Claiming His Nine-Month Consequence

At least we never have arguments, she tried to comfort herself. But that was its own problem.

There are some things I cannot offer you. She could still hear his cold voice. Love. Marriage. And we both know I won’t be much of a father.

Biting her lip, Ruby blinked back sudden tears. When Ares had taken her in his arms the night of that first gala and told her he wanted her to stay, she’d thought he’d changed. That he might be willing to actually have a relationship, if not a marriage. That he might want to be a real father to their child.

She wiped her eyes. She should be grateful. She had a beautiful home. A man who was very willing to provide a comfortable life for all of them, her sister included.

The trouble was, though she appreciated no longer having to worry about having food and a roof over their heads, a life of luxury wasn’t what Ruby cared about. And after so many days in his company, so many nights in his arms, she’d come to think of him as a friend. As her best friend, even. She’d seen a side of Ares that he kept secret from the rest of the world. He encouraged her. He could be funny, even kind. He could be vulnerable. He tried to hide it, but he couldn’t. Not from her.

Not when she—

Ruby sucked in her breath.

Oh, my God.

She loved him.

Not just for the way he worshipped her in the hot darkness of night. Not just for his baby inside her. Not for the home he’d given her or the way he was constantly trying to spoil her.

Ruby loved him for the man he was inside, when no one else was looking. The man who cared, even when he tried not to. Even for her.

But Ares would never love her back. He’d told her from the beginning it wasn’t in his nature. His past had burned love straight out of his soul.

A lump rose in her throat.

Hearing a single hard knock, she turned. Ares stood in the open doorway of the nursery, dressed in a sleek black suit and carrying a laptop bag.

His glance ran over her. “What’s wrong?”

“Nothing.” She tried to smile. “Just happy that this room’s done.” She changed the subject. “You’re going to work?”

“Yes.”

“But it’s Saturday. I…I thought we could at least have breakfast together…”

“Sorry.” Coming forward, he kissed her briefly. His eyes focused only on her, as if he were trying to ignore the crib and all the baby books and toys. “I’ll be back late tonight.” Leaning forward to nuzzle her cheek, he whispered, “Wait up for me.”

“All right,” she said, the pain in her throat becoming sharper. She loved him. The pressure of the realization was flooding through her body, making her shake with the effort it took not to blurt it out.

But as he turned to go, Ruby felt something that made her burst into a low, joyful laugh in spite of herself. A small sensation, like bubbles, inside her belly.

Ares turned back with a frown. “What?”

“Give me your hand!” Grabbing his hand, she put it across her belly, beneath both of her own. “The baby’s kicking. Right there, feel it?” She gave him a broad grin. “She’s either going to be a football player or a ballerina!”

For a split second, an expression of wonder crossed Ares’s hard, handsome face. His lips parted in shock as he looked down at her belly. “That’s her?”

“Yes,” Ruby whispered, loving the look on his face. Loving that, for the first time, he seemed interested in the baby. Loving him.

Emotion built and swelled inside her, lifting up her heart until she couldn’t breathe unless she said the words aloud. She tried to keep them inside. But she couldn’t.

“I love you,” Ruby whispered.

Ares looked up, his face blank.

“I love you,” she repeated, unable to stop herself. “I tried not to. But I do. I love you…”

A shutter went over his expression. His dark eyes turned cold. He pulled his hand back.

“I have to go.”

And he left.

As she stared after him, she realized what a horrible mistake she’d made. She never should have told him, ever. Raw pain gripped her heart. She held on to the crib so she didn’t slide to the floor.

Mrs. Ford’s cool voice came over the nursery’s intercom. “There’s a man here to see you, madam.”