His declaration floored her. She knew Ethan being serious about business and Ethan being his usual boyish self. This was a side she’d never seen, and she doubted few ever had. What he said that night came flooding back, and while she thought he’d said only things he thought she wanted to hear, it seemed Ethan meant every word. She cared about him too much to let him throw his heritage away.
“Don’t do this to me. Don’t hold me over a barrel.” Mya shook her head. “Don’t make me feels things for you. Just let me help and figure this out as we go along.”
Ethan gave her a sad smile. “You know me, Mya. I’m an all-or-nothing kind of guy. Take the chance with me, or Easton can give it a go. But I want you in my arms and my bed, and that’s all I’m settling for. Tell me you don’t want me, and I’ll understand. The playboy stigma would be my own undoing when it comes to you. I can understand that.”
Mya shook her head. “I can’t say that I don’t want you, but I’m scared.”
He cupped her cheek. “I am too. Jesus, I’m terrified of not being good enough of a man for you and a father to the baby. In my heart, I know I’ll do everything in the world and beyond to make sure I’m both.”
Mya took a deep breath like she was ready to jump into the deep side of the pool. “Then I’m there with you, so yes to dinner, and yes to moving to your bedroom, and yes to making a nursery, yes to it all.”
“Good, then dinner will be at six.”
Ethan leaned forward and kissed her deeply. She closed her eyes and sank into the bliss of his lips being on hers. He gave a low groan and pulled her closer before he nipped her bottom lip in a silent plea for her to open her mouth. She did and invited him in. Mya cupped the back of his neck and sank her tongue into his mouth, catching him by surprise. His moan sent a shiver of pleasure down her back. He took control of the kiss and sampled her lips like a man possessed. When he finally lifted his head, they were both panting hard, and his eyes were dark blue with desire.#p#分页标题#e#
“We should stop before I forget the recipe for dinner,” he said huskily. But still he kissed her again.
“You’re actually going to cook? I thought you were ordering.” She laughed against his mouth.
“You wait, there’s a feast in store for you,” he promised and got up. Ethan looked down at her, his eyes filled with tenderness. “This will work. We’re going to be happy. You’ll see.”
“I know,” she whispered and felt the fluttering movement of the baby again.
“Okay, I’m off to create a masterpiece for your mouth,” he teased and began to walk away.
“Don’t forget my garlic bread,” she called.
He turned and bowed. “Your wish is my command.”
She smiled and lay back in the chaise lounge for a moment, idly rubbing the more defined mound of her stomach. “This will work, baby, you’ll see,” she whispered. “We won’t let you down.”
Mya pushed whatever doubtful thoughts she had firmly to the back of her mind. He was going to give it his all, and so was she. That couldn’t happen if she looked for pitfalls at every turn. She heard Robin whistling as he came out of the pool and smiled. Later, he’d be far away while she and Ethan had dinner and connected even more. Time to be assertive. She planned to be connected in more ways than one because she intended to take it to a whole new level that included nakedness and passion.
Her cell phone was close by. She’d placed it on the glass coffee table when she came through the solarium to the balcony over the pool. It vibrated as it rang, and Mya looked over at the phone, startled, because with Robin there, she rarely had anyone who called her. She picked it up expecting to see the number for her doctor’s office. The automated system always called a few days before as a reminder for the appointment. She didn’t recognize the number, so when she answered, the voice on the other line was a surprise.
“Hello?”
“Did you miss me?” It was Kyle, and Mya frowned.
“Why would I miss you? I didn’t even know this number was yours,” she answered.
“Didn’t my name come up?” Kyle asked.
“No, I erased you from my cell contacts after you signed the papers,” Mya replied. “What do you want, Kyle? We said all we needed to say.”
“I made a mistake, Mya. I want to be in my baby’s life,” Kyle said.
Mya gave a laugh. “Um, no, you signed the papers. It’s done. What happened to all that life you had to live and not being saddled with a squalling baby and its lactating mother?”