Jack had just confirmed what she already knew. And when she got ahold of Kevin, she’d kill him. But first... “You know you can’t discriminate. So I still have my job?”
He groaned. “As long as the boyfriend keeps his threats to himself.” He grabbed for the unlit cigar again. “But only until you start to show and can’t wear the uniform,” he warned her.
Nikki exhaled the breath she’d been holding. “You’re a prince, Jack.”
“Yeah, well, just don’t tell anyone.”
* * *
Nikki pulled Janine’s car up to the Victorian-style house in the suburbs. The sun shone on the gray roof and tulips had begun to bloom below the veranda. Not exactly the place she pictured Kevin Manning calling home. Too close to the white picket fence and family scene for Kevin’s love ‘em and leave ‘em style, she thought. She wondered why he didn’t just sell the old place to someone who’d appreciate its charm and potential. Family potential.
Drawing a deep breath, she banged on the door and when she got no answer, she knocked louder. Anger had propelled her this far and she needed it to keep her going. She raised her hand for one last try, and the door swung wide.
Kevin stood before her. Obviously she’d woken him. His dark hair was tousled in a sexy mess and his eyes were not yet focused. Her gaze traveled downward and she realized he wore jeans... and nothing else. Maybe he’d pulled them on before grabbing for the door because they rode low on his hips and hadn’t yet been buttoned. She took in the tanned skin on his stomach and the tapered hair disappearing below his belt line and nearly lost her focus.
He cleared his throat “Nikki? What’s wrong?”
Her focus returned along with her anger. “Where do you get off interfering in my life? Nearly costing me my job? My job.” Her voice rose in pitch but she didn’t care. “The one thing I need in this world if I’m going to take care of my baby.”
“Our baby,” he corrected her.
“And my responsibility. So who appointed you sole decision-maker in something that doesn’t concern you?”
“Are you finished?” His sleepy-eyed gaze was gone, replaced by the determined look she knew too well.
What he didn’t realize was that this time she was equally determined. “No, I’m not finished.”
He reached for her hand, grasping her wrist before she could stop him. The heat of his skin caused an answering warmth to curl inside her. She fought against it, just as she planned on fighting his need to control.
His grip was gentle but remained in place. “Then let’s take this inside. It’s a quiet neighborhood and I wouldn’t want to alienate these people before they get to know and love me.” He grinned.
Nikki didn’t smile back. “Lead the way,” she said, not liking how those words sounded. The balance of power between them needed to shift in her favor and soon. She followed him into the house, but as soon as the door closed behind her, she yanked her arm out of his grasp.
He turned. “Come into the kitchen and we’ll talk.”
“Here’s fine with me.” She didn’t see any sense in coming inside, getting comfortable, or playing nice. Not when Kevin had gone behind her back and nearly cost her her job.
“I thought we could discuss this like civilized adults. Besides, you woke me out of a deep sleep and I could use a cup of coffee.” Without another word, he headed toward the kitchen.
“What would you know about civilized?” she muttered.
“I heard that. What can I get you to eat?”
Her stomach growled in response to the question. A good sign, Nikki thought, since lately just the thought of food was enough to sending her running to the nearest bathroom. Maybe the end of morning sickness was finally in sight.
She entered the now-familiar room to find Kevin standing by the fridge. “I won’t be here long enough to eat. I just want to set a few ground rules.”
He shrugged. “Suit yourself but I’m starving. Talk while I make breakfast” He opened the refrigerator and she glanced over his shoulder inside. What had been pathetically empty last time she was here was now well stocked. He pulled a carton of eggs and American cheese from inside, placing them on the counter. He grabbed a bag of frozen french fries from the freezer next. “Sure I can’t make you something?”
She narrowed her gaze. “Looks like you were expecting me.”
He shrugged. “Let’s just say I hoped.”
“I hate games.”
He met her gaze. Intense and focused eyes stared back. “And I already told you I don’t play them.”
“What do you call revealing my pregnancy, threatening my boss...”