"Understood. Thanks."
"Don't I have any say in this?" Stacey was mortified to think these two were in cahoots against her. She didn't want to talk to him alone. Being so close to him did too many things to her body, things she would rather forget.
"No." They both spoke in unison and Nigel shut the door behind him.
She turned her head away and looked out the window at the skyline letting the soothing colors of the sunset calm her.
"Look, we have to talk and now is as good a time as any."
She glanced back at Morgan, ready to fight, her calmness disappearing in a flash.
"Fine, have your say and get out."
His mouth tightened and he breathed deeply.
"Is that my baby?"
Stacey swallowed and looked at her linked fingers. She ran a nail over the inside of her palm watching the blood leave a pale line on her skin.
"Yes."
"You told me you were protected. Did you lie or was this some miraculous accident?"
"I, um I stuffed up. Look, I made a mistake in my calculations okay. It wasn't on purpose believe me." She risked a look at his face and saw the raised eyebrows.
"Morgan I would never bring a child into this world without giving it some serious thought." She leaned up on her elbows and when her head was clear, pulled herself into a sitting position tucking her legs underneath her.
"I was as shocked as you are, I promise. But in saying that I've come to terms with the fact that I have a baby on the way. I do not and will not ask for anything from you because this was my decision, to keep her."
"Her. You know what you are having?"
"Yes I do. Morgan, I don't care if you walk out of here now and never come back. Your choice entirely, alright? Just don't go giving me any crap about getting pregnant so I can trap you, that kind of speech is just utter bullshit."
"So you say now, but you wouldn't be the first woman to try and trap me for my bank account."
"Shit you really do have it bad, don't you. Where the hell did you find such a big bloody ego?"
He growled, stood up, walked over to the window looking out. Turning back toward her, he leaned on the frame. "So, if I asked you to, you would sign a paper saying you want nothing from me, ever?"
"If that's how you want it, it's all yours. Just tell me one thing."
"Here we go. What do you want?"
"I want to know why you said you would get in touch and never did. You already had me in bed, you didn't need to say that. What happened?"
He looked out the window and closed his mouth.
Stacey sighed. It was as she thought, he must've decided she wasn't good enough.
"I can't tell you. There is nothing I can say to make you believe me anyway."
"Yeah, probably. I'd rather you keep your mouth shut than tell me any more lies. How come you never told me who you were and why you were really here?"
"I wanted to see the place for myself without anyone knowing. It was easier."
"Must have been a bit of a buzz hey, seeing all the places you are going to ruin and my dreams for the town. I bet it was a hell of a laugh for you."
He looked at her not saying anything.
She swung her feet over the edge of the bed and stood up.
"Don't you think you should stay lying down for a while?"
"No, I've got things to do. I'll grab something to eat and I'll be fine. Look Morgan, it's not your problem, okay? You do your job ruining my little town and I'll do mine keeping Pop's pub going with your tainted money. If we can keep a civil tongue with each other, I will be happy."
"I want you to take care of yourself Stacey. The last thing I want to do is cause you any pain."
"Yeah well, you should have thought of that before you took over the lease then."
Stacey held her head high and walked to the door, aware of how close he was behind her. There was nothing more she would like to do than turn around and rip his shirt from his chest and push him into the shower for some dirty hot sex. It would ease an incurable itch but she would feel guilty in the morning. Losing her head a second time over Morgan would be no good for anyone. She had to hang onto the little bit of pride she had left.
He walked her down the stairs and stayed with her until she went into the kitchen. "I'll have the office call you about the extra workers tomorrow." He looked over at Nigel. "Feed her something will you mate, she claims that's all that is wrong with her."
Stacey watched him turn away and head up to his room. She wasn't aware she was drooling over him until Nigel commented on it.
"Since you mouth is hanging so wide, perhaps you should do as he suggests. Sit down and let me get you something to eat my love."
"Nigel, stop it." The heat flooded her cheeks but he just laughed at her.
"I can see right through you honey. You still have the hot's for the man even though he is being a first class dick. Can't say I blame you though, he is pretty good looking and did you see the way he filled out those jeans, oh my my. No wonder you fell so hard for him."
"I did not fall for him. An accidental pregnancy and love are two very different things."
"Honey girl, I may be gay but I'm not blind. You are so stuck on that man it hurts my eyes. Now, eat this up and I'll make you a cup of tea." He pushed a plate of cold chicken and salad in front
