The Pregnancy Proposition

“Do you like seafood?” he asked. “I guess I should’ve asked that this morning when we made plans.”

“I do. I’m trying to avoid the fish that’s higher in mercury and anything raw, but I’ve been known to eat my weight in shrimp when the opportunity arises.”

“That means the ahi tuna is out, sadly, but if you like coconut, we have an amazing coconut shrimp here. It’s served with a spicy pineapple marmalade.”

“That sounds wonderful.”

Mano ran his fingers over the custom braille menu to see what tonight’s fresh catch was. The specials changed depending on what was available each morning at the Honolulu fish auction. He was pleased to find smoked Hawaiian swordfish poached in duck fat with roasted purple sweet potatoes. That was one of his favorites.

“Everything here sounds delicious,” Paige said.

“It is. But save room for dessert or you’ll regret it.”

The server came a moment later, taking their orders. Paige had taken his recommendation of the coconut shrimp with passion fruit rice pilaf. She turned down his suggestion of a mai tai, though, opting instead for a sparkling water. With that done, they handed away their menus and he was finally able to focus on figuring out his newest guest.

“So, Paige, tell me what it is that brought you to Oahu so unexpectedly, and alone?”

“I suppose that isn’t normal, especially considering I’m staying in a suite that could sleep a dozen people. I’m actually here for my grandfather. Next Friday, his ashes are being interred at the USS Arizona. He arranged this trip for me to bring him here.”

That was not the answer he was expecting at all. He hadn’t connected her grandfather’s recent passing to the trip. “I’m sorry to hear about your grandfather. Were you close?”

“Yes. I took care of him the last few weeks of his life. It was hard to watch the illness eat away at him, but I could tell he was ready to be done with it all. That’s when he let go.”

He noticed a sadness in her voice that he didn’t like. He wished their conversation hadn’t taken such a somber turn, but there was nothing he could do about it now. Few came to Hawaii for a funeral, but Paige was the exception to the rule.

“I knew he always wanted to return here when he died, but I never expected to be the one to do it. I thought for certain my parents would come out here for the service, but his instructions were very clear—I was the one to bring him. All the arrangements were made in advance and no one told me what to expect, so when I arrived it was quite a shock. I certainly didn’t need the penthouse or the first class airfare. I guess it was his way of taking care of me since I take care of everyone else all the time.”

Over the years, Mano had entertained scores of ridiculously wealthy couples vacationing from around the world, corporate bigwigs doing business and the rich and famous of Hollywood looking for a tropical escape. Chuck had mentioned that Paige’s family had money, so he’d assumed that she was just another guest like the rest.

But the more Paige spoke, the more he began to doubt his assumptions. She seemed to be very ill at ease in the luxury of his hotel. Rich heiresses were normally quite comfortable traveling well and rarely noted that they spent their time caring for others. It seemed there was another confusing layer to Paige. Was it possible that she’d been raised without the benefit of the family fortune?

“What do you do for a living?”

“I’m a registered nurse.”

He couldn’t suppress his groan at her response. That wasn’t what he’d thought she would say. Everything about her surprised him.

“What’s wrong with being a nurse?” she asked.

“Nothing is wrong with it. It’s a noble calling. I’ve just spent more time than I ever wanted to around nurses. I was hospitalized for quite a long time with my injury. They were all great and cared for me very well, but I avoid hospitals at all costs now. I couldn’t imagine working there every day.”

“It’s different when you’re not the patient. I was a born caretaker. My mother told me I was such a little mama as a child. I was always carrying around my baby doll, and when I got older, I wanted to babysit at every opportunity. I thought maybe I would work in pediatrics one day. But when I spent time with my grandfather, he would tell me stories about World War II. At least ones that were okay for a little girl to hear. It made me want to work with soldiers when I grew up, so that’s what I did instead. I got a master’s degree in nursing and I work at the veteran’s hospital in San Diego on the orthopedic floor. I work mainly with soldiers that have lost limbs or had their joints replaced or rebuilt.”

“That sounds like a hard job to have.”

“It’s difficult work, but it can be so rewarding. I love what I do. Almost all of my time goes to my job, which leaves little for me. I think that’s why my grandfather wanted me to come here, to get a break.”

Mano tried not to stiffen at Paige’s words as she spoke about her work. It wasn’t that there was anything wrong with her answer, but it did give him pause. Chuck had been right when he asked if Mano was considering Paige for more than just dinner. He’d only used it as an excuse to learn more about her. She’d caught his attention without even realizing it.

But knowing she was a nurse...that changed things.

She herself had said she was a caretaker. One of his aunts was a nurse. Since the day of his accident, she’d fawned over him, treating him as nearly helpless. People who went into nursing had a strong desire to care for others. Mano didn’t want to be taken care of. He didn’t want to be fixed or babied, and he certainly didn’t want to be pitied.

Then again, there was something about Paige that his body reacted to instantly. He didn’t know what she looked like or anything other than the feel of her hand in his, but he wanted to know more. As the pieces of her history started to click together in his mind, he found himself more interested instead of less. Of course she was a nurse. That explained the rough hands after washing them dozens of times a day and the scent of hand sanitizer.

“My grandfather knew this is something I never would’ve done on my own,” she continued, oblivious to his thoughts. “He wanted me to take a break and enjoy life, if for just a week. So I’m trying. I find it’s easier to do in Hawaii than it is at home.”

“Everything is easier in Hawaii. It’s a state of mind.” Mano considered his options for this evening and decided that he didn’t mind if she was a nurse. So far, she’d let him take the lead, not once going out of her way to help him when he didn’t need it. Being a nurse might not be all bad. If things worked out, maybe she could give him a sponge bath...

He suppressed a wicked grin and tried to focus on what to do next. He didn’t want their evening together to end so soon. It was Saturday night, which meant that the resort fireworks show was starting soon. He could take Paige somewhere to watch it, but he knew that the best view on the property was from his own balcony. Typically, he didn’t allow anyone into his sanctuary, but for some reason he was almost eager to invite Paige upstairs. He could offer her dessert and an amazing show. But would she accept?

“Do you like fireworks?” he asked.

Three

Paige only thought her penthouse was the pinnacle of luxury. That was before she stepped into Mano’s suite.

The whole space was very clean and modern. Every detail, from the industrial light fixtures overhead to the abstract paintings on the walls, exuded elegance and masculinity with a hard edge. The floors were seamless white marble, the couch was covered in buttery soft gray leather and the tables looked like sheets of glass floating in the air with only the slightest bit of metal supporting them. It was the kind of almost austere look that at first glance might seem plain, but in fact was extremely expensive.

There were no fussy elements, no flower arrangements or lace or knickknacks. Everything seemed perfectly placed, as though an interior designer had handled each detail down to where the dog’s leash hung on the wall. She supposed that things being out of place could cause a problem when you couldn’t see to track down errant items.

There wasn’t much for Paige to break, but what was there, she could tell, was fragile. She was anxious about being in Mano’s suite for dozens of reasons, but now that she was here, she added the new worry of being someplace where she could stumble and put her fist through a priceless Jackson Pollock painting.

It had been hard enough for her to shake the surreal feeling as she followed him upstairs without those other worries. She wasn’t really sure why she was here, anyway. She understood the polite dinner invitation, but why ask her to join him in his suite for dessert just to be nice to a lonely hotel guest? Maybe her initial reaction to their dinner date was closer to the truth and this was about more than just treating the VIPs.

Mano removed Hōkū’s harness and the dog trotted over to his corner pillow where a rawhide bone was waiting for him. “We do fireworks at the hotel every Saturday night,” Mano explained as he slipped out of his suit coat and laid it over the back of a chair that he seemed to know would be positioned just there. “It’s a long-standing tradition at the Mau Loa that my grandparents started decades ago. My suite has one of the best views, ironically enough.”

Paige bit at her lip as he noted the obvious issue. She followed him out onto the balcony and he was right—his view was even better than hers. The fireworks over the lagoon would be center stage for the spectators waiting along Waikiki beach, but their view had it all beat. “It’s a shame you can’t enjoy them.”

“Actually, I can,” Mano said as he gripped the railing and looked out over the water as though he could see it.

The moonlight highlighted the sharp angles of his face, reminding Paige just how handsome and unobtainable a man he was. She wished he would take off his glasses so she could see his eyes. She understood why he wore the glasses, but she felt like a part of him was hiding behind them.

“I remember what they looked like when I was younger. As I mentioned earlier, I didn’t lose my eyesight until I was seventeen, so I have the memories. I can sit on my patio and listen to the pop of the fireworks and the cheers of the crowd. The smell of the smoke in the air brings back the experience for me. I don’t need to see them anymore.”

The doorbell of the suite rang just then, robbing Paige of any questions she might want to ask. With her medical background, she was curious about what had happened to him, but she needed the right opportunity to bring it up. She didn’t want to pry, but she knew from her experience with soldiers that they often wanted to tell their story, but only when they were ready.

“Dessert has arrived,” Mano said.

“I’ll go get the door,” Paige replied, beating him to the sliding door. He was able-bodied but so was she, so there was no reason why she couldn’t let room service in for them.

At the door, a man was waiting with a cart. On top of it was a large silver-domed dish like the kind you’d see in old movies. “Good evening, ma’am. Where would you like your dessert?”

“Bring it out to the balcony, please,” Mano called. He’d followed her into the living room even though he didn’t need to.

They both trailed the cart back to the patio, where the waiter placed it on the glass table. “The famous Mau Loa Black Pearl,” he announced, raising the lid with dramatic flair.

Paige couldn’t help the gasp that escaped her lips when she saw the beautiful chocolate delight hidden beneath the silver dome. Mano had told her it was the showpiece of The Pearl, and the dessert looked exactly like a giant black pearl in an oyster. A thin hinged cookie shell was the bed and backdrop for a dome of layered chocolate mousse. It was enrobed in a dark chocolate fudge ganache and dusted with toasted coconut and macadamia nuts on the edges. It was the most beautiful and delicious-looking thing she’d ever seen in her life.

“I don’t think I can eat it,” she said.

Mano chuckled as he gave the waiter his tip and he disappeared from the suite. “You’ll change your mind about that pretty quickly. It’s the most incredible thing you’ll ever put in your mouth.”

They sat down in the patio chairs and armed themselves with spoons. Mano broke through the dark chocolate outside first so Paige didn’t have to do it. One bite and she knew he was right. The different layers and flavors of chocolate mousse and cream melted together on her tongue. The decorative starburst of passion fruit puree on the plate gave a sharp sour bite to break up the richness. The cookie was crunchy, almost like a fortune cookie, but much more flavorful. It was amazing. And gone before they knew it.

“That was incredible,” Paige said as she laid her spoon down on the empty plate. “I think I might burst, though.”

“It will be worth any suffering.” Mano paused for a moment, putting his hand to the tiny headset that always seemed to be in his ear. “Ah, perfect timing. The fireworks show is about to start. Are you ready?” He held out his hand to her.

Paige took it and they walked together to the railing. Heavy drums and traditional Hawaiian music sounded from the lagoon in the distance. A moment later, the sky lit up as a firework exploded and bathed the darkness in streaks of white fire. One after the next, bursts of color danced across the sky. For about ten minutes it continued, illuminating the dark water. Down below, she could hear the crowds gathered on the beach as they cheered and gasped in awe.

“That was wonderful,” Paige said as the last of the smoke started to clear. “You were right, you do have the best view for the show.”

“I’m glad you enjoyed it.”

Paige turned away from the beach to look at him. “I want to thank you for all this.”

He shrugged it away. “It’s nothing.”

“No, it’s not nothing. You’ve taken me to a lovely dinner, brought me up here for an amazing dessert and fireworks. You’ve saved me from a lonely night in a beautiful place. That’s more than other people would’ve done for a stranger. More than other people typically do for me.”

Mano’s brow furrowed as he listened to her. “What do you mean? Do the people in your life back at home take advantage of your kindness?”

Paige sighed and leaned onto the railing. “It isn’t that simple.” She wasn’t bullied or abused at all. She just didn’t quite fit in. It was mostly a case of being invisible. “More often than not, I’m just ignored. No one really seems to see me. I just blend into the background noise no matter how loud I yell. Sometimes I wonder if, when I die, anyone will even remember I existed.”

“Your patients will remember you. I know I’ll never forget the kind nurses that cared for me after my accident.”

“I hope you’re right,” Paige said. She tried to make a difference in their lives, even when it didn’t seem like she was getting anywhere.

Mano’s hand slid along the railing until he found hers. He covered her with his reassuring warmth. “And I’ll remember you, Paige Edwards.”

Her breath caught in her throat at his words and his caress. Her skin seemed to sing beneath his touch. A thrill ran up her arm and jolted her heart to beat double time in her chest. She knew she shouldn’t get excited. Mano wasn’t putting the moves on her; he was being kind. And yet, her body didn’t seem to know the difference. “I’ll remember you, too. You are the first person in a long time that truly seems to see me.”

“Sometimes people depend too much on their eyes,” Mano explained. “They make all their judgments based on what they see, ignoring everything else. I may not know what you look like, Paige, but I know a lot of other things about you that make you a person I want to know more about.”

She really couldn’t understand why he felt that way. She was a nobody—certainly not the kind of woman who captured the attention of a rich, handsome man like Mano. “I don’t know what you see that others don’t. Frankly, I don’t even see it. I’ve never thought I was very special.”

“That’s odd,” Mano said. “I find myself wanting to know everything about you. It seems I uncover a surprise with every layer I peel away. May I ask you something?”

Paige shifted nervously, pulling back from his touch. Usually when someone prefaced a question like that, it was going to be bad. Like when her sister asked if Paige’s relationship with Wyatt was really serious. She was just testing the waters before she jumped in. “Why not?” she said at last. After what she’d been through lately, there wasn’t much he could ask that would make things worse.

“May I touch your face?”

Except for maybe that.

“I know that sounds odd,” Mano continued, “but it’s how I see people. I’d like to see you better.”

A part of Paige was happy that Mano couldn’t see her. He seemed so interested in her. Would finding out how she looked ruin their perfect night together? She supposed that telling him no would end it just as awkwardly. “Okay,” she agreed.

Mano turned to face her, but his expression was as concerned as hers likely appeared. “You sound nervous. You don’t have to do it if you don’t want to.”

“No, it’s okay,” she argued, placing a hand on his forearm. “If you had your sight, you would’ve known what I looked like from the first moment, so you’ve waited long enough to know. I just hope you’re not disappointed with what you find.”

* * *

Disappointed? Most of the women who had drifted in and out of Mano’s life had a healthy sense of self-esteem, but not Paige. Whether or not she was right, she seemed to think she was invisible or even unattractive. He didn’t think that was actually possible, but now he’d find out for himself.

Taking her wrists in his hands, he let his palms glide up her arms to her neck. There, he cradled her face in his hands. Paige was tense and still beneath his fingertips as they traced the lines and angles of her face. She had a delicate brow, large, wide eyes and a sharp nose. Her face was thin, as was the rest of her, judging by her narrow wrists and protruding collar bones.

He realized then that she was too still and too silent beneath his touch. “Breathe, Paige.”

She moved slightly with a sudden exhale and intake of breath. Once she relaxed, his fingers ran over her hair. It was long, straight and silky. Paige hadn’t twisted it up or tortured it with curling irons and hair spray. It just flowed naturally down her back.

“What color are your eyes?” he asked, trying to envision them in his mind.

“They’re a hazel color. Not quite green and not quite brown.”

Mano nodded, the picture coming together. “Now, tell me about what you’re wearing tonight so I can see it.”

“I overdressed a little,” she confessed. “It’s a blue satin cocktail dress that I found on sale at the mall. I don’t even know why I bought it—I have nowhere to wear it normally—but I threw it into the suitcase when I was packing. I figured if I didn’t wear it tonight, I might as well donate it to charity.”

He didn’t know why she had to cut herself down with every description of herself. “What shade of blue?”

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