Hot Number (Hot Zone 2)

She lifted her damp eyes.

"I mean what I said. I want that test done even if I have to get a court order to do it."

She blinked. "Don't do this, Damian."

"It won't be an issue," Carter promised, his hand still covering hers, only now he squeezed it tight.

Damian nodded and headed for the door, trusting Carter to handle Carole. He hoped like hell his gut instinct was right and the kid not only had a good heart, but finally had grown up, too.

Carter waited until Damian walked out before turning to Carole. With no makeup and everyday clothing on, she appeared frail and vulnerable. He'd never seen her look more beautiful. It made him all the more anxious. Because if he didn't get every word right, he'd lose her forever.

"We're alone. So how about you explain to me why it's so important that Fuller be the baby's father?' he asked.

Her hands shook as she reached for the box of tissues on the end table. "You have to understand that I didn't set him up. I didn't want to be pregnant."

Carter nodded. "I understand. So…"

"He's established. He has his career set and he's financially more than able to provide-"

Rick felt as if he'd been sucker punched. "So that's it? He's got money and I don't?"

“My mother never knew who my father was. We never knew where our next meal was coming from. Each guy she met she hoped would be Mr. Right Most of them couldn't put a meal on the table." She shook her head, the tears flowing down her cheeks.

Carter swallowed hard. "I'm not as wealthy as Fuller yet, but I more than get by.”

She raised her moist gaze to his. "What if you get hurt before your first big contract? What if you have a bad season and nobody wants you or arbitration doesn't work out?"

"What if I get hit by a bus crossing the street? Babe, life is a risk. All you can do is live it the best way you know how and be happy doing it."

"When did you become so philosophical?" She sniffed and he pulled a tissue from the box and gently wiped her tears.

"About the time I realized I might lose you." Carter knew he'd come this far, not just in miles but in personal growth. He might as well risk it all. "I love you, babe. Even if the baby is Fuller's, it'll be okay"

Carole stared at Ricky Carter in shocked disbelief. "Love?”

One minute her childhood poverty was rising to suffocate her and the next minute this man was trying to make her fears disappear. But as much as he tried, he couldn't do the one thing she needed and that was guarantee her she wouldn't end up alone and on welfare, reliving her mother's unstable life.

"Yeah. Somehow during all this, I ended up falling in love with you. And let's face it, we are alike enough to make this work."

“Two peas in a pod?"

He nodded, his dimples showing as he smiled. "Listen, babe, we're both driven. We're both not above using other people to get what we want. You knew this baby could be mine and you would have passed it off as Fuller's."

She winced as he laid out her sins. "I never meant to hurt you."

"And I never meant to hurt you when I called the papers and told them Damian was going to be a daddy. I was just so angry he was getting something else I wanted again-"

"You told the papers? Something else you wanted? I don't know which statement makes me angrier. That you'd betray me or-"

"In the heat of the moment," he said, his eyes downcast, his remorse seemingly honest.

"Or that you think I'm a possession to be had by you or Damian!"

He shook his head and laughed, taking her off guard.

"What's so funny?"

"You're doing the same damn thing with that unborn baby. You're using it as a possession to give to Damian or whomever you think is the best daddy at this moment. Like I said, we're alike. Similarly driven. So let's turn all that energy towards one another-and the baby-instead. What do you say?"