Taking a deep breath, I wonder how to begin. I decide to get straight to the point. “I’m pregnant.”
Drake frowns. “I know.”
I shake my head. “Why didn’t you tell me?”
He looks confused. “I thought you already knew? The doctor came and examined you and everything. Did he not mention it then?”
“He mentioned me having to come for a scan, but I thought he was being overly cautious because of you.” I close my eyes. “How far gone am I?” I can’t believe I’m asking Drake this.
“You’re around ten weeks. That’s why you have to go for a scan in three weeks time. It’ll be the first scan of a few.”
I shake my head, unable to take it all in. When Drake reaches forward to take my hand, I pull back. “Why?” I ask, surprising him.
“Why what?”
“Why did you do it? Why did you force me into having a baby with you?”
Running his hands through his hair, he sighs. “I knew that if I got married to you, and you were carrying my child, then it would mean you were untouchable—safe. I was trying to prevent you from going through the one thing you did. I know it sounds fucked up, and I know I did wrong, but at the time, it seemed like the only way. There was that and the fact that having you bear my children would be just about the greatest gift I could ever imagine.”
I briefly close my eyes. “Don’t you know how fucked up that sounds?”
“Yes, but I’ve already told you that when it comes to you, there is nothing I would let get in the way. Not even you.”
“I’m married to you and having your baby, and yet you’re just letting me go? I don’t understand it.”
He shakes his head on a sigh. “I don’t fucking understand it either, but I know that’s what you’ve always wanted. The only thing I can’t abide is you not letting me be a big part of our child’s life. I admit that I’ll want to ask you to move back in once the baby’s due, but doing so at all would be completely up to you. If you do decide to come back, it will be completely on your terms, and it will last only as long as you wish. You can even live in your old room if that’s what you want. I’ll take anything I can get just to have you and the baby close to me for as long as possible.”
I swallow hard, not able to comprehend everything he’s saying. “You’d do that?”
Grabbing my hand, he moves closer to me. “I’d do anything for you. You know that.”
He swipes his other hand over mine, gently gliding it across my skin. Heat prickles and descends to a certain part of my body. I don’t normally get so turned on just from hand holding.
As he swipes his hand again, my lips part, and my breathing becomes heavier. Focus, goddammit. Focus!
Standing, I start pacing the floor and wiping my brow. Drake immediately gets up and walks to me. “Are you okay?”
“I’m fine,” I reply, a little flustered. “I just feel a bit hot.”
He places his hand on my forehead. “You feel cool enough.”
My God, I wish he would stop touching me. I pull away from him again and sit down. “I’m fine. I just… I suppose it’s the pregnancy.”
He sits down again, and this time, he’s closer than he was before. “Do you want me to ring Dr Philips and ask him to come and see you?”
I shake my head. “No, it’s fine. I’m fine.” I see his concerned face, so smile. “Honestly, I am.” I sink back into my chair and sigh. “What am I doing? I don’t even know where to begin.”
“Hey,” he says, cupping my chin. “Whatever happens, you’ll have me. You’ve always had me. That will never change. We can do this, and we’ll do it together. Every step of the way.”
He locks me with those big brown eyes of his, and for that moment, I melt into him. Every touch he gives me is like a firework going off inside of me. Logical thought goes out the window, and everything I want to say and should say gets stuck in my mouth.
Without thinking, I lean in to him, kissing him on the lips. When he doesn’t pull away, I straddle his lap, pulling his head towards me. I devour his mouth, and it makes the fires burn hotter than ever. If I don’t feel him inside me soon, I’m going to burst.
As our tongues dance, I moan against his mouth and start frantically pulling his polo shirt up. I feel wanton. I feel crazy with lust. All I can think about now is how much I need to feel that connection we have. All I can remember is how good it feels to have him inside of me.
But, as I start yanking at his top, Drake grabs my head. “Stop, Evelyn.”