Page 32 of Rebound

He shakes his head. “No fucking way, Lo. I like touching and kissing you.”

“You’re going to have to try. We’re not a couple.”

I catch the wince, but don’t apologise. Besides, the minute we slip into couple behaviour, everything falls apart. Last night is proof—he touched me and I melted like butter. When he kissed me, I didn’t push him away. I wish I wasn’t so helpless around him. I take a big sip of my tea to give myself a few minutes to settle my soul.

“You can’t do everything for me, okay? I’m not incapable, just pregnant.”

“Fine. I’m moving in.”

“What?!” I’m pretty sure my eyes pop out of my head, cartoon style. This wasn’t part of my not-at-all-thought-out plans!

“I told you, I’m here for you. Besides, I’m staying in Chennai to coach a local team and get some work done. Might as well stay here, be close enough when you need me.”

This is quite possibly the worst idea in the world. I can keep arguing with him about this, but he’s going to fight me at every turn. I thought accepting his support meant I’d have the space I need, but with him living here that’s going to be impossible. Sure, there’s a spare bedroom and we’d have our own bathrooms, but my flat isn’t big enough to avoid each other. The common areas are all open and visible from one end to the other. He’s going to walk around doing Patrick things, distracting and seducing me with all of him. All this willpower I’m building will be for nothing.

“No.”

“Yes.”

“You can live with Elias. It’s not too far.”

He shakes his head. “I’d like to be closer.”

“I don’t think that’s a good idea.”

“Think you’ll be tempted to jump my bones, Lo?”

Asshole. I try to stop the growl, but it slips out anyway. “Why do you want to live here?”

“In case you missed it, you’re carrying my baby. You’re growing a person with my DNA.”

“So what?”

“I want to be close to my baby. My babies.”

Sleeping down the hall might make it easier to kill him in his sleep. “Ugh, you’re insufferable.”

“You love it.”

I’m pretty sure I snarl and he smirks. Until I say, “No more flirting.”

“Fuck, no.”

“Patrick.”

“Tamara. Look—” he scoots closer and starts to touch me, but changes his mind “—I won’t kiss or touch you, I will help when you need it, but flirting? I love it too much to stop.”

“You make it sound like an addiction.”

“It is! Especially when flirting with you. Let me have this. Please.”

Sighing heavily, I acquiesce with a reluctant nod. It’s worth it for the way his face lights up, eyes sparkling and smile blinding me. Honestly, this man is a walking hazard and I’m absolutely worried for myself for the next six months.

What happens after the baby’s here is anyone’s guess.

“Do you have any rules?”

“You already shot down all the things I was going to ask for.”