Sex Unlimited(52)

He stops and leans back against my dresser. “Pregnant. With my baby?”

My heart drops and I gape at him. “What? Yes, of course it’s yours. What are you implying?”

“No, no! I didn’t mean it that way. I’m sorry. I was more talking to myself in the way of a rhetorical question rather than talking to you. I’m not questioning you on who the father is.”

“I don’t expect anything from you, Brisban. I know how you feel about having more children. I’m okay with doing this on my own. I’ve prayed for a baby for all of my adult life. I can’t take this baby for granted. I won’t.” I straighten my shoulders and inhale, centering myself.

Be strong, Candace.

He doesn’t say anything. The fact that he’s still here, despite his nervous pacing, and says a lot. He hasn’t even come over to me yet. The space between us right now may only be a few feet but it feels like miles.

“You can go.” I stand up and start for the bedroom door. He reaches out and grabs my wrist firmly, yet still gentle.

“No.”

I look at my wrist and then up at him. His eyes are glassy. One lone tear escapes his eye and trickles down his cheek. “I’m not going anywhere.”

I stare up at him in astonishment. “You’re not?”

He pulls me into an embrace and whispers into my hair as he holds me tightly. “No, I’m not.”





We haven’t spoken another word since he said he wasn’t leaving. After brushing out my hair we simply got into bed. He wrapped his arms around me and held me until I drifted off to sleep. I’m looking at the glowing numbers on my alarm clock. It’s five in the morning.

He’s still here.

He’s still holding me.

I shift a little and he rustles. Warm lips connect with the skin on my shoulder and chills cascade across my skin even though I’m warm under the blankets with him. My body always responds to his touch instantly. I turn over so we’re facing each other. His sleepy eyes are a little puffy and his hair is going in all different directions across his forehead. I can only imagine how I look.

“You’re still here,” I whisper.

He smiles and nods. “I’m still here.”

“I really thought you’d leave.”

He reaches up and brushes a wild strand of hair away from my face.

“I can’t say I’m exactly happy about something this unexpected. Nor can I say I even know how I really feel about the fact that I’m going to be a father again, when it wasn’t something I wanted after what happened.”

He pauses and I’m practically holding my breath.

“But I’m not that guy, Candace. I love you. I’m not going to abandon a responsibility like this, even if it’s not exactly what I had planned for my future.”

Responsibility?

His future?

Red flags are going up in my mind and I can feel myself going on the defensive.

“I don’t want to be a responsibility to you. This is about much more than just your future. There are three people involved here.”

I sit up and turn away from him.

“This wasn’t in my plans either.”

I turn my head toward him and look right into his eyes.

“I never expected,” I waved my hand back and forth between us, “any of this.”

He sits up beside me.

“I know.”

His hand comes up to caress my back. “I’m sorry. I’m not reacting the best way, I guess. It’s just a lot all at once. I’m not trying to be insensitive.”

I drop my head. “I know. I’m just tired, sore, and overly emotional.”

Looking up at him, I try and sympathize with how he’s feeling about this with the loss of his daughter at the forefront of his mind. “I know this blindsided you. Trust me, I’m terrified. I mean, I’m having a baby with a man I barely know. Do you even realize how little we know about each other outside of the walls of a hotel or bedroom?”

His hand falls from my back to the bed. As soon as he’s not touching me I want his hand back on me. Even now when things are tense and uncertain, his touch comforts me.

“We may not know as much about each other as other, more conventional couples who meet under regular circumstances, but one thing I am sure of is that I know you. I may not know your favorite color or your little quirks. I don’t know your favorite season, movie, or color.” He reaches up and places his hand on my cheek, gliding his thumb back and forth softly. “I know more than those insignificant things. I know how to touch your body in ways that brings you orgasms like you’ve never had before. I know how soft your lips are on mine. I know your laugh is my favorite sound and your smile is contagious. I know the woman inside you. I know the deeper connection you long for and how to give it to you.”