Secret Millionaire for the Surrogate

Drew got to his feet, his emotions in a bit of a storm as he tried to adjust to the news without being an awkward ass. “Uh, I can get it. You don’t need to wait on me.”

She smiled softly. “Suit yourself, then. Beer’s in the fridge.”

He glanced quickly at her abdomen, then back up, his face heating. Harper didn’t seem to notice anything and, with a flip of her ponytail, was gone back to the kitchen again.

His brain was a muddle, but he did manage to have one coherent thought as he followed her into the kitchen.

Harper is carrying my brother’s baby.

CHAPTER THREE

HARPER KEPT HER hands busy cutting vegetables so she wouldn’t have to look up at Drew, who’d come into the kitchen to grab a beer from the fridge. She’d seen the way his gaze had dropped to her belly and back up and the way he’d stood when she came into the room. Dan had told him; she was relatively sure of that. And it was awkward as hell.

She knew there would be some odd looks from people over the next few months, and probably more than her fair share of intrusive questions. She was prepared for that, or at least she was trying to be.

But she hadn’t been prepared for Drew.

At the wedding in March he’d been crazy attractive, all sexy smiles and sparkling eyes, but she hadn’t been in the mood for a wedding fling, particularly with the groom’s brother. It would have been all kinds of messy.

Today had been far more awkward because the moment he’d stepped in the room her body had reacted just the same way as it had when he’d pulled her close on the dance floor. Her breath had caught and she’d felt that ridiculous butterfly feeling in the pit of her stomach. Forget the tux; Drew Brimicombe in faded, dusty jeans and a well-worn T-shirt was delectable. Add in that rough stubble and the slightly curling tips of his sun-streaked hair and she was a goner.

And she remembered how he’d propositioned her.

Now she was pregnant with his brother and sister-in-law’s child and...yeah. Just as she’d thought at the wedding. This would be potentially awkward as heck and his reaction proved it. Not to mention that her attraction to him hadn’t exactly disappeared.

She should never have agreed to stay for dinner.

“Harper. That might be enough cucumber.”

The plate in front of her was rounded with cucumber slices and she realized she’d sliced the whole thing. To cover her embarrassment at getting caught daydreaming, she grinned and popped one in her mouth. “I can’t get enough these days,” she admitted. “They’re so cool and fresh.”

“Well, maybe you could cut some carrot and tomato to go with it?”

“Of course. Sorry. I don’t know where my mind went.”

Except she knew exactly where it went. With Drew, back into the living room. Or more precisely, back on the dance floor at the Cascade, being held in his strong arms, their bodies brushing.

She was peeling a carrot when she chanced a look up at Adele, who was ladling broth into the risotto. “I think Dan told Drew about the baby,” she said.

Adele stopped stirring and stared at her. “You do? Why?”

“The way Drew looked at me when I went back in the room. It was the same look I got from Dan the moment I told you guys I was pregnant.”

Adele frowned. “We weren’t going to say anything to anyone yet. Not until after...” Adele let the thought trail away, and Harper put down the carrot peeler and went to her side.

“I know you’re worried, but we’re almost at the end of the first trimester. Besides, he didn’t take out a billboard or anything. It’s his brother. Who’s here in person. Don’t be too upset.”

Adele let out a breath. “I know. And I don’t mean to put extra pressure on you.”

“I know that.” Harper smiled easily, though deep down she felt as if a whole family’s hopes were pinned on her keeping this baby healthy. She didn’t want to be responsible for any big disappointments. “You’ll feel better when you can hear the heartbeat. It’s not long now. Besides, I feel great.” Most of the time, anyway. Beyond a bit of fatigue and a few hours in the morning where morning sickness had become an issue.

Adele smiled and nodded. “You’re right. Let’s finish this up and get dinner on the table. We can eat out on the deck.”

Harper finished preparing the vegetable platter, then checked on the chicken and the falafel on the grill. Adele brought out dishes for four and Harper set them out as Adele put the risotto in a bowl and brought out a pitcher of ice water.

The guys came a few moments later, still talking and laughing, and the early evening was more mellow in its heat, providing an easy warmth. Harper poured water in everyone’s glass as Adele took the food off the grill,

and in moments they were all seated and ready to eat.