Still Mr. And Mrs. by Patricia Olney Page A

breakfast, Gabe grabbed Rebecca’s wrist.
    “Just what the hell do you think you’re doing?” he asked as calmly as he could.
    She eased away from his grip and scooted back a bit, the amusement dying from her green eyes. “I’m trying to enjoy a cup of coffee.”
    He braced both of his hands on either side of her chair and pulled her over to him.
    “You know what I’m talking about.” He forced his hands to relax, and fought the urge to haul her onto his lap and smother her with deep, hard kisses.
    She leaned close to him, her body not quite touching his. Her breath fanned his ear, sendinghot desire straight through him. “I don’t have a clue as to what you’re talking about.”
    He hesitated, measuring her for a moment. “What happened between last night and this morning?”
    “We had a nice time. That’s all.”
    “Is that it?” He studied her face, searching for some sign of the emotion she’d shown the night before.
    “Gabe, what do you want me to say?”
    “I think last night was a mistake,” he blurted.
    “I’m sorry you feel that way.” Her interest shifted from him to the coffee mug in front of her.
    He swore under his breath. Everything was going wrong. Why couldn’t he express his feelings?
    “Reb, what if you’re pregnant?”
    She rested her hand on his arm. He loved the soft feel of her skin against his. It was difficult not to get distracted by just having her near him.
    “I told you that you didn’t have to get involved.”
    “But I am.”
    “You don’t need to be.”
    Gabe went still. “You think I could walk awayif you’re pregnant?” He felt as though his heart would stop beating any second.
    “Yes, I do.” Her voice was cool, but Gabe could see the doubt in her eyes. “We had an agreement. If I am pregnant, I’ll deal with it on my own.”
    Gabe’s stomach pitched. He was so confused, he couldn’t even think straight.
    “It’s okay,” she whispered. “Things will work out, I’m sure.” She brushed her lips across his in a bittersweet kiss meant for lost lovers.
    Before Gabe realized what he was doing, he pulled her off her chair and onto his lap.
    She let out a gasp of surprise.
    He wrapped her legs around his waist, and tried, though unsuccessfully, to ignore the heavy arousal between his legs as she settled on top of him.
    He’d spent most of the last evening convincing himself he didn’t still care for her, to no avail. Now he was convinced more than ever that he
was
in love with her and that scared him out of his mind.
    He shoved his hands into her hair, molding his palms to her head. He pulled her closer to him until his mouth seared over hers in a hot, burning kiss—a kiss both punishing and angry.But he didn’t know if he was more angry with himself for letting his emotions get out of control or with Reb for making him feel in the first place. He ran his mouth up the side of her face to her ear, kissing wildly.
    “Is that all you want?” he asked. “Just my child?”
    “Gabe, ah, I—”
    “What do you want?” he demanded again.
    She let her head tilt back, and he bent his head to kiss the hollow of her throat where her pulse was beating wildly.
    “Answer me.” His rough voice betrayed his impatience and annoyance. He gazed at her, waiting for her reply.
    She moaned softly and started to pull away. Her eyes were glazed, and her lips were pink and moist. She took a slow, deep breath.
    He brushed back the loose curls that had fallen out of her ponytail. The smooth skin along her neck was red from his kisses.
    For a second he was convinced she still wanted him as much as he wanted her. He thought he could see it in her eyes, in the way she responded to him.
    Then she slowly eased off his lap and returned to her own chair.
    He suddenly felt cold and alone.
    “I’ve come to the conclusion that you’ve been right all along.”
    “About what?” he asked, feeling his emotions strain to their limits.
    “We’re not right for each other. We