Free For the Babies' Sakes (Expecting) (Harlequin Presents, No. 2280) by Sara Wood Page B

the message. I don’t like responding to you. It’s a knee-jerk reaction, nothing else—and I find your groping absolutely intolerable ! Now. Where were we?’
    Dark eyes regarded her with a suddenly harsh contemplation.
    â€˜Trying to discover whether you are pregnant,’ he clipped. ‘How much did you drink this evening?’
    Too much, she thought gloomily. And then her eyes widened in alarm.
    â€˜One small glass, a few sips of another… Dan! If I am pregnant, could that—?’ Her voice dried up.
    â€˜I’m sure that’s all right. It’s nothing,’ he said gruffly.
    â€˜And…’ Her hands twisted anxiously, a terrible fear making her heart rate quicken. ‘We…’ She checked herself. It would be a travesty to say they’d made love. ‘We had sex! If—if we’ve endangered the baby and I have a miscarriage I’ll never, ever forgive you!’ she wailed.
    There was a deathly silence following her outburst, broken only by their harsh breathing. Then uncertainly he said, ‘I didn’t fling you around. I was gentle, wasn’t I? I’m sure sex is all right—’
    â€˜You would say that!’ she jerked. ‘If I am pregnant, I don’t want it to die inside me because you couldn’t keep your hands to yourself!’
    â€˜That’s cruel , Helen!’ he objected savagely, his face pinched and white with shock.
    â€˜It’s how I feel!’ she sobbed. And was instantly distressed by what she’d said. ‘Oh, I’m sorry, I’m sorry .’
    â€˜Hell. So am I. We were both responsible for what happened,’ he growled.
    She covered her face with her hands and faced the frightening truth. ‘Yes,’ she admitted with a sniff. Tear-stained and vulnerable, she lifted her head and caught a look of agony in his eyes. ‘I accept responsibility, too,’ she said shakily. ‘Oh, Dan, what are we going to do if the worst happens? How will we ever be able to forgive ourselves and I have a baby…and it’s harmed?’
    â€˜There’s no point in crossing bridges before we come to them. The first thing to do is to find out one way or the other,’ he said almost gently. ‘I’ll make you an appointment with the doctor.’
    â€˜No…’ She groaned. She didn’t want to know. ‘We don’t have one,’ she remembered with relief. ‘I’ll get one of those test things.’
    â€˜You’ve still got to see a doc,’ he pointed out. ‘There’s one in the village a mile away. I’ve noticed the brass plate on the gatepost when I’ve driven past.’
    â€˜I don’t want to go.’ Her eyes pleaded to be let off.
    â€˜You must!’ he insisted. ‘We both need to know the situation.’
    The corners of her mouth drooped. She knew he was right but that didn’t make it any easier.
    â€˜Dan,’ she mumbled feebly. ‘I’m scared .’
    His eyes were unreadable. For a second or two he stared at her trembling figure. Then he shrugged.
    â€˜Nothing either of us can do, is there?’
    Irrational still, she wanted to be taken in his arms and reassured, to be promised that they’d stick together and he was sorry, desperately sorry he’d cheated on her. If onlyhe’d do that, she thought miserably, she’d accept that he’d strayed because he’d felt unloved and that he’d lacked affection.
    They’d both made a mistake, thinking their love could weather any crisis. They’d been wrong. It needed nurturing, not neglect.
    Too late, she thought unhappily. Her spiky lashes fluttered as she struggled to hold back the tears.
    â€˜What are we going to do if I am?’ she jerked.
    Every muscle in his body went rigid. ‘That’s your own affair. All I ask is that you let me have access.’
    It was a flat statement, without emotion. Helen was too