Free World's Most Eligible Texan by Sara Orwig Page B

sick before?” he asked quietly,and then she realized she had blurted out too much. Aaron paid attention to every little thing.
    â€œIt’s nothing. I have a delicate stomach.”
    â€œSince when?”
    â€œYou don’t know what I have. I need to go home,” she said, avoiding answering him and aware she was being evasive, which stabbed at her conscience.
    He turned and started the motor and backed out. They drove in silence, and she couldn’t wait to get home and away from his scrutiny. She vowed that she would never accept another breakfast date again with him. No more dates with him, period.
    He pulled up in front of her apartment complex and climbed out. At her front door she turned to him. “I’m sorry, but thanks for being so understanding.”
    He took the key from her hand and unlocked her door, pushing it open and waiting for her to go inside.
    â€œAaron, I think I need to be alone.”
    â€œI won’t be here long,” he said, taking her arm and going inside. He kicked the door closed behind him and slipped her jacket off her shoulders, tossing it over a chair and leading her to her sofa. “Want anything?”
    â€œNo, thanks. Really, I’m fine.” She didn’t want him coming in with her and she didn’t like the way he was looking at her, studying her as if he were getting ready to dissect her.
    â€œWant to sit down?” he asked her. Her uneasiness was growing with each second and the way he was staring.
    She sat and moved back against the corner of the sofa, closing her eyes and wishing he would disappear. What was running through his mind?
    She felt him sit close to her and she knew if she opened her eyes, she would find him still studying her. She said a small prayer that Aaron couldn’t possibly guess what was really wrong with her.
    â€œHow many mornings have you been sick?” he asked quietly, and her eyes flew open.
    Frightened that he had guessed her secret, she stood andmoved away from him, feeling as if he knew her every thought. “A few.”
    She heard him move and then his hands settled on her shoulders. When he turned her to face him, his green eyes were stormy.
    â€œYou’re pregnant.”
    She couldn’t lie and deny it. “I should never have gone to breakfast with you.” The words spilled out of her and she wrung her fingers together. She wanted to deny his accusation, to get him out of her apartment, but she couldn’t lie to him, so she just kept talking in circles around his statement. “I felt queasy this morning. I never could take fried food early in the day very well,” she said, trying to twist away from him, but his hands held her firmly.
    He bent his knees to lean down and look into her eyes with a gaze that pierced to her soul. “ Are you pregnant, Pamela?”

Four
    S he couldn’t answer and she couldn’t lie, so she merely nodded.
    â€œYou’re pregnant with my baby.” His eyes widened, and the color drained from his face. “Lordy!” he whispered under his breath, looking incredibly shocked.
    â€œAaron, this isn’t your problem. Just leave me alone and I’ll take care of it.” Humiliation, anger, protectiveness, all three emotions churned in her like a stormy sea as she watched his shock grow.
    â€œI thought you said you were protected,” he said.
    A flush burned her cheeks. “Well, I wasn’t. That’s my mistake, and I’ll take care of it.” Anger at herself and with him fueled the fires she was suffering. She just wanted him out of her house. “This isn’t your problem, Aaron.” Closing her eyes, she bit her lip while all her worries about his discovery of the truth crashed in on her.
    Staring at her, Aaron was shocked because, even though they were in the throes of passion, he had accepted her “yes,”that night that she was protected. A baby. Their baby. He was stunned. Always