sigh, Toni gave up on sleep. The memory of that night burned too brightly in her mind. She crawled out of bed and headed for the shower. The guys would be getting off soon. As she usually did, she prepared breakfast for them and left it out for them to eat. After some dry toast, she locked up and left.
The morning was busy and passed in a blur. She took a quick lunch break and ate half a sandwich and some water. When she went back up front, Mrs. Hauffrey was waiting with her two poodles.
“Antonia, darling, how are you?”
“I’m fine, Mrs. Hauffrey. How are Fritz and Fifi?”
“Oh they’re lovely. Just here for a check-up.” Her gaze sharpened, her mammoth earrings dangling fiercely as she leaned forward. “Now darling, you know I’m not one to pry, but I saw you come out of the clinic yesterday and couldn’t help but be concerned. Is everything all right?” Her eyes were wide, innocence etched on her heavily made up features.
She even managed a look of concern.
Toni sighed. Not one to pry, my ass . The woman could pry a steel trap open with her teeth. Her eyes gleamed in excitement at the prospect of
-27-
Maya Banks
juicy gossip. Well Toni wasn’t going to be fodder for the ladies group at the Baptist Church.
“Couldn’t be better,” Toni said with a smile. “If you’ll bring the dogs back, Doc will see them now.”
The look of disappointment on the older woman’s face was priceless.
She’d have enough to gossip about when Toni started showing. Which shouldn’t be too far in the distant future.
Shortly after four, Toni saw the last scheduled appointment out the door and began closing up. Exhaustion permeated every pore in her body. It would be a miracle if she could stay awake enough to drive home.
She trudged out to the parking lot and slipped into the seat of her Jeep. God, it felt good to sit down. It had been a crazy day in the office, and breaks had been few and far between.
Fifteen minutes later, she pulled up to the house and turned off the ignition. All the guys were home judging by the trucks parked in the driveway. Why did she feel so awkward about facing them now? Taking a deep breath, she got out and trekked toward the door. She needed her bed in the worst way.
Matt and A.J. were watching TV, and Simon was in the kitchen cooking. She walked by with a small wave. Honestly, it was all she could muster. Speaking would have sapped whatever remaining energy she had left. She ignored Simon’s inquisitive stare.
She didn’t even bother undressing once she got to her room. She tossed her purse down and crawled into the covers.
“Toni? Everything okay?” Simon’s voice reached her just as she felt him sit on the bed beside her.
“Tired.” It was all she could manage.
His hand rubbed her back, and she moaned softly. “That feels good.”
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Seducing Simon
“Is she okay?” Matt asked from the door.
He and A.J. crowded into the room and stood beside the bed where Simon sat.
“I’m fine,” she said, looking up at them. “Just exhausted.”
“Should you go to the doctor?” A.J. asked.
“It’s normal,” Simon said.
“How would you know?” Matt demanded.
“I’ve been reading this.” He held up a book. “I bought it for Toni. Has all you ever want to know about being pregnant in it. According to it, she will feel overwhelming fatigue in the early stages and it will taper off by the second trimester.”
Toni looked at him in shock.
“I thought you might want to read it,” he said smiling at her. “C’mon guys. Let’s leave her to rest.” He dropped the book beside her on the bed and bent over to drop a kiss on her forehead. “I’ll call you when supper is ready.”
“Thanks,” she whispered.
When they left, she buried her head in the pillow once more. She couldn’t do this. It was torture. Yes, she’d done something terrible, but even that didn’t deserve such torment as this. Every gesture, every touch from Simon had her wanting, aching