That’s not what I’m here for. He wants to talk about this, so I’ll let him talk about it. And when we’re done, I’ll move on and start planning for my future.
Because I’m having this baby. I know it deep in my bones. I’m having this baby no matter what, even though I know it’ll make things harder. It’s a baby, my baby, and I know I’m going to love it.
I take a deep breath and get out of the car. I spot him sitting on a bench, his legs crossed. He catches my eye and smiles.
I nearly stop and run away right then and there.
He’s so handsome. It strikes me harder every time. He’s wearing a pair of dark jeans and a dark shirt. The tattoos on his arms are colorful and gorgeous, beautiful works of art, just like his smile, like his eyes. He stands as I approach.
“Glad you came,” he says.
“You thought I wouldn’t?”
“It occurred to me,” he admits.
“Ouch.”
“Well, to be fair, you did all but tell me you don’t want to have anything to do with me.”
“Okay, yeah, there’s that.” I look up into his eyes and force myself to smile. “So, what now?”
“Let’s walk,” he says, glancing toward the beach. “We probably have an hour of sunlight left.”
I nod and we head down onto the sand. We walk down to the beach and move just out of reach of the waves.
“So,” he says, “you have a good day?”
I shrug. “Sure. Not bad. You?”
“Took a few meetings, but nothing special.”
“Oh, yeah. You’re trying to start up your own production company. How’s that going?”
“Slow,” he admits, and glances at me. “Really slow.”
I smile at him, unable to help myself. “I’m sure you’ll get there.”
“Maybe.”
I have this strange urge to lean against him. I don’t know what’s wrong with me. This happened the last time we were together, too. I want him to touch me, hold me. I want to feel him against my body.
But of course, I can’t do that. Not now, anyway.
“All right,” I say. “I’m guessing you didn’t want to meet here just to discuss our careers.”
“No,” he says. “I want to discuss that baby.”
I shake my head. “There’s nothing else to say.”
“I want to marry you.”
I come to a dead stop and let out a sputtering sound. The waves lap against my feet as he turns and tilts his head to the side with a smile on his lips.
“You… you what? Are you joking right now?”
“I wouldn’t joke about that,” he says. “I want to marry you, Klara. Make you my wife, make you all mine. I can raise that baby and give you anything you want.”
I take a step back. “Wait. Hold on. This is insane. You barely know me. I just…”
“Klara.” He stares at me. “I know we barely know each other. But you’re carrying my baby. I’m not about to let you go through that alone.”
I put my hands up. “Hold on, wait. I can do this alone if I need to. I don’t need you to just… swoop in and save me.”
He looks frustrated. “That’s not what I’m doing.”
“Isn’t it? Like I’m some… some princess you need to save?”
“You’re no princess.” He smirks and shakes his head. “Come on, Klara. Don’t pretend like you don’t feel this between us.”
I clench my jaw and look away. “I won’t pretend like there’s nothing,” I say. “But it’s just…”
“Lust?”
I nod once. “Yeah. Lust.”
“I’m not so sure about that,” he purrs. “I think it might be more.”
“No. It’s not. And I’m not going to marry you.”
That doesn’t seem to surprise him. “I thought you might say that.”
I start walking again, faster this time. My head’s spinning and I feel a little dizzy. “Look, I’m just saying, I have a life. I’m going to take over my father’s production company and it’s the one thing I’ve always wanted. I know this baby will make that harder, but… but marrying you will make it impossible.”
“Why?” he asks.
“Because you’ll distract me. And I did some research on you, Mr. Shaun Lofthouse.”
He chuckles. “Did you now?”
“You’re not exactly the marrying type.”
His face clouds but he doesn’t deny it. “So you think I’ll get in the way.”
“I don’t know. I think it would be rash and impulsive. I can’t marry someone just because they got me pregnant, you know?”
He’s quiet for a long moment. “I don’t know,” he says. “What I do know, Klara, is that I want you. And you’re carrying my child. I’m not going to sit here and pretend like that’s not happening.”
“I’m not asking you to do that.” I let out a breath. “I just don’t think we should get married.”
“What do you suggest instead?”
I frown. “What do you mean?”
“Well, you don’t want to get married. What should we do instead?” He moves closer to me. “Should we go home and fuck right now? I bet you could ride my cock until you came again and again. And this time, when I fill you up, you won’t get pregnant. At least we don’t have to worry about that.”