Page 103 of Mistaken Intention

“You know I’m not allowed to tell you anything.”

I lean back, looking down at her. “But this is about you, not about me. Surely the rules don’t apply.”

A pop of red flushes on her cheeks. “N—No, they don’t.”

“Okay… so next time, talk to me.”

“Next time? Y—You want me to come back with you?”

“Of course I do. You’re my family.” I pull her closer, moving my hand behind her head and I dust my lips across hers, swallowing her whimper as I deepen the kiss.

Chapter Eleven

Josie

I think Drew was tempted to take me to bed after that kiss. If he’d suggested it, I wouldn’t have said ‘no’. If he’d asked the way to my bedroom, I’d have told him.

I felt guilty for all the misery I’d caused, and I wanted to make it up to him. But it was more than that. I wanted to prove to myself that what we have means more than all the secrets and lies that seem to be the foundation of our relationship. Except all I’ve done is add to the lies.

He asked me why I hadn’t told him my secret, and all I could say was that I wasn’t allowed to. I couldn’t think of another excuse, although we both knew that wasn’t true. Even as he was asking me to come clean with him ‘next time’, I was thinking that I might not be able to… not if telling him meant revealing parts of his life he’s not supposed to know about. But what could I say? How could I explain without revealing our past connection? It had been hard enough telling him my story while keeping Lexi and Maisie out of it.

I’d wondered, just briefly, if things would come to a natural head when Drew said he might not be able to have children himself. Naturally, I knew that wasn’t true, and I glanced over at Hunter to see how he reacted, hoping he might say something… perhaps decide to enlighten Drew about his daughter. He looked a little pained, but didn’t say a word. I guess because he’s takinghis lead from me, and not the other way around. Before I could decide what to do for the best, though, Drew carried on talking, saying he only wanted to have children with me. How was I supposed to answer that? How could I tell him that, even though I might be infertile, he already has a daughter? And that her mother was my sister?

The problem is, not telling him feels like I’m just making things worse, because I’m denying him something I now know he wants… and already has.

Telling him would be selfish, though. I’d be doing it for myself, because I’m uncomfortable with the lies, not because it’s in Drew’s best interests.

I worked that out before Drew even broke the kiss, which he did eventually, staring down into my eyes.

“Where are your things?”

“In my bag. I haven’t unpacked yet.”

“Good. We can go now, then.”

“You’re sure this is what you want?”

“Yes.”

He went to pull away, but I grabbed his hand, pulling him back. “I mean it, Drew. You need to be absolutely certain. I couldn’t bear it if I came back with you and it all went wrong.”

He cupped my face in his hands. “Were you listening to me at all last night?”

“Yes.”

“Then you’ll have heard me say you’re everything I want… everything I need.”

“I did. But that was before you knew that having children with me won’t be possible.”

“It makes no difference. I love you because you’re you. Not because you can carry a child.”

“That’s good. Because I can’t.”

“I know… and I’m sorry.”

I blinked back my tears. “So am I. It’s never really bothered me before, but for the first time, I’m truly sorry I can’t have children.”

He kissed my lips. “This doesn’t define you, Josie. It doesn’t alter who you are.”

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