Chapter One

MIKKI SLIPPED THE PEACH chiffon over her head, smoothed it down her hips, and peered into the full-length mirror. A frown tugged at her lips, and her eyes focused on the bulge below her waist.

"Darn," she muttered. "It shows already."

Tonight, over a romantic dinner, she planned to tell Alex about the baby, and she didn't want him guessing beforehand.

Not long now. She glanced at her watch. In the bathroom, she applied makeup and took a brush to her short curly hair-finishing it off with a few tendrils pulled around her face. After fastening a gold chain around her neck, she slipped her feet into high-heeled sandals and stood back to inspect herself. Satisfied, she turned out the vanity light and hurried into the living room. She'd made reservations at Mystique Taverna for nine and it was nearly eight, but Alex still hadn't arrived.

"I should've made them for ten," she muttered, pulling aside the draperies and peering out at the street.

Another half-hour passed before Alex's Mercedes pulled up to the curb, and intending to meet him out front, Mikki grabbed her wrap, flipped off the lights and stepped into the hall. The elevator light was already lit-probably Alex-so she locked her apartment and waited.

"I'm ready," she said, when the elevator doors slid open and Alex emerged. "We've got to hurry because I made the reservations for nine."

Alex bent down and brushed her mouth with his lips.

"Sorry I'm late," he said, pulling her against his chest. "I like the dress." His hand moved over her shoulder and he slid a finger into the hollow between her breasts, pushing the chiffon aside to expose her lacy bra.

Mikki's eyes tilted to meet his. "We're going to be late," she said.

"Hmmm." He pulled her closer and slipped her bra strap down her arm. "I just want a taste," he murmured, grasping the lace with his lips and running his tongue across her nipple.

"The reservations," she moaned.

Laughing, he lifted her into his arms and swung her around to face the apartment. "We'll call them. It's not food I'm hungry for right now."

Mikki wrapped her arms around his neck and sighed. There was no use arguing with Alex.

"Hand me the key," he mumbled against her neck.

Mikki pulled it from her bag, handed it over, and lay back in his arms while he unlocked the door and carried her inside.

"Let me telephone first," she begged when he started toward the bedroom. Alex chuckled, changed direction and stopped in front of the couch, where he held her suspended for a moment, then dropped her onto the soft cushions.

Mikki tossed her head in an exasperated shake and reached for the phone to call the Mystique Taverna. Alex crouched beside her and slid her dress up her legs.

Mikki bit her lip and tried to concentrate on the ringing phone while Alex's fingers explored the lace of her panties.

"Alex!" she squealed. "Don't you dare ruin them."

His eyes lit up, and giving the lace a quick jerk, he pulled them free. Mikki opened her mouth to protest when a calm impersonal voice came over the wire.

"Mystique Taverna. How may I help you?"

"Oh!" She clenched her teeth and tore her thoughts away from Alex's fingers. "We have a reservation for nine, and we're running late." She gasped, fighting to control her voice as Alex bent his head and touched his tongue to her belly.

"What name was that?"

"It's for Alex Wyatt," she said, stifling a moan.

"Oh, yes! We have you down."

"Could you change it to ten?"

"Of course. We'll see you then."

Alex unzipped his pants and dropped them on the floor then he lifted Mikki, slid himself onto the couch and brought her down, straddling her legs over his own.

"My dress," Mikki protested.

Alex smiled and reached for the zipper. After he'd pulled the dress over her head and tossed it aside, he grasped a nipple between his teeth and teased it into a hard nub. Mikki moaned, and Alex lifted her higher sliding his tongue over the smooth skin of her belly. Digging her fingers into his shoulders, she pushed down, until she straddled his hardness. Alex grasped her buttocks and drove himself into her core.

A sliver of pain forced a small cry from Mikki's lips. Alex gripped her tighter, pulling her into his rhythm, and she forgot everything-even the baby. Later, their passion spent, they collapsed against the cushions and, as usual, Alex turned away and closed his eyes.

Mikki lay with her head against his chest listening to his heartbeat. At first, it raced and fluttered, then he drifted off to sleep and it settled into a slow, monotonous rhythm. She wanted to lie there in the afterglow of their lovemaking, and tell him about the baby, but Alex had told her right from the start he wanted sleep, not talk, after sex. As usual, Mikki deferred to his wishes.

Sliding quietly off the couch, Mikki picked up her dress and undergarments and padded into the bedroom. After a quick shower, she lay down on the bed, and had just drifted off when the telephone startled her awake. Grabbing the receiver quickly so the ringing wouldn't wake Alex, she whispered into the mouthpiece. "Hello!"

"Mikki, sweetheart. I haven't heard from you in ages." The caller's husky drawl brought a smile to Mikki's lips.

"Hi, Aunt Stella," she said. "I've been meaning to call you, but it's been crazy around here. I just finished filming a video, and tonight's the first night I've had free in a month."

"You've been working too hard," Stella scolded. "Why don't you come to Houston and spend some time with me?"

"Oh, Aunt Stella, I'd love to, but I have a complication in my life right now that's going to require most of my attention for the next seven months."

"You're not?" Stella gave a delighted shout. "You rascal, you. I'd given up hope of ever being a Great-Auntie Stella."

Mikki laughed. At thirty-eight, Stella was more like an elder sister than an aunt. It hadn't taken her a minute to figure out what the seven months implied, and she wasn't the least bit shocked.

"I wish your reaction was what I could expect from the rest of my family," Mikki said.

"Pooh on them. They're a bunch of old fogies. You let me take care of the family. Now tell me. When is your due date, and what are your plans? Why don't you come stay with me?"

"Let me catch my breath," Mikki said, laughing at Stella's exuberance. "I don't know what I'm going to do yet. I haven't told the father, and it's just possible he might have some ideas along those lines."

"Oh, men! What do they know about having babies? Okay, I won't push you, but give it some thought. I'm going nuts rattling around in this ten-room house by myself. I'd love to have you stay with me until the baby comes-and for as long after as you want. I'm sure you know you're always welcome."

"Thank you!" Mikki's voice caught in her throat. "You're wonderful, Aunt Stella, and I promise, I'll call you just as soon as I've had a chance to talk to Alex."

"Alex Wyatt!" Stella snapped the name.

"I know you don't like him." Mikki swallowed to keep the hurt out of her voice. "But I love him so much, and I know he's going to make a wonderful father."

"I'm sorry, sweetie." Stella hurriedly retracted the angry words she'd spoken at the mention of Alex's name. "I didn't mean to snarl. I don't care who the father is as long as he takes care of you. When are you planning to tell him?"

"Tonight. We're going out for dinner. I'll tell him then."

"Well, good luck, kid, and call me later, will you?"

"I will, Aunt Stella. And thanks."

Copyright © 2004 Jude Morris