More Than He Expected (8 page)

Pancakes.
What the hell was that
about?
It was definitely time to go.

With a sigh, Alex ran his fingers through his messy hair and
headed for the bathroom before he could do something stupid, such as cooking or
tossing aside every remaining rule in his relationship book. As he suspected,
his jeans were still soaked and ice cold. There was no way he could bear to slip
those on against his bare skin, and he’d do nothing but drip all the way
upstairs. He took the jeans and her swimsuit and moved them to hang over the bar
in the shower. Hopefully they would dry better that way.

He opted to grab a towel from the rod on the wall and wrap it
around his waist. Turning on the water in the sink, Alex eased down and lightly
wet his hair. If he ran into anyone, he’d tell them he’d taken an early-morning
dip in the pool.

Alex gave a quick glance to the bed where Gwen was silently
sleeping, then crept out into the hallway. He was relieved to find the house was
still dark and quiet. Six was a little early for people on vacation. When he got
back to his room, he immediately slipped into the shower.

As the hot water streamed over his body and washed away her
scent, his gut twisted with confusion and regret about last night. Gwen was so
beautiful, so passionate. She was impossible to resist, and yet he knew he
should’ve returned to his room instead of charging into the water and claiming
her. Gwen was trying to figure out what she wanted in life. She deserved a man
who would marry her and fill their home with their own children, if she decided
that was what she wanted.

And that wasn’t Alex.

Being here with her the last few days had roused something deep
inside that wanted him to be that man for her. But that wouldn’t last. Not once
since hitting puberty had he had a lasting interest in a relationship. He’d seen
firsthand what a hell marriage could be like. His childhood home had been a
battlefield with him as one of the primary weapons. Marriage was not for him.
This time, despite what he thought now, was no different. Eventually, he would
feel the choking noose of commitment around his throat and he’d have to
leave.

So he didn’t dare offer anything he couldn’t give. He’d tempted
Gwen with a few days of meaningless, mind-blowing sex, and that was all it was
going to be. He wouldn’t even entertain the thoughts of more in the privacy of
his own mind. They were counterproductive.

By the time Alex dressed and went downstairs, Will was awake
and pouring his first cup of coffee. He eyed Alex with suspicion as he settled
at the breakfast bar.

“You’re up early.” His words were heavy with meaning as he
passed a steamy mug of coffee across the counter to Alex. “Trouble
sleeping?”

“Something like that,” he muttered into his coffee mug,
avoiding eye contact with his friend, although he knew it was pointless. Will
was a newspaperman. Journalism ran in his blood. He could read between the lines
and sniff out the larger story better than anyone else he’d ever met.

“What are you going to do?” Will asked softly. With his own
coffee in hand, he approached the bar and leaned against it so their voices
wouldn’t need to carry far. Gwen’s room was only feet away.

“I was thinking about going for a run,” Alex answered, flatly
dodging Will’s real question. He was considering a jog this morning. He’d pulled
on a T-shirt and jogging shorts after his shower, but it was a halfhearted
effort. If he left, it would just be to escape the pull of Gwen on his thoughts.
He seriously doubted even that would help at this point. She’d been the only
thing on his mind since he’d decided to come on this trip.

Will shook his head but opted not to press Alex further. “Do
you want company? I doubt the others will be up for a while.”

“Sure, let me just absorb some of this caffeine first. What’s
on the agenda for today, anyway?”

“Some of us were talking about going to a couple of wineries in
the area. Several do tours and tastings this time of year.”

Alex frowned, despite his general fondness for wine. “What
about Emma and Gwen? Neither can drink.”

Will nodded, thoughtfully sipping his coffee. “I think Emma is
keen on an afternoon tanning and talking to her boyfriend on the phone. I doubt
she gets five minutes of peace and solitude at home the way Pauline and George
hover since the crash.”

“Do you think they’ll follow her to Yale?”

“No.” He smiled. “But I have no doubt she’ll go wild with her
new freedom. Hopefully not at the expense of her grades or her reputation.”

Alex grinned. They both knew Alex had had at least one semester
when he’d toyed with academic probation. Economics and calculus were not nearly
as interesting as playing polo and checking out the latest class of freshman
girls. “What about Gwen?”

Will shrugged. “That’s up to her, I suppose. She could come
with us and just not drink. I think at least one of them also does olive oil and
cheese tastings. And she could enjoy the tours of the gardens and
vineyards.”

Somehow that didn’t sound like Gwen’s cup of tea at all. She’d
put on a brave face yesterday during the long hours of yuppie polo festivities,
politely turning down the caviar and foie gras canapés and blankly staring at
the horses. Following it up with a day of wine tasting was probably too much for
her, especially when she couldn’t benefit from getting pleasantly tipsy in the
process.

Perhaps this was his chance to have some uninterrupted time
with Gwen away from the others. “Maybe I’ll offer to stay with her. She doesn’t
have a car here, so she’s trapped if we all leave.”

“Actually, we have the little Volvo in the garage that stays at
the house. I could leave her the keys.”

Alex supposed that solved the problem of Gwen’s stranding, but
he still didn’t like the idea of her being alone all day. Emma was not likely to
be good company, either. “That isn’t any fun. I’ll skip the wineries and take
her out.”

Will frowned into his coffee mug. “To do what?”

“Maybe I’ll treat her to a massage.”

“From you?”

“No,” Alex chided. “I mean a real one at a day spa. She could
get a pedicure and all that. A little feminine indulgence.”

Will took a sip of his coffee, watching Alex warily. “That’s
very nice of you. Not exactly subtle, though.”

“Can’t I be nice to a pregnant woman who could use some
pampering?”

“Absolutely. But don’t be surprised if Adrienne smells blood in
the water. And even if she doesn’t get suspicious, you and I both know it’s not
the best idea.”

“Of course it’s a terrible idea,” Alex agreed with a grin. It
would be setting himself up for a day alone with Gwen. Sort of. It wasn’t as if
they’d let him in the room with her. He’d likely spend at least half the day in
the waiting room reading emails on his phone. But he couldn’t just walk out and
leave her alone all day after the incredible night they’d spent together.

And he didn’t want to, if he was honest with himself.

Maybe a day out without privacy would cool his desire for her
and let him take a step back, physically, if nothing else. It might also
completely implode in his face and make him feel closer to her than ever, but
what was life without some risk?

Alex set down his empty mug, the caffeine finally waking him up
for the day. It was too early to make the arrangements, but he’d call as soon as
he could.

“You ready for that run?”

Seven

G
wen watched curiously as everyone loaded
up into a couple cars to go on what she called “the winery crawl.” Even if she
weren’t pregnant, she would’ve taken a pass on this particular excursion. She
was tired and really not interested in discussing vintages and bouquets. But
instead of a quiet afternoon lounging and reading a book, she noticed not only
Emma but also Alex beside her, waving to the cars.

“You’re not going?” she asked.

Alex shook his head. “Nope.”

She cast a quick glance to Emma, who had spun on her heel and
whipped her phone out of her pocket before the cars had cleared the driveway.
“Hey, Tommy,” she said as she disappeared into the house, probably not to
surface for quite some time. Gwen remembered being eighteen and completely
wrapped up in a guy.

Turning back to Alex, she crossed her arms over her chest. It
hadn’t been as long ago as she would like to think. The object of her reluctant
attraction was wearing khaki pants and a plaid button-down shirt, his
honey-colored hair falling into his eyes. As always, he was charmingly
irresistible, which made her feel better for falling off the wagon. She hadn’t
even bothered to put her bracelet on this morning.

“Why?”

He moved in closer, standing only inches away to look down at
her petite, barefooted frame. “I wanted to spend some time with you and treat
you to a little indulgence.”

The combination of his words and the heat of his body so close
to her own made the words she had planned to say far more difficult to get past
her tongue. “I hope you d-didn’t pass up on the trip in the hopes we’d indulge
in wild, sexual…
escapades
all day. Not with Emma
roaming around the house.”

Alex smiled and placed his large hands on her upper arms,
exposed by her spaghetti-strap sundress. The simple touch sent a surge of
awareness through her body. Memories of the night before rushed through her
mind. In an instant, her breasts tightened and her sex clenched, making her wish
she hadn’t taken wild escapades off the table so soon.

“Actually, I have a surprise for you.”

Gwen looked suspiciously at him. She wasn’t good with
surprises. Maybe she was just jaded, but surprises were rarely good. At least
not her mother’s surprises. Occasionally, Paw-Paw would surprise her with a trip
into town for ice cream, or Gran would make her favorite chicken and dumplings
for dinner. She could only assume Alex had planned a good surprise, but she
couldn’t help the flutter of nerves in her stomach.

Alex was watching her with concern. “You don’t want your
surprise?”

“No. I mean, yes,” she corrected, “I want it. I’m just a little
paranoid.”

“Don’t be. It will be a great day, I promise. Are you ready to
leave?”

“I think shoes would be a good idea, first. The term ‘barefoot
and pregnant’ isn’t supposed to be quite this literal in this day and age.”

Alex smiled. “Okay. You go get some shoes. I’ll tell Emma where
we’re going, and we’ll be off. You don’t want to be late for the
appointment.”

They walked back into the house and Gwen headed to her room.
Today she was wearing another of her flowing, tropical sundresses. While
appropriate for a beach holiday, she found that they were loose enough to keep
her from having to wear real maternity clothes. She’d managed to get by so far
with elastic waistband scrubs and loose dresses, but eventually, she knew she
would have to break down and buy a few legitimate pregnancy outfits. But she
certainly wasn’t going to wear them around Alex. She slipped into a pair of cute
brown sandals and grabbed a sweater in case she got chilled wherever they were
going.

By the time she emerged, she could hear the powerful purr of
the Corvette’s engine in the driveway. “We’ll be back soon,” she called out in
vain to Emma and stepped outside.

Alex was waiting beside the car, the passenger door held open
for her. He’d retracted the convertible top so they could enjoy the mild weather
and ocean breeze. “Your chariot awaits, milady.”

“Well, thank you, sugar,” Gwen said as she eased gently into
the low bucket seat. Alex closed her door and went around to climb in on his
side.

“So, where are we going exactly?” she asked as they pulled out
onto the highway.

“I told you, it’s a surprise. But it’s a good one, I promise.
Just sit back, relax and go with the flow for once.”

Gwen laughed and leaned back in her seat. She couldn’t argue
with that. Enough of her life was dictated by schedules and appointments. And
while she appreciated Will and Adrienne’s efforts to make sure everyone had a
great trip, there was something to be said for relaxing on vacation and taking a
day as it comes. “All right. You win. I am at your mercy.”

She closed her eyes and took a soothing, deep breath. Driving
through the countryside with the top down was a rare treat. She barely rode in
cars at all anymore, and there was nothing soothing about a cab ride through
midtown. Riding in Alex’s convertible reminded her of sitting in the back of her
grandpa’s pickup truck with the hay-scented wind whipping her hair around her
face.

When she opened her eyes again, she could tell they were
getting close to a town. There were more houses near the street and sidewalks
lining the road. The Hamptons had its share of outrageous mansions, but her
favorites were the quaint little cottages. Old whitewashed wood siding, covered
porches, wild English-style gardens… These were here long before the ultrarich
came and dotted the countryside with multimillion-dollar castles.

The houses eventually turned into shops, and she spied a sign
for East Hampton. They drove past a gourmet grocer, a wine specialty store, a
bakery and a neat little jewelry boutique. On the corner was a bistro with
striped awnings and a shaded outdoor seating area with wrought-iron furniture.
People were out and about, but it wasn’t nearly as crowded and high-energy as
yesterday’s polo tournament.
Quaint
wasn’t even the
word for this place.

She kept waiting for him to stop and force her into a store.
Alex had taken her shopping the last time they were together. He’d ushered her
into Tiffany and insisted she choose something. It had felt ridiculous looking
at cases filled with jewelry that cost more than a few months of her salary. And
for what? It seemed a little excessive for a two-week tumble. The charm bracelet
had been a choice to get him off her back. And she did love it. Actually, her
wrist felt naked today without it, but she decided between the pool, the beach
and the sunscreen it was best to leave it off. Besides, she couldn’t wear her
chastity bracelet while she was being quite unchaste.

Alex had been annoyed with her selection, especially when he’d
found out what it symbolized for her. Perhaps he was trying again.

After driving for a few minutes, Alex pulled into a spot along
the street and killed the engine. “We’re here.”

Gwen looked around in confusion. They were parked near the post
office. That wasn’t much of a surprise.

Alex climbed from the car and came around to open her door. She
turned and swung her legs out, but her shifting center of gravity and the
road-hugging chassis made it more challenging to stand than she’d expected.
“This is definitely not a third-trimester car.”

Alex stepped off the curb and offered two strong hands to hoist
her out of the seat. His help made it much easier, and she was standing in an
instant. A little too easy, actually, as the momentum sent her up and colliding
against his chest. She clung to him to keep from bouncing back and falling. His
hands slipped under her arms to cup her elbows and steady her and then slid up
the backs of her arms to keep her held close against him.

Gwen looked up at him and swallowed hard. His golden eyes were
focused intently on her. The light breeze was fluttering the honey layers of his
hair. She reached up and brushed some out of his face, tucking them behind his
ear, then left her palm resting against his cheek. It was still smooth from his
morning shave, unlike last night when the rough stubble had tickled and
tormented her bare skin.

Leaning down, he kissed her. It was a soft, gentle kiss. She
could feel the tension building beneath his tight skin, but he held back. The
middle of town, surrounded by people, was hardly the place to let his passion
come unleashed. And yet Gwen couldn’t help responding to him. She climbed onto
her toes to get closer, their mouths and tongues meeting in an easy, comfortable
dance.

It was amazing how quickly they had gotten to know each other’s
needs and wants. Last night, even after months apart, Alex remembered just how
to touch her. Just how to elicit the response he sought. And now, standing in
the middle of the quaint town, kissing outside the post office felt so natural.
It was more like…a relationship kind of embrace.

If that unnerving thought didn’t urge Gwen to pull away,
Peanut’s sharp kick to her rounded belly surely did. Alex yanked back in
surprise, looking down at the stomach that had been pressed against him a moment
before.

“What was that?” he asked.

Another hard thump followed. Gwen winced and gently rubbed the
spot of the latest attack. “That was Peanut. She’s trying out for the U.S.
women’s national soccer team.”

Gwen snatched one of his hands and pressed the palm firmly
against the side of her tummy. Peanut didn’t disappoint, throwing a hard kick to
protest the pressing of her little baby cocoon.

Alex’s eyes were wide with surprise when he looked at her
belly, then back at Gwen. “Does that hurt?”

“Sometimes.” She shrugged. “At first there was just this
flutter. Then, a few weeks ago, she got strong enough to really make her
presence known. Before long, she’ll be beating the hell out of me.”

“Why?”

“She’s stretching and testing out her little muscles. As she
gets bigger, I think it’s harder for her to get comfortable. I know exactly how
she feels. So…” she said, pulling away to give herself some breathing room.
“Where’s this surprise of yours?”

“Right this way.” Alex took her by the hand and led her across
the street to a two-story building with the sign Heaven-Leigh Day Spa hanging
over the door.

A spa. A bubble of excitement formed in her chest at the
thought. Gwen had to admit that, even if he just took her inside to buy her some
overpriced shampoo, it would be a welcome indulgence. Anything more would be,
well,
heaven-leigh.

She paused when she noticed the sign on the door said it was
closed. The bubble burst. So much for that. “Looks like they’re closed.”

“Looks can be deceiving.” Alex ignored the sign, opening the
door, which chimed gently, and ushering her inside.

A tall, willowy woman in white appeared from another room and
approached the reception desk where they were waiting. “Good morning. I’m Leigh,
the owner. You must be Miss Wright.”

Gwen smiled. “Yes. Call me Gwen, please.”

“Excellent. We have a full afternoon of pampering scheduled for
you, Gwen.”

Gwen turned to Alex in surprise. “A full afternoon?”

Alex just smiled and shrugged. “What else do you have to do
today?”

“But the sign said you’re closed.”

“Yes,” Leigh continued. “Mr. Stanton has reserved the entire
spa for the day so we can give you our full, undivided attention. We have
everything ready, including a prenatal massage guaranteed to make you feel like
a million dollars. Are you ready to get started?”

She could hardly believe what she was hearing. An entire day
spa reserved just for her. It was absolute insanity. And she was going to enjoy
every minute of it. “Honey, you have no idea how ready I am.”

Gwen gave Alex a quick kiss of appreciation, a wide grin of
excitement lighting her face, and then she disappeared into the back for her day
of pampering.

* * *

For the next few hours, Alex sat quietly in the Zen
Lounge checking email and reading a travel magazine. Occasionally, Leigh would
march Gwen through from one treatment room to the next. Each time, Gwen was
snuggled contently into her bathrobe and looked as though she had fewer and
fewer bones left in her body. He was glad. That was the whole point. He wanted
to take care of the caretaker for once. A massage, salt glow, facial, manicure
and pedicure were a good way to start.

She didn’t care much for jewelry or flowers. She wasn’t the
kind to be impressed by the flash that drew other women. He didn’t even recall
her mentioning his money in any conversation they’d ever had. Usually it would
come up. As the sole heir of a family fortune rivaling Rockefeller and Carnegie,
there was always a curiosity about how much he was actually worth. Gwen honestly
didn’t care.

It was another reason he liked her. Another reason that set her
apart from the pack.

But he knew this would be the thing that really excited Gwen.
She deserved every minute of it. He would have spent three times the money he’d
paid for today to see that relaxed, contented smile on her face.

When they were finally done with her, Gwen emerged from the
ladies’ changing room dressed, but still decidedly invertebrate. He offered her
the choice of going home for a nap or having a late lunch at the bistro they’d
seen earlier. She chose the bistro.

They walked through town toward the restaurant, window-shopping
and taking in the sights as they went along. Neither of them were in a hurry,
just enjoying their afternoon together. When they arrived at the bistro, they
selected a table outside. Gwen sipped pomegranate tea in the shade, and she and
Alex shared a brick-oven pizza with crispy prosciutto, figs, arugula and fat
slices of homemade mozzarella.

After taking one last bite, Alex watched in amusement as Gwen
leaned back in her chair and stroked her full belly. The dress had camouflaged
her pregnancy most of the day, but the press of her hand against the fabric made
it more obvious to anyone looking on. She looked beautiful sitting there with a
smile of contentment on her face.