The Prema Society by Cate Troyer Read Free Book Online Page A

His grin was infectious, and I laughed lightly.
    “Have you talked to Maritza?” I couldn’t help worrying about the other woman.
    “Every day,” he reassured me. “She’s fine and pleased that we are having such a wonderful time.”
    Somewhat mollified, I let him lead me back to the sofa where we fell asleep watching the movie.
    ***
    As our last day together dawned, I found myself feeling almost bereft. Edward was already up and gone from the bed and the smell of breakfast permeated the apartment. I pulled my robe around me and splashed some water on my face before padding out to the kitchen. Edward had made a wonderful meal of pancakes, sausage, and fruit. I smiled as he placed a steaming cup of liquid in front of me.
    “Tea?” I queried, sniffing the pungent liquid.
    “Well, if you’re pregnant, you need to cut back on the caffeine, college girl,” Edward gave me a smile as he placed the plate of food in front of me.
    “And breakfast, too?” I speared a piece of sausage and took a bite.
    “It’s our last day together,” he said as he served himself and sat down. “What do you want to do?”
    “I don’t know,” I said, toying with the food on my plate. “I kind of wish the week didn’t have to end. It was a wonderful vacation.”
    “I agree, but there is still the offer to come live with Maritza and me after the baby,” he tried to sound nonchalant.
    “I need to finish college first,” I said around a mouthful of food. Swallowing, I added, “What would you want me to do?”
    “Well,” he said as he leaned forward, “You would become a member of the family. If you wanted to work, you could. I am sure I could find a place for you in my business, or you could help Maritza with the baby, watch it grow and sort of be adopted in to my family.”
    “It sounds appealing,” I sighed, “but I really need to think about it. I don’t think one week is enough to be certain we’ll all get along.”
    “True enough,” Edward laughed. “How about we try visiting regularly during the pregnancy?”
    I smiled down at my plate of food. “I guess that would be OK.”
    “Yeah?” he said with a wry grin.
    “Yeah.” I smiled.
    We spent most of the day lazing about, basking in each other’s presence. There was no rush to mate. With the flooding my ovaries had received, I found it hard to believe I wouldn’t come up pregnant. We went out for dinner and then came home to enjoy a hot bath.
    We lay in the heated water of the tub, the tendrils of steam rising in the air and dissipating like memories of the past week together. I leaned against the hard, broad board of his chest. He poured water over my body, watching it sluice down into the tub. I laughed softly at the dichotomy of heat and cold coursing over my body and snuggled back against the man who had owned me for a week.
    We had scented the bath with jasmine oil, and the floral scent permeated the air around us, and I was waxing poetical on my theory of literature.
    “You should meet my son,” Edward said wryly.
    “Why?” I watched his hand raise over my body and pour water on me again. “Does he hold an idealistic view of books as well?”
    “Well, he is idealistic, but more to the point, he is full of passion like you.”
    “Does he like Maritza?”
    “Oh yes,” Edward’s voice held a wealth of meaning in its inflection. “He likes her very much. He’s keeping her company this week in fact.”
    “Oh.” Then it hit me. “Is he…”
    Edward simply laughed in response and poured out another handful of water, watching the droplets cling to my stiff nipple.
    “Oh my.” I pondered the familial implications. “Does he know what you are doing?”
    “No. Maritza and I felt it best to keep this between the three of us, though he knows we are looking to adopt.” His hand caressed my arm and then moved to cover my breast, squeezing softly.
    “Hmmm.” Suddenly, I was tired of discussing the intricacies of his family unit and sat up, casting