Expecting Surrender (Dominion Trust Book 3) Read online

  “What do you mean by ‘we love it’? You mean more kids?”

  “Sure, but that’s not all.” Tom’s fingers stilled, then clicked the mouse.

  “I don’t get it.”

  “Well,” Tom peered around the monitor, one eyebrow raised. “The process is pretty great too.”

  “Yeah, we get the easy part, don’t we?”

  “Oh sure, but I meant the whole process. Pregnancy itself.”

  “You’re kidding with this, right?” Keihl leaned forward, planting his elbows on his knees. “I remember Steph’s pregnancy. It was hell. They had her on bed rest for the last six weeks. Good thing my nephew turned out to be a good kid. He just about killed his mom.”

  “How is Connor? He’s what, five, six?”

  “Six. Starting kindergarten in the fall.” Keihl shook his head. “Still can’t believe it.”

  “Well, look, your sister had a bad pregnancy, no way around it, but most aren’t that way, luckily. And sometimes they can be… amazing.”

  “Okay, pal. Not exactly unbiased considering you just happen to be in the kid-catching biz.”

  Tom chuckled, then turned the monitor so that it faced Keihl. “Come take a look at this.”

  Keihl stepped closer, then whistled softly.

  “Is that… Sharon? Look how young she is!”

  “Oh she’s still plenty young enough.” Tom said, smiling. “What do you think though?”

  The picture showed Tom’s wife, her blonde hair piled atop her head, the stray strands glowing in the dying light of the sunset behind her. She was in profile to the camera, her hands grasping a railing, a diaphanous white gown stretched over her swollen belly, the prominent, dark nipples just hinted at under the translucent fabric. The shot perfectly outlined her belly and breasts, the straight, trim nose, and her plump lips. A beautiful woman in the prime of her life.

  Watch it, dick. That’s Tom’s wife.

  “How far along was she here?”

  “I think thirty-five or thirty-six weeks. This was when she was pregnant with Charlie.” Tom turned the monitor around again, the vision of the blonde woman before that brilliant pink sunset still fresh in Keihl’s mind.

  “That’s a rather, ah, intimate shot.” Heat spread across Keihl’s face. “How’d you get her to go for it?”

  “She loves it now — shows it to anyone who’ll look, actually. But yeah, at the time, I had to talk her into it. She sure liked the results though.” Tom winked. This was sort of the photo that got things rolling for she and I.”

  “Not sure I’m following you, dude.”

  “After this”—Tom scratched his temple, a sheepish grin on his face—” well, we started to see the possibilities. And we explored every damn one of them.”

  “Possibilities? I think I’d have been freaking out — kind of like I am now. She’s carrying our child. Heavy shit, you know? I feel like I want to put her in a glass case and post guards around her twenty-four seven.”

  Keihl looked down, the meaning of it hitting him in a whole new way. This was really happening, and despite his genuine excitement, even pride, there was no denying he was scared shitless.

  “It’s normal to feel that way. Totally normal. But you need to know something — something I think you’re getting at, but you’re being an evasive lawyer about.” Tom leaned back, crossing his arms over his chest. “Just because a woman is pregnant doesn’t mean she stops being a sexual being. Quite the opposite, in fact. Don’t forget it.”

  “Tell that to me when I’m holding her hair for her while she’s puking her guts out. I’ve heard the stories.”

  “You’ll hold her hair for her, and she’ll love you for it. You’re going to be seeing a lot of changes — and not just in her. You’ll start seeing things — and her — very differently, and you need to be ready for that. Nobody said this process was easy. But you’re gonna work for it — and you’re gonna help her through this.” Tom’s eyes twinkled. “It’s so worth it.”

  “Thanks, Dad.”

  “Prick.” Tom’s voice softened, and he gave him a knowing nod of his head. “I know all this because I’ve been where you are. I’ve seen hundreds of Dads in your shoes. You’ll do fine — but don’t forget what your number one job is.”

  “And what’s that?”

  “Take care of her. Protect her.” Tom gave him a smile. “And love her.”

  Okay this has taken a definite left turn into Mushville.

  “Why’d you show that to me? That picture. It’s beautiful, don’t get me wrong, but… “

  “Because I want you to see that the journey is as important as the destination. Yes, that destination, that beautiful baby, is what’s most important.” Tom stood again, pushing the monitor back against the wall. “But you need to enjoy the road that gets you there. You’ll never forget this, and what’s coming up. And when you’re on your deathbed, you’re going to remember how beautiful your wife looked when she was carrying your babies.”

  Tom rested a hand on Keihl’s shoulder.

  “Savor this, my friend. She’ll appreciate it.” His grin stretched from ear to ear. “And so will you.”

  * * *

  Keihl walked downstairs, following the drone of the elliptical machine. They’d converted most of the unfinished basement into a rec room/exercise space. Lit garishly by long banks of fluorescent lighting (he’d had them installed instead of incandescents in an effort to cut down on the heat), the area was strewn with mats, weights, and several exercise machines. Kirsten loved all of them, was a gym rat from her teenage years, and thus kept herself in top shape.

  She was on the elliptical, watching yet another vapid reality show with the sound turned off, white ear buds from her phone dangling from her ears. Another fucking episode of the show that seemed to be popular simply because of the large ass of one of its stars. He’d watched it a couple of times, but had been disappointed at the distinct lack of good shots of the star’s bodacious assets.

  He stopped behind his wife for a minute, enjoying the view. Though Kirsten’s did not have quite the same dimensions of the backside on the TV, she was still looking pretty damned good. Her firm ass was set off well in the black tights she favored for workouts. A black tank top worn over a sports bra contained the wobble of her breasts. Her dark hair bobbed behind her in a neat ponytail.

  He inhaled the scent of her sweat. She was always mortified when she caught him doing that (she being paranoid about smelling), especially during and after her workouts.

  But he loved it. The only thing better was the smell of their bedroom after a night of making love. The smell of her sex would permeate everything, including his skin. It embarrassed her a little when he commented on it, her blush suffusing her beautiful face, but she wouldn’t comment on it further. He found her bashfulness intriguing — and arousing. He’d have to enjoy that while he could though. She probably wouldn’t be interested for a while.

  He’d read up on pregnancy, he being the studious type, and not wanting to be caught off guard by anything. While he was apprehensive about the changes a child would bring, he had to admit he was looking forward to the second trimester. Though he wasn’t sure how he’d react to seeing Kirsten’s pregnant belly, his friend Tom had assured him that all would be well in that department. He remembered Tom winking to him as he’d said it.

  Now, as he watched the roll of her shapely buttocks, he couldn’t help but wonder what she’d look like in a few months, as she started to show. He had a feeling she’d still be gorgeous. He had to take the good with the bad. While he was worried, very worried, about how they were going to juggle careers with a new child, at least he had something to look forward to in the meantime.

  The thought of her being pregnant, heavily pregnant, actually was confusing to him. It intrigued him in some strange way he’d never thought of before.

  What are you? Some kind of perv?

  Keihl put the thought aside; he’d have to examine that one later. Nobody but him had to k
now, right?

  He patted her right buttock, and she jerked, startled.

  She looked back at him smiling, yanking the phones out of her ears. “Don’t do that! You scared the crap out of me!”

  He laughed, stroking her hip as she continued her loping movements on the elliptical. He hated using that fucking thing. It made both his hips and knees hurt, but he couldn’t argue with the quarter-bouncing firmness it lent to Kirsten’s ass. No, he couldn’t argue with that at all.

  “Did you come here to tell me something, or did you just want to stare at my ass?”

  He laughed. “I just wanted to let you know that I won’t be home until late tomorrow night. I have the impact statements for the North Fork watershed. Then Tom and Sharon invited me to dinner afterward.”

  “I’ll just grab something after work then. Don’t be too late, okay?”

  “Probably ten or so, honey. Will you still be up?”

  “Hmm, I don’t know. That’s awfully late. If you were earlier there might be a little something in it for you.” She winked, putting her ear buds back in.

  He laughed, patting her on the ass again as she continued her workout. He walked back toward the stairs, his cock at full attention. He’d drag her off that thing and fuck her right there if he thought she’d let him.

  Instead, he waited until he was at the base of the stairs and pulled out his cell. He punched in a text to her, and sent it. He watched her pick up her phone and read it. She stumbled on the machine, catching herself on the handles, looking to the side, her face suffused scarlet.

  He smiled. Flustering her had almost been worth the insistent throb of his cock.

 

  Chapter Four

  Keihl pulled the Acura into the long driveway leading up to Tom’s house. One of the many perks about being a doctor was the ability to buy a house with acreage, apparently. Tom had told him about the place he and Sharon had found, but Keihl had no idea the lot was as large as it was. The driveway itself stretched several hundred yards away from the highway, and it appeared there were no neighbors even close.

  The house was perfect; all wood tones, low-slung and modern. Douglas fir and Hemlock loomed overhead, surrounding the house on three sides. He parked and walked to the porch where a smiling Tom, drink in hand, waited on him.

  “Glad you could make it out here.” He shook Keihl’s hand and clapped him on the upper arm. He pushed the drink into Keihl’s hand.

  “What’s this?” Keihl peered at the pale amber liquid.

  “Drink it,” Tom said, winking at his friend. “Come on, there’s something I want to show you.”

  “Where’s Maggie, Charlie, and — Carrie?”

  Can’t remember the kids’ names? Some friend you are, douche.

  “Sharon’s parents. She needs a break from the Mom thing once in a while. We don’t really bring the kids up here much anyway.”

  Tom showed him around the house, and Keihl was impressed with the immaculate cleanliness and the modern, tasteful look of the place. Not too feminine, but it definitely looked like it was decorated by Sharon.

  They walked out onto the covered cedar deck, and Keihl breathed in the smell, his nostrils flaring.

  “Wow!”

  “Great, isn’t it? Love the smell of cedar,” Tom said, beaming. “Cost me a goddamned pretty penny, but it was worth it. You should smell it on a nice rainy day. It’s even better.”

  They sat down at the long table along the edge of the deck. The huge conifers cast dark shadows over most of the large backyard, but enough sun made it through to lend the deck an airy, forest glen atmosphere that Keihl loved. He sipped the drink, feeling the liquid burn down his throat and warmth bloom in his belly.

  Single malt.

  “A beer would’ve been fine, Tom.” Keihl grimaced at the harshness of the Scotch. “This stuff ain’t cheap.”

  Tom laughed. “Do you know how many nights off an OB gets? I make sure I enjoy them anytime I’m lucky enough to get them.”

  Keihl could see the fatigue around his friend’s gray eyes. Doctors were always tired. Always.

  “So, where’s Sharon? Figured she’d be waiting on you hand and foot since you’re home.”

  Tom’s eyes flashed, and he cocked his head toward the house. “She’ll be here in a sec.”

  Keihl looked around, laying an arm along the stained wood railing. “This is some place, Tom. If Kirsten ever divorces me I’m definitely riding your couch for a few weeks. A guy could get used to this.”

  “Heh. You’d have the place to yourself, most of the time. We don’t get many chances to stay up here.”

  “So, this is what? A vacation home for you?”

  Tom lifted a shoulder. “Something like that, I guess.”

  Keihl realized what was so odd about the place: the silence. No cars, no people, no city.

  He loved it.

  They were silent for a moment, both of them looking out at the beautiful yard. Vibrant green grass was accented in places by the deep maroon of the pleasing, amorphous shapes of Japanese maples. Several stone benches were dotted here and there through the yard, a faded stone path meandering through it all. A weathered wooden frame, deep in shadow, could be seen close to the edge of the lawn.

  “Is that one of those Shinto frames? From Japan?” Keihl nodded toward it, Tom’s gaze following.

  “Oh that? You mean a torii gate?”

  “Okay, Mr. Intercontinental.” Keihl rolled his eyes.

  Tom shook his head. “Nope, that’s for… something else. I’ll show you sometime.”

  “Ookay.”

  Something was up with Tom, the way he was suddenly playing things close to the vest. It felt like he was enjoying an inside joke whose punchline Keihl wasn’t yet privy to.

  Tom’s expression sobered, and he leaned forward, twirling his glass between his hands. “How’re you and Kirsten doing? You guys talk yet?”

  Keihl frowned. “Not yet. I know she wants to, but I — I’m not even sure what to say.”

  “What do you mean? How about ‘This is great’ or ‘I’m so excited’? Might be good places to start.”

  Keihl ran a hand through his hair, then took another sip of the scotch. “Little more complicated than that.”

  His friend cocked his head. “Is that so? It’s a baby, Keihl, not a death sentence.”

  “Easy for you to say, my friend. You’re knee deep in them. Old hat for you.” Keihl poked himself in the chest with his thumb. “All new to me.”

  Tom sat back, a little-smile curving his lips. “You have any questions about it?”

  Keihl shook his head.

  “Let me guess: you read up on what to expect?”

  “A little.”

  Tom burst out laughing. “I fucking knew it. Always prepared. Boy Scout.”

  Keihl shrugged. “I want to be able to help her if something — you know — goes wrong.”

  “Is that all? Really?”

  “Yeah,” Keihl said, looking away. “Basically.”

  Tom stood up, stretching. “Man, back is killing me. They never warned us about that in medical school. Bad backs among OBs.”

  “I would’ve figured your asses would be sore from being screwed by your malpractice carriers.”

  “Don’t remind me, Mr. Bloodsucking Lawyer.”

  “So, why did you invite me out here?” Keihl held up the scotch. “Not that I’m complaining about the hospitality, mind you.”

  Tom walked over to the railing, and leaned on it, looking out at the trees. “You’re wondering why it’s taken so long for me to have you over, right?”

  “No, no,” Keihl said, shaking his head. “Not what I meant. But now that you say it, sure. Why? This isn’t exactly a dump. If I had a place like this, I’d be running my friends through here like the fucking Parade of Homes.”

  Tom laughed.

  “You never answered my question, pal.”<
br />
  Keihl swung long legs over the bench and stood up.

  Tom turned, leaning against the railing, his arms crossed over a broad chest.

  “Sharon’s been nagging me to bring you here for months, actually.”

  “What? Sharon has?”

  Tom nodded, his intent gaze locked on his friend. “I wanted to be sure you were ready, that’s all.”

  Keihl propped a foot on the seat of the bench. “Ready for what? You gonna tell me you’re a wise guy or something?”

  “Not quite, but you’re on the right track.”

  Whoa. What?

  “Uh, would you mind being a little less mysterious, and get to something resembling a point?”

  Tom looked back at the trees again.

  “We’ll get there, don’t worry.”

  Keihl moved over to the railing next to his friend, setting his scotch on the top rail. “Where’d you find this place anyway? You can’t even see it from the highway. I had no idea there were houses built anywhere up here.”

  Tom shrugged, leaning over the rail once more. “There aren’t any. I don’t think we have a neighbor within two miles of us.”

  “Jesus, Tom. How much did you throw down for this dump?”

  “More than you want to know.”

  “Try me. If you’ve ever seen my per diem rate, you’d know large sums don’t faze me.”

  Tom lowered his head, chuckling. “Fucking lawyers.”

  “Damn straight. Now answer the question.”

  “I put down three hundred fifty. The rest, well… “

  Keihl whistled. “Three fifty is a lot of babies. Damn.”

  “You have no idea.”

  “What about the rest?”

  Tom was silent a moment, then glanced at Keihl. “The Dominion Trust.”

  The sun’s angle was getting longer, the shadows from the huge trees swallowing up more and more of the deep green grass.

  “Hmm. Bank? Mortgage company? Never heard of it.”

  “Definitely not a bank or mortgage company. It’s actually a… business venture.”