glad you’re okay. Where are you now?’
‘Sitting on a bus.’
He wanted her here, wanted to hold her. Wanted to shake her for scaring him. Kiss her until she melted in his arms.
‘Why were you calling?’ she added.
‘My father rang, asking if we could arrive half an hour earlier tonight.’
She was always ready on time—he could have called when he left the office. Then he wouldn’t have had two hours of angst. Or heard her sweet, apologetic voice.
‘No last-minute reprieve, huh?’
‘I’m afraid not. You’re sure you’re okay?’ He sure as hell hadn’t been, two minutes ago.
‘I’m fine. I’m truly sorry for worrying you, Ethan.’
‘Worrying me? You, my sweet, are putting me through emotions I can’t even name.’
He ended the call, huffing the air from his lungs as he tossed his phone onto his desk. He wasn’t normally prone to panic. If there was a problem he coolly and methodically searched for a solution.
Was this new apprehension going to be part of his future? A normality of being a parent? He’d probably be overloaded with advice and disaster stories once his friends found out about his impending fatherhood. Knowing they’d be there for him and his child, he’d take it all in the spirit it would be given.
Alina had said she had no family, and yet there was this aunt—her husband’s aunt. And maybe other relatives? How close was she to them? Close enough to want to re-establish contact. Why deny them before? Why turn to them now?
Hell, he’d hardly learnt anything about her; she kept her guard up tight. That hadn’t been an issue when they’d met and agreed to marry for the child’s sake. Now she was real to him, she was special in a way he’d never felt before. He wanted to be the one she reached out to for support.
* * *
Alina wriggled uneasily on the bus seat. Unflappable, down-to-earth Ethan had been rattled until she’d explained. If that teenager texting with his head bent hadn’t bumped into her, she wouldn’t have thought to check her phone. An incident she’d skip mentioning. She accepted his reasons for being over-protective, preferred not to give him cause to be more so.
She replayed his words in her mind. He’d seemed genuinely concerned for her. The tenderness in his voice during that last remark had almost had her saying, Ditto.
Once he’d recovered from the initial shock of her pregnancy he’d been very supportive. He hadn’t pressured her for the details of her life she’d rather keep private. And, while his physical attraction to her was obvious, his manner had been conciliatory, letting her set the boundaries.
* * *
It was parent confrontation time. Ethan glanced at the dashboard clock and eased his foot on the accelerator. Alina sat quietly, hadn’t said much at all since he’d arrived home. There’d only been time for him to grab a quick shower and change before leaving. He’d still had the reality of her having relatives on his mind, hadn’t wanted to talk either. Even if he could figure out how to bring up the subject, now was not the time.
He glanced over. She was staring ahead, pale and rigid, as if being driven to the guillotine. Her left hand was hidden but he’d bet it was doing that finger dance. His heart wrenched. Sweet, brave Alina, with demons he could only imagine, was prepared to confront his ultra-judgemental parents for his benefit, and he was jealous because she’d called someone who’d be on her side.
Jealous! No, he couldn’t be. He flicked her another look, felt a deep surge of tenderness. Accepted the reality of that emotion, new for him.
Taking his hand from the wheel, he gently covered hers for a few seconds. ‘You are beautiful, Alina Fletcher. I’m proud to have you by my side—any time, anywhere.’
His reward was a tentative smile. He wanted more.
Alina toyed with her hair, smoothed her skirt over her slightly rounded belly. Was it too late to ask him to take her home? Too late. Too cowardly. They were the child’s nearest relatives, next to him. Maybe they’d mellow with age; grandparents often did. She’d be gone soon, so any adverse judgement on her shouldn’t impact on Ethan or the baby.
The vibes she’d picked up from Ethan had exacerbated her tension, turning the butterflies in her tummy to turbulent judders. She wished she were anywhere else—like on the Manly Ferry, steaming across the heads, wind blowing her hair, spray cooling her cheeks. And Ethan surrounding her, his chest at her back, arms at her sides. Shielding her. Protective.
Her eyes widened and she pressed back in her seat as they drove through the gates of the formidable James couple’s opulent home. It was a two-storey, luxurious mansion, like something out of a magazine, set in flawless landscaped gardens. The back area was as impressive as the front.
They pulled up. Reluctant to leave the security of the vehicle, she sat, vaguely aware of him moving around the front of the vehicle, opening her door and hunkering down beside her. Gentle fingers stroked her arm. Empathetic eyes met hers when she looked up.
‘Remember, this is all for show. The house. The decor. Their attitude. Real life is you, me and our baby.’
His hand splayed protectively over her stomach, radiating warmth with his touch, diminishing her fears. A little.
‘You won’t be left alone with either of them. They can insinuate all they like; they’ll only learn what we choose to tell them.’
Unbuckling her seatbelt, he helped her out. She gripped his hand, felt his flesh dent under her nails. ‘I’m worried I’ll let you down.’
He shook his head. ‘Impossible. You’re the bravest woman I’ve ever met. Our marriage, our lives, are exactly that. Ours. Don’t forget, it’s they who are on notice.’
Giving her that special Ethan smile, he raised her hand and pressed his lips to her palm. Electrifying quivers sped along her veins, through her, settling in her stomach. A lovely, if slightly scary feeling. She smiled back and he led her round to the front steps. She was thankful her flowing dress hid her condition, grateful for the strength of his fingers entwined with hers.
ETHAN RANG THE DOORBELL, wishing they were home...alone. Alina’s trembling vibrated through his palm and his heart twisted. Taking her into his arms, he kissed her for comfort, keeping it tender. Until he heard her contented sigh. Until she softened into him.
‘Try to contain yourself, Ethan. There’s no excuse for a public exhibition.’
Alina flinched. Ethan barely stirred at the caustic remark from behind him, though his gut tightened with irritation. Then he reluctantly lifted his head, scanning the large empty garden before grinning wryly.
‘Hardly public, Father.’
His chest expanded as he smiled down at Alina, seeing her sweet blush and the glow in her eyes. He’d done that—taken her from apprehension to desire. With a kiss that contained a promise
