Page 69 of Outback Reunion

‘You havenoidea. And sometimes we even do a show that night.’

‘Wow, that’s impressive.’ He smiled at Luna, who sounded so earnest. ‘And I thought farmers worked hard.’

Heat flushed through Gabi’s body as she thought about exactly how hard he’d worked last night.

‘I think that’s enough now, Luna.’ Every moment near him when she couldn’t touch him felt like torture. ‘Mark’s a busy guy, and he’s generously given up his time to come help us, but we shouldn’t take advantage of that. I’m going to head out to his farm with him to collect the car now, but I shouldn’t be long. Can you do your morning chores, please?’

‘Aw, why can’t I come with you to the farm?’ Luna asked, looking to Mark rather than Gabi. ‘I wanna meet Rookie.’

He immediately glanced over to her. ‘That’s up to your mum.’ They exchanged a look that said a thousand words. Mark wanted to talk to her alone, but having Luna along as chaperone might be a good idea. She couldn’t give in to her stupid hormones and their desire to jump his bones again if her daughter was around.

Then again, she owed him an explanation.

‘Not today, Luna.’Not ever.‘I’ll be quick. Now please, go do your chores and if you get them all done, we’ll go to the beach as soon as I get back.’

‘Bye, Mark,’ Luna said, ignoring Gabi as she stamped off through the back of the tent.

‘She’s quite the little firecracker,’ Mark said, looking Gabi right in the eyes. It was the same look he’d given her when they were both naked and he was on top of her.

She swallowed. Why did the mammoth tent suddenly feel tiny? ‘She certainly keeps me on my toes. Now, shall we go?’

He nodded and gestured for her to lead the way. It felt like the walk of shame as they marched through the lot, her fellow performers watching knowingly as they headed for his Cruiser, which was parked just outside the temporary perimeter.

What must they think of her hooking up with someone so soon after Dante’s death?

Instead of getting in the driver’s side, Mark went around to the passenger door and opened it for her. Ever the gentleman, once again, his hand brushed against her back as he helped her into her seat. She sucked in a breath. How could something that was barely a touch feel so freaking good? And more to the point, how had she ever thought that sleeping with him one more time—or more accurately a few—would ever be enough?

She should never have given in to the urge to go see him last night. Saying goodbye again was going to be even harder now.

As he shut her door, her eyes prickled with tears and she tried to remind herself that even if it were possible, even if he wanted another relationship—which he’d been clear he didn’t—shedidn’twant one. Her newfound freedom tasted far too good.

Mark frowned as he slid into the driver’s seat and clocked her expression. ‘You okay?’

‘Yes. No. I don’t know,’ she said as she clicked her seatbelt on. ‘Last night was... it was a lot.’

He started the engine but didn’t drive off. ‘Are you sure that’s all it is?’

Gabi’s insides squeezed as she looked at him. ‘I know what you’re thinking, Mark.’

‘Luna’s mine, isn’t she?’ His voice sounded raw, almost hopeful, or maybe she was projecting because a small part of her wished her daughterwashis.

All she could do was shake her head.

‘But...’ He frowned. ‘Are yousure? The timing seems right, and she even looks a bit like me. We’ve got the same nose.’

‘Yes, I’m sure.’ Emotion flooded her throat and tears threatened again. ‘When I found out I was pregnant, I was overjoyed. It was a surprise, but I knew immediately I wanted it. The thought of finally having someone in my life who was my own flesh and blood felt like a gift, but I knew there was a chance the baby could be yours. It seemed more likely that Dante was the father—I’d only slept with you once—but I couldn’t handle the guilt, so eventually I came clean to him.’

He blinked. ‘What did he say?’

‘He was upset. Obviously. He asked me whether I wanted to be with him or with you. He said he loved me, and he wanted to make us work but he wouldn’t stand in my way if I wanted to leave.’

‘Wow—he sounds like a saint. And clearly you decided you didn’t?’

‘I was nineteen years old with no friends or family outside the circus, barely a cent to my own name and no skills that would be useful anywhere else. If I left him, my baby and I might have ended up on the street—just like my mother—and I couldn’t risk that for a crazy-hot one-night stand.’

His lips twisted a little at that. ‘It was crazy-hot, wasn’t it?’

She nodded, her mouth suddenly dry. ‘He told me that whether the baby was biologically his or not, he’d stand by me—by us—and be its father in every way that mattered. We told Lorenzo and Eve and the rest of the circus that we were having a baby, never once mentioning that there was a possibility the child might not be his.’

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