The doorbell rang again and she dashed out of her room, past the second bedroom where Taylor lay sleeping and down the hall.
Her heart was pounding.
No rush, she told herself, and purposely stopped to draw in a deep, calming breath. She was fine.
Just fine.
When she believed it, when she had some semblance of calm, she opened the door.
And immediately lost it again.
Dax was leaning against the jamb, looking shockingly desirable. He wore jeans and a long-sleeved shirt the exact color of his baby blue eyes.
Those eyes smiled into hers as he leaned close, and any semblance of calm flew right out the window. His scent assaulted her; clean, woodsy, and all male. Then her breath backed up in her throat because he was so close she almost-almost-tipped toward him.
She wanted a kiss.
Startled, she just looked at him, specifically at that mouth that she knew could drive her crazy. No. No kiss, she decided hastily. She couldn’t handle it, not now, not when her control was already long gone.
“Hey,” he said, moving even closer, and her heart stumbled. His sleepy, heavy-lidded eyes met hers for one long, silent moment.
Please, was her only, suddenly shocking thought. Kiss me.
As if he could hear her, his long lashes lowered over his eyes, his mouth brushed her jaw.
Yes, yes, he was going to do it, thank God, for she wanted that with every fiber of her being. Forget control, forget distance, she wanted his kiss. Now.
Softly, gently, his lips slid over her cheek, nipped at her throat and then…he straightened away from her. “You’re here. I thought maybe you’d changed your mind.”
“No.” She had to clear her throat. “I’m ready. I…just need to get Taylor.”
His grin was more than a little wicked. “You’re happy to see me.”
She managed a laugh. “Not really.”
“Another lie.” He tsked. “Santa’s going to take you off his list.” Then he smiled slow and sure. “You wanted me to kiss you.”
“In your dreams.”
His laugh was just as wicked as his grin. “Oh, you’re most definitely in my dreams.”
His eyes were so hot, so sure and knowing, she swallowed hard. “I’ll get Taylor.”
His gaze dipped down to her mouth, then further still, slowly running over her body in a way that might have, if she’d been a weaker woman, left her legs wobbly.
She locked her knees just in case.
“I’ve never seen you in anything other than a power suit,” he said huskily. “I like the change.”
She resisted, barely, the urge to tug at her snug shirt.
He reached for her hand. “You know, I’m beginning to think I’m getting the hang of reading your eyes. They’re so expressive they give you away, especially right now.”
Could he see then, how uncomfortable she was? How self-conscious?
“You look beautiful, Amber,” he said, his gaze directly on hers.
Yes, apparently he could.
“I mean it,” he said silkily, and for once, she believed him.
THE MCCALL house was packed with smiling, laughing, talking people, not to mention barking dogs and a blaring stereo. Halfway up the walk, Amber faltered. If this had been a business gathering, she would have known exactly what to do and how to act.
But this wasn’t a work function. This wasn’t a required cocktail party or fund-raiser. It was supposed to be fun.
She didn’t do fun very well.
She’d counted on using Taylor as a shield, but Dax had the baby secure in his arms, and she looked so content Amber had little choice but to leave her there.
Through the opened gate to the backyard the party looked to be in full swing. Couples danced, kids played, people talked. Everywhere.
Amber just stared at what seemed like a sea of hundreds, all happy and comfortable and having a good time. “Are all these people your family?”
“And friends.”
“It’s…” Loud, came to mind, but that seemed rude. Yet she was incapable of coming up with a proper white lie since her stomach was suddenly in her throat. “Different.”
“I should tell you now, my family is bossy, nosy and opinionated.”
Gee, there was a surprise. “I’m sure I can handle it.” But she wasn’t sure at all. She had no experience with large families, no experience with families period.
Dax looked at the hand she’d unconsciously placed on her jittery stomach, and placed his own over hers. “They’re going to love you, Amber. They’re just going to be loud and nosy about it.”
The very idea of perfect strangers falling in love with her was as ridiculous as…well, as being at this party.
“They will.” He smiled, that special one he seemed to hold in reserve just for her. “Ready?”
“Yes. No. Yes. God. I don’t know.” It was the twenty-first century, but having a child out of wedlock didn’t feel like something to be particularly proud of, no matter what the circumstances.
Would they resent her?
Think that she’d trapped Dax on purpose?
Why had she agreed to this?
“I have no idea what’s running through that head of yours,” Dax said with a low laugh. “But I promise it isn’t going to be half as bad as whatever you’re thinking.”
“Okay.” She straightened her shoulders resolutely. “Let’s do it.”
Laughing again, Dax shook his head. “It’s not a firing squad, either. It’s going to be fun.” A sigh escaped him when none of the tension left her. “Come on, I can see you’re not going to relax until we get it over with.”
With Taylor snug and happy in one arm, and his other hand firmly holding hers, he drew them into the fray.
They were immediately surrounded.
“Dax! Let me have that baby!” The woman Amber recognized as Suzette pushed her way to the front and took Taylor into her arms. “Oh, she’s beautiful!” She turned a smile on Amber. “Nice to see you again, we’re so glad you could come. Dax has told us all about you.”
Amber shot a look at Dax, wondering what exactly he’d told them about her.
He just lifted a brow and smiled, leaving her clueless, which she was quite certain he knew she hated.
“Taylor is such a good baby.” Suzette sighed dreamily. “I can’t wait to see mine.” She patted her huge belly. “If he or she ever decides to come on out! I’m two weeks overdue now.” She kissed Taylor’s little nose.
Another woman pressed close, looking so much like Suzette that Amber blinked.
“Hey there, Dax.” The woman kissed him, then leaned over Suzette and kissed Taylor, too. “Hey, sweetie.”
Taylor drooled her pleasure and let out her characteristic squeal, which meant, “I like this! Gimme more!”
Everyone laughed.
“Give her to me, Suzette,” the new woman said. “She likes me best anyway.”
“This is Shelley,” Dax informed Amber. “My oldest and most bossy sister.”
“Honestly, Dax, you know perfectly well I’m the bossy one.” Another blond, beautiful woman pushed her way through the crowd.
“Amy.” Dax grinned and endured her bear hug and loud smacking kiss right on the mouth. “And you’re right, it’s a tie. Amber, this is Amy. The baby of the clan.”
“I’m not the baby, you are!” But she smiled widely at Taylor, snatched Taylor from Shelley’s arms and reached out an arm to give Amber a brief hug. “Wonderful to meet you, welcome to the family.”
Hopelessly awkward and yet unbearably touched at the same time, Amber’s heart tied itself into knots. The strange tightness in her chest, the one she associated with Dax, was back. Actually, it hadn’t left since she’d first seen him again.
Hormones, she told herself. That’s all it was.