Chapter 6

The procedure completed, CC was now 15 minutes into the half hour she had to spend flat on her back before she could carry on with her day. Trying to keep her mind off of just how much she wanted this attempt to be successful, she let her thoughts drift back to the time she'd spent with Niles in her apartment earlier that morning, and she couldn't keep from grinning. She had kissed him. Not, of course, like that night a year and a half ago, when they'd shared a hot, soul-searing kiss after having had not nearly enough to drink to explain why they'd launched themselves at each other. Remembering that kiss made her heart beat faster, and she closed her eyes, feeling Niles's arms around her. Her thoughts drifted to the dance they'd shared in February, and of the fun they'd had spending the evening in each other's company.

When Niles had torn up her check, CC had begun to wonder. Did he think this was a date? What if she'd found a man who was completely compatible with her in every way except financially? Sense of humor, check. Niles's delighted smirk when she insulted his neck hadn't escaped her attention, and she knew he derived just as much pleasure from their bickering as she did. Physical attraction—well. There could be no doubt they shared that. And then, today, Niles's reaction to her accidental flashing left little to the imagination. He wanted her, and she knew it. Her own reaction when he helped her on with her coat came back to her. She wasn't the kind of woman who turned shivery at a man's touch through multiple layers of clothing—Niles elicited reactions from her that surprised her in their intensity.

The door opened, and a nurse bustled in. "Well, CC, that's your half hour finished. We've got you scheduled to come back in two weeks for a blood test to see if we've been successful. Do you have any questions before we send you home?"

"I don't think so, Jane, I've read everything I could find about this. Thank you."

"Okay then, have a nice day, and try not to think about it too much."

CC smiled wryly. "I'll do my best." As CC spoke, Jane smiled and then left the room, pulling the door closed behind her. CC stood and pulled off the hospital gown, pausing to look in the mirror as she held her hand over her flat abdomen. This was only her second try, but she felt hopeful. Pulling herself from those thoughts, she reached for the clothes she'd carefully folded and placed on the chair beside the examination table. She dressed quickly and left the office.

CC paid the taxi driver and stepped out into the rain in front of the Sheffields' house. Pulling her coat more tightly around her, she hurried up the sidewalk and let herself in the door. She had to admit, she was anxious to see Niles, to gauge his reaction to the moment they'd shared earlier. She was enjoying this new twist to their interaction.

Hearing a noise to her right, she looked up to see Niles coming down the stairs. He fumbled with something behind his back, a look of surprise on his face.

"Miss Babcock! You're earlier than expected." He was pleased to see her, especially looking rosy-cheeked and energized, but couldn't she have waited till he got her MCB packet safely hidden in the office?

She looked at him curiously, a tentative smile on her face. What was he up to? Was this a new game? "Niles? What are you hiding behind your back?"

"I… what? Oh, nothing, Miss Babcock, nothing at all." He cursed himself for not taking the back stairs.

Her smile stretching into a grin, CC narrowed her eyes and took a step up the stairs. Niles gulped as she moved into his space. CC stepped even closer, reaching for his arm as she—could he be dreaming? As she pressed herself against him. Niles couldn't hold in a low moan as her breasts brushed his chest, and CC smirked triumphantly.

Niles was just bringing his free hand to caress her cheek when she grabbed the envelope, crowing, "Now what have we here, old English?" She stepped away from him to examine her prize.

Niles reached to steady her as she realized what it was, but she jerked free from his grip, dropping her envelope. Niles watched as it slid to a rest at the bottom of the staircase.

"How could you." The vibrant expression on her face gone, her voice sounded like ice. She kept her eyes, sparkling with pleasure just a moment ago, averted from him.

"CC, please, just let me explain. I am terribly sorry," he said, but he spoke to her back. CC was already pulling the door open, and he watched her walk slowly and stiffly down the sidewalk, the rain soaking her to the skin.