by Lena Hart
If you enjoyed A GAME OF COURAGE, you’ll certainly enjoy Nate, Mia, and their adorable five-year old Mikey.
Happy reading,
Lena ♥
Enjoy an extended excerpt from my bestselling novel!
The decision that tore them apart...
Former hopeless romantic, Mia Trent, is crushed when the love of her life, Nate McArthur, reveals that he doesn’t want to get married—or have children. But it’s too late. Mia is already pregnant and her dream of “happily ever after” is sharply put to an end when she decides to keep her pregnancy a secret, refusing to force him into a life he doesn’t want.
The compromise that made them a family...
Five years later, Mia must reach out to Nate for help or risk losing her home and shelter for their son. Stunned and outraged by the sudden news of his child, Nate proposes a compromise: give him the summer to get to know his son and he’ll save her home. Yet with Mia back in his life, Nate isn’t willing to lose her—or their son—again. What starts off as a temporary arrangement soon becomes a chance at rediscovery and becoming a family. Only Nate must convince his jaded dreamer that his love for her is true…and will last now and forever.
HER DECISION
1
A single blue line meant she wasn’t pregnant. Two meant she was.
Dazed, Mia Trent stared at the two thin blue lines coming through the small window of the narrow white stick. This was her third test. She had used up all the pregnancy tests available in the small pink box, including the bonus one.
All three read positive.
Mia sat on the edge of the tub, not sure how to feel or what to think. She hadn’t planned for—
The loud knock on her apartment door jarred her out of her dazed thoughts. Oh God. Nate.
She had forgotten she’d invited him over for dinner tonight. Mia jumped up, stuffed all three tests back in the box, tied them up in the pharmacy bag and threw it under the sink.
The knocking came again. Mia rushed to the front of her apartment. She took a few deep, steadying breaths, trying not to look as frazzled as she felt, before undoing the locks.
At her doorway, stood the love of her life. Nate McArthur. He was handsome in his black windbreaker and dark jeans. The drizzle outside glistened on his mussed, chestnut brown hair, which added to his appeal. His dark brown eyes, however, were watchful and unwavering as he stared down at her. Nate had always been perceptive. Could he tell she was carrying his baby?
“What’s wrong?” he asked, his thick dark brows furrowing into a deep frown of concern.
Everything and nothing, Mia wanted to say, but she didn’t trust her voice to speak so she simply smiled, shook her head, and stepped back to let him in. Before she had the door closed, he pulled her into a tight embrace.
Burying her face against his chest, Mia wrapped her arms around his lean waist, holding him tight. She breathed in his light, intoxicating scent. His smell made her think of nutmeg and warm wood. A small smile graced her lips as the cocoon of his strong, inviting hold brought back a semblance of peace to her strained emotions.
“You sure you’re okay?”
Mia smiled brightly up at him. “Yeah, I’m better now.”
“Good.” He brought his mouth down to hers for a light, lingering kiss. His rich, heady taste always left her breathless and before it ended, she was gripping fistfuls of his coat.
He smiled softly and rubbed his thumb across her lower lip. “So…what’s for dinner?”
Mia looked up at him, contrite. She had promised him dinner tonight, but had completely forgotten to stop by the grocery store. Instead, her mind had been preoccupied with her trip to the drug store.
Nate laughed at her guilt-stricken face. “It’s cool. We can go out. How about Josie’s?”
“No, no,” she said, pulling away from him. “I can whip something up. Just give me a few minutes.”
She preferred to stay in anyway, so she could gather the courage to talk with him. Just the thought of broaching the subject left butterflies fluttering in her stomach.
Nate followed her into the kitchen. “Need any help?” he offered, leaning against the counter.
Mia looked up at him incredulously. He laughed, remembering the last time he tried to make her breakfast. She now had only two functional burners to cook with because of him. He had offered to pay for the repairs, but it wasn’t anything she couldn’t fix herself—whenever she decided to get to it.
She scanned her fridge and cabinets, but was unable to find anything that would make a decent meal. Her food supply was pathetic. She pulled out what little provisions she did have.
“Okay, this is it,” she said, holding up a pack of cheese and jar of peanut butter. “Grilled cheese or PB and J?”
Nate contemplated it for a second, making it seem as if she’d posed him with a difficult question. “Grilled cheese,” he finally said. “And make mine a double.”
“You got it.”
Mia whipped up a few simple grilled cheese sandwiches. He helped by pulling the plastic wrappers off the cheese slices.
“When are you leaving for California?” she asked as she prepared the sandwiches, needing to temporarily distract her mind from the conversation they would soon have.
“Wednesday,” he said, then shot her a crooked grin. “The invitation is still open, you know.”
Mia’s lips quirked up. Nate had wanted her to come on his business trip with him so they could extend the trip and spend the weekend on the California coast together. His invitation was sweet, but he’d forgotten to factor in her work and responsibilities.
“And what do I tell my boss?”
At the mention of his father, Nate lost his smile and she instantly regretted bringing him up. She hated when he got that cold look in his eyes. Nate always seemed to withdraw whenever she brought up his father, Charles McArthur.
They had only been dating for six months, though she had seen him at the office occasionally when he’d come to visit his father. At first she had thought he didn’t particularly like her since he had always been abrupt and cold toward her. But then she discovered he only got like that whenever he had to deal with his father.
It had been during the company’s Christmas party that she’d found out how much he actually liked her. With stolen mistletoe, Nate had cornered her in a secluded area and kissed her until she had no breath left. She thought it was a silly and romantic gesture, but he had certainly gotten her attention. A soft smile came across her lips at the memory.
After that night, Nate had been relentless in his pursuit. At first, she avoided him because his father was her boss, but he had been so outrageously flirtatious and handsome, it was hard not to let herself get swept away. Though she had been uneasy at the idea of them getting together, she was glad she ultimately gave in. He made her happy.
“Finals are also coming up,” she added. “I can’t afford to miss any more days.” Especially not after the week she’d taken off to celebrate his thirtieth birthday this past April. “Maybe next time,” she offered.
“Yeah, maybe,” he muttered with a listless smile, not looking at her.
Mia sighed, unsure about her next move. They had decided to be discreet about their relationship, but in the past six month it had been an intense, all-consuming one and somewhere during their time together, she had lost her heart to him. They may have moved fast in their relationship, but there was a connection between them she had never felt with another man. Ever.
When the sandwiches were ready, they moved to the living room, where they sat and ate in silence. She had found some leftover chips to add to their basic dinner and he seemed to be enjoying the plain meal. Mia leaned against the other end of the small sofa with her socked foot draped over his lap, smiling as she watched him. He had removed his jacket and his lean muscular frame was well defined in the simple black T-shirt. The soft, orange light of the table lamp accentuated his black Irish features. He seemed perfectly at ease sitting here in h
er small, modest apartment. Despite his affluent background, Nate never flaunted his wealth. Though she loved how he took every measure to minimize the social class lines between them, none of that mattered to her. She loved him, not his things, and he knew that.
Yes, he knew she loved him. She had told him twice, though both times had been after their lovemaking. He hadn’t returned the words but she wasn’t discouraged because he showed it to her in so many other ways. Their relationship had taken on a new, heightened intensity she couldn’t explain. He had to feel the same way about her even if he wasn’t ready to say the words.
He glanced at her when she continued to stare at him, her half-eaten sandwich growing cold on her plate.
“What?” he asked. “Do I have crumbs on my face?”
Mia smiled softly and shook her head.
“Then why aren’t you eating?” he asked. “It’s actually pretty good.”
She laughed. “You can’t go wrong with grilled cheese. Well, maybe you can.” She laughed louder at his embellished hurt expression. “I’m teasing you. It’s sexy when you try to cook.” She put her plate down and turned back to him. “I’m just not that hungry,” she said. I’m actually feeling a little nauseous. But she couldn’t tell him that. Not yet anyway. Her stomach clenched at the thought of their impending discussion.
Nate finished the last of his sandwich and she got up to take their plates back into the kitchen. She started washing the few dishes they’d dirtied, not wanting them to sit overnight, which would happen if she didn’t get it done now.
As she rinsed the last dish, Mia jumped when strong arms suddenly wrapped around her middle.
“Sorry,” Nate said softly into her ear. “I didn’t mean to scare you. I thought you heard me.”
She turned off the running water and leaned against him. “No, I was lost inside my head. What did you say?”
Nate leaned down and kissed her on the back of her neck. Mia shivered. No matter where or how many, his kisses always left her lightheaded.
“I asked what was for dessert,” he repeated, kissing her again.
Mia turned in his arms, laughing. “That’s so cliché, you know.”
“What do you mean?” he asked with mock disbelief.
She rolled her eyes. “Oh, please. You say, ‘what’s for dessert?’ I say something ordinary and then you say something cheesy, like wanting me for dessert.”
He looked down at her, thoughtful. “Hmm, that does sound like something I’d say. But this hungry man could actually still eat.”
“Oh,” Mia said, a little embarrassed by her rash assumption. He was serious. Nate wasn’t a small guy and could honestly still be hungry. “Well…” she began lamely, “I don’t have anything else to feed you.”
Nate’s eyes sparkled. “Yeah, you do,” he whispered. He placed his hands on both sides of her on the counter, trapping her between his solid frame and the sink. “I said I could still eat.”
Mia paused, confused. Then she laughed, recognizing the heated suggestion in his eyes. “You’re bad,” she murmured, shoving lightly at his hard chest.
He leaned in closer, his lips only a breath away from hers. “And you like it.”
The brush of his lips was searing. Mia fell against him, seeking out his warmth and the magic of his kiss. He tasted better than any meal she could have made. The soft bite of his teeth made her tingle all over. She hungered for more.
But the sudden rolling in her stomach took her by surprise. She shoved him away as the familiar clenching in her throat seized her. Bolting to the bathroom, she expelled the little food she had in her stomach. Ugh, how embarrassing.
Mia rinsed her mouth and splashed cool water on her face. The brown, narrow features staring back at her from the vanity mirror looked stark and miserable. With her hair pulled back in a loose ponytail, her dark eyes eclipsed her slender face. She looked as pathetic as she felt.
She emerged from the bathroom to find Nate sitting on the couch. He looked up at her, frowning with concern. “You okay?”
“Yeah,” she said, falling into the seat beside him. “I think I’m getting too old to eat such fine cuisine like chips and grilled cheese.” She leaned against his side and he wrapped his arm around her, placing a chaste kiss on her forehead.
“I thought that stomach bug was gone,” he said. She forgot she had mentioned her bouts of nausea to him when they had begun. She had initially thought her sudden bouts of nausea had come from something she’d eaten. It was only recently when it hadn’t gone away and she had missed her last period that she started to suspect her pregnancy.
“I thought so too,” she said simply.
“Do you need me to get you anything?”
She shook her head. “I took something already,” she lied.
They cuddled on the couch, his arms wrapped tightly around her waist and she was content just sitting there, savoring his warmth. She only had tonight before he left for California for the rest of the week. She couldn’t wait until he got back from his trip to tell him, yet she was in no rush to have the conversation. This wasn’t something they’d planned and it certainly wasn’t something they had ever discussed. They often used protection, but their methods had clearly not been successful this time around.
She could only hope he would be happy to find out he would soon become a father. Maybe even offer marriage. It was old-fashioned of her, but she would like to think that he wouldn’t want to raise a child out of wedlock. They had never talked about their future in that regard since their relationship was still budding and she didn’t want to raise the subject prematurely. His parents, however, were married, although not quite happily, but Nate knew she valued stability and fidelity in a relationship.
“Nate?”
“Hmm?” he murmured lazily, rubbing his hands over her lower back. It felt nice.
She took a steadying breath. “Where do you see us five years from now?”
His slow movements stopped and his muscles tensed beneath her. After a short pause, he asked, “What do you mean?”
“I mean us, as a couple. Are we still together? Are we friends?” She hesitated before adding, “Are we married?”
He went rigid. The silence in the room was deafening. She pulled away from him and sat up to look at him. She wished she hadn’t. That cold, distant look was back in his eyes.
Her heart sank.
“Why are you asking me that?” he probed in a low voice.
The sudden change in him was alarming and for a minute, she didn’t know how to respond.
“I…I was just curious. You know I love you, and I want to have a future with you.”
He leaned forward and ran his hand through his dark hair. He didn’t look at her when he said, “I’m not marrying you.”
For a moment, Mia didn’t realize what she’d heard. Then his words sank in and a sharp pain pierced through her heart. He turned to look back at her and he must have seen the hurt in her eyes because his face softened slightly.
“It’s not that I won’t marry you,” he said. “I’m not marrying anyone. I’m just not the marrying type.”
“But I thought you…don’t you care about me?” She couldn’t ask him if he loved her. She refused to. If he did, it was up to him to tell her.
“You know I do. And I’m happy with how things are between us. Marriage will only mess things up. It certainly didn’t do any good for my parents.”
Mia looked at him searchingly, trying to understand the source of his bitterness. She didn’t know much about his family because he kept a lot of that to himself. From what Mia had gathered, his parents’ marriage had been one of convenience. Had they not grown to love each other? Nate had developed into a good man, with both his parents in his life, and she couldn’t understand why that wouldn’t be something good, something to vie for.
Besides, she loved him, and he had to love her too, so it would be different for them. Wouldn’t it?
“Don’t you want children?” she finally as
ked quietly.
“No,” he said without hesitation.
Mia looked away, her hopes and dreams shattering with that single word. How could they be so right for each other in every way but this? Tears gathered in her eyes, but she blinked them away.
“But what if I got pregnant?” she whispered, turning back to him.
Nate regarded her with flinty dark eyes. “I won’t be forced into marriage.”
She winced at his curt tone, then looked away. Mia took a deep breath and clenched her hands together to stop the trembling. Gathering her strength, she forced a strained smile on her quivering lips. “I would never force you to do anything you didn’t want to, Nate. And I certainly wouldn’t trick you into marrying me.”
She glanced over at him. His eyes were intense and fierce, but she held his hard gaze.
“So where does that leave us?” he asked quietly.
Mia stood up and went to grab his jacket. She was moving without feeling and grateful for the numbness that now encased her. She walked back to where he sat and held it out to him.
“Maybe we should take a break and think about what we want from this relationship.”
Nate looked at the jacket in her hand then back up at her. “So that’s how you’re playing it,” he said with a dry laugh. “I either promise to marry you or we’re through?”
“I’m not giving you an ultimatum, Nate. I’m giving you a choice.”
He bounded to his feet so fast she was startled into taking a step back. He grabbed her arm and drew her so close to him a pin couldn’t pass between them.
“Life’s not a fairytale, Mia,” he bit out inches from her face. “I’m not your Prince Charming and there’s no such thing as happy forever after. There’s only here and now.”
“It’s happily ever after,” she murmured absently.
