LITMIR.BIZ

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but thank you,” she answered flatly. “Just let me be.”

      As he headed out of the room and reached for the knob, he wondered whether she was sick every morning. He’d started to leave when it dawned on him. Morning sickness.

      He already had the door open and he closed it. No wine. No tennis. She wanted him out of her life. Morning sickness. He turned to look at her, examining her closely. She looked the same as ever. Her waist was tiny, her stomach flat.

      She blinked and glowered at him. “Just get out of here, Ryan.”

      “How long has this been happening?”

      Color flushed her cheeks again. “Not long. I don’t know. I’m all right.”

      He stared at her, thinking it was impossible, but knowing it wasn’t. “You’re pregnant,” he declared.

      When she flinched, he knew he was right.

      Clenching her fists, she raised her chin. “It doesn’t concern you.”

      He was shaken and wondered who she’d been with. “How far along are you?”

      “A couple of months,” she replied. “I haven’t told my family or anyone yet, so I would appreciate it if you don’t.”

      “Don’t worry,” he snapped. “Who’s the man?”

      “I’m not giving out his identity,” she replied stiffly, but there was a flash in her eyes that shook him. He walked closer to her.

      “How far along are you?” he asked again. “Tell me the truth, Ashley.” He placed his hands on her shoulders. “How many months are you? Dammit, I want to know.”

      “Get out. I”m not telling you.”

      “You know I can find out some way. I have enough money to get the information I want.”

      Suddenly she looked frightened, and gazed wide-eyed at him while shock buffeted him. “How many months?” he said, barely able to get out the words.

      “Over three,” she said, glaring at him. “This is my baby and I don’t want any interference. Now, you get out of here.”

      Stunned, he stared at her. “There isn’t another man, is there?” he asked.

      “Get out, Ryan.”

      He knew the answer. He was the father of Ashley’s baby. Shocked, he couldn’t believe it, but he could tell from looking at her that it was true. “We used protection.”

      “Get out of my office!” she snapped.

      Stunned by the news, he turned and left, going out to the car to sit behind the wheel and try to absorb what he’d learned. He started it up and drove a block, then pulled to the curb, cutting the engine to stare into space. He was the father of Ashley’s baby! She was pregnant from their weekend together. He had difficulty accepting the truth. He’d used condoms, and nothing had failed, that he had known. He was stiff with shock, unaware of the traffic pouring past him, of the spring morning, of joggers running by.

      Ashley was going to have a baby. His baby.

      Shaking, Ashley walked around her desk and sank into the chair, calling Carlotta on the intercom to tell her that if Ryan Warner appeared, she was not available to see him. Then she closed her eyes.

      What a mess she’d made of the morning! And exactly what she’d hoped to avoid had happened. Ryan knew the truth.

      He’d been shocked, and obviously didn’t want any part of it—that much was a relief to her, even though at the same time, it angered her. She knew she shouldn’t feel conflicted about his reaction, but she did.

      She rubbed her throbbing forehead and longed to undo the morning. Wished she had been wise enough last night to refuse to eat breakfast with him today.

      When her intercom buzzed, she groaned. She didn’t feel like dealing with anyone yet. She pushed the button to speak to Carlotta.

      “Ryan Warner is on his way to your office. I’m sorry, I couldn’t stop him.”

      “That’s all right,” Ashley said, knowing her receptionist couldn’t have kept out a determined male like him.

      Before she could answer his knock, he strode into her office, closing the door behind him.

      “I don’t want to see you, but I don’t suppose that matters to you,” she said.

      “No, it doesn’t. You weren’t going to tell me about my baby.” He flung the accusation at her in a low, steely tone.

      “Yes, I was, but not until after the baby is born, because I don’t want your interference.”

      “How about my help?”

      “I don’t want that, either,” she said.

      He crossed the room and sat in the chair he’d placed beside hers earlier, gazing intently at her. “Why the hell not?” he asked. A muscle worked in his jaw.

      “You’ll take charge of my life. I want to take care of myself,” she stated in a haughty voice, and raised her chin.

      “It seems to me you sure as hell could use some financial help. You should welcome it.”

      “I know what I’m doing.”

      “And it seems to me you should let your family know.”

      “I’ll tell them soon. Other than the doctor, you’re the first to hear about it. Look, your immediate reaction was an honest one—you tore out of here in shock and didn’t want any part of this. Don’t try to include yourself now out of a sense of guilt.”

      “I left in shock and because you kept asking me to go. I’m not suffering any guilt,” he insisted.

      “Oh, please,” she said, giving him a skeptical look. She was annoyed with him, certain he must be steeped in guilt, to return as he had with an offer of help. His tie was awry, his hair tangled on his forehead and he looked as if he had been wrestling with something difficult. She waved her hand. “Go on, Ryan. I’ll keep you posted.”

      “No,” he said. “I can easily help out, and this is my baby, too. I can provide a nanny, and you’ll have to have a nursery.”

      “See, this is exactly why I didn’t want you involved!” she exclaimed in exasperation. “You’re making my decisions.” She rubbed her forehead. “I don’t feel well. Why don’t you leave me alone this morning and we’ll talk later. I need some peace and quiet.”

      Looking frustrated, he stood with clenched fists. “I’ll see you tonight. I’ll bring steaks and come to your place. We need to talk about this.”

      “Whether I want to or not,” she said.

      “Damn straight! This is a life-changing event and I’m involved in it whether you like it or not. You can’t say no to me when it’s my baby.” He strode out of the office and slammed the door behind him.

      She ran to yank open the door. “Then eat before you come. I won’t feel like eating, anyway!”

      He turned around and with long steps came back. “You need to eat dinner.”

      “I know that,” she replied in exasperation. “I’ll eat before you come. You do the same.”

      He nodded. “See you around seven.” He hurried out the front and she returned to her office, closing her door and going to sit behind her desk.

      She stared into space and wished she had done far more to get him out of her life and keep him from discovering the truth. Now there was no getting rid of him. Ryan was in her life to stay, probably until their baby was grown. Their baby. It shocked her to think about her baby in that way, because after discovering her pregnancy, she had closed Ryan out of any connection to the baby until this morning.

      An

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