“What’s that?” Nikki asked, although she could barely concentrate on anything except the thought of seeing her baby for the first time. Excitement and trepidation rippled in her stomach.
The doctor angled the machine closer to the examining table. “You have a limited window of opportunity, should you decide to terminate the pregnancy. Now...” She glanced at Nikki and smiled. “You ready?”
A loud knock sounded at the door. Nikki sat up straighter, grabbing for the sheet that covered too little.
Dr. Molloy shot Nikki an apologetic glance. “Must be an emergency. Let me just check.” She rose from her seat and walked to the door, opening it enough for her to slip outside.
Seconds later, the doctor returned. “There’s someone who insists on seeing you,” she said to Nikki.
“Who...”
“Nicole?” Kevin’s voice sounded in the hallway.
Shock rippled through her. Nikki glanced down at the sheet and, seeing she was as decently covered as she could be under the circumstances, she nodded to the doctor. Kevin barged around the doctor and Nikki found herself facing an obviously upset man.
Dr. Molloy placed herself between Nikki and Kevin, as though she believed Nikki needed protection. Given his flashing obsidian eyes, which would intimidate even on a good day, Nikki didn’t blame the other woman for her concern.
“This is highly irregular,” she said.
This whole situation was highly irregular, but her personal life wasn’t the doctor’s concern. “I realize that,” Nikki murmured.
“Who is this man?”
“He’s...” She sought for a diplomatic way to describe her relationship with Kevin. Somehow the term lover no longer fit, boyfriend was too immature for what they’d once shared, and future anything was out of the question... for many reasons.
“The baby’s father.” Kevin supplied the answer Nikki had both sought and fought to avoid at the same time. His words were a painful reminder she would be tied to him forever, but never bonded in love or caring. Merely out of necessity.
He took a step farther into the room.
“That doesn’t give you the right to charge in here.” The pleasant doctor had taken on the role of guard and protector, a part Nikki sensed the woman played often in this place.
Kevin drew a deep breath, searching for what Nikki believed was a semblance of control. He stuffed his hands into his pockets and turned that dark gaze her way.
Her stomach pitched, having nothing to do with morning sickness. The harsh angles and planes in his face and the razor stubble on his cheeks were enough to make any woman weak, but the look in his eyes struck Nikki in the heart. They reflected inner torment and pain.
She sucked in a startled breath. Heaven help her, but she was still dangerously drawn to this man and the vulnerable part of him he hid from view. The part she’d glimpsed so thoroughly their one night together.
“I can call nine-one-one.” The doctor glanced at Nikki.
Kevin’s gaze narrowed. “Tell her, Nicole.”
She clutched her fingers around the cold sheet, feeling more exposed and defenseless than ever before. “He’s the baby’s father,” she said, confirming his story.
He clenched his jaw and she knew she hadn’t gone far enough to please him. Tough. Pleasing him wasn’t on today’s agenda. Taking her life one step at a time was.
“Like I said, Mr....”
“Manning,” he said.
“Mr. Manning. Paternity doesn’t give you the right to barge in here. Now either you leave, or...”
“No.”
At the sound of Nikki’s voice, both Kevin and the doctor turned. “Can you give us a minute?” Nikki asked the startled doctor.
“As long as you’re sure. You don’t have to talk to him.”
“I want to.” Relief and gratitude flickered for a brief second in Kevin’s gaze before the steely resolve returned.
Good, Nikki thought. She’d much rather deal with his obstinate side than any veneer of caring he chose to present in order to get his way. She wasn’t at risk of turning into a marshmallow when he was his take-charge self. As long as she wasn’t faced with the softer Kevin Manning she’d be okay.
“I’ll be back in five minutes,” the doctor said, in what seemed like a warning.
This behavior wasn’t like the Kevin she knew. Something must have triggered his anger—or fear, she thought glancing into his eyes. She knew Kevin would never hurt her, at least not intentionally, but this woman couldn’t know that. And Nikki wondered how many of the opposite situations the doctor saw every day. The thought saddened her.
Deep down, Kevin was a good man. Not the man for her, though. And that hurt even more. He’d take the obligation of a baby seriously, but he’d never let himself see her as more than his responsibility. She’d never be the woman he loved. She wondered if he’d ever had experience with the word. Recalling his mention of a drunken father, she had her doubts. But she couldn’t let them sway her because their connection was now iron-clad.