on top of the field. Trying to outwit others is intriguing enough for any man.”

“Keeping people safe is important. It’s a rough world these days. Did your uncle approve of your career?”

“He wanted me to do what made me happy.”

“Is that how you feel about our child, he or she can do whatever as long as they’re happy?”

“Within reason. No bank robbery no matter how happy that makes him.”

Zoe was surprised at his teasing note. She associated Cal with being serious, focused, aware of everything going on around him.

It reiterated her point that she didn’t know him all that well.

“So tell me about your best friend in school,” she said.

“Jason is still probably my closest friend. He and I have gone through a lot together.”

Cal began to tell her stories of two young boys growing up. Much of what he related sounded like her own brothers and their friends. She laughed from time to time. She suspected Cal was embellishing things.

This side of him intrigued her. Was he actually flirting with her? In a low-keyed, Cal sort of way?

The mealtime passed swiftly. She was sorry when it was time to leave.

“Come in for some coffee or hot chocolate,” she invited when they reached the door to her apartment a short time later.

“I have to be in the office early tomorrow for a call from London, so I’ll take a rain check,” Cal said.

He cupped her face in his palms and kissed her.

Zoe returned the kiss, open to his gentle pressure. She knew he was trying to make things easier between them and she needed to get over being shy, but all rational thought fled with the touch of his lips to hers.

He moved his hands to pull her into a hug all the while kissing her. She wrapped her arms around his neck and returned his kiss with full measure.

A few moments later both were breathing hard and she forgot about coffee and wanted a bed where they could continue what they started. Forget about making a baby. She wanted Cal and she didn’t much care if he knew that at the moment.

When he pulled back, she took a deep breath.

“Come in and stay the night,” she said.

He considered for a moment.

“I have an early call from London.”

“So leave early, really, really early.”

She turned and fumbled for the door. He reached around her, took the keys and opened it.

Entering the dark apartment, he stopped her from turning on a light. Slipping her coat from her shoulders, he shut the door behind them and brought her back into his arms.

Cal kissed her again, enjoying her passionate response. He’d sensed the reserve in her before and had to find some way around it. Her response was all he could hope for.

Slowly he savored every taste, every move she made. He liked the small sounds she gave, almost like humming, or purring. She didn’t pretend, but let him know exactly what she found delightful and what pleased her.

He hadn’t planned for this, but since she seemed to be as involved as he was, he wasn’t stopping.

The apartment was faintly illuminated from the outside, buildings in Washington still lighted even though it was after ten.

There was enough to enable him to move them toward the hallway without running into furniture.

Zoe kissed him back, running her hands over his shoulders, around his neck, her fingers combing through his hair. She was a bundle of soft curves, fitting into his embrace perfectly. Sweet and soft and feminine, not exhibiting any inhibitions.

Kisses were no longer enough. He wanted all of her.

When they reached the bedroom, he stopped for a moment, tilting up her face to see her in the dim light.

“Are you sure?” he said hoarsely.

He’d hate to stop, but the bigger picture was more important. If she wasn’t ready, he would stop.

“Yes, are you?” she said, her voice breathless and sexy.

“Oh, yes,” he said, kissing her again.

His hands tangled with hers as they removed clothing.

Shirts dropped to the floor. The feel of her heated skin was heaven.

He trailed kisses across her shoulders, along the tops of her breasts.

She was warm and sweet and he wanted her more than he had ever wanted another woman.

And for a moment, that scared the bejeesus out of him.

Slowly he lowered her on the bed and came down beside her. The timing was off for a baby, but not for a night of love.