"You want me to stay, don't you?" I whisper to the life inside me. "You need me to be strong."Decision made - at least for the time being - I climb to my feet again, then walk down the rest of the stairs.It's strange, being here by myself. I'm still amazed by the size of Rafe's house, and I wonder how he doesn't get lonely, having all this space to himself. Now that the immediate question of whether I'm staying or going has been answered, my curiosity begins to take over. This is my one chance to look around without Rafe here.Rafe's house is as spectacular as I remember from my brief visit here a few days ago. I wander from room to room, admiring the simple, streamlined décor. It's not as warm and inviting as Dante and Ashlyn's house, but there's something more rugged about it - dark leather furniture, tables and chairs made of heavy, knotty-grained wood, and even a large fireplace that looks like something out of a hunting lodge. Not sure why anyone would ever need a fireplace h

The next week is a strange blur, almost like a dream.Rafe is supportive and attentive in ways I never expected. Whenever I'm bent over the toilet, fighting morning sickness, he's right there with me, holding back my hair. When I'm hungry, he makes sure I have whatever my stomach desires. When I'm exhausted, he carries me up to bed, and the couple of times I fall asleep on his couch in the middle of the afternoon, I wake to find a blanket draped over me.It's too perfect. I'm almost afraid to believe this is the same man who accused me of trying to blackmail him when I first told him I was pregnant. I definitely don't let myself believe this sort of behavior will last forever - I know, in my heart, that his true self will emerge again soon. Whoever that 'true self' is.Right now, though, I'm willing to live in the moment. To believe in the fantasy while it lasts.Rafe is, too. Every night - and often during the day - I look up to find him watching me, staring at me hungrily with th

As much as I'm enjoying my time at Rafe's house, when Thursday rolls around, I'm excited to rejoin the real world for a little while. And it seems like Rafe is, too."I have a photo shoot this afternoon," he tells me as we get dressed. "It should only be a couple of hours, though. Standard stuff. You won't be alone for long.""Actually," I say, "I should have mentioned this earlier, but Ashlyn invited me to lunch today. We're going to some little café she knows.""You're leaving the house?"I laugh. "Well, I have to eventually. Today's as good a day as any."He shakes his head. "That's not a good idea.""Why not?""Because they'll be waiting for you. The press. They've been having a field day trying to figure out who you are. They didn't get a good picture of your face leaving the hospital. And even if they had, it's not like you're a model or actress or anyone they'd recognize."Thanks for reminding me, I think. "Do they know why we were there?"He shakes his head. "Fortunate

The man jumps about a foot in the air. Rafe is suddenly beside him, glaring down at him with a fury I've never seen in his eyes before."Easy, buddy," the bearded man says. "I was just trying to buy her a drink.""She's not available for drinks," Rafe says. "Or anything else."The man shrugs, obviously shaken but trying to look casual. "How was I supposed to know that? She was flirting with me."I start to defend myself, but there's no need. Rafe grabs the man by the front of his shirt, lifting him up onto his toes."Is that right?" he growls, his voice like thunder."She batted her eyelashes at me when she passed," the man says breathlessly, trying to free himself from Rafe's grip. "She was teasing me.""And I told you she isn't available."The man is still squirming. "I prefer to let the lady make that choice."That only pisses Rafe off even more. He nearly lifts the man off the ground."She isn't available," he says. "Not now or ever. She's mine, do you hear me?""Rafe."

This is dangerous. I need to take care of myself - need to guard myself against him somehow. But how? He can completely undo me with a single touch.When we reach Rafe's house, I'm still a little light-headed. Hot and heavy sex will do that to you. As I try to clear the brain fog, Rafe puts a warm, steady hand on my waist."I'm going to go hop in the shower," he says. "Care to join me?"It will be more than a shower, I know."I'm going to go grab a glass of water first," I say. "I'll join you in a minute."He dips his head and bites me right where my neck meets my shoulder. I gasp in pleasure, and he releases me with a devilish grin on his face. He wants to make sure I'm still aching for him before he walks away.It's on wobbly legs that I make my way to the kitchen. I grab a glass of water and fill it at the faucet, wondering why I can't seem to escape this complicated mess. As I wait for my glass to fill, I look down at my belly. I spread my fingers and press my hand against it