“Are you awake?”

“Mmm-hmm,” she murmured.

“There’s something I need to tell you, and I really need for you to be fully awake for this one, Em.”

His words doused her with the same effect as a cup of coffee. She rose up to peer at his troubled expression. “Why do I have the feeling you’re about to drop a major bomb on me?”

Aidan exhaled a ragged breath. “Because of my new promotion, I have to go to India to help start the new office branch over there.”

Inwardly, relief washed over Emma. A million devastating scenarios had raced through her mind. Most of them involved him no longer wanting to see her or be a part of baby-making. “How long will you be gone?”

“This is the part you’re not going to like…two weeks to a month.”

Emma gasped. “But that means you might not be here next time to…” She ducked her head. “Well, you know.”

Aidan rubbed his thumb across her cheek. “But I might be. I just don’t know how long it’ll take.”

She nodded. “It’s okay. I understand.”

“You do?”

“It’s not like you’re just choosing to go on vacation or something. It’s work—you have to do it. I do realize you have a life besides me and my baby-making scheme.” She smiled. “Besides, it’s not like I can keep you chained to the bed for my own needs.”

His chest vibrated with laughter beneath her. “Oh, Em, I didn’t know you could be so kinky.” Propping up on his elbows, he grinned down at her. “Anytime you want to handcuff me to the bed, you just let me know. I’ll happily oblige you.”

Emma pulled herself up to straddle him. “I think we’re doing fine just like we are.”

His fingertips feathered over her thighs. “Now why doesn’t your reply surprise me? If you find kitchen counters offensive for conceiving, I’m sure any notion of bondage is out.”

“You told me before you didn’t go in for all that.”

“That’s true. But for you, I’d make an exception.”

Rolling her eyes, Emma leaned over, licking her tongue up his neck and along his jaw. When she was almost to his mouth, she pulled back. “Do you think you could oblige me in another round?”

Aidan grinned. “Why of course.”

At that moment, Beau leapt onto the bed with Emma’s underwear between his teeth. “Beau! No, give me those!” she shrieked, grabbing for his mouth. Once she swiped the panties from him, his wet nose nudged against Emma’s thigh, trying to push her off Aidan’s lap.

“Beau, you old cockblocker! Get down!” Aidan cried.

Emma fell over on the bed giggling. Between Aidan’s comment and Beau’s antics, she could barely catch her breath. Beau began licking her face, and she had to push him away. “No, boy, stop,” she gasped.

“Get down!” Aidan cried, trying to grab Beau’s collar.

When Beau was successfully off the bed, Emma turned to Aidan. “What’s going to happen to him while you’re gone?”

Aidan shrugged. “Even though he hates staying overnight, I guess I’ll board him at his Doggy Daycare.”

Emma glanced over the side of the bed at Beau. He proceeded to give her the saddest hound dog face he could muster. “Aw, poor baby.” She turned to Aidan and smiled. “I could keep him for you.”

Aidan grunted. “What the hell would possess you to want to do that?”

“Because I love him, and I hate to think of him being unhappy for two to four weeks.”

“You’re serious, aren’t you?”

Emma nodded. “Don’t you trust me with your dog?”

He laughed. “Of course I do. And if you really want to put up with his smelly ass for two to four weeks, he’s yours.”

She peered over the side of the bed again. “Did you hear that boy? You’re going to come and stay with me while Daddy goes to India.”

Beau thumped his tail appreciatively while Aidan snickered. “I can’t believe you just called me Beau’s Daddy.”

She gave him a wicked grin as she trailed her fingers up his thigh and then took his slackened c**k in her hand. “Would you rather me call you Big Daddy?”

He licked his lips in anticipation. “Oh yeah, that’s good.”

“Which part? Me stroking you like this or calling you Big Daddy?” she teased.

“Mmm, both,” he replied.

Once she had worked him to full mast, she guided him to her already wet core. Emma grinned at Aidan. “Okay then, Big Daddy, let’s try once more to make a baby.”

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

Emma gnawed on her already frayed nails. Sitting on the bathroom countertop, her legs swung back and forth. Her whole body hummed with nervous energy. She drew in a frantic breath, trying to calm her out of control emotions, but nothing short of a margarita the size of a fishbowl would help at the moment.

She cut her gaze over where Casey lounged on the settee, eyeing three different pregnancy test sticks. “How long has it been?” Emma squeaked.

Casey groaned. “About five f**king seconds since the last time you asked! Jesus, Em, you’re going to give me a stroke!”

“I’m sorry. It feels like an eternity since I peed on those freakin’ sticks. I’m losing my mind.”

Someone started in the bathroom, and Casey leapt up, bracing herself against the door. “Sorry, it’s out of order. Try the one down the hall.”

The person grumbled, but then backed off. Emma widened her eyes. “I can’t believe you’re bogarting the bathroom for my pregnancy test!”

“Do you want a strange chick taking a whizz in the middle of your big moment?”

Nervous laughter bubbled out of Emma. “No, I guess not. But we don’t know if it’s going to be a big moment or not.”

Casey grinned. “You’re a week late this time, Em. And don’t forget that Aidan took extra care of his swimmers. I think the odds are in your favor this second time around!”

“As much as I want it to be, I have a feeling Aidan will be a little disappointed at no more baby-making sessions, especially since he’s storing up his energy while he’s out of the country.”

“Who says it has to end?”

Emma’s eyebrows shot up in surprise. “Because the purpose will be over then…I’ll be pregnant.”

“Yeah and keeping him coming back for more just might land you something you never bargained for.”