couple of deep breaths. Her stomach settled a bit. Her hands gripped the wood and squeezed tight, willing herself to remain calm enough to utter words.
“I need to tell you something.” So far so good. Now if only she could get the rest out. “It’s about the night of the wedding.”
“It’s okay.” He stopped just behind her. His voice was much softer than it had been just moments before. “I understand. I haven’t been able to forget that night, either.”
“You haven’t?” She turned, finding him much closer than she’d expected. That was not what she was expecting him to say.
His voice lowered and vibrated with emotion. “No, I haven’t. It was special.” He stared deep into her eyes. “You are special. But after you disappeared without a word, I thought you regretted it.”
Her heart leaped into her throat. Was this really happening? Was it possible she’d totally misjudged him? “You really mean it? About the special part?”
His head dipped, and his lips claimed hers. There was no room for doubt in his kiss. This was how she remembered things from that one magical night. Maybe it’d been the sparkling wine or the romantic ballads, but Niko had swept her off her feet...just like now.
His lips moved over hers, brushing aside the rush of turbulent emotions and replacing them with pure, undiluted passion. She suddenly remembered how on that not-so-long-ago night she’d momentarily disengaged from her common sense and followed her heart. Their time together wasn’t supposed to be anything serious, but sometimes actions have consequences. And in her—well, their—case, it was a life-altering consequence.
But as his hands moved over her back, her stiff muscles eased. Her body leaned into his. Her hands wrapped around the back of his neck as her fingertips played with the longer strands of his dark hair. She could easily get used to this—quite easy indeed.
Thunk!
Sofia jumped back as though the bungalow had been struck by lightning. She glanced around. Her gaze came to rest on a volleyball. A couple of teenage girls came rushing up to the bungalow and apologized. Niko smiled, flashing his white teeth, and assured them it wasn’t a problem. Just as if nothing had happened.
Sofia tried to wrap her mind around how things had gotten so far off course. Her hand moved to her lips, her fingers gently swiping over her now-sensitive lips. Though her heart fluttered at the memory of their kiss, she knew she had to show more self-restraint. Giving in to her desires had succeeded only in complicating matters even more.
Her attention moved to the steps. She wanted to flee—wanted to avoid the inevitable questions—
“Don’t even think about escaping. I’m dressed this time. I’ll follow you.”
“THAT KISS...IT CAN’T happen again.” Sofia met his confused gaze.
Best to get this over with.
The sooner, the better.
Her palms moistened, and her mouth grew dry. She had no idea how much longer she could stand to be so close to him and yet so far away. Because she knew her secret would drive a permanent wedge between them. Nothing would ever be the same.
His expression hardened. “Then what exactly did you want to talk about?”
The time had come. Her stomach took another nervous lurch. And the words that she’d rehearsed over and over again utterly fled her mind.
“Sofia?”
It wasn’t as if she’d gotten into this position by herself. And though it was the truth, it didn’t settle her nerves. Why did this have to be so hard? Because he’d blame her. His eyes would grow dark and cold, shutting her out.
Niko made a point of glancing at his Rolex watch. “I don’t have much time. Maybe we should talk later—”
“No!” When he frowned, she realized her response had been a bit too exuberant.
He arched a dark brow. “It’s that important?”
She nodded, not trusting her mouth.
“Then come back inside.”
She did as he asked. It was just two words—I’m pregnant. Why did she have to make such a production of this?
Just say the words and leave. Easy. Peasy. Not!
He moved to the minibar. “Can I get you something to drink? A mimosa?”
She shook her head. She couldn’t drink in her condition. Instead of taking advantage of the opening, she said, “I can’t. I’m still working. Some water would be nice.”
In no time at all, he was handing her a glass of ice water. “Now, what did you need to talk about?”
She sipped at the water, needing it to wet her dry mouth. Once she set it aside, she clenched her hands and faced him. “I’m pregnant.”
For a moment, nothing moved. It was as if time were suspended. As the seconds ticked by, the color leached from Niko’s face.
At last he spoke in a strangled voice. “It...it’s mine?”
“Of course it’s yours. You surely don’t think I have sex with every man I meet.”
He raked his fingers through his hair. “How should I know?”
She glared at him. “That doesn’t say much for you.”
“You’re right. I’m sorry. I’m not thinking clearly.” He started to pace back and forth. “I just never thought.” He stopped and stared at her as though expecting an answer. “But how could this happen?”
She frowned at him. Was their night so forgettable? Her face warmed at the memory. Did she really have to recount the evening in detail for him?
He shook his head. “Never mind. It was a stupid question. I...I’m just shocked. We took precaution.”
“And it failed somewhere along the way. But analyzing the how of it isn’t going to change the fact. What is done is done.”
His face grew even paler. “Things did get pretty out of hand that night.”
That was the understatement of the century. She’d never thought she’d ever have a one-night stand in her life, but that was before she met Niko. He was a mixture of hotness, sweetness and power wrapped up in a really cute package.
Funnily enough, telling him the news of the baby had a calming effect on her. She had not been expecting that. Perhaps it was because she was no longer harboring a huge, life-changing secret. With the truth out in the open, they could make whatever decisions were necessary.
“You’re sure about this?” He gazed at her with one last bit of hope glimmering in his eyes.
She nodded. “I went to the doctor this week. He confirmed what I suspected.”
Niko’s shoulders slumped. “Oh.”
She felt bad for him. He obviously wasn’t looking to start a family anytime soon, and she had blindsided him with this news. She hadn’t known any other way to tell him. She knew it wouldn’t be unreasonable to expect him to step up and take responsibility. But that wasn’t why she’d told him. As the father he had a right to know.
“Listen, I know this isn’t what you want.”
His head snapped around to face her. His dark brows rose high as his gaze searched hers. “And it’s what you want?”
She wasn’t about to get into what she did and didn’t want. Ideally she wanted to be in love with the father of her baby, and even though they’d shared an incredibly intense attraction, she refused to let herself believe in love at first sight. Whatever she’d felt for Niko at the