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And now she was pregnant.
Tiny waves of joy slowly spread through her stunned senses.
A child of her own. To cherish and love. And, if she was lucky, a child who would love her back.
She jerked upright, her hand rushing to cover her stomach. ‘Oh, God, I took some painkillers this afternoon!’
His gaze sharpened on her. ‘What did you take?’
She told him. ‘W...would it have harmed the baby?’
He shook his head. ‘The doctor told me which medicines are okay to take during pregnancy.’
Relief poured through her. ‘You asked him?’
Ari stilled. ‘Of course. This baby is mine too,’ he grated out.
But it didn’t take a genius to see that he wasn’t thrilled about it. Pain and hurt scythed through her joy. A second later a rush of protectiveness enveloped her.
‘I realise this is unexpected. I don’t want you to think that you need to be involved in any way...’
‘Excuse me?’ His voice was a rasp, his eyes dark with thunder as he stared at her.
Perla licked her lips, contemplated taking a sip of water and discarded the idea. She was too shaken not to pour it all over herself.
‘I mean this wasn’t planned or anything, so don’t feel as if you have to participate in any decision-making. I’ll take care of it.’
‘You’ll take care of it?’
The skin-flaying fury in his voice made her realise that once again she’d chosen the wrong words.
‘No! I meant I’ll take care of him or her after the birth.’
Dark implacable eyes bored into hers. ‘So, just so we’re clear, you intend to keep the baby?’
‘Of course! I’d never, ever dream of...’ She raised her chin. ‘Yes, I intend to have this baby. What I meant was that I’ll take sole responsibility so you don’t have to worry.’ Her eyes dropped to her stomach. This child was hers and she intended to protect him or her with her last breath.
‘What gives you the right to assume sole responsibility for the child? Sexual responsibility is a two-way street.’
‘I know, but I participated too without giving a thought to protection. Arion, all I’m trying to say is there’s no need to get all macho and blame yourself for something that involved both of us.’
‘Perla, look at me.’ The order was soft, deadly.
She dragged her eyes from where she’d been staring at her stomach in silent wonder. The resolution and implacable determination in his eyes made her shiver.
‘Do I look like the sort of man who would leave his child to be brought up by another man? And I assume you don’t intend to remain single for the rest of your life? That you will seek another relationship at some point in the future?’
That thought was so unlikely she wanted to laugh. Except the look on his face told her he wouldn’t find it funny. So she shrugged. ‘I don’t know. Maybe.’
‘Let’s try something else much simpler.’ He drew closer to the bed. His hands hung loose at his sides and his open-legged stance was unthreatening. But she didn’t fool herself for one second that Ari wasn’t seething beneath that calm exterior. ‘Do I look like I’m going anywhere?’
‘Ari—’
‘Do I?’
‘No. You don’t.’ And she wasn’t sure whether to be pleased or frightened by that admission.
If Ari wanted this child and, from his stance, she concluded he did...for now...it would mean she would have him in her life for the foreseeable future.
Her childhood in foster care had opened her eyes to the fact that not all children were wanted. No matter what the circumstances of conception, there came a point in time where some parents simply abandoned their children and walked away.
She had no intention of ever doing that to her child. But she couldn’t speak for Ari. His childhood had created deep scars that rippled through his every decision. He’d been let down by the people who should’ve been there for him. In a way it was worse than never having felt the love of two devoted parents. She hadn’t experienced that particular devastation because she hadn’t had the fantasy in the first place. To know that he’d had parents who’d let him down, who’d let him shoulder the responsibility of caring for his brothers on his own was too distressing to bear.
A wave of despair swept over her. Would Ari let go of his pain long enough to let himself love a child?
‘Good, I’m glad we’ve established that fact.’ He stepped back from the bed and turned towards the door. Without speaking another word, he left.
