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Nate took in the bright flush of embarrassment on Tess’s cheeks, and had to resist the powerful urge to hug her. ‘Let me help.’
Despite being the one woman who genuinely needed his financial assistance and had every reason to demand it, Tess Tremaine really didn’t have a hidden agenda. The thought made the unfamiliar flutter of admiration under his breastbone increase. And the desire to help became all the more acute.
Placing his palm on her cheek, he hooked a stray tendril of hair behind her ear and wondered where her fierce desire to remain independent came from. ‘We made this child together, so it’s only fair that we both deal with the consequences.’
‘I don’t think that’s—’ she began.
‘And it isn’t only the cost of healthcare. What about your living situation?’ he interrupted, deciding to approach the problem from a more pragmatic angle—because while her insistence on not wanting his money was clearly genuine, and commendable, it was hardly practical. ‘You can’t stay on your friend Eva’s floor for ever, now can you?’
She scowled. ‘I am going to murder Ed next time I see him.’
‘Don’t blame Ed. I can be very persuasive.’
‘Believe me, I know that.’ Her cheeks coloured and he felt the instant spike of heat at the double entendre he hadn’t intended. Her chin rose. ‘But it’s not a floor. Nick and Eva have a very nice guest room. Plus, I’ve been checking out the want ads regularly. I’m sure I’ll be able to land something soon that will give me a more reliable income and hopefully maternity benefits too.’
He doubted that. The economic climate was making it tough going for everyone, especially people in the hospitality business.
Taking in the stubborn look on her face, though, he refrained from stating the obvious a second time. He’d already tried to bully her into accepting his help, and it had backfired spectacularly. He now knew a little more about her, enough to know that her pride and her dogged determination to maintain her independence were not going to work in his favour. But no way was he cutting her adrift—she was carrying his child, so it was already too late for that.
‘If you won’t accept my money, would you at least accept my offer of a place to stay?’
‘What place?’ she asked, sounding wary.
Wary was good, he decided, because it wasn’t an instant no. ‘I own a house on Highway One, about an hour’s drive outside the city, not far from Half Moon Bay.’
‘I’m not moving in with you. I think we both know that would be a disaster.’ She sounded so adamant, he almost recited his golden rule. That he’d never invited any woman to move in with him.
But as his eyes skirted over her full breasts, pressed enticingly against the front of her blouse, he realised that if their circumstances had been different he might have considered breaking the golden rule. If only for a little while.
He forced the thought away.
Unfortunately Tess was right. Giving in to temptation again had the potential to be disastrous. Tess might be the most independent woman he’d ever met, but adding sex to their relationship would only complicate it—and loosen his control on a situation that had already spiralled out of his control once.
‘I don’t live there,’ he said casually, oddly regretful when the stubborn tilt of her chin softened. ‘The house I’m talking about belonged to my grandfather. It’s where I grew up, but it’s been empty for the last ten years. I’m in the process of having the place rehabbed.’ And sold, if he could find a buyer for the monstrosity.
‘Thanks, but I’m not sure living on a building site is actually a step up from Eva and Nick’s guest room.’
The caustic comment only made him grin because he could see the worry in her eyes. She might be fiercely independent, but she was a smart woman and she had to be as aware as he was that she didn’t have a lot of options.
‘Actually, the rehab is mostly done. But I wasn’t thinking of the main house. There’s a cottage in the grounds which you could use.’ He checked his watch, trying not to sound too enthusiastic—after all it could only be his determination to get her living situation sorted out that was making him want to hear her say yes.
‘Why don’t I drive you down there this afternoon? You could have a look at the place.’
She bristled and he saw the refusal coming. ‘I don’t—’
‘You don’t have to make a commitment,’ he cajoled, more determined than ever to hear her say yes. ‘But you need a more permanent place to stay. And if you don’t have to pay rent, your savings will last that much longer while you look for a job.’
‘Fine, I’ll have a look at it,’ she added. ‘I can drive down and meet you there tomorrow afternoon. But if I do decide to stay there, as soon as I find a more stable job,’ she continued forcefully, ‘I’ll pay you rent.’
No, you won’t, he thought, just as forcefully, but remained silent. He’d got what he wanted for now, no need to push for more too soon.
He placed a firm hand on the slope of her back and ushered her towards the door of Walter’s office. ‘Give me your cell number. I’ll text you with the
directions. What time can you get there?’
‘Not until four o’clock,’ she replied, deliberately naming a time that would preclude them having lunch together, he suspected.
‘Then I’ll see you there at four,’ he said, deciding that where Tess was concerned it was a much better strategy to concede the battle if you planned to win the war.
