Page 27 of Love is Grand
Chills ran up my spine, and my heart raced at his words.
“Are you okay?” Cal looked at me. “You’re shaking.”
“Cold. Hot. I don’t know, but it doesn’t matter. You’re here with her. For the record, I think of you every moment I’m free. I think of you even when I don’t want to think of you. But I can’t have you.”
“You can.” He pulled me into his arms, his lips coming to the top of my curls. “You can. You already have me.”
“Cal, don’t.”
“You can have me,” he insisted.
“Even if I could, you don’t want all of me. It’s too much.”
I decided it was time to drop the bomb. Cal wasn’t father material, no matter what he said, let alone stepfather and father all at once.
Hugging my closer, he said, “I want every inch of you.”
“I have a daughter,” I said. My heart beat so fast, I was nearly dizzy. This couldn’t be good for the baby.
“I fucking know. I jumped into a pool in all my clothes to grab her.”
“I’m having another baby.”
“The fuck?” Cal released me and stumbled backward, the vein in his temple pulsing angrily. “And you have the nerve to give me shit because I’m here with another woman? I’m back at home dreaming of when I can see you next, and you’re off getting pregnant.”
I almost laughed that he thought I had time to have multiple lovers. “It’s yours—”
“No. No, it’s not. Impossible. I haven’t seen you since February. You look sexy as fuck, not pregnant. Don’t you dare lie to me.”
Taking a deep breath, I fought back the impulse to kick him out.
“Look, it’s clear you don’t know how this works. A woman learns she’s pregnant around two to three weeks after it happens. Her body doesn’t change much until she’s three or four months along. I’m having our baby, Cal. You don’t have to be a part of this, but I wanted you to know. I tried to make myself text or call, but I was afraid. I guess I was right to be nervous, since you’re here with Sophia and accusing me of sleeping around.”
He grabbed his forehead and hung his head. I could see his chest rising and falling with his rapid breaths. Noting he was wearing khaki pants, a charcoal-gray shirt, and Ferragamo loafers, I almost laughed at how out of place he looked here on the island. More reasons why this couldn’t work.
His head shot up, and his gaze locked on mine. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean it that way. This is a shock.”
“Yes, I’d hoped to tell you after the wedding ... or I don’t know when, if I’m being honest. But not like this. Not under these circumstances, with Sophia here.”
“Don’t mention her now,” Cal said, his voice equal parts gruff and hoarse.
Changing gears, I said, “You need to go back to her right this instant.” This was heading into territory I didn’t want to visit.
“No. What the hell? You’re not my mother. I’m staying here. We need to talk.”
“Not tonight. Tomorrow is the wedding, and Rylan deserves her day. You have a guest, and I’m having a baby.”
Hesitantly, he came close and pulled me into his chest. I couldn’t help the long inhale I took of his expensive cologne mixed with a scent that was exclusively Cal.
“I’m not sure what to say. Most of what has come out of my mouth has been wrong, but that’s my kid, so I’m sorry.”
Lightly pressing my palms into his chest, I gave myself some physical space. “Yes, your kid. And mine. But now isn’t the time. Go back to the hotel, please.”
“How did this happen?” he said quietly.
I merely raised an eyebrow in response.
Cal huffed. “I know how it happens, but we were safe.”