This Time, Baby: A Bundle of Joy, #5

By Roxy Wilson

All it took was one drunken night…

 

Tasha Millien never gets drunk. Heck, she doesn't do one night stands, either. But that's exactly what she did when she attended her friend's Christmas party.

 

He should have known better…

 

After barely getting over a divorce that took him totally by surprise, Heath Dawson knows that falling into sex with a perfect, yet beautiful, stranger is a definite no-no, but that's exactly what he did.

 

Sometimes the unexpected happens…

 

When Tasha drops the bomb on Heath that she's pregnant with his baby, will they part ways, or will they try to make things work out this time around?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Roxy Wilson
• Release date: Jan 2, 2021
• ISBN: 9781393924289

Book preview

This Time, Baby

A BUNDLE OF JOY SERIES

BOOK 5

by

Roxy Wilson

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ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

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This is a work of fiction. All characters, places, businesses and incidents are from the author’s imagination or they are used fictitiously and are definitely fictionalized. Any trademarks or pictures herein are not authorized by the trademark owners and do not in any way mean the work is sponsored by or associated with the trademark owners. Any trademarks or pictures used are specifically in a descriptive capacity. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, or persons living or dead, is coincidental.

Text copyright © 2014 Roxy Wilson

All Rights Reserved

BOOK DESCRIPTION

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All it took was one drunken night...

Tasha Millien never gets drunk. Heck, she doesn’t do one night stands, either. But that’s exactly what she did when she attended her friend’s Christmas party.

He should have known better...

After barely getting over a divorce that took him totally by surprise, Heath Dawson knows that falling into sex with a perfect, yet beautiful, stranger is a definite no-no, but that’s exactly what he did.

Sometimes the unexpected happens...

When Tasha drops the bomb on Heath that she’s pregnant with his baby, will they part ways, or will they try to make things work out this time around?

Chapter One

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Christmas parties were supposed to be fun.

Tasha Millien surveyed the scene that met her eyes. The usual crowd, a few drunken men and women, a number of couples swaying on the dance floor, along with the big white moon visible through the window, casting its silvery beams on the tree, festooned with bright ornaments. She should have been happy but instead, Tasha felt raw and sad. Even though she had broken up with Jason four months ago, the pain of it often crept into her heart when she wasn’t braced for it.

Christmas is a lousy time for single people, a male voice spoke.

Tasha gazed into the most alluring aquamarine eyes she’d ever seen.

Despite the glasses he wore, his piercing, blue-green gaze seemed to focus on her face to the exclusion of everyone else in the room. The man was movie-star handsome with sienna colored hair cut short. A tall, lean frame, broad shoulders, a straight nose, and full lips. His jeans clung to his hard muscled legs and his shirt did little to hide the ripped abs.

A sudden desire to kiss him overwhelmed her. What the hell? She didn’t even know the man. Yes, it is. She glanced away before he could read the passion that was probably glimmered in her eyes. What was going on? Was she so desperate for companionship that every man looked attractive?

Do you have family in Manhattan? he asked as if they were in the middle of a conversation.

The question seemed out of context. Tasha had all the reason to move away, especially after seeing the hazy glow of alcohol in his eyes, but what the hell? It was Christmas. Yes, my mom. But my dad lives in Hawaii and my brother works in Paris.

Ah! The love capital of the world, he said in a sardonic voice. My wife and I went there for our honeymoon. She was crazy about it. Me? He shrugged his shoulders. I couldn’t understand what was so romantic about the steel structure that defaced the beautiful city.

Shocked, she stared into his eyes. You didn’t like the Eiffel Tower?

Not dislike. That’s too strong a word. Let’s just say that it wasn’t romantic. Pushing up his glasses with one finger, he peered at the incredulous expression on her face. Sorry. I shouldn’t have said something like that and destroyed your illusion. I’m Heath Dawson, by the way. He thrust out his hand. Emily and I went to the same college.

Emily was the hostess of tonight’s party and Tasha’s childhood friend. The girls hooked up a year ago when Emily moved to Manhattan from Boston where she lived with her husband. The couple threw a Christmas party and invited Tasha. She didn’t have anything better to do, so Tasha accepted the invitation even though she knew it would be awful to be one of the singles in an affair usually meant for couples.

It sucked to be single. Heath nailed it right on the head.

She shook his hand. Tasha Millien. His touch shouldn’t have been so seductive but it was. Tingles of desire coursed through her veins. Maybe she’d had a little too much to drink. How many glasses of wine did she have? Four, or was it five? That’s it. She wasn’t having anymore. Tasha put her glass on a nearby table. Your wife isn’t here?

He winced. We got divorced. Three good years of marriage—or at least so I thought—and then wham...turned out she didn’t love me anymore.

Although there wasn’t any self-pity in his voice, she could hear the pain. Rejection hurt, no matter how strong a person might be. I’m sorry to hear that.

He shook his head. Don’t worry about it. I’m totally over her. Hurt like a bitch, but it was for the best. We had few things in common... He tilted his head to the side and surveyed her from head to toe. Why am I telling you this? Are you a shrink?

She laughed. No, I’m an accountant.

Ah! Shrinks generally get people to talk even if they don’t want to.

She pointed to the empty glass in his hands. I think that might have something to do with your need to talk.

He viewed the glass in his hand as if he was seeing it for the first time. I believe I’m drunk. The expression on his face was comical.

She couldn’t help the smile that stretched across her lips. He looked positively horrified. Join the club.

After putting his empty glass on the table, he thrust out his hand again. Would you like to dance with me?

After a moment’s consideration, she put her hand in his and allowed him to lead her onto the floor. Vaguely, she was aware that people watched them, but for once, Tasha didn’t care. To hell with everyone! Why shouldn’t she have a good time? As Heath twirled her around the floor, she settled into a rhythm. He knew some moves, and Tasha wasn’t half-bad either. As the music slowed, she rested her hand on his shoulder and gazed into his amused eyes. You can dance. Lessons?

For three years in college, he admitted. Well worth the time and money spent. The chicks dig it.

She laughed. Talking to him was easy and uncomplicated. Perhaps it was the alcohol that lowered her barriers, but Tasha never experienced such ease of conversation with another man she’d only just met. Usually, it took her time to open up, but with Heath, it seemed simple, maybe because they both didn’t have an agenda. When the music stopped, he led her off the floor.

I still feel a bit woozy, she declared.

Let’s get some fresh air.

She pointed at the window. Snowflakes were falling down. It’s too cold outside.

He stuck out his bottom lip with the grave thoughtfulness of a drunken man as he considered their options. Maybe we should head for the upstairs lounge, less noise. My head is pounding.

That wasn’t a bad idea. The music was good but she needed some quiet. She tucked her hand under his arm. This way! All right, so she was more than a little drunk, but what the hell? If one couldn’t have a good time at a Christmas party, when was one supposed to let her hair down?

You’re right, he announced as they reached the stairs and began to ascend. I agree.

She giggled. Did I ask that out loud?

You sure did. Or maybe we have a telepathic connection. I can probably hear your thoughts.

At the landing, she observed him seriously. By God! He’s a handsome devil. Once more, she fought the need to caress his cheeks and kiss his lips. Have you ever experienced such powers before?

He shook his head. Never.

Then I must have spoken out loud, she reached the conclusion. Come on, brave soldier. We have one more set of stairs to conquer.

Laughing like a couple of teenagers, they reached the upstairs living room and surveyed the scene. People were sitting on the couches and standing everywhere. The place was too crowded.

I didn’t know Emily had so many friends, he said.

It's a couple’s thing. Singles have a hard time making friends, but couples...they attract each other like magnets,