Page 71 of Robert

He felt the shudder going through him. He was thirty-five years old and just now realizing how much he had always wanted a family. “It sounds like a fine idea.”

“It does.” Her hand drifted down his washboard like belly to tangle in the dense hairs and further down.

“Sonya…”

“I need you. Need this. Make love to me darling.”

Chapter 16

“It’s a bad one.”

She nodded, still trying to get her breath back. Leaning against him, she closed her eyes and took deep breaths. The first three months had been like a walk in the park and then as soon as she touched on the second trimester, the problems had started.

Some days, the nausea was so bad, she had to stay in bed. She had lost weight, but the doctor with her unfailing cheerful disposition had told them it was nothing to worry about.

“Your blood pressure is normal, and you are healthy except for the nausea. Keep taking the pills.”

Sonya had wanted to kill the woman. If it wasn’t for her history and reputation, she would have gone somewhere else.

Robert was even more distraught. He wanted to hire someone from out of town or even out of the country. He checked on her every few minutes and insisted on staying home and working from here whenever she was feeling poorly.

“You told me you were all right when I was leaving this morning.” He forced himself to tamp down the anger. He had been home with her for the past couple of days, tending to her in between negotiating the acquisition for the new cruise line.

“I was.” She turned her head to give him a tremulous smile.

“You lied to me.” That was something he wasn’t able to come to grips with.

“Not exactly.” His steely glance had her sighing. “You had meetings and have been away from the office for two days.”

“Do you think I care about any of that?” He scooped her into his arms and marched with her over to the sink so she could rinse her mouth out. When she was finished, he took her into thebedroom and placed her on the pillows. “You pretended that you were well and all the time you were puking your guts out.”

“Okay, fine. Be mad with me.” She folded her arms under her breasts and glared back at him. “I am sick and tired of being sick and tired and I wanted a break from your hovering.”

He reared back as if she had struck him and had her feeling like a major bitch.

“I’ll go and get some tea.”

“Robert…,” she blew out a breath when he simply turned away and strode from the room. He had been nothing but supportive of her. The man had done everything except carry the baby. He made sure she was eating right and had instructed the housekeeper to prepare meals she could stomach. He was with her for every appointment.

His sister would check on her often and would stop by whenever she was free. Surprisingly, her mother was very enthusiasticand could not wait to be a grandmother. But Robert – he had canceled his out-of-town appointments so that he could be near in case she needed him.

He came back with a tray of not only the steaming cup of tea, but some saltines as well. Her husband did not miss any details. The man was a gem, and she was a fool for taking him for granted.

Placing the tray table over her lap, he stepped back. “I will be in the office if you need anything else.’ His tone was cool and distant and made her want to cry. That was it. She hated the changes, especially the emotions ones that had her crying at the drop of a hat and turning into a flaming bitch. And she had no right to take it out on him.

“Stay.”

“I have work.”

“I need you.” Taking up the tray, she put it on the side table, her hands not quite steady. “Please. I’m sorry. I am a mess.”

She could not help the tears and did not want to. “I thought I would be this hot and independent pregnant woman who would carry on as usual.” She sniffed. “Instead, I am sick all the time and throwing pity parties and taking my husband for granted and being an uber bitch.”

His anger dissipated, and a smile touched his lips as he came and sat on the edge of the bed.

“Is that what you have been doing?” His hand lifted to her face and his thumbs rubbed at the moisture. “I hadn’t noticed.”

“I love you so much and I still getting used to having someone anticipate my every need.” She placed a hand over his and leaned into him. “I also hate the weakness that makes me need you so much.”

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