Total pages in book: 56
Estimated words: 53052 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 265(@200wpm)___ 212(@250wpm)___ 177(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 53052 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 265(@200wpm)___ 212(@250wpm)___ 177(@300wpm)
He squeezes my hand, then releases it and opens the door for me to precede him.”
We walk into the restaurant, and I inhale the garlic and citrus smells of the food.
Under any other circumstances, dinner would be the only thing on my mind, but my stomach rebels at the mixture of scents. “Oh, God.” I turn to the hostess. “I need the ladies’ room,” I tell her, hoping she hears the urgency in my voice.
She points toward the hallway in the back.
I glance at Jack. “Be right back.” I sprint toward the restroom, bypassing a waiter with a heavy tray as I keep going. I wrench the door open. It’s a single stall and I drop to my knees, just making it in time. I feel awful, dry heaving, bathed in a cold sweat. I flush the toilet and lay my forehead on my arms with a groan.
Footsteps come up behind me. The door closes and I feel a strong hand on my back. “Are you okay?” Jack asks in a gruff voice.
I moan. “I’m so sorry.” I lift my head and turn to meet his gaze.
“There’s nothing to apologize for. Can I help you up or do you need more time?” he asks.
“Up.”
He places his arm around my waist as I push up. He steadies me, not letting go. Then, he lowers the lid and sits me down. While I wait, he pulls paper towels from the holder and runs them under water before wringing them out.
He takes my chin in his hand and pats my face with the cold towel, then reaches around to the back of my neck, applying the compress there. I’m so appreciative of his gentle touch and caring nature. If I could pick anyone to be the father of my child, this man would be it.
“That helps,” I murmur.
“Good.” He looks at me with concern in his gaze. “Can I get you ginger ale or see if they have decaf tea?”
I shake my head. “A mint would be great, though.” Now that the urgency has passed, I’m mortified.
He rubs my shoulder. “We’ll see if they have them on the way out.”
I push myself up and take a deep breath, making sure I can stand without another wave of nausea hitting me. “I’m okay.”
He wraps an arm around me again. “Come on,” he says and leads me out of the bathroom.
To be safe, I don’t meet anyone’s gaze as I leave, hoping the length of the hallway prevented anyone from knowing what happened. Jack whispers something to the hostess that sounds like an apology for not staying, and he slowly walks me back to the hotel.
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
Jack
I bring a ragged Taylor back to her hotel room. While she showers and changes into comfortable clothes, I sit in the foyer and wait, fiddling on my phone. She returns to the outer room in a too-large Miami Thunder jersey, looking adorably sexy in the shirt that hits mid-thigh, revealing her long, tanned legs. Her damp hair hangs to her shoulders and though she’s still pale, she’s strikingly beautiful when she gives me a small smile.
I’m glad she looks better. “I should have thought twice before taking you to a restaurant with such distinct food smells, but I’m a novice at this pregnancy and baby thing.” I wince at the results. “I guess I need to get up to speed and fast.”
She laughs at that. “I’m no expert either. I should have realized it wasn’t a good idea. It’s just that I was feeling well and looking forward to dinner. It hit me the minute we stepped through the door.” Tucking her hair behind her ear, she walks to the bed and sits, curling her legs beneath her.
“Feel better?” I ask.
“Yes. I’m just sorry I ruined our dinner plans.”
I shake my head. “Don’t apologize. There’s no need. Now, are you hungry? Able to keep something down?” I’d like to get food into her, even if it’s a small meal.
She lifts one shoulder in a shrug. “Toast and jelly, maybe?”
I lift the phone receiver and hit the button for room service, asking to have toast and jelly, and decaffeinated tea brought up. For me, I order a hamburger, figuring I can eat quickly and get rid of the tray before food smells upset Taylor’s stomach again. That done, I place the phone back on the cradle.
“Thank you,” she says with a warm smile.
“My pleasure. Want to watch a movie while we wait?”
She nods.
I pick up the remote and begin looking through the channels. We agree on Taken with Liam Neeson.
“Sit,” Taylor says, patting the spot on the bed beside her.
I settle in, aware I’m on the bed with the woman I desire and can’t make a move on. The movie begins and I turn to her. “Have you seen it before?”