Stalking His Bride - Lucy Darling Page 0,3

the table. Why does that make my insides melt? I know James is a good man. I asked Tinsley about him. That first day we met he'd followed me around and kept trying to talk to me. I was attracted to him instantly, but I couldn’t act on it because I had to cover for Tinsley with the whole pregnancy test thing. Yet, here he sits thinking I’m pregnant and he’s still trying to get to know me. It’s very endearing to me. It’s also a bit funny since I’m a grown woman who hasn’t lost her virginity yet. In all fairness, Tinsley only just lost hers. Both our parents kept us on a tight leash. I’m going to have to tell him the truth. It feels wrong to keep the lie going. Before I thought he was some random man. Not so much anymore. He is going to be around a lot.

“You feel okay?” He breaks me from my thoughts. I look up to see that his gorgeous green eyes have a look of concern in them. Is this man real?

“I’m fine. Sorry, I got lost in my thoughts for a minute.” I want to tell him those thoughts were about him, but I don’t. “It’s a habit of mine.” One my parents despise.

“It’s understandable. You have a lot on your mind. Don’t worry; we’ll figure everything out. I’ll be here for whatever you and the baby might need.” I’m about to tell him that I’m not pregnant, but before I get a word out, the waitress appears at the table, ready to take our order.

My stomach makes a loud growling noise as I quickly look over the extensive menu. There are so many things to choose from that I can’t pick. To be honest, if I order everything that I want, James is really going to think that I am pregnant.

“I can’t decide.” When I look up from the menu, those concerned green eyes are staring back at me. To tell you the truth, he hasn’t taken his eyes off me since we got here. My stomach growls again. I feel myself blush. How embarrassing.

The next thing I know James is rattling off a bunch of menu items to the waitress. He orders enough to feed a small army. He thanks the server, asking her to put a rush on the food. He tells her to bring out the dishes one by one as soon as they’re ready.

I swear I want to lean over this table and kiss the heck out of this man. I know Tinsley said he’s a good man, but I never dreamed he could be this good.

“Now, you don't have to worry about it. Sit back and relax until the food gets here.”

“You’re really sweet.”

“Good, keep thinking I’m sweet.” He winks at me as someone swings by, dropping off a basket of bread. James grabs a roll out. He cuts it open and butters it before putting it on my plate.

“Now you’re trying to make me fall in love with you.” I pick up the bread, taking a giant bite.

“You shouldn’t go so long without eating.” He reaches over, tucking my hair behind my ear and out of my face. “Eating for two.”

“Right. About that.” He stares at me, waiting. “I’m not really pregnant. The test wasn't for me,” I blurt out. “I mean I’ve never even done it before. Unless it's a miraculous conception there is nothing in here but a food baby.” Oh God. I did not just ramble all that. “I kind of overshared there for a second.”

“Not at all.” He has a sexy smile on his lips.

“I would wish that a hole would open up and swallow me, but then I’d miss all that food you ordered and it would be rude of me to not help you eat it.”

“It would be.” He reaches out, buttering another piece of bread for me. I pick up the first one and let out a small breath, happy I got that stupid lie off my chest.

3

James

Not pregnant. At least for now. I keep that thought to myself. No need to scare the little fawn. I watch as she eats and wish that she’d let me feed her every last bite. I have this need to take care of her that I don’t quite understand yet. I want to know everything about her, hear every story she has to tell and make all of her dreams come true. But I don’t want to overwhelm