about. There’s plenty of room. You can have one of the guest wings all to yourself.”
Moving into his mansion was the last thing she’d expected him to suggest. “How long is a while?”
“I don’t know. Maybe five or six months. That’ll give us time to shop for a house where you and the baby can live later on, and it’ll give me the opportunity to be part of the pregnancy while you’re staying at my place.”
“But won’t that cramp your style, with me waddling around your big, glitzy bachelor pad in maternity dresses?”
“You make it sound like I live at the Playboy Mansion.” He made a tight face. “Or something equivalent to it.”
“It’s pretty darn close.”
“It is not. And even if it was, I’m going to have to clean up my act when the kid is around.”
“I know, but the baby isn’t even born yet.”
“You’re twisting this all up, Carol.”
Because she was afraid of moving in with him, of letting herself get that close. “I don’t see why I can’t stay at my apartment.”
“I already told you why. I want to be part of the pregnancy. I want to get comfortable with it. And quite frankly, it bothers me to think of you being alone in the apartment. What if something happens?”
“Everything will be fine.”
“But what if it isn’t? We both know that bad things can happen. At least if you’re staying with me, I can keep an eye on you. In fact, maybe you should just live at my house until the baby is born. That would be safer.”
He sounded wonderfully protective, like the kind of man she’d always wanted to have children with. Except for him being a wild-spirited billionaire, she reminded herself.
Could he really clean up his act? Or would he succumb to his old ways, even with her living there?
“I don’t know, Jake.” She just couldn’t fathom it. “I agree that becoming a parent is something you’ll have to get used to. But me being at your house until the baby is born? That isn’t necessary.” She tried to make him see things a little more clearly, to recognize the problems that could arise. “Having me around 24/7 might make you feel trapped.” She tore at her napkin, shredding the sides of it.
He watched her. “Looks to me like you’re the one feeling trapped.”
Yes, but she was also the one who might get attached, who might long for more than he was able to give. “I just don’t want to jump the gun.”
“Come on, give it a try. Let me keep you safe.” He motioned to her still-flat stomach. “You’ve got my blood in you now.”
His blood. His life force. “I couldn’t handle you dating anyone while I was living there.” She pushed it a step further, being as brutally honest as she could. “Or bringing women home to your bed.”
“Is that what you think I’d do? With everything that’s going on, that’s the last thing on my mind.” He crinkled his forehead. “Are you going to go back to online dating?”
“Now?” How could he even ask her such a ridiculous question? “Of course not. I’m having a baby.”
He stared her down. “So am I.”
“But you’re not the one who’s pregnant.”
“So just imagine that I am.”
She almost laughed at the image he presented. Yet she was touched by his daddy-like determination, too. Heaven help her, but she wanted him to keep her and their child safe, to be warm and attentive.
“Okay, then, we’ll try it,” she said, warning her fluttery heart to be still. “But if it gets too complicated, I need the option of moving out before the baby comes.”
“Deal.” He softened his voice. The look in his eyes gentled, too. “Only, it’s already complicated, Carol.”
“I know.” But with how romantic he was making her feel, she was concerned that it could get much, much worse.
* * *
Carol should have listened to Jake and allowed him to hire the movers to pack for her. But she’d insisted that she was perfectly capable of boxing up her own belongings.
Of course Jake had offered to help, and he’d been watching her like a hawk, squawking every time he thought she was lifting something too heavy. She’d packed everything extralight, but that wasn’t the problem. Carol was battling waves of nausea, and she didn’t want Jake to know.
She glanced across the kitchen at him. He was wrapping glassware in paper, just as she was.
He looked up at her and frowned. “Are you all right?”
“I’m fine,” she lied.
“You’re as white as a sheet.”
“I’m okay.”
“Then why do you look like you’re about to topple over?” He abandoned the glassware and came over to her. “You need to get off your feet.”
“Maybe for a few minutes.” She let him escort her to the couch, where she sat down and admitted the truth. “I’m dizzy, but I’ve got morning sickness, too.”
He looked confused. “But it’s afternoon.”
“It can happen at any hour. The queasiness just started, about ten minutes ago. For the very first time.”
“Damn. Do you want a cup of water or anything?”
“Soda sounds good.” Hopefully it would settle her stomach. “There’s lemon-lime pop in the fridge.”
He headed to the kitchen, returning with the drink she’d requested. Carol gripped the can, appreciating how cold it was. She flipped the top and took a small sip.
“Thank you,” she said after she swallowed it.
“You’re welcome, but you still look like hell.”
“Gee, thanks.”
He sat beside her. “I didn’t mean it like that.”
She sipped a bit more of the soda, afraid she might faint, falling headfirst onto his lap. “If I pass out, don’t panic.”
“Oh, crap. Really? Tell me what to do.”
She didn’t have a clue. She’d never lost consciousness before. “Nothing.”
“Nothing?” He sounded on the verge of panic already. “Maybe you should put your head between your knees. I always heard that’s what someone should do. But maybe not in your condition.” Clearly, he was clueless, too. “Do you want to lie down?”
“Yes, I think
