Page 81 of Undeniable Temptation

When the news of the pregnancy came out, his reputation would be hammered—inevitable. He’d be accused of fleeing his fatherhood role to snatch a new piece of ass in the form of Felicity Knight—inevitable. Her own reputation would be tarnished due to the recent blog interview. Speculation would be rife. Accusations would be harsh.

All inevitable.

But there were things she could control.

Felicity and Slicker were a chart topper away from being a distant memory.

The rumors of her own involvement with Ryan would dissolve without evidence to back up the claims. The last thing he needed was more fuel to the wildfire.

No. She sucked in a deep breath and choked on it as a sob escape. The last thing he needed was their relationship getting in the way of him making the right decision about what he wanted for his future. And the last thing she needed was another threat to her career when she’d already begun to lose the man of her dreams.

Being a parent meant everything to him. Having a family was his aspiration. As much as she wanted to cling to him right now, she needed to step back and give him the space he needed to come to a conclusion with a clear mind.

“It’ll work out.” It had to. Right?

She slid her cell off the counter and scrolled through her contact list. The number of people she could rely on was short. Miniscule. If you took out the three men who would despise her for interrupting the little time they had with their partners, it only left one person she was willing to ask for help.

She tapped Mitch’s name before she could regret it and sent him an urgent message. There was no time to wait for a response. Her plan wouldn’t change if he left her hanging.

She washed her face, brushed her hair, and added a light dash of mascara. While Ryan was quiet on the other side of her apartment, she tiptoed from the bathroom and grabbed a change of clothes. She was in business mode now, and a work dress would give her the strength she needed to smother all the feels and bolster her professionalism.

When she walked back into the living room, Ryan was passed out on the couch, legs and arms splayed in all their naked glory. Quietly, she picked up his clothes, willing to give him extra moments to sleep off the effects of the alcohol. She had his belongings in a folded pile on the armrest when he sniffed and raised his head to give the room a once over.

“Shit.” He swiped a lazy hand over his beard. “How long was I out?”

“Not long.”

He looked her up and down, the narrowing of his eyes taking in her change in appearance. “What’s going on?”

She handed him his clothes as he sat up. “You need to get dressed.”

He frowned as he pulled the T-shirt over his head, his gaze still holding her. “You opposed to having me naked?” He yanked on his underwear and stood to do the same with his jeans.

“No.” She gave him a disheartened smile. “But it’s illegal to go out in public like that.”

“I don’t want to go out in public.”

She squared her shoulders, poised to speak.

“You’re kicking me out?” he whispered.

“I’m giving you space in the hopes it will help you make the best decision for your future.”

He frowned. “You think I want to go back to her?”

“No. But you want this baby. And you’ve already told me you would’ve remained married to Julie for the sake of a child.”

“That was before.”

Before us. Before love. “You owe yourself the time to determine what you want.”

“I want you.”

“I know. And in the heat of the moment, while you’re still in shock, I believe you. But when the alcohol wears off and you’re able to think clearly, and long-term, your outlook might be different.”

“I don’t need clarity.”

“Well, maybe I do.” She swallowed, knowing he wouldn’t give in while this argument remained focused on him. “Bringing a child into our relationship changes everything. If we stayed together, I’d be a step-mom. A parent. I’d have to deal with Julie for as long as we were together.” She tapped her fist to her chest. “Those are huge changes for me.”

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