Page 85 of The Devil's Heir

Lily nods and looks at me. I can tell her nerves are getting the best of her, so I hold her hand, running my thumb back and forth to try to calm her down.

When she gets up and goes into the bathroom, Blake leans back in his chair, smirking at me.

"What the hell is that look for?"

"I can see why you like her so much. Lily seems like a nice woman."

"Shut up…" It's all I can say. I won't deny my feelings for my pauper, but I'm not about to have a fucking heart-to-heart about it.

Lily steps out of the bathroom, looking bashful as she holds the back of the gown closed. I think it's cute, but I don't show my amusement, not when she's so nervous. I'm here for support, not to make her uncomfortable.

I'm looking forward to the results. If Lily is pregnant, this will officially be her first appointment, and I don't want to get kicked out of the room.

"Great," Blake states when he sees her walk out, stretching his hand toward a curtained partition. "If you'll step on the other side and lay down, we can begin."

FORTY-ONE

Liliana

Dr. Owens isn't anything like I expected. He's older, yes, but I pictured him as a crabby, gray-haired, balding doctor with a protruding belly. The man examining me is nothing like that. He's got to be in his mid to late forties with just a few gray hairs. He's got warm eyes and a kind smile. I wonder how he came about working for someone in Jarek's position.

Jarek stands beside the exam table, not looking so happy. He keeps glaring at the doctor as he checks me vaginally. I notice the smirk on Dr. Owens's face when he catches one of Jarek's looks, and I can't help but grin.

I grab Jarek's hand, making him look down at me. Smiling at him, I hope to reassure him that everything is okay; the good doctor isn't going to sweep me off my feet. By the gold band on his finger, I'm sure his wife would have something to say about it.

"Well, Lily, everything seems to look normal. You can go ahead and get dressed while I go check on those test results." Dr. Owens tosses his gloves in the trashcan and steps out, leaving me alone with Jarek.

"You're the one who wanted me to come get checked," I say, amused.

Jarek helps me sit up. "Yeah, well, I didn't know he would be sticking his fingers inside of you," he grumbles.

I bite my cheek to stop me from chuckling.

"Does that happen all the time?" he asks just as I get to the bathroom door.

"Well, since I've never been pregnant before, I can't say. However, That's what happens when we go to the OBGYN," I reply.

Ican tell he's struggling with something, but I'm no mind reader. If he won't talk to me, then I can't help him. I go into the bathroom and change back into my street clothes. It doesn't take long, and the doctor still isn't back when I come out.

Sighing, I go over and sit in the chair beside Jarek, feeling a little awkward. I glance over at him as he sits there with a look of consternation.

I place my hand over his, which is resting on the arm of his chair, and ask, "Are you okay?"

"Hm?" he asks absentmindedly.

"I asked if you were okay."

"Oh, yes. Sorry, I'm not sure what came over me. I wasn't a fan of him putting his hands on you like he did. I know he's a doctor, and it's strictly professional, but…"

"Jarek? Are you—jealous?" I ask, keeping my tone even so he doesn't see that I'm finding this whole situation rather funny.

"What? No! Well, maybe. Fuck, I don't know how I'm feeling. This is all new to me, Lily."

"What's all new?"

I know what he's trying to say, but I want to hear him say it. Jarek Falcon has actual feelings. He doesn't know how to handle them because he's never had to. I can't say what kind of feelings he's got toward me. He's told me he liked me, but that could mean anything.

"This!" He expressesusby moving his hand between us. "You and me… and this… whateverthisis."