The Research Project

Chapter Eleven

"Why did I run away from you that night?" Poppy asked.

"Because I think you were going to tell me something important."

"What?"

He paused and looked at her. He wasn't sure if he should tell her. The doctors had warned him that too many shocks to the system might have a detrimental effect on her regaining her memory, that she would start to repress things rather than trying to remember, but he figured she was going to find this out soon enough anyway.

"You're pregnant, Poppy."

Poppy just looked at him. She placed her hands on her belly almost like it was an instinctive thing to do, then looked down at herself.

"Pregnant," she repeated. "Who's the father?"

"I am," he said, trying not to sound hurt that she would even ask that. He stepped into her and cupped her cheek so that she had to look up at him again."I want to kiss you," he murmured softly into her ear.

Poppy tilted her face up to his and let him...

Lainey looked at the clock. She'd been writing for the past three hours and that was just today's effort. Her story line was finally finding a resolution and Poppy and Lawson were working through the black moment. They were even heading toward their happily ever after. It felt like the worst of her writer's block from James' break up was over. Her meeting with Suzanne had prompted a creative, positive energy.

And she knew Byron had a lot to do with it, too. Lainey felt a pulse between her legs just at the mere thought of him. She was feeling a little nervous about what he would make of her mother. She didn't know much about Byron, but she guessed he came from the good end of town. Lainey wondered how he'd react to the way her mother lived, the way Lainey grew up, renting and not having much in the way of possessions.

She didn't have anymore time to think about it now. Her buzzer was ringing. She leapt up from the lounge and clicked it, letting him into the building. She packed up her laptop so that she could take it with her this weekend. Her overnight bag was already packed and she was dressed and ready to go. He walked through her doorway at eleven a.m. on the dot, looking completely casual in jeans, his bomber jacket and the thongs on his feet again. He smiled at her and she instantly relaxed. He looked gorgeous, carefree and so different to the way he did when he was in a suit in the office. He even had day old stubble on his jawline and chin. She'd never seen that on him before and it did things to her. Lainey was wearing jeans and a jacket herself. She'd also taken her glasses off since she wasn't at work and wore her hair down.

"Wow, you look different," Byron said, taking in her appearance.

Lainey couldn't help but laugh making him frown at her. "I was just thinking the same thing about you."

He stepped over to her and kissed her swiftly on the lips before breaking it off again. Her body ignited instantly. In the four days since she'd seen him she'd thought a lot about what they did together and it was killing her to look at him now, standing so close. Lainey wanted more, but then she wouldn't want to stop and she didn't want to be late to her mother's house. Besides, Byron was obviously thinking of going, too.

"Is this your overnight bag?" he asked. Lainey nodded and he picked it up. "Let's go, I don't want to be late for lunch."

She picked up her laptop bag and followed him out the door, locking it behind her. His shiny, black BMW was parked just in front of her unit block. Parking was a premium in her narrow little street, but Byron had of course managed to find a spot right at the front.