“You need time,” he pressed. “To be sure it’s not a brain tumor.”
She grimaced, knowing that he was right. Everything was happening so fast. If she were honest, she’d admit that even though body felt sure, her mind wasn’t completely convinced. And then he had to hammer the last nail in her sex-fest fantasy.
“You won’t get that time if you’re pregnant.”
Gut punch. Sure, she was choosing him now, but she wasn’t calculating on a baby. The idea was ridiculous, except he clearly believed in the possibility. “A condom—”
“Will break.”
“You don’t know that.”
“What are the odds that all of Brittany’s records would corrupt like that?”
A trillion to one.
“Do not underestimate magic.”
She sighed. “I want a child.”
“I’m glad. Do you want to get pregnant right now, this very moment?”
Yes. No. Maybe. Hell, her rational mind said that was too big a decision to make so casually.
“Then help me give you the time to fall in love. Because if you’re pregnant with my child, I won’t leave your side. Ever.” He exhaled. “And we’ll never be a happy family like the Randolphs. We’ll never be like that because you never had the time to resolve all your doubts.”
She dropped backward, her gaze on the ceiling. Her body was sated and exhausted. Her mind even more so, yet she recognized an underlying emptiness in her womb. She wanted him inside her. She wanted his child.
Was that magic? Brain tumor? Or just plain biology?
“I want that kind of love, Cecilia. I want a family like theirs.”
“So do I.” She looked at him. “Maybe I want it with you.”
They both heard the “maybe” like it was uttered in an echo chamber. It repeated between them, exactly proving his point. She hadn’t committed to him yet. Not fully. And if she got pregnant, then that whole decision became more complicated.
She sighed and closed her eyes. Life was so strange. Twenty-four hours ago, none of this was even on the horizon.
“Are you still wondering if you have a brain tumor?” he asked.
Damn it, he was relentless! “I get it,” she huffed. “I haven’t locked in. Twenty-four hours is not enough time to make a lifelong commitment.” She opened her eyes to pin him with a frustrated glare. “Have you? Are you sure I’m the one?”
She watched him nod. No doubt. No hesitation.
“I’m sure,” he said.
She could see that he believed it. He had absolutely no doubts as to what he thought or wanted.
“You can’t know me that well yet.”
He didn’t argue. And when she looked at his expression, there was a Zen kind of acceptance there. For him, it was a fact.
“So…you love me?”
“Yes.”
She shook her head. “What does that mean to you? That you want to have sex with me? That you want me to bear your children? That you’ll—”
“Care for you every second of your life. That I’ll spend every breath and every dime I have to make sure you are protected and happy. That you can make whatever choices you want, whenever you want. That you are free to be amazing while I cheer for you from the sidelines. I want the best for you, Cecilia. And I’m going to make sure you get it. As much as I possibly can. You are the center of my balance.”
