“Mia,” he called.
“Go away.”
“That’s not likely.” He gripped her by the arm and escorted her down the hall.
“What are you doing?”
“Taking you to a bathroom.”
“I don’t have to go. I just needed to get away from you and your crazy idea that you can tell me what to do.”
He wasn’t listening as he took her by the hand, led her to the master suite and opened the door to the large room. He pulled her inside and shut the door.
“Stop this,” she demanded. “And stop telling me what to do. You can’t boss me around.”
He glared at her. “Someone needs to take you in hand. You can’t move all the way out to the ranch. If we get a snowstorm—and the possibility is strong that we will—you might not make it to the hospital when the time comes.”
“I can take care of myself. And why does it matter to you, anyway? You are my landlord, Mr. McKane, not my keeper.”
“Dammit, stop calling me that. It’s Jarrett.” He leaned closer as her eyes widened. “Say Jarrett.”
“Jarrett…”
His gaze moved to her full lips. Suddenly, he ached to know how they would feel against his and how she would taste. He couldn’t resist and slowly lowered his mouth to hers. He took a gentle bite, then another. Each one a little sweeter than the last.
Her eyes widened, her breathing grew labored.
Finally, he closed his mouth over hers and wasn’t disappointed. With a groan, he wrapped his arms around her and drew her closer. She made a whimpering sound and her arms move to around his neck as he deepened the kiss.
Jarrett pressed her back against the door, feeling her body against his, then suddenly something kicked against his stomach. The baby. He broke off the kiss with a gasp, suddenly remembering the situation.
Mia’s shocked gaze searched his. “Why did you do that?”
“Hell if I know.” He hated that he was so drawn to her. She was a complication he didn’t need, but he couldn’t seem to stay away from her.
Her hand went to her stomach protectively. Was she having a contraction?
He picked her up in his arms and carried her across the room.
“What are you doing?” she demanded.
“Taking you where you should have been in the first place. To bed.”
MIA was fuming as Jarrett walked out the door, leaving her alone on the bed. His bed. What she hated the most was that she didn’t have much say in the matter.
All her life, she’d had to do what she’d been told. Go to the best schools, make the best grades, be the perfect daughter. It had taken years, and although she’d made many bad turns she’d finally gained her independence. She wasn’t about to give it up now. Not even for a man.
She glanced around Jarrett’s bedroom. Large, dark furniture dominated the spacious room, including the king-size bed with the carved headboard. The walls were a taupe-gray and the floors a wide-planked dark wood. Two honey-colored leather chairs sat in front of huge French doors that led out to a deck and the wooded area beyond. It was definitely a man’s room, which reminded her she shouldn’t be in here.
Mia’s thoughts turned back to Jarrett McKane. What had possessed her to let him kiss her? She shut her eyes reliving the feel of his mouth against hers, his strong arms around her. What she hadn’t expected was the way she had reacted to him.
Of course, she would react to the man—any man for that matter. How long had it been since she’d been in a relationship? She couldn’t even remember that far back. Not that she was eager to start one now. There hadn’t been any time for a man. Then Mr. Hotshot McKane had stormed into her life, with his good looks and his take-charge attitude. No, she didn’t need him in her life.
She started to get up when she felt the mild contraction and covered her midsection with her hand.
“Oh, please, no.”
After several slow, relaxing breaths she eased back against the pillows and shut her eyes. Why had she come here today? Okay, she’d wanted to come to the party. And Dr. Drake had said she could be out for a few hours if she was careful and didn’t overdo things.
Mia caressed her stomach, feeling the tension slowly ease from her body.
There was a soft knock and the door opened and Jarrett came in carrying a tray with a slice of pie. He stopped at the side of the bed, frowning. “You okay?”
“I’m fine,” she fibbed. “I’m just resting.”
He continued to stare at her. “You don’t look fine.”
She closed her eyes again. “Then don’t look at me.”
He sat the plate on the nightstand. “Are you having contractions?”
She opened her eyes. “Just a little one.”
Jarrett pulled out his wallet from his back pocket and took out a business card. He grabbed the phone off the table.
“What are you doing?” she asked.
“Calling your doctor.”
“You can’t, it’s Thanksgiving.”
“Then we go to the emergency room.” He paused. “Your choice.”
Jarrett had worried this might happen if Mia left the apartment. They were lucky that Dr. Drake was on call today, and it only took her minutes to return his call.
The doctor talked with Mia, who didn’t look happy when she handed the phone back to Jarrett.
“Yes, Doctor?” he said.
“I instructed Mia not to get out of bed for anything except to use the bathroom, and I want her in my office first thing in the morning. Could you bring her in?”
“We’ll be there when your doors open.” He ended the call and hung up. “Looks like you’ll be staying here tonight.”
He watched her eyes widen. “I can’t stay here. It’s not fair to you.”
“Hey, I haven’t been staying here anyway.”
“But this is your room, your bed.”
Smiling, he glanced around at the large space. “I guess we’ll have to share.”
She glared. “You need to get a life, McKane.”
“I have a life, thank you, or at least I did before I moved into the Mountain View Apartments.”
There was another soft knock on the door and Kira peered in. “Is everything okay?” she asked.
“It’s under control now. Mia’s had some contractions. Her doctor wants her to stay in bed and come in tomorrow.”
Mia sat up. “I tried to tell Jarrett that I’ll be able to rest better in my own apartment.”
Kira stood at the end of the bed. “I know this is difficult, Mia, but you really need to stay put. In the last months when I was pregnant with Jenna, I couldn’t even sit up to eat.”
“See,” Jarrett said. “And she delivered a healthy baby. So you stay.”
Suddenly two more people appeared at the door, Nola and Sylvia, looking concerned.