“Stop it.” I glared at him. Good god, rock stars were so childish. Spoiled brats.
The silence between us was deafening, the depths of space couldn’t compete. We had the bubble thing going on again. Inside the condo didn’t exist, there was no party, no music, light, and chatter. But I could control this situation. No way would my head be getting messed up by some rock star who’d be gone in no time.
“I want a do-over. Now,” he demanded.
“No way.” I put a hand to his chest, trying to hold him back. It didn’t help. His heart beat hard against the palm of my hand even through the layers of clothing.
He loomed ever more threateningly closer, licking his gorgeous lips. “Right now, Anne. You and me.”
“I don’t think so.”
“I can do better.” And closer.
“You don’t have to prove anything to me, Mal.”
“You’ll like it this time, promise.”
If I liked his kiss any more I’d have heart failure. “Truly not necessary.”
“Just once more,” he said, his voice intoxicatingly low and smooth, lulling me into compliance. Damn him. “No big deal. Just give me one more chance.”
His mouth hovered above mine, the anticipation tying me in knots. Damn it, I wasn’t going to stop him. Not even a little. I was the worst.
“Trouble in paradise?” Jimmy Ferris stepped out onto the balcony, his trademark sneery smile in place. I could have kissed him for his timely intervention. Except kissing was what had gotten me into this mess.
“Hiding from Lena?” asked Mal calmly.
Jimmy flicked his dark hair back. His gaze slid to me before moving onto the city lights below. There was a non-answer if I’d ever seen one.
“Yeah, that’s what I thought.” Mal snorted. All of his intensity had evaporated into thin air, thank god. “We’re all good thanks, bro. Just picking out names for our future children. Anne wants Malcolm Junior for a boy but I said no, absolutely not. Kid should at least have a chance at a life out from underneath the shadow of his old man.”
“That’s real big of you,” said Jimmy.
“I know, right? Being a parent is all about the sacrifices.”
Mal slid his hand behind my neck, rubbing at the tight muscles. “Relax,” he ordered. “It isn’t good for the baby.”
“I am not pregnant.”
“Ah, shit, that’s right. We were s’posed to be keeping it quiet. Sorry, pumpkin.” He smacked himself in the forehead. I would’ve been happy to do it for him.
“Don’t worry,” said Jimmy. “We’ve been friends since we were kids. I know when he’s talking shit.”
I wish I did.
“Who’s pregnant?” asked David Ferris, wandering out onto the balcony with his wife in one hand and a beer in the other.
With a look of great pride, Mal rubbed my belly. Any roundness was far more likely due to a weakness for cake than any acts of procreation.
“I’m not –”
“We were keeping it on the down low,” said Mal. “We didn’t want to upstage you two lovebirds.”
“Fast work,” said David with a hint of a smile.
“My boys can swim.” Mal winked.
“I don’t think you can actually tell that soon, dickhead.” Jimmy crossed his arms, leaning against the wall of windows. “Science and stuff, right?”
“A real man knows when his woman is knocked up, Jimbo. I don’t expect you to understand.”
“A real man, huh?” Jimmy pushed off the window, walking slowly toward Mal. His smile would’ve given a shark second thoughts. Hell, they were both smiling. What was it about males that they felt this primal need to beat the shit out of each other for the fun of it? Why?
“Guys,” said Ev. “No punching at my do-over wedding, playful or otherwise.”
“What about bitch-slapping?” asked Mal, swinging his arm in Jimmy’s direction.
“Let’s not.” I grabbed his hand and dragged it down by my side before he could do anyone any damage. “And Jimmy is right. Forty-eight hours is a bit too soon to tell. Not that we’re trying,” I hastened to add.
Mal’s brows drew in as he gave me a wounded look. “I can’t believe you’d side with him against me. That really hurts, Anne. You, of all people, should know my sperm is of superior quality.”
“You wouldn’t believe how long I could go never hearing you talk about your spunk, man.” Ben shook his head.
“Don’t be down, dude. It’s only natural my alpha sperm would make you feel pitifully inadequate.”
With a long groan, Jimmy covered his face. “You should have just let me hit him. If anyone ever needed some fucking sense knocked into them …”
“I’ll hold him down,” Ben offered.
“Knock it off,” said David.
Mal opened his lips, eyes alight with glee. So I slapped my hand over his mouth, quick smart.
“Mal, why don’t we discuss your sperm later?” I suggested. He kissed my palm and slowly I lowered my hand. “Thank you. And we are not having a baby.”
“Okay, Anne. Whatever you say, Anne.”
Ben laughed. “What, you * whipped now?”
Without comment, David reached out and smacked the bigger man over the back of the head.
“Hey!”
“Thanks, Davie.” Mal drew me back into his arms.
“That was for Anne,” said David. “Enough embarrassing shit while the girls are around. Act your fucking age, guys.”
“A shovel, Malcolm. A rusty old shovel. That’s your fate if you upset my friend. Keep it in mind.” Ev stepped forward to give me a kiss on the cheek. “I wish you all the luck in the world with him. You’re a brave woman.”
“Yes, I’m beginning to think so.”
“I like the way he looks at you,” she said quietly. “That’s new.”
“Your second wedding was beautiful.” I gave her my biggest, brightest smile, sidestepping the subject of my new fake boyfriend entirely.
Ev threw an arm around her husband’s neck, smacking a kiss on his cheek. “Yes it was. It was amazing.”
“Love you, baby.” David kissed her back.
“Love you too.”
He whispered something in her ear. Something that made her giggle. “We can’t–my parents are here. Later.”
David’s mouth turned downward.