Page 19 of Hayes

Your mother is going to think that I trapped you by getting pregnant. I cannot just waltz into a clinic and ask to be put on birth control, not without my mother's consent. It has to be you."

And he had stocked up on condoms, hating the feel of even the thin rubber between them. But he made up for that by using his mouth on her. His tongue could not get her pregnant, so that had been his favorite thing to do, and it had brought her so much pleasure that he had enjoyed doing it.

Tossing back the drink and realizing that the potent memories were getting him aroused, he rose and went to put the glass away. He was about to finish dressing when his phone rang.

Rushing over to the desk and thinking it was her, he grabbed it, squelching his disappointment when it turned out to be Simone.

"Hi."

"Hi, yourself. Have you forgotten something?"

Tucking the phone between his shoulder and ear, he went to retrieve his shirt. "I don't think so."

"We had dinner plans. Hayes, I have been calling for the past half hour and left you a bunch of messages. I am beginning to feel like a stalker."

"Oh, Christ! I am sorry. I had a meeting that ran over, and my phone was on vibrate. Were you waiting at the restaurant?"

"Of course I was. But I can forgive you if you come over and spend the night."

Closing his eyes, he went to sit behind his desk. She certainly did not deserve what he was going to have to do to her, but no matter what happened between him and Camelia, he could never be with her again. "I am sorry, I am completely wiped. I will make it up to you, I promise."

"Is there something wrong?"

"No. I am exhausted, and I have an early meeting in the morning. There are some hiccups with the Southern Airlines deal that have to be ironed out."

"You are working too hard. I am going to insist that we spend the entire weekend together. No work—just us, doing something fun."

"I will let you know.” He realized he sounded evasive but could not help it. "Goodnight Simone."

Hanging up the phone, he sat there staring at his laptop for a minute before pushing away from the desk. She wanted time and he was going to give it to her. She was going to have to make the next move. He had his pride after all.

*****

Camelia sat on the edge of the bed in the darkened bedroom, her mind in turmoil. She had made the right decision, she told herself firmly.

All the way from his office to her place, she had been telling herself that. It was a decision she had made when his mother came to see her during her time of unbelievable distress. Hillary Marsden had always appeared to be her friend, never behaving otherwise.

If she was displeased at her son's choice of girlfriend, she had never revealed it. Hayes' dad had been jovial, kind, and always welcoming. She had been in her room trying to adjust to her new reality when the woman had been announced.

It had been three days since the awful tragedy, and things were happening at a rapid pace. Hayes had been very supportive and told her that he would always be there for her.

"Hillary. Please come in."

"I don't want to intrude, my dear."

"No." Camelia shook her head and gestured to the silk covered chair near the window. She had spent hours redecorating her room and within days, she was going to have to leave. She could not bear to think about it.

"Hayes and his dad went to the tennis court, so give me time to have some time with you. I am sorry about what happened."

Camelia nodded, thinking the woman had come over to offer her sympathy and support. "I never knew things were bad—never guessed it."

"You cannot blame yourself. I heard rumors–" She shook her head. "It doesn't matter now. What are your plans?"

"My aunt is suggesting that we get away and go to Europe until everything cools off."

"But you don't want to."

"No. Hayes and I–"