Baby In A Million

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?As long as you and your husband go together, I don’t see a problem. But to be on the safe side, I’ll inform Dr. Drake.”

“Thank you.”

Everything was growing more complicated. Her obstetrician, Dr. Noble, had never said a word when she told him she was getting a divorce, but she knew deep down he disapproved. When he saw Cord in his office, not only would he be surprised and pleased, he’d assume they were back together. Nothing could be further from the truth.

Ashley shivered in apprehension and went back inside the room. Cord had shed his suit and tie. The sleeves of his pale blue shirt had been rolled up to the elbows and he’d undone the top buttons. She caught him tucking the ends inside the waistband of his jeans. Dressed informally, he looked more like the Cord of old, before he’d had to take over the reins of the McKnight Company.

He had a hunted, lean look, but for all that he was the most attractive man she’d ever met.

He lounged negligently against the wall near the window, his arms folded across his broad chest. “I understood there were to be no secrets while we were in here.”

Ashley came to a standstill. “I was asking Vince what to do about my doctor’s appointment on Wednesday. As far as he knows, it’s all right for both of us to go.”

She sensed the instant his body stopped being relaxed. “Dr. Noble does know I’m the father?” His acid tone wounded her.

“Of course he does, Cord. I have no doubt he’s been wanting to congratulate you for a long time. He’s told me repeatedly that he considers our pregnancy a miracle.”

“It is,” came the thick reply. “I still can’t believe my own eyes.”

“At first I was incredulous, too. But as time went on and I could no longer lie on my stomach, I began to believe a baby was growing inside me.”

“You always did prefer that position when you wanted to go to sleep.” He made a step toward her. “I’ve missed having you for a blanket.”

The intimate pictures those words conjured up sent a wave of heat through her body. “Cord—I—I think th—”

“It’s been a long time, hasn’t it, Ashley?” he broke in, not sounding the least repentant. “Long enough that you’re uncomfortable remembering how it was with us. Let me refresh your memory.”

Before she could guess his intentions, he’d slid his hands around her neck.

“Please don’t do that,” she begged when she felt his thumbs slowly caress the pulse hammering at her throat.

He was so much taller and stronger than she was. His male aura seemed to engulf her senses.

“Then perhaps you’d prefer this—”

Suddenly she was in his arms, their baby imprinted against him as he lowered his head and covered her mouth with his own.

“No, Cord—” Her words slurred as she fought him, but there was something so intimate and sensual about the feel of his hard body against her protruding stomach, she couldn’t prevent a gasp escaping. It was all he needed to deepen their kiss.

Caught off guard, Ashley found herself responding with a hunger equal to his.

“I’ve never stopped wanting you,” he confessed on a ragged whisper. She could feel his hands roaming her back in that old familiar way, fanning the heat that was already starting to burn out of control.

“To think my baby is inside here.” There was an ache in his voice before she felt one of his hands move around to her stomach and press softly in different places.

“I want to see you, see what I’ve done to you.” He mouthed the words against her lips. Suddenly the tie at her neck was undone. “I want to behold my wife and child. I want to inspect every beautiful inch. Help me, darling.”

By now it was impossible to tell who was trembling the most as his hands started to gather the material of her dress and raise it over her head.

At the last second sanity returned and Ashley tore her lips from his. “We can’t do this, Cord—” she cried and backed away, but he still held on to the hem of her dress.

His half-smile was mysterious and compelling. When he was like this, she didn’t have a rational thought in her head.

“I’ll put a do not disturb sign outside the door. No one will bother us if that’s what you’re worded about. This program is for married couples and we’ve got the rest of the afternoon to ourselves.”

In panic, Ashley tried to put more distance between them, but he wouldn’t let her go. His eyes had darkened with desire. She knew that look and her mouth went dry.