More Than He Expected Read Free Page A

you
downstairs.”
    Adrienne slipped out of the room, leaving him alone. He heard
the dull slap of her footsteps down the wooden staircase, then pulled back the
curtains and watched for her to step out onto the patio. He could see Will out
there, hovering over the stainless steel grill that was built into the L-shaped
outdoor kitchen they’d added since his last visit. Adrienne kissed him on the
cheek and assisted him in investigating the mysteries of the new cooktop.
    With the coast clear, he unzipped his bag and pulled out a
bottle of wine and a bundle of crimson roses he’d picked up for Gwen on his way
out of town. His father had always taught him that a gift was never a bad way to
start off on the right foot, especially with women. Alex would’ve gotten her
some jewelry, but the last time he’d tried, she’d pretty much laughed in his
face. To avoid a repeat, he’d opted for something a little more low-key. With
Gwen, he’d learned he had to strike a balance between thoughtful, nice and too
expensive.
    Hiding them behind his back, he headed downstairs in search of
Gwen’s room. He’d stayed in that bedroom a few years back at another summertime
Taylor gathering, so now he easily found it near the laundry room and kitchen,
tucked away in a remote corner. At one time, it had been the maid’s
quarters.
    The door was halfway open. From his vantage point, he could see
an open suitcase lying on the bed. Alex approached the entry and poked his head
around the corner. Gwen was putting clothes away in her dresser.
    Her back was to him, so he took a moment to admire her. A
strapless cotton sundress flowed in bright colors to her ankles and bare feet.
Her curly, ash-blond hair was pulled up in a clip that left soft tendrils at her
bare neck. He was suddenly filled with the undeniable urge to kiss her
there.
    Alex slipped silently into the room, creeping across the plush
rug to come up behind her.
    “Hello again, gorgeous,” he said, wrapping his arms around her
to display the wine and roses and planting a warm kiss at the apex of her neck
and shoulder. “These are for you.” He felt her tremble slightly at his touch,
then stiffen beneath his hands.
    She didn’t turn to him or take the gifts. Instead, a soft,
hesitant voice politely replied, “Hello, Alex.”
    A feeling of unease nagged at Alex’s brain and threatened to
override the longing building in his gut. This wasn’t the welcome he’d expected
from her at all. He’d anticipated a smile, a hug, maybe an enthusiastic “Hello,
sugar”…or at the very least, a thank-you for the flowers. Perhaps he had
miscalculated. Her less than enthusiastic greeting made him wonder if she was
upset with him. Had she expected him to call even though they’d agreed not to?
At the time, she’d seemed to understand what they had together, but she wouldn’t
be the first woman to be disappointed or upset when the relationship ended as
planned.
    She finally took the roses and the wine, setting them on top of
the dresser without really looking at them, her back still facing him. Note to
self—Gwen wasn’t a fan of expensive jewelry, roses or red wine. What did she like?
    “How have you been?” she asked. Her voice sounded more normal
now, less timid. Perhaps he’d just startled her.
    “Busy,” he said, his free hands now planting at her waist. She
didn’t pull away, but she didn’t lean back against him, either. The flowers
hadn’t done their magic, but he knew just how to thaw out a woman’s cold
reception. The feel of his arousal pressed against her back would certainly
soothe her pride and let her know how badly she’d been missed. “You?” he asked,
letting his palms glide around to her stomach to pull her reluctant body into
him.
    At least, that was the idea. As his hands ran over a soft,
rounded belly instead of the flat, firm one he remembered, Alex paused.
    The realization washed over him like a tidal wave. The breath
was knocked from his lungs and his