Pregnant by the Maverick Millionaire by Joss Wood Page A

understandably, mad as hell. Brodie couldn’t blame him; she’d experienced those emotions herself.
    â€œMight I remind you,” she added, “the condom you brought was faulty.”
    â€œSo you’re saying this is my fault?” Kade shouted, dropping his hands. Simon whined and Kade patted his head to reassure him everything was okay. Brodie wished he’d reassure her, too.
    Brodie made an effort to hold on to her own slipping temper. “I’m not blaming you, I’m explaining what happened.”
    Kade dropped a couple of F-bombs. “I’m not ready to be a father. I don’t want to be a father!”
    â€œBeing a mother wasn’t in my five-year plan, either, Webb.”
    Kade folded his arms across his chest and glared at her. “You don’t seem particularly upset about this.”
    Where was he the last couple of nights when she’d cried herself to sleep? The same nights she’d paced the floor? “I’m pregnant and it’s not something that’s going away. I have to deal with it. You, however, do not.”
    â€œWhat the hell do you mean?”
    Brodie tucked a strand of hair behind her ear and shrugged. “If you want I’ll sign a release absolving you of all responsibility for this child.”
    Kade stared down at the sand and Brodie noticed his hands, in the pockets of his khakis shorts, were now fists. He was hanging on to his temper by a thread. “Is that my only option?”
    â€œWhat else do you want? You just said you don’t want to be this baby’s father. Have you changed your mind? That would mean paying child support and sorting out custody arrangements. Is that what you want?”
    â€œFor crap’s sake, I don’t know! I’m still trying to deal with the idea you’re saying you’re pregnant!” Kade yelled.
    â€œI’m saying I am pregnant?” Brodie frowned. Did he think she was making this up for kicks and giggles? “Do you doubt me?” she asked, her voice low and bitter.
    â€œWe slept together several weeks ago, how can you be sure?” Kade retorted. “Have you done a blood test? How can I be sure you’re not jerking my chain?”
    Brodie’s mouth fell open. How could he, for one moment, think she would lie about this? Didn’t he know her at all? Actually, he didn’t, Brodie admitted. They’d shared their bodies but nothing of their thoughts or feelings. And now they were going to have a baby together... No, judging by his lack of enthusiasm, she was going to be walking this road solo.
    Brodie slapped her hand on his chest and pushed. He didn’t shift a millimeter and her temper bubbled. “I am not lying, exaggerating or jerking your chain! This isn’t fun for me, either, Webb, but I’m going to be an adult and deal with it!” Her chest felt tight and her face was on fire. “I’ve done my part. I’ve informed you. I’ll get my lawyer to draw up a document releasing you from your parental rights.”
    Brodie spun around and started toward the path leading back to the cabin. God, she was tired. Tired of stressing, tired of arguing. Just plain exhausted. Tired of dealing with the emotions Webb yanked to the surface whenever she was around him. She just wanted some peace, to retreat, to shut down.
    â€œI don’t know what I want!” Kade hurled the words and Brodie felt them bounce off the back of her head.
    Brodie slowly turned and shrugged. “I can’t help you with that. But accusing me of lying certainly doesn’t help make sense of the situation.”
    Embarrassment flashed across Kade’s face. He stared at the sand and then out to sea. She could see the tension on his face. “It’s happened before...with two other women. They said I made them pregnant.”
    Brodie tipped her head. “Did you?”
    His look was hot and tight and supremely pissed off. “Hell