Suddenly Expecting by Paula Roe Read Free Book Online Page B

wasn’t one of them. “No, actually. You?”
    “Yes. No.” Her gaze darted to a spot past his shoulder before returning to the radio. “I...don’t know.”
    “Okay.”
    She sighed, her elbows on the table, her thumbnail going automatically to her mouth before she stopped halfway and dropped her hand. “This is...” She finally shook her head. “It’s... We shouldn’t have done this.”
    “A bit late now, chérie. ” He swallowed the small blow she dealt with no outward sign. “Although I totally expected that response.”
    Her eyes snapped to his. “Did you?”
    “Mmm . You have a tendency to run when things get too...intimate.”
    “I do not!”
    He lifted one eyebrow at her outrage. “You do.”
    Her eyes narrowed as she leaned back in the chair and slowly crossed her arms. “Ben was a selfish bastard who dumped me when he realized I was serious about not wanting kids.”
    “I wasn’t talking about him. ” His hands involuntarily clenched at the memory. “And I still think you should’ve let me deck him.”
    “And have you charged with assault? No way.”
    He shook his head. “Anyway, I’m talking metaphorically as well as physically.”
    “James was screwing a woman in our hotel room. Ezio took naked photos of me and sold them to a gossip mag . ” She shoved a stray strand of hair back off her shoulder. “These are all deal breakers for me.”
    “And what about us, Kat? Is best-friend sex one of your deal breakers?”
    “Sex always ruins things.”
    He frowned at her too-quick answer. Again, she was dancing around the question. But when she glanced away, hiding her expression from view in an uncharacteristically shy move, man, the sudden desire to kiss her pulled low and tight in his gut. Instead he swallowed the urge and remained where he was.
    “So what are we going to do now?” he asked, deliberately casual.
    She shrugged. “The media—”
    “Screw the media,” he growled, putting both palms flat on the table. “What do you want to do?”
    “Marco...” His name came out as a groan, her fingers going to her temple, where she rubbed firmly. “I’m tired. I know it’s your thing to talk things over ad nauseum, but can we just not right now? Please?”
    He took in how she was reclining in the chair, her half-lidded eyes, the creases bracketing her mouth, and a sliver of guilt shot through his gut. “You should really get some sleep.”
    For once, she didn’t argue. “So should you.”
    He shrugged. “I’m still on European time. Not that tired. Here.” He stood and rearranged the pillows. “Sleep.”
    After a second’s hesitation, she went to the couch and sat, then stretched out. He quickly dragged the blanket up over her.
    “Thanks,” she muttered, her eyes heavy as he covered her feet.
    He moved to the single armchair and had just settled into it as her eyes closed. Moments later, her breath slowed and she was asleep.
    With a small smile he got comfy, crossed his arms and ankles and let his mind drift.
    He swept his gaze over her, from the dark lashes resting on the soft curve of her cheek and the soft hair streaming down her neck, to her long, lean body, which took up the entire couch. They’d been friends forever, ever since that embarrassing moment in Year Nine had changed everything. Fourteen was such a cocky, self-indulgent age, and he’d been the worst, so full of attitude and mouth. He’d made a stupid comment, showing off to his friends, and Kat had surprisingly struck back, shoving him so hard he’d fallen on his ass. He’d jokingly admitted that had been the start of his adoration, and their combined detention plus her innocent smile, offbeat humor and fierce loyalty had only cemented their relationship.
    From then on they’d been a tight quartet—him, Luke, Connor and Kat—until he’d been offered the unbelievable opportunity to play European football and left Australia for France when he was sixteen. Then their individual lives had taken