father of that baby.”
“Yes, biologically, you’re the father. So is a sperm donor.”
His jaw muscle started to tic. Carly felt an irrational rush of trepidation. Having been blind all her life, she’d developed a sixth sense with people, radar of sorts that helped her feel their auras. That night at Chaps, she’d sensed in Hank an underlying kindness that had made her trust him. Now she felt strength and determination emanating from him in overpowering waves, and she instinctively knew he didn’t give up easily once he set his mind to something.
“Maybe I am only a sperm donor. But be that as it may, I feel obligated to make sure you and the baby want for nothing. Bess told me about your eye problems, Carly, and how this pregnancy may affect you, both physically and financially. I want to lighten the burden on you in any way I can.”
Carly stiffened as the implications of that sank in. “News flash. I don’t want you to feel obligated, not to me or my baby. Is that what you think, that I called to tap you for money? I just felt you had a right to know that you’d soon be a father. Fleecing you for support was not my objective.”
Hank could see this was getting him nowhere. While he stood there, trying to sort his thoughts, he couldn’t help but congratulate himself on at least one thing: he’d chosen a beautiful woman to be the mother of his child. Even in the harsh light of day, Carly had delicately drawn features, complemented by flawless ivory skin and big, expressive blue eyes. Streaked with strands of honey brown, her hair looked naturally blond and lay over her slender shoulders in rippling drapes of gold. A white T-shirt and snug blue jeans showcased her figure, emphasizing small, perfectly shaped breasts, a narrow waist, nicely rounded hips, and shapely legs.
Seeing her like this brought memories rushing back to him that had eluded him until now—how right she’d felt in his arms, how heady her kisses had been, and how much he had wanted her. In his recollection, he’d never wanted a woman quite so much.
As lovely as she was, though, what struck Hank hardest was her look of angelic sweetness. He’d noticed it that night—and shrugged it off. The women who frequented bars usually had a hard look. Carly’s heart shone in her eyes.
Those eyes. So beautiful he could scarcely believe they were flawed. Even worse was the realization that his careless use of her body had possibly condemned her to months of blindness. How would she attend grad school without his help?
A squeaking sound drew his attention. Her left forearm was shifting, the tendons from wrist to elbow distended as she turned her clenched hand on the doorknob. It was the unconscious gesture of someone rigid with tension. All his senses went on red alert. He slid his gaze slowly back to her face, noting the tautness of her facial muscles. Was that fear he saw in her expression?
The possibility gave Hank pause. It wasn’t as if he’d forced himself on her. As he recalled, she’d melted into his arms when he kissed her, a consenting partner every step of the way.
Maybe, he decided, that was the problem. She’d surrendered to the moment, giving herself to him without reservation. Standing back from it now and trying to see it as she must, he supposed she had reason to feel wary. She believed all your hokey lines .
“I have things to do,” she informed him. “If there’s something more you want to say, get it said. I can’t stand here all morning.”
He scratched behind his ear and wished for his hat. In tense moments, a Stetson always came in handy.
“Will you go out to dinner with me?” Definitely not brilliant.
A tiny frown puckered the smooth skin between her brows. “How can you think, even for a moment, that I’d ever consider going out with you.”
“I don’t mean on a date. I was just thinking—well, you know—that you might feel more comfortable on neutral ground, someplace public, where we can discuss
“Yes, biologically, you’re the father. So is a sperm donor.”
His jaw muscle started to tic. Carly felt an irrational rush of trepidation. Having been blind all her life, she’d developed a sixth sense with people, radar of sorts that helped her feel their auras. That night at Chaps, she’d sensed in Hank an underlying kindness that had made her trust him. Now she felt strength and determination emanating from him in overpowering waves, and she instinctively knew he didn’t give up easily once he set his mind to something.
“Maybe I am only a sperm donor. But be that as it may, I feel obligated to make sure you and the baby want for nothing. Bess told me about your eye problems, Carly, and how this pregnancy may affect you, both physically and financially. I want to lighten the burden on you in any way I can.”
Carly stiffened as the implications of that sank in. “News flash. I don’t want you to feel obligated, not to me or my baby. Is that what you think, that I called to tap you for money? I just felt you had a right to know that you’d soon be a father. Fleecing you for support was not my objective.”
Hank could see this was getting him nowhere. While he stood there, trying to sort his thoughts, he couldn’t help but congratulate himself on at least one thing: he’d chosen a beautiful woman to be the mother of his child. Even in the harsh light of day, Carly had delicately drawn features, complemented by flawless ivory skin and big, expressive blue eyes. Streaked with strands of honey brown, her hair looked naturally blond and lay over her slender shoulders in rippling drapes of gold. A white T-shirt and snug blue jeans showcased her figure, emphasizing small, perfectly shaped breasts, a narrow waist, nicely rounded hips, and shapely legs.
Seeing her like this brought memories rushing back to him that had eluded him until now—how right she’d felt in his arms, how heady her kisses had been, and how much he had wanted her. In his recollection, he’d never wanted a woman quite so much.
As lovely as she was, though, what struck Hank hardest was her look of angelic sweetness. He’d noticed it that night—and shrugged it off. The women who frequented bars usually had a hard look. Carly’s heart shone in her eyes.
Those eyes. So beautiful he could scarcely believe they were flawed. Even worse was the realization that his careless use of her body had possibly condemned her to months of blindness. How would she attend grad school without his help?
A squeaking sound drew his attention. Her left forearm was shifting, the tendons from wrist to elbow distended as she turned her clenched hand on the doorknob. It was the unconscious gesture of someone rigid with tension. All his senses went on red alert. He slid his gaze slowly back to her face, noting the tautness of her facial muscles. Was that fear he saw in her expression?
The possibility gave Hank pause. It wasn’t as if he’d forced himself on her. As he recalled, she’d melted into his arms when he kissed her, a consenting partner every step of the way.
Maybe, he decided, that was the problem. She’d surrendered to the moment, giving herself to him without reservation. Standing back from it now and trying to see it as she must, he supposed she had reason to feel wary. She believed all your hokey lines .
“I have things to do,” she informed him. “If there’s something more you want to say, get it said. I can’t stand here all morning.”
He scratched behind his ear and wished for his hat. In tense moments, a Stetson always came in handy.
“Will you go out to dinner with me?” Definitely not brilliant.
A tiny frown puckered the smooth skin between her brows. “How can you think, even for a moment, that I’d ever consider going out with you.”
“I don’t mean on a date. I was just thinking—well, you know—that you might feel more comfortable on neutral ground, someplace public, where we can discuss
Similar Books
