The Fatherhood Affair
Page 13
He bowed his head, shaking it in hopeless anguish. ‘At the funeral, Anne wasn’t sobbing because she had lost Brett. Like me, she was overwhelmed by what happened. She didn’t want to be near me, any more than I wanted to be near her. The memory, the unforgettable memory of the consequences of our actions...’
‘But you’ve been in touch since then,’ Natalie said, sure in her own mind that it was no coincidence that Anne Smith had spotted her talent. ‘You knew about my publishing contract before I told you.’
She remembered how she had been going to surprise him with what she had done by her own efforts.
‘Yes, I knew,’ he said heavily.
‘How could you be so sure I’d go to that particular house?’
‘When you asked my advice on what publishers to approach, Anne’s company was head of the list. With the way we both felt, you would have got the contract regardless of what you submitted.’ An ironic smile lightened the strain on his face. ‘As it turned out, you are a top creative talent.’
‘And you are my very good friend.’ Natalie pushed herself out of the chair and went to him, falling on her knees and cupping his face in her hands, forcing him to meet her eyes. She hoped they reflected what was in her soul. ‘You did your best for me, Damien. You always did. You’re the best friend any woman could have. Don’t you think I realise that? Appreciate it? And love you for it?’
‘Natalie...’ A wild hope chased the anguish away. His hands swooped to grasp her underarm and lift her with him as he surged to his feet. ‘Natalie, Natalie...’ It was a breath of incredulous wonderment. His arms encircled her and crushed her to him, his mouth pressing hot, urgent kisses over her hair. ‘I’ll do everything in my power to make you happy. Anything...’
‘I want to make you happy, Damien.’
‘You have. I am.’
‘I have something to tell you.’
His mouth scorched down her neck and shoulders. ‘I love you, Natalie. I love you, and only you, and always will.’
His kissing stopped. His chest heaved against her breasts. He eased his embrace to look into her eyes, anxious not to make a mistake, hopeful that he had understood correctly. ‘I desire you. I long for you. I lust for you.’
‘So do I, for you, Damien.’
His face lit with joy and relief. ‘Everything’s all right.’
Before Natalie could take another breath, he had swung her around and was lowering her on to the sofa, naked desire blazing from his eyes.
‘Damien, you must listen,’ she half-protested, ‘or I’ll never get to tell you.’
‘We’ll be married...soon...’
‘Of course we will.’
He was opening the buttons on her blouse, caressing the soft swell of her breasts, flicking his tongue across her nipples.
‘Damien Chandler, if you don’t stop that...’
‘You’re enjoying it,’ he pleaded.
‘Of course I am. But I want your full attention. I want to see your eyes.’
He brought his face up close to hers. ‘Will this do?’
‘My instincts were right, Damien,’ she assured him, excitement dancing in her voice and manner at the prospect of the future they would share together, the family they would share together. ‘When we were at Merlinmist something happened.’
‘I know. I know,’ he said with a touch of impatience. ‘I remember vividly. But this is better, Natalie. Much better...’
‘Something important, Damien.’
His eyes were quizzical, searching. ‘What?’
‘I intended to tell you this morning.’
‘Don’t drag it out like this. Tell me, tell me...’
‘We’re going to have a baby,’ she announced on a deep sigh of satisfaction.
There was a mixture of awe and wonderment in his eyes. ‘A baby!’
‘Our child.’
His touch gentled, became almost reverential. ‘I love you, Natalie. With all my heart.’
‘I love you, too, Damien. With all my heart.’
‘A baby,’ he said simply, as if tasting the wonder of the word.
‘You’re going to be a father, Damien,’ Natalie said firmly.
A look of soft tenderness spread over his face. He smiled, a smile that shone with love.
‘You give me the gift of life.’
‘You’ve given it to me.’
The smile spread into a grin before he kissed her. ‘I’m going to be a daddy.’
ISBN: 978-1-4592-8462-3
The Fatherhood Affair
Copyright © 1995 by Emma Darcy
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