A little on the wild sid.., p.4
A Little on the Wild Side, page 4
part #3 of Wild Thing Series
Chapter 4
Bianca wiped the slimy goop off her stomach, pulled the hospital gown down and the blanket up, and then girded her loins—or whatever the hell that had to be girded before looking at Trapper. He stared at the black-and-white snapshots, enthralled with the pictures of their babies.
Twins.
She was having twins.
She didn’t think she’d ever be able to wrap her head around that one. Sure she’d seen them. They looked more like aliens than babies—but since she’d looked through a few baby books, the alien look wasn’t a surprise. The twins thing was a complete and utter mind blower.
And there was Trapper staring at the pictures of their little aliens, wearing the biggest grin she’d ever seen on a man’s face. His reaction was nothing like Max’s. Max—her first lover—the man who wined and dined her, told her he loved her, and took her virginity when she was fourteen. No, Max had definitely looked pissed when she told him she thought she was pregnant. That was the only time she’d had visions of wedding dresses and happily ever afters.
Unfortunately, it was also the time Max saw fit to share the fact that he was already married with two children and that she had to have an abortion. With one fell swoop, he killed her idea of love and her position as the next Guess Girl. He’d conned her and used her just like her parents had. Her stomach soured with the memory—it was either that, or it was another bout of the never-ending-nausea-times-two of her new reality. But Trapper definitely wasn’t Max.
Trapper looked tickled pink or possibly blue. Definitely not green. Of course, he wasn’t the one puking every ten minutes and feeling as if he needed to sleep for an eternity. He wasn’t the one who would get as big as a house and have to push not one but two bowling ball–sized humans through something his dick barely fit in. Why wouldn’t he be pleased?
Having one baby had already turned into way more than she’d expected. She thought she could handle single parenthood. She knew enough to know having a baby on her own would be tough, but two? How would she ever be able to handle two—especially if they were anything like their father?
Contrary to popular belief, she had thought a lot about what it would be like having a child. She might not have gotten around to reading every baby book James had brought her, but it wasn’t as if she was completely oblivious. She’d planned to keep the baby with her at the office. She’d even planned on building a little nursery in the office next door to hers. Having one child would have been pushing it—two seemed impossible. She’d have to hire full-time help. It wasn’t as if she couldn’t afford it, but she wanted to be the one to raise her child—make that children—not a paid employee.
“How are you doing, sweetheart?”
Why did he have to call her that and talk to her in that sexy, bass baritone, do-me-baby voice of his? “Trapper, what are you doing here?”
“Here, as in standing in the emergency room at Lenox Hill Hospital? Or here, with you in New York?”
“What were you thinking just showing up at my office?”
“I came to see you to find out what the hell happened. But I think I’ve figured that one out myself.” He ran his hand over her belly—a fatherly gesture that her body completely misconstrued. One touch from Trapper Kincaid, and even over four months pregnant, she was on fire. “I came to make sure you were okay. You’re not. You weren’t planning to tell me I was a father, were you?”
“No, I wasn’t.” She felt guilty as hell, but she’d thought long and hard about it and knew it was for the best. She’d never imagined he’d care enough to be bothered when she didn’t return his calls, and she’d never suspected he’d come after her. No wonder she’d passed out when she saw him.
Trapper took a deep breath and looked as if he were wrestling with his temper. Only he could look sexier than ever when he was red with rage. It was a good color on him. “Why?”
“Because we had a fling. Because you didn’t sign up for this.” She shoved his hand aside and replaced his with both of hers. “Because I don’t want you around out of some misguided sense of duty.”
“Sweetheart, those are my children you’re carrying. I signed up for that the second they were conceived, the same way you did.”
“No, you didn’t. It was my decision to have these babies. I didn’t consult you.”
“If you had, I would have told you that I want our children with every fiber of my being. There’s no way I’ll have two children running around this earth and not be a part of their lives. Bianca, from this moment on, we’re in this together.”
“Oh no we’re not. We’re not doing anything together. Only one of us is having these babies—and as much as I’d love to assign that task to you, I can’t. It’s a one-person job. From the point of conception on, you have nothing to do with it.”
He laughed. It wasn’t a ha-ha-you’re-so-funny laugh. It was a ha-ha-you’re-a-fool-if-you-think-that’s-going-to-work laugh. “Like hell it is. You’re on bed rest for the next few weeks at least. You heard the doctor. And it’s my job to make sure you get it.”
“I’ll hire someone.”
“You can hire someone to take over for you at Action Models. I’ll be the one taking care of you around the clock.” He leaned over her, so close she saw the amber starbursts in his hazel eyes. “I’ll make sure you get everything you need. And I do mean everything.”
He was about to kiss her. She could see it. She could feel it. Hell, she could practically taste it. She fought the urge to wrap her arms around his neck and drag his mouth to hers.
His eyes dilated, his breath grew choppy and fanned her face. He moved closer, and then a throat cleared behind them.
Someone had seriously bad timing. It was as if they’d been sprayed with a cold garden hose.
Trapper gave her a we’re-not-finished-with-this look, straightened, and stepped aside. The doctor came into view.
“Sorry to interrupt.” The doctor smiled. “I don’t believe I had a chance to introduce myself when we met earlier. I’m Dr. Schaeffer.” He spoke to Trapper, which really ticked her off.
The two shook hands. “Trapper Kincaid.”
“So, Ms. Ferrari—”
“Doctor, after all we’ve been through together in the last hour or so, I think you can call me by my first name.”
“Very well. Bianca, how are you doing?”
“I thought I was doing fine until I found myself strapped to a stretcher. I have morning sickness. Morning sickness is typical, isn’t it?”
“Not to the point where you’re losing weight—which you are. And definitely not to the point of dehydration, which you were, until they put almost three liters of fluids in you.” He looked over his notes. “At your age, Bianca, your pregnancy is high risk to begin with—”
“At my age? I just turned thirty-four. I’m hardly ready for the old folks home.”
“Having twins amplifies the risk. Your blood pressure is very high, which means you will be spending the next three weeks on bed rest. You can get up to shower and go to the bathroom, but that’s it.”
She tried to sit up, but the damn buttons on the bed weren’t cooperating. “That’s ridiculous.”
“That’s an order. I’ll see you in my office in one week.” He gave Trapper an appraising look. “Bianca will be on a low sodium diet, no stress, and absolutely no work.”
Trapper nodded. “Sex?”
She couldn’t believe he would ask about sex. He had some nerve, not to mention the man was either delusional or would be severely disappointed. She had no intention of having sex ever again. He obviously hadn’t noticed she looked like an emaciated whale. Who in their right mind would be attracted to her now? And how, exactly, would you do it? Not that she was even interested. Unfortunately, her hormones hadn’t caught up with her brain.
The doctor patted him on the back. “It’s a great stress reliever. Any other questions?”
“Can I take her home?”
“I’m keeping her here overnight. But if all goes well, which I believe it will, I’ll release her tomorrow, provided she’ll have around-the-clock care.”
“She will.”
“Good. I’ll have the nurse bring over a meal plan that’s easy to follow, along with her release papers, after I see her in the morning. She needs small frequent meals, nothing too heavy. Try to keep something in her stomach at all times. That will help with the morning sickness. Call or email if you have any questions.”
“Great. Thanks, Doc.”
Bianca had just about enough of the boys club. “Excuse me. Did you forget that I’m right here?”
Trapper shot her a smile, and that damn dimple winked at her. “How can we forget? We were talking about you.”
“Right. You’re talking about me, not to me.”
Every muscle in Trapper’s neck seemed to cord. “Would you rather stay in the hospital or go home?”
“Home.”
“And I’m making that happen.”
Her mouth slammed shut—she hated it when he was logical and correct. But the last thing she wanted was to be trapped in her apartment with Trapper Kincaid. She was human after all, and he was too dangerous to her psyche, too dangerous when her hormones were running rampant, and way too dangerous to her heart. There was a reason their relationship had only been temporary. Small doses of Trapper Kincaid were all she could handle. Still, what choice did she have? Dr. Kildare wouldn’t let her out of the damn hospital if she didn’t have a prison warden for a nurse.
The doctor tried to cover a laugh with a cough and failed. He looked at her over the rims of his glasses again. “Is that okay with you, Bianca?”
If she said no, she’d be stuck in this godforsaken hospital for weeks. There was no other option. She couldn’t very well drag her grandmother to New York. Nan was packing for a trip to Atlantic City with her Bunco group. Then she had a trip to Miami in February that she’d been planning for months. Bianca couldn’t take Nan away from all that, and she needed James to run Action Models while she was on bed rest. She had no one else. “Yes.” The word caught in her throat like a hook and tore all the way to her mouth. “Yes, it’s just fine with me.”
***
Trapper followed the doctor out of Bianca’s spot in the ER and waited to speak until they’d reached the hall. “Doc, is Bianca okay to fly?”
The doctor’s eyebrows rose. “She needs rest, not a vacation.”
“I know. I believe the only way to get her to rest is to take her to my place.”
“Which is where?”
“Boise, Idaho. I have the use of a private jet—there’s a bedroom in the back, so she can sleep most of the flight. I could even have a doctor on board if that would make you feel better. It might make me feel better too.”
“You have a private physician and a private jet?”
“The jet is my grandfather’s. The physician is my brother—he’s an orthopedist, but he did his residency at Rush. He’s done a round of obstetrics.”
“And how will you get Bianca on the plane? The way it sounds, you’ll be lucky to keep her out of the office.”
“She won’t have much of a choice. If she’s here, there will be little hope of keeping her from running the company from bed. Bianca doesn’t know the definition of the word ‘relax.’ In Boise, I’ll have a lot more control. All I’d need do is disconnect my router and take her phone away.”
“Right. Good luck with that. Are you planning on her staying for the duration of the pregnancy?”
“Yes. She’s alone here. In Boise, I have a big family, so even when I have to return to work, we’ll have a support system—or, in Bianca’s case—babysitters.”
The doctor laughed and squeezed Trapper’s shoulder. “I think Ms. Ferrari has met her match. Okay, Trapper, you can take Bianca to Boise. I have a colleague there I can recommend. We did our residency together. I’ll give him a call and forward Bianca’s records if you’re successful in getting her on your grandfather’s jet.”
“Great, Doc, I’d appreciate it.” Trapper pulled out his wallet. “Here’s my card. Email me his contact information, and I’ll make an appointment for Bianca to see him next week.”
Dr. Schaeffer perused his card and laughed. “A judge, huh? That explains a lot. Bianca seems like a real handful. That’s not a bad thing, if you can handle her. I married a tempest about twenty-five years ago, and the woman still keeps me on my toes. One thing is sure. I’ve never been bored. If you win this one over, I doubt you will be complaining of boredom either.”
“Especially not with twins added to the mix. Which reminds me, I have a few phone calls to make. My family still doesn’t know about Bianca and the babies.” He ran his hands through his hair, wishing he had a damn hat. “Hell, I didn’t know until a few hours ago.”
“That will be an interesting conversation. If you need anything, don’t hesitate to call. I’d be happy to help in any way I can.”
“You wouldn’t happen to know where a man can find a cowboy hat in these parts, would you? Bianca threw up in mine, and I feel naked without one.”
“There’s J.J. Hat Center on Fifth Avenue in the lower thirties. They have every kind of hat known to man.”
“Great. Thanks for all your help. Now, all I have to do is get everything arranged for a trip home tomorrow.” He shook the doctor’s hand and took a deep breath before returning to Bianca. If she knew what he had planned, she’d kill him. Hopefully, she wouldn’t put two and two together until they were on the tarmac of Teterboro Airport. Or maybe she’d fall asleep and not wake up until after they leveled off.
He found her staring at the pictures of the babies. That was a good sign. “I’m back.”
“The nurses said they’re moving me into a room for the night. Can you go to my place and bring me a few things? I’d ask James, but I don’t want to pull him away from the office.” She shot him a frustrated look. “Besides, he’s not taking my calls.”
“He probably thinks you’re calling about work. He’s worried about you and wants you to rest.”
“I am calling about work. There are things he needs to be brought up to speed on. How am I supposed to rest when I’m worried he doesn’t know what the heck he’s doing?”
“So you’re handing the reins over to James?”
“What choice have you and Dr. Kildare given me? I’m hoping that everything will be fine at my appointment next week, and the good doctor will let me return to work.”
“Bianca, sweetheart, did you not hear what Dr. Schaeffer said?”
“I heard him, but he obviously doesn’t know me. I’ve never been sick a day in my life.”
“You’re not sick. You’re pregnant. The babies will get what they need. It’s you who will suffer, which is why you’ve lost so much weight, why your blood pressure is through the roof, and why you’re dehydrated. Sweetheart, you’ve been powering through and not taking proper care of yourself. That ends now. Your health and well-being are my number one concern. James can handle Action Models until after you’ve had the babies. Then we’ll figure out what to do from there.”
“We’ll figure out what to do? As in, you and me?”
“First things first. What do you need from your place?”
She gave him a look that told him she’d humor him this time, but that wouldn’t last past today. “I need a change of clothes, shoes to match, a nightgown, and my makeup.”
“You don’t need makeup. You’re beautiful without it.”
“You’re insane. If I’m seen without makeup, it will hit the tabloids. I’m just thankful they haven’t gotten wind of my pregnancy yet.”
“Would that be a problem?”
“Yes. Don’t you get it? Everyone will question if I can handle motherhood and my company. I’ve invested the last ten years of my life in Action Models. It’s doing great, and I don’t want my clients wondering if the company is still a good bet, or my models wondering if they’re going to have a job.”
“Okay, I’ll bring everything on your list, including makeup. But you’ll have to call your doorman and tell him to let me in. They weren’t very accommodating last night.”
“You went to my place last night?”
“Yes. I wanted to surprise you.”
“No, you wanted to ambush me. They were doing their jobs by keeping you away. Remind me to give them a nice big tip.”
Yeah, like that was gonna happen. “Bianca, just make the call and give me the key.”
“Fine, but we need to talk.”
“We’ll have plenty of time to talk tomorrow after you’re released.” He didn’t mention they’d have six hours of uninterrupted time to talk on the flight to Boise. “I have to go and get things ready. I’ll be back later. Call me if you think of anything else you need.”
She reached for his hand. “You’re leaving?”
Shit. That scared little girl look eclipsed the superior businesswoman look she usually wore, and the grip on his hand tightened. “How about I hang out here with you until they get you settled? You look exhausted. You can take a nap while I’m gone, and before you know it, I’ll be back and you’ll be ready for more company.”
“Okay.” She rested against the pillows but didn’t release his hand, and that was just fine with him. He couldn’t think of another woman he’d rather hold hands with, and it had nothing to do with the fact she was carrying his children—the babies were an added bonus.
If the last few months taught him anything, it was that he wanted a lot more than a casual relationship with Bianca. The last thing he felt about her was casual, and that was before he knew about the babies. Now that feeling was amplified by a million.
He sat on the hard plastic chair beside her bed and watched her eyes drift shut. It was as if she was fighting sleep. He reached for his hat and remembered he was hatless. Damn. He sat back, holding Bianca’s hand, and a feeling of rightness enveloped him. It was weird, considering their surroundings, his state of hatlessness, and his impending fatherhood.
Maybe this was the start of something wonderful. The beginning. The first step of the many steps he’d have to take to talk her into giving them a chance for something more than co-parenting, more than a casual relationship, more than anything he’d ever had with a woman.
