They were both unhappy, and the prudent thing to do was to end it before they started to hate each other. But the very idea of divorcing her, of cutting her from his life, was too much to bear.
"It's risky."
Hope flared in her magnificent eyes. "A natural pregnancy is risky." She abandoned her pride and hurt and crossed the room to stand in front of him. He was tall, topping 6'3", and she had to tilt her head back to meet his eyes. "I'm willing to take the risks."
"I'm not." His eyes dropped to her lips, and he felt the familiar stirring of passion.
She saw the kindling and used it. Placing an elegant, long-fingered hand on his chest, she pleaded her case. "I'm not takingany more parts. I've hung up my acting shoes. All I want to do is to be a mother."
His eyes flared at that. He was in an industry where most women in her position were greedy for recognition and fame. Even when they had it all, they still wanted more. His wife had never been like that.
She was excellent at what she did and dedicated herself to her craft with a single-mindedness that was admirable. When she had landed the part of the main character in the series, she had visited the local precinct every day to learn about policies and procedures. It was never enough for her to be mediocre; she had to be outstanding. The result: a top-rated performance that had sneaked its way into millions of fans all over the world. She had taken a character that was supposed to be ordinary and turned her into a beloved detective who was dedicated to righting the wrongs of the world.
And to think that she was willing to give it all up… it was unthinkable.
"I cannot be responsible for you deciding that you don't want to act anymore. It's who you are."
She shook her head. "It's what I do. And now I want to be a mother. You cannot deny me that."
"Eliza…"
"No." She shook her head wildly, lustrous mahogany brown hair flying. "I want to do this, and all I'm asking for is your cooperation. If you want to save our marriage, then you'll do this for me, for us."
"That's damn unfair."
"I don't care. I want this, Samuel. Please don't say no. Come to the clinic with me."
"I have to be out of town at the end of the week."
Her chin lifted. Usually in the past he would have shared his schedule with her and have his assistant send her a copy of his itinerary, but that had not happened in a long time.
"Where?"
He saw the look in her eyes and knew what she was thinking.
"There's this actor who's giving us a hard time." He shook his head, a lock of dense dark hair falling over his forehead. "I should have told you."
"It doesn't matter." She couldn't let that bother her right now. She had more important things to think about.
"Apparently it does." She still had her hand on his chest, and heat was seeping through his thin sweater. "And I apologize for not letting you know my movements."
"You can show how apologetic you are by accompanying me to the clinic on Thursday. When are you leaving?"
"Friday afternoon." Finishing the drink, he turned away from her and went to put the glass down. He had been about to ravage her mouth. Now was not the time, and they bloody well were not going to solve their problems with sex. They had tried that before, and it did not work.
"Perfect." She hid her disappointment that he had turned away instead of kissing her with a brisk tone. Walking over to the chair, she picked up her purse. "Will you be home later?"
"I have a dinner meeting, but should be there by ten, eleven at the latest." He watched her shake back her hair and scoop herfingers through the thick strands. "The goodbye party for the series is next week."
"Yes."
"How do you feel? It has been a large part of your life for twelve years."
She turned to face him and felt her heart turning over as she stared at him. His was a hard face, not movie-star handsome. The features were too harsh for that, but it was stamped with character and arrogance. His chin was square, with a defined dent in the middle, his lips sensuous, the bottom lip full. He had shown her over the years what he could do with those lips.
"I feel a sense of accomplishment and fulfillment and that it's time for the next chapter of my life. That of being a mother." Her lips curved and had his eyes dropping to them.
"You're putting too much hope on this happening. You could be disappointed," he warned.
