“More time for what?” she asked.
“I need more time.” He moved toward her, cupping her face, and kissing her lips. The passion was still there, and she felt it right in her core. “Between us there is nothing wrong, I promise you.”
She smiled, but it didn’t help that something was wrong.
He’d tell her. Until then she was going to try to not worry about what the hell was going on inside his head.
****
Rex stared out of his office at the celebrations that were going on. Carl had finally won a case, and this was the Christmas party. Frank didn’t like to leave it until the last minute, so it was happening tonight. Nora had already been by, bringing him a drink, and he’d promised to join soon.
She hadn’t taken a drink yet. He couldn’t stop watching her, and wondering what the hell he was going to say or do.
His life had turned into a nightmare.
All of his cases had been put to one side for the evening, and he needed to go out and join the gang.
Getting to his feet, he took a sip of the scotch, and left the comfort of his office.
“I can’t believe it, I finally won one,” Carl said, coming toward him and slapping him on the back.
“Did you win it, or did you have help?” Rex asked.
Carl paused. Rex was aware of the extra time that Nora had put in, handing some research to Carl over a week ago. He didn’t mind, but Carl’s success wasn’t based on his own merit. Nora helped, yet Nora wasn’t getting any of the credit and it pissed him off.
“You see, Carl, people who take all the credit for combined work, tend to be forgotten about. They have one thing in common, when they don’t share the credit, the person who made them shine, leaves. This is the last time Nora helps you.” He forced a smile, and slapped Carl on the chest, trying to show he was being friendly. He wasn’t.
“What was all that about?” Nora asked, coming toward him.
“You won’t be helping him anymore.”
The smile on her lips dropped. “Why not?”
“When you help someone, you should get at least some of the credit.”
“I help you all the time, and I don’t get credit. An assistant’s job is to assist, not to take the credit. His success helps the firm. It helps all of us, including you.”
“I don’t like it, and I give you credit where credit is due. Earn it, and you’ll get it.”
She frowned at him. “What is wrong with you? Why are you being an asshole?”
He took a sip of his scotch, and stared into her eyes. “Does that have alcohol?”
She looked at her cup and nodded. “Yeah, it’s wine why?”
“Then put it down. You can’t have it.”
Nora laughed. “Rex, you’re older than me, I get that, but you’re not my dad. I could do without the lecture.”
She went to take a sip, and he took the cup from her, spilling some of it, making her gasp. The liquid spilled onto his hand, and it was icy cold.
“Rex, what the hell?”
He grabbed her arm and in front of their colleagues, he tugged her into his office, closing the door.
“Okay, you have got some serious explaining to do. I don’t get what is wrong?”
“You’re drinking alcohol, and you could be pregnant. That is what is wrong. Of all the stupid, childish things you could have done that is the one that really tops the cake.” He placed his hands on his hips, and stared at her.
Her face had gone pale.
“You do realize there was a risk, right? Fucking without a condom. You do know that you’re likely pregnant.”
She put a hand on her stomach, and stared at him. “I didn’t think. Wow, I didn’t even … consider it. Oh no.”
“So you don’t know, and you’re just out there drinking like there’s not a care in the world.” He stepped toward her. His heart was racing. “Grow up, Nora.”
She slapped him across the face. “How dare you?” She pulled away from him. “You knew, didn’t you? You knew there was a risk.”
“You didn’t even figure it out? I’ve been coming inside you from the first moment. I probably knocked you up then, and still you’ve not said anything.”