But then, Frank catches sight of me, and those blue eyes darken. Even worse, his gaze runs down my curves slowly, taking in everything. My swollen ankles. The embarrassingly large amount of weight I’ve added to my hips, thighs, and upper arms. But most of all, the huge belly that holds his child inside.
Frank’s eyes go almost black as realization strikes. He knows this is his child, and suddenly, the big man moves so fast that I jump.
“Um, hi—” I murmur. “What are you doing here?”
But my words are cut off as one large hand snakes out, fastening itself around my wrist in an iron grip.
“Frank, what are you doing?” I gasp. “What’s going on?”
His mouth is set in an angry line, those blue eyes shooting sparks now.
“Where’s your room?” he growls. “Fuck!”
What the hell? He literally drags me along behind him, and I stumble, even while trying to look normal in front of the hotel staff. Finally, we arrive at my tiny suite and I unlock the door quickly as he drags me inside.
“Frank, what—?”
But he cuts me off.
“What the fuck?” he snarls, staring at my belly. “The hell?”
My hands come forward to caress my bump protectively.
“Now, I know this is a surprise, but you know that we didn’t always use protection,” I begin. “There were a few times—”
He cuts me off again.
“That child is mine and you’re coming back to live with me,” he snarls, his tone brooking no doubt. “Fuck!”
It takes a few moments for me to process those words because where is that sentiment coming from? I haven’t heard from him for months, so why is he here in the flesh all of a sudden? Even more, how in the world did he find me? I’m surprised to see him, but I can’t help but feel a little angry too. How dare Frank show up here demanding that I come back to Missouri, as if I’m some runaway teenage girl trying to conceal her pregnancy? I have my own life, and I’m my own woman, thank you very much.
But my heart races as I remember the passionate times I shared with him. My soul turns over as I remember Renfrew Acres, and the sheer beauty of rural Missouri because the truth is that I miss it. I miss him. I miss everything about living there with him.
I take a deep breath.
“I’m sorry for losing it, but what are you doing here?” I ask in a somewhat steady voice. “How can I help you?”
The handsome man guffaws with disbelief.
“How can you help me? Hadley, you’re pregnant. You need my help. You’re coming back with me to Parson.”
I shake my head slowly, resentment rising in my chest.
“No. My life is in Tepee now, Frank. I’m staying here.”
But I underestimated his obstinacy.
“No,” he shakes his head right back. “You’re pregnant with my child and there is no way I’m going to let you stay here. What is this place, anyways?” he asks looking around. “Some cheap motel where pregnant girls go when they get knocked up? Hell no!” he says fiercely. “I’m not going to have my family living in shame because I’m not ashamed. You’re coming back with me, and that’s it.”
I scoff, cradling my bump as I turn away from him a little. “We had a six-month arrangement, Frank, and you didn’t say anything when that arrangement ended. You could have asked me to stay, but instead, you remained mum, and that was your choice. Now, I’ve moved on and I’m not coming back.”
His expression is pained and his mouth opens for a moment, but then closes.
“Hadley, you don’t understand,” Frank begins in a low rumble. “I was confused then, but for good reason. We were in a taboo relationship because you’re my sister’s daughter, do you understand? I never should have touched you, and that’s on me.”
“And you want to touch me now?” I question sarcastically. “As you can tell, your touch has already worked wonders,” I say, running my hands over my bulging belly.
A pained expression crosses my lover’s handsome features.
“Yes! No! I mean—” He takes a deep breath. “I’ve been looking for you, Hadley. I was worried, and no one knew where you were, so I hired a private investigator. Yes, that’s how desperate I was to find you and, and—” he takes a deep breath to collect himself before seizing both of my hands in his big ones. “Now, I’ve discovered that you’re pregnant, honey, and the thought fills me with wonder and sheer joy. Do you hear that? I want you, and I want this baby. I want you to live with me,” he finishes forcefully.
Frank’s words are impactful, but I still have doubts.
“Yes, but what about my mom?” I question, staying as calm as I possibly can. “What about the nosy people of Parson? What about the world in general? I mean, if you’re so concerned about the taboo nature of our relationship, then what happens when people find out? That hasn’t exactly changed,” I say in a pointed voice.