Page 72 of Tame Me

‘I didn’tknow.’ I bite the words.

She could have tried again. Tried harder. I’m furious with myself for ignoring that nagging feeling about her for so long.

‘I want you to come to Australia with me.’ I blurt, losing the ability for fine negotiations.

I need privacy and time to get my head around this and there’s only one place I know where I’m sure I can get it. My place is a fortress.

‘No.’ Shock whitens her face. ‘Not possible.’

I just stare at her.

‘I don’t have a passport. Nor does Lukas.’ She squares her shoulders. ‘That’s why I couldn’t travel to try to see you when I realised I was pregnant.’

She’s determined to throw roadblocks up. She didn’t have the money either. That’s evident. Defensive as hell and I’m not coping with it as well as I should.

‘We’ll get them expedited.’

‘That’ll make them more expensive.’

‘Hardly a problem for me.’

‘Billionaire. Right,’ she says scornfully. ‘I’m not leaving New Zealand. Mylifeis here.’

My gaze drops to the baby and I see her defensively tighten her hold on him. She looks scared.

‘Andmylife isthere.’ I pause. ‘Lukas belongs to us both.’

‘So what are you suggesting? Should we chop him in two?’

I dislike myself intensely at this moment. She really didn’t want me to know. She doesn’t want my input with Lukas. That hurts. I’m independent. In control. I’ve had no control here in this. I grit my teeth at the realisation that I’m not going anywhere without her. ‘I’ll delay my return to Australia. We need time to sort this out. But I’d like you to stay with me so we can take advantage of Lukas’s nap times to talk.’ I look down at her. ‘I’m trying to compromise, Talia.’

She hesitates. ‘It’ll take me a while to pack. Give me the hotel address and I’ll meet you there.’

‘I’ll sit down and hold him while you get on with it.’

She doesn’t expect that. Honestly, I’ve surprised myself too. I’m not exactly an experienced baby-handler and I give a mutter of thanks that one of the women in HR returned recently to show off her new baby and they made a deal of me cradling her baby. It means I’ve the smallest notion of what to do now.

Honorary fun uncle was the extent of what I was aiming for in life. I have no siblings, so real uncle was never going to happen. Nor was having a wife. That last one still isn’t.

Talia doesn’t move and I stare at her. Frustration surges at her obvious reluctance. I take a seat on the edge of that too small bed and hold my arms out. She finally steps forward. Our hands brush as she places Lukas into my arms. I look down at him and it’s a good thing I already took a seat because my legs suddenly empty of strength.

He’s a beautiful boy. Curling eyelashes. Unblemished pink cheeks. He’s tiny and so light that I’m terrified I’ll crush him—myson.

My heart stalls. I never wanted this—never so much as imagined it. But now he’s here and in a split second of clarity I know I’ll never, ever give him up. He’s mine. I’m awash with a feeling unlike any other. Protectiveness obliterates all other emotion. I’ll do anything to ensure his safety. He’ll be with me. Always. Involuntarily I glance up at her and our gazes mesh.

So will she.

A whisper of equal clarity that I want to reject. Other feelings surge. I focus on the anger. I can’t trust her but I need her—Lukasneeds her. And I’m going to need defences to deal with her.

Her deep brown eyes are like pools—sombre and intense.

‘Something wrong?’ My voice has roughened to sandpaper.

‘No.’ Abrupt, she glances away.

It’s a lie.

‘Talia—’ I raise my voice but break off as I remember. I look down at the innocent baby in my arms and then look back up at her. ‘I’m not fighting with you in front of Lukas. Not ever.’

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