Solitary Man(16)
Author: Carly Phillips

What he didn’t realize was that this time she was equally determined. “No, I’m not finished.”

He reached for her hand, grasping her wrist before she could stop him. The heat of his skin caused an answering warmth to curl inside her. She fought against it, just as she planned on fighting his need to control.

His grip was gentle but remained in place. “Then let’s take this inside. It’s a quiet neighborhood and I wouldn’t want to alienate these people before they get to know and love me.” He grinned.

Nikki didn’t smile back. “Lead the way,” she said, not liking how those words sounded. The balance of power between them needed to shift in her favor and soon. She followed him into the house, but as soon as the door closed behind her, she yanked her arm out of his grasp.

He turned. “Come into the kitchen and we’ll talk.”

“Here’s fine with me.” She didn’t see any sense in coming inside, getting comfortable, or playing nice. Not when Kevin had gone behind her back and nearly cost her her job.

“I thought we could discuss this like civilized adults. Besides, you woke me out of a deep sleep and I could use a cup of coffee.” Without another word, he headed toward the kitchen.

“What would you know about civilized?” she muttered.

“I heard that. What can I get you to eat?”

Her stomach growled in response to the question. A good sign, Nikki thought, since lately just the thought of food was enough to sending her running to the nearest bathroom. Maybe the end of morning sickness was finally in sight.

She entered the now-familiar room to find Kevin standing by the fridge. “I won’t be here long enough to eat. I just want to set a few ground rules.”

He shrugged. “Suit yourself but I’m starving. Talk while I make breakfast” He opened the refrigerator and she glanced over his shoulder inside. What had been pathetically empty last time she was here was now well stocked. He pulled a carton of eggs and American cheese from inside, placing them on the counter. He grabbed a bag of frozen french fries from the freezer next. “Sure I can’t make you something?”

She narrowed her gaze. “Looks like you were expecting me.”

He shrugged. “Let’s just say I hoped.”

“I hate games.”

He met her gaze. Intense and focused eyes stared back. “And I already told you I don’t play them.”

“What do you call revealing my pregnancy, threatening my boss…”

“I didn’t threaten. I merely explained how it would be in his best interest to see you weren’t overworked.” He tossed his hands in the air. “I didn’t like going behind your back but you forced my hand. I couldn’t stand by and watch you work yourself too hard and for no reason…”

“No reason? Try self-preservation. Or another life that’s counting on me. Is that reason enough for you? Oh, I’m sorry, I forgot. You insist you’ll be there for me, so maybe it never dawned on you how important it is that I rely on myself. Just in case.”

Kevin narrowed his gaze, but she could see the hurt reflected there too. She hadn’t expected to feel guilty and resented the feet that she now did.

“I realize you have no reason to trust me but you can,” he said.

“After an underhanded stunt like you pulled last night, tell me why I should.”

“My father was a drunk,” he said without warning. He shut the refrigerator door behind him and turned to face her head-on.

She blinked, startled at his choice of subject. “You hinted at that once.”

“And my old man didn’t care who supported his habit as long as there was enough booze to go around.”

“Go on,” she said, obviously confused at the relevance. But her voice had softened, which meant he’d breached her defenses.

He stepped toward her. “My parents got married right out of high school. Because they had to. My mother had no life skills, no shot at a decent job. We never knew when one of the old man’s binges would start or how long one would last. Waitressing was the best she could do to bring in money.”

Nikki’s eyes remained locked with his. He felt curiosity and sympathy flow from her in waves. Unable to deal with the latter, Kevin figured he’d better just answer her silent questions.

“She worked because he didn’t. She didn’t take care of herself, didn’t have the time. By the time she did get around to a doctor, it was too late.”

“Kevin, I’m sorry.” Her slender arms wrapped around his waist and she tipped her head back to meet his gaze.

He brushed her hair back from her face. “I couldn’t handle it if something happened to you,” he whispered.

“Nothing will.”

He couldn’t do more than try to take care of her. But with her face turned upward, her soft lips beckoning, he wanted so much more. Self-restraint came at a great cost and but he managed to get himself under control.

Until she took the initiative, pressing that welcoming mouth against his. Her lips were warm and her touch seductive. He realized she was giving comfort, but that didn’t stop him from wanting, and without warning, softness turned to pure desire.

No longer tentative or hesitant, she touched her tongue to his lips and the kiss became harder, more demanding, carnal in its intensity. His hands gripped her waist and she molded her curves against him, creating unbearable friction against his already hard erection.

Kevin’s grasp on sanity was tenuous at best, but he’d been tested before and he’d failed. He wasn’t about to do so again. Not at Nikki’s expense. Pulling back was probably the most difficult thing he’d ever done and seconds later, his body still demanding release, he was amazed he’d been able to do it at all.

When he managed to focus, he found Nikki’s clouded eyes staring back at him. “Thank you,” she muttered.

“For?”

“Calling a stop to what would have been a serious mistake.”

He agreed, which was why he’d backed off first. But hearing her say it didn’t sit well with him. Bruised ego or something more, he couldn’t say. Or maybe he just didn’t want to know.

He ran a hand through his hair. “There’s too much unsettled between us to mix things up more.”

Her damp lips parted as she drew a deep breath. “I agree.”

He shifted positions and prayed for strength. Before he could gather his next coherent thought she pointed to the kitchen chairs. “Sit” Nikki slid into one of the chairs herself.