‘I don’t know what to say,’ she sniffed, and found a mansized handkerchief pushed into her hand. Nothing short of divine intervention, it seemed, would convince him she wasn’t pregnant.
‘I know.’
‘You don’t, Ben.’
‘I do. I was shocked, especially when I heard it from the source I did. It’s not something I’d planned to happen right now.’
Or ever, she thought, quite touched by this display of consideration for her feelings.
‘But the idea of the life I planted growing in you…it’s… The whole idea is incredible,’ he grated thickly.
Something moved deep inside her as she listened to the depth of emotion throbbing in his voice. He dropped to his knees and gripped her thighs. It was impossible to look away from his searching eyes.
‘If by incredible you mean implausible I couldn’t agree more,’ she croaked.
‘By incredible I mean astounding, miraculous, wonderful, extraordinary—’ His big hands tightened around her slim thighs.
‘There’s nothing extraordinary about pregnancy; it’s commonplace.’
‘Not for me, Rachel. I want to share this. Don’t try and push me away.’
The stumbling analysis of her feelings revealed a shocking truth—she wanted it to be true. Part of her wished that his child were growing in her belly. Part of her wanted to have a legitimate reason to follow him to Australia, start a new life together. Was this what his father had reckoned on—her weakness?
Right now he didn’t love her, but he didn’t hate her either, and he would if she was crazy enough to follow her baser instincts.
‘Leaving aside the fact I’m not pregnant for the moment, what makes you think that I’d want to follow you to the other side of the world? I know there’s a body of opinion that still thinks, even in this enlightened age, that a woman should follow her man…’ She filled the pause with light laughter and saw the muscles around his sensual mouth tighten. ‘But even they would agree that these extravagant acts of sacrifice have to be inspired by love. We’ve shared a lot of unbridled lust,’ she said candidly, ‘but love? I think I’d have remembered if you’d dropped that into the conversation.’
‘And if I had?’ It was hard to tell from his expression if he’d found her frankness insulting.
In my dreams you did… ‘You didn’t, I didn’t and I’m not marrying anyone I don’t love.’
‘Then perhaps I’ll just have to make you love me.’ She had the impression she’d succeeded in getting under his guard this time. Seeing the implacable light in his eyes, she wasn’t so sure this had been an altogether sensible thing to do.
‘Don’t be stupid.’
‘You sound nervous, Rachel.’
‘I’m not nervous, I’m tired. You can’t make someone fall in love. They either do or they don’t.’ I should know.
‘Then you’ve nothing to worry about, have you?’
‘I’m not worried. As for this talk of marriage, you’ll realise shortly that it was just a knee-jerk reaction.’
‘Would it surprise you to learn I’ve been thinking of getting married quite a lot recently?’
‘Yes,’ she said flatly, ‘it would. If you’re going to wheel out some pathetic story that you’re really desperately in love with me—don’t!’
An expression she didn’t understand flickered across his face. ‘Did I say it was you I was considering marrying?’ Head tilted slightly back, eyes half closed, there was nothing lazy about the way he watched her.
She stuck out her chin and determined to tough out the wave of hot mortification. ‘You have a novel way of making a girl fall in love with you.’
‘I’m trying to lull you into a false sense of security.’
‘It’s a mistake to reveal your tactics. As for security, just think how secure I’ll feel when you start taking other women out.’
His lips twitched as he acknowledged her saccharine-sweet words. ‘Sabrina is a lovely girl, but can you see her on an isolated property in the outback? You’ve no need to feel jealous of Sabrina.’
‘You’re on the look-out for a female with a strong back and good child-bearing hips? I’m flattered.’
‘That’s an interesting suggestion. Especially the bit about the hips.’ His hands slid upwards until his thumbs came into contact with the sharp, jutting crests that delineated her slim pelvis. Through the contact he felt the shiver that affected her entire body. He smiled. ‘And you’ve already got a proven track record in the fertility stakes.’ He shook his head slowly and grinned at her outraged little gasp.