Lost and Found Husband

Chapter Three

Eric went inside with Dana, but he didn’t jump into the sweet flame of desire. He needed to slow down, to take a deep breath, to be absolutely positive that she understood his uncommitted position. He rarely acted on impulse and this wasn’t the time to start. Nor could he bear to take advantage of her.

“Are you sure you want to do this?” he asked, as they stood in her living room.

“I’m certain. If I wasn’t, I wouldn’t have invited you to stay with me.”

“What if we don’t go on another date again?”

“You already said that you couldn’t promise anything other than one night.”

“How would you feel afterward if I stopped coming to the diner?”

She flinched a little. “Why would you do that?”

“Because it might interfere with our lives. And if it does, then I might not come back.” He was giving himself an out, but he knew that he needed one. “If I keep coming to the diner, we might be tempted to do this again. And I don’t think that would be a good idea.”

“Stop worrying, Eric. I can handle this, however it turns out. I get that you don’t want to enter into a relationship. But honestly, you can still eat at the diner.” She sent him a teasing smile. “I won’t serve you a side of sex with your meat loaf.”

He couldn’t help but laugh. She was a silly delight. “Can you imagine if that was on the menu?”

“It’s on the menu tonight.” Like the seductress she was, she dropped her shawl and removed her dress, giving him a sample of what he’d just ordered.

Heat. Hunger. A sensual agreement. She’d just assured him that she could handle a one-night affair, and he could no longer resist her charms, making him crazy hot.

She was crazy beautiful. He couldn’t wait to touch her. She tossed the dress on the sofa and it landed in a pool of fabric dahlias.

She stood before him in her panties and bra and high heels. The longing to caress her, to feel the silk and softness of a woman engulfed him even more. He could barely breathe. She looked as if she were holding her breath, too.

“Are you ready?” she asked.

He nodded. He was more than ready. He wanted to drag her into his arms and sweep her into bed. Only it was her bedroom. Her house. Her rules.

She came forward and kissed him, much too softly. It was all he could do to stop from going caveman. The years he’d been celibate felt like a lifetime.

“Let’s go,” she whispered, and took him to her room.

It was a girlish mess, with clothes all over the floor. Her sheets were rumpled, too. He’d never seen such pretty chaos. Amid the clutter was more of her gypsy styling, with embroidered pillows and lacy doodads.

She shrugged, smiled. “I wasn’t expecting company in here. But I hardly ever make my bed, anyway.” She gestured to the clothes on the floor. “Those are from last night, when I was figuring out what to wear for our date.”

“And now here we are.” Only minutes from being naked together. He took off his jacket and draped it over a chair.

“I’ll get the protection so it’s handy when we need it.” She kicked off her shoes, crawled onto the bed and dug around in her nightstand drawer, leaning over with her rump in the air.

He doubted that her provocative pose was deliberate. She just seemed focused on her task. And damned cute while doing it.

“Shoot,” she said. “I can’t find them.”

Just as Eric was thinking that he’d better dash out to buy some, she turned around. “Maybe they’re in the bathroom. Give me a sec.”

Off she went to continue the search. He was still preparing to go to the store, if need be. She was cute, but she wasn’t very organized.

She reappeared with a grin. She’d found them. In fact, she held them up like a trophy. He’d never been so glad to see a box of rubbers.

He got rid of his shoes and joined her in bed, anxious to get his hands on her. She was anxious, too. She started undressing him, tugging at his clothes with feminine fury.

Once they were both bare and pressed together, he buried his face against her neck and breathed her in. Sweet heaven. Was it his imagination or did she smell like his favorite dessert?

“Am I crazy?” he asked.

“What?”

“I could swear you smell like cherry pie.”

She smiled, her lipstick lustfully smeared. “It’s cherry blossom perfume. I wore it just for you.”

“I didn’t notice it until now.” But damn, he was glad that she’d sprayed it on her skin. “If I had some ice cream, I’d gobble you up a la mode.”

She put her hand between his thighs. “If you had some ice cream, I’d let you.”

He felt as if he was going to explode. Had he ever been this aroused? They rolled over the bed, tangling the bedding more than it already was. They did thrilling things to each other, too.

Hot, wild foreplay.

He grabbed for the condoms, tore into one and put it on. Dana arched beneath him, eager and willing. He saw the fire in her eyes, so blue, so blazing, so enticing.

Fast and furious, they made hammering love. He couldn’t slow down if he tried. But she obviously didn’t want him to. She matched him, stroke for heart-thundering stroke.

They reached the peak together, or that was how it seemed. He couldn’t be sure. He was too blinded by his own hunger to gauge her orgasm.

By the time it was completely over and they separated, they were beaded with sweat and staring up at the ceiling, their fingertips still touching.

“Wow,” she said.

“Double wow.” He turned to look at her. “That was fun.”

“Just as it was supposed to be.” She planted a soft little kiss on his shoulder.

Now that it had ended, her affection made him uncomfortable. But most women got cozy afterward, he supposed, so why would she be the exception? He told himself that it didn’t mean anything.

Eric got up and used her bathroom to dispose of the protection. He returned to Dana, and her tousled blond hair made him smile. He’d run his hands through it during their foreplay. He’d messed it up but good.

“Will you stay the night?” she asked.

“Sure. Why not?” He got back into bed with her. His discomfort had lessened. Besides, she deserved to be cuddled. To leave her alone now would have been disrespectful.

She said, “I can’t wait to tell Candy how amazing my date with you was.”

“Candy?”

“My landlord.”

“You’re not going to tell her you slept with me, are you?”

“Of course I am. That’s a major part of how amazing it was.”

“Why are girls allowed to kiss and tell and boys aren’t?”

“Boys tell plenty.”

“I never have.”

“You’re one of the good ones.”

He didn’t consider himself good or bad. He simply was what he was. “I’m just private about things like that.”

“Candy is different from most girls. She hardly says anything about herself. She’s divorced and is having a tough time with it. But she hasn’t told me any of the details.”

“It takes time to get over someone.” He frowned. “I’ve heard that divorce can be as traumatic as what I went through. They say it’s like death, only without the body.”

“I’ve never thought of it like that before. But I never had cause to think about it before now. Candy is the only divorced friend I have.” She nuzzled closer. “And you’re the only widowed person I know. I’m so sorry you lost the woman you loved.”

“I appreciate that you’re able to discuss it with me without acting strange. I learned early on to keep most of it to myself. But with you, it’s been easy.”

“Maybe it’s because I’m so easy.” She nudged her nakedness against his and laughed at her own bawdy joke.

Such joy. Such innocence. He envied her that. “Someday some young guy is going to fall desperately in love with you.”

She made a dreamy sound. “I hope so.”

“It’ll happen. Mark my words.”

“Marking them now.” She grabbed a pen off the nightstand and wrote L-O-V-E on her stomach.

He poked a finger into her navel. “That looks like a really bad tattoo.”

“That’s what we should do if we ever see each other again. We should get tattoos. A hunky guy like you should have something tribal and a bohemian girl like me should have something...” She seemed to be at a loss when it came to knowing what she should have.

He went ahead and made a few suggestions. “How about something flowery? Like cherry blossoms? Or something magical? Like a unicorn or a winged tigress?”

“Those are great ideas. I think I like the tigress the best.” She purred playfully at him.

“That’s sweet. But tigers don’t purr. They chuff, like this.” He made a breathy snort, mimicking the big cats.

“Oh, that’s sexy. Maybe you should get the tiger tattoo.”

“I think we should get some sleep.” He adjusted his arm, giving her room to nestle in the crook of it.

She accepted his invitation and closed her eyes, and he watched her until she dozed off. He couldn’t help it.

He simply liked looking at her.

* * *

Dana expected Eric to awaken first, but she beat him to it. She discovered him, rough and rugged, and conked out beside her. His straight dark hair was spiked against the pillow and his jaw bore a bit of whisker stubble.

She scrounged around for a robe and found one in the midst of the clothing pile on the floor. It was her favorite robe, a silky number with a Hawaiian print.

After wrapping herself in it, she headed for the bathroom to wash what was left of last night’s makeup off her face. She also brushed her teeth and put her hair in a twisty bun.

Then she went back into her room, sat on the edge of the bed and watched Eric come awake. He squinted at her, and she smiled.

“Morning,” she said.

After a long stretch, he replied, “I’ve never been much of a morning person.” There was a surly expression on his face.

“I’m an everything person,” she told him, without losing her smile. “I like all times of the day.”

He sat up a little straighter. “I need to go home.”

“Not before breakfast.” She didn’t want him to leave just yet. She wanted to improve his mood. “Stay and eat with me. I’m a great cook.”

“Really? You are?”

“Yes, sir. I’ll whip up a batch of blueberry waffles. How does that sound?”

“Heavenly.”

Perfect, she thought, commending herself. His mood was improving already. “How about eggs and bacon, too?”

“Even more heavenly. I’m a sucker for home cooking.”

“In that case, I’ll throw in some hash browns.” The more food the better, especially if it was going to make him smile.

He did smile, and it warmed her all the way to her toes. He was still gloriously naked and gorgeous as ever.

He ran a hand through his hair. “Do you think I could use your shower? I’m never fully awake until I shower.”

“Absolutely. Wash away.”

“Any chance you have an extra toothbrush handy?”

“Are you kidding? I have a drawer full of toothbrushes in the bathroom. I have a ton of extra toiletries, too. There’s a dollar store down the street and I go a little nuts when I shop there.”

Another smile from the naked man. “Will you make coffee with breakfast?”

“Of course. That’s a given.” She watched him walk to the bathroom. All male. All healthy-guy muscle.

Dana went into the kitchen to whip up the meal. By the time Eric emerged, breakfast was ready. He’d obviously taken an invigorating shower. He looked refreshed. He was dressed, too, shoes and all.

She handed him a cup of coffee, and he inhaled the roasted aroma before he took a sip.

“This is better than the diner’s coffee,” he said.

“It’s the same brand.”

“It is? It takes richer.”

“Maybe because it’s more enjoyable to be drinking it at my house.” She grinned. “Morning-after coffee.”

“Maybe that’s it. You look cute, by the way.”

“Thanks.” She was still in her robe. There didn’t seem to be a reason to get dressed. She was comfy as she was.

They sat down at her table, and he thanked her for fixing the food. He ate with gusto. She smiled, glad that he’d agreed to have breakfast with her.

“Do you have any plans for the day?” she asked.

He shook his head.

“Me, neither. It’s my day off.” She waited for him to suggest that they spend the afternoon together, but he didn’t say anything. Then again, she didn’t really expect him to. Doing what came natural, she made the effort instead. “We ought to get those tattoos today, right after we finish eating.”

“I’m not getting inked. But you go ahead.”

“Not unless you come with me.”

“I’m going home after breakfast, Dana.”

“Come on, let’s be spontaneous together. You can even help design my tattoo for me.”

He shook his head. “I’ve been spontaneous enough for one day.”

“This is day two.”

“And I’m going home.”

“Then what are you going to do?” She thought about what he’d said last night about not continuing to see each other. “Disappear and never be heard from again?”

“It’s better that way, Dana.”

“I think you’ll change your mind.” She batted her lashes. “You’ll be back at the diner.” She opened her robe and flashed him. “And you’ll be back in my bed again, too.”

He laughed. “You’re something else.”

It was wonderful to hear him laugh. “Yes, I am.”

After breakfast, he kissed her goodbye. It was a warm, sexy, dreamy kiss, and Dana was certain he wouldn’t be able to stay away. In her mind, they were meant to be lovers, for however long it lasted.

After he was gone, she sat outside by the fountain, excited about when she would see him again.

* * *

The days that passed turned into weeks, but there was no sign of Eric. Dana had been wrong. She hadn’t charmed him into coming back to the diner, let alone sleeping with her again.

But that was the least of her worries. Or maybe it was the worst of them. Today she was a nervous wreck. Today she was confiding in Candy about her missed period.

Yes, Dana was late, and she’d never been late before. She could set a computer clock by her cycles.

“You better take a test,” Candy said, as they sat in Dana’s tiny living room, gazing at each other.

Dana shook her head. There had to be another reason for her missed period. She couldn’t be pregnant. She just couldn’t be. Not her. Not the girl who was determined to have babies the good old-fashioned married way.

“But we used a condom,” she reiterated for the umpteenth time.

“Sometimes they fail.” Candy blew out a breath. “Believe me, I know.”

For a moment, Dana just stared at her. “Believe you? You know? What does that mean? Have you been pregnant before?”

Candy nodded, her past finally coming to light. “I was pregnant when I got married. That’s why my ex asked me to marry him, for the sake of the child. He was from a proper family, and he felt it was important to do the right thing.”

“What happened?”

“We were using condoms that were expired and didn’t realize it. The latex gets brittle when they’re old or improperly stored and they can have holes or tears in them that you’re not even aware of.”

“I was talking about what happened with the baby.”

The brunette glanced away. “I miscarried.”

That was what Dana assumed. “I’m so sorry.”

“I was happy about getting accidentally pregnant. But after I lost the baby, our marriage just didn’t work.”

Because her husband hadn’t loved her the way she’d loved him? Because without the baby, there was nothing keeping them tied together? To Dana, that seemed the obvious conclusion.

Candy said, “Why are we talking about me, when we should be concentrating on you taking that test?”

Dana fidgeted in her seat. Before she committed to going to the drug store, she got up to the check the expiration date on the condoms.

Sure enough, they were old. Really, really old. Her situation was beginning to mirror Candy’s.

Chance? Coincidence? Twisted fate?

Her anxiety accelerated. “If I am pregnant, Eric will never marry me.” He would probably offer child support or whatever, but he wouldn’t walk her down the aisle. “Not that I should marry him, anyway. We hardly even know each other.” She rocked forward. “But how can I raise a baby by myself after the way I was raised? After the promise I made to my family?”

Candy gently replied, “You can always terminate if that’s a better option for you.”

She touched her stomach and recalled that she’d written L-O-V-E across it on the night she and Eric had made love. “I don’t think I could do that.” But the reality of being a single parent was knocking her upside the head, too. She understood the hardships it entailed.

Candy went to the pharmacy with her, and they looked at every kit on the market, reading the backs of the boxes. Dana couldn’t decide which one to choose, so she let Candy decide for her. At this point, she couldn’t think straight.

After they returned, Dana opened the box and read the instructions. The test was a digital model and was described as ninety-nine percent accurate. Curious to know everything, she even read the clinical stuff and how pregnant women produced a hormone called hCG, which was what the test would be detecting in her urine if she was pregnant.

Leaving Candy on the couch, Dana went into the bathroom and examined the test stick. According to the pamphlet, the words Pregnant or Not Pregnant were supposed to appear in the optical reader that was encased in the stick.

Anxious, she took the test. Then she sat in the living room with Candy and waited for the results, which was supposed to take all of three minutes. Normally that would have seemed like nothing, the amount of time to listen to a song or cook a frozen pizza in the microwave. But in this case, three minutes felt like an eternity.

Finally, her time was up and she returned to the bathroom to check the display and saw “Pregnant” on the screen. Candy saw it, too. Dana wanted to sink to the floor and cry, but she forced herself to remain standing and keep her eyes dry. Still, she was trembling inside. How could she tell her mom and grandmother? How could she deal with any of this?

“Maybe it’s a false positive,” she said. “Surely that sort of thing happens.” She could hope, right? “I should probably see a doctor before I contact Eric.”

She called to make the appointment, but the soonest she could be seen was three days away.

* * *

The days dragged by, with Dana praying her period would start. She could barely concentrate at work. She even mixed up people’s orders, bringing them the wrong food.

She wasn’t faring any better at home. Mostly she just sat around, worrying and waiting, without the slightest sign of her period.

By now she doubted that the test had been a false positive, but she was still going to the doctor to be sure.

The day of her appointment, Candy drove her there, with Dana fidgeting in the passenger seat. She was glad her friend was with her. She didn’t know if she could have done this alone.

They arrived at the office and went inside. Dana signed in and they sat down and paged through outdated magazines.

Eventually Dana’s name was called and she saw the doctor. He ran a blood test, and within an hour she had the results.

Positive. She was pregnant. Unmarried and with child. The very thing she’d promised her family would never happen to her.

On the way home, Candy kept shooting Dana worried glances, as if she expected her to cry. It was all she could do to hold herself together.

But as soon as they walked in the door, she lost it and burst into tears. Candy reached for her and she put her head against the other woman’s shoulder and bawled her eyes out.

Candy kept saying, “It will be okay,” but Dana knew that was just something to say. How was it going to be okay? How was she going to survive this?

After her horrific crying jag, she dried her face and blew her nose. Somehow, someway, it was going to be okay. She would do whatever it took to get through it, even if she bordered on falling apart.

Struggling to stay strong, she mentally prepared herself to call Eric and arrange a meeting with him. Relaying her news over the phone didn’t seem right. She needed to tell him face-to-face that he was going to be a father.

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