"And you're supposed to be working or was that some excuse you made to be alone?"
The guilt came at the accuracy of her statement and had him turning to face her.
"I took a break. Nothing's wrong with that. What are you doing up?"
"I'm not an invalid." She placed a protective hand over her bulge. It was amazing how much she had ballooned out in just a fewmonths. She was four months pregnant and there was no doubt she was carrying multiples.
"You should be off your feet. Your ankles tend to get swollen." He stayed where he was, even though he wanted to rush over and scoop her into his arms.
"Is that the issue here?" She demanded, walking into the office. "My swollen belly and ankles. Are you turned off by the fact that I'm no longer thin?"
He frowned at her. "What the hell are you talking about?"
"Ever since I had that damn crying jag, you've been different. Lori told me you called my mother. Does that have anything to do with why you're turned off?"
Making sure his face was scrupulously clear of expression, he stared at her levelly. "Don't be ridiculous."
"You haven't answered my question. If you no longer want to be with me, then be a man about it. Say it to my face."
His eyes kindled with anger, his mouth thinning. "I won't listen to this nonsense." Striding to his desk, he slammed theglass down and reached for the internal phone. "I'll alert the housekeeper that we're ready to eat."
"Put the damn phone down Christos." She had waddled over to the desk and was leaning over, her eyes glinting with anger. "I will not be dismissed. I need you to tell me what's going on and based on what you say here and now, I will decide if I should go back upstairs and pack my damn bag."
Putting the receiver back, he straightened, expression hardening. "You think I would ever allow you to walk away?"
"Allow me?" She straightened slowly and propped her fists on her swollen waist. "Allow? Like I'm a child who needs your permission to do as I damn well please?"
"I'm not going to accommodate your need to vent. You need to eat."
"Damn you!" She shouted. "You were the one who pushed and pushed. You said you loved me and now you've changed your mind. Well to hell with you! I'm--"
She let out a gasp as he dug his fingers into her arm and marched around the desk. His face was frighteningly livid, eyes blazing. "Changed my mind? You think that I can love you so damnmuch and then change my mind the next minute?" He shook her roughly.
"I adore you! I cannot take a breath without thinking about you. You consume me, damn you. I'm angry, that's what I am. So bloody angry that I want to hurt the ones who hurt you." He shook her again. "You bloody fool. How can you not see what's in front of you?"
"Do you think I can ever be away from you? I've been keeping my distance so that I don't take out my rage on you, when you're not the source."
She stood there staring at him, her insides quaking. She had never been loved so completely, and it humbled as well as frightened her.
"That's, that's." She took a deep breath as she struggled to say the words that needed to be said. "It's handy because, because. Oh God! I love you too. There. I said it."
He went completely still, his fingers gripping her arm.
"Say it again." He whispered hoarsely.
"I just--"
"Please. Say it again."
The look on his face made it easier the second time. Leanne felt joy bursting inside her, warming her from the inside out.
Moving into his arms as far as her belly would allow, she lifted her hands to frame his beloved face and felt tears starting. "I love you Christos, more than I can ever express."
With a tortured groan, he cupped the back of her head and bent his to brush his lips on hers. All the pent up anger and uncertainty he had been feeling for the past few days melted away at the scent of her, his mate. Her breath mingled with his as he brushed his lips softly over hers.
He had to hold back, he thought dazedly. He had been without her for so long and her declaration had floored him. If he deepened the kiss, he would devour her. He wanted to swallow her whole.
"Make love to me. Now." She whispered against his lips, destroying the tight hold he had on his control.
