“So, tell me about yourself,” she said.
He shook his head. “There’s not much to say.”
“Really? I’d think there would be quite a lot to tell.”
“I’m sure it’s nothing you’d be interested in.”
Why was he so insistent on putting her off? He was an adventurer. He’d been to more places on earth than she could ever imagine going. She would have thought he would be full of stories—of conquests. She would imagine him at pubs, entertaining the men and women with his brave and daring feats.
And needing something to concentrate on besides the inevitable next wave of pain and whether help would reach them before this baby decided to make its appearance, she had to get him talking. Besides, if they were to co-parent, she wanted to know exactly what sort of man she was getting involved with—in a purely platonic sort of way. Though the thought of something more between them was certainly very tempting—even if it was completely out of the question.
She patted a spot on the mattress next to her. “Come sit beside me.”
“I don’t think that’s a good idea.”
“Why not? It’s not like there are a lot of other seats around here, with the furniture already moved to the warehouse.”
His hesitant gaze moved from her to the spot next to her. Still, he made no motion to move. “Maybe I should—”
“Entertain me.” When he sent her a puzzled look, she said, “I’m serious. Come talk to me so I don’t sit here and think about how soon the next contraction will hit me.”
Still, he didn’t move.
“Please.” She pleaded with her eyes. “After all, I’m doing all of the hard work here.”
That seemed to have done it. The next thing she knew, the mattress dipped as he lowered himself next to her. It wasn’t until then that she realized just how small the mattress was. Apollo’s thigh brushed up against hers, sending her heart aflutter. Which was totally insane, considering she was getting ready to give birth. But she was beginning to think there wasn’t anything that could keep her from noticing Apollo and his sexiness.
She swallowed hard. “So, um, tell me about one of your adventures.”
“Is that really what you want to talk about?”
She nodded, not trusting her voice.
“I’ve visited the Amazon rainforest. I was there for a few months.”
“Months?” When he nodded in confirmation, she asked, “You mean out in the jungle, with all of those insects and snakes?” Her nose curled up at the thought of pitching a tent and having some creepy-crawly come curl up with her.
Apollo let out a soft rumble of laughter.
Her gaze met his, and it was then that she realized just how close he was. He was so close that it would be nothing for her to lean over and press her lips to his. Her gaze momentarily dipped to his mouth. She remembered just how skilled he was at kissing. And as tempting as the thought was, now was certainly not the time. There wasn’t a chance he could find her attractive as he ran a cloth across her forehead. He’d probably never find her attractive again. She smothered a sigh.
“Popi?” His voice startled her from her rousing thoughts.
And it came just as another contraction ruined this perfectly nice moment. She turned away and ground her back teeth together. The breath hitched in her throat as she braced for the pain to reach its peak.
Apollo took her hand in his. His thumb stroked gently over the back of her hand. “Remember to breathe through the pain.” His voice was gentle. “That’s it. In. And out. In. And out.”
And then he did the breathing with her. It touched her heart that he was trying so hard to be there for her. Neither one of them were sure exactly what they were doing. And as this pain was worse than the last, she knew the chance of the storm letting up and allowing help to reach them before this baby made its grand entrance was slipping away with each passing contraction.
“You’re doing great.” Apollo continued to hold her hand.
As the pain neared its strongest point, she squeezed his hand. Tight. Very tight. He didn’t say anything. Nor did he try to pull away. And though in the beginning she hadn’t wanted him here for any of this, she now found comfort in his quiet strength and took solace in his encouraging words.