Pregnant By The CEO

The small man leads me through the bustling restaurant and to a more private part of the dining room hidden away in the back. An enormous floor-to-ceiling window offers a breathtaking view of Manhattan, and for a moment, I’m entranced.

But then I turn to the man at the table and catch my breath. Oh god, Pierce is gorgeous although he hasn’t seen me yet. He’s wearing a perfectly cut suit - a rich navy blue with sharp tailoring, his broad shoulders emphasized. He sips a glass of scotch and looks carelessly at the menu. Those strong, masculine hands glow in the light of the candle that flickers on the table.

The maitre’d clears his throat and Pierce looks up. When the alpha male sees me, he breaks into a gruff smile. He stands with a little flourish and, to my delight, kisses my hand. He pulls my chair back like a gentleman from an old film.

The maitre’d helps me into my seat, and Pierce sits as well, hot sparks shooting from his eyes. Oh my god. I’m going to melt, right here, right now. Someone pours me a glass of champagne, and then finally, we’re alone.

“You look absolutely spectacular,” he growls. I smile at him.

“Thank you,” is my blushing reply. I reach for my champagne and he lifts his glass as well. We toast to the evening, heat running between us madly. But Pierce won’t indulge my breathless question, and asks me about my day at work. I groan, rolling my eyes at the quotidian aspect. It’s the last thing I want to think about.

“Do you actually want to know about work?” I ask archly.

“Of course,” he says with a lifted eyebrow. “Why else would I ask?”

It’s my turn to sigh.

“Because it’s work talk. My work is the same as always, you know. Just blah blah blah.”

Pierce laughs, showing off perfect white teeth.

“That’s all?” he asks, one black eyebrow raised. But then I shake my head with a droll smile.

“Well, no, not exactly. After you called me, it was all I could think about. Being here tonight. Seeing you again.”

I hold my breath. Was that too much too soon? The big man doesn’t react, and suddenly my cheeks go hot. Dumb Casey, always putting her foot in it. But then he smiles, and a warm glow descends over my form.

“It was all I could think about, too,” comes that low rumble. He reaches under the table and grabs my hand. Oh god. I blush. I hope my palms aren’t as sweaty as they feel.

“You see that building right there?” He points out to a skyscraper in the distance.

“I do,” is my nodded murmur. I’m not sure what he’s getting at. It’s a magnificent building, for sure, but what does that have to do with anything?

Pierce grins. “I live there. See that window to the left? That’s the bedroom of my penthouse. We can go for a visit after dinner, if you’d like. Or we can go there right now if you like.”

I blush and bite my lip, looking into those penetrating blue eyes. He winks, but doesn’t wait for an answer, and instead opens the menu and hands it to me.

“Order whatever you’d like, sweetheart. If you can’t decide, get everything.”

With a giggle, I take a look. “I imagine a big shot like you comes here all the time? What do you recommend?”

Pierce doesn’t even look down.

“I always get the wagyu steak. I’m a creature of habit, you’ll learn. Oysters and scotch, as well.”

“I’ve heard wagyu beef is wonderful,” is my murmur. He grins.

“It is, but it won’t even compare to what you can get in Japan. Have you ever been?”

I shake my head.

“I would love to go to Japan, of course, but I haven’t had that many opportunities to travel internationally.”

“Japan’s amazing,” he tells me. “But no worries. Where else would you go, if you could?”

For a moment, I’m reminded of my ex and his extravagant trips. He was always rubbing his journeys in my face, while Pierce must be at least five times as well-traveled. And yet, Pierce doesn’t look down on me nor make me feel uncouth and uncultured. Instead, it feels different, like he wants to introduce me to far-away lands and fantasy worlds.

I realize that the entire time I was dating John in college, he never asked me a simple question like that. He only spoke of his own dreams, and his own travels. He didn’t care where I’d been or where I wanted to go. Pierce, on the other hand, cares. And a lot, it seems.

I consider his question carefully. Anything but Paris. Paris was ruined by the whole John fiasco. I’d prefer to avoid Hawaii too because that’s where I went using John’s airline voucher. Hmm, where else? I’ve always wanted to see Machu Picchu in Peru. I’ve dreamt of full moon parties in Thailand, and exploring the fjords of Norway. How does one choose?