Page 22 of Taming a Heartbreaker

Leslie’s glare deepened. “Why? Did you expect her to sleep with you again after treating her like other women? And when did you begin sleeping with the same woman twice?”

“The reason I wanted to see Carmen again was to prove to myself that I could control the chemistry between us, that we wouldn’t sleep together again.”

He could tell from the look on Leslie’s face she was confused, so he tried to explain. “I was attracted to Carmen the first time I saw her at your wedding rehearsal. But I dismissed it as nothing more than an intense sexual attraction. Then after hearing about her outlandish claim that we would one day marry, I decided to keep my distance and that’s when I deliberately began avoiding her. I will now even admit I did so because deep down I knew she could do something no other woman had ever done.”

“What?” Leslie asked.

“Get under my skin. I knew the warning signs, yet two years later, I slept with her anyway.”

“And?”

In deference to Leslie’s delicate ears, he changed the terminology from what he’d told Sloan and said, “And I became bewitched. Since spending that night with Carmen, I haven’t been able to get her off my mind. Nor have I desired any other woman.”

Leslie blinked. “You’re kidding, right?”

There was no doubt in his mind why Leslie was surprised by what he’d said. She knew him, and she knew his mode of operation with women. “No, I’m not kidding. That’s the reason I wanted to call you for Carmen’s contact information.”

“I would not have given it to you.”

“Then I would have hired a PI. I did research and figured all I had to do to cure myself of her bewitchment was take her out on a nonsexual date where I could prove I had control over my mind and body.”

“And then Sloan told you she was pregnant.”

“Yes. And the moment he told me, Carmen became an exception because one of my rules was to never get a woman pregnant.”

“And now?”

He released a deep breath. “And now the most important thing is her well-being and that of our child. More than anything, I want to take care of both of them.”

Just like every morning upon waking, Carmen immediately felt nauseated. Quickly easing out of bed she went into the bathroom. Leslie had placed everything there within reach. The washcloths, her toothbrush and toothpaste, mouthwash, bottles of water that were kept on ice and a jar of her favorite candy—peppermints. She’d even placed a cushy mat in front of the commode for those times Carmen had to be on her knees over it.

One of the first things Leslie had done once she’d gotten Carmen home from the hospital and settled in her bedroom was wash and then braid Carmen’s hair. All her strands had been pulled back from her face and a huge single braid hung down her back.

“I’m going to have a lot to tell you one day, my little bun,” Carmen said a short while later as she dampened her face with a cool washcloth. After brushing her teeth and rinsing out her mouth, she decided to take a shower and change into a new gown while her stomach was somewhat settled.

She had insisted that Leslie not be at her beck and call. Carmen had accepted she was in this for the long haul. For as long as it took her body to adjust to her pregnancy. She would do whatever it took because, more than anything, she wanted her baby.

After her shower she felt refreshed. Just because she felt sick most of the time, she refused to look sick. When she’d come home from the hospital yesterday and glanced in the mirror, she had almost scared herself. Her hair had looked a mess and bags were forming beneath her eyes.

She was determined to be PWP, “pretty while pregnant,” to boost her morale. She was happy about her pregnancy even if Redford wouldn’t be. After her shower she walked out of the bathroom to find Leslie sitting in the chair her best friend had placed next to the bed, a tray of food on the nightstand.

“Aren’t you looking pretty and refreshed. How do you feel?” Leslie asked, smiling.

“Thanks. My little bun is still kicking my butt as usual. I stayed over the commode longer than usual this morning, but I feel better now,” she said, sitting on the side of the bed.

Leslie placed a tray of food in Carmen’s lap. After she had eaten a piece of cinnamon toast and a boiled egg, Leslie handed her the prenatal vitamins and medication the doctor had prescribed, along with a huge glass of water.

Carmen watched Leslie walk over to the window and look out. She’d known her best friend long enough to know when something was bothering her. Before she could ask what was wrong, Leslie turned and said, “There is something I need to talk to you about, Carmen.”

Carmen heard the strain in Leslie’s voice. “Okay, but I already have an idea what it’s about.”

Leslie came back over to sit in the chair. “You do?”

“Yes, and I owe you an apology.”

Leslie lifted a brow. “What for?”

“I asked something of you that I should not have.”

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