CHAPTER SEVEN
ITWASALIE.She looked weary but her dark blue eyes glittered bright as jewels and the spots of blush pink on her cheeks emphasised the delicacy of her features and her pale, fine-grained skin. The indignant jut of her chin drew attention to that memorable mouth, and as for her supple body...
Adoni was stunned by the wave of hunger that swept him, remembering how good they’d been together.
But he was here for answers, nothing more.
‘You might as well sit, Alice. I’m not going anywhere.’
‘Give me my key.’ Her jaw tilted higher.
Slowly Adoni withdrew it from his pocket. He took her hand and raised it, palm up. She was trembling, ever so slightly. Sensation sparked where they touched and an answering resonance, low down in his belly, heralded the reawakening of that desire he’d never quite banished when he was with her.
He pressed the metal into her palm and closed her fingers over it, his eyes locked with hers, reading her confusion and turmoil. It was as if she didn’t understand or couldn’t accept the quick, hard pull of attraction between them. As if it frightened her.
He’d almost feel sorry for her, except he still wasn’t sure about her. She could be as honest as she appeared or a talented liar. He resented the games she played. First that surprise announcement of a pregnancy, then a complete withdrawal.
Why?
Second thoughts about trying to con him?
A miscarriage?
Adoni’s mouth settled into a grim fold at the sharp slicing sensation through his middle.
The kettle boiled and he swung round. ‘Milk? Sugar?’
‘Milk, please.’
He opened the tiny fridge, taking time to peruse the contents. Milk, butter, two eggs. A pot of yoghurt. And on the tiny kitchen counter a bowl with a couple of pieces of fruit. She was eating sensibly but there didn’t seem to be much of anything.
Adoni frowned. The whole place, what little there was of it, was sparse. The bed pushed up against the wall was a single, the table was tiny and the wardrobe meagre. The only signs of bounty in the place were the bookshelves bulging with paperbacks and a collection of exquisitely executed botanical studies on one wall.
He opened another cupboard. Rice and dry pasta. A tin of fish. Plain cracker biscuits.
‘What are you looking for? I don’t take sugar.’
He swung round, his eyes roving her slender form. Had she lost weight since he’d seen her? Shouldn’t she be putting on weight?
He took two paces across to her chair and passed her the mug. She took it slowly, careful not to let her fingers brush his.
Adoni found himself staring at the milky paleness of her flesh so close to his deep olive skin. That night in his bed her pink and white softness against his bronzed flesh had added to the potent eroticism of the experience. Just looking at her had wildly aroused him.
Even now...
Then he noted how she cradled the hot drink in both hands as if she were cold.
‘Have you seen a doctor?’
‘I told you, I saw one to confirm the pregnancy.’
‘I mean since then. You’ve lost weight.’
She shrugged and took a tiny sip of tea, her shoulders easing down a fraction. ‘The joys of morning sickness. I’m sure I’ll put on weight soon enough now that seems to be passing.’
It was on the tip of Adoni’s tongue to question further, till he caught himself. He needed to get back to the main agenda.
‘You agreed to a paternity test. Why change your mind? If you’re scared of the risk to the baby, I’m informed there’s a newer non-invasive test that doesn’t affect the child at all.’