Australia: Bundles of Joy: Impossibly Pregnant / Top-Notch Surgeon, Pregnant Nurse / Caring For His Babies

‘All done, though she’s going to be pretty bummed that Harry isn’t going to be there.’

‘Time she got over him. Who pines after their first love for that long anyway? Men are all the same; they just have different faces so that we can tell them apart.’

Keely chuckled at her friend’s cynicism. Though Tahlia had men falling at her feet, she seemed oblivious, hell-bent on conquering the world rather than the male species. Despite the way she ignored them, they still flocked.

‘I think it’s romantic. And, from the photos I’ve seen of the guy, can you blame her?’

‘Point taken. What about a present?’

Keely picked up a magazine from the coffee table and flipped it open. ‘I know this is kitschy, but what do you think?’

Tahlia took one look at the page and almost fell off the couch laughing. ‘A Barry Manilow figurine? You’ve got to be joking!’

Keely joined in the laughter. ‘But she loves the guy almost as much as Harry!’ She looked at the picture of pint-sized Barry and cracked up again. ‘I think he’s kinda cute.’

‘And I think you’re kinda crazy. Besides, I have a better idea. What about that toe ring she was eyeing off in the jeweller’s window the other day?’

‘The one with her star sign on it?’

Tahlia nodded. ‘I think our Miss Conservative is going through a rash patch at the moment. She’s never worn a toe ring in her life.’

Keely clicked her fingers and practically bounced around the room in her enthusiasm. ‘Great idea. She’s definitely after a change of image, so we can also do a makeover. Clothes, make-up, hair, the works!’

Tahlia’s eyes fairly gleamed. ‘Now you’re talking. We can—’

The loud peal of the security buzzer stopped her mid-sentence and Keely glanced at her watch, wondering who her visitor could be. She rarely had company on a Monday night, apart from one of the girls, and the only reason they popped in so early in the week was usually to discuss some man problem from the weekend before.

She pressed the intercom button and said, ‘Who is it?’ And almost jumped back when Lachlan’s deep tones filtered through the static speakers.

‘Sorry to barge in on you like this, but do you have a minute?’

Keely turned to look at Tahlia, who leaped off the couch and gathered up her stuff in record time.

‘Don’t mind me, I’m outta here. Let the man up, for goodness’ sake,’ she mouthed while heading towards the door.

Keely glanced down at her candy-pink sweatpants and matching hood top and grimaced. ‘Look at me. He can’t see me like this. I look like fairy floss!’

Tahlia’s wicked grin didn’t reassure her. ‘With any luck, he might eat you.’ She gave her a saucy wave and sauntered towards the door. ‘And I want details. Don’t worry about buzzing him up. I’ll let him in on my way out. Later.’

Keely groaned and shooed her away and, as Tahlia left, she rushed around the room frantically trying to clean up. Housework wasn’t one of her strong suits, and as she’d been away for the weekend she hadn’t had time to devote her scant hour to the usual once-over.

Resisting the urge to shove everything under her couch, she settled for making a few neat piles of magazines and clearing away the remnants of the girlie feast Tahlia had been devouring—wine, pretzels and chocolate-coated peanuts—just in time for Lachlan’s knock at the door.

Smoothing back the wisps of hair escaping from her ponytail, and biting her bottom lip for a bit of colour, she opened the door. ‘Hi. What brings you by?’

His gaze flicked over her and, rather than seeing distaste, she read approval in the way his eyes lit up. However, it didn’t appease her. She knew she looked a fright and wondered what he was playing at pretending otherwise.

‘Sorry to drop by unannounced, but I’m going away for a few days on business and thought you might like this info.’

Her heart sank at his revelation. Just when she’d decided to take the plunge and see where all this tension between them was leading, he had to go away?

‘Where are you going?’

He smiled, the simple action illuminating his face and speeding up her heart-rate in a second.

‘I’ll make you a deal. If you ask me in, I’ll tell you.’

‘Oops, sorry.’ She stepped back, wondering why her manners deserted her whenever he set foot on her doorstep. It probably had something to do with the way he looked, and sounded, and smelt, but that was no excuse.

‘Did I catch you in the middle of something?’

She closed the door behind him and resisted the urge to lean against it and sigh. He looked amazing in a dark grey suit, white shirt and burgundy tie—every ounce the consummate professional—and she looked like fairy floss! Not fair.

Smiling, she strolled across the room as if he popped in to see her every day of the week—she wished—and indicated he take a seat before plopping down into one herself. ‘No, not really. Tahlia and I were just planning a surprise party for a friend.’

‘Was Tahlia the stunning woman who let me in?’

A shaft of jealousy pierced her gut. Okay, so it was true, but did he have to notice that Tahlia’s tall, slim figure could grace the cover of a magazine?

She nodded and wished she hadn’t removed her make-up and changed when she’d got home. Tahlia had come straight from work and still looked a million dollars in her red power suit, with not a hair out of place at the end of the day.

‘Tahlia is Director of Sales at WWW Designs. We’ve been friends for ages.’

He looked suitably impressed. ‘Must be a rule at your workplace to only employ beautiful women.’ He paused and allowed his glance to slide over her, very slowly, from head to foot. ‘I like your casual look, by the way.’

She tried to detect a hint of sarcasm and came up lacking. He thought she was beautiful? Looking like this? Now she knew for sure. The Doc needed his head examined!

‘Wish I could get out of these clothes,’ he said, sticking a finger between his collar and tie in an attempt to loosen it.

You can.

She stared at him for a long silent moment before swallowing those two little words and turning away.

‘Would you like a drink?’

‘I’d kill for a coffee,’ he said, following her into the kitchen. ‘So, whose birthday party is it?’

‘I’ll trade you. You tell me where you’re going—’ and why you’re really here, she thought ‘—and I’ll tell you about the party.’

He leaned against the benchtop as she switched on the percolator and she wished he wouldn’t look so at home in her apartment. It would make it hard to forget him when the assignment finished. And even harder if they started something that didn’t involve work. She wouldn’t be able to stand it when the inevitable split came—and it would. No matter how close they got, how well they clicked, he’d bolt like the rest the minute he learned the truth.

‘Fair enough. The TV station hosting my new show is sending me to Sydney for a couple of days to check out something similar they screen up there.’

‘Sounds interesting.’ She poured coffee and added milk and two sugars to his, thinking how strange to find a man with a similar sweet tooth to hers, even if she’d told him otherwise. However, she added an artificial sweetener to hers, forgoing her passion for sweetness in exchange for zero calories.

While she had her head stuck in the cupboard, looking for some chocolate biscuits for him, he said, ‘So what’s the deal with the party? Is it some old boyfriend you don’t want to talk about?’

She lifted her head too quickly and clunked it on the shelf above, cursing silently. There, that had to be another fault; he sounded jealous. Though, in a way, she should be flattered rather than annoyed.

‘The party’s for Emma, another friend I work with. And, as for not wanting to talk about boyfriends, that’s true. I’m not one to kiss and tell.’

To his credit, he let that last comment go. She’d said it as some weird sort of challenge, almost daring him to ask about her previous relationships, though for the life of her she couldn’t figure out why.

‘That’s good to know.’ He took a sip of coffee before placing the mug on the counter. ‘I like to keep my business private.’

Huh? Had he just said what she thought he’d said?

Rather than taking the easy way out and laughing off his comment, she pounced. ‘Are you implying that you’d like to be my boyfriend?’

He fixed her with a stare that bored straight down to her soul, as if trying to probe into her innermost feelings. ‘I’m not implying anything; I’m stating a fact.’

She hadn’t moved since he’d dropped his little bombshell, her feet rooted to the spot, and he crossed the kitchen in a second.

‘Pretty confident, aren’t you?’ She tilted her head up to meet his gaze, her pulse tripping as his eyes darkened to midnight.

‘I call it how it is.’

A little demon lodged in her mind and prodded her with its pitchfork, urging her to provoke him further.

‘And how’s that?’

‘You, me, dating. Seems straightforward to me.’

She didn’t resist as he lowered his head towards her with infinite slowness and, with a sigh, closed her eyes. She’d been waiting for this, hoping for it, since that first time in her office when she’d been sure he wanted to kiss her. And if she’d thought the brief, gentle peck he’d delivered at the beach house at the weekend had been good, it wasn’t a patch on this.

The minute his lips touched hers, it felt as if a match had been touched to a bonfire and whoosh! They both went up in flames.

Heat sizzled between them as she plastered her body against his, her hands delving into his hair in an effort to pull his head closer. He didn’t disappoint, moulding her to his body with hands that wandered everywhere with skilled precision, stroking her till she gasped out loud.

Angling his head, he slid his mouth across hers in an erotic fusion, leaving her breathless. She melded into him, forgetting every last rational reason why she shouldn’t be doing this.

His arms tightened around her and she felt his hard chest muscles tense beneath her hands. The fact he must work out was a fleeting thought. He felt so good, tasted so good, that she didn’t want this moment to end, ever.

‘Wow,’ she murmured as his mouth left hers to trail hot, open-mouthed kisses to her neck and back up again.

A shudder rippled through her as his hand slipped under her top and cupped her breast, sending fiery sparks of pleasure shooting to her core.

He broke the kiss to whisper against her mouth. ‘What do you think of this dating thing so far?’

She clutched at the lapels of his jacket, knowing that if she let go she’d slide in a molten heap to the floor. ‘Not bad.’

A smile tugged at the corners of his mouth, drawing her attention to those masterful lips and the fact that all he had to do was twitch them in her direction for desire to pool deep within.

‘Mmm … maybe I need to brush up on my technique?’

Exhaling a shaky breath, she leaned her head against his chest. ‘With me?’

Those two little words came out soft and needy, when she’d sworn never to be like that ever again.

She didn’t need anyone. Needing only led to pain. And loss. And devastation.

He toyed with the strands of her ponytail while holding her close with his other arm.

‘If you’re volunteering for the job, it’s all yours.’

Say no! A thousand reasons flashed through her foggy brain in a second.

He’s toying with you.

He’ll bolt when he learns the truth.

He’s too darn perfect and you’ll never satisfy a man like that. Once he sees the real you, he’ll dump you quicker than he can say love handles.

Ignoring her fears, she lifted her head, looked him in the eye and managed a mute nod in response.

Lachlan grinned as he left Keely’s apartment building, more wired than he’d been in ages. He needed to get home ASAP and go for a long bike ride, desperate to take the edge off his physical hunger for the woman who tied him up in knots.

He’d hoped to steal a quick goodbye kiss before heading interstate and it must be his lucky day, for not only had his wish come true, it had blown his mind in the process.

Attraction was one thing, off-the-scale rampant need was another, and the minute his lips had touched hers he’d known he wouldn’t be satisfied till they shared more than a kiss, their bodies entwined, slaking a thirst that had him parched. For her.

However, in the midst of his fantasy, a tiny doubt sprouted and took root. Keely had shown him a side he didn’t like, a side that reminded him too much of his mother. She’d blown hot and cold too, all over him one minute, walking out the next, and taking a big part of his heart in the process.

As much as he wanted to explore the attraction between him and Keely, he’d better watch out. He didn’t have room in his life for a fickle woman, no matter how attractive.

In fact, if he were giving a caller advice, he’d probably warn him to stay well clear of a woman who looked eager to devour him most of the time yet could change into the Ice Princess in a split second. And, though he’d admit to inadvertently arousing her anger by his throwaway attempts at humour, he knew her mood swings would get on his nerves after a while. A short while.

However, in this case, he had no intention of practising what he preached. He didn’t want to stay clear of Keely; he wanted to get closer to her. The closer the better.

And if her mood pendulum swung once too often he’d walk away, heart intact.

CHAPTER EIGHT

‘A good man is like quality coffee. He’s rich, warm and can keep you up all night long.’

Chrystal Jones, a woman who should know.

‘NO OFFENCE, but this idea for Flirt sucks!’

Keely looked at the sheet Tahlia handed her and raised an eyebrow. ‘But that’s the image they’re after. Bold, contemporary, out to make a statement. They’re a new magazine and they want something totally different so I went all out.’

Tahlia merely shook her head in response and handed the draft to Emma.

To her surprise, Emma’s brow crinkled in a frown. ‘You’ve done that all right,’ she muttered, following the flow chart with her index fìnger before coming to an abrupt stop. ‘Sorry, sweetie, I have to agree with Tahlia. This idea will be impossible to animate, let alone sell. And that’s the bottom line here, making Flirt look as attractive as possible to the Heads.’

Emma placed her draft on the conference table between them and reached for a doughnut. ‘And, unless you want ours to roll, I suggest we come up with a new design before the Rottie starts snapping at our heels.’

Keely sighed, ignoring the doughnuts for once, and took a long sip of her Macchiato. ‘Maybe I’m losing my touch?’

‘More like losing your mind over you-know-who,’ Tahlia muttered, cradling a steaming cappuccino in her hands.

Keely ignored the jibe. They were meeting to brainstorm ideas for Flirt magazine, their newest and biggest client, not dish the dirt on her status with Lachlan.

‘When you said meet for a D&M, I assumed you meant the usual doughnuts and Macchiato, not the deep and meaningful conversation that often accompanies any one of us getting involved with a man.’

Though she needed to focus on her work—she could almost reach out and touch the promotion to Director of Graphic Design—the temptation to talk about Lachlan hovered in front of her. However, she knew that if the girls got her started she’d probably never stop.

‘Do you want to talk about it?’ Emma asked, the worried frown on her brow deepening. ‘This stuff can wait.’ She waved at the Flirt file as if it meant nothing, which they all knew wasn’t true. If they ever lost an account like this one, it would probably mean their jobs would disappear quicker than a click of a mouse button on a delete key.

Keely glanced at Tahlia, knowing that out of the three of them she was the most driven. Her career meant everything to her, and if they veered from work during these regular meetings she would pull them back into line.

Today, Tahlia threw both hands in the air. ‘What the hell? I’m up for all the gruesome details if you are.’

Keely placed her cup on the table, leaned back and folded her arms. ‘Well, there isn’t a lot to tell. He’s a man, I’m a woman, and we’re dating.’

‘You’re what?’ Emma screeched, and grabbed her arm. ‘When did all this happen? How did it happen? How far have you gone? What—?’

‘Whoa! One question at a time, Em.’ Tahlia leaned forward like a co-conspirator. ‘Did you do the deed yet?’

Keely laughed and made a zipping action over her lips.

‘Your lips are sealed, huh?’

She nodded at Tahlia, a smirk spreading across her face at the expression on Emma’s.

‘Now see what you’ve done,’ Emma said to Tahlia. ‘Ask one crass question like that and she clams up. Now what are we going to do?’

Tahlia winked at Emma. ‘We could always go directly to the source and ask him. I’m sure Lachlan would love a phone call to his talkback show, asking about his latest love.’

‘You wouldn’t!’ Keely burst out, knowing her friends were joking and enjoying it.

After her lonely teenage years, she’d thanked her lucky stars when she’d met Emma and Tahlia and for the instant bond that had sprung up between them. She valued their friendship more with each passing day and looked forward to their teasing as much as their kooky sense of humour and their loyalty.

Emma nodded. ‘Yes, we would. Unless you give us some small titbit of gossip so we can live our lives vicariously through you.’

‘Fine.’ Keely took a moment to refill her cup from the coffee machine before responding. ‘We’re going away this weekend to Hepburn Springs for a little R and R. He’s away on business in Sydney till then so in a way, it’s our first official date.’

Tahlia rolled her eyes. ‘Yeah, right. As if you haven’t been dating for the last week anyway.’

Keely glanced at Emma, expecting her friend to say something. To her surprise, Emma chewed on her pen, a slight frown creasing her brow.

‘What’s up, Em?’ Keely had enough doubts swirling through her head without her friends joining in. If something was bothering Em, the romantic dreamer of the three of them, it had to be serious.

‘You really like this guy, don’t you?’

Keely nodded, still a little stunned herself at the swiftness of the whole thing. Lachlan had entered her life just over a week ago and swept her off her feet. She never dropped her guard that quickly, though with Mr Perfect bombarding her with his presence on a daily basis, what choice did she have?

Thankfully, this time she had no intention of letting her heart rule her head. She knew the score: date a gorgeous guy, have some fun, don’t get serious. No need for messy confessions about her past, no qualms about calling it quits. Simple.

Emma leaned forward and the frown deepened. ‘I thought so. I’ve never seen you like this over a guy. Just don’t get hurt, okay?’

Emma’s concern puzzled her. She’d thought her friend would be doing cartwheels instead of doling out dire warnings.

‘I really like him, Em, but I’m not about to do anything stupid.’ Like fall in love.

No, this relationship would be light-hearted, casual, fun. They were dating, not on trial for potential marriage, and in that case her secret wouldn’t even come into play.

‘If you want my opinion, I think it’s about time you lost it over a guy. All this realism garbage you spout gets a bit boring after a while.’

Keely smiled at Tahlia, knowing she could count on her for an honest update of the situation.

‘On that note, I think we should get back to business. Flirt magazine should be our number one priority right now.’

At least during business hours.

She would have to make a conscious effort to concentrate on work for the rest of the week and banish the thought of her weekend away with Lachlan. Having him interstate and not popping up on her doorstep would certainly help, though her insomnia had taken a turn for the worse lately, and all she could think about while lying in bed at night was how far she was willing to take this dating business—and the possible repercussions—if the unthinkable happened.

By the way her emotions had been careening out of control around him she knew she had to tread carefully.

Dating Lachlan would be fine, loving him disastrous.

Though for the life of her she couldn’t back away now. She deserved some happiness, however fleeting, and dating Lachlan promised to deliver in that department. In spades.

If anything, this weekend would be fun, and it had been too long since she’d had any with a man. Sure, her life as a city girl was rewarding, but she’d be lying if she didn’t admit to a certain emptiness, a yearning for something more. And, right now, she knew Lachlan could fill that void—and how!

Keely jumped as Tahlia clicked her fingers in front of her face. ‘Snap out of it, dating girl. Focus.’

Keely sent a sheepish smile her friends’ way, banished thoughts of Lachlan from her mind and tried to do exactly that.

‘You don’t do things by halves, do you?’ Keely glanced around the mud-brick cottage, admiring the antique furniture, the plump throw-cushions and a fireplace that just beckoned to be laid in front of. ‘This place is beautiful.’

Lachlan deposited their overnight bags inside the door and looked up, his stare doing strange things to her insides even at a distance. ‘You’re beautiful.’

Though she knew his compliments were part of his charisma, as natural to him as breathing, a small part of her couldn’t help but wish he truly meant them. Before a larger part told her to wake up! She looked in the mirror every morning, certain that her peculiar hazel eyes, brown hair and curvaceous body were nothing special. And far from beautiful.

She stood there, transfixed, as he crossed the room. Her brain—not to mention her body—had gone haywire the minute he’d picked her up from her apartment, his sizzling kiss a greeting she wouldn’t forget in a hurry.

He’d said he’d missed her, but not half as much as she’d missed him. Was she insane? She’d known him less than two weeks. She’d recited ‘don’t fall in love … don’t fall in love …’ enough times over the last few days in the hope it would make a lasting impression. It hadn’t, and she was at serious risk of losing her heart to this man.

If she hadn’t lost it already.

‘Nothing to say?’ He tilted her chin up with his index finger while his thumb created havoc by brushing gently over her bottom lip. ‘That would be a first.’

She stared into his eyes, knowing that whatever happened between them she’d never forget that unique shade of blue. ‘Are you suggesting I have a big mouth?’

His gaze dropped to her lips. ‘There’s nothing wrong with the size of it from where I’m standing. Nor the rest of you, for that matter.’

Oh-oh. There he went again. Another throwaway comment about her body. Sheesh, what was she thinking, losing her heart to a guy who was probably only interested in a svelte figure?

The minute his arms slipped around her she had her answer. She wasn’t thinking. And it could prove her biggest downfall yet.

Just shut up and kiss me, she wanted to yell. Anything to distract from her doubts.

‘Why don’t you show me how much you missed me?’ she said, sending him a coy smile designed to tempt.

‘Again? There’s no pleasing some women.’

She snuggled into him, inhaling his scent and allowing it to wash over her in welcome waves. She had to discover the soap he used and buy a cake of the stuff to keep next to her pillow. Maybe if she didn’t have his body near her at night, his smell would be the next best thing to help her drift off to sleep?

‘On the contrary, I’m very easy to please.’