His heart lurched. She looked so good. The sundress she wore showed a hint of cleavage and hugged her body snugly to the waist, then flared over her hips. Her chestnut-brown hair flowed over her bare shoulders in cascading waves, shimmering in the late afternoon sunlight.
“Del, I’m sorry to show up unannounced but … I didn’t know where else to go. I just got in the car and started driving and then wound up here.”
The anxiety in her sky-blue eyes sent dread rushing through him. She’d driven two hours to get here. What the hell had happened to upset her so much?
“Come in, Abi.” He took her arm and guided her into the house then closed the door.
“Tell me what’s wrong.”
“I…”
He watched as her eyes filled with moisture, her lip trembling. His chest clenched.
“I’m pregnant,” she said.
Shock jolted through him.
Tears spilled from her eyes and she dashed them away. “I’m sorry, I’m sure you don’t want to hear about my problems after what happened. The fact that I’m carrying Liam’s baby. Again. I just—”
Fuck!
“Are you going back to him?” he asked, his jaw clenched.
She shook her head. “No. I can’t.”
* * *
Abi was sure that he’d send her away, but she really hadn’t known where to go. She didn’t want to discuss this with her family. Not until she knew what she was going to do. They all meant well, but she didn’t want to be pushed in a direction she didn’t want to go.
To her total shock, Del stepped close and pulled her into his arms, then took her lips. “I love you, Abi. Whatever you need, I’m here for you.”
Her eyes widened. “You love me?” Her words were a mere breath.
“Ah, damn. I didn’t mean to blurt it out. I—”
The doorbell rang and he drew back.
Her heart sank as he backpedaled. She wanted it so badly to be true.
“I ordered pizza. Are you hungry?”
“Um … yeah.”
“Okay, you go sit down and relax.” He turned her toward the couch, then walked to the door.
She fidgeted as he paid for the pizza then set it on the coffee table. A moment later, he returned from the kitchen with plates and cutlery, then made a second trip for glasses and a pitcher of water.
He served her up a slice, then poured water for them both.
“Look, I didn’t mean to—”
“Say you love me,” she interjected, her chest tight. “It’s okay.”
He took her hand and drew it to his lips, then smiled before he kissed the back of her hand. Tingles danced along her skin.
“Oh, no. I meant it when I said I love you. I have for a long time.”
Her eyes widened. Could it really be true? This was what she’d wanted for so long.
“What I meant was, I didn’t mean to say it so soon and spook you.” He squeezed her hand gently. “I know you want to explore where our relationship might go, but you probably need time. It’s just that when I realized a baby is on the way—”
She surged forward, her arms flying around his neck and she kissed him, her lips pressed firmly on his as she held him tight.
Then his arms came around her and he deepened the kiss, his tongue gliding into her mouth, his lips moving on hers with passion.
When they finally separated, she gazed into his warm, olive-green eyes glittering with gold flecks.
She stroked her hand along his stubbly jaw. “I love you, too.”
Ever since she’d met Del, she’d known he was special. Even though he hadn’t allowed their relationship to go beyond friendship, she’d fallen for him. Not with the same white-hot flame she’d felt with Liam from the start, but with what she felt was a deeper, more reliable kind of love. His strong, steadfast presence had been her salvation during the most difficult time in her life after losing the baby and then the slow death of her marriage.
He was someone she could depend on.
She could trust his love.
He smiled. “Abi, I know we’ve never even gone out on a date, but we know each other better than most couples do. I’ve been by your side through joy and despair. I’ve been your friend, and I want to be your lover.”
He shifted from the couch to the floor, resting on one knee. Her breath caught as he took her hand in his and brought it to his mouth, then kissed it lightly.
“And even more, I want to be your husband. And the father to your baby.”
Then he gazed deeply into her eyes.
“Will you marry me?”
“I…” She sucked in a breath, then shook her head. “I can’t.”
* * *
All Del’s hopes came crashing down around him. He thought he would finally be able to have what he’d been dreaming of. Abi. As his wife.
“Oh, no,” she cried. “I don’t mean because I don’t want to. I mean because I’m still married.”
She stroked his cheek, then her soft, velvet lips brushed against his, tempting and tender.
“I can’t believe you asked me, and I love you so much,” she said. “I want to marry you. But the divorce isn’t done and I don’t know when Liam will sign the papers.”
“So if you were free right now, you’d say yes?” he asked, relieved.
But she didn’t answer right away.
“Abi?”
“I…” She took his hand as she bit her lip. “Del, I love you. I really do, but I did that once before. Married a man because I was pregnant.”
“This is different.”
“No, it’s not.” Her hand fell to her stomach. “This might not be your baby, but you’re still asking me because I’m pregnant. If I weren’t, we’d start seeing each other, get to know what we’re like as a couple. Get to know each other in a romantic relationship. Take one step at a time, instead of rushing straight into marriage.”
“But if we’re in love…”
“That’s Liam’s argument.”
“But you’re not in love with Liam.” At the look in her eyes, he stopped short. “Are you?”
Then he realized
