page52 (1/2)

Expecting hiainst the pillow, she held her breath when he turned sideways and propped his head on his curved arm Hypnotic eyes travelled over her hair ‘You’ll be much more comfortable if you take your hair down’

‘I don’t think so My hair has got me into too much trouble around you and your inner ten-year-old It’s staying up’

Her hair had been an explosive subject between them Far be it from her to tempt fate Or, worse still, for her to tempt fate only to find fate couldn’t care less

His ainst the pillows, crossed his hands over his chest and closed his eyes Within h the room

She stared because she couldn’t help herself And because, like the first time she’d watched hi

But now she knew the reason behind the constant torment that lurked in his eyes and the bone-deep weariness etched into his face, she was thankful he received peace in sleep

For the first time since he’d told her, she let herself think of just what Ari had lost Losing his as devastating enough, but his unborn child, too? Was it any wonder he’d been so desolate that day at Macdonald Hall?

Was it any wonder he’d wanted to find oblivion? Her heart ached and tears clouded her eyes all over again

God, this needed to stop or she’d be a basket case long before this child was born She couldn’t afford to be a basket case Couldn’t afford anything other than her complete wits about her, her h too ain Until she could find a way to guarantee that, there was no way she could consider Ari’s proposal

Because there were times when he showed her kindness that her foolish heart believed he could care for her

And that was a slippery slope to heartache she had no intention of skidding down

She woke to the sound of a steady heartbeat beneath her ear and a warers splayed over her stomach that made her eyes slowly drift open

Ari ake, his gaze fixed on her flat belly She must have curled closer to his side of the bed in her sleep because he had one arm clamped around her while his other rested on her stomach

As she watched him, a wave of despair washed over his face The eht He heard it and his eyes flew to hers He started to withdraw, but she held his hand in place