The Alpha's Baby by M.E. James Read Free Book Online Page B

her. A zing of electricity rushed through her body, reminding her just how this situation had come about in the first place. She met his eyes, certain that she was going to fall into them. For a moment he stared back at her, saying nothing, but then he gave her side a gentle squeeze and helped her over to the couch. She sunk down, not sure whether she was relieved or surprised.
    Sebastian touched her arm. "You're shaking all over."
    "If you happened to notice, I wasn't exactly jumping for joy when I told you the news." She chewed her bottom lip. "I spent all night wondering how you were going to react."
    "I suppose you don't know me that well, do you?" he said quietly.
    "We've only spent one day together."
    "That'll change now." Sebastian's grip on her wrist tightened. "I'm going to take responsibility for everything, and I promise I'll take care of you."
    You really are Mr. Hero, aren't you?
    "Aren't you scared?" She studied him.
    His eyes darkened. "Of having a baby?"
    "Yeah." She hung her head.
    "I guess so." The man hesitated, his jaw clenching. "I don't think the news has sunk in yet."
    "I'm not used to this yet either." She stared down at herself. "Everything is different, but it's exactly the same too. I find it so hard to fathom that I'm having a baby."
    He made an effort to appear comforting, but it looked more like a cringe. "We'll find a way to make this work. I promise."
    Suddenly, she couldn't think of what to say.
    "I'm sorry about how I acted when you came inside," Sebastian said, saving her from the awkward silence. "You were horrified enough. It was just that I really have been looking for you everywhere."
    "It's okay. I understand." She winced. "To be honest, running out on you the morning after our night together wasn't exactly an intelligent move on my part. I just hated the idea of being the woman you slept with who you couldn't get rid of."
    Sebastian squeezed her wrist. "You came back, though, right? That's all that matters."
    She winced. "I'm sure that this wasn't the reunion you had in mind."
    "Maybe not, but it's better than nothing." Sebastian took a deep breath. "And if this was going to happen with anyone, well, I'm glad it was with you."
    The words stole her breath, and she wasn't sure it would come back. "You don't even know me that well."
    "I know enough." A vein throbbed in Sebastian's jaw. "You're smart, funny, and attractive. Any man would be lucky to have a woman like you."
    She gave a derisive snort.
    "It's the truth," he said.
    "Okay." She didn't believe his compliments for a second, but she continued on regardless. "I'm also rude, cynical, and stubborn."
    "I'm stubborn too."
    She cringed. "I've begun to realize that."
    "You'll realize more than that soon enough."
    "I probably will," she said.
    For a moment neither of them said anything. She was too busy being stunned, and Sebastian was too busy being, well, she didn't know. He looked awfully serious, and she had the feeling that he wasn't daydreaming about puppies frolicking in a meadow of daisies.
    "I want you to marry me," he said suddenly.
    She wasn't sure what she expected, but it wasn't that. "Excuse me? Was that a proposal?"
    "Yes." The man sighed. "You're going to have my baby. Marrying you is the least I can do."
    "You make me sound like a charity case." She wrinkled her nose.
    "You know I don't mean it that way," he said. "Look, this situation surprised me. You can't expect me to get down on one knee and give you a big, fancy speech. I know this isn't the kind of proposal that a woman dreams of—"
    "No, I'm sure that this is the proposal every woman wants," she said drily.
    "But at least it's better than none at all."
    She didn't like the way Sebastian made it sound like he was being forced to marry her. She knew that she was pregnant with his child, but she hadn't even thought about getting engaged. Maybe she wanted him to take responsibility and be a part of the child's life, but marrying him would be like marrying a stranger.