Free Unwrapping the Playboy by Marie Ferrarella Page B

him she was pregnant? And why did that thought hold not the slightest bit of satisfaction for him? She’d left him and Erik had left her. That was supposed to be poetic justice. So why wasn’t it? “Leave Erik?”
    She stared at him. “No, leave you.”
    â€œThen why did you?”
    â€œBecause I had to.” Her voice throbbed with anguish. “I didn’t want to see your anger or your pity.” She pressed her lips together again, trying not to cry. “I couldn’t deal with that.”
    â€œYou’re going to have to be a little clearer than that, Lilli.” She looked as if she wanted to flee, he thought. He knew he couldn’t hold her against her will, but nonetheless, the idea was tempting. More than anything, he wanted her to make him understand why things had turned out the way they had.
    Every word cost her. She didn’t want to look back in to the past, into the abyss of mistakes that had been made. “I didn’t leave you because I was going to Erik. I left you because of Erik.”
    â€œClearer,” he instructed again, stone-faced.
    The breath Lilli let out was shaky. “I was pregnant.”
    Kullen’s expression hardened. Every time he thought of Lilli with that worthless bastard…when their own relationship hadn’t gone beyond heated kisses, at her re quest, a request he’d respected….
    â€œWe’ve already established that,” he said.
    She didn’t know how to tell him. She’d blocked all thoughts, all memory of events for so long. “The day you asked me to marry you was the best and the worst day of my life.” The word worst jumped up at him, lit in glaring neon lights. “Nice to know I’ve still got it,” he said sarcastically.
    She pushed on, knowing that she had to make him understand. She was afraid that he would stand by hisword and not help her if she didn’t tell him everything. But, oh, it was so hard.
    â€œIt was the best day because I found someone good, someone who could make me forget. Someone I loved.” He looked at her sharply. She pushed on. “And the worst day because I found out I was pregnant.”
    As her words pierced his heart, he came to the only conclusion he could. “You mean you were seeing Erik Dalton while we—”
    â€œNo,” she retorted. “Erik happened before I met you and there was no ‘seeing’ involved, no dating, if that’s what you mean.”
    Lilli stopped, momentarily too emotional to continue because she was reliving the horrible incident that had all but destroyed her life and turned her entire world up side down.
    She looked as if she was going to bolt.
    Not until you finish telling me. Kullen gently put his hands on her shoulders. He could literally feel her anguish, could sense her being torn between telling him and keeping silent.
    â€œTell me,” he urged quietly.
    The war within her was reflected in her eyes. And then, she squared her shoulders, as if she were about to go into battle.
    When she finally spoke, her voice was firm, quiet. Al most oddly removed.
    â€œMy first year in law school, I forced myself to accept an invitation to a frat party. I was so terribly shy and I knew I had to make an effort to get out of my shell.” A sad smile played along her lips. “I mean, who wants apainfully shy lawyer, right? There were a lot of people at the party….” Her voice trailed off.
    â€œIncluding Erik?” he prodded.
    She nodded. “Erik was there. He seemed nice, attentive.” Every word took effort to say. “Almost sweet.” A rueful sound accompanied the description. “Somewhere in the middle of the evening, he suggested that we go somewhere more private, get a ‘real’ drink.” She stopped.
    â€œAnd you went with him?” He’d always pictured her being innocent, but never naive.
    Lilli raised her chin defiantly. “No, I