Page 13 of Chasing Liberty

“I can see that.” She jutted her chin toward the outer room. “All that entertainment.”

Wyler didn’t like being played, and tormented. So, he removed her hands from his legs, slapped his hat back on his head, and stood. The room was so small their bodies brushed. He looked down at her and thought it was funny how she was shorter, but she could still look down at him.

Whenever she gave him that annoyed look before, he’d haul her up over one shoulder and deposit her on a bale of hay, the bed, or onto the grass. Hell, neither of them were picky. He’d also liked how her face would become so animated; her stormy eyes would appear like the eye of a hurricane when he found a move that she really liked.

But whathereally liked, and missed, was how she’d once looked forward to seeing him. Had he been fooling himself to think that a part of her wanted to marry him because she liked him some? Most of their time together had been occupied with sex, but they’d also stayed up for hours talking about their hopes and their dreams.

Her tongue came out to moisten her cherry pink lips. The wicked woman!

He was done worrying about the future with her. She wanted their relationship to be over, then so be it. He’d followed through on his side of things now it was her turn.

“Did you bring divorce papers for me to sign?”

Her gaze narrowed. “What’s the rush, cowboy?”

“We made a deal. Now it’s up to you to make good on it,” he pushed through thin lips.

“Have you ever known me to not make good on my promises?”

“Ask someone who knows you, sweetheart. I’m just the husband.” He hated that he was angry. Hurt. He’d always prided himself on being tough but when she was near all he felt was weakness. Even Superman had his kryptonite he supposed.

“I understand you’re angry, but—”

“Nice chat. But I’m done with the games, Liberty. You made your choice. I’ll keep my eyes peeled for the divorce papers. See you around.” He touched the brim of his hat and got as far as his hand on the doorknob.

“Not so fast. You and I need to chat.”

“Not interested,” he quipped.

“You will be once you hear what I have to say.”

“Yeah? Last time I heard those words you jumped my bones and then broke up with me the next day.” He lowered his gaze over her curvy body. What he wouldn’t give to rip the jeans down her long, toned legs and bend her over the chair. He had a feeling she wouldn’t deny him, but he needed to show some self-restraint. Even when he knew jacking off later wouldn’t even begin to satiate the desire he had buried inside him.

“No jumping bones tonight.”

He’d already come to that conclusion on his own. “Again, I’m tired and need my sleep.”

“I’ll meet you outside.”

He sighed. “Use your ears, sweetheart. I’m going home.” She looked up at him. All humor had exited her features. He felt concerned, but she’d made it clear that she was giving up, so hecouldn’t jump back on the hamster wheel. “See you around.” He opened the door and took one step into the hall.

“I’m pregnant.”

Chapter Four

“How’d this happen?” Wyler paced the sidewalk a piece down from the club.

“If you don’t know then you should go back to sixth grade health class.” Liberty thought he looked like he’d eaten a live frog as he continued to stare at her blankly. His hair was a bit shaggy, and the ends touched his collar. He’d grown a thick beard in the last four weeks, making him look older, rougher around the edges. The first time she saw him she’d been captivated by his rugged beauty, and later his intelligence. A man like Wyler had a wealth of knowledge.

“You know what I’m talking about, Liberty.” He rubbed his whiskered jaw as if stating the words had been an invisible hammer to the cheek.

“I’m about six weeks. Neither of us were thinking about protection.” She took a step back and leaned against the brick building, underneath the sign for Dorothy’s Wizard Books. “Wraps are only ninety-nine-percent effective if they’re on the penis.”

“I guess I assumed…” his words trailed off.

“That I was on the pill? I went off weeks before the first time you and I had sex. I’ve been meaning to go to my doctor over in Lonestar, but who has the time? How ironic because now I’ll have no choice but to keep my appointments.”

With a shake of his head, he braced a hand on the brick and leaned in as if he was holding the wall up behind her. “Was this part of the plan?”