Total pages in book: 66
Estimated words: 62362 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 312(@200wpm)___ 249(@250wpm)___ 208(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 62362 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 312(@200wpm)___ 249(@250wpm)___ 208(@300wpm)
“I disagree. Now do you want to shower first, or should I?” He waited for her to react.
If she really didn’t want him here, she could storm out and demand Maggie remove his things or she could take another room for herself. He might be pushing, but the choice was still all hers.
She let out an adorable little growl, walked past him, and pulled clothing out of her drawers before storming off to the bathroom. He’d already memorized the peak of her nipples in the thin red fabric of the bikini. Now she treated him to her lush ass in the sexy bottoms before the door slammed behind her.
He grinned. One game down. But it wasn’t the playoffs and it wasn’t the Super Bowl. He had more work to do before he took home the overall prize. And though he didn’t consider Jade a trophy to be won, he was a competitor at heart. And it was her heart he wanted to win.
He did a quick job of unpacking, then stretched out on the bed while she no doubt stewed and took her time in the bathroom. He heard the sound of the blow dryer, and more time passed before she walked out in a flirty short floral skirt and a tight tank top. Without speaking to him, she strode out and headed downstairs.
He knew her well enough to know she wasn’t going to leave him on the island, and they would have their much-needed conversation. He rose, grabbed his change of clothing, showered, then made his way downstairs as well.
Maggie met him at the foot of the stairs and asked what he’d like to drink. Wanting something light, he asked for a beer. She nodded and led him toward a room that was probably the library. Books lined floor-to-ceiling shelves, and a rolling wooden ladder leaned against one wall.
Jade, her long blond hair falling in waves down her back, stood staring out a window at the lush greenery beyond. His heart beat heavier in his chest. For all his lightness earlier, he understood what was at stake.
He cleared his throat and Jade turned. “Hi,” he said.
“Hi.” She stepped closer. “Did you see Maggie? Did she offer you a drink or can I get you one?”
Obviously, she’d calmed down. “She’s bringing me a beer. Thanks.” He glanced at her empty hand and noticed there was no glass for her in the room. “You didn’t want anything?”
She shook her head. “My stomach hasn’t been great.”
He narrowed his gaze. “You still have that same stomach virus?” He hadn’t been sure Lauren was telling him the truth.
“I’m not sick.” Her wary gaze met his and she folded her arms across her chest. “I’m pregnant.”
The blood rushed through Knox’s ears, making him doubt he’d heard Jade correctly. “You’re what?”
“I’m pregnant. Do you need me to spell it out? Explain what it means?” Jade visibly curled in on herself, shoulders hunched and her fear tangible.
Though Knox knew he had to say something, shock rendered him mute. He’d been married and thought he’d have kids with Celia, but their relationship had imploded long before she’d slept with Theo. After his divorce, he believed his time for marriage and children had passed. Not that thirty-three was old but he’d been feeling jaded. Which was ironic because that sense had faded upon meeting… Jade.
“Silence. Okay, got it.” She brushed past him, and only his reflexes had him nabbing her arm and stopping her.
“Wait.”
She stilled.
“Give me a minute to process it, okay?” He waited for her to answer.
“Okay,” she whispered.
He released her arm, and she walked over to the sofa and settled herself in the corner.
Jade was pregnant. He was going to be a father. And she’d obviously freaked the fuck out and escaped to her brother’s island. The last thing she needed was Knox panicking, too.
He strode over and sat down beside her, close enough for his thigh to touch hers and to block her in. Nobody was running from this conversation.
“It’s going to be okay.” He placed his hand on her thigh.
She looked up at him with those dark blue eyes. “Is it? You don’t seem thrilled, and that’s before you learn more about me.”
He already knew she had anxiety and migraines. He was aware of her mother’s mental health issues, and he was certain they scared her. But he was missing a link. “I didn’t say I wasn’t happy. I’m in shock. Why don’t you talk to me and let me in? We have to start somewhere.”
She nodded and grasped his hands. “I don’t know where to begin.”
Then he’d start for her. “You’re pregnant and it’s not what you planned. How do you feel?” he asked.
“Other than nauseous?”
Her lips lifted in a smile, but he wasn’t letting her get away with dodging him, and he pulled one hand free and tapped her nose. “How do you feel about being pregnant?”