Silent tears rolled down Anjuli’s cheeks. “I’m so sorry...for everything.”
Rob shrugged. “Mac and Ben took good care of me. I’m not telling you this to give you another guilt trip.”
“How self-centred I was, how blind.”
“And I was overbearing and impatient, but I’m not going to make the same mistakes again. My cancer’s been in remission for six years and I’ve got a clean bill of health. I love you Anjuli, and I think you still love me. Let me try to make you happy.”
Her eyes widened and something like alarm flashed across her face. “I’m not the right woman for you,” she said, jumping out of his reach. “Most days I’m not very balanced. I can’t be in a relationship because no matter what anyone says, I can’t forget what I did to Chloe.” He opened his mouth and she shook her head. “No, don’t tell me you’ll wait for me to be ready. You need a woman who can love you without feeling guilty about it, and that’s not me,” she said earnestly. “A mother for your children, and I don’t think I’ll ever want another child.” Her voice was frightened, tortured, and it pained him to hear it.
Rob took her cold, trembling hand. “Before I had chemotherapy I took measures in case I ever wanted children, but the only way that will happen is via IVF.” He took a deep breath and looked her in the eyes. “I’m infertile.”
Her brows raised, but after surprise what he saw wasn’t disappointment or even rejection. It was relief. Instead of easing his concerns, it saddened him.
Rob took her hand. “I think we’ve earned the right to try again, don’t you?”
“What about Mac and Ash?” she said, sounding panicked. “You hate me for not telling Mac about Craig, and I’m standing by Ash no matter what.”
Rob’s face grew hard. “Craig is a heartless bastard and my sister is better off without him. I’ll admit I was angry at you, but I should have tried to talk to you in spite of Mac. You’re not to blame for Craig’s actions, or Ash’s for that matter. I’m not going to let anything or anybody get between us again.”
“You might feel differently when you hear what I have to say.” She lifted her hand to her collarbone and cleared her throat. “I’ve got something else to tell you, about the restoration. Something I’m ashamed to admit.”
Anything she wanted to discuss about the house would have to wait. “I promised Mac I’d take care of the boys today and I have to pick them up. I’ll cook you dinner at seven,” he said, drawing her into his arms.
She looked dubious. “And...?”
“And if you want me to, I’ll stay the night.”
A rosy blush spread across her cheeks. “Last night you could have...You didn’t try to... Oh God, I can’t believe I’m saying this. Twice you’ve put me to bed and haven’t wanted to make love to me.”
How could she think he didn’t want her?
“I wanted you, believe me, lass,” he said huskily. “I’m infertile, not impotent, but you had other things on your mind. Tonight, I’ll remedy the situation.”
Her eyes were on his chest, a location she tended to stare at when she was nervous—or aroused. “Maybe we should cool off for a while.”
He put a finger to her lips, tracing red velvet that trembled under his touch. “Is that really what you want?”
Anjuli swallowed, and he followed the ripple in her throat, hypnotised by the small hollow between her collarbone. And lower, by the shape of full, unbound breasts under her T-shirt.
Rob circled a hard peak, hot and responsive to his touch. “You’re blushing, lass,” he teased.
Anjuli stared at his finger, her face strained. “Don’t.”
“Don’t do this?”
He cupped her breast, lifted it to his lips and sucked her nipple through the fabric and into his mouth. Anjuli gasped and stumbled back, arching her back under his pull.
“Rob,” she exhaled softly.
Unrestrained, his erection poked into his kilt, cock head brushing against the prickly wool. He sucked in his teeth, wanting to shift the kilt aside, thrust into Anjuli’s moist, tight pussy and...Fuck! He was burning up, so hot he could meld them together, but a rushed coupling was not how he wanted to start their life together. He had a gift for Anjuli, something he’d wanted to give her for years and thought he never would. It was at his house, where he should be right now, hiking into Halton Forest with his nephews. With a groan, Rob released her nipple, leaving a circle of moisture on her T-shirt.
Be patient and think, man.