Expecting the Playboy's Baby (8 page)

“I think we’re really doing this,” he said.

“Okay, I’m going to talk to Linda first.”

He smiled. By the end of the week Jennifer would be in his home, by his side at all times. He couldn’t wait.

Chapter Six

“Your parents are going to hit the roof,” Linda said later that afternoon.

“It’s a really good idea.” Jennifer stared at her friend as Linda walked from the kitchen into the sitting room.

“If both of your parents are trying to do some kind of merger, do you really think they’ll settle for the two people who can guarantee its success, simply living together?”

Linda took the seat next to her.

“I hadn’t thought about that,” she said.

“I think it’s a brilliant idea. Your parents won’t. They’re way too controlling to allow anything like that. I’m with you, Jen.” Linda handed her a drink then eased back.

“He thought of it,” she said.

“He seems really nice.” Linda grabbed the remote and pressed the television on.

“What’s the matter?” Jennifer asked.

“Nothing.
I’m just going to miss you. This place won’t be the same without you here.”

Jennifer wrapped her arms around her friend. “I’m so sorry.”

“No, it’s me. I’m being silly. I’m so happy for you, and all I’m thinking about is
myself
.” Linda sniffled. “He’ll let me visit?”

“Of course.
Patrick is not some kind of ogre,” Jennifer said.

The rest of the day was uneventful. Jennifer hated the thought of leaving Linda, but she knew she had little choice. Pressing a hand to her stomach she wondered what the future would bring.

The following morning, Patrick picked her up from her apartment. She’d packed two suitcases worth of clothes ready to leave.

“That’s it?” he asked. He looked into the apartment. “None of this is your furniture?”

“It is, but I’m not taking anything else with me. Linda is staying here.”

“Where is your friend?”

“She’s out. She didn’t want to see me leave.”

Biting her lip, she looked back at her apartment. There were so many beautiful memories in the place she’d lived. They’d shared Christmases and birthdays together.

Shaking her head, she turned back to Patrick. “I’m ready.”

“You don’t look it.”

“I’ll be fine in a few days. I’m not used to change, and this should be good for me.” He took her case from her, and then they started walking together down to his waiting car.

“Just so you know
,
you’ll be sharing a room with me.”

She chuckled. “I never expected anything else,” she said.

“Also, I think we should talk to our parents together. We show a united front, and they’ll back down. I guarantee it.” He opened her door for her.

“Is that where we’re going now?” she asked.

“I thought you’d like to get it out of the way before settling into your new place.”

“You’ve already arranged it all,” she said.

“Of course.
I’m efficient. Also, I’ve arranged an appointment for you to see one of the leading birth specialists. I want to be part of it all.”

“Patrick, I’ll take care of the doctor side of things. I don’t want to see someone who I don’t know.”

He closed her door and then climbed in his own side. “Can we talk about it?” he asked.

“No, this is my body, and I’ll have the doctor I trust to take care of me.”

He looked like he wanted to argue with her. She shook her head. “No arguing. When you’re carrying my baby then you get to pick which doctor you want to see.”

“You’re going to test me at every turn.”

“Yep, and you’re going to test me. This is going to be an interesting few months, Mr. Thompson.”

He leaned over and kissed her lips.
“Mr. Thompson, huh?
I like the sound of that.”

Patrick took her lips in an intense kiss that left her gasping for breath. He pulled away and stared into her eyes. “The sooner we can finish lunch the sooner I get you into my bed,” he said.

Her pussy melted at his words. “You’re going to keep me busy, aren’t you?”

“No, I’m going to make sure by the time junior pops
out,
you’re going to be ready to marry me.”

He pulled away and started up the car. Jennifer chuckled at his words. They’d known each other a short time, but already she felt herself falling for him. Love was such an idiotic emotion, but that is what she was starting to feel for him.

“Please tell me you haven’t picked a seafood restaurant?” she asked.

“No, I saw the paper. You really did a number on that place. Did it smell or something?”

“Don’t start. You know why I threw up.”

Patrick chuckled.

“I picked a nice little Italian restaurant. Your parents should love it,” he said.

“How did they take the news that we wanted to see them together?”

“I think they’re expecting a proposal and a ring.”

“This is going to be a long lunch then,” she said, gazing out of the window.

He caressed her thigh. “Not if I can help it.”

Patrick helped her out of the car when they pulled up to the restaurant half an hour later. She watched as he gave the keys to the man waiting and then escorted her in. The maître d’ was waiting for him. He escorted them to a seat in the back where she saw her parents waiting. The other two people she figured were Patrick’s parents.

“Mom, Dad, this is Jennifer Dixon,” he said.

“Lovely to meet you.”
She shook their hands and took the seat Patrick pulled out for her.

Her parents greeted Patrick as he sat down. Keeping her hands in her lap, she stared across the table. The parents looked menacing with their penetrating gaze.

“She’s different from your other women, Patrick,” his mother said.

Gazing down at her plate she tried to think of something to say.

“Don’t start, Mom.”

The waiter brought them the menus.

“Are you okay, dear?” her mother asked. Jennifer looked up at Helen. There was concern on her face. She rarely saw her mother showing any emotion other than annoyance.

“I’m fine.”

Patrick squeezed her leg offering her comfort. The contact made her jump, which jolted the table.

“Sorry,” she said.

His mother sent her a scowl and started muttering to herself.

“Stop panicking. We’ve got this.” He leaned over to whisper in her ear.

Her blush intensified as he kissed her neck. Did he know how he was affecting her? Her body was aware of him in the most basic of ways.

They gave their orders for lunch. She noticed their mothers both ordered a salad with everything removed. Jennifer went for the same so they wouldn’t be glaring at her.

Patrick frowned at her, and she shook her head. He didn’t argue with her choice, and for that she was thankful.

“So, son, do you have some news for us?” Robert asked.

He took her hand, kissing her knuckles. “We have some news, and we don’t think you’re going to like all of it.”

“Before we get started, how did you two meet?” His mother butted in, asking her own questions.

“At a party in the library,” he said.

Jennifer’s words failed her. His mother looked terrifying.

“How charming.”

“Shut up, Susan.” His father growled at the woman next to him. Patrick kept hold of Jennifer’s hand throughout it all. “What news?”

“Well, Jennifer is pregnant with my child. She got confirmation from the doctors, and we’re ready to settle down together.”

“Are you sure the baby is yours?” Susan said.

“But we’ve decided not to marry yet.” Patrick went on ignoring his mother.

“What?” Helen asked.

“We’re going to spend the next nine months getting to know each other, and then we’re going to decide if we should take the next step,” he said.

Jennifer let him lead the conversation. She couldn’t think of a single decent thing to add to it.

“You’re not bringing my grandbaby into this world without marrying my daughter,” Helen said.

Jennifer heard the outrage in her mother’s voice and cringed at her shrill tone.

So the argument began.

****

Patrick wondered how his future mother-in-law would react if he covered his ears. Her voice was irritating. He glanced at Jennifer and saw she was embarrassed by her mother’s attitude. They’d be fighting their parents’ attitude for years to come. He knew there was no changing their minds. Susan, his mother, despised Jennifer. He saw it in her eyes as she assessed the woman at his side. What was wrong with Jennifer? She was nothing like the other women he dated.

She’s nothing like the women your mother has thrown at you either.

No, Susan would never be happy until he did as he was told.

Jennifer’s hand shook inside his, and he felt a possessive wave sweep through him. They made her nervous, and he didn’t like the affect it was having on her.

He eased his chair back and stood. Keeping a firm grip on her hand he addressed their parents.

“We didn’t come here asking for your opinion or getting your approval. This is what we’ve decided. You either accept that, or leave us alone. Come on, Jennifer, we’ve got stuff to do.”

Jennifer followed behind him on their way out to the car. He helped her inside the passenger seat before taking the wheel.

“Linda said they wouldn’t allow it,” she said.

“Ignore them. They can’t control us, and this is what we’ve decided.”

“Sooner or later we’re going to have to face the music. I hope it’s much later.” She eased back in her chair. He watched out of the corner of his eye as she lowered the window.

“Are you all right?”

“I feel a little sick. Nothing is seriously wrong with me.”

“How are you dealing with the sickness and the side effects?”

She chuckled. “You make it sound like I’m on drugs or something. I’m dealing with it. The sickness is horrible, but I imagine every woman feels that way. I ache, and most of my energy feels zapped. It is like I’ve run thousands of miles, and yet I’ve only walked from one room to another.”

“Sounds awful.”