Seducing Simon(57)

She sighed, allowing herself to get lost in his kiss. It was easy to forget everything in his arms. Revel in the fact he was home and okay.

But now she was faced with reality. She had to tell him the truth, and she had to do it now. As soon as she got the opportunity and not a minute later.

He pulled her onto his lap and held her against his chest. She smiled and cuddled further into his embrace. “I guess I get to finish this monstrosity by myself,” A.J. grumbled.

“You’re a doll, A.J.,” she said, grinning at him.

“Yeah, yeah. A regular Cabbage Patch.”

“I need to check on Matt,” she said, reluctantly pulling away from Simon. “He’s been asleep for awhile, and I want to make sure he doesn’t need more pain medication.”

“He’s fine,” Simon said, pulling her back into his arms. “I like you just where you’re at.”

“What do you say we have dinner at my place tomorrow night?” she asked lightly. Her stomach turned viciously. She’d use the opportunity to tell him her awful secret. She wiped her hands on her jeans, wanting to rid herself of the clammy feeling.

“I think that’s the best idea you’ve had all day,” he said softly. “I think there’s a few things we need to talk about.” Her heart sped up. What did he mean? He couldn’t possibly know.

Stop. Of course he couldn’t know. But he would tomorrow night because she wasn’t going to put it off another day. She only prayed when he found out the truth he wouldn’t hate her.

Simon got up early the next morning, a sense of purpose marking his movements. He still ached a bit from the accident, but he’d been damn lucky he hadn’t been laid up for a long time. Or worse, been unable to return to work. Even Matt would be returning to the job in a few days.

“Where’s the fire?” A.J. asked, as Simon hurriedly ate a bowl of cereal. He sauntered in and sat next to Simon at the bar.

“Bad joke,” Simon said sourly.

A.J. laughed. “I guess so. So what’s up? Aren’t you supposed to be resting?”

Simon took a deep breath. “I need to go shopping for a ring. I plan to ask Toni to marry me tonight.”

A.J.’s face split into a wide grin. “Hot damn. It’s about time.” He grinned crookedly. “Now let’s hope she says yes.” A.J. looked at him like he’d started singing opera or something. “No way she’ll say no. That girl has it bad for you.” Simon smiled. “Yeah well, I have it just as bad for her. I love her,” he added.

“That’s great, man. Congratulations. Looks like both you and Matt will be taking the leap.”

Simon searched A.J.’s face for any sign of animosity. “So how do you feel about that?”

A.J. looked surprised for a moment. “I’m thrilled. Especially for you and Toni. She’s a great girl. I was ready to kick your ass if you didn’t get a clue real soon.”

“Yeah, well, I can’t believe it took me this long to realize it,” he said ruefully.

“What are you going to do about…uh, you know, the baby?” A.J.

asked.

“Tell me something, A.J. And level with me. Has she ever told you who the father is?”

“No, she hasn’t. I’ve asked her enough times, but the subject has been off limits.”

Simon drew in his breath. He hoped it wasn’t a case of Toni being in love with the ass**le who got her pregnant. For all he knew she could have told the jerk she was pregnant, and he could have blown her off. “I can’t tell you how many times I’ve wished it was my baby she was carrying,” he said quietly. “It would certainly make things easier. And if I’m honest, I’m jealous as hell at the idea of another guy being with her.”

“I can understand that,” A.J. replied empathetically. “Does it bother you a lot that she’s pregnant with someone else’s baby? I mean will it affect how you feel about the baby?”

“It doesn’t matter to me, but we’re going to have to talk about it,” he said. “I need to know this guy isn’t going to be turning up in a few months.”

“Well good luck, dude. And congratulations. I don’t imagine she’ll turn you down.” He winked at Simon and got up. “I’m gonna go check in on Matt. Let me know how it goes.”

“Thanks, A.J.”

Simon collected his keys and headed for his truck. He had a lot to do before going over to Toni’s tonight.

At six, Simon pulled into Toni’s driveway and parked his truck. He felt for the ring in his pocket before getting out and heading to her front door.

When she opened it, he pulled her into his arms, loving the way she felt, the way she fit so perfectly under his chin. He tilted her head up and kissed her delectable full lips. She tasted sensational. He could spend the rest of the evening sampling her mouth.

She shivered against him, and he quickly shut the door behind him.

“Sorry,” he apologized. “Didn’t mean to keep you standing in the doorway.”

She smiled up at him, nearly taking his breath away. He longed to taste her dimples. Christ. He was obsessed with tasting all over her tonight.

“It’s cold tonight.”

He nodded and shrugged out of his coat, hanging it by the door.