His heartbeat stalled and he tipped up her chin, searching her blue eyes.
“Yes, kitten?”
She sucked in a breath. “I think I started to believe it.”
His heart swelled as joy swept through him.
But then he realized it wasn’t happiness reflected in her eyes, but caution.
“I suppose I always knew you loved me but I … just didn’t want to believe it.”
Shock jolted through him. “Why, baby?”
She bit her lip. “Because it was easier to believe that you never really loved me. Because if you did love me … really love me…” She drew in a slow, quivering breath. “How could you have left me all alone to deal with the pain?”
Her lip trembled and she gazed at him with such intense sadness his breath locked in his lungs.
She shook her head. “Maybe love isn’t enough.”
* * *
Oh, God, Abi was right. Liam realized he’d been fooling himself all this time.
And being incredibly selfish. He loved her, yet he’d abandoned her in her time of need. Only worrying about himself and his pain.
So despite the fact he loved her, and she loved him … Maybe love wasn’t enough. Maybe he’d blown it so completely they could never turn things around.
His heart ached at the thought.
She drew away from his embrace and, heedless of his presence, stripped off her pajamas and donned a sundress, then left the room. He showered and dressed, and then he went downstairs and poured himself a coffee. Del walked into the kitchen.
“Something happen between the two of you last night?” Del asked. “Abi looked pretty upset when she came down and she went straight out for a walk along the ocean.”
“I didn’t push her into anything if that’s what you’re asking,” Liam said tersely.
Del rested his hand on Liam’s shoulder and squeezed. “I know.”
Liam’s gaze shot to Del’s.
“Don’t look so surprised,” Del said. “Despite the fact we’re competing for the same woman, you’re my friend and I know what kind of man you are. And despite the fact I want to be the one who wins her, I hate that that means you have to lose her.”
* * *
Abi walked back to the villa, dreading seeing Liam again. When she’d told him that maybe love wasn’t enough, his eyes had filled with a pain so deep and devastating, it tore at her heart.
She stepped onto the wooden deck, then went up the steps to the stone patio. Del was lying on one of the lounge chairs facing the pool.
“Have a nice walk?” he asked.
“Yes, thanks.” She glanced at the house. “Where’s Liam?”
“He’s out. He changed tomorrow’s meeting to today.” He sat up and pushed down his sunglasses, gazing at her over the rims. “Abi, you know if you want to talk, I’m happy to listen.”
She slumped down on the lounger beside him.
“Did you two have a fight?” Del asked.
“No. In fact…” She gazed at him, chewing on her lower lip. “I’ve finally come to believe that Liam really does love me.”
She saw Del’s expression crumple. The anguish in his eyes almost rivaled the pain in Liam’s eyes earlier.
Almost.
“I seem to be taking quite a toll on the two men in my life this morning,” she said.
“I assume that means you’ll go back to Liam, because we both know you’re totally in love with him.” Del’s hands tightened into fists. “I don’t know why I ever thought I had a chance. Especially now that you’re carrying his child.”
“Well, you see, that’s the thing. Even if he does really love me, and that means he has all along … that didn’t stop him from withdrawing when I needed him most. What if I lose this baby, too?” She sucked in a breath at the pain digging through her. “That in itself would be hard enough. On me … and on Liam. But if Liam were to abandon me emotionally again…” She shook her head.
Del took her hand, cradling it in his bigger one.
“I need the man I love to be someone I can depend on. Especially in the most difficult moments.” She turned her head and lost herself in his warm, olive-green eyes. “Like you.” She squeezed his hand. “You’ve always been there for me.”
He pushed himself forward and knelt beside her, drawing her into his arms.
“And I always will, sweetheart. No matter what happens.”
* * *
Liam had said not to expect him back until after dinner, so Del did his best to entertain Abi all afternoon. They had a nice lunch, then had the chauffeur drive them around the island.
“The island really is gorgeous,” Abi said as she gazed out the window at the tall palm trees sprouting from flat, grassy terrain, with white sandy beach and the beautiful aquamarine ocean beyond. The sunlight glittered on the water as they passed luxurious resorts on the beach and beautiful luxury homes. As the road curved around a large bay, white boats with brightly colored sails dotted the water.
Abi rested her head on Del’s shoulder, and all Del wanted to do was go back to the villa and spend time with her alone.
She smiled at him. “Why don’t we tell the driver we’re done and want to go back?”
He grinned. “Are you reading my mind?”
She laughed. “No. Your eyes. It’s clear as day what you want.”
“And what’s that?”
She shifted a little closer and took his hand, then brought it to her mouth. The soft brush of her lips against his skin filled him with intense need.
She smiled wider and rested her hand on his chest. Then she slowly ran it downward. Traveling down his ribs, over his stomach then …
“Oh, God, Abi,” he choked as she caressed his swelling cock over his shorts.
She stroked it, then squeezed lightly.
He grabbed her hand and held it still.
“Do you really think we should be doing this here? The chauffeur and the others believe you’re Liam’s wife. Fuck, what the hell am I saying? You are his wife.”
“But the driver is on that side of the dark glass divider and we’re on this side.”
She tightened her hand around him and stroked. Fuck, he
