Johnny Loves Krissy (2 page)

His lips twitched into a lopsided smile. “Then you've had painful PMS since puberty, because as long as I've known you, you've idled at irritable.”

“Sometimes it's a pain to be a woman. But I'm not going into the details.”

“Thank you. I'd rather take your word for it.”

“Well, you know how I told you it hurt like hell to have sex?”

He gentled his ministrations to her feet. Then he slid his fingers between her toes, stretching them apart.

“Ohh, that feels amazing.” She leaned her head back, closed her eyes, and wiggled her toes. Johnny dragged his fingertip down the center of the underside of her foot. Krissy smiled and said, “Don't tickle me.” He lightened his touch and she sighed. “So what was I saying? You've muddled my brain.”

“That it hurts to have sex. I thought you were bragging about Pete's size.”

She brought her head up. “Ew, don't be disgusting,” she said, scrunching up her face. “Bragging about performance is fine, not equipment.” Maybe with the girls it was okay to measure one cock against another, but not with Johnny. She could tell him
almost
anything.

“What are the options? Date a guy with a little dick?”

“Don't make me laugh. I haven't finished telling you everything. Here is the worst part, or maybe I should start saying the best part so I'll start believing it.”

His fingers stilled on her foot. Concern reflected in his eyes. “How bad is it?”

She pulled her foot out of his hand. Johnny stood from his haunches and sat next to her on the couch.

This time she couldn't stop tears from filling her eyes and spilling onto her cheeks. More followed and then she leaned into his arms.

“Dr. Hart gave me some options.” She sniffed and lifted her face from his dress shirt, leaving a large wet spot. She tucked her feet under her legs and settled more comfortably with her back against his chest. “He thinks the best solution is a hysterectomy. My mom had a full hysterectomy in her twenties.”

Krissy always wished for brothers and sisters. As an only child, her parents had doted on her. If it wasn't already too late, she would probably only have one child as well. Her greatest problem was time. It had run out for her mother. Now it was running out for her. “I know she wanted more children.”

“Count yourself lucky. Try growing up in a house with eight.”

“I don't want eight.” She shifted so she could see his face. “Just one.”

The walls closed in on her as she spoke the words. Still foreign to her own ears, she was going to have a baby. All she needed now was family health insurance, a bigger apartment, and better hours at her job so she could be home with the baby. Oh, and let's not forget,
a father
.

“You're going to have a baby.” He sounded outraged. “Are you pregnant?”

She scowled and sat up. “No!”

What reason did he have to get upset? She was the one with the medical problem. It was her choice to get pregnant. Granted, she was going to need his help, but it wasn't as if she asked a hardship from him.

She tried not to notice the horrified look on his face as it drained of color. The muscle under his eye developed a tick.

Krissy pushed her bangs from her face. Her tummy flipped and rolled. “At least not yet.” She took a deep breath and let it out slowly. “I want a baby. So instead of getting a hysterectomy, I started hormone therapy.” She stood quickly. Wringing her hands, she paced in front of the couch. “Dr. Hart said it's now or never.”

Johnny leaned back and crossed his right ankle over his left knee. Then he folded his arms across his chest. “So who's going to be the father?”

She stopped pacing, looked at Johnny, and smiled. “You see, that's where you come in.”

Johnny choked nearly swallowing his tongue. Her words mimicked his earlier thoughts about being in bed together. However, in his mind they had hot, dirty sex. He had a vivid imagination, almost feeling the warmth of her breath against his lips as he kissed her sweet mouth and crammed her tight, hot cunt full of his solid cock. Nowhere in his fantasies did they create a baby. Someday sure. But not now! He was in no position to take on the responsibility.

She grabbed her purse and sat down beside him. What in the hell was she getting from her purse? It was all he could do not to bolt. Now or never didn't mean,
now
. How was he supposed to shift gears from friend to father in the span of twenty seconds?

“I figured you'd have a more unbiased outlook. Who do you think would make a good father?” She dug through her purse and pulled out her Blackberry. “How about Jason Tempo? He's a ski instructor, comes from a wealthy family, he'd be a good father.” Her hands dropped limply to her lap clutching the electronic address book, her version of the little black book. Krissy kept a list of names of the men in her life or at least the nickname she gave them. “You liked him, didn't you?”

Pressure built behind his eyes. His head was in a vise. She wasn't propositioning him. She was asking him to choose a daddy for her baby. Where was the relief?

Johnny cocked an eyebrow. “Not really.” He'd never liked any of her boyfriends. “And I think you're forgetting that we went to his wedding a couple of months ago.”

She laughed. “I guess I should delete him.” She took the stylus and touched it to the screen.

“Men have some say in when they start a family. You can't just pick a guy, sleep with him, and then bail.” He took a breath.

“Believe me,” she thumped her chest, “I know how serious this is. I wish I could say I've thought long and hard about having a baby, but I haven't.” She looked at the clock hanging above the front door. “I've had about three hours to make my decision.”

“You need to think a little longer. Once the baby comes, there's child support, visitation, and a guy that, although he looks good, might turn out to be a possessive, homicidal maniac.”

“Then you tell me the answer.” Her fingers tunneled through her hair again and pulled her bottom lip between her teeth. “Johnny, I don't have time to fall in love, get married, and then have a baby. Don't judge me. Just help me.”

He growled, tightening his hands into fists. “Give me that.” He snatched the PDA from her hand. “You won't find him in here.” One moment the idea of being a father made his head spin, his stomach churn, and his chest tighten. Then with the next breath, he nearly blurted that he wanted to be the only man volunteering for the position. He immediately surmised the positions Krissy might like. Fuck, once again Krissy was making his life a circus.

Johnny stifled a low groan partnered with a defeated sigh. Krissy's plan screamed disaster. When she hit the brick wall, he'd be right there beside her.

“Do you want something to drink?”

“Yes.” He needed something to wash the bitter taste from his mouth. He was actually scanning down a list of names. Brad, Darin, James, Mike, Trent— he couldn't remember half of these guys. Who was he kidding? He might be her best friend, but there wasn't much difference between him and the names in the Blackberry.

Krissy returned and handed him a cola. “So who's the lucky guy?” She sat down next to him and crossed her legs Indian style.

Johnny glanced in her direction. Under her shirt, she had her hand twisted behind her back unhooking her bra. Slipping one strap down her arm, and then the other, she moaned as she unbound her generous breasts.

Cold soda didn't douse the flames of desire licking his libido. His cock jumped at the gentle sway of her breasts beneath her T- shirt. Drawing his attention, her perfectly tight nipples puckered against the fabric like two ripe cherries. He couldn't help licking his lips.

“Krissy, you won't find a man in here.”

“I know. You're right. But unless you're willing to take on the role...” She laughed. “And we both know that is out of the question, right? Because we're best friends.”

“Right.” His hand stilled. Was it out of the question? Fatherhood? Johnny had graduate school to finish, a career to build. The plan didn't include children for several years. But Krissy didn't have years.
Best friends
. Wasn't that the way he wanted it? Right now, he didn't know what he wanted. Yes, he did. He wanted what Krissy wanted. Time. Only hers had run out.

She smiled around the rim of her soda can. “I still can't believe this is happening. Morning sickness and cravings.”

He couldn't either. “The news could be worse. My mom is in menopause.” He pulled her close and kissed her temple. “At least you're not having hot flashes.” Unlike him, every time she came near him. So much heat he was ready to erupt, literally.

“Yeah, well what's one more thing to look forward to? Along with mood swings, swollen ankles, back aches, any other symptoms you can think of. My mother had terrible acne.”

“I suppose you want me to hold your head while you're sick after breakfast. Nothing I haven't done before after a night of too much fun.”

“Hardy- har- har.” She slugged him in the thigh. A little higher and she would've made contact with something a lot harder. “I haven't been that drunk in a long time. And anyway, I have to get pregnant first. So unless you want to sign on for the job, I'm trusting in your decision. I don't have the best luck with men.” She laughed and his stomach plummeted. “Any smart— but not smart enough to demand a condom— good- looking guys in your university classes?”

“Good point. How do you know you won't get a disease from unprotected sex? You haven't thought through this crazy scheme.”

“Oh god, Johnny,” she whined. “Forget the whole thing.” She picked up her PDA. “I'll do eeny, meeny, miney, moe.”

“No,” he said, snatching it away from her. “You need to think about this decision.”

Krissy folded her hands in her lap. “I won't change my mind.”

“Fine. We'll go to Stu's tomorrow night. Call the gang.” Johnny jumped up and grabbed his keys. Time for him to go. His body was swinging in and out of heat like a furnace on the fritz. He never knew when it was going to betray his head. With Krissy on the prowl, he'd better figure out a way to check his libido at the door.

“Johnny.”

He paused before walking out the door.

“It might not seem like it now, but I know what I'm doing.”

“I'll see you tomorrow.”

Krissy shut the door, crossed the room, and slumped onto the couch. He was right, of course. She couldn't just pick up a stranger, sleep with him, and trap him into fatherhood. She didn't plan to— she wanted Johnny.

She'd asked him to help her find someone suitable, but that wasn't her true agenda. The problem would be in the details. She wanted Johnny, but not with strings attached. Granted, she knew having a baby meant obligations to each other they'd never had before. Staying friends and avoiding the serious commitment issues would be so much easier if he were gay. She chuckled. That wasn't going to happen. She stood and walked down the hall to her bedroom. After stripping off her clothes, she climbed into bed.

No matter how many times she mentally rolled over her options, she kept returning to the same conclusions. Her tummy swooped. She didn't want to go to a sperm bank or choose just anyone. She would just have to show Johnny he'd be the right man for her. They could have a family and stay friends.

Krissy pulled the covers over her and wondered what she should do now? She closed her eyes and smiled. All she needed was the right motivation to convince him. This was real. She was asking for sex. Her heartbeat tripped and she felt faint. Not just sex, but sex with
Johnny
. She would make him see every man was wrong for her...except him.

Chapter Two

Krissy Has a Plan

Friday night at Stu's and the place was packed. Johnny greeted a few acquaintances on his way to the back of the bar. He and Krissy were the last to arrive. The rest of the six- pack hollered as they approached.

“You two look like you've been up to mischief,” Shelby said with a smile.

“Why shouldn't they?” Drew asked. “Everyone knows Johnny and the wood girl are doing it.” Drew loved calling Krissy the wood girl. It had more to do with her luscious figure, than the fact that she sold custom kitchen and bathroom cabinetry.

Johnny chuckled in spite of the knife slicing through his gut. “Appearances aren't always as they seem.”

Krissy took a seat on a black vinyl barstool.

“Why does everyone assume we're doing it? Johnny and I are proof the opposite sex can be friends.”

“And why haven't you?” Drew asked while he fished a bill out of his jeans to pay the waitress for his beer. “You're best friends— ”

“Yep, and we want to keep it that way.” Johnny tipped the longneck bottle of beer to his lips. No way in hell was he going near that one. Getting into bed with Kristina Taylor would be amazing, incredible, mind- blowing...enough along that train of thought. His job now was to help her find someone else to take to bed. He groaned.

“Johnny's not Krissy's type,” Ryan said then grinned.

“You don't know my type.” An indignant tone laced her words.

“Johnny has his shit together.” Drew smirked and then pointed at Krissy with the neck of his beer bottle. “You'd break his heart anyway.”

“I would not, I mean, never mind. We're not going to date so there's no point in arguing about whether or not I make a good girlfriend.”

“Krissy, if a guy gets googly- eyes, you run.”

Johnny wished they'd change the subject. What man wouldn't get googly- eyed? Just over five- two with big, beautiful breasts just enough to spill over a man's hands. She had a heart- shaped ass and blue eyes with depth to drown in. The old cliché about blondes having more fun couldn't be truer than with Krissy.

Only she was so much more. A you- get- what- you- see girl who would give you the shirt off her back. Hell, she'd give the shirt off her back just to show off the fabulous job her surgeon had done.

“Speaking of exes,” Shelby said. “Krissy, remember the guy we met at the hockey game? I just saw him. He asked about you.”

“Oh no, really?”

“If he was in your database, we deleted him.” Johnny gave her a wink.

Krissy scanned the room. “It doesn't matter. My next boyfriend has to be special.”