Page 75 of Upon an April Night

Jamie went into her apartment and plopped down onto the couch. She rested her head back and stared at the ceiling fan. Max was the nicest guy and showed her such respect, which she hadn’t experienced much with other guys in her life. He made her feel like she was worthy of that kind of attention.

Her mind returned to the look in Duncan’s eyes when he realized she was about to go out with his cousin. Why did the thought that he might be jealous cause more butterflies in her stomach than almost kissing Max had?

A knock at her door made her jump. She opened it, thinking maybe Max had forgotten something, and found Duncan standing there again. He ran his fingers through his hair, causing it to stand on end, leaving him looking disheveled in the sexiest way.

“Why are you back here?”

He glanced over her shoulder into the apartment.

“He’s not here,” she said.

Duncan said nothing as his gaze met hers.

“What is wrong with you?”

He glanced down for a heartbeat and then suddenly stepped into her space, his arms winding around her back, pulling her firmly against him.

She gasped but didn’t fight him. She wanted nothing more than to be right there as close to him as possible. “Duncan, what are you doing?” she whispered.

“Hugging you,” he whispered back. His breath was warm against her neck, which sent shivers up her spine. He pulled back and looked down at her belly. “I felt your baby bump.”

She didn’t respond to that because their eyes connected, and he leaned in until his forehead rested against hers, their breaths mingling.

His lips hovered millimeters from hers. They were so close. All she’d have to do was lean in.

“I don’t want you going out with Maxwell,” he whispered.

She lifted her head to look at him. “What?”

“I’d rather you not date him.”

“That’s what this was all about? Staking your claim or something?” She eyed him. “Are you jealous?”

“No, I—”

“Screw you, Duncan.” She left his arms, and immediately felt the loss of his warmth. “Just because I’m having your baby doesn’t mean you have the right to tell me who I can and can’t date. You can’t expect me to sit on the sidelines alone while you marry Dréa and start your happy life together. And you sure as heck can’t hold me like that and almost kiss me when you’re engaged to another woman. What is the matter with you?”

Duncan reached out to touch her arm, but she jerked away from him. He raked his fingers through his hair again. “I’m sorry.”

“You should be. Now go home and leave me alone.” She marched toward the bathroom. Darn bladder. “You can let yourself out,” she snapped over her shoulder.

The tears flowed freely once she was in the bathroom. She thought she heard the front door close, and she was glad for that. Having him hold her the way he had, nearly kiss her, it was confusing, and it hurt.

When she finished, she expected him to be gone, but he was leaning against the wall across from the bathroom door. She had to shake off the memory of him pressing her up against that very wall and kissing the breath out of her the night they spent together.

“I can’t leave if you’re upset with me.”

“I am.”

“I care about you, Jamie. So much. You know that. I didn’t mean to hurt you.”

“Well, you did. Because I want you to kiss me, Duncan. I want to be with you. I always have.”

His eyes widened at her confession.

“There, I said it. I have always liked you, and I don’t regret that night we shared. It was the best night of my life. But I can’t have you. Pomegranate and I have to go it alone and find someone else to make us happy. It can’t be you. So, please just go. You can be part of his or her life, but you can’t be a part of mine.”

“Jamie.” Her name sounded strangled on his tongue as he neared her again.

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