Cooper hadn’t finished expelling a huge sigh of relief before he registered the final part of her answer. A cog turned and he frowned. ‘What did you say?’

Sophie wrung her hands on the tabletop. ‘You know how we didn’t leave the bedroom very much that night … or the next morning?’

Except to go to the couch and the spa bath. There had been that brief time in the pantry, too … He didn’t quite recall how that had happened. Hell, they’d been all over the shop.

She went on. ‘They say condoms are between eighty-five and ninety-seven per cent effective.’

And they’d used a few.

He formed the words to describe the bizarre notion in his mind. ‘We’re pregnant?’

She held up some fingers and a thumb to count. ‘Due in seven months.’

He tried to take it in. His heart was throbbing in his throat. Echoing in his ears. Impossible to believe. This wasn’t in his plan.

She groaned. ‘I know what you’re thinking. You don’t want this complication.’

Complication?

Complication!

She wriggled straighter, truly meeting his eyes for the first time. ‘But I’ve worked it all out. I would never have kept the news from you, but I won’t bother you unnecessarily. You can see the baby whenever you want.’

The other side of the equation popped into mind and he tamped down whirling, exploding disbelief enough to ask, ‘Are you fine with being a mother?’ Last time they’d spoken she’d hadn’t seemed sure.

‘It was a shock at first.’ A small smile played at the corners of her mouth. ‘But, yes, I want this baby very much.’

Well, that had to be good news.

A line grew between her brows. ‘I know you’ll find someone, and soon, who’ll be accepting about this. It’s not the nineteenth century, where we’d keep this kind of situation locked up in a back closet. I’ll get on with my life, you get on with yours, and I’ll make sure the baby and I don’t interfere with your plans.’

He ran a hand through his hair.

Get on with his life? Find someone? As in a wife?

His mind slid left and right like a vehicle skidding on black ice. He needed to get it all straight in his head.

This woman was having his baby. In seven months he would be a father. His child needed its father—not part-time but one hundred per cent. Needed a fully committed mother and father, both. If he knew nothing else, from raising Paige alone he knew that.

The blood drained from his head as he gazed at Sophie—beautiful, sexy, out-for-an-argument, life-is-about-luck Sophie.

His vision blurred and sweat broke out on his brow, down his back.

What the hell could he do? He couldn’t marry her. He couldn’t not marry her either.

Her voice reached him through the haze. ‘It’s a lot to take in, I know. But I’ve looked into it. I’ll take maternity leave. And wonderful childminding options are available for when I go back to work, so it’ll just be a matter of getting settled into a routine.’

He eased out a breath as the news started to sink in. Regaining some balance and strength, he waved a hand. ‘No need for that. You won’t have to work.’ She’d stay at home with the baby. His baby. Their baby.

‘Thank you,’ she said softly. ‘I knew you’d want to help out financially. But I want to go back to work. I won’t give up teaching. It’ll be an adjustment—sure.’ One palm settled over her flat stomach as she smiled. ‘But we’ll be fine.’

Cooper grimaced at the queasy feeling in his gut. One half of him wanted to punch the air with excitement. He’d created a little human being—a son or daughter. After the recent demise of a two-year relationship, he’d harboured niggling doubts that was even possible. But it seemed his ex-girlfriend Evangeline Xiau had been proved wrong. He didn’t fire blanks. Their inability to conceive must have been her issue—which was almost divine justice, given he hadn’t a clue that Evangeline had been trying to fall pregnant until the day she broke it off.

Yet while the man in him rejoiced now, the lawyer wanted to know how he’d escaped one potential trap only to fall into another.

He shook his head at the ground.

He only had himself to blame. He’d had his fun. Enjoyed every moment. No use crying over spilt … Well, no use crying. Fact was he needed to marry a woman who was bound to drive him nuts. He must find a way to make the marriage work. Nothing mattered more. Because no child of his would ever grow up in a single-parent home. His child would not become a statistic.

Reaching across the table, he clasped her hand as a lifeless smile clung to the corners of his mouth. ‘You’re right. We’re going to be fine.’

Clearly relieved, she exhaled. ‘I thought you might hit the roof. You seemed so black and white about things. So needing to be in control …’ She let it go and smiled. ‘So, now that’s out and settled, let’s get that bite to eat. I’m thinking pasta Carbonara with warm crusty bread and chocolate fudge ice cream. Two helpings.’

He’d heard stories about pregnant women. They were known for erratic mood swings as well as cravings. Hormones on top of stubbornness and sparring.

He could hardly wait.

But he’d made his bed. He would be lying in it for a long time to come. He needed to focus on the pluses.

He’d wanted a family. Check.

More than instinct said Sophie would make a good mother. Check.

Paige liked her. Check.

An idea faded up through the fog clouding his mind.

If he kept her busy and satisfied in the bedroom, where they got along best, she might lose the urge to be so objectionable. Happy wife, happy life.

But, first things first. Some arrangements needed to be made.

‘After lunch we’ll visit some jewellery stores.’

Her brow pinched. ‘You’ve lost me.’

‘When two people get engaged, Sophie, they need to choose a ring.’

Eyes wide, she shot to her feet. He pushed up too.

‘Engaged?’ she asked.

Was it truly such a shock? She must have known he’d pop the question. There was little else an honourable man could do.

‘Cooper, I think you’re forgetting something.’

He racked his brains—and then, understanding, took her hands and signed away the rest of his life. ‘Sophie, will you marry me?’

She laughed. ‘Absolutely not.’

Time stood still as he examined her wry expression. He clasped her hands tighter. He was in no mood for her games. This was serious—as serious as it got.

His words were measured, and not to be refused. ‘Of course you’ll marry me. You’re carrying my child.’ He would claim and hold on to it, no matter what it took. They would say their vows, become parents soon after, and everyone would be happy, dammit!

She looked at him as if he’d turned an interesting shade of green. ‘If you’ve forgotten your list, I haven’t. We won’t work together. We both agreed.’

He re-anchored his weight. ‘This changes things.’

‘How?’

‘We have the baby to consider now.’

‘I am thinking of the baby.’

Alternate waves of heat and ice swept over his flesh. ‘This isn’t funny, Sophie.’

‘Am I laughing?’

He found a placating tone. ‘I’ll grant you this is far from ideal. But surely you want your child to have a father.’

‘He will have a father. I just won’t have a husband.’

Teeth clenched, he examined the ground and rubbed his forehead. He was a strategist. He needed a strategy. Winning card first up: something they both agreed upon.

He moved in closer. ‘Stop to consider the obvious benefits.’ He lowered his voice to a sexy growl. ‘Have you forgotten how compatible we are in bed?’

She coughed on a dry laugh. ‘And suddenly sex is supposed to fix things?’

Well, it didn’t make things any worse!

Next. He stood up tall—six-three, last time he’d been measured. ‘I can provide well for the both of you.’

‘You can do that without tying any knots.’

This had gone on long enough. He set his fists low on his hips. ‘I’m not arguing with you. This is non-negotiable.’

She shook her head, bemused. ‘It’s started already.’

He held off from rolling his eyes. Here we go. ‘What’s started?’

‘Having your boundaries and opinions and decisions forced upon me. I have my own mind, Cooper. I have my own dreams. And they’ve never included saying yes to a loveless marriage.’

That last sentence echoed his deeper conviction entirely—but they no longer had the luxury of dreams. ‘We need to make this work for the baby’s sake.’

‘It would be a mistake to even try.’

He would convince her. He would make her see. ‘I’ll make it work.’

‘Just like my parents thought it would work for them?’

His patience warped and creaked. Heart pounding against his ribs, he tried to keep his voice even. ‘What about your parents?’

‘My father and mother only married because they were having me. My dad was determined to do the right thing. My mother hadn’t meant to get pregnant but, seeing she was, she decided my father was it. But they weren’t in love, and love certainly didn’t grow.’ She pivoted away towards the mock-orange bushes. ‘As far back as I can remember I’ve been the mediator. I thought if I found the right guy and lived happily ever after, somehow I could make their mistake half-right.’

His throat swelled. His parents had cherished both him and Paige. ‘I’m sure they don’t think of you as a mistake.’

She slid him a look. ‘I’m talking about them getting hitched for the sake of their child.’

He rolled a shoulder back. ‘What if they’d married and been happy?’

Her grin said she was unconvinced. ‘What if we just agree to disagree?’

Not an option. He needed time to work on her. Some leverage. Anything.

A lightbulb went off in his head. ‘I have another idea.’

‘Does it involve food? Because that’s the only one I’ve liked so far.’

‘We’ll have a trial run.’ Until, that was, he convinced her to be sensible.

Her slim nostrils flared. ‘You’re crazy if you think I’d get married simply to see if we should divorce.’

No, no.

Seeing a light at the end of the tunnel, he ran his hands down her arms. ‘I’m talking about living together.’

He read her eyes, the subtle change in body language at his touch. She was considering it.

But eventually she waved her hands and stepped back. ‘Not interested.’

He shoved his hands in his pockets to stop himself from shaking her. ‘Just for one moment can you stop being difficult? Surely you want to give our baby a chance at having a conventional family.’

Her green eyes glistened. ‘People can start out with the best intentions. Doesn’t mean there’s a rainbow on the other side. You know that.’

Right. He’d go for the jugular. ‘Think of it as an experience. Let’s say a three-month experience that could make a difference to the person you love most … your child.’

She stared at him for a long, torn moment.

‘Three months?’

She was cracking. Good. And, if by some miracle she’d forgotten how their sexual chemistry sizzled, now he would fully remind her.

He drew her near, and the desire they’d shared before plumed in the pit of his stomach. His heart began to beat another rhythm as he remembered the way her limbs had felt twined around him, how she’d murmured his name over and over after he’d tipped her over the edge. He needed her to remember too, to convince her to do this his way. The only way.

Pulling her in by her shoulders, he didn’t kiss her, but rather drank in the lines of her face with his gaze—smooth skin, kissable lips, eyes he still wanted to drown in. He couldn’t see that ever changing.

Gradually the tension bracing her body eased. She didn’t return his embrace, but neither did she push him away. ‘Cooper, where on your list is love?’

His blood stopped flowing before he assured her, ‘As of today I have a new list.’

Her mouth twisted to one side. ‘If that’s supposed to make me feel any better, it doesn’t.’

‘Then let’s try this.’

With great purpose he lowered his head and kissed her, with equal measures of tenderness and meaning. A shower of electric impulses zapped over his skin. Down below, his blood began to stir and heat. For a moment he was back in that room with Sophie in his arms and tomorrow a million light years away.

He needn’t worry about luck. If the way her body quivered and pressed against him now was anything to go by, he had more than enough ammunition to succeed.

Because failure was not an option. He wasn’t accustomed to losing, and before long Sophie would learn to accept that.

CHAPTER FIVE

SOPHIE was still reeling when she and Cooper arrived at the restaurant half an hour later.

On one level she took in the rustic brick front, with its green, white and red flag flapping from a mast, the mouthwatering aroma of freshly baked bread and tasty Italian herbs. But on a far deeper plane she was still experiencing that bone-melting kiss, his will wrapping around and attempting to crush hers in the most pleasurable way possible.

She was having this man’s baby. Consequently he was determined to marry her. She couldn’t think of anything more thrilling—or more self-destructive.

At the restaurant’s entrance, a young male maître d’, dressed all in black, moved forward. With a broad smile, he nodded in welcome. ‘Would you prefer a table inside or out today?’

Cooper said, ‘Out’, at the same time she said, ‘In.’

Sophie shot Cooper an incredulous look. ‘That southerly wind is icy.’

Evaluating the sky and the rustling sidewalk trees, he inhaled deeply. ‘It’s refreshing.’

Sophie studied the grey clouds churning overhead. Hunching her shoulders, she clutched each side of her cardigan and wrapped it more securely around her.

Cooper served her one of the persuasive looks she remembered so well. ‘They have the patio heaters going.’ He ran a finger down her arm. ‘If that’s not enough, I could keep you warm.’

Her body screamed at her to say yes, to give in. For so long she’d quietly dreamed of him overwhelming her with his unique brand of passion, as he’d done back in his garden when they’d kissed. But she meant what she’d said.

Cooper was indeed dangerous. If she was to keep her pledge to remain strong and assertive, rather than endlessly compliant, he was precisely the kind of dominant proud male she must avoid. A little late now, granted, but damage control was still available. She would not fall for his smooth talk and smoother ways, then submit to marriage.

In this day and age women had options and opportunities. No one needed to tie themselves to a loveless marriage for security’s sake or anything else. Her baby would do better living alone with her than growing up in a house with two parents who couldn’t agree on what day it was. She simply wouldn’t put her child through the same ordeal she’d endured long ago. She would never forget how she’d tried to shut her ears to the quarrels that had risen up the stairs late at night, when her parents had thought she was asleep.

So why was she even considering Cooper’s suggestion of a three-month trial?

A cold breeze blasted her face. She addressed the maître d’. ‘Inside table, thank you.’

The young man hesitated, but when Cooper nodded, he collected two menus from a lectern and showed them through the wooden beamed archway into an area that exuded an authentic old-world charm.

A casual dark timber bar occupied the far corner of the low-ceilinged cosy room. Fresh flowers adorned settings dressed with green and red chequered tablecloths. But the ochre back wall caught her eye. It was dedicated to family photographs—black and white formal shots that might have dated back to the turn of last century, as well as recent colour snaps.

She knew the advantages of being an only child—no sharing bedrooms or televisions or parents. But at times it could also be lonely. What would it be like to grow up in a large, boisterous family? Like the one celebrating a toddler’s birthday in the photograph that took pride of place in the centre of that wall. They all looked so happy.

Sophie thanked the maître d’ as he retracted her carved wooden chair. Settling in, she set down her bag and, hands on the table, absently played with her bracelet’s three-leaf clover charm.

After Cooper had removed his jacket, he shunted in his chair. The light reflected off one of Sophie’s charms and hit his eyes. He blinked down at her wrist. ‘Who gave you the lucky bracelet? A favourite kooky aunt?’

Sophie bristled at ‘kooky’.

She leant back as the maître d’ laid a napkin on her lap. ‘I bought it myself, just before the wedding.’

With a self-satisfied grin, he reached for the water carafe and filled her glass. ‘And you haven’t taken it off since?’

Oh, yeah. He was confident all right.

She lifted her water. ‘Actually, the clasp is stuck.’

The carafe hovered a moment before he filled his own glass. ‘I see.’

Carafe back in place, Cooper waved away the maître d’s effort to place his napkin, then collected his leatherbound menu and fanned himself several times as he took in his surrounds. When his attention dropped to focus on the listed appetisers, Sophie rearranged the curls blown around her face by the breeze, pulled her cardigan closer, and found her own menu.

Although her first-trimester tummy was growling for nourishment, she couldn’t concentrate on food. This pregnancy would change her and Cooper’s lives for ever, but it would also affect Cooper’s sister—who happened to be one of Sophie’s best students.

She set the menu aside. ‘How do you think Paige will react when she hears the news?’

But she could answer her own question: with great interest, no doubt.

When Paige had first broached the subject of sex and her boyfriend one day after English class, Sophie had advised she speak with her mother. After the options had been whittled down to no one being at home other than an overly protective big brother, Sophie had recommended the school counsellor. But Paige had been adamant; she trusted no one with her confidence but her favourite teacher.

Cooper had already flipped the menu over to peruse the dessert and coffee choices. His lazy gaze flicked up to stroke her. ‘I’ve only heard her speak in glowing terms of Ms Gruebella. Seems you have fans everywhere.’

Even as Sophie melted at his suggestive look, she shuddered. How that title grated outside of school. ‘What say we go back to pretending I don’t have a last name?’

Cooper’s approving nod seemed to convey a deeper meaning, and for the first time Sophie wondered about her first and his last names.

Sophie Smith?

Sophie bit her lip at the absurd impulse to find a pen and sample that signature on the napkin folded upon Cooper’s bread plate. That urge hadn’t been fully pushed aside before another question blinked in her mind. Her stomach dipped.

Whose surname would their baby bear?

Cooper set down his menu. ‘Paige will most likely throw a party when she hears she’s soon to be an aunt. She’s always loved babies.’

Sophie knew that well enough. Paige had often said how much she wanted one of her own one day. Hopefully a big dose of babysitting would satisfy the yearning for a few years yet. Plenty of time.

Sophie paused.

Over the years she’d often wondered when or if she’d get the chance to be a mother. It was still difficult to believe it was happening now … this way.

Elbows on the tabletop, Cooper thatched his hands and brought them to his chin. ‘So … what was Paige so concerned about you telling me?’

Thank heaven he couldn’t read minds. She zipped her lips. ‘Privileged information—sorry.’

‘Teacher and student? Similar to sinner and priest?’

‘Possibly more sacred.’

He broke eye contact to call the waiter over. ‘Paige wouldn’t be the young girl you mentioned had a boy hounding her?’

Sophie willed the hothouses from her cheeks and lied as she laughed at the suggestion. ‘No.’

She trusted Paige to consider all the ramifications of taking ‘the next big step’. After all, Cooper’s sister was sixteen going on seventeen—a naturally curious young woman, not a tot. Still, Sophie was thankful Paige would be away overseas for a couple of months. Seeing how big the world truly was might help put into perspective the adolescent fires of love.

Which brought to mind her and Cooper’s flames.

They hadn’t discussed what intimacies would be involved should she agree to a trial. Sex or no sex? That was a doozy of a question. Did living together include sleeping together?

In her mind she relived the captivating hours they’d spent enjoying each other, and a familiar warm compression kicked off a delicious pulse low and deep inside. The simple truth was, she wanted to experience those thrills again—what sane woman wouldn’t? But if she allowed Cooper to make love to her, he wouldn’t hesitate to use that power to manipulate her. Their kiss today had almost knocked her senseless. What defence would she have against him if a kiss turned into a night, a week, or months of mind-blowing sex?

She crossed her legs. As much as she adored the idea of getting naked with Cooper again, it simply was not wise. She’d feel continually drugged. In zero time she wouldn’t know what the heck she was agreeing to.

A trial wouldn’t make a fig of difference to how they fundamentally felt about each other. He would still be insufferably autocratic, and she would continue to tell him so—which in turn would make him more insufferable. But if she should decide to live three months under his roof—if only to prove irreversibly that his marriage suggestion was madness—she would need to keep both her head together and her clothes firmly on.

Best get that straight now.

She filled her lungs. ‘Cooper, I was thinking—’

The muffled sound of a cellphone rang out. Cooper held up a finger, found the phone on his belt and inspected the screen. ‘I need to get this. Excuse me.’

Resigned, Sophie sat back. ‘Of course.’

The maître d’ showed up again. ‘The gentleman and yourself are our only patrons as yet. Are you warm enough? Would you like the fire lit?’

Sophie sized up Cooper—head down, finger in his ear. She smiled over. ‘A fire would be lovely.’

As the maître d’ breezed off, Cooper disconnected. ‘Did I miss anything?’

She eased off her cardigan. ‘Nothing important.’

He settled the phone on the table. He nodded. ‘I’m all ears.’

‘Just for argument’s sake, say I do agree to a trial live-in.’ She ignored the assured gleam in his eye. ‘We’d need to work out sleeping arrange—’

The phone buzzed and vibrated. Cooper peeked at the screen. He thumbed the answer button. ‘Do you mind?’

Sophie lifted her chin to the phone and outwardly acquiesced. ‘Go ahead.’

Was this a taste of what life with Cooper would be like? Dynamic men were busy men, oftentimes with lonely wives. Wendy was already finding that out. Noah had cut short their honeymoon in Singapore due to urgent business. Wendy said she understood; when a woman was married to a diligent and successful businessman, she more or less had to.

Cooper disconnected. His eyes roamed over her. ‘You were saying?’

About to answer, Sophie held back as his gaze drifted over her shoulder and his brows buckled with enquiring surprise. His smile, a moment later, was close to reverent. ‘Look who the cat’s dragged in.’

Wondering, Sophie swung around in her seat. Her heart jack-knifed to her throat as a rush of disbelief and panic hurtled through her nervous system.

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