LITMIR.BIZ

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way. What if she went into labour? She’d be alone, no friends, no midwife that she’d got to know. ‘Why?’

      ‘Easier. I’ll head into the city for those appointments tomorrow and decide what I’m doing after that. Probably visit Mum and Dad, suss out their reaction.’

      Cooper was shaking his head at her. ‘You’re coming home with me.’

      ‘No, I’m not.’ But there was no substance to her words, and hope had briefly flicked through her eyes.

      ‘No argument. It’s a done deal. One night, if that’s all you want. Then you can sort things out and decide what you’re doing. But today, after this long, uncomfortable flight, you need a hot shower and a decent meal and then a good night’s uninterrupted sleep. Something that’s not guaranteed on base.’ Now he was sounding condescending. But he cared, all right? Someone needed to be looking out for Sophie, and at the moment he was the only person on hand.

      ‘Put it like that and I’m finding it hard to turn you down. One night only, right? That’s the deal. I’ll be out of your hair tomorrow.’

      ‘If that’s what you want.’ It was for the best. They couldn’t live under the same roof permanently. How could he bring a woman home knowing Sophie slept down the hall? If he wanted to, that was. Huh? Since when didn’t he bring females home?

      You haven’t even looked at another woman since landing in Darwin and seeking out Sophie.

      Get real. Sex had been non-existent since Sophie. Not even a casual hook-up. Opportunities had been endless. It had been his own interest that had been lacking. Captain Ingram had spoiled him for other women.

      But that didn’t mean he was making Sophie the centre of his attention. She might be gorgeous and fun, and pregnant with his child, but she wasn’t the love of his life. Would never be. No one would. He enjoyed, preferred, being single and he wasn’t prepared to give that up. Not even for Sophie and his child? Especially for them. They had the power to hold him down. Every decision he made would be tempered with what was best for them. While that wasn’t so bad, his unreliability as a father and partner was.

      He had a lot to be grateful to Sophie for. Turning him down had shocked him but she was right. They wouldn’t be able to sustain an enjoyable relationship, platonic or otherwise, under the same roof for ever. It would certainly be unfair on their daughter.

      His mother had opted to desert him by taking her own life, and while that was different it had set him to becoming independent, and he’d started closing his heart to loving with abandon. He and Dad had been lost without his mother, and he wasn’t prepared to go through that again with anyone else, or inflict a similar loss on someone.

      So thank you, Sophie, for being strong and turning me down.

      The woman putting him through the wringer these days flicked him a tired smile. ‘You sure there’ll be hot water? Your dad won’t have forgotten to leave it on?’

      ‘If he has we’ll pay him a visit.’ Cooper dropped an arm over her shoulders and tucked her close. ‘Everything will be just fine. You’ll see.’

      ‘I’m looking forward to it.’

      He wasn’t sure what she was looking forward to, but he was happy to be taking her to his place for the night. It felt kind of right. She belonged in his life now, she and the baby. Just how much had yet to be debated. But he didn’t want them there as the complete family he’d never had.

      Or did he? Cooper shivered. It wouldn’t work, went against everything he’d believed about himself.

      * * *

      Sophie stretched and rubbed her aching back as she waited for the kettle to boil in Cooper’s kitchen. Yesterday’s flight, sitting in that seat that had done nothing to hold her properly, had taken its toll. As for sleeping through the night in cooler temperatures? Forget it. She’d tossed and turned for hours, sleeping fitfully when her eyes had finally closed.

      Kick.

      ‘Hey, little one. You didn’t get much sleep either, did you?’ She rubbed her belly. At least they were home. Her daughter would be born a Kiwi.

      ‘I like it when you do that.’

      She turned to find Cooper leaning against the door jamb, his hair a ruffled mess and stubble darkening his jaw. Now her stomach tightened for reasons other than her baby pushing on it. She still hadn’t been able to get past the fact she found Cooper sexy and desirable. If only she wasn’t so enormous she might contemplate leaping on him and having wild sex again.

      Whoa. What was she thinking? Gripping the bench, she held on and waited for that dumb idea to disappear.

      ‘You all right?’ Cooper was right there, his hand on her upper arm, his eyes full of concern.

      No, not at all. What would he think if he knew what had been going through her mind? Not once over the past few days had she seen desire or lust for her in his face. Which told her exactly what she needed to know, and must hold onto—he wasn’t interested in her except as the concerned father of the baby she was carrying. ‘Couldn’t be better,’ she lied, pulling away.

      Cooper’s pewter eyes locked on her. ‘Really?’ When she said nothing, he added, ‘I don’t think so.’

      ‘I’m not going into labour if that’s what you’re thinking.’

      ‘I wasn’t. There was something in your eyes that makes me wonder what’s going on in that sharp mind of yours.’

      Wonder all you like.

      But her cheeks were heating, giving her away. ‘I’ll have a shower.’

      ‘What time’s your first viewing appointment?’ Cooper was still watching her closely.

      All her skin was hot, not only on her face. There was an ache deep down, sending her blood racing and her heart thudding too loudly. He must be able to hear that. Aiming for the door, she threw over her shoulder, ‘Ten o’clock in Newmarket.’ Just up the road, but as it was bucketing down outside she wouldn’t be walking.

      ‘I’ll be ready.’

      That stopped her in her tracks. ‘No need for you to come. I’ve ordered a taxi.’

      Irritation tightened his usually tempting mouth. ‘Cancel it.’

      ‘I’m not in the army now.’

      At least not where you can order me around.

      ‘I’ll drive you to all your appointments.’ When she scowled at him he added, ‘I’ve got nothing else on this morning.’

      ‘Thought you were going to see your father and then check in with the hospital.’

      He shrugged. ‘Nothing that can’t wait.’

      Slapping her hands on her waist, or where her waist used to be, she growled, ‘This is why I couldn’t live here. You’re so bossy and think you should have the upper hand all the time. Is this how you act when your charm doesn’t work?’

      He didn’t say a word.

      Which goaded her into saying, ‘You think I can’t cope? That I’m not up to looking out for myself? Next you’ll be saying I can’t raise my daughter on my own.’

      Cooper was in front of her, in her face, instantly. ‘Our daughter.’

      True. But, ‘Nothing’s changed, Cooper. I am looking for an apartment to move into the moment it’s available. I will not live with you for any longer than necessary.’

      ‘So you’re not moving in with your parents at the end of the day?’

      She’d walked into that one. Losing her temper had been a mistake. ‘Excuse me.’ She stepped around him, careful not to let her stomach brush against him. She didn’t trust her body not to get in a lather even when she was angry at him.

      ‘Don’t

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