Page 58 of Harry

“I’m afraid that something is going to happen, and I am a jealous fool. That guy pisses me off.”

“I don’t understand why.” Picking up the cup, she sipped some tea.

“Neither do I.” He shrugged. “It might be the fact that he’s interested in you.”

“Bobby…”

“He is. You’re beautiful and the pregnancy adds to that beauty. There’s a glow about you that is unmistakable.”

She cast him a look of disbelief.

“I am fat, and my nose is twice the size it was before.”

Chapter 13

She jerked automatically when he turned her chin to give careful scrutiny to her features.

”Perhaps three times the size.” He grinned at her blazing look. “But I still love you. That has to count for something.”

“Just - just go away. I am still pissed at you.”

“No, you’re not.” He countered mildly and to prove it to both of them, he seized her lips. She tried to resist, told herself that she should, but was not proof against his brand of seduction or the power he had over her. With a ragged sigh, she engaged him, her lips parting to accept his tongue.

But the tide had turned, and he was the one feeling shaky in the chest, his body going weak as she pulled his tongue into her mouth.

It took considerable effort for him to end the kiss and even then, he had to step back to try and achieve some sort of control. It baffled him that she could wield such power over him and was not sure he was comfortable with it.

Control over his emotions had always been something he had, but not with her. Not since the night he first met her. And it had grown to staggering proportions. Losing her would destroy him.

“I’ll be right back. Drink the tea.” Turning away before she could respond, he left the room and made his way into the kitchen. He went to the cabinet and selected a half bottle of Scotch. He had cleaned up the broken glass and mopped the floor, making sure there were no splinters lying around.

And made a note to purchase a new kettle, this time one not made of glass.

Pouring the scotch into the glass, he took it with him to sit at the counter. A frown touched his brow as he stared into it. He had left the room before his powerful desire had him doing something he shouldn’t be doing. She had suffered burns on her legs. He had examined the skin to make sure there was no need to take her to the hospital.

Lifting the glass, he took a sip of the liquor and relished the burning in his throat. She was infuriating and pissed him off more times than he cared to count. But then again, he did the same to her. They were combustible.

Their fights were flaming hot. But it never once dawned on him to want out. His parents had never argued, because the old man would not have allowed it. His word was law and that was that.

His mother had meekly stood back and allowed him complete dominance. That was one of the things Harry had been afraid of. That he would enter into a relationship and the monster inside him would take over. That he would treat the woman he was involved with, in the same callous way. But it would never happen with him and Janelle.

He grinned wryly as he pictured her following his every order with meek compliance. She would more than likely hit him over the head with a blunt object.

She was no pushover. The woman he was head over heels in love with had spine. He loved that about her. It was one of the many things he admired. She did not allow him to get away with anything. And never would.

There was no fear in that. She would never allow herself to be treated like a doormat. Of that he was convinced. And hurting her was something he couldn’t even bear to think about. He would rather cut off his dominant hand.

Then why are you not asking her to marry you?

The question came out of nowhere and had him jolting. And searching for an appropriate response.

“It’s too soon,” he whispered, “we are dealing with something huge and trying to feel our way around it, through it. Adding marriage to the mix at this time would be a mistake.”

Or you’re just a coward who’s commitment shy.

“I’m not.” He muttered into his glass. “I’m not. It’s just not the right time and you need to back the hell off.” Downing his drink, he slammed the glass down and slid off the stool.

She was sleeping. He had no idea he had been away for almost half an hour and between that time, she had finished the tea and crackers and put the tray away and was now fast asleep, on her side, with her knees curled up under her bump.

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