“A good ending, then.”
It was so, so much more complex than that simple statement. But it was easier to nod and agree than get into it. “What I am trying to tell you is that the ground shifted beneath my feet that morning, Nik. Life as I knew it ceased to exist. Everything I thought was predictable became unpredictable. Everything that was stable was suddenly unstable. I developed severe panic attacks I had to learn how to manage. I coped by having to have control at all times, by being self-sufficient in every aspect of my life.”
He shook his head. “That’s impossible, Sofía. No one has control over their lives. We all have to work with the cards that are dealt to us.” He waved a hand. “This, this I did not expect to happen. But it’s what is. We all have to make sacrifices in this situation.”
She thought about what he had just been through. Was still going through. “I know this is a difficult situation for you. I understand what you’re saying. But my business, my life in New York is what keeps me grounded, what gives me the stability I need. I’ve spent the past seven years building Carlotta up. You can’t ask me to throw that away.”
“I’m not asking you to give it up. I will fund the business. You can hire the staff you need to help Katharine. And you can spend your free time here designing the line you’ve always wanted to.”
“Thousands of miles away from my friends and family.”
“They can visit. You can make regular visits to New York to check on the business.”
She slid her hand out of his. She knew what it was like to grow up with only one parent, with an ever-present ache in your chest for what had been taken away from you. She would never do that to her child. But stay here with Nik, a man who didn’t trust her? Who thought she’d trapped him into marriage? Was that even possible?
Nik’s gaze held hers. “You of all people will be able to understand the chaos our child will undergo as heir to Akathinia. The pressure. The need for a support system. They will need you.”
Her stomach tightened at his unfair bargaining techniques. “Always the hard-nosed negotiator, Nik. Going for the jugular.”
His jaw hardened. “Our child cannot be raised anywhere but here, Sofía. You know it and I know it. The only question is what you do. What I can promise you is that I will be here for you. I will protect you. Things will not fall apart. We will give our child the security and stability you were left without. We will do this together.”
A cloud of confusion descended over her. She couldn’t deny this baby was bigger than the both of them. The part of her that had always trusted Nik knew he was telling her the truth, that he would protect her. But would it be enough for them to make this work?
A knock at the door signaled the arrival of their dinner. She wasn’t in the least bit hungry, but Nik made her sit down and eat anyway, a few bites of each thing so she wouldn’t pass out on him likely.
She’d expected him to go off and work in his office after dinner. Instead he made a few phone calls and sent a couple of emails from his laptop in the salon while she got ready for bed. Maybe he was afraid she was going to bolt and run? But where? His security would catch her before she got thirty feet from the palace.
She took a long, cool shower, thinking that might help. Standing in front of the mirror afterward, about to brush her teeth, she realized she didn’t have her toothbrush. Anything to sleep in... This was insane.
She stalked out to the salon, a towel wrapped around her. “I have nothing to sleep in.”
Nik gave her an even look. “Abram had one of the palace staff pick you up a few things. They’re in the wardrobe. There are toiletries in the bathroom, as well.”
She went back to the bedroom. Opened the doors of the beautifully carved antique wardrobe. Lined up beside Nik’s suits were a half-dozen dresses, a couple of bathing suits and a short, sheer ivory negligee.
He had been that sure of her. Also seemingly assured she would grace his bed in the sexy lingerie.
She slammed the wardrobe shut. Walked out into the salon. “Give me one of your T-shirts.”
He blinked. “There’s something to sleep in in there, too.”
“I am not here for your amusement. Give me a T-shirt, Nik.”
He got to his feet, walked into the bedroom and returned with a white T-shirt.
She yanked it out of his hands, went into the bathroom and got ready for bed. She was still attempting to get to sleep when Nik joined her. She stayed on her side, curled up, wondering how one night, one decision, could so hugely impact her life. Wondering how, even now, when she hated him, she could still feel the physical pull that drew her to the man on the other side of the bed.