Awakened Desires by Rissa Blakeley Page A

That was just one of the many reasons why I don’t do relationships. Too bloody confusing. I opened the menu and ordered the first thing I saw. “I’ll take the Steak Burger, medium-rare.”
    “All right. I will put your order right in.”
    “Thank you.” I turned back and looked at Carly as the waitress sped off. “You need to tell me what the fuck is going on.” She reached into her purse and pulled out a folded sheet of paper, sliding it across the table to me. “What’s this?”
    “Just read it,” she growled.
    I unfolded it and my eyes flickered across the paper. The blood drained from my face, leaving me feeling light-headed. I peeled off my jacket before sweat began pouring off of me. “Wait…” I rubbed my eyes to make sure they were working properly. “Shit.”
    “Yeah. Shit ,” she said, full of attitude.
    Panic was setting in, but after taking a few deep breaths, I knew that twenty-something, now plus one, would perish in the next couple weeks. I decided that I was just going to reassure her. “You were my one and only, so don’t even try to deny it. And the timing is correct.” She stared at me for what felt like an eternity while I looked at her blankly. “Hello?” She motioned her hand in front of my face.
    “Yeah…I got it. I’m not denying it.” I rubbed my face.
    “Now what? You’re going home soon.”
    “Yeah.”
    “Is that all you have to say?” I just looked at her while playing up the worried card. “How are you going to be a father to my kid?”
    “Look, I will take care of everything. I will pay for whatever you need, whatever the baby needs. I have plenty in the bank.”
    “And how do I know you mean that?”
    “Because I don’t run away from my responsibilities.” Wasn’t that the fucking truth? As much as I wanted to, I didn’t. The waitress set down my beer. In hindsight, I should have asked for a bottle of Walker with a side of Grey Goose. I grabbed it and took a long drink.
    “I don’t know that!” Her eyes filled with tears. Christ. “My father is going to freak out!”
    “Carly…I’m sorry. I should have worn protection.” I didn’t bother because I knew the future. I was fucking psychic like that.
    “I’m forever linked with the whore of New York!” she snapped. It was loud enough for the people in the booth behind us to turn and look.
    Anger ripped through me. “That’s not fucking fair.” I sat forward, growling at her accusation.
    “Oh, it’s not? Really? You really want to go there, Mr. Erikkson ?”
    Okay, maybe she was correct. I rubbed my eyes again and then my mouth, trying to think of something to say. All I could think about was appeasement. “You’re right. I’m sorry.” I decided I couldn’t even look at her. Honestly, I felt guilty. It was a foreign feeling. I didn’t realize what it was at first, but my chest ached a bit. That didn’t happen—ever. I finished my beer as the waitress set down our meals.
    “Another for you, sir?”
    “Yeah, please.”
    I just stared at my plate until I saw her drag her napkin across her eyes. Jesus, I really fucked up. Then I thought about the other dozen or so women I had fucked since my arrival in New York. How many would survive? Who could be pregnant? Feeling sick, I had to say something, though, so I blurted out, “It’s going to be okay. I promise.”
    She sarcastically laughed through her tears. “You, Mr. Erikkson, are a funny man.” She cut her burger in half and took a bite.
    “Is everything all right…with your food?” The waitress asked when she set down my next beer. I nodded. Bitch needed to go the fuck away for two seconds so Carly and I could hash it out. Carly didn’t acknowledge the waitress, so she ended up walking away with a grumble.
    “You going to eat, Mr. Erikkson?”
    “Carly, stop.”
    “Shame to let such a nice burger go to waste.”
    Shoving the plate away, I said, “I’m not hungry.” After picking up my pint, I drank about a third of it