Page 53 of Secured By the Buyer

“That so?” Liam watches as I pile on side dishes. “Did you enjoy it?”

I shrug, moving mechanically to serve myself. “Different from what I expected. Caleb thinks I show promise, though.”

Liam reaches out to catch me around the waist, but I twist out of his grasp, heart hammering. “How was your visit with the doctor today?”

“Got my stitches out. Scar should fade to almost nothing.” My fingers tremble as I set down the serving spoon. I can feel the question that’s coming, the one I’m dreading most.

“And the pregnancy test?”

I beeline for the wine chilling in its bucket. Hoisting the bottle, I paste on a dazzling grin and turn to face him. “We’re not pregnant. Dodged a bullet, huh? I mean, it’s way too soon for us to be starting a family…”

The words keep tumbling out, a desperate attempt to fill the sudden, yawning silence.

“We weren’t really ready. It wouldn’t have beenright, what with how it started,” I continue to babble while my grip becomes increasingly unsteady.

My hand spasms as I pour, and blush-toned wine splashes all over the pristine tablecloth.

“Shit.” I grab for a napkin.

Liam takes the bottle from me, setting it aside, then snags my wrist and draws me down onto his lap.

I twist away, ducking my head to avoid his too-knowing gaze.

“Hey, don’t do that.” Liam cups my chin, his touch gentle but firm as he turns my face toward his.

With those beloved brown eyes so soft and understanding on me, my vision blurs, and my bottom lip quivers.

“I didn’t really want a baby,” I lie through the tears welling up faster than I can blink them back. “The timing was all off.”

“It’s okay to be sad about it,” Liam tells me, his thumb wiping away the first tear to spill down my cheek. “There’s nothing wrong with having mixed feelings.”

I shake my head, stubborn to the last. “It’s too soon. It wasn’t…wasn’t supposed to happen like that.”

“I know, princess.” His arms enfold me, warm and infinitely tender. “I know.”

My face crumples, and I collapse against him,burying my face in the crook of his neck as the sobs wrench free. Wrapped in my Alpha’s embrace, I let the grief pour out of me for a loss I never expected to feel.

“I wanted it,” I rasp between shuddering breaths, the truth tearing itself out of my very soul. “I wanted a family with you.”

Rubbing my back, Liam rocks me until the tears dry, then he continues to hold me.

The days drag by in a dull, gray blur.

I lay on the bed, staring at the ceiling, trying to ignore the hollow ache inside. It’s stupid to grieve a baby that never existed, but the loss is like a physical pain.

A soft knock comes from the door. “Milo? It’s Leo. I brought you some lunch.”

I don’t answer. After a moment, the door cracks open, and Leo peeks his head in. His blond hair falls over his forehead as he leans down to take in my miserable state.

“Oh, honey.” He waddles over to perch on the edge of the mattress, the cushion dipping under his weight. “I’m so sorry you’re hurting like this.”

He sets a tray of food on the nightstand.

I turn my face away, blinking back hot tears. “I’ll be fine. It’s dumb to be this upset.”

“It’s not dumb at all.” His hand rests on my leg. “You have every right to grieve. This is a real loss.”

I swallow hard. Leo means well, but his kindness is too much. I need to wallow a bit more before I can face the world again.

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