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 I should.” She handed him the soda, and he moved off the couch, giving her room to stretch out. Between the wooziness and the nausea, she wasn’t doing well.
Carol reclined, and Jake towered over her, peering down at her face. This had to be miserable for him.
“I’m sorry,” she said.
“It’s not your fault.” He blew out a ragged breath. “I can finish packing. There isn’t that much left to do.”
“You’re so helpful.” She teased him, trying to ease the tension. “Are you going to change diapers when the baby is born, too?”
“I guess I’m going to have to learn. But I also think I should hire a nanny to go back and forth between your place and mine. I can turn the second guest wing in my house into the nanny’s quarters. Then she can stay there whenever the baby sleeps at my place.”
As opposed to him coming over to Carol’s house to tuck their child in at night, like he’d originally planned? “I just wish that feeling lousy wasn’t part of this. Being queasy is the worst.”
“I hope I don’t get queasy when I have to change a dirty diaper. I used to gag when I was kid and I had to pick up dog poop.”
She squinted up at him. This was a weird conversation, but at least it was helping her focus on something besides being sick. “You had a dog?”
“No. But my sisters and I used to pet-sit for a neighbor. I was terrible at it. I wonder if we should get our kid a puppy, though.”
“That’s sweet. But maybe we’ll stick to stuffed animals at first.” She sat up and reached for the soda, taking it from him. “I’m starting to feel better now.”
His gaze locked on to hers. “Are you sure?”
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