Author: Bella Andre

Still, she couldn’t shake the sense that the tenuous connection she and Jake had been forging with one another had broken slightly when they’d been at the bakery in Chinatown. Something kept coming between them and she wished she knew what it was, wished that he would open up and tell her.

But she’d known Jake long enough to understand what would happen if she pushed too hard too fast. He’d shut down completely...and it would break her heart to lose him just when it looked like they might have a chance of making things work.

Her newly overactive bladder had her stopping in front of a Starbucks. “Nature’s calling. I’ll be right back,” she told him, leaving him standing out on the sidewalk while she went to go wait in the surprisingly long line inside.

Jake was holding a fairly large plastic bag when she came back out. The only store anywhere near the coffee shop was one that sold cheap little tourist trinkets. Just the kind she absolutely adored, as a matter of fact.

But what could Jake possibly have bought?

Before she could ask, he grabbed her hand and said, “If we run, we can probably catch that cable car before it heads back down the hill.”

Hand in hand, they dodged people and dogs and garbage cans. Laughter and pure, unfettered joy bubbled up inside her at a side of Jake she hadn’t known existed until now.

The cable car slowed down just long enough for Jake to lift her up before getting on behind her. The conductor seemed happy enough when Jake flashed their tickets at him and she figured he must recognize the McCann’s owner like everyone else had so far.

“Where are you taking me?”

Instead of answering, he pulled her against him, her back to his front, breaking his promise again, thank God. She slid her hands along his forearms and leaned her head against his shoulder as the sights of San Francisco passed by them one after another. She closed her eyes and wished they could stay like this forever.

“Here’s our stop.”

Sophie felt groggy as she felt his breath warm against her ear, and realized she must have dozed off into a light sleep on the cable car, probably from the combination of the movement, her pregnancy...and finally being right where she’d always wanted to be.

Safe and warm in Jake’s arms.

The wind had picked up, but the afternoon sun was still shining brightly. He’d taken her to a large strip of grass at Chrissy Field on the bay. To their right was Alcatraz, to their left the Golden Gate Bridge. In the middle of a workday there weren’t many people out, just a few people flying kites.

“Do you remember coming out here when we were kids?”

Of course she did. “Lori and I had new kites, but mine ripped when she stepped on it before I could even use it.” She paused. “You told me kites were for babies, but you made Lori share with me.”

“I hated it when you cried.” He stroked a hand down her cheek. “I still do.” He pulled something long and colorful out of the big bag. “I wish I could have given this to you fifteen years ago.”

“Oh, Jake.” She could hardly believe it. He’d found a kite in the shape of a rainbow, so similar to the one she’d had as a child. “I can’t believe you got this for me.”

“I’m glad you like it.”

“I don’t just like it. I love it.” And you, she thought. I love you so much.

He helped her tear open the package and soon the wind took the kite way up high in the sky. She had to run to keep up with it, and when she finally caught hold of it enough to look back at Jake, he was staring at her with that same wonder she’d seen on his face when they’d been making love and his hands had been on her belly.

This time she knew it couldn’t have anything to do with the fact that she was pregnant with his children. But just because he’d stopped hiding his attraction to her, and the fact that he enjoyed spending time with her...did that necessarily mean he would ever fall in love with her the way she’d always been in love with him?

Chapter Eighteen

Jake saw Sophie shiver as the sun disappeared behind Alcatraz. He knew he should take her home, but he wasn’t ready for their day together to end yet. He’d thought he was doing this for her, but the truth was, he couldn’t remember a better day than this one.

Her stomach growled again and she laughed. “I swear, it doesn’t normally sound like there’s a crowd in there.”

“I should have fed you—and them—” He looked down at her stomach. “—before now. Good news, I know of a pretty good place in one of the converted Fort Mason buildings just around the corner.”

He loved the way she automatically reached for his hand for their walk across the grass into the parking lot where the old military base had been turned into galleries, shops, and restaurants.

But when they got close to the restaurant, she abruptly stopped walking. “You can’t be serious. We can’t go into the fanciest restaurant in the city wearing this. And I’m sweaty from running around on the grass.”

“I like you sweaty,” he said in a low voice, but despite the answering desire that flared in her eyes at his reminder of how good it was to get sweaty together, he could see she didn’t really feel better about where he was taking her. “You always look beautiful, Sophie. And we need to eat.” He put his hand on her lower back and led her through the elegant entrance.

The maître d’ recognized him immediately. “Mr. McCann, welcome. Please follow me.”

Sophie was clearly startled by the greeting—and the fact that they were immediately seated at one of the best tables. He understood her confusion. A guy like him shouldn’t be allowed within a hundred feet of a place like this. He should be in back washing dishes, not being led to one of the best tables in the place, with the most beautiful girl in the world on his arm. He didn’t usually come to places like this, despite the fact that he knew most of the chefs in the city. He just never felt comfortable in them, never felt like he actually belonged there.

“Enjoy your meal. I’ll let Chef know you’re here.”

Sophie lowered her voice to a whisper. “Did you have a reservation?”

She was so cute when her eyes went all big like that. So cute that he actually whispered back, “No.”

Just then, his buddy Chris walked up to their table, smiling widely. Jake could see how much his friend appreciated Sophie’s looks. She was by far the most beautiful woman in the room. The fact that she’d put absolutely no effort into it—and that she was utterly unaware of her effect on people—only increased her beauty.

“I’m so glad you’re dining with us tonight, Miss—”

Sophie blinked up at the celebrated chef as she lifted her hand to his. “Sophie Sullivan.”

She licked her lips and as Jake watched Chris’s eyes drop to her sinfully sensual mouth, he realized his mistake in coming here tonight.

He was going to have to kill his friend for looking at his woman like that.

“I’m very happy to meet you, Ms. Sullivan.”

“Please, call me Sophie.”

“Ms. Sullivan works just fine,” Jake interjected.

Sophie looked mortified. “Jake!”

Surprise flickered in Chris’s eyes as he looked between them. You’ve got it right. She’s mine. Forever. So you’d better back off—and quick.

“It would be my pleasure to suggest the tasting menu tonight.”

Sophie smiled that shy, radiant smile, and Jake had a sudden flash of what the rest of his life was going to be like, watching men fall at Sophie’s feet. It was going to be hell.

What if their twins were girls? How was he going to protect them all?

Chris had more women at his beck and call than even Jake could keep track of. Something about the combination of gourmet food, a big ego, and a few muscles seemed to make women salivate. But it was clear that if Jake stepped aside, Sophie would shoot straight to the top of the list, all the others instantly forgotten. She wasn’t just beautiful. She was classy. Smart. And way the hell too good for him.

“The tasting menu sounds fine,” Jake told his friend. “Now get lost.”

Not missing a beat, Chris told Sophie, “It would also be my pleasure to suggest that when you get tired of this guy—”

Jake cut him off with a hard, “Later, Chris.”

This time, thankfully, Sophie wasn’t mortified. Instead, as Chris bowed to her before heading back into the kitchen, she started laughing, one of the sweetest sounds Jake had ever heard. Making her laugh would become his top priority.

“I can’t believe how rude you were,” she said, but she was still grinning. “I take it you know each other.”

He buttered a piece of freshly baked bread and handed it to her. “I taught him everything he knows about washing dishes.”

She bit into the bread, still chuckling, and he enjoyed watching her eat. He’d never taken care of anyone before, had never wanted that kind of responsibility. Now, keeping Sophie safe and healthy consumed his thoughts.

“I also taught him about women. He couldn’t take his eyes off you.”

Sophie blushed and looked at her plate. “He was just being polite.”

“Don’t you know the effect you have on men, princess? All your perfection, your elegance...you make us desperate to know what you’d look like sprawled naked beneath us in our bed, your silky hair tangled in our hands, your classy mouth begging us to—”

She kicked him under the table, hissing, “You can’t say that kind of stuff here.”

“Jesus,” he said as he leaned forward to rub his shin. “That hurt.”

“My brothers taught me how to deal with guys who wouldn’t take no for an answer.”

A bloody vision of one of her brothers walking into this restaurant tonight and instantly knowing what he’d done to their baby sister was abruptly halted when Sophie exclaimed, “Oh no, I just realized. I should have told Chris that I can’t eat any soft cheese or raw fish.”

Damn it, if he’d read that book the doctor had given them, he’d know that. But just thinking about trying to read all those tiny words on a subject he was already freaking out about made his head swim.

“I’ll go tell him.” He got up and pressed a kiss to her temple. “But if any of these guys try to hit on you, tell them—”

“—I’m taken.”

She was so beautiful as she looked up and declared that she was his, that Jake didn’t care that they were in the middle of the most exclusive restaurant in San Francisco. He had to kiss her.

Her mouth was soft and warm beneath his and he wondered how he could be so stupid. Instead of taking her out, he could have had her all to himself.

Her skin was beautifully flushed as he lifted his mouth from hers and headed for the kitchens.

“Sophie can’t eat soft cheese and raw fish.”

Chris looked up from plating a dish. “She’s pregnant?”

Surprised that his friend got that from his last sentence, Jake nodded.

“Congratulations. She’s gorgeous.”

Jake hadn’t told anyone yet, but suddenly he had to say, “We’re having twins.”

Chris whistled long and low. “Gotta let you know, you keep shocking the hell out of me. Especially since I’ve never seen you with a classy babe like that before.” He cleaned the edge of the plate with his apron. “Since this is yours, I’ll head back out with you.”

Jake grabbed the plate from his friend. “I’ve got it.”

“Fine. But don’t screw up the presentation. I’ve got a reputation to preserve, you know.”

“Yeah, for being an ass,” he shot back, even though he knew it wasn’t his friend’s fault that Jake didn’t fit into a place like this.