Page 76 of Thief

Spreading her palm across her stomach, she said quietly. “I’m going to have a baby, John, I’m six weeks pregnant.” She held her breath and waited for his reaction.

His gaze flicked to her hand resting protectively over a non-existent bump.

“Are you sure?” he asked quietly.

“Sure I’m pregnant or sure it’s yours?”

“Both.”

“I’m sure to both.” She held his eye contact. “It’s your baby, John. We didn’t use any contraception, and there was no one for a while before you and certainly not since.”

He leant forward and hovered his hand over hers as if not daring to exert even the slightest pressure on her abdomen. His face hardened, and a muscle flexed in his cheek.

Kat’s heart plummeted.

He didn’t believe her.

If he did, he would have said something, he would have made some kind of comment.

Instead, he was just staring at her belly, not saying a word. It was her own fault, all her own doing, she could only blame herself. Why should he believe her? She’d done nothing but lie since the first night they’d met. The man must be a fool to ask her to marry him after the way she’d behaved. Drop dead gorgeous but nevertheless, a fool.

But if she had only one chance in her life to be believed, she would gladly use that chance now. Because itwasthe truth. She’d even secretly hoped the baby would have his deepest, darkest shade of eyes. If it was a boy, she’d already imagined he would grow tall and have his father’s wide shoulders and broad, solid chest.

“Don’t play games with me,” John finally said. His jaw was so tight it could have been carved from marble.

“No more games.” She gave a tentative smile. “Just honesty.”

He didn’t smile back. Instead he scooped up her hand, bent double and placed a lingering kiss on the flat of her lower abdomen.

His gentle touch sent a river of contentment flowing through her body. All those bolts around her heart shot wide open. She let him in, completely and unreservedly, and prayed he wouldn’t back out—because that would finish her off forever.

He kept his face over her body, and she placed her hand on the top of his head. His longer hair felt burning hot, and she loved being able to touch him again.

He really is here.

When he lifted his head, a twinkle in the centre of her stomach caught her attention. It was the diamond ring. He’d placed it neatly in the cleft of her naval.

“We met in a pretty unusual way,” he said, a grin stretching across his face. “But I’m a traditionalist at heart and as you’re, well you know, in a delicate condition, we should get married as soon as possible.” He sat with his elbows resting on his knees and his hands knotted together. “Let’s be a family. I know we could do this. We’re a great team you and me.”

“Marriage,” she played with the word in her mouth. “Husband…wife?”

“Yes, no more need for lies and deceit, not with me. Lie to whoever else you want, give a false name on the marriage certificate if you’re so worried about paper trails, but with me, just the truth. Nothing but the truth. Can you manage honesty with one other person on the planet?”

She reached for the ring and slid it onto her finger. “Yes, always the truth for you, and the truth is, I want to be a family. I want to beyourfamily.”

The next thing she knew he was kissing her. Soft and gentle, he covered her lips with his and swept his tongue into her mouth.

She melted, gave herself up. Everything she didn’t know she’d needed was right there in his kiss.

“I love you, Pussy Cat,” he murmured onto her lips.

She pulled back to look at him, opened her mouth to speak—words wouldn’t form.

He cocked his head.

“I…” She tried again.

“It’s okay.” He shrugged. “I didn’t say it to hear it back.”

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