“You assumed wrong.” There was anger in her voice, but she felt numb from the inside out. Pregnant. Her. She wouldn’t believe it if everything in her world weren’t already so screwed up.
“Are you all right?” His voice quavered.
After everything they had gone through, this was the first time he’d sounded frightened, and that scared her more than anything.
“I don’t know. I wouldn’t have wanted your family falling into the hands of that drug-crazed creep. And I certainly didn’t want you to die in a duel with finger-gun-man.” She shook her head. “But a baby? I can barely take care of myself.”
“You won’t do anything…” His expression tightened and his face paled. “You’re not alone in this. If you don’t want it, my family will help raise the child.”
“What kind of person do you think I am?” She gave him a horrified look and pulled her hands from his grip. She stood and began pacing the porch.
“I have everything you need. I’ll take care of you both. Stay with me. Marry me.”
She froze.Marry him?
“I barely even know you.” She placed her palms on the railing and looked out at the beach. For a brief moment she let herself imagine a life with him, with their child. She squeezed her eyes shut and shook her head. It was foolishness and it would never work. They were too different, and he would never be able to give her what she really needed.
Her shoulders hunched and she breathed in through her nose. She needed to get out of this godforsaken town, and away from him, if she was ever going to have a clear thought again.
“Zoe, please–”
“I’m not going to move in with you, let alone marry you.” She stared out at the ocean and spoke with as much stoicism as she could muster. “We had a couple of very intense days followed by mind-blowing incredible sex, but we’re talking about real life here, not a magic-solstice-witchy moment in a Victorian beach house.”
“You’re wrong, Zoe.” Jack gripped her shoulders and turned her so she could see the fury blazing in his eyes. She swore she could see real fire in the blackened centers. “We didn’t fuck. We mated and we’re going to have a baby and be a family. I may not know you very well, but Zoe, I feel you, here”–he banged on his chest–“constantly. I know you feel it too.”
Of course she did. She felt him in a way that was overwhelming. He was there, constantly. Ever since she’d met him she couldn’t get him out of her mind. But she couldn’t tell him that. He already treated her like he owned her. Soon she would shrink to nothing against his constant ego and she would revert to nothing.
Men always wanted ownership, body and soul. It was just like how her father had owned her until she finally left home. Zoe wanted to be free. More than that, she wanted to be loved, unconditionally, not chained to a relationship through magic.
“This won’t work.” She shook her head.
“It will. Just give it time.” Jack pulled her to him, and blasted her with a heat that warmed her very core.
He wasn’t playing fair.
“Let me go.” Zoe pushed weakly with both hands against his armor-like chest. “Haven’t you done enough to me already?”
“I’ll fix things.” He held her tight. “Just give me the chance.”
She sank her face against his chest. His scent drifted into her nostrils, making her knees go weak. Already her traitorous body recognized him as her own and lusted after him.
How was she ever going to find the strength to walk away?
* * *
Confused, hurt, and angry, Jack held Zoe against him, worried that she would slip from him if he gave her even the slightest chance. Why was she so damn adamant about running from him? He’d give her the world if she’d only give him the chance.
“Don’t run from me, Zoe.” He placed his hand over her abdomen. He could already sense another presence growing within her and it overwhelmed him. She needed to understand. Maybe he didn’t love her, but it was damn close to it. He moved his hand to her chest, and shared his emotions with a pulse of energy. It left him out there, feeling vulnerable as hell.
“Jack?” She blinked up at him.
“That’s what I feel for you angel.”
“I can’t think straight when I’m with you.”
“Then don’t think.” He brushed his lips over hers. “Just feel.”
He nipped at her lips and sent tiny waves of heat through his fingertips along her bare thigh. She kissed him then. More like, devoured him.
