“Ready?” the woman asked with a smile.
Nikki was grateful for the doctor’s warm manner and youth. The sheer terror she’d felt upon entering the building for basic prenatal care had evaporated under this woman’s caring ministrations. Although she couldn’t say what she’d expected from a phone book-
picked clinic, Nikki was thankful for what she’d found.
The doctor shifted the white sheet until the opening fell to Nikki’s back. “Before I do an ultrasound, I want to remind you, we’ve already discussed your options and though you’ve made your feelings clear, you need to remember something.”
“What’s that?” Nikki asked, although she could barely concentrate on anything except the thought of seeing her baby for the first time. Excitement and trepidation rippled in her stomach.
The doctor angled the machine closer to the examining table. “You have a limited window of opportunity, should you decide to terminate the pregnancy. Now...” She glanced at Nikki and smiled. “You ready?”
A loud knock sounded at the door. Nikki sat up straighter, grabbing for the sheet that covered too little.
Dr. Molloy shot Nikki an apologetic glance. “Must be an emergency. Let me just check.” She rose from her seat and walked to the door, opening it enough for her to slip outside.
Seconds later, the doctor returned. “There’s someone who insists on seeing you,” she said to Nikki.
“Who...”
“Nicole?” Kevin’s voice sounded in the hallway.
Shock rippled through her. Nikki glanced down at the sheet and, seeing she was as decently covered as she could be under the circumstances, she nodded to the doctor. Kevin barged around the doctor and Nikki found herself facing an obviously upset man.
Dr. Molloy placed herself between Nikki and Kevin, as though she believed Nikki needed protection. Given his flashing obsidian eyes, which would intimidate even on a good day, Nikki didn’t blame the other woman for her concern.
“This is highly irregular,” she said.
This whole situation was highly irregular, but her personal life wasn’t the doctor’s concern. “I realize that,” Nikki murmured.
“Who is this man?”
“He’s...” She sought for a diplomatic way to describe her relationship with Kevin. Somehow the term lover no longer fit, boyfriend was too immature for what they’d once shared, and future anything was out of the question... for many reasons.
“The baby’s father.” Kevin supplied the answer Nikki had both sought and fought to avoid at the same time. His words were a painful reminder she would be tied to him forever, but never bonded in love or caring. Merely out of necessity.
He took a step farther into the room.
“That doesn’t give you the right to charge in here.” The pleasant doctor had taken on the role of guard and protector, a part Nikki sensed the woman played often in this place.
Kevin drew a deep breath, searching for what Nikki believed was a semblance of control. He stuffed his hands into his pockets and turned that dark gaze her way.
Her stomach pitched, having nothing to do with morning sickness. The harsh angles and planes in his face and the razor stubble on his cheeks were enough to make any woman weak, but the look in his eyes struck Nikki in the heart. They reflected inner torment and pain.
She sucked in a startled breath. Heaven help her, but she was still dangerously drawn to this man and the vulnerable part of him he hid from view. The part she’d glimpsed so thoroughly their one night together.
“I can call nine-one-one.” The doctor glanced at Nikki.
Kevin’s gaze narrowed. “Tell her, Nicole.”
She clutched her fingers around the cold sheet, feeling more exposed and defenseless than ever before. “He’s the baby’s father,” she said, confirming his story.
He clenched his jaw and she knew she hadn’t gone far enough to please him. Tough. Pleasing him wasn’t on today’s agenda. Taking her life one step at a time was.
“Like I said, Mr....”
“Manning,” he said.
“Mr. Manning. Paternity doesn’t give you the right to barge in here. Now either you leave, or...”