that wouldn’t be very long at all.
The meeting finished and Kirk hung back, talking to Nick, as Sally gathered her things together and stopped to give instructions to a handful of people. He liked watching her in action. Hell, he liked watching her, period. As if she sensed his perusal, she looked up and caught his eye. And, yes, there was that telltale flush of color on her cheeks. He was finding it more and more endearing each time he saw it.
Finally she was ready to leave, and he fell into step with her as she headed to the elevators.
“Feeling okay?”
She rolled her eyes. “I’m fine, seriously. There’s nothing wrong with me.”
“You’re carrying my baby,” he murmured close to her ear. “I think I’m entitled to be concerned.”
She stiffened at his words. “So, what? You want to monitor me twenty-four-seven? Is that what it is?”
The idea had merit.
Sally huffed an impatient sigh. “Look, it’s still early, and I can assure you I will do whatever is in my power to stay healthy and to ensure that everything goes as it should.”
Somehow that didn’t satisfy him. For reasons even he didn’t understand, it just didn’t go far enough.
“I’m sure you will,” he agreed. “But you have to admit, sharing that responsibility has its advantages, too.”
“What do you mean?” she asked as they stepped into the empty elevator.
“I don’t know if you’ve been sick yet, but what if nausea does occur?”
“Then I’ll deal with it,” she said grimly and crossed her arms over her body. “I’m a big girl, Kirk. I’ve been looking after myself for a good many years now. I think I can cope with a pregnancy.”
“I’ve no doubt. But I’d really like to be a part of things. I know this news has come as a shock to both of us, but I’d like to think that together we can get through it. Look, can I see you home so we can talk about this in a more private setting?”
Sally rolled her eyes at him. “You’re not going to leave me alone until I agree, are you?”
He didn’t want to leave her alone at all. The thought came as a shock, but it felt right at the same time.
“I like to get my way,” he conceded. “But I’d feel happier if you conceded that this is something we should iron out sooner rather than later.”
“Oh, of course, your being happy is so very important,” she said with a touch of bitterness. “Okay, then. You can take me home. Benton will be waiting downstairs for me. I’ll have to let him know.”
It was a small victory, but Kirk was happy to take it. Benton was waiting in the elevator lobby of the parking garage, and Kirk stepped forward to introduce himself. The man looked him over as if he was a potential threat before relaxing an increment when Sally stepped forward with an apologetic smile.
“I’m sorry I couldn’t give you notice of this, Benton. Mr. Tanner and I need to extend our discussions, so he’ll be taking me home this evening.”
“Whatever you want, Ms. Harrison. I’ll see you in the morning, then?”
“Yes, thank you.”
Kirk walked Sally over to his SUV and helped her in.
When they arrived at her apartment building a few minutes later, he pulled into the parking space she indicated. They rode the elevator to the top floor, and he followed her into an elegant and well-proportioned apartment. While it was mostly decorated in neutral tones, an occasional pop of color drew his eye—a cushion here, a throw rug there. But overall there was very little to tell him about the woman who intrigued him far more than he wanted to admit.
He moved to the large windows that looked out in the direction of Lake Washington. It was growing dark, and across the lake he could make out the twinkle of lights around its rim. A sound from behind him made him turn. Sally had pulled the band from her hair and was tousling her fingers through the mass of spun gold. He liked this more relaxed version of her more than the buttoned-down woman who headed her social engineering department. On second thought, he liked the naked, warm and willing version from just over a month ago the best, but she’d made it quite clear they weren’t going to go there again.
But it was oh so satisfying, he reminded himself. And yet look at the trouble it has put us in, he countered. Kirk slammed the door closed on his thoughts and looked at Sally more closely. Beneath her makeup he could still see the telltale signs of the stress she’d been under today. She had to be exhausted.
“Look, I won’t take up a lot of your time. I know you need to get something to eat and then probably have an early night.”
She barked a cynical laugh. “Are you my mother now?”
He gave her a half smile of apology. “I’m sorry, I guess I’m overcompensating.”
“You think?” She moved toward the kitchen. “Did you want something to drink? I have beer, water, wine.”
“A beer, thanks.”
He watched as she poured the beer into a tall glass then opened a small bottle of sparkling water for herself. Of course she wouldn’t be drinking alcohol. The realization hit him hard. She was going to have to make so many changes. So many adjustments. It was hardly fair, was it?
“Take a seat,” she said, bringing their drinks through to the small sitting room.
Kirk sat at one end of the sofa, and Sally took the other end. Awkward silence stretched between them.
“You wanted to talk, didn’t you? What about, exactly?” Sally asked.
“The baby, for a start. How do you feel about it?”
“Shocked, surprised. Scared.”
“Yeah, me too. I hadn’t planned on this at this stage of my life.”
Sally sat a little more upright. “And just when had you planned it for?”
He couldn’t tell if she was sniping at him or genuinely curious. He decided that honesty was probably the best policy right now.
“To be honest, I had hoped to start looking for a wife about five years from now and hopefully start a family a few years after that.”
“Just like that?”
“Look, I know it sounds clinical, but I grew up with a lot of instability. Being able to make a plan and stick to it kept me anchored when things were tough at home, even when my dad was still alive.” He didn’t want to admit his father’s weakness to her. He’d spent his entire adult life working hard to erase those memories, to overcome the hardships he and his mother had endured—and he’d succeeded. He wasn’t about to be made to feel ashamed of that. Not by anyone.
Sally
