The Army Doctor's New Year's Baby by Helen Scott Taylor

and rested his back against the door. He
liked Duncan a lot. He got on well with the guy, but he really wanted some time
alone with Megan. He had taken things slowly, but he badly wanted to make love
with her before he left for Norway. The first time they spent the night
together, he did not want her brother sleeping a few doors down the corridor.
That was bound to cramp his style.
    He grabbed
his phone from the desk drawer where he'd left it. A text from her flashed on
the screen. How did it go with Kieran?
    Good! he texted back. Would you like to come to Edinburgh with me for the weekend?
    He stared at
the screen, his heart thumping like a schoolboy, counting the seconds until she
replied.
    Yes!
    He grinned
so wide, his face hurt.
    ***
    Megan
snuggled up to Daniel's side in the back of the cab as it wove through the Edinburgh traffic, taking them back to their hotel. They had arrived on the train that
morning, dropped their bags at the hotel, and spent the day sightseeing.
Because Megan studied medicine at Edinburgh University, she knew the city well.
She'd given Daniel a tour of some of her old haunts, as well as visiting the
medieval fortress dramatically situated on its rock above the city.
    The black
cab stopped outside the hotel with a screech of brakes. Daniel paid the driver,
then they climbed out and walked hand in hand through the sliding doors.
    At the
check-in desk, Daniel filled out the guest information form. "I hope you
enjoy your stay," the receptionist said, handing them two plastic key
cards.
    They'd
lunched at a small bistro tucked among the narrow medieval streets of the old
town, a place Megan had frequented when she was a student. She hadn't managed
to eat much, though. A shimmering bundle of excitement and nerves filled her
stomach. They'd had a wonderful time sightseeing, but she knew why Daniel had
brought her to Edinburgh. It had nothing to do with the beautiful castle.
    Megan
trembled with anticipation as they climbed in the elevator. She couldn't wait
to spend the night in Daniel's arms.
    He squeezed
her hand. "Cold?"
    She flashed
a smile and nodded, unwilling to reveal how nervous she was. The fear she might
fall short of the bevy of beauties he'd dated lay like a lump of cold porridge
in her stomach.
    They walked
out on the top floor and wandered along the corridor to their room. Daniel
released her hand to push in the key card. He'd hardly let go of her all day,
as if he feared she might disappear if he weren't holding her hand.
    "Wow!
This room is fantastic." Classic dark wood furniture with burgundy and
navy drapes, sofa, and carpet gave the room a classy, timeless feel. Megan
rushed to the window to stare out at the scenic view across Edinburgh to the
castle in the distance. She glanced at the doors leading off the sitting room
area and realized this wasn't an ordinary room, it was a suite. She frowned,
surprised.
    Daniel must
have noticed her reaction. He shrugged. "I'd love to share a room with
you, but I wanted to give you a choice."
    He was
always a gentleman, never rushing her into anything she wasn't ready for. Megan
appreciated that. She checked inside one bedroom, then crossed the sitting room
to pop her head through the door of the other. Both rooms were similar, both
luxurious.
    Daniel
picked up their bags. "Where do you want yours?"
    She was
looking forward to spending the night with Daniel, but it might be nice to have
her own space to change and prepare. "I would like my own
room."
    Daniel's
disappointment hit her like a physical blow. His shoulders slumped, his
expression bleak.
    She should
have explained herself better; the last thing she wanted to do was hurt him.
She closed the gap between them and put her arms around his neck. "Just so
I can get ready. I want to spend the night with you."
    His grin
flashed back, full of relief. "Don't do things like that to me,
sweetheart. I nearly had a heart attack."
    He dropped
the bags and pulled her close, lifting her off her feet as he