“I don’t know,” she whispered, everything that could go wrong flashing at her like an enormous, angry warning beacon. “It’s crazy.”
“Crazy like having a baby with a guy you barely know?” He prompted. “This whole thing is crazy. So roll with it. Embrace the crazy, baby. We’re going to do this and make it work.”
“What if we don’t? What if this is some social science experiment gone wrong?”
“In what way could it fail? I’ve told you, if you’re miserable, we’ll deal with that. I don’t want to trap you or imprison you.” He expelled a sigh; it ruffled her fair hair. “But…”
“But?”
“Forget it. It’s not … necessary.”
“What? What were you going to say?”
“It’s just a part of who I am that I get what I want. And I want this baby. I want to be in its life. If we can’t make this work, I should warn you that I would have every intention of suing for custody.”
The words were strangely discordant with the promise he’d made moments earlier, of wanting to care for her and help her. Visions of foot-rubs danced from her head.
“You mean you want access? Because I’ve already told you…”
“Full access.” His lips were grim in his face. “I don’t want a judge telling me when I can and cannot see my own child. I want you and our baby to live here, with me. I want us to be together in this. I cannot think of anything worse than watching a clock and counting down the minutes I have left with my own son or daughter.”
“God, Theo,” Imogen dipped her head forward, simultaneously putting some angry distance between them. “I thought this was up to me.”
“It is up to you. But don’t you think we owe it to the child to at least try to make this work?”
“And if we can’t? You’re going to bully me into staying here even if I hate it? And hate you?”
“Don’t be so dramatic,” he urged softly, shaking his head.
“I can’t help it.” A sob bubbled inside of her chest. “I’m pregnant. And emotional. And this baby is just the size of citrus and you’re threatening to take… to take…” she sobbed uncontrollably now and strong, firm hands pulled her against his chest.
“I’m sorry, I’m sorry.” He smoothed her hair, holding her tight to his warmth. “That was thoughtless of me. I’m still reeling a little from this; I had no intention of upsetting you.”
“You’re going to sue me for custody and you’re going to win because you have lots of money and this fancy-schmancy apartment and probably amazing lawyers and…”
“Shhh, shhhhh.” He lifted a finger to her lips, silencing her with the gesture. “I shouldn’t have said that. It was a mistake. Let’s focus on the good that can come out of this.” He lifted a hand and stroked her hair. “Let’s focus on the fact I can make your pregnancy easier and provide you with anything you need when he or she is born. Focus on the fact that I’m going to love this baby right alongside you. We’re going to watch it take its first steps together. You’re not alone, Imogen. I’m here with you. Okay?”
“I don’t understand. Is this because your family is ancient and you need an heir?”
“Need an heir?” He laughed, putting some space between them. Space she instantly resented for it brought with it coldness and detachment. “Why do you think I need an heir?”
“Isn’t that how families like yours work, Lord Trevalyen?”
“My father is Lord Trevalyen, I’m simply Theo,” he said with a wink. His manner was dismissive but somehow the question seemed to score more deeply than that. “And no, I don’t ‘need’ an heir.”
“Because I don’t want to be some pawn in your family lineage. And our baby…”
“Is just a baby. Not even, yet. Believe me, this has more to do with the child than with anything else.” His smile was reassuring, and she felt that connection that had run so deep when they’d first met. It was as undeniable as the fact that day would follow night.
“I was an only child,” he said after a moment. “And my childhood was far from ideal. I wasn’t close to either of my parents, really. I was lonely a lot of the time. Until I went to boarding school, and found a type of brotherhood I hadn’t known existed. But the idea of a baby… of having my own family finally. It’s something I want. I want this, just as much as you do. The same instincts that make you curl your hand over your stomach when we speak runs through me. Can’t you see that you have a part of me inside you now? A part of me that I want to protect and adore? That I already love?”
Tears formed a lump in her throat. What had she expected when she’d walked into the bar? Certainly not this.
Memories of their night seared into her mind. She had thought she knew him back to front; that she inherently understood him and the ghosts that moved within his soul. But she hadn’t recognized this trait.
He’d been all hard, determined, sexy-as-hell, arrogant, commanding tycoon that night. Funny, too, but there had been a darkness she hadn’t understood yet had been strangely drawn to. Not because she loved the idea of a ‘bad boy’, but because she knew somehow she could lighten that darkness. Just a little, just f
or a night.