Page 128 of Darling Obsession

“Then maybe you should’ve thought of that, before?—”

“Is that whatyouwere thinking about? When you said all that stuff about putting your seed in me?”

I blink at her, stunned. “That was just play. Dirty talk.”

She gapes at me, appalled. “Oh, you like to play dirty?” She gets to her feet. “Is this dirty enough for you?” She dumps the salad all over the dining table and my dinner plate.

She’s shaking. Trembling with emotion.

I get to my feet, meaning to pull her into my arms, but I don’t. I just stand there while she trembles.

I can’t fucking do this.

Fatherhood?

No.

I’d fail miserably at being a good father, just like I failed at being a good son.

We stare at each other for a long moment. She’s breathing hard.

“I can’t be the first one in my family to have a child,” I tell her.

“That’s all you have to say? You don’t want to have a child before your sister or one of your brothers do?”

I barely hear her. My mind is in overdrive. “That’s what you were talking to your friends about, outside.”

“I was telling them I don’t want you to feel obligated. And I don’t need you putting any pressure on me, either.”

“You talked to them first? About this?”

“Of course I did. They’re my friends.” She takes a deep, shaky breath and says, “I can raise this child alone if I have to. Mom did it with me. We’ll be okay.”

I stare at her, really trying to hear what she’s saying.

She doesn’t have any feelings for me. That’s all I’m hearing right now.

If she did, wouldn’t she be asking me for my support? Instead of going to her friends first?

Wouldn’t she be wanting to do this together?

But of course she doesn’t want to do this together. Any woman can see I’m not father material.

Her friends probably told her so already.

She puts her face in her hands. “I’m sorry. I’m sorry I made a mess on your table. I’ll clean it up. I’m just… an emotional disaster right now.”

“It’s okay. The staff will take care of it.”

She crumples into her chair.

I just feel numb.

I tell her the only thing I can think of that might make her feel better. “You’ll be a wonderful mother, Quinn.”

She starts to cry.

I’ve just come home from school.

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