He moaned. “Kath, are you sure?”
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“Yes, Brett,” she said, her voice a raspy sigh, “I’m sure.”
Chapter Nine
Nerves. Tingling nerves. Kathryn swallowed as she shut the door behind Brett.
He turned to her and smiled. “I love you, Kath.” He cupped her cheeks. “I want you.”
How easy it would be to surrender to him again, to let the lust take her away from what she faced.
But no. She shook her head. “We need to talk first.”
“Really?” His lips turned slightly downward. “We talked a lot at the restaurant. I want to be with you. Isn’t that what you want?”
God, yes, it’s what I want, what I’ve always wanted. But she had to clear the air before she succumbed again. He deserved that much. “I do want you, Brett. I want to be with you in every way I can, but—” she choked back a sob “—there’s something I have to tell you.”
“What, baby?” He caressed her cheeks with his thumbs. “What is it?”
“Let’s sit.”
She led him to the living room, sat down on the couch, and patted the seat next to her. He sat down, his handsome face racked with concern. “Kath?”
She swallowed again. “Please don’t hate me.”
He touched her arm gently. “I could never hate you. Believe me, I tried. I wanted to hate you when you disappeared. I couldn’t.”
Oh God. Queasiness seized her tummy. He had wanted to hate her for leaving, and he didn’t know why she left. When he found out…
Could she put it off? Have one more night of passion with him before facing the piper?
No. She braced herself and steadied her emotions. He had to be told.
“I loved you then, Brett, and I love you now. I wouldn’t have given you my virginity if I hadn’t—” A sob caught in her throat. She cleared it.
“I know that now.” His deep voice soothed her. “It’s okay.”
“But it’s not okay.” She shook her head. “I’m afraid it will never be okay, what I did.”
“Just tell me, Kath. I love you. That won’t change.”
She didn’t doubt he thought he spoke the truth. But he had no idea what was coming. “I left town for a reason, and I started college late for a reason. The reason is…his name is Michael. He’s my son.”
Brett’s eyes widened. “What? You were pregnant?”
She nodded. “Our son, Brett.”
Brett sat, immobile except for a slight tremble in his full lips.
“I love you. Please say something.”
Several minutes passed. Kath fidgeted, afraid to touch the man she loved.
“Please, Brett.”
“Michael. You know him?”