Page 104 of Double Daddies
I look at him, a man who hours ago I’d considered a rival, and the clear winner when it came to Cami. And now he’s suggesting wewhat? Share her? I would have laughed myself out of the room if the idea didn’t appeal to me so damn much.
And then there’s the fact that what he’s saying made so much sense. Everyone needed as many people as possible in their corner—an only child of only children, who knew that better than me? My father had built an impressive empire, but I ruled it on my own, with no one to share the burden or the success.
“What if it’s not mine? How will you feel then?”
He lets the questions hang there as he sizes me up. “One day at a time, Ryle. Let’s see if we can figure this out, we’ll worry about the rest later.” He holds out his hand.
I can’t help but be impressed by his daring. It takes a lot of courage, a great deal of humility to suggest what he has. I have to admit, it bumps him up in my estimation. I move toward him and reach for his hand. But before I can grasp it, I hear the sound of the door being thrown open, and I turn toward the noise.
Cami
I stand in the doorway, my mouth open, staring for several long seconds. I don’t understand what I’m seeing, and no matter how much I blink my eyes, I can’t get my brain to make sense of it. I was shocked when Helen told me the ambulance had brought Ben in, and that he’d asked that I not be paged. I had run all the way here, fueled by panic, not sure what I’d find. But this went beyond my wildest imaginings.
“What… why… I don’t understand,” I say at last.
“Cami, why don’t you?—”
“No.” I cut Ben off and glare at him, even though my trained eyes can’t help but notice he’s hurt. “No more of this. No more secret meetings behind my back.”
“We weren’t?—”
The furrow in my brow deepens as I scowl. “No. It’s my turn, and you get to listen tomethis time.” My eyes swing toward Ryle so he knows this is for him, too. “No more deciding things for me. It’smybody, andmybaby, and I’m going to have a say in how things go from this point on. No more springing people on me.” I spear Ben with my gaze. “No more talking about me when I’m not in the room.” I fold my arms over my chest and turn to Ryle. “Are we all clear?”
“Yes, of course,” he says calmly, but I don’t let him off the hook, even though his smooth, sexy voice sets my pussy to pulsing.
“What about you?” I demand, whirling on Ben.
“You’re right. I’m sorry.”
That’s all I need to hear and he has me melting. I rush toward him, my bravado vanishing as I let concern for him take the driver’s seat. “Are you okay? What happened? Why didn’t you have them page me? I was so worried.” I’m reaching for chart at the end of his bed, but Ben sits up and takes my arm, pulling me to him.
“I’m okay. A little banged up, but okay.” He smiles at me, and I feel tears sting my eyes.
Damn hormones.
“Don’t ever do that again.” I smack his chest. “Do you know what that was like, to hear you wouldn’t let them call me?” I am about to smack him again, but he catches my hand and gives me a warning look that makes my breath hitch.
“I’m sorry. I didn’t want to worry you. Especially…”
I soften, due in part to the warning in his eyes, and in part to the reminder that he was looking out for me. For the baby. “You’re right.I’msorry.”
“You’re lucky you’re pregnant, or I’d pull you over my knee right now,” he murmurs for my ears alone. “Who do you think you are, hitting me?” he asks, his teasing tone easing my worry.
I lean my forehead against his. “Sorry, Daddy.”
“Mmm-hmm. You can make it up to me.”
“I can? How?”
“What do you say we get some lunch? We can all… talk.”
Suddenly remembering Ryle is in the room watching us makes me feel flustered. I pull away and walk around the bed to retrieve Ben’s chart. He reaches for me again, clearly trying to distract me from learning his injuries, but I’ve done this dance before. I dodge him, and slink to the corner, out of reach, and begin to read.
“Ben!” I gasp as my eyes scan the clipboard. “You were—you were?—”
“I’m fine.”
I gape at him. “But… but whathappened?”
