She wrapped protective arms around her midsection. “I only have to choose, huh? Door A or door B. Or I’m stuck with door C.”
“It doesn’t have to be this way.” An odd note in his voice caused her to lift her head, but his face didn’t show the same emotion she knew openly displayed on hers.
“What about love, Derrick? Does that even matter to you?”
“Why do you think I’m doing this? You expect me to walk away from my own flesh and blood?”
“I thought we could come to a workable agreement. We need a middle ground. Our relationship is finished, but the only other real option you’ve given me is to pack up my life and come live with you.”
His eyes glittered down at her. “Our relationship may have ended, but I wasn’t done with you.”
The quietly spoken words rocked her. Her heart stuttered in her chest. “Is that what this is about?” she asked in a soft voice. “You’re angry because I ended the relationship?”
She’d stopped seeing him as an act of self-preservation. Whenever the phone rang, she ran for it, her heart beating fast in the hope it was him saying he was on his way to see her. What was she supposed to do, with her feelings for him growing stronger and stronger, knowing when they weren’t together, other women slept in his bed? Knowing some other woman’s lips trailed kisses across his golden skin? If she could flip a switch and stop caring about him, life would be easier.
She’d already grown disgusted with herself at the way she’d gladly accepted the open relationship he tossed at her. She couldn’t continue to see him when she knew she wanted more than he could give her. If there had been any doubt before, his actions today left no room for doubt that her feelings for him were completely one-sided.
“Don’t be ridiculous,” he said scathingly. “I wouldn’t give up my freedom to get back at you, and if I only wanted sex, I could get it anytime of the day or night I want. But what I want is my child, with me, at all times.”
The callously spoken words crushed her. Of course she knew he could have any woman anytime he wanted. He was wealthy, good-looking, and charming when he wanted to be. What woman could resist such a combination?
She lifted her chin, refusing to be bullied. “Then I guess we’re deadlocked.”
The muscle in his left cheek flexed as he tried to rein in his temper. “You’re making a mistake.”
Tears stung her eyes, and she didn’t care if he saw them. “You’re making a mistake. Please leave. I don’t want to see you.”
“Don’t be foolish and make an emotional decision. Think about what I’m offering you.”
“Get out of here, Derrick, and don’t come back.”
Unfazed, he continued to talk in the same calm voice. “I’m staying in the beach villa I always rented for us when I came here. I don’t leave until noon tomorrow. You know how to get in touch with me. If you give me your answer by noon, it’ll be like this conversation never took place.”
“I already gave you my answer.”
His emotionless eyes stared down into hers. “I’ll excuse your behavior because I realize your hormones are all messed up and you’re not thinking straight—”
“Excuse my behavior?” She laughed, her tone shrill. “Don’t do me any favors!”
“My offer is only good until tomorrow, so you need to spend the rest of the day thinking long and hard about this decision and everything you’re giving up. If you marry me, you’ll live a very comfortable life.”