The Ten Year Affair (10 page)

“What are you doing Ian? You’re not leaving are you? Please tell me
you’re not leaving.”

“We’re both leaving baby. I’m taking you to the hospital. I’m afraid you
might be dehydrated and I’m not taking any chances. I want you well and on your
toes next week when the Jacobs trial starts. I don’t want people saying I won
just because you weren’t feeling up to par.” He was teasing again but this time
she didn’t laugh.

“Ian. You have no right to boss me around. This will pass and I’ll be
fine. There’s nothing wrong with me.”

“Damn it Alex I’ve held your head enough and I’m worried. I say you’re
not fine and this isn’t something that will just ‘pass’. You need to see a
doctor.”

“No Ian. Please don’t argue with me. I know what I’m talking about!”

“Alex, I don’t want to fight. Either let me take you to the doctor or god
help me I’m calling your grandmother.”

“Oh gee thanks Ian. Now you’re not only bossing me around but threatening
me too. You’re such a pal. Would you please just go?”

“I’m not like your
best friend
Alex. You’re not getting rid of me
that easily when I can see you need help. Now come on get up. Either get
dressed or I take you as you are.” Alex thought she was going to be sick again
when she realized she was wearing a shirt of Ian’s.
“That’s just great,”
she thought.
“Now he knows I’ve been moping over him.”

“I’m not going anywhere Ian Foster and fighting with me is not making me
feel better.”

“All right. That’s it”. Ian grabbed his car keys from the night stand and
bent over to pick Alex up.

“Ian put me down. I’m not kidding this is ridiculous.”

“I’m not kidding either Alex. Just humor me. If a doctor tells me you’re
fine I’ll listen and leave you alone.”

“Damn it Ian! I’ve already seen a doctor and he said the same thing I
told you. It will pass.”

“Is that right? Well, what the hell did he say is wrong with you Alex?”

“That’s none of your business Ian. Now put me down.”

“No way. What’s wrong with you? Tell me or we’re off to the hospital.”

Oh, god. She wasn’t handling this well.

“I repeat. It is none of your business. I’m a grown woman and capable of
looking out for myself. If I was in doubt at all that I was fine I’d let you
take me to the hospital. But I don’t want a hospital bill for nothing. Now
please put me down.”

“I’ll pay your damn bill. Tell me what this ‘nothing’ is and maybe then
I’ll put you down.”

Alex didn’t know what to do. He was going to find out eventually and he
was offering her the perfect opportunity to blurt it out. She might as well
take a deep breath and get it over with.

“Oh, damn it Ian. I’m pregnant! I’m pregnant! Fainting and retching are
all a very normal part of pregnancy!”

Ian’s stomach fell. She was pregnant? Why did his heart sink? What did he
care if she was pregnant? Pregnant. That certainly explained the fainting and
vomiting.

“Pregnant?” he said as he laid her on the bed and sat down on the edge
next to her. “You’re pregnant?” He couldn’t help but show how shocked he was.
His Alex was pregnant with someone else’s child. You knew this was coming
Foster. She’s making a life of her own that doesn’t include you. Just like you
wanted. Just like you thought you wanted.

“Yes Ian I’m pregnant. So you see? I'll be fine. This sickness will pass
and I’ll be fine.”

None of this made any sense. If she was pregnant why did Peter leave her
alone? Why hadn’t he stayed to care for her last night?

“Does Peter know?” Ian asked.

“Does Peter know? Why...,” Alex began. Even though she had told him time
and time again that she did not have that kind of relationship with Peter he
still thought the baby was Peter’s. Well, that was probably a good thing right
now. He didn’t yet realize he could be the father.

“No Peter doesn’t know.”

“Well, when do you plan to tell him? You can’t keep something like this
from him for too long Alex. He needs to know.”

“Ian I’m not up to discussing this with you right now please. I need to
get some sleep.”

Ian smoothed the stray hairs back from her face and kissed her on the
forehead. He felt even more protective of her now. He would care for her and
help her through this difficult time. What would Peter say when he found out?
He probably wouldn’t let Ian near her again. Ian could understand that.

“Okay baby. You get some sleep and I will too. I’ll be right here. We’ll
talk about this some more when you’re rested.” Ian stripped down to his boxers
again and crawled in next to her.

“Ian what the hell are you doing? I just told you I’m pregnant and you
pat me on the head and crawl back in bed with me?”

“Alex. You’re still very sick, pregnant or not, so I’m not leaving you.”
He lay on his side and couldn’t stop himself from laying his hand on her belly.

“So you’ve got a little Alex in there maybe? I bet she’ll be every bit as
beautiful as her mother.”

It hurt. God how it hurt. Alex had been with someone else. He’d never
wanted to believe she had ever made love to anyone else but they hadn’t been
together now for at least four months. Four months...

“How far along are you Alex? When are you due?”

She knew the question was coming so she should have been prepared with an
answer. She stumbled in her mind for what to say. He couldn’t know. Not yet,
maybe not ever.

“I’m not sure. I just confirmed that I was pregnant with a blood test but
I haven’t actually seen the doctor yet. I won’t see him for another month yet.”

“A month? That’s crazy Alex especially since you are so sick. Isn’t there
something they can give you for the sickness?”

“If it doesn’t pass soon I’ll see about getting something to help but I
can assure you it’s all quite normal and, keep your fingers crossed, it won’t
last too much longer.”

“You’re far too sick to carry your usual work load Alex. You need to cut
back. You need to tell Grainger...”

“Ian,” Alex interrupted. “Let’s not talk about this now. As I tried to
tell you before none of this is any of your concern. It’s my pregnancy. Let me
deal with it.”

Ian continued to rub her belly and wonder. Could it be his? No, she would
tell him wouldn’t she? She said it was none of his business and it was
her
pregnancy. Wasn’t that telling him it wasn’t his? Should he just come out and
ask her? Did he really want to know?

“Okay baby. Have it your way for now. Let’s get some sleep Mommy.”

He smiled and rolled away from her to get some sleep. He couldn’t touch
her. He needed to think. Needed to think of what to do but first he needed some
sleep.

Alex was confused. She didn’t know what to think of this man. She told him
she was pregnant, he thought it was someone else’s baby and yet here he lay
sound asleep in her bed. Did he wonder at all if the baby might be his? He’d
looked upset when she had blurted it out. She didn’t understand this man at
all. Did he or didn’t he want her? Did he or didn’t he want this baby to be
his? She absolutely could not read him. But she knew he’d held her hand all
night long and hadn’t been scared away with her announcement. What was she
going to do about this? Should she risk it all and tell him the truth? Should
she tell him she loved him, wanted a life with only him and their children? Why
not? What did she have to lose now? If he walked away, he walked away. Things
would be no different than they were now. She would be a little embarrassed at
first but she would get over the humiliation. She was gonna have to sleep on
that.

Two hours later Ian awoke, showered, dressed and made a light lunch for
Alex and himself. He heard the shower running now. Alex must be feeling better.
He didn’t know what to say to her when she appeared. What should he say? He had
to ask her if there was a chance he was the father. But was now the right time?

He looked up to find Alex standing in the doorway. She wore khaki capris
and the tiniest, daintiest, pink tank top that ended just above her belly
button. Her skin was bronze and smooth and he wanted to reach out and touch her
belly again. He needed to know. Was he going to be a father? She must have
blown her hair dry just a bit because her hair was just slightly damp from her
shower and her blonde curls were out of control. He needed to touch her but was
afraid. Afraid he couldn’t stop at just touching.

Ian was staring at her with his eyes half open. She could see the
desire...the need in his eyes. What he did to her with just a look! Her nipples
pebbled to rock hard. She should have thrown on a bra. She wanted to throw
herself in his arms and forget everything except how she felt at that moment.
She needed him. Needed to make love to him or she would die.

“You are so beautiful.” Ian had barely gotten the words out. His throat
was dry and his desire had him tongue-tied. Did she know the affect she had on
men? On him?

Alex chuckled and smiled. “We’ll see if you still think so in a few
months when I blow up like a balloon.”

“You’ll be even more beautiful then.” Ian slowly walked towards her and
she shivered. She knew what was about to happen and she didn’t want to fight
it. She loved this man and was having his child. It may not be smart but it was
the right thing for her. It was what she wanted; to hell with being smart.

Ian stopped abruptly and returned to grab a cup of coffee from the
counter. He’d backed off from his intentions and she wasn’t sure why.

“Here. Have some coffee. I ran out and got some decaf. I remember hearing
that a lot of caffeine isn’t good for babies.”

The man was certainly a mystery. He would be a doting father if he was
given the chance. Only if...

“Thank you. Can you believe I am actually feeling ready to tackle the
day? As a matter of fact I can’t believe how good I’m feeling now.” And how
extra fabulous I’d be feeling if you’d only followed through and taken me in
your arms.

“I’ve got a small shaved ham sandwich here for you and some crackers and
cheese. I wasn’t quite sure what your stomach would be up for now.”

“Thank you. Actually I’m starving. It looks good.”

They both ate their meal in silence with each afraid to even steal more
than a glance at the other. The tension was becoming more than Ian could bear.
She smelled so clean and fresh from her shower. Was that strawberries he
smelled in her hair?  He wanted to bury his face in her curls and breathe in
their scent. He wanted to taste her skin. Dear god...

Alex got up from the table and carried their dishes to the sink. She
started to fill the sink to wash the dishes. He watched her tiny behind as she
moved and imagined entering her from behind. He grew hard thinking of being
inside her. Dear god I love this woman. I need her and it doesn’t matter whose
baby she’s carrying. Ian got up and went to stand behind her and wrapped his
arms around her. She shut off the water in the sink, closed her eyes, and
arched back to feel his hard body. He snuggled her neck and teased her with his
tongue making circles on her neck and laving in her ear. She nearly collapsed.
She so loved his caresses.

“Alex I need you. Feel how much I need you.”

Alex could feel his rigid heat pressed against her bottom. She reached
behind herself to feel his erection. She could feel the dampness that formed
between her own legs as Ian gently massaged her breasts with one hand while the
other came to rest on her belly.

Ian whispered in her ear.

“It’s okay to make love to you isn’t it Alex? We won’t hurt the little
one will we? Do you want to make love to me Alex? Have you missed me as much as
I’ve missed you?”

Alex brought both hands behind her to grasp his neck and arched even more
to meet his touch. “No, we won’t hurt the baby Ian and yes, I’ve missed you. My
body has missed you so much. I’ve missed you so much.”

Ian grabbed the hem of her tank and pulled it over her head. She was bare
from the waist up. He rained kisses all over her neck, shoulders and back. Her
skin was on fire and her fresh scent drove him wild. She was always so
responsive and the little moans she made when he touched her breasts were almost
enough to set off his own climax.

This would be the first time Alex had made love to Ian since she realized
she was
in
love with the big clout. The anticipation of what he would do
to her had her so moist and ready for him. Ian unclasped her capris and slid
them along with her panties down her legs then turned her to face him as she
now stood naked before him. Ian backed her against the wall and threw off his
shirt and drug his pants to his knees. He then lifted Alex by the thighs and
slowly lowered her onto his bulging shaft. She gasped once he filled her to the
limit and emitted one of those groans that brought him to his knees. Dear god
she was tight. So tight for a woman who had been his lover for ten years.

Alex couldn’t control her desire. She grabbed his shoulders and began to
pump him wildly.

“No Alex. Slow down. I want this to last forever. I don’t want to rush. I
want to feel your lips surround me and hold me for as long as we can.”

Ian took control of the pace slowly easing in and out of her. He was
right Alex thought. This was nice. Sooooo nice. Ian continued to go slowly but
thrust himself deeper each time he entered. Alex could feel the orgasm slowly
building within her. The man was magic, pure magic. She wanted to hold back and
make this last forever too but she didn’t have the willpower Ian possessed.

Ian began to whisper naughty things in her ear and she knew his erotic
talk would set her off. He was such a wonderful lover. She knew she could never
be satisfied with anyone else after being with Ian. She opened her eyes and
gazed at him. He was so enjoying her body she could tell. Was it like this for
him when he had sex with other women? Did he simply have sex or did he make
love to them as he did to her?