His vision blurred and sweat broke out on his brow, down his back.
What the hell could he do? He couldn’t marry her. He couldn’t not marry her either.
Her voice reached him through the haze. ‘It’s a lot to take in, I know. But I’ve looked into it. I’ll take maternity leave. And wonderful childminding options are available for when I go back to work, so it’ll just be a matter of getting settled into a routine.’
He eased out a breath as the news started to sink in. Regaining some balance and strength, he waved a hand. ‘No need for that. You won’t have to work.’ She’d stay at home with the baby. His baby. Their baby.
‘Thank you,’ she said softly. ‘I knew you’d want to help out financially. But I want to go back to work. I won’t give up teaching. It’ll be an adjustment—sure.’ One palm settled over her flat stomach as she smiled. ‘But we’ll be fine.’
Cooper grimaced at the queasy feeling in his gut. One half of him wanted to punch the air with excitement. He’d created a little human being—a son or daughter. After the recent demise of a two-year relationship, he’d harboured niggling doubts that was even possible. But it seemed his ex-girlfriend Evangeline Xiau had been proved wrong. He didn’t fire blanks. Their inability to conceive must have been her issue—which was almost divine justice, given he hadn’t a clue that Evangeline had been trying to fall pregnant until the day she broke it off.
Yet while the man in him rejoiced now, the lawyer wanted to know how he’d escaped one potential trap only to fall into another.
He shook his head at the ground.
He only had himself to blame. He’d had his fun. Enjoyed every moment. No use crying over spilt … Well, no use crying. Fact was he needed to marry a woman who was bound to drive him nuts. He must find a way to make the marriage work. Nothing mattered more. Because no child of his would ever grow up in a single-parent home. His child would not become a statistic.
Reaching across the table, he clasped her hand as a lifeless smile clung to the corners of his mouth. ‘You’re right. We’re going to be fine.’
Clearly relieved, she exhaled. ‘I thought you might hit the roof. You seemed so black and white about things. So needing to be in control …’ She let it go and smiled. ‘So, now that’s out and settled, let’s get that bite to eat. I’m thinking pasta Carbonara with warm crusty bread and chocolate fudge ice cream. Two helpings.’
He’d heard stories about pregnant women. They were known for erratic mood swings as well as cravings. Hormones on top of stubbornness and sparring.
He could hardly wait.
But he’d made his bed. He would be lying in it for a long time to come. He needed to focus on the pluses.
He’d wanted a family. Check.
More than instinct said Sophie would make a good mother. Check.
Paige liked her. Check.
An idea faded up through the fog clouding his mind.
If he kept her busy and satisfied in the bedroom, where they got along best, she might lose the urge to be so objectionable. Happy wife, happy life.
But, first things first. Some arrangements needed to be made.
‘After lunch we’ll visit some jewellery stores.’
Her brow pinched. ‘You’ve lost me.’
‘When two people get engaged, Sophie, they need to choose a ring.’
Eyes wide, she shot to her feet. He pushed up too.
‘Engaged?’ she asked.
Was it truly such a shock? She must have known he’d pop the question. There was little else an honourable man could do.
‘Cooper, I think you’re forgetting something.’
He racked his brains—and then, understanding, took her hands and signed away the rest of his life. ‘Sophie, will you marry me?’
She laughed. ‘Absolutely not.’
Time stood still as he examined her wry expression. He clasped her hands tighter. He was in no mood for her games. This was serious—as serious as it got.
His words were measured, and not to be refused. ‘Of course you’ll marry me. You’re carrying my child.’ He would claim and hold on to it, no matter what it took. They would say their vows, become parents soon after, and everyone would be happy, dammit!
She looked at him as if he’d turned an interesting shade of green. ‘If you’ve forgotten your list, I haven’t. We won’t work together. We both agreed.’
He re-anchored his weight. ‘This changes things.’
‘How?’
‘We have the baby to consider now.’
‘I am thinking of the baby.’
Alternate waves of heat and ice swept over his flesh. ‘This isn’t funny, Sophie.’
‘Am I laughing?’
He found a placating tone. ‘I’ll grant you this is far from ideal. But surely you want your child to have a father.’
‘He will have a father. I just won’t have a husband.’
Teeth clenched, he examined the ground and rubbed his forehead. He was a strategist. He needed a strategy. Winning card first up: something they both agreed upon.
He moved in closer. ‘Stop to consider the obvious benefits.’ He lowered his voice to a sexy growl. ‘Have you forgotten how compatible we are in bed?’
She coughed on a dry laugh. ‘And suddenly sex is supposed to fix things?’
Well, it didn’t make things any worse!
Next. He stood up tall—six-three, last time he’d been measured. ‘I can provide well for the both of you.’
‘You can do that without tying any knots.’
This had gone on long enough. He set his fists low on his hips. ‘I’m not arguing with you. This is non-negotiable.’
She shook her head, bemused. ‘It’s started already.’
He held off from rolling his eyes. Here we go. ‘What’s started?’
‘Having your boundaries and opinions and decisions forced upon me. I have my own mind, Cooper. I have my own dreams. And they’ve never included saying yes to a loveless marriage.’
That last sentence echoed his deeper conviction entirely—but they no longer had the luxury of dreams. ‘We need to make this work for the baby’s sake.’
‘It would be a mistake to even try.’
He would convince her. He would make her see. ‘I’ll make it work.’
‘Just like my parents thought it would work for them?’
His patience warped and creaked. Heart pounding against his ribs, he tried to keep his voice even. ‘What about your parents?’
‘My father and mother only married because they were having me. My dad was determined to do the right thing. My mother hadn’t meant to get pregnant but, seeing she was, she decided my father was it. But they weren’t in love, and love certainly didn’t grow.’ She pivoted away towards the mock-orange bushes. ‘As far back as I can remember I’ve been the mediator. I thought if I found the right guy and lived happily ever after, somehow I could make their mistake half-right.’
His throat swelled. His parents had cherished both him and Paige. ‘I’m sure they don’t think of you as a mistake.’
She