His eyebrows come down together in a frown.“Is it the bed?Do you want to switch rooms?”
“No.I figured out what my problem is.I’m missing something I really want.But I’m not sure if I should have it, because there are some things I need to sort out for myself first.”I pause and he waits patiently.“There’s something I should tell you.It’s about Matt.”That’s all it takes for him to sit straight up against the headboard, his eyes never leaving me for a second.
“What?Tell me anything except that you think this is his baby.”
“Without a doubt I can tell you this is not Matt’s baby.It’s one hundred percent yours.”
Exhaling, with his shoulders relaxing against the headboard, he says, “Thank fucking God.My head was about to explode.”
“It still might.”He bites his bottom lip and waits for me to continue.I take a deep breath.“I’ve been seeing Matt for a little while, and we’re sort of dating.I thought you should know.I should have told you in the hospital, but the pregnancy was enough to deal with for one day.”
Raising an eyebrow he says, “If you wanted to get back at me, there is no better way, is there?”
“Don’t be full of yourself.Me seeing Matt has nothing to do with trying to get back at you.That would be fucked up for me to do something like that to him.”
“So what—out of all the men in New York, you’re choosing him once again?”
“Not that I really owe you an explanation, but in the act of full disclosure, he was there for me when I needed my friends the most, and we’ve become close.
“I bet he was there for you, giving you a shoulder to rest your head on.I know how that works, Cat.”
“How being a genuinely good friend works?”
“No, him comforting you and agreeing with everything you say while subtly dropping little hints, turning you against me.Taking advantage of you in your vulnerable state for his own personal gain.I know how the shoulder to cry on works.”
He is working my last nerve already.“Then you don’t know shit.Take your head out of your assonce againand stop being jealous of him for a second.
“Matt has been nothing but great, he’s not...Forget it, I’m not going to do this.I just wanted to be completely honest with you about Matt, because I know how you get at the mention of his name.I think we need honesty and clarity if we’re going to deal with this pregnancy together.”I’m trying to keep calm, but I can’t believe him.“I don’t appreciate you saying I’m easily taken advantage of and manipulated.”
“I didn’t say that.I know you can handle yourself, and no one’s going to manipulate you when your defenses are up.I don’t particularly care for your choice in companion, but I do agree we need to be clear and honest with each other during this pregnancy and beyond.”
“Great.At least we can agree on something tonight.I’m tired, I’m going back to bed.I guess we can figure out the other stuff before I leave in the morning.”
“Okay,” he says.
As I rise from the bed, he catches my fingers in his, and I watch the sheet fall away from the lower half of his body as he stands.Damn.I hold my breath, closing my eyes a moment to steady myself.He towers over me, naked as the day he was born, without a trace of embarrassment.I try to break free of the hold he has on me, but he’s unrelenting.I take shallow breaths, my newfound resolve wavering in the face of skin-to-skin contact and a sculptured body ripped with lean muscle.He leans down, sucking his lower lip into his mouth.He places a cool, moist kiss on the side of my neck, making me inhale when his lips part; blowing lightly across the spot, he steps back, letting my hands slip away from his hold.
“Sweet dreams, Cat.”I finally open my eyes, coming out of the sensual haze.What the hell?I clear my throat and moisten my lips with my tongue and manage to say goodnight, turning around and all but running out of the room.I don’t bother to close his door but securely lock mine.Tomorrow can’t come soon enough.He’s dangerous.
Nick
Ican’t believe she’s datingthat prick.If it wasn’t for his ass, I wouldn’t have lost my mind the morning I went to see Cat to try and work things out.He had me believing they had sex, knowing it would push me over the edge, and it did, I was livid.If I knew there would be no consequences for my actions, I would have grabbed him and beat the shit out of him on the sidewalk.He set me up good, and like a fool I fell for it.He got exactly what he wanted—a shoulder for her to cry on.If it wasn’t for him, Cat and I would have probably been on speaking terms long before now.He’s dead wrong if he thinks I’m going to let her go without a fight.He’s not going to play daddy tomykid.
What the hell is he going to teach him?How to associate with known criminals?Cat thinks I’m overreacting and jealous, but I’m not.Some of the people Matt does business with are not people I want around her or my child.I don’t want Ava hanging around him either, but Ava does whatever she wants to.Matt got the money for his club by way of a loan from his ex-girlfriend’s father.I know because our firm represented the man, and we had to question him for the case, but he wasn’t involved in any of his shady dealings.
Whatever it takes, I’m going to get Cat back.To do that I’m going to need to show her how I’ve changed in the months we’ve been apart and with the loss of my child.I’m willing to compromise for her and with her.The first step is showing her that I respect her choice to see Matt, even though it’s killing me just thinking about it.I might not deserve her, but I know he sure as hell doesn’t.
“Hey, I’m ready.”
Looking out the living room window, brooding, I hear her voice and turn around.“It’s Saturday morning, you don’t have to leave so early.”Her duffel bag is on the floor beside her.She’s wearing light blue jeans, her red pea coat with her hair up high in a ponytail, and no makeup.She looks cute as ever, no matter what she wears.“Move in with me.”
“What!”
“I mean, stay here until Ava comes back.”No, I mean, move in with me and let’s raise our baby together.Let me show you how much I’m madly in love with you and I’ll drop Matt off the side of a bridge and put us both out of our misery.
“I can’t do that.”
“Why not?”
