Valentine Babies (Holiday Babies Series) (6 page)

Could he guess that she wanted to feel his arms around her
and taste his lips? She lowered her eyes. And then allowed him to see through
her feelings again. She had nothing to hide, and she trusted him.

 “Lou Roland, my boss, insists I go to Baghdad. One
last time. I have important contacts that other KNR reporters never met. He
wants me to interview them.”

“Your boss is a damned selfish ass.” His jaw tightened in
disapproval.

Good God, Greg was really upset. Because he worried about
her. How sweet. Roxanne had always helped her mother and sisters cope with
their emotions. No one had ever reciprocated, simply because she wouldn’t let
anyone meddle in her business.

Until Greg. He made it his mission to pull her out of her
depressing thoughts every day. Surprisingly, she’d let him. Even when his words
of advice interfered with her projects.

Wanting to reassure him, she squeezed his hand. “Lou
promised he’d fly me in business class.”

“Big deal.” Greg shrugged. “The man probably thinks that
upgrading your ticket is good enough to satisfy his conscience.”

She frowned. “There’s no danger for my baby, right?”

“Your baby is fine. It’s you I’m worried about.”

“Lou will arrange for a KNR guy to meet me at the airport
and two armed guards to drive me to the hotel and escort me to my interviews.”

“Armed guards? Oh God.” Greg’s scowl deepened. “Is that
supposed to make you feel safer?”

 “Things are quiet now in Baghdad. I’ll be in and out,
just long enough to wrap things up.”
And help the Diabs in order to clear my
conscience.

Greg narrowed his eyes. “I bet the interviews are not the
only reason you’ve agreed to go there.”

Scary. This man knew her too well. “Leila asked me to bring
medicines for her dad. She emails me daily with bits of news.”

“I see. You’re still feeling bad about
his
death. I
mean a bit guilty?” A
bit
was putting it mildly.

She nodded. “Very guilty about our last argument. I hung up
on him.” She eased her hand out of his and cradled her forehead to prevent the
onset of a headache. “I have to make up for it.”

“No, Roxy, you don’t have to make up for anything,” he said,
his voice eager. She raised her head to look at him. “I understand about
feeling guilty. My mother smothered me with guilt every time she talked to me.
She managed to convince me I was responsible for my father’s plane accident
because I asked Dad to come early to attend my soccer game.”

“Are you serious?”

“It took me years to get rid of the guilt. But I still can’t
go on a plane.”

“Oh Greg, I’m sorry—”

“Don’t say that word. Don’t ever say you’re sorry.” His
bitter tone shocked her. One day she’d repay his kindness by helping him get
rid of his fear of flying. He hadn’t had it easy with his family, but he’d
listened to her rambling for so many hours.

Now that she glimpsed a vulnerable side to Greg, she felt
closer to him. If only he could stop treating her as delicate porcelain he was
afraid to break and give her a real passionate kiss instead of those brotherly
pecks she could do without.

Worry sprouted in her stomach. Maybe he wasn’t attracted to
her. Maybe he was just trying to help her because of his friendship to Nick and
Madelyn.

Or maybe she had destroyed any attraction he felt by
unloading her troubles on him.

Soon she’d balloon and completely lose her appeal. She
stroked her belly. Still very flat.

A red flag waved in her mind. If she wanted to keep Greg,
she’d have to do something now, before he started looking at her with doctor’s
eyes only.

Damn, she’d be traveling soon and giving him ample time to
forget about her.

Chapter Five

Greg pulled himself out of his bad memories. His mother’s
nagging had been an ongoing trial he’d managed to survive. He wouldn’t let
Roxanne be consumed by her past. Not when he wanted her in his present. Or
better still, in his arms.

Her loose chestnut hair fluttered with the breeze blowing
from the ocean. A hint of a smile floated on her mouth as she focused on his
face with keen interest. Awareness vibrated between them. He brought her
fingers to his lips. “Roxy darling, I can’t help you if you raise a wall
between us.”

“I don’t, Greg.” Sparkles of desire danced in her turquoise
eyes. Or was it his imagination? “Honestly, I don’t want to lose your
friendship.”

Friendship? Just friendship?

He heaved a deep sigh. Heaven knew he had enough trouble
keeping his hands away from her. But she needed a friend who could listen to
her, not a lover or a boyfriend with whom to share a passionate encounter. Even
if Greg knew he could promise her more passion than she’d ever felt.

Bitterness invaded him and he gritted his teeth. Being a
best friend was grating on his nerves at the moment. “Can we stop talking about
these people now that you’ve reached a decision?”

She nodded, but her eyes simmered with confusion and regret.

Darn, how could he ask her to forget the past when Nabil’s
sister kept sending her daily emails all the way from Iraq? Would the dead
boyfriend and his family always be at the center of their conversations? Greg
fisted his hands under the table and struggled with his urge to hit something.
Yet he swallowed his frustration and searched for a way to drag Roxanne out of
her past.

“You described the Diabs as decent, hospitable people. I’m
sure they’ll be happy to learn about their son’s child. Your good news will be
a big gift, an unexpected joy after all the sorrow they’ve faced.”

“You think so?” An uncertain smile hovered at the corners of
her lips.

“In all my years as a doctor, I’ve never seen grandparents
reject an innocent bundle. Even when the parents have faulted.”

“You’re so right, Greg. Thank you for reassuring me. I’ll
tell Leila, and her mother, Marie, about the baby and let them decide how to
handle it with old Elias.”

Greg exhaled his relief. Finally he’d managed to help Roxanne
relax. But now he needed to numb his own irritation. “Let’s walk on the sand.
The weather is gorgeous.” He paid the bill and they cut along a pathway that
led to the beach.

A crescent moon hung in a clear sky. Whitecaps popped on the
dark ocean and unfurled on the sand in a soft hum. A beautiful night for a
discreet cuddle with a loved one.

Roxanne unlaced her high-heeled sandals. Greg removed his
loafers and rolled his pants up to his knees. Hand in hand they sauntered
toward the water.

“Careful, don’t step on the Man O’ War.” Greg pointed to a
multitude of bubbles, some the size of big apples, others resembling elongated
watermelons.

“What are they?” She bent to look at them. “They are blue
and transparent.”

“Some sort of jellyfish.”

When she extended her arm to a blue bubble, Greg drew her
back against him. “Don’t touch.” His arms stayed around her waist. “They sting.
Their venom can cause an allergic reaction.” He couldn’t let go of her, and she
didn’t ease away. In the few weeks he’d known her she’d become very dear to
him. More important than any women he’d met. And yet he’d never really kissed
her.

Desire burrowed through him. He spun her in his arms but
kept holding her, staring at her in the night, breathing her sweet floral
scent. “Roxanne, all this emotion is not good for you.” He talked as a doctor
still worrying about taking a wrong step, saying a wrong word that would cause
her to withdraw her trust and walk away. “Until your child is born, please,
concentrate on your health and his.”
And a little bit on me.

“Sure.” She drew out of his hold and strolled on the wet
sand. With her bare foot, she kicked nervously at seashells, matching his
unsettled mood. “Greg, I’m just trying to do what is right, what I think is my
duty.”

“You’ve mentioned guilt and duty so many times. What about
love, Roxanne?” he sputtered. Doubt had tortured him for four long weeks. “Did
you love him?” His question exploded from him before he could weigh out the
consequences. A twinge of remorse stabbed him. Too late to scold himself.

She stopped in her tracks, her ragged breathing audible in
the silence of the night. He paused beside her. Tension stretched between them.

“He was a good friend.” Her voice wobbled. “A proud man.”

Cursing himself for his insensitivity, Greg wrapped an arm
around her waist to support her. “I’m sorry Roxanne. I had no right to ask you
that. Don’t say anything.” He wished he could retract his callous words.

She fidgeted and faced him. “It’s better to face the truth.”
Her chin high, her back straight, she held his shoulders. “I felt many things
for Nabil, respect, admiration, friendship. I was sorry for his family’s
situation and wanted to help them. I hesitated a lot about accepting his
proposal.” Her voice cracked with emotion.

Afraid she might swoon, he clasped her waist in both hands,
yet he didn’t breathe a word, waiting for her to assess her feelings and
acknowledge the truth.

“After that one night, I knew I made a huge mistake for not
breaking up with him earlier. In spite of the baby, I didn’t want to go there
again. We were too different. And I didn’t love him enough to marry him. That’s
the last thing I told him on the phone. Until now, I’ve tried to block the
memory of these words.”

A huge weigh lifted off Greg’s chest. “Don’t regret it. You
told him the truth.”

Thank you, darling
. She’d never loved the dead
officer and wouldn’t spend months or years crying for a lost love. Still, she
carried his child. A child that would always be at her side, a constant
reminder of her past mistake. Relief warred with a nagging anxiety in Greg’s
heart.

“I should have known better than to end a long distance call
on sour words. He died two days later. And I was left with sorrow and remorse.”
She heaved a deep breath, but didn’t cry. “I can’t change the past, but I’ll
try to help his family.”

Admiration filled Greg for the beautiful woman who wasn’t
afraid to tackle a difficult task. Greg brought her against him and stroked her
back. “I’ll do my best to help you.”

Her eyes widened. “Are you serious? You’d help me take care
of Leila, her parents and little Michael?”

“As much as I can from here. I can provide the medicines and
buy things they need.”

“Oh Greg, you’re such a wonderful man.”

“Just because I’ll take care of your friends?”

“No, because you’re as kindhearted as you’re smart and
handsome.” Her palm cradled his cheek. The sweetness of her gesture and words
nearly cut the air from his windpipe.

“Really? Does that mean you’re a bit attracted to this
smart
and handsome
man who’s holding you in his arms and dying to kiss you?” His
lips twitched in a sideways smile.

“What on Earth is he waiting for?” Her arms crept above his
shoulders and folded around his neck. She gazed into his eyes.

 He lost his smile and lowered his head. Brushing her
mouth softly, he lingered, determined to enjoy the moment he’d been longing
for. Her lips parted in an eager invitation he accepted heartily. Every muscle
in his body went rigid in anticipation. His hands splayed over her back
pressing her against him.

Like a starved man, he slanted his mouth over hers and
kneaded her luscious lips. Tongues met, and tasted, and sparred. For a whole
month, he’d been dreaming of kissing her, holding her in his arms, and making
love to her. At least he’d reached two of his goals. The last would have to
wait until she gave him a sign she was ready for him.

Held against his solid body, Roxanne could hardly breathe,
yet she’d gladly give up breathing to remain cocooned in his arms. He finally
released her mouth. Cupping her chin in his palm, he looked deep into her eyes.
A slow smile spread over his face. “Darling, you are one special girl for me.
And so beautiful.” His husky whisper warmed her ear.

She swallowed, mesmerized by his touch, his look. His lemon
cologne and the ocean smell enveloped her with a promise of fun and relaxation.
“I wish...”

“Yes?” He trailed kisses along her throat. Smiling with
delight, she tilted her head, offering her naked shoulder to his lips.

“You’ve already answered my wish. Soon it’ll be Valentine’s
Day. I want more kisses.”

A groan answered her. His lips flew to her mouth for the
most passionate kiss she’d ever received. Lips molded to lips, tongues waltzed
an erotic dance, teeth grazed against soft flesh. Totally consumed, she moaned
and eased away. Her forehead nestled in the crook of his neck.

“Will you be back by February 14th?” He smoothed her hair
from her cheek. His fingers lingered on her temple, turning her insides to
mush.

“Definitely.” She pulled back. He held her hand as they
strolled on the beach again. “I don’t plan to spend more than a week in Iraq.
Just enough time to do my reportage and deliver the things I’m taking for Leila
and her family. I’d like to spend Valentine’s Day with you, Greg.”

“I’d like that too. I’ll ask for time off and we’ll go
somewhere. Any place you want.”

“You’re so sweet. Would they let you go on vacation now?”

He shrugged. “I have plenty of vacation days I never took.”

“How come?”

“I didn’t need a vacation. I relax at the beach when I’m not
at the hospital. And I visit my mother once a week. Other than that, my work
consumed all my time.” He didn’t seem to have friends outside the hospital. But
he was her friend. The best she ever had. Now that she’d tasted his kisses, she
didn’t want to lose him.

“Come with me, Greg.”

She felt him stiffen. His head spun toward her. “Come
where?”

“To Baghdad. We’d be together. We’ll stop in Paris on the
way back to recoup and unwind.”