“Call me superstitious but the first trimester is the most fragile time of a pregnancy, where miscarriages can occur. And I’d rather wait until we’re free of it and in the second trimester before telling anyone. Second, I just started this job at Farrell. I need to figure out how to tell your brothers that not only am I pregnant but by their brother, co-CEO of the company—a man I pretended not to know during my job interview. And then deal with how that will appear to the employees and the business community as a whole, and how it will affect my reputation. Third, I have to decide how I’m going to tell my parents. And prepare myself for that fallout. So yes, I’m asking you for time.”
He silently studied her, and finally he pushed himself off the desk and strode the short steps toward her, eliminating the small space separating them. His chest brushed against hers, his thighs grazing hers. Despite the situation, his scent, the firm pressure of his big body touching hers, lit her up.
“It really sucks that you got knocked up by the Feral Farrell, doesn’t it?” he asked softly. Almost gently. Which made the question even more blasphemous.
“Don’t you say that,” she said, her voice vehement, furious. “Don’t you ever fucking say that again.”
He arched a dark brow, his bright gaze impenetrable once more. “Don’t worry. I won’t say a word. Now, is that it? Any more conditions?”
She shook her head. “Achilles—”
“Good. Call me after the appointment and let me know what the doctor said.”
He turned away from her and stalked across the office, returning to his desk. Dismissing her. The punch of pain to her chest shouldn’t have surprised her; she wasn’t a stranger to it. Yet it still drove the air from her lungs.
But damn if she’d let him know it.
She’d promised herself long ago that she’d never allow herself to become emotionally entangled again. To never give anyone else the opportunity to reject her. She’d failed herself on both accounts.
She wouldn’t do it again.
Not when she now had too much to lose.
Twelve
I’m on my way over. I need to talk to you. It’s important.
Mycah stared at the text and debated pretending that she didn’t see it. No, that wouldn’t work. Her mother would see that she’d read it.
She glanced down at her long-sleeved white shirt, black lounge pants and bare feet. If she shoved on sneakers quickly, threw on a coat and grabbed her car keys, she might be able to make it out of the house before her mother made it over here.
The doorbell rang, dispelling that hope.
Shit.
Mycah clapped a hand to her forehead.
Why? Why had she bought a condo in the same neighborhood as her parents’ home? She should’ve taken that cute apartment in Charlestown like she’d wanted. Right. Because of Angelique. When she was her sister’s age, she’d wished for a place to escape to when her parents had become too overbearing. Mycah had wanted to give that haven to her sister. Too bad Laurence and Cherise knew the location, as well.
Sighing, Mycah headed across her hardwood floor toward the front door, the exhaustion that had sent her home from work early suddenly feeling heavier.
Her first doctor’s appointment had been earlier in the week, and it seemed like as soon as she’d officially confirmed the pregnancy, all the symptoms she’d ever heard and read about—morning sickness, fatigue, breast and abdomen soreness—had visited upon her like plagues. Achilles had been supportive: asking questions about the appointment, inquiring about her health, even picking up her neonatal vitamins after work when she’d been too tired to do anything but go home.
But one thing he hadn’t done—theyhadn’t done—was resume their former relationship. If their secret, no-strings, sexual arrangement could be called that. Whatever it’d been, it was over. He hadn’t tried to touch her, hadn’t asked to spend the night, hadn’t asked her to come over to the penthouse.
She should be grateful.
Because any kind of attachment other than co-parenting wouldn’t be wise.
And they hadn’t even had a chance to discuss the mechanics of that yet. How he planned to co-parent from across the country. Literally.
Until I’m free from it all.
His words continued to haunt her, even months later.
He was leaving. She couldn’t forget that.
Couldn’t forget the reality of it. What it meant not just for her, but for their baby.
