Page 5 of Nothing to Beat

“You don’t trust that I could raise a child alone?”

“You don’t have to raise a child alone.Whatever you and they need—”

“I don’t want money.Keep your money.”

“I’m more than that,” he said.“My family—”

“Never need to know it’s your baby.It will stay between us.We’ll be the only two people to know.”

“This isn’t something you decide alone.You don’t need to—”

“I want to.You’re adamant about your independence—”

“I’m adamant?Coy—”

“So we have one thing in common.”Folding her arm, she brushed the back of her hand up and down his abdomen.“I can do this, Breck.I know I can.”

“There’s nothing you can’t do.But why can’t we do it together?”

Restraining her groan to a sigh, her fingers paused a moment, then she rolled away, off the bed to retreat to the bathroom.

“Do you want to shower?”

She didn’t.Nope, her prize wouldn’t be washed away yet.

“We done?”he called back.

“God, no.We’re only just getting started.”

She washed her hands and ran them through her hair.They continued down over her breasts to rest low on her belly.A child.He barely hesitated.She’d gone into this intending to be honest.Completely honest.That wasn’t a conscious distinction, not really.She didn’t lie to Breck.Never any need.He’d never once refused or rejected her.Look at the way he’d reacted with her honesty about ovulating.All in stride, that was Breck.

“Why me?”

“Why you?”she asked, frowning at her reflection.

“If not for the money, why pick me?”

That was almost offensive, yet a laugh warmed her throat.“You know why!”

Idiot didn’t need it spelled out.That wasn’t right, Breck may be many things, but he was no idiot.

“I’m sullen.”

“And cranky,” she called from the bathroom in agreement.

“I’m pedantic.”

“And pernickety.”

A pause.

“The depth of love I feel for you exists nowhere else in the world, Coy.”

Going to hug the doorframe, her temple on the wood, she admired the man in their sheets.“And…?”

He sighed.“There’s nothing I’d deny you.”

Had to be in it to win it.Going back to the bed, she crawled up over him, coming to a stop straddling his hips.