‘Is there any chance you’re pregnant?’ he repeated. ‘I realise this is awkward. But I wondered—’
‘Why would you think that?’ She was so shocked, she laughed.
‘Because, if you are, there’s a chance it might be my business. So if you could just answer—’
‘You’recrazy…’
‘It’s a yes-no question, Phoebe.’ He stepped closer. ‘Or is there the possibility?’
She was too astounded to even think. ‘This is a total violation of my privacy.’
‘And you’re prevaricating.’ He seized her shoulders. ‘Why?’
‘I’m not prevaricating. I’m just shocked you’d even think—’
‘So you definitely know you’re definitely not pregnant?’ he reiterated, bending urgently towards her. ‘You can swear on your life?’
She stared into his widened eyes. ‘Why would you think I am?’
He dropped his hands and stepped back from her. ‘You don’t like coffee any more. You do like olives.’ He looked uncomfortable. ‘You’re glowing. Your skin is radiant.’
What the actual hell?Was he noticing herskin? ‘Maybe it’s my new moisturiser—’
‘No,’ he interrupted shortly. ‘I saw you in the pool just before. Your belly is—’
She gaped. ‘Are you seriously commenting on the roundness of my stomach?’
He froze then lifted his chin and looked her directly in the eye. ‘Yes.’
‘Maybe I’m bloated. Maybe I ate too much bread on the flight this morning—’
‘You didn’t have bread on the flight this morning.’
A rush of panic rose within her because she didn’t want to consider what he was suggesting. ‘You’re monitoring my eating habits? You realise you’re bordering on creep territory.’
‘Yes, and I’m sorry, but I notice you!’ he exploded. ‘I can’t help it. I can’t stop it. I notice.Everything.’
She was silenced by the wild light in his eyes. By the fierce response that rose within her at his admission. Because she noticed him too. She was deeply aware of his every move and she was fiercely glad it was the same for him, even though it was madness.
‘You want to know what else I’ve noticed?’ He stepped closer again.
She couldn’t move as he pulled the towel from her loose fingers and left her standing in only her bikini. She felt as intimate and exposed as if it were lace lingerie.
His breathing deepened. His voice roughened. His gaze dropped. And just like that her body responded. The weakness within—heat melting while other parts tightened. Aching for attention.
‘These…’ he touched her with the lightest finger. Crossing the boundary they’d agreed on. ‘These are bigger.’
And so sensitive. They were already straining for more of his touch. She was turned on in a second—her taut nipples aching for him. She bit back her moan. This was forbidden but also what she’d wanted for so long.
‘Something’s changed, Phoebe.’ He pressed his hand back to her lower belly.
She shuddered, shocked again by the mad question he’d asked her. ‘I’ve gained a little weight, that’s all…’
Because it couldn’t be possible. It justcouldn’tbe possible. But then she felt the fluttering deep in her belly—butterflies, right? She stilled. Inwardly focused on that strangest of sensations.
‘Phoebe?’
She hardly heard him. She was so focused on that tiny feeling inside. She’d felt it last night just before she’d fallen asleep. Thought it was nerves about the trip today. But maybe it wasn’t? No. Surely not. And she’d had her period since Italy, right?
