Solitary Man by Carly Phillips Read Free Book Online Page B

give you the right to charge in here.” The pleasant doctor had taken on the role of guard and protector, a part Nikki sensed the woman played often in this place.
    Kevin drew a deep breath, searching for what Nikki believed was a semblance of control. He stuffed his hands into his pockets and turned that dark gaze her way.
    Her stomach pitched, having nothing to do with morning sickness. The harsh angles and planes in his face and the razor stubble on his cheeks were enough to make any woman weak, but the look in his eyes struck Nikki in the heart. They reflected inner torment and pain.
    She sucked in a startled breath. Heaven help her, but she was still dangerously drawn to this man and the vulnerable part of him he hid from view. The part she’d glimpsed so thoroughly their one night together.
    “I can call nine-one-one.” The doctor glanced at Nikki.
    Kevin’s gaze narrowed. “Tell her, Nicole.”
    She clutched her fingers around the cold sheet, feeling more exposed and defenseless than ever before. “He’s the baby’s father,” she said, confirming his story.
    He clenched his jaw and she knew she hadn’t gone far enough to please him. Tough. Pleasing him wasn’t on today’s agenda. Taking her life one step at a time was.
    “Like I said, Mr….”
    “Manning,” he said.
    “Mr. Manning. Paternity doesn’t give you the right to barge in here. Now either you leave, or…”
    “No.”
    At the sound of Nikki’s voice, both Kevin and the doctor turned. “Can you give us a minute?” Nikki asked the startled doctor.
    “As long as you’re sure. You don’t have to talk to him.”
    “I want to.” Relief and gratitude flickered for a brief second in Kevin’s gaze before the steely resolve returned.
    Good, Nikki thought. She’d much rather deal with his obstinate side than any veneer of caring he chose to present in order to get his way. She wasn’t at risk of turning into a marshmallow when he was his take-charge self. As long as she wasn’t faced with the softer Kevin Manning she’d be okay.
    “I’ll be back in five minutes,” the doctor said, in what seemed like a warning.
    This behavior wasn’t like the Kevin she knew. Something must have triggered his anger—or fear, she thought glancing into his eyes. She knew Kevin would never hurt her, at least not intentionally, but this woman couldn’t know that. And Nikki wondered how many of the opposite situations the doctor saw every day. The thought saddened her.
    Deep down, Kevin was a good man. Not the man for her, though. And that hurt even more. He’d take the obligation of a baby seriously, but he’d never let himself see her as more than his responsibility. She’d never be the woman he loved. She wondered if he’d ever had experience with the word. Recalling his mention of a drunken father, she had her doubts. But she couldn’t let them sway her because their connection was now iron-clad.
    Her palm came to rest against her belly. She’d be dealing with him for years to come and if she didn’t assert herself now, she’d pay later. Just because she carried his child didn’t give him license to control her or the situation—no matter how strong the obligation he felt toward Tony or this baby. It was time the ex-cop learned Nikki was a big girl with a mind of her own.
    “Five minutes,” the doctor said again, then turned and followed the receptionist out the door.
    Nikki watched them leave, marshaling whatever reserved strength she could muster before dealing with Kevin. She sensed she would need it.
    No sooner had the doctor’s white coat disappeared than Kevin slammed the door closed behind him. Nikki jumped at the unusually loud sound.
    “What are you doing here, Kevin?” Knowing a strong offense was the best defense, Nikki didn’t give him a chance to strike first.
    “I should think that would be obvious.”
    “What’s obvious to me is that you’ve barged in on me in a private place in a private situation and acted like an