Possessive Baby Daddy

“I’ll try. Thanks, Del.”

“Sure.”

“Hey, how are things at home, by the way?”

She groans. “The usual. I hate being here, but we’re getting the kitchen redone and it’s just easier hanging around the manor.”

“Lucky you.”

“Oh, like you’re so hard up out there in perfect weather in your gorgeous little beachfront mansion.”

“Bye, Del.”

“Bye.”

I hang up and stare out at the ocean. My sister’s right. I should just ask Klara out on a date and show her that I’m serious.

I stand up and check my watch. I dump my whiskey over the balcony and into the sand then head inside. I put the glass in the dishwasher, grab my jacket, and head out to my car.

Truth Hurts Productions is housed in an office on the edge of town in a decent neighborhood. It’s not a beautiful building, but it’s relatively modern at least. I’d bet the rent is reasonable and the commute isn’t so bad, a very tasteful place to have an office.

I park and get out. I whistle to myself as I walk across the lot and head into the office.

The secretary that greets me is young, blonde, with huge boobs, and a low-cut top. She smiles and tilts her head. “Hiya,” she says. “Can I help you?”

I lean on the counter. “Is this Truth Hurts Productions?” I ask.

“Well, it sure is, sweetie,” she says.

I grimace. God, she’s way too perky. I bet she’s an actress that wants to get on a Divas spinoff or something.

“I’m here to see Klara,” I say. “My name’s Shaun Lofthouse.”

She frowns and looks at her computer. “Do you have an appointment?”

“I don’t, but we’re friends. Would you mind letting her know that I’m here?”

The secretary frowns at me for a moment then shrugs. “Okay, sure.”

I smile and lean against the wall, waiting. That was way too easy. She picks up her phone, dials a number, and talks quietly into the receiver. When she’s done, she hangs it up. “Ms. Funk will be with you in just one moment, if you want to take a seat.”

“Thanks a bunch.” I sit down and kick my feet up. They have all the entertainment magazines spread out on the coffee table, along with some of the tabloids. The waiting room is simple and sparse, which is about what I would have imagined from a place like this.

I don’t have to wait long. Klara comes out a minute later, looking flushed and surprised. “Shaun,” she says. “Hey. I, uh, didn’t know you’d be coming in today.” She glances at the secretary then back to me.

I stand and smile. “I thought you could use a break,” I say. “Maybe some lunch?”

She hesitates. “I don’t know.”

“Ah, come on. You should show your boyfriend a good time.”

She chokes and stares at me. “Boyfriend?”

“Sorry, I didn’t know we weren’t using that label yet.” I smile at her sweetly, and her face turns red. At first she’s embarrassed, but then she’s annoyed. She just realized I’m saying all this for the secretary.

“Come here,” she hisses, and walks over toward me. She grabs my elbow and yanks me away from the entrance and out through the front door. She crosses her arms and glares at me. “What are you doing here?”

“I want to take you to lunch,” I say. “I thought I was pretty clear in there.”

“Yeah, I heard that. I also heard you refer to yourself as my boyfriend, which you definitely aren’t.”

“Right, well. Not yet at least. I think it’s just a matter of time before you’re throwing yourself at me.”

She rolls her eyes. “Are you just being a dick on purpose or can you not help yourself?”

“Look, come on. Let’s go to lunch and get to know each other. Call it a date.”

She hesitates. “You want to go on a lunch date with me?”

“That’s exactly it. No other motives. I just want to spend some time with you.”

She chews her lip and stares at me. I love the outfit she’s wearing, this cute simple white top tucked into dress slacks and tasteful shoes. She looks so fucking professional. I’d love to unwrap her from those clothes right here and now.

“Let me ask you something,” she says.

“Go ahead. I’m an open book.”

She snorts but goes ahead. “If I weren’t pregnant, would you want to take me out to lunch right now?”

I hesitate. That’s a good question. “Yes,” I say. “I definitely would. But I’d also try harder to get in your pants again.”

She smiles a little despite herself and I smile back. “I’m not sure I believe you.”

“I get that. But ever since that time we spent together, I haven’t been able to get you out of my head.”

“I definitely don’t believe that.”

“Let me prove it then. Come to lunch with me. We’ll talk, I’ll make you laugh, you’ll have fun. And at the end of it, I won’t even try to kiss you.” I smirk at her. “Unless you want me to.”