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Chapter 22 - Chapter 22

That wasn't likely with her wearing her full-length wool coat, but she didn't want to argue with him. He closed the door behind her, finished the beer and tossed the brown bottle into the garbage. It made a clanking sound as it hit against a glass object, probably another beer bottle. Hannah had never been around a man who regularly indulged in alcoholic beverages and she wondered if this would become a problem between her and her husband.

"You don't approve of drinking, do you?"

That he could read her thoughts so clearly came as a shock. "Would it matter if I did?"

"No."

"That's what I thought." She hesitated, then couldn't resist asking, "Do you do it often?"

"Often enough" was his cryptic reply. He moved past her to lift her two suitcases, which he'd set down just inside the front door, and carry them into the lone bedroom.

Curious to see the rest of the apartment, Hannah followed him down the narrow hallway. The bedroom was the only room on the left. The drapes were closed and the double bed was poorly made. Hannah guessed that he didn't often bother to make it in the mornings.

He placed her suitcases on top of the bed, then sat on the end of the mattress. "You won't get much sleep on that sofa. It's old and lumpy. In case you didn't notice, it's also short."

"I'll manage."

"I'm not a monster, you know."

She blushed, remembering the dreams she'd had the past week about him springing horns and giant teeth. "I know."

"You don't sound all that convinced." He flattened his hands and leaned back, striking a relaxed pose. "If you recall the night we met, you were the one who – "

"Please, I'd rather not talk about that night." She abruptly left the room, walking into the kitchen. He followed her just the way she knew he would.

"In case you've conveniently forgotten, you were the one who seduced me."

"I… prefer to think we seduced each other," she returned boldly.

"Naturally, that's what you'd choose to think."

Her face felt fire-engine red. "Do you mind if we change the subject?"

"Not in the least. Answer me one thing, though. What do you expect will happen if we share the same bed? You don't want me to touch you, then fine, I wouldn't dream of it. You have my word of honor."

Hannah ignored the question and the man. Opening the refrigerator, she removed a head of lettuce and a package of half-frozen hamburger. "How does taco salad sound for dinner?"

"Fine, for tomorrow night."

Her gaze flew to his, not understanding him.

"We'll be dining out this evening."

"We are?"

"Right," he said, grinning at her, his look almost boyish. He seemed to enjoy teasing her, bringing up details that would embarrass her, possibly because he fancied seeing her blush. "Far be it for you to tell Junior how you were forced to cook on our wedding day."

"Junior?" Funny, but she'd never given the sex of their baby any thought. The fact that he had, warmed her heart.

"We'll call him that for now, unless you'd rather not."

Her eyes met his, and for the first time that day she felt like smiling. "I don't mind, although I think you should be prepared for a juniorette."

"Boy or girl, it doesn't matter to me. A baby is a baby."

His matter-of-fact attitude stole a little of her good cheer, but she didn't let it show.

"It's ladies' choice tonight. What's your pleasure?"

Hannah hesitated. She'd been craving seafood for weeks, but it was expensive and she didn't want him to think she was extravagant. "Any place would be fine."

"Not with me. It isn't every day a man gets married. How would you feel about a seafood buffet? It's a bit of a drive, but there's a wonderful restaurant on Hood Canal that serves fabulous lobster."

"Lobster?" Hannah's eyes rounded with pleasure.

"And shrimp. And oysters and scallops."

"Oh, stop," she said with a laugh. "It sounds too good to be true." This man had the most incredible knack of reading her mind.