“But?” Adrian pursed his lips to keep himself from saying anything he’d regret. He couldn’t stay in this baby’s life, but at the same time, a part of him wanted to know what Sterling hadtosay.
“But if you don’t want to go after the baby is born—if you decide we can be a family—then you’re welcome to stay, and we can take things one day atatime.”
Adrian’s heart told him that all he needed to do was tilt his head and kiss Sterling, and that all the niggling concerns in his brain were exaggerated and untrue. But as his heart fought for what it wanted, his brain rebelled in kind. Doubt dragged in Adrian’s stomach, weighing it down until it felt like he’d swallowed stones. It stopped him from acting on his instincts—from seeing the kissthrough.
Inaction brought Sterling to lean back, and the magic of the moment faded. Adrian frowned, then looked away. All of this was his fault. If he hadn’t been so eager, he would have been more cautious, and the night they’d spent together wouldn’t have resulted in anything more than agoodtime.
“I need some time to think about it,” Adrian admittedatlast.
“You can take whatever time you want. The offer will stand for however long it’s needed.” Sterling eased up from the couch, the towel around his waist dipping low on his hip to reveal tantalizing skin that Adrian was already familiar with. “You know where tofindme.”
Adrian ducked his gaze. Between the orgasm still weakening his knees and the pregnancy hormones encouraging him to do remarkably irresponsible things, he wasn’t in a place where he could make a rational decision. What he needed to do was get out before Sterling manipulated him into doing something he didn’t want. Spending his life as some playboy’s fucktoy, trapped in a loveless relationship for the sake of a baby he didn’t even want, wasn’t the kind of life he wanted to lead. He refused to let anyone push himintoit.
The sound of Sterling’s voice redirected Adrian’s attention to the present. “But since I’ve made my decision, and the child is mine without a doubt, no matter what you decide, I’ll be coming with you to your first prenatal visit to the obstetrician. Have you already made anappointment?”
Obstetrician? Prenatal appointment? Adrian wrinkled hisnose. “No.”
“Then, since the child is mine, I’ll make the appointmentforyou.”
“Really?” An orgasm wasn’t going to be enough to turn Adrian into some meek, sniveling yes-man who listened to everything Sterling said. It didn’t matter if the child was Sterling’s or not—he wasn’t going to be led. “Do you reallythinkthat?”
“It didn’t take long for you to find that mouth of yours,” Sterling remarked, arching a brow. “Yes, really. Prenatal visits are important to the health and development of the baby. I won’t have you gowithout.”
“I’ll schedule itmyself.”
“Then you’ll let me know when the appointment is, so I cango,too.”
“You can eatadick.”
Sterling smirked. “I already did. I’ve paid my dues—it’s time to uphold your end of thebargain.”
Adrian got up from the couch. Irritated by the turn of events, he pulled on his boxer-briefs, then found his pants and stepped into them. “We’llsee.”
“You need to book it soon, Adrian.” Sterling’s tone left no room for argument, but at the same time, wasn’t overbearing. “The first visit is ideally scheduled at the eight-week mark. If you conceived on the night your brother came home, thatmeans—”
“I got it. I’ve got to go in soon.” Adrian pulled on his shirt. He wasn’t going to stay any longer than he needed to. “You’ve got my phone number, right? In my membership files somewhere? If you need to get in touch with me, you can reach me through callortext.”
When it came down to it, no matter how satisfying sex with Sterling had been, he was still the enemy. He was the one who’d strung Adrian along, letting him believe that the only way he could return to The Shepherd was by giving uphisbody.
The fact that Adrian had done so willingly didn’t mean that he’d forgiven Sterling. Not at all. Nor had Sterling excused himself by standing up for Adrian at his parents’ place, distracting his relatives so he could tend toGabriel.
The only link between them was the bundle of cells growing inside of Adrian, and once it was born, Adrian would cut ties, and that wouldbethat.
“Do you need a ride home?” Sterlingasked.
“Not with you, thanks. I’ll callanUber.”
He finished getting dressed, then headed for the door. Sterling tagged along, just as infuriating as always. As Adrian left, Sterling stood in the doorway. He braced his arm against the door. “You will make an appointment, Adrian, and you will notify me whenit’sfor.”
“I already said I would.” There was just one more door before Adrian would lose Sterling. Part of him itched to hurry up and cross through it while another half begged him to stay and be civil. “You asked me if I trusted you, and now you’re going to have to trust me. I’ll do it. I’m not heartless. But don’t expect me to be enthusiasticaboutit.”
“That’s fine.” Sterling made no move to stop him as he pulled open one of the two mahogany doors. “All I want is to be there. It’s importanttome.”
“Right.” As if a man like Sterling could think something like that was important. As if he really cared. Adrian began to regret his decision to inform Sterling at all. When he’d been close to hysterical, it had seemed like a good idea, but Sterling’s gentle insistence was annoying. Could he put up with it for the next sevenmonths?
Adrian stepped through the doorway, letting the bass beat ground him back in reality. He’d done his bit, and for once, he’d done the right thing. Hopefully, it wouldn’t come back to bite him intheass.
“Remember my offer, Adrian,” Sterling said before the door closed. “You’re welcome to take me up on it atanytime.”
