Page 34 of Stepping Into Tomorrow

“Excuse me?” She huffed.

“You—”

“Because I’m pregnant, now I’m made of glass? And who gave you the right to tell me what I should be doing? Why do you even care?” she growled.

Why did he care? Because it’s my fault you’re sick. Because I must have used an ancient condom and didn’t think of checking the expiration date. I was too overcome with need for you—too swept up in my goddamned lust.

Bella scoffed and pushed past him, heading towards her bedroom.

Shit.

He followed her, holding out a hand to block the bedroom door as she tried to close it. Bella whirled around, fuming. “You need to leave.”

“We need to talk.” He stepped inside.

Her chin tilted up, challenge in her eyes as she crossed her arms once more under her breasts, thrusting them up. His mouth watered.

“I think we’ve said all we need to say to each other. Or well, I have. You seem to just stand there and glare at me. Still, I’m good at reading body language. You’ve made your position in this arrangement crystal clear.”

He sighed before mumbling, “I’m sorry for ignoring you.”

Her eyes widened. “What?”

“I said, I’m sorry for ignoring you at the docks.”

“Okay.”

Man, this woman was something else. “And for how I reacted when I found out. I didn’t . . . It was a shock.”

She opened her mouth and then snapped it shut, studying him intently. “Apology accepted.”

“Why didn’t you tell my family it was me?”

She blinked and looked away, pointing her red-polished toes into the wood floor before returning her focus to him. “It isn’t my place to tell them.”

His chest squeezed with an ache he hadn’t felt in a long time.

“Mom? Are you feeling better?” Eli asked from behind him.

Her unsure expression morphed into a bright smile that didn’t quite meet her eyes. “Yes, mijo. Much better. I’m going to take a quick shower and get dressed before we head out for the day.”

“Eli wanted to go out on my fishing boat sometime.”

“Oh, that won’t be necessary,” Bella said.

Eli’s expression dimmed. “But, Mom—”

“I’m sure you’re still getting settled. The offer stands, whenever it works for you guys,” Nash offered.

A small smile tipped the corner of Eli’s mouth as his gaze roamed somewhere in the space beside Nash. Bella and Nash were not going to be able to talk with her son here.

“We’ll finish this conversation later.” Nash turned his attention back on Bella.

Her brows drew together. “We will?”

“Yes. And you should stay home and rest today.”

“Are you still sick?” Eli asked, crossing his fingers, a sign of nervousness.

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