Everything for Her (For Her 1)

“Hey,” she says, looking me up and down, then glances around the room. “Where’s Oz?”

“He wanted to get some work done while I was getting pampered.” I look at the women working on me and smile. “Do you ladies mind if I take a break? It’s almost lunchtime. Maybe we all should.”

Oz had a few platters of food brought in, and Paige is already halfway to finishing a sandwich.

They all agree, and I get up from my chair and walk to the bedroom with Paige following me. When we get there, I drag her into the master bathroom and lock the door behind us.

“Don’t you think this is a bit suspicious?” she says in a hushed voice.

“Just give it to me.” I hold out my hand and wait.

Paige unzips her purse and pulls out the pregnancy test, slapping it into my hand.

“You wouldn’t believe what I had to go through to get that, Mal. I think Captain popped a blood vessel when he saw what I was buying.” She gives me a smile that looks a little evil, and I would laugh if I wasn’t so scared.

“I threw away all the packaging so you wouldn’t get busted with the trash lying around. But I read it all. One line, not pregnant. Two lines, you’re knocked up. It seems pretty easy to use.”

I nod and look at the stick, walk over to the toilet, and sit down. I hold the stick and try not to pee on my hand as I do what Paige tells me to. After I’m finished, I set it on the counter, and then get up, washing my hands.

“You okay?” Paige asks, and looks at me nervously.

“Yeah. I’m scared, but I don’t know why. I love Oz, and he loves me. Having a baby with him would be wonderful, but I’m antsy about it. I’m probably pregnant with all the sex we have and all the protection we don’t use.”

Paige laughs and nudges my shoulder. “Do you feel pregnant? Have you been sick?”

“No, not at all. But I’ve never been pregnant before, so what do I know?”

“This is a big deal, Mal. But I know you, and you wouldn’t have done any of this if you weren’t sure. Maybe even if it’s in the back of your mind, I think you knew from day one with Miles that he was it.”

I nod and a warmth spreads over me. She’s right. I knew deep down he’s it for me. And if our love made a child, then I’ll be the happiest woman in the world.

Paige checks her watch, and then nods at me. I walk over to the test and pick it up, my fingers nearly shaking. When I look at it, my heart falls when I see there’s only one line on it.

“Negative.” Paige confirms what I see.

“Mallory? Paige?” Oz says, knocking on the bathroom door.

Panicked, I open the bottom cabinet and hide the test under a roll of toilet paper. I stand up and look at Paige, who has her arms out like she doesn’t know what to do.

“Be right out, Oz,” I say, and try not to sound like I’m up to something. “Paige, um, Paige had to help me go to the bathroom so I wouldn’t mess my nails up,” I rush, trying to cover my fumble.

Paige gives me two thumbs-up, and I put my hands to my mouth so I don’t panic.

“Okay,” Oz says, but doesn’t sound convinced. “I’ll be in the dining room when you guys are finished.”

We wait another minute or two before we take a breath and exit the bathroom.

“Damn, that was close,” Paige says, and for some reason her words sting.

I’m not pregnant, and I’m surprised at how sad that thought makes me.

Chapter Thirty-Five

Mallory

* * *

“I can’t believe I agreed to this.” Oz runs his finger down between my breasts. The simple touch sends goose bumps up my arms. I lick my lips and look up at him. We’ve only been here twenty minutes and Oz hasn’t released me from his hold. I’ve been pressed up against him since I walked out of our building. In fact, I think he’s even avoiding people by keeping us hostage in a little corner of the ballroom.

“See, you’re cold. You should take my jacket.” He goes to take off his jacket, making me laugh.

“I’m fine.” I smile up at him and he scowls.

“I’m going to have a talk with Ms. Ford about the things she picks out for you,” he mumbles, more to himself than to me as he looks around the room. He moves himself a little, blocking me from view, and I have to fight a smile.

“Are we going to hide in this corner all night?” I mold myself into him more, trying to cool some of his caveman tendencies. Tension rolls though his body under his jacket. He’s wearing an onyx-black tux and a matching dress shirt. But he’s not wearing a tie tonight. Instead, he’s got the top button of his shirt undone, and his sexy neck is on display. Every time his Adam’s apple moves, I want to run my tongue across its ridge. He looks dark tonight dressed in all black, and I’m having a hard time controlling my dark desires.