Rumor Has It

Has Browning's legendary playboy met his match?

Lita Palmer is looking forward to motherhood. Alone. When the father of her baby turns out to be an obsessive stalker who is dead-set against her having a baby, she takes a big risk and moves across the country to live in the only place she’s ever been able to trace a DNA relative; Browning, Pennsylvania. Hoping the small town is a good place to hide, and armed with the knowledge that she was abandoned at birth, she knows that someone in Browning must know her story. Lita rents a small house, packs up all her belongings and pays cash to fund her new life.

Jace Richardson is a self-made man. Popular with the local single women, he also has a bit of a reputation that until recently, never bothered him much. Now that he’s turning thirty and his two closest friends have settled down with wonderful women, casual hook-ups and insincere relationships have left him feeling unsatisfied. He’s ready for the noise and chaos that comes with family life.

When pregnant Lita crashes Jace’s birthday party looking for her new landlord sparks fly between them and the Browning rumor mill is speculating on the whirlwind relationship between their hometown playboy and his mysterious pregnant tenant. Has the town’s most eligible bachelor finally been snagged? The residents of Browning are only too happy to share the news that Jace is having a baby. Suddenly, Jace’s past conquests are everyone’s business and Lita faces a lot of scrutiny.

As Jace gets to know Lita, he sees her strength, kindness and independence. The deeper he knows her, the more he’s convinced that she and the baby are the ones for him. Since good luck has never been on her side, Lita struggles to believe Jace’s attention isn’t some kind of misplaced need to be noble so she must overcome her insecurities if she wants to claim the life he’s offering her.

When Lita’s crazy ex finally catches up with her, Browning’s rumor mill saves the day!

Chapter 1

Lita Palmer was finally free to make her own life. And she was alone.

“We’ll be safer this way,” she reminded herself.

Oh, there were probably still plenty of people who wanted to associate with her, one in particular who would do anything to have her back, but not a single person she could call family. That was a luxury she didn't have.

Read an excerpt

She opened the bathroom door, glanced around, and made a dash for the gas station’s exit. She’d parked her little blue car as close to the door as she dared, but unlocking it still took longer than she wanted. She hopped in and slammed the door quickly to get inside before she froze to death. She knew her plan was solid, but she acknowledged the timing could have been better. Who moved halfway across the country in the wintertime?

Apparently she did.

She checked the driving app on her phone and sighed. Two more hours on this awful, snow-covered highway. She’d already missed the appointment she'd set with her new landlord, and at this rate she was going to arrive in the middle of the night. Wouldn’t he just love her then! She put the car in gear and headed back onto the highway, fingers crossed that the last leg of the trip would be uneventful.

She should have known better.

The door opened in a flurry of snow. Jace Richardson looked up. Everyone he expected was here and it was a large crowd when he counted his family and friends. The new arrival was bundled up from head to toe, her little fur-trimmed hood covering two-thirds of a pale face. She stood against the closed door, so close in fact, that it must have hit her rear end when it closed. Even bundled up she was a tiny thing. He didn’t recognize her. Perhaps she was a friend of his sisters’.

He scanned the room for a sign that someone had recognized her, but no one appeared particularly interested in the newcomer. As the guest of honor, he decided to welcome her to the party.

Icy blue eyes watched him approach. Up close she seemed even shorter. Her head barely reached above his elbow. With her eyes locked on his in apparent curiosity, she reached up and flipped her hood down revealing waves of soft, white-blond hair. God Almighty, she was beautiful. His sisters had good taste in friends.

He stopped in front of her and grinned. “Hey there! Welcome to my party.”

She smiled back, but there was a wariness in that smile that was out of place in the boisterous setting. Something told him she didn’t really feel welcome at all. She looked around before returning her crystal-clear gaze to his. “This is a party? I’m sorry to interrupt. I–I was supposed to meet with someone, and someone suggested I should ask around for him here.” She looked around again. “It looks like everyone in town must be here.”

He relaxed his stance and shrugged. “This is mostly just my family and a few close friends.”

Her eyes widened. “I see.”

“It’s my birthday.” Jace beamed at her again, and then belatedly remembered his manners. “Let me take your coat. Go on up to the bar. Drinks are on my sisters tonight.”

He reached forward to help her with her coat. She turned around to let him slide it from her shoulders.

“Thank you. I won’t stay. If you could just–”

“I insist. You look like you’re freezing. Have a seat, order something hot and spicy,” he winked, “and get warmed up.”

He followed her to the bar, taking a quick detour to add her coat to a pile on a table by the door. By the time he rejoined her, she was seated at the bar, looking over a plastic menu Teddy, the bartender, had handed over. Teddy nodded at Jace and set a glass of water in front of their newest guest.

“Hey Teddy. You can put her order on my sisters’ tab.”

“Figured this gal was one of yours,” Teddy responded with a nod at the woman.

She had just taken a sip of her water and promptly choked. “I’m sorry?”

Jace gave her a placating smile. “I think he means one of my guests. My sisters invited a lot of people.”

She took another sip and glanced around. Jace’s eyes never left her face. She really was beautiful.

“How many sisters do you have?”

He glanced at her hands. No rings. “I have three. Dawn, Amy, and Jessica. Which one do you know?”

“I’m not here for your party. I just need to speak with someone that I heard might be here and then hopefully I’ll head right back out. It’s a little late but it’s important to me.”

“Ah.” He opened his mouth to offer help locating whoever she was there to see but was interrupted by two women sidling up and claiming a spot along his left side.

“Hey guys.” He kept his greeting friendly, but honestly, who’d invited Amber Perkins to his birthday? She’d brought along her best friend Stacey. Stacey wasn’t so bad by herself, but the Amber/Stacey combination was crazy and a little dangerous. He thought he’d made his point clear enough a month ago when he told Amber in no uncertain terms that they were not a couple.

Amber traced a manicured nail along his ear. “Happy birthday, lover,” she whispered in his ear.

He hadn’t gotten the point across after all. He wanted the floor to open and swallow him whole. He eased away from Amber which put him closer to the new woman. Honestly, that worked for him.

Blondie’s eyes swiveled from him to Amber and back again, looking fascinated by the situation.

“Thanks for coming to my party,” he told Amber and Stacey. He tried to put his back to them as best he could in the limited space. “If you’ll excuse me, this woman here needs my attention.”

Amber smirked at him. “Jace Richardson, are you seriously brushing me off?”

He let out a frustrated sigh. “I’m sorry if that wasn’t clear.” He slid off his stool and took the newcomer’s elbow, meaning to take her somewhere quieter, somewhere away from Amber. Ignoring Amber’s sputtering he looked down and asked, “Who is it you’re here to see, sweetheart?”

The stranger’s expression brightened instantly as if he was the answer to all her prayers. “I’m here to speak to you, and as you can see it’s rather urgent.” She told him with a gesture toward her belly a split second before Jace realized she was pregnant. He heard Amber’s gasp of, “Oh my god!” She covered her mouth and giggled to Stacey. “It’s finally happened”.

Ignoring the stares of everyone within their immediate vicinity, he brushed past the whispering women and towed his unknown guest along to the backroom. He closed the door and leaned back against it. His gaze swept her small frame. There was no denying she was pregnant. How the heck had he missed that? His muscles tightened painfully. He searched his memory for her. Surely he’d remember sex with a woman who looked like she did. But he didn’t.

She watched him with her wide, concerned eyes. “Are you okay?”

“I’m sorry, I don’t mean to be rude, but are you sure it’s me you’re looking for?”

She pulled out her phone and scrolled through something on her screen. “Jace Richardson, right? 1911 Pineview. Browning, PA?

“Right.” He frowned. He seriously didn’t remember her at all.

She beamed and stepped forward to shake his hand. “I’m Lita Palmer. Your new tenant.”

Relief, and strangely, disappointment, nearly took out his knees. He belatedly reached out to take her hand. If she felt it shaking, she was kind enough not to mention it. “Nice to meet you. Wow. I thought you were here to tell me–” He stopped and rubbed a hand over his jaw. “Anyway.”

This close, he could tell that her blue eyes were laughing at him.

She patted her belly. “You’re not. I’m pretty sure I’d remember you. You can breathe now. ”

Her impish smile made her even more attractive. Since the moment she’d first removed her hood he had been entranced by her expressive face.

Huh. Attracted to a pregnant woman? That was a first for him.

Since he knew she could see his embarrassment he didn’t bother denying his reaction. “Yeah,” he admitted quietly. “I definitely would have remembered you, too.”

There was a quick knock on the door and Myla entered cautiously. “I’m sorry to interrupt.”

Jace wanted to laugh. No doubt Amber had caused enough of a scene out there that his friend, the sheriff, had sent his psychologist wife in to assess the situation.

“No problem, Myla.” He gestured toward Lita. “This is Lita Palmer. She’s going to be renting the little house on Rosewood Court. She just made it into town.”

Myla’s cautious smile brightened into something more genuine. She moved closer to introduce herself. “I’m Myla Armstrong. My husband, Tucker, is the sheriff and one of Jace’s best friends.” She beamed. “You’re in good hands with Jace. Welcome to Browning.”

Lita’s gaze left Jace to address Myla. “Thank you. I’m starting to understand his hands are quite popular. My short time here has been illuminating.”

Jace couldn’t help himself. He laughed aloud at the same time Myla responded with, “I can imagine.”

He dropped his chin and shook his head as Myla pointed out. “A rumor like this was bound to happen eventually, Jace.” Myla gave him a sympathetic look and turned back to Lita. “I’m sorry it was at your expense. He really is one of the best guys in the world. There’s no one handier to have around. He just has a bit of a reputation with the female population in Browning.” She gave Lita a small wave. “Hopefully I’ll see you around.”

Jace moved with Myla toward the door. “You and Tuck are taking off already?”

Myla nodded. “He figures he’ll be up all night responding to emergencies.”

“He’s probably right. Tell him I’m planning to be on call with the tow truck.”

“I will. Happy birthday, Jace.” She gave him a quick hug, spared a smile for Lita and snuck back into the party. Jace could hear a song’s bass beating against the wall, but here in the backroom with Lita was peaceful.

He slid his hands into the pockets of his jeans and turned back to her. Lita. Such an old-fashioned name. He’d never have guessed he was renting to someone so young. “How old are you?” The minute the question was out of his mouth he realized it was rude to ask.

She didn’t seem offended when she answered. “Twenty-six. You?”

“Thirty.”

She raised her eyebrows. “Practically middle-aged.”

“Funny.” Damn, but she was cute.

“So about my rental. I’m really sorry for missing our appointment this morning. The roads were awful. For awhile there I wasn’t even sure I’d still make it tonight.”

He shrugged one shoulder. “It’s no problem. You made it safely. We can meet tomorrow to sign the paperwork.”

“By any chance do you have the key with you?” Her expression was apologetic. “Since I’d planned to be here so much earlier I didn’t make other arrangements for tonight.”

“Ah. No, I don’t.” He stopped to think. “I don’t suppose you feel like hanging around for a bit until more people leave? I could run home and grab your key. Or you can follow me there in your car. The rental is the same direction as my house anyway.”

She looked wary. “How far is the house from here?”

“From the bar? About eight miles I’d guess, but it’s just around the corner from my house.”

Her shoulders dropped for a second before she hitched them back and looked him in the eye. “I’m going to need the number for a taxi then, if you don’t mind.”

The door opened again and this time it was his friend Lawson, followed by Law’s fiancée, Heather. They didn’t bother to close the door behind them.

“No more hiding back here, birthday boy. Time to come out and rejoin the party.” Heather motioned to Jace, including Lita.

Jace sighed and looked at Lita. “This is Heather James, our local vet, and her fiancé, Lawson Potter, wildlife police.”

Lawson snorted at the description. “Conservation Officer.” When Lita looked confused he added. “Pennsylvania DNR.”

She made a face. “I’m glad you clarified that. I’ve come to the conclusion that this one,” she hooked a thumb at Jace, “is a bit of an out-of-control animal and I was starting to worry you were here for him. But, it’s nice to meet you.”

Jace looked at Lita’s laughing face. “Is this a roast or a birthday party?” He pointed at Lita. “Lita Palmer. My new tenant at the house on Rosewood.”

Heather and Law exchanged a look. He could read their curiosity as plain as day. Damn his meddling friends.

Lita inclined her head toward Jace, shooting him a knowing look. “I think next time you should lead with ‘Lita Palmer, not the mother of my child.’ That seems to be the more important information at this juncture.”

Law held up a hand. “For the record, we were never in any doubt. You’re clearly way out of his league. We just wanted to remind him there’s a party going on out here.”

Jace motioned everyone out ahead of him, nodded to Heather and Law and ushered Lita back to her seat at the bar.

“Order whatever you want. I need to circulate before I can grab the key to your new place.”

Lita waved him away. “I’m fine here. Go. Do your macho mingle thing.” She turned back to Teddy and ordered a bowl of soup. She’d dismissed him that easily.

Jace stood beside her stool and looked around the room, but the idea of working the room no longer appealed to him. He’d rather be in the quiet backroom, bantering with his cheeky blue-eyed tenant. He checked the time on the digital clock above the bar. He could give it an hour before sending everyone home to get out of the snowstorm.

All around him, his family and friends were boisterous and loud. He was a lucky guy. His gaze fell on Amber and Stacey near the corner of the dance floor where Heather and Law were already dancing like they were giving a performance, but Jace knew they were just that good together. Amber was shooting Lita some heavy-duty judgmental looks. He spotted his sister Dawn near a food table and headed toward her. With a voice that could project across a room and a personality that carried authority, she could shut down a party fast.

“Hey there, birthday boy.” She greeted him the same way nearly everyone else had tonight.

He waited a beat for her to ask about Lita, but she didn’t. He liked her better already. “Hey yourself. Tuck just left to get ready for all the weather calls tonight and I’m sure I’ll be called out soon too. I think we should shut the party down and send everyone home early to be safe. Can you make an announcement in about forty-five minutes?”

“You got it, Jace.”

On impulse, he leaned in and gave her a hug. “Thanks Dawn. You really are the best.”

“Your favorite sister, I know.” She winked.

Jace spent the next forty-five minutes greeting his guests. He was relieved that rumors about Lita hadn’t fully made their way around the room. Still, he should have known his eagle-eyed mother was attuned to the situation. She pulled him in for a hug as she and his dad were leaving.

“That pretty little thing is your tenant?”

“Yep. We were supposed to meet this morning but it sounds like she got caught up in the snow.”

“Is she alone?” His mother transferred her worried gaze to Lita at the bar.

He shrugged. “As far as I can tell. We haven’t had an uninterrupted conversation yet so I haven’t gotten any details from her.”

“Hmm. I suppose that’s true. This is a bad place for a meet and greet.” She pointed a finger at his chest. “You make sure she’s safe tonight, Jace. Follow her back to her place and make sure she’s settled. Being pregnant in a storm can be scary and if she’s alone…” She shook her head with a frown. “Maybe we should bring her home with us tonight.”

“She’s not a puppy! I’ve got it covered. She’ll be fine. You can mother her later.”

“I’m sure she has a mother.” Then she frowned. “Do you think she needs a mother?”

“It’s just an expression, Mom. I really don’t know anything about her.”

Ed Richardson put an arm around his wife’s shoulders. “Come on, Mary. Jace has got everything under control. Let’s go home and let our children be adults.”

Mary swatted at him, but she followed along when he steered her toward the door.

Before long the only people left were the bartender, Jace, Lita…and Amber.

Amber stepped up to them as Jace was handing Lita her coat. “Your place or mine?” she asked in her imitation of a sexy voice.

“Neither, Amber. Go on home. Get off these roads.”

She pouted. “I’m free tomorrow. We could stay up all night.”

“I’m busy.” It took all his control not to push her out into the parking lot. He turned his back on her and helped Lita with her coat. When he peered back over his shoulder the door was closing behind Amber.

“That was rude,” Lita chided quietly.

Jace shook his head. “No, it was direct. She’s evil, which unfortunately I didn’t find out until after we’d–anyway. I can’t be any nicer or she’ll take it as an invitation.”

Lita’s eyes were wide again. “An honest-to-goodness small town playboy.” She looked down to focus on zipping her coat over her belly. It barely fit. “Cool. I’ve never met one in real life before.”

Jace closed his eyes and made a sound like a growl. Jeez. “Not a playboy. Just a single man who likes to date.”

He put a hand to her back and propelled her to the door before Teddy heard any more of her assault on his character. He turned to give Teddy a wave. Judging by his grin, he’d heard plenty already. Jace pulled out his keys and remotely started his truck. Then he looked around the lot. It was empty apart from his truck and Teddy’s car.

“Where’s your car?”

She huddled down into her coat and looked up at him. “In a ditch just this side of the highway exit.”

His heart skipped a beat. She had asked for the number of a taxi. “How did you get here?”

“Some nice older man saw me walking on the side of the road and offered me a ride.”

All the blood rushed to his head. “You hitch-hiked? To a bar?” He wanted to shake her.

She shivered and answered patiently. “I had no cell signal so I walked toward town for help and a nice gentleman stopped and asked if I needed a ride. I knew this was a small town so I asked him if he knew where I could find either a tow truck or you and he sort of laughed and brought me here. I should have realized then how popular you are.”

He started to make a sarcastic response and saw her shiver again. “Come on, I’ll help you get into my truck.”

She gave him a grateful nod. He kicked the snow off the running board so she wouldn’t slip and gripped her elbow to boost her up into the truck. He slammed the door quickly and hurried around to the driver’s side.

He pulled out onto the road and drove toward his house. Even in his heavy-duty truck the roads were bad.

“Where are we going?”

He glanced her way briefly. “My place. Do you trust me enough to come back for a few minutes while we sort this out?”

“With everything except my virginity,” she told him in a dry tone.

He huffed a laugh and nodded toward her lap. “Hate to break it to you, honey, but that ship has sailed.”

She groaned. “Don’t remind me. The evidence kicks me from the inside-out all day long.”

“Really? All the time? Is that normal?”

She rubbed a hand over her stomach. “I guess so. It’s all new to me.”

He couldn’t imagine what it would feel like to have something inside him moving around. “It’s kinda cool, isn’t it?”

She gave him a funny look. “You’re the first man to think so. Most just think it’s gross.”

“That’s nuts. You have a person in there. You’re growing a person. That’s just cool.”

“You’re weird, Jace Richardson.”

He laughed. “I guess so. I’ve never dated a pregnant woman.”

“You’re not dating one now!” She laughed. “Jeez. This night has seriously gone sideways. I just need a place to stay tonight until I can get my car figured out.”

“Well, lucky for you, I’ve got all that covered.”

He pulled into his driveway and waited for the garage door to go up before pulling in. “Sit still for a second. The floor is slippery when it’s wet and I don’t want you to fall when you get out.” He hopped out of the truck and hurried around to the passenger side to help her out. She turned her knees to the door and started to slide down and Jace quickly changed his mind. Instead of letting her slide to the floor, he put an arm under her knees and another around her shoulders and lifted her out. He hip-bumped the door closed and carried her to the wooden step leading from the garage into the house and stood her on her feet.

“Um, thanks. I’m still pretty capable of walking though.”

He reached around her and opened the door to the kitchen. “The floor is slippery,” he said again. “I don’t want to risk it.”

Holy cow, Jace had a nice house! Lita took a step through the door, revealing an enormous kitchen with marble countertops and a natural stone backsplash. Everything was clean and earthy giving the room a warm feeling. She took a few steps further into the room to make room for Jace in the doorway and was startled when a fluffy white kitten with gray ears and feet came skidding around the corner.

“Hey Lucy.” Jace leaned down to scoop up the cat. “I bet you’re hungry, huh?” He set the kitten on his shoulder and turned toward a bin in the corner. “You’re not allergic, are you?” He asked her.

Her hot playboy landlord had a kitten named Lucy. Will wonders never cease? She cleared her throat. “No. No allergies.”

“Good deal. Unfortunately, she’s not the least bit shy so she’ll probably want to be all over you once she eats.”

“That’s fine. I like cats.” She thought so, anyway. She’d never had one.

“You can leave your boots right there by the door and then go on into the living room. I’ll get a fire started in a minute.”

She turned to tug off her boots, which was no easy feat these days. “You don’t have to go to all that trouble, Jace. If you want to just get me the key, you can drop me off at the other house and then you’ll be free. I can pop over once my car is out of the ditch and sign whatever you need signed and give you the deposit.”

Jace turned around, Lucy still on his shoulder. “At this point, wouldn’t it make more sense to worry about all that tomorrow? The roads are shit and I’m sure I’ll be called out at any time to rescue other stranded drivers.”

“What are you saying?”

He set Lucy in front of a small food bowl and turned to lean against his kitchen island. “I think you should stay here tonight.” He held up a hand when she took a breath to decline his offer. “No, listen, my mom was right. She told me not to let you go stay somewhere alone during the storm. You don’t have a car, and you couldn’t get anywhere if you did. You might as well stay here. Just until the roads are passable again. It’s comfortable enough and you wouldn’t be alone.”

She glanced around the parts of the house she could see. Comfortable was an understatement. His house was nicer than any hotel she’d ever stayed in.

She knew he was waiting for an answer. He was a complete stranger but somehow she felt more comfortable with him than she ever had with David. Maybe it would turn out to be another mistake, but her instincts said she could trust Jace. Plus, hadn’t his friends introduced themselves as the sheriff and a DNR officer? How bad could he be, with friends like that? She said a quick prayer that she wasn’t making another poor decision.

“Okay. Thank you for the offer.”

His smile stretched into a grin. “Great! Let me go start a fire and then I’ll give you a quick tour.”

“I probably just need to know where the bathroom and my bed are going to be.”

“Same thing. You can choose your room.”

She cocked her head. “How many bedrooms do you have?”

“Four, not counting the master suite.”

She took a moment to assimilate that. “You have four extra bedrooms?”

He shrugged and looked a little embarrassed. “I wanted a big family someday.”

“Wanted? As in past tense?”

He raised his eyebrows as if that was obvious. “I’m thirty now and no real prospects in sight. So, yeah, maybe past tense.”

She took in his dirty blond hair, tight washboard stomach and impressive shoulders and nearly shook her head. How could a man so clearly popular feel like he had no prospects? “High standards?” She asked and then bit her lip. She hadn’t meant to ask that out loud.

“Apparently.”

Lucy twined around his ankles and meowed for attention, so Jace put her back on his shoulder and motioned for Lita to follow him into the living room. Against one wall was a beautiful stone fireplace that stretched the height of two floors. She gasped at the view and Jace gave her a proud smile.

“Like that?”

“It’s beautiful.”

“Thanks. It’s my favorite part of the house. It took me a month to get the stones arranged just right.”

“You did this?” She was in awe.

He rubbed the back of his neck. “I built the house, so yeah.” He set Lucy on the edge of the couch and went to one knee to light the fire. In no time at all, flames were licking up the sides of the heavier logs, looking for a place to take root.

Lita looked up toward the ceiling and turned a full circle. “This is incredible, Jace. Are you a builder? Is this what you do?”

He looked at her and then away at the fire. “I don’t really have a formal job.”

She noted the quality of the furnishings and the size of the house. Plus, he drove an expensive truck. She gave him a doubtful look. “Independently wealthy? Won the lottery?” She pressed her fingers to her lips. “Sorry, none of my business.”

He gave her a half-smile. “It’s more like I have a lot of jobs.” He looked around as if seeing his house from her eyes. “I don’t like to sit around so it serves me well.”

“I can see that.” She was seriously impressed. “How about that tour now?”

“Right.” He swept a hand for her to follow and led her through the house, showing her not just the rooms, but also giving her details about some of the special features he’d added to the house along the way.

“You’re an artist, Jace. I can’t imagine anyone not wanting to live here with you.”

He leaned against the wall outside the master suite. “I don’t bring many people here, to be honest. It gives the wrong impression. I like nice things, but that doesn’t mean I don’t work for them, or take care of what I have.”

Her heart swelled just a little. It was such an old-fashioned idea, but one that she also believed in. Of course, she’d never created anything as extraordinary as Jace’s house, but she’d also worked for everything she’d ever owned, and she knew the value of hard work and taking care of her things. “I like that,” she whispered. “I like that a lot.”

He smiled down at her and suddenly she wondered what he would do if she leaned up and kissed him. The image was so strong, and so out of character for her that she nearly laughed. Because he was watching her so intently, he must have seen the change in her expression.

“Why are your eyes laughing at me?”

She did laugh then. “My eyes are laughing?”

He moved forward a step, which brought him in contact with her belly. He smiled at it and then at her. “You have the most expressive eyes. It’s like your soul shines right through them. Yes, your eyes are clearly laughing at something.”

Her heart was beating too hard, and the baby was rearranging itself. She put a hand on her belly to cover any protruding body parts from Jace’s view. Why not, she thought. It had been a crazy night. “You were just leaning there against the wall, looking all casual and sexy and I wondered what you’d do if I kissed you.” There. She’d said it. Probably when she thought about it later, she’d blame it on her hormones.

The look on his face was priceless. He was stunned. And interested.

His voice was hoarse when he finally responded. “You, ah,” he put a palm against the wall behind her and leaned in. “Should we find out?”

She couldn’t have leaned away if she wanted to, but if she was honest, she really didn’t want to. He smelled amazing, and up close she could see his gray eyes sparkling down at her. “It’s probably not a good idea,” she whispered.

His expression hardened. “You’re not single.”

She rushed to reassure him. “I am.”

He relaxed back into his previous playful mood. “Then, why not?” He nuzzled the side of her neck behind her earlobe.

“Um, I’m pregnant.”

He chuckled against her neck. “That seems to be the topic of the night.”

She breathed against him and shifted to ease the knot in her back. “I’m sorry for crashing your party. You’ll have some colorful rumors tomorrow.”

He shook his head, teasing her hair out of the way. “I’m not worried about it.” He kissed a spot below her ear, and then trailed tiny kisses along her jaw to the corner of her lips. She put her hands on his shoulders to steady herself. Their height difference and her advanced stage of pregnancy made the position awkward.

Seeming to understand, Jace dropped his elbows against the wall, fully enclosing her in the cradle of his arms. He pressed his lips to hers slowly, so slowly that she could have ducked and moved away if she’d wanted. But she didn’t. She’d started this little test and she was definitely game to finish it.

His lips parted hers and his tongue teased her into responding in kind. She tilted her head for a better angle and let him take the lead. One of his arms slid down to wrap around her lower back, half-lifting her, bringing her in closer to his hard body. She moaned. Her affection-starved and hormone-crazed body wanted control. Jace shifted a thigh between her legs and rubbed right where she most needed the friction. She moved her hands lower to tug at the hem of his T-shirt when the baby made a huge lurch and kicked her so hard that Jace felt it too.

He leaned away, staring at her stomach. “Was that the baby?”

She fell back against the wall and tried to steady her galloping heart. “Sorry.” She sucked in a breath. “That was embarrassing.”

He looked into her eyes and grinned. “That was cool.” He reached a hand out and froze. “Do you mind?”

She shrugged and gestured down. “Feel free.” After all, he’d just had his tongue in her mouth. Surely that was more personal than his hands on her stomach.

He stepped up to her again but this time he put one hand on each side of her belly and studied it curiously.

She took one of his hands and placed it where she knew he’d have the best chance of feeling the baby move and then waited. Sure enough, before long the baby shifted again and Jace could not only feel the movement, but he could see it as well. He jumped away and then moved close again and grinned.

She shook her head at him. “You’re so weird. Most men would be grossed out by this.”

But he just stared at her belly in fascination.

“This is a whole new way of using the phrase ‘Hey, my eyes are up here’,” she muttered. Jace chuckled and looked into her face. “Sorry. I got carried away.” He scrubbed a hand over his face and stepped away. “You can use this room. It’s across the hall from me so if you need anything I’ll be able to hear you.”

“I’m sure I’ll be fine.”

He nodded and turned away, and then turned back again. “Your stuff is in your car?”

“Yes. I just have my wallet.”

“I’ll find you something to sleep in. You’ll be more comfortable.”

“Thank you, Jace.”

He gave her a distracted nod and practically jogged into his bedroom. She watched him go and then turned to look at the room he’d given her for the night. It was nice. The paint was a soft heathery purple color and the room was decorated in darker purple and green flowers. Hardly the sort of thing she’d expect a bachelor to choose, and yet, it flowed perfectly with the rest of the house.

She still knew next to nothing about him. She wondered if he’d ever been married, or if he’d built and decorated this house with someone in mind. Strangely, the thought of that made her feel a little sick. She pictured Amber, so possessive, and immediately dismissed her. She didn’t seem his type. What was his type?

“I found a long T-shirt.”

She jumped and whirled around.

“Sorry.” He chuckled. “Carpeting.” He stood in the doorway and waited as if he was seeking permission to enter. She appreciated that considering she’d practically jumped him in the hall two minutes ago. She met him at the door and took the shirt. “I have some shorts that tie at the waist if you want them. I’m not sure how you’d keep them up, but…” He made a motion like a bump.

She smiled. “I’ll manage.” Why was she suddenly feeling shy?

He nodded. “Can I ask you a question?”

She swallowed. “Sure.”

“You really are single, right?” He put his hands in his pockets and looked at her. “I mean, you’re not here because you’re separated or taking a break, or whatever, right?”

She let out a slow breath. “Well, I guess technically I’m double, but there is no man in my life.” She thought of all she’d had to do to make it so and shivered.

He accepted that with a quick nod but said, “I’m sorry.” His phone rang and he glanced at the screen. “This is going to be the first of several calls tonight so make yourself at home. I’ll probably be in and out all night, but I’ll try not to disturb you.” He touched a hand to her cheek. “For what it’s worth coming from a complete stranger, you’re safe here, Lita.”

She hoped he didn’t see her surprise before he turned away to answer the call. How could he have possibly known that feeling safe was the very thing she needed most right now? She heard him jog down the steps to the kitchen and a minute later the door slammed closed behind him. She was alone in his big, unfamiliar house. Lucy meowed at her feet. Almost alone, she amended.