Mr. Big Jerk: A Forbidden Second Chance Romance (Kinda Cocky Series Book 3), стр. 42
He was only with me because I was pregnant, though.
That much he made incredibly clear the last time we talked.
“It’s fine. You knew this would happen. It’ll just take a few days apart to get over him. That’s all.”
I sighed as I threw another kernel of popcorn into my mouth. I stared at the blank television I had pulled too far out of its corner to plugin, and I imagined what might be on television. Some news stories about someone dying somewhere. Maybe a nice sitcom show with terrible comedy that made me laugh anyway. Possibly a rerun of one of my crime shows to which I’d been addicted.
No wonder he hasn’t brought up moving in together yet.
The comment about not leaving because this child was also his was only compounded by the furniture comment. I mean, if the man didn’t have feelings for me, no wonder he hadn’t brought up merging our living spaces yet! Lord knows that would be easier with a child in the mix. But, who the hell wanted to live with someone they didn’t love? Or, even like? It hurt like hell, knowing that Clint only tolerated me because we were pregnant.
But, at least I found out before I plunged any deeper into this madness.
It still hurt, though.
“I need a shower,” I murmured.
I sat my popcorn off to the side and resolved myself to a nice, hot shower. But, when I got out and wrapped an extra-large towel around my growing body, I heard my phone chime. I knew exactly who it was, and I resisted the urge to check it immediately. However, after slipping into maternity clothes he purchased for me that still, somehow, smelled a little bit like him, I made my way for my phone.
I found a text from Clint waiting for me.
Clint: Open the front door.
I blinked as I read the words again. And just for good measure, I read them one last time. Holy shit, that text message had been sitting on my phone for at least twenty minutes. Maybe he’d already left?
But, the knock that practically shook my door told me otherwise.
“I can hear you walking around,” Clint said from behind the door.
I swallowed my groan. “Sorry I was getting dressed.”
“I know. I heard the shower going.”
I blinked. “Coming.”
I set my phone down and worked up the urge to finally walk over to the door. I mean, I couldn't just let the man stand there all night, as much as I hated him springing things on me. However, part of me was also comforted that he cared enough about my well-being to come over anyway. Just to check up on me.
He’s just checking up on the baby. You know that.
I pushed the thought away as I opened the door.
“Hey there, gorgeous.”
His cheeky little smile tugged one across my own face. But, the massive bouquet of flowers that took both of his big, strong hands to hold left me breathless. Orchids and roses, like the last bouquet he bought me. The scent alone was intoxicating.
“Where would you like it?” Clint asked.
I sniffed the air deeply. “Anywhere. They smell amazing, and they can go anywhere.”
He chuckled. “May I come in?”
Do I have a choice? “Of course. Yeah, yeah.”
I stepped off to the side and was thankful the flowers were there. Otherwise, I knew he would have tried to kiss me, and I wasn’t sure if I could resist such a temptation. I watched him walk into the kitchen with his strong legs and his chiseled arms undulating with mountains of muscle. I swallowed the drool gathering in my mouth. I shook my head free from the trance he laid over me every single time he walked into a room.
And when he set the flowers down, words I never expected to hear from him fell from his lips.
“I’m so sorry, Roxy.”
I blinked. “Come again?”
He turned to face me. “I’m sorry for what I said the last time we saw one another. You know, Friday afternoon.”
“Yeah, I know.”
He walked slowly toward me. “I know that what I said came out as uncaring. Like I only care about this child and not about you.”
I waved my hand in the air. “It’s fine. I mean, I understood your point and all.”
“That doesn’t mean I didn’t hurt you.”
“Clint, please. I just want to--.”
He stood in front of me. “I want to talk some things out. Some things I’ve been holding back for a few weeks now.”
I shook my head. “If anything, you gave me an idea of where we actually stand, and it was the type of reality check I needed. Trust me, you have nothing to be sorry for.”
He took my hand. “I didn’t give you an accurate portrayal of anything.”
I slipped my hand away. “You really don’t have to do this.”
He took my hand again. “Please, let me get this out.”
I pulled away, then took a step back. “Clint, stop it.”
“Whatever you’re thinking right now, it’s wrong.”
“And how the hell would you know what I’m thinking right now?”
“You think I don’t care about you. That I never did. That I’m only here because you’re pregnant.”
I blinked. “Lucky guess.”
He smirked. “Roxy, can we sit down somewhere?”
I shook my head. “I’m fine with standing. And you don’t need to pretend like you like me for my own sake. I know my disposition right now affects our child. I get that. But, I won’t let you pretend that something is going on for my sake when something isn’t. I’m a big girl, and I can handle this world all by myself. I was doing just fine before this little oopsie of ours, and I’ll be fine after he’s born.”
He blinked. “He?”
I shrugged. “Yeah. Why?”
“We’re--having a boy?”
I shook my head. “I don’t know. But, it feels wrong to call it a girl, so…”
He smiled, and it lit up his entire face. “What an amazing thing to have