“And I deserved it.”

I flashed my eyes to where the sound of the voice beckoned me to surrender. Standing there with his arms resting on the door hinge, he took my breath away. It was the element of surprise, and seeing this beautiful man all suited up in a Hugo Boss suit, formed to his fine toned body, had me spellbound. But his words and his presence startled me. My heart did a funny flip. It was the love at first sight kind of flip, and at the same time one that stung really bad, like I was seeing an ex-boyfriend I still loved after a break up.

“You deserved it?” Matthew asked, narrowing his eyes with a question, and turned to me. “Want me to kick his ass for you?”

Max didn’t hear what Matthew had said; his eyes were still locked on mine. Taking one careful step at a time, he was coming for me.

“Jenna and I have a meeting in here. Now,” Max stated without even a glance at Matthew. His words were final.

“Maybe I should leave.” I thought that was what Matthew said. Next thing I knew, I heard the sound of the door being closed.

“Don’t you have a meeting to go to, Mr. Knight?” I cleared my throat. It was the way Max was looking at me with those predatory eyes that made me nervous...the kind I remembered he would use when he was pursuing me. “I got your text that you would be out at meetings all day.”

Placing his hands inside of his pants pockets, he took another step toward me. “I have one with you right now. I was worried about you. I know you’re not feeling well. I read on the Internet about all the possibilities of what you might be going through.”

“Sometimes I feel like vomiting, depending on what I try to eat. Sometimes I feel nauseous for no reason.”

“Do you feel like that all day?”

“Thank God, no. I feel best in the morning and it progressively gets worse toward the evening, but I think I’m starting to feel better. At least I’m able to eat a little. A bit more than I could a week ago.”

“That’s good.” Max nodded, then slid his hand across his strong jaw. After he cleared his throat, he spoke again. “I have to be honest with you, I didn’t have a meeting this morning. I needed some time to think. That was the reason why I left early.”

“And I have to be honest with you,” I said. “A part of me thought you left me, or were thinking of leaving me.”

Max tilted his face with a look of hurt in his eyes. “You think I would leave you because you’re pregnant? You think that I could stop loving you even for a second?”

Max was now in front of me, and I gasped at his proximity. He had stood in front of me many times before, but I was extremely shy today. Perhaps it was the anticipation of what was to come. Being able to read his body language better than before, my body reacted to his. Heat spread to the depth of my core and I could already feel his hands all over me.

When I didn’t answer, he continued, “Jenna, I can’t even breathe without you. Every second you’re on my mind. Every happy thought is of you.” Max lowered his hand to my stomach. “Now, every thought will be of the both of you. I’m sorry. I was a little...weird last night. I just needed some time to take in the news. I promise to the both of you, I’ll be there every step of the way. Our baby is going to be the luckiest baby in the universe.”

Tears blurred my vision. As if a brick had been lifted off my shoulders, I felt my body relax, and I could breathe again. “You...want this baby...our baby?” I’d heard him clearly, but I just needed confirmation.

“Of course.” Max pulled me to his chest. “I’ve always wanted us to have a van full of kids together. We’re ahead of schedule, but that’s okay. Life is unpredictable. We have to go with the flow or we’ll drown in fear.”

My eyes set on his with a coy smile. “You’re very wise, Mr. Knight.”

“I became a wise man when I first looked into your eyes and fell in love with you. I didn’t think you would date a foolish one, so I had to shape up.”

I pressed into him, fluttering my eyelashes. “I’m glad you did.”

“Ms. Mefferd.” His words came out tender, affectionate. Max stroked my cheek while his other hand was planted on my ass. “I missed you this morning.” I didn’t get a chance to speak; his tongue was already bathing my neck in a slow, circular motion. “You’re wearing my favorite easy access skirt,” he murmured as his lips continued down. With his teeth, he popped a button without breaking it. Thank God! “These are pretty strong buttons,” he said against the base of my breast.

“Mr. Knight,” I whimpered, shivering and feeling a strong urge to unzip his pants. “We’re at work.”

Bending lower, Max ignored me as his hands started from my thigh, and moved ever so softly up to my ass while scrunching up my skirt. Thank goodness I’d worn a nice, sexy panties instead of the “granny panties”, as Becky called them.

“I love what you’re wearing.” He purposely purred a hot breath right at that perfect spot, making me quiver.

“Max, I’m serious. Someone will walk in.” When I started to push him away, he seized both of my hands behind my back.

Holding onto me, he started to walk us backward. “Don’t worry, Ms. Mefferd. Matthew locked the door behind him. He’s headed to your department meeting, but it’s okay...you’re allowed to be late, so says the boss.”

“I’m late?” I repeated, but the words barely escaped me. Matthew locking the door behind him meant that he knew what Max was up to. Not only was I blushing from what we were doing, but also knowing Matthew knew.