Page 159 of Modern Romance Collection March 2025 (1-4)

‘Damn it,’ he said, his tone raw. ‘Don’t lie to me again. Just tell me… Did I…’ She saw his Adam’s apple bob as he swallowed. ‘Did I have your full consent?’

His tone was so low with self-loathing it took a moment to register what he was asking her. But when it did, her heart rammed her throat and guilt blindsided her.

Had he thought…?

‘Yes, Rene.Of course,’ she whispered, feeling sick that her white lie had ever made him think… ‘That’s not what happened.’ She covered his hand with hers and held on, her gaze locked on his, desperate to reassure him.

He pulled his hand out from under hers, his gaze still fierce, still searching as he framed her now burning cheeks. ‘You’re sure? I didn’t take advantage of you?’

‘No, you didn’t, Rene. I helped you out of your boxers. I wanted you inside me, desperately. It had been four years since the last time, and I guess the adrenaline rush from surviving a near-death experience made resisting the hunger impossible.’

At last, she seemed to get through to him. He released her cheeks and slumped back in the car seat. Relief washed over his features.

She placed her hand on his knee. When his gaze connected with hers he looked hollowed out, vulnerable still, but the fear was gone.

‘I’m sorry, Rene. I didn’t… It didn’t even occur to me you would think something like that…’ she finally managed.

He nodded, then scrubbed his hands down his face. But when he met her gaze again his expression had changed. The shutters had returned, and the frown. He didn’t look vulnerable any more, he looked determined.

‘Thanks for clarifying that,’ he said, but there wasn’t a lot of gratitude in his voice. ‘So, my next question is, when was your last period?’

Her cheeks flared with heat of a very different kind. ‘Why do you need to know that?’

‘You know why,’ he said curtly. ‘I didn’t use protection and I happen to know you weren’t taking the contraceptive pill while we were there.’

‘How do you know that?’

‘Because we didn’t bring any toiletries from the car,’ he said flatly, the implacable, frankly condescending tone only disturbing her more. His gaze dropped to her abdomen. ‘You could be pregnant.’

‘Well, I’m not,’ she said, her indignation building. ‘How do you know I wasn’t taking the pill before that?’ she began, trying desperately to regain ground. She realised her mistake though when his gaze narrowed.

‘Were you?’

‘Well, I…’ she faltered.

‘Don’t you dare lie to me again,’ he said.

‘I’m not going to lie,’ she protested.

His angry scowl deepened. ‘Given your track record…’

‘Okay, I’m not on the pill,’ she murmured.

‘So, when was your last period?’ he asked again.

Her face burned. But then she remembered her plan had always involved divulging this information. So, what exactly was she getting embarrassed about?

‘Actually, that’s precisely the point I was going to make,’ she said, trying to sound confident and in control. ‘I’d literally only just finished my last period when we…’ she stumbled, his gaze still locked on her face ‘…well, you know. So, it’s extremely unlikely I’ll be pregnant.’ She paused, ready to deliver her coup de grace. ‘But I’m more than happy to take a pregnancy test today to put both our minds at rest. So, there’s absolutely no need for me to travel to the Caribbean with you.’

‘Whenexactlydid your last period finish? I want a date,’ he said, not sounding impressed with her coup de grace.

‘Why does that matter? The point is I can take a test. And then we’ll both know I’m not pregnant.’

‘The date,’ he demanded again.

She threw up her hands. ‘Fine, the twenty-eighth. Okay, satisfied?’

‘Not at all. Because male sperm can live inside the womb for up to five days,’ he said.

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