“Of course they’ll like you,” he assured her softly. Her eyes flew up to meet his. “They like everyone. They’re not those stuffy, hard to get to know, over-privileged, rich, have high standards for their son that are impossible to meet, kind of people.”
“But- this is different. I- how are you going to tell them that we don’t even know each other and that I’m pregnant? I- I didn’t think this through. I could cost my friend her job if people find out what happened. I haven’t even told my family yet. They don’t know anything about this.”
Ross hesitated. “Well- if no one knows then it really leaves it up to us to forge whatever path we want.”
“Uh- like- just- just lie to everyone?”
Ross’ lips quirked up. “I was thinking more like make something up so that your friend doesn’t lose her job and we don’t get looked at like we’re crazy. We can say that we had a one-night stand. We were buzzed.”
“That makes us sound horribly irresponsible.”
“Okay, so we were horny and we hooked up and this was the end result.”
Teela’s face heated up a thousand degrees. Her va-jay-jay just happened to be on board with that whole getting hot routine, because suddenly she was hot and shivery in all the wrong spots. Just because Ross said horny. Who says horny anymore? That heat is not my fault. He’s the one talking dirty. How the hell am I supposed to respond? It’s just biology. Just basic biology. Nothing else.
“Uh- that still sounds incredible irresponsible.” She glanced around and finally took a step towards the couch. When she sunk down, she felt a little better. Not so unprotected, hovering in the middle of the room. Not so- hot- since she was able to slam her thighs together to keep the heat from spreading.
“No one is going to ask us anything about that. Uh- protection- fails all the time.” Surprisingly, and a little endearingingly, Ross’ cheeks turned a little pink. He ruffled his hair, which was obviously a nervous gesture, but god, it was sexy when it was mussed. It was sexy un-mussed too.
Okay, so now she was thinking about protection. And Ross. And them using protection. And everything that entailed. That heat was back, so fiery hot it consumed her entire body and no amount of pressing her legs together was going to help. Her who-ha was singing a happy song, a very happy song, a very happy inappropriate song. Her nipples tightened. They were practically cutting right through her shirt.
“Uh- okay- well- once we get over the embarrassment of living that down, I guess your plan could work.” She rearranged her hands in her lap so she didn’t have to look at him. It was hard to get the words out of her too-dry throat. “I- my parents will die of horror and then they’ll die of happiness. My mom wants grandchildren and my sister isn’t going to give them any anytime soon.”
“I’m my parent’s only hope,” Ross admitted. “I was pretty much their miracle child. My mom had given up on having kids. She had me when she was forty-two. I was, uh- I guess I still am, one of those horribly spoiled single child kind of person.” He laughed softly and that velvet rich sound had Teela’s insides clenching and unclenching. There may have been certain spots- spots she pointedly ignored- that got a little damp too. Or a lot. Too much. Far too much.
Teela shook her head. She still didn’t look at Ross, who was standing in the middle of the living room. She was afraid what would happen if she did. “So- everyone will be happy then?”
“Probably. Even if we don’t know each other, it would cover for everything. My parents will like you. I promise.”
“Even though you’re their only son and all their hopes hinge on you?”
He laughed softly again. He really, really needed to stop that sexy chuckle because it was dangerous. “Especially because I’m their only son. They both know that I’m dead set against ever being in a relationship again and that pretty much meant a no-go on having grandkids. I think they thought that I’d come around eventually, because they’re optimists at heart, but I had zero plans on ever finding someone to build a family with. They’re going to be over the moon because really, no matter how that baby got up in there, it’s their grandkid and that’s all that matters.”
Ross laughed softly again, probably because he’d just said up in there and it created yet another flood south of the border. He must have perfected that laugh over the years. Being an only child, he probably knew just what it took to get what he wanted. His easy charm was totally infectious, and it had taken Teela about three seconds to go from hating the guy to actually… what? Liking him?