Harlequin Presents January 2015 Box Set 1 of 2(115)

“Please don’t do this,” I said tearfully. “Don’t.”

Edward looked down at me almost wistfully. “We both know you haven’t been happy in London. It was just a matter of time.”

I couldn’t argue with that, no matter how much I wished I could. As I stood beside the enormous bed where he’d given me such pleasure in the darkness, every night for the past two months, I felt Edward’s emotional and physical withdrawal, as plainly as if someone had pulled a coat off my body. I hadn’t even realized it had been wrapped around my shoulders until it was suddenly gone and I felt the chill blast of winter.

Reaching into the closet, he pulled out my old suitcase. Tossing it on our bed, he calmly started dumping my clothes into it. As I watched him, aghast, he finished packing in just three minutes. “If I’ve missed anything, I’ll have it sent to you in California.”

“You’re tossing me out.”

His eyes held no expression. “I’m saying goodbye.”

But I still hadn’t told him my secret—our precious, precious secret, due in September. “Wait. We still have to talk.” I took a deep breath and tried desperately, “There’s something more I have to tell you—”

“We’ve talked,” Edward said. “And now we’re done.” Going to the window, he opened the blinds and looked out at the elegant street, dark and quiet with all the expensive townhouses tucked in for the night, sleeping cheek by jowl in the moonlight. Pulling his phone from his pocket, Edward called his driver. Hanging up, he glanced back at me as if I were a stranger.

“Nathan will be here in five minutes to take you to the airport. My jet is at your disposal, and will take you back to where your dream career and dream man await.” His lips twisted. “Thank you for your assistance with my recovery.” Edward held out his hand. “I will be glad to recommend you to anyone who needs a physiotherapist in the future.”

Bewildered, I took his hand. He shook it once, briskly, as if we’d only just been introduced. He started to pull away. Desperately, I tightened my hand. “Come with me to California.”

His lips curved. “And what would I do there?”

“Whatever you want!”

He shook his head. “St. Cyr Global is headquartered in London. The company is my responsibility. I was born to it....”

“And you hate it,” I said tearfully. “Every single minute.”

He looked down at me, and an expression of pain crossed his eyes. “It was fun while it lasted, Diana,” he said quietly. “But there is no reason for us to ever see each other again.”

“No reason? Are you crazy? I just told you I loved you!”

His expression hardened. “Do you expect me to change my whole life for the sake of a few cheap words?”

“Cheap?” My knees trembled from the emptiness I felt inside. It suddenly threatened to devour me, with the help of its friends, grief and despair. “I want to be with you forever. I love you, Edward,” I whispered. “We could build a home together, a future.” I lifted my tearful gaze to his. “We could have a child—”

My throat closed when I saw him flinch.

“Sorry. What I want,” he said quietly, “is a clean break.” He closed my suitcase with a snap.

“But there can’t be.” To my horror, my voice came out in a whimper. I wiped my eyes hard. “There will always be a connection between us now. Because you have to know that I...”

“For God’s sake, stop it!”

“But I...”

“Not another word! If you won’t go, I will.” I had a brief view of his pale, stricken face as he rushed past me. Then he was gone, disappearing through the door in a few strides of his long legs.

I stared after him in shock. I heard the echo of the front door slamming downstairs. I looked out the window, and numbly watched Edward disappear down the street, walking out of my life forever.

A sob came from the back of my throat. I leaned against the window, my hand outstretched across the cold glass. Edward hadn’t even given me the chance to tell him about the baby. Just telling him I loved him had made him run.

Just as I’d always known it would. Though I’d tried so hard not to know.

Through the blur of my tears, I saw a black sedan silently pull up to the curb in front of the house. Nathan, coming to take me to the airport.

I finally understood why Edward had ended our relationship. Why he’d been so determined not to love me.

It was so he’d never have to feel like this.

“Are you ready, madam?” I heard the driver’s voice at the door. “Shall I bring your suitcase down?”