“What? No!” Was her face as red as her hair? Sure felt like it.
“So, then. I’m the only guy you’ve been with.”
“Yep. No one else since I lost TJ. But I just thought thatif you wanted to be absolutely positive that this baby is yours, a test is the way to do it.”
“Riley Jane. I am positive that this baby is mine. I know you, and I trust you. That’s more than enough proof for me.”
“But if you…” She let that sentence trail off into silence because he’d put up a hand. “What?”
“If there was any doubt, you would have already told me.”
“Well, yeah. I would have, but—”
“No buts about it. Not to mention, when would you find the time to go fooling around with some rando? Every spare night you’ve had, I’ve made sure you spent it with me.”
“True. Then again…” Then again, what? She had no idea what to say next. “I just…thought I should offer, you know?”
“Fair enough.” He leaned in close and whispered in her ear, “You asked. I answered. Can we leave the paternity test question behind now?”
“Well, if you change your mind—”
“I won’t. Let it go.”
She did love that he felt he could trust her. “All right, Josh. I’ll let it go.”
He slid his hand up under her hair, his touch warm and gentle as he cradled the back of her neck. “Come here.” He pulled her in close. It felt good, the warmth of him, the reassurance he offered, the trust…
She rested her head on his shoulder. He stroked her hair. It felt good, soothing. With a sigh, she whispered, “I told Annette about the baby.”
“And…”
She grinned up at him. “She called me a whore and ran out the front door.”
He blinked. “You’re messing with me.”
“Nope.”
“What’s the matter with her? That’s awful.”
“Yeah, it was pretty bad. And nothing’s the matter with Annette. She’s got some rigid ideas about how things should be, that’s all.”
“If that’s what you want to call it…”
“It all worked out, Josh. It honestly did.”
“Well, good.”
“Yes, she ran out the door, but she was back within fifteen minutes begging me to forgive her. We talked. In the end, it was good. She opened up about her own life and helped me to understand her better. I love her a lot.”
“I know you do.” He caught a corkscrew of hair that had curled against her cheek and guided it gently behind her ear. His eyes were rich amber right then and full of tender intent. “Rile…”
She knew he would kiss her, and she wanted him to. A lot.
His lips brushed hers.
And just like that, in the space of an instant, all her worries and doubts flew away. There was only the feel of his mouth on hers and the sweet havoc within her. For a lovely, perfect moment, she kissed him back.
But then she remembered her little boy upstairs. “Josh…”
