Chapter 2

Chapter Two

“Pardon?” Sol arched a dark red-brown brow at him as if he were insane. Unlike her, Kael often jumped into situations without giving a second thought to the potential outcome.

Kael stayed silent a moment, looking a bit shocked, but ultimately said, “Think about it. You’ve known me your entire life, all about my family background, so there wouldn’t be any genetic throwbacks. We’re best friends, so we wouldn’t have to worry about getting emotionally involved, aside from friendship and trying to get you pregnant. I’m charming, humorous, handsome…”

“You left out humble,” Sol supplied.

“That too.” He smiled widely, flashing her with those white, if not slightly crooked teeth of his. That smile had won more than his fair share of women, though Sol had never been one to fall under Damien Kael's hypnotic charms. Probably because she knew it was all a big act. She liked honesty; Kael liked to say what one wanted to hear.

Although, if she were truly honest with herself, she would admit that on more than one occasion she had thought of Kael in the lover role, especially since her twenty-first birthday. At the most unexpected times that evening would dig itself out from her attic of memories and pop into her mind heating her blood all over again.

He had brought over a bottle of champagne and some burgers to celebrate her official leap into adulthood. After they had finished their meal and a couple of glasses of the pale pink liquor, Kael had leaned over, brushed his lips lightly over hers, and kissed her—long and hard.

She was sure that he had meant it to be a chaste birthday kiss, but it had resulted in the most erotic thing she had ever experienced. It had been slow and deep and exquisite.

And Kael had broken it off but quick.

Not once since then had Kael, or herself, mentioned the unexpected kiss. Sol took it as pure rejection and tried to put it behind her. It wasn’t that Kael was cold-hearted, it was simply the fact that she wasn’t his type in the least. Fine. She accepted that. Still, her fanciful head continued to relive the episode more often than she would like.

“Think about it, Sol.” He was excited now, up and pacing in front of her, bringing her out of the bittersweet memory.

Her question was weighted with disbelief as she said, “Do you know what you’re suggesting?” Oh lord, Sol thought, he was really getting into this harebrained idea, and she was at the core of it!

“It’s the perfect solution. You don’t want to get married and neither do I.” He stopped his back and forth movements, looking down at her, hands planted on his lean hips. “We’ve come to terms with the fact that we will forever be spouseless. And I’ll always be around whenever you need a baby-sitter. You don’t have to worry about contracting any diseases since I’ve always been a firm believer in using condoms and getting regular check-ups. So how about it?”

Sol’s eyebrows felt glued to the top of her forehead. “You’re serious, aren’t you?”

He crouched down in front of her, taking her hands in his. They were callused from hours of lifting weights. Strong, solid, dependable hands. It felt good, and that bothered her. She had long ago accepted that he only thought of her as a sister, and he had always been like a big brother to her.

If that was true, then why was she suddenly having hot flashes? Why was her blood spinning out of control at his suggestion? Why was there an insistent throbbing between her thighs at just the thought of Kael making love to her?

Because you find him attractive, the little voice inside her accused. And haven’t you often wondered what Kael would be like in bed? Her hot flashes became a head-to-toe blush at her line of thinking. He has to be joking, she counseled herself. Kael often had an odd sense of humor.

“I’ve never been more serious about anything in my life,” he said almost solemnly. And Sol believed him. Kael might be a lot of things, but when he got that certain look on his face, when the macho facade slipped—which wasn’t very often—he was telling the truth.

“I—I don’t know.” Though her words were hesitant, a sharp thrill ran through her at the very prospect. Damien Kael Cervantes and Celestine Soleil Mendiola… lovers?

The idea was rather intriguing. Kael was ruggedly handsome—if you went for rock-hard bodies, a crooked nose that had been broken more than once, dark hair that was a tad too long, heavily-lidded eyes that made one think of sex, and a personality that could charm the scales off a dragon—and she just so happened to go for that sort of thing.

At least she wouldn’t have to put a bag over his head when they had sex.

Sol looked him up and down as if seeing him for the first time. He wore cutoff sweat shorts, a raggedy tank top and a pair of white sweat socks, nothing else. His body was magnificent now that she allowed herself the opportunity to really look. She knew he’d be gentle in bed. He was, after all, her best friend and now, soon to be lover—at least until she got pregnant.

Then another thought ran through her mind and settled in the pit of her stomach.

What if they had to have sex more than once? What if it took months to get her pregnant? Sol’s wary smile was inward. Would it be all that bad? No. In fact, it would probably be wonderful. All of the physical aspects, but no strings, no involvement of the heart aside from friendship.

Of course, she would make sure she didn’t lose her head over this thing. It would be business only.

“Well, do I meet up with your standards?” Evidently Kael hadn’t missed her scrupulous inspection of his body. “I could take my clothes off if you’d like to see what you’re getting into.” He flashed a toothy crocodile smile.

“Not just yet.” She tried not to appear too eager. “How about you? Would you like me to strip so you can view the wares?” She batted her lashes, trying to act coy and seductive. She made him laugh instead.

Kael stood up, reaching down to tweak her nose. “I’ve already seen you naked,” he stated, replanting himself on the other end of the sofa. “Quite a few times, in fact.”

“What are you talking about?” Her brow wrinkled in concern.

“I used to change your diapers.” He grinned widely. “Gave you a bath on more than one occasion, too.”

Sol rolled her eyes. “I’m sure I’ve changed since then, don’t you think?”

It was Kael’s turn to frown before exhaling a sharp breath through his nose. “Uh… yeah … I guess you have.”

“Anyway, I’ll wait until the night we decide to follow through with this deal.” She kept her gaze on him, appearing cool and levelheaded, though she could feel her entire body catch fire.

Kael sat up ramrod straight. “You’re accepting my offer?”

“As you said, it’s the logical thing to do. No strings, just two friends making a baby.” She hoped she sounded businesslike and not like an infatuated adolescent.

“Great!” He was on his feet again. “I’m ready when you are.” He started to remove his once-red-now-bleached-pink tank top and Sol caught sight of the thick downy hair covering his abdomen.

She wanted so badly to reach out and run her fingers through the nest before her— she bet it felt like springy silk—but resisted the temptation. “Don’t be such an eager beaver.” Her voice was small and just a little bit breathless. “I need to get an ovulation test from the drug store, then, when the time is right, we’ll do it.”

He grimaced. “All business, huh?” Kael plopped down on the couch like a sulking child. “You know I hate waiting, and I really hate not getting my own way.”

“Afraid that once you have a chance to think about it, you’ll come to your senses and take back your offer?”

“I’m not like that, and you know it. Once I commit to something, I stick it out to the end. No matter how horrid it happens to be.” He pinned her with a wide smile.

Sol slapped his arm and said, “I don’t want any hit or miss. After all, you’ll be doing most of the work.” She felt her body flame once again as her mind envisioned Kael on top of her, his hard body slick with the sweat, his hard dick filling her. “Anyway,” she cleared her mind of the haze-inducing images, “I’m sure that having sex with Celestine-SoleilTomboy-Mendiola isn’t your idea of a thrilling evening.” Not that she was putting herself down, it’s just that Kael’s taste in women ran toward the blonde, leggy type—just as his mother had been—which she herself definitely wasn’t.

“Hold on a second.” He lifted a big, square hand in a stopping gesture. “First of all, I don’t have sex, I make love.” His tone was indignant. “Second of all, you’re no longer a tomboy.” He crooked a finger under her chin, lifting her unpainted face to him. “You’ve grown into quite a woman, Sol. Try looking in a mirror sometime.”

“I have.” She swiped his hand away, crossing her arms over her chest. “I still look like a tomboy. The only difference now is that I have breasts.” She hiked her chin up a few digits. She watched as Kael’s gaze drifted to the front of her faded T-shirt.

“Besides, I’m like a sister to you.” Sol tried to get her head on straight.

“Yeah, but you’re not my sister,” he said in a low, wicked voice that had her insides melting. Kael shook his head. “All this talk about sex is getting me hot.” He jumped to his feet.

“Where are you going?” Sol asked in bewilderment.

“Home,” he managed to choke out, looking down at the lower half of his body. His dick was pressing against his shorts, testing the elastic quality of his briefs to the extreme. Sol pretended not to care that he was aroused, though her pulse flipped at the sight.

“Why?” She stood also.

“Let’s just say that certain parts of my body are very eager to start making that baby. I’d better leave. All business, remember?” He bent over, slipping on his fatigued running sneakers that had somehow lost their laces over time.

“All business?” Unfortunately, she did remember. Damn! Why did she have to tell him about the ovulation test? If she hadn’t, they could be in bed right now having sex. Correction, making love, Kael didn’t have sex. She then remembered that the whole idea behind this arrangement was to get her pregnant, not to satisfy a sudden wave of intense desire and curiosity.

“All business,” she reconfirmed, walking over to where Kael stood stiffly by the front door, hands thrust into the pockets of his shorts. “Besides, you might want some time to think this thing through.” Sol was sorry she’d said that, but knew it was sound advice. She didn’t want any regrets when the baby of her dreams was a reality—and half Kael’s. The thought caused a little shiver to erupt in the core of her.

“Don’t worry, I’ll have plenty of time to think things through tonight. Hell, any night.” He smiled weakly. Though Sol knew he’d never thought anything through in his life, she did know what the comment meant. Night times were bad for Kael. Insomnia had plagued him since childhood.

“You want to sack-out here tonight?” Sol offered.

“Nah. My head’s in a spin right now.”

She sensed the air of tension between them and it had her spirits taking a dive. “I’ll let you know when I’m ready.” She attempted a relaxed smile.

Kael shrugged. “Sure.” He grabbed his windbreaker from the small table beside the door then bent his head to receive Sol’s customary kiss on the cheek. Instead of turning her head as she usually did, she let her gaze linger on his lips. She heard him make a noise in the back of his throat that sounded like surrender. And his lips touched hers. At that moment she felt a current of electricity course through her body. He didn’t reach out to grab her, didn’t slide his tongue into her willing mouth, but his soft, openmouthed kiss left her utterly boneless.

Kael pulled back only slightly, his eyes mere slits. He cleared his throat before saying, “Bye, Soul.”

“Bye.” She followed him out the door to stand on the small porch, absently waving as she watched Kael climb into his hardtop Wrangler and drive off to his place only a few miles away, near the Civic Center.

When he was no longer in sight, she went back inside, closing the door behind her. Placing a finger over lips that still burned from their kiss, she went to get ready for bed, anticipation flowing heavily through her veins, hoping she wasn’t getting in over her head with this thing. She prayed she had made the right decision in accepting Kael’s offer.