Monique hadn’t expected to waltz in, bat her brown eyes and be forgiven.
Still, the rejection cut like a knife.
It was more than her crazy hormones and mixed-up emotions could take.
“I know it’s not that simple.” She managed the words without tears. A tiny victory. “But I need to explain, and I’m not leaving until I do.” She tipped her chin and folded her arms.
Mitch huffed and scrubbed a hand down his handsome, whiskered face. “You know damn well I can’t send you back with a storm coming. I’d never forgive myself if something happened to you. Nor would Ray.”
She sighed in relief, her heart pounding as she moved to the kitchen to put away the food.
First hurdle surmounted.
Mitch watched as she unloaded the bags. “Steak, pot roast, chicken…” He raised a brow. “You’re cooking all this?”
“Don’t act so surprised.” She delivered a playful punch to Mitch’s gut. The brief contact with the hard muscles she’d kissed six weeks ago sent a shiver up her spine. “I don’t like to cook. Doesn’t mean I can’t.”
“We’ll see.” His teasing tone gave her hope. He grabbed a bottle of beer and swigged. “Does Ray know you’re here?”
She shook her head, her face flushed with heat.
“Great. More lying.”
“I didn’t lie to Ray. He asked me to keep trying until I reached you, and I did.” She washed her hands so she could marinate the steaks. “I’ll text him and let him know I contacted you. What we tell him after this weekend…that’s completely up to you.”
He sighed, put his beer down and grabbed her luggage. “You take the bedroom. I’ll sleep on the pullout.”
“It’s going to be cold tonight. We’ll be a lot warmer if we share the bed.” She lined spices up on the counter. “Besides, it’s not like I haven’t seen the goods.”
He pressed his mouth into a straight line, one brow raised and his nostrils flared. She wasn’t sure if he wanted to kiss her or spank her.
Hopefully both .
“There’s pizza,” he called. “Help yourself. You must be starving.”
She nudged the lid open, inhaling the spicy, greasy goodness that was a must-have on the trips she’d made to Beech Mountain with family and friends.
A wave of nausea surged through her. She slammed the lid shut, grateful that she’d only had to deal with nausea so far, not morning sickness.
Settle down, little one.
Monique rubbed her belly, a soft smile playing on her lips.