BEST FRIEND’S BROTHER

He reached his hand up towards her face and Sasha tensed, but he was merely brushing a strand of hair from where it had been threatening to glue itself to her lips. The tiny gesture was oddly touching. It made her feel defenseless when she needed to be tough. Did he recognise that? Was that why he had renewed his campaign?

“And you still haven’t answered my question.” He studied her carefully. “About coming to live here.”

Sasha moved away from the work-top, wanting to be out of range of that delectable dark stare, but wanting more than anything to eat. These days she seemed to be controlled by her body.

She smiled at him. “I can’t possibly answer that on an empty stomach. So, can we please have some food now?

I’m starving.”

Kaleb gave a small, wry smile in response. Had he thought she would agree to come and live here as easily as she had agreed to have such warm and beautiful sex with him?” Sure we can.” He added some tuna to the salad and took the warmed bread out of the oven. “Want to eat in here? Or is it warm enough to eat outside?”

“Outside.”

“Then let’s go.” Sasha carried out the checkered cloth he gave her and spread it over the grass, while Kaleb carried the food and water on a tray.

He spooned her out a generous portion of salade nicoise and watched while she devoured it with an appetite.

He smiled. Guess she really was eating for two now, he thought and the sense of protectiveness he’d felt towards her was more than he’d ever imagined.”

“Do you always eat that much these days?” he enquired, once she had paused for breath.

She wiped up the last of the dressing with a piece of bread and ate it slowly, waiting until she had finished chewing before she answered his question. “Not usually. It’s this pregnancy business.”

He turned onto his side and stretched out on the grass, tucking the white T-shirt into his jeans as he did so, making Sasha horribly aware of how long and how muscular his legs were.

“So, tell me all about it,” he said softly.” This pregnancy business.”

She pushed her empty plate away and took a sip of water. “Sometimes you’re so sick that you tell yourself you’ll never eat another thing-just so you won’t be able to be sick.”

“And then?”

She shrugged. “Then the baby must send some message to your brain, or your stomach-or something. Because suddenly you discover that you could devour just about everything in the fridge-and then some! You feel like one of those locusts you see on nature films- the kind that march around stripping everything bare…”ConTEent bel0ngs to Nôv(e)lD/rama(.)Org .

Now why had she said that?

His eyes darkened at the way she faltered on those last few words, and his smile grew thoughtful.” Well, feel free, Sasha, “he murmured.” Strip everything bare, if that’s what you really want.”

She glared.” It isn’t really helpful if you’re going to make suggestive remarks like that, Kaleb,”

“It’s the effect you’re having on me,” he groaned.

“But I’m not doing anything!” she protested.

“No?” He suspected that if she started reading from the telephone directory he would find it sexy! “Don’t look so shocked! Surely you must realize how damned gorgeous you look sitting there?”

“Gorgeous?” She looked down at herself. All she could see was the swollen breasts and tummy, which, after the gigantic portion of food she had just put away, made it look as though she was due to give birth at any moment… At least that was what she thought.” Normally I can’t stand false modesty-but that sounds pretty genuine to me.”

He shook his head in disbelief. “Of course you look gorgeous. You’re blooming, Sasha,” he said softly. “Blooming like a rose in high summer. Your skin is clear and your eyes are bright as stars. Hell, your figure has always been the best I’ve ever seen on any woman, but pregnancy has only enhanced it.”

He shut up then. Her mutinous expression told him that now might not be a good time to tell her how magnificent her breasts looked. He rolled over onto his stomach. At least that way there was a chance she wouldn’t notice just how she was affecting him. Or where.

Sasha saw him wince and thought she knew why. She’d seen the flush which had heightened his color, emphasizing those amazing cheekbones. The hectic glitter in his eyes hadn’t gone unnoticed, either. She found herself wanting to touch him. To run her fingertips over the satin of his skin, seeking out all the dark and secret hollows.

She thought how easy it would be to lie back beside him. To pretend that she needed to digest her meal. Or to look at the clouds as they chased one another across the sky. Then it would be only a matter of time before he leaned over to press his mouth against hers. And she wanted that. Wanted him. He was the only man she had ever wanted, in truth.

“So, are you going to come and move in with me, Sasha?” His voice sounded as disconnected as the distant droning of a lawnmower in one of the neighboring gardens.

The eighteen-year-old Sasha would have leapt at the chance, but she was no longer eighteen. Years on she had got herself into a crazy situation-but she didn’t have to make it even crazier.

She shook her head. “No, I’m not. I can’t think of a worse idea, to be honest. I’m still trying to get used to the fact that in under eight months’ time I’m going to have a tiny baby to look after. Now is certainly not the right time to start experimenting by living with someone”

He turned onto his back again, the urgency to possess her disappearing with the moment. “I might not ask you again.”

Sasha laughed. “Oh, dear!” she teased. “Then I’ve missed my chance forever. Well, there you go!”

Kaleb looked up at the darkening sky which domed above them. He couldn’t figure her out. He had thought… He frowned.

Sasha looked down at him. “What’s the matter, Kaleb?” she taunted softly. “Can’t believe a woman has said no to you?”