That was not happening. If Carter had to pick her five-foot-nine-inch ass up and carry her over his shoulder, he would do precisely that. “What the hell were you doing out this late?”
She was matter-of-fact. “You’re talking as if I owe you an explanation. I don’t.”
“Why must you always be so difficult?! I’m trying to do the right thing and look out for you.”
Harlem stomped over to him and got in his face. “I am not your responsibility!” Her anger was over the top. “If I wanted to go to the store because I have a craving, it’s MY fuckin’ business! You don’t have a say.”
A nurse stepped into their room. She whisper-yelled, “Please! Lower your voices. We have other patients here.”
Harlem was embarrassed. She could not believe she allowed Carter to bait her into acting outside of her body. The man drove her crazy. She didn’t owe him an explanation. Harlem didn’t owe him anything.
Her emotions were all over the place. Harlem guessed her hormones were the reason she was on the verge of crying. It would make sense after being roughed up pretty badly by the carjackers. Would it have been so bad if I lost the baby? The thought popped into her head out of nowhere. Well, it wasn’t exactly out of nowhere. Harlem was still struggling with the idea of being pregnant and what to do about it.
Carter felt like the biggest asshole. Harlem had been through hell and was now staring at him with glassy eyes that were now more green than their typical gold and brown color as she fought back tears. He’d only ever seen her cry twice, and tonight was the second time. Unfortunately, he was responsible for both. This was where he needed to be sensitive. “Listen, if—”
Harlem glanced away because she would not lose it in front of Carter. She did her best to hold it together.
“If you need anything.”
“I don’t.”
“But . . . if you did, or you have a craving any time of the day or night, please call me.”
She glanced down at the floor. “Why would I do that? You have your life, and I have mine.”
He didn’t understand why he couldn’t get through to her. “I’m trying to be here for you.”
“I’ve already told you a million times that it’s not your job. You’re not responsible for me.”
“C’mon, Harlem. You’re pregnant with my baby.”
She reared her head back as if he’d slapped her. Harlem’s face turned ashen. She swallowed hard a few times before she could get her voice to work. It took a moment, but when she was finally able to speak, her words dripped with barely contained rage. “Don’t you ever say that! Ever.” She enunciated each word through clenched teeth. “This is not your baby. It’s his.”
Chapter 3
Harlem almost ran out of her hospital room to get away from Carter. Her face was still hot from their exchange as she pressed her cheek up against the cool glass of the emergency room doors.
She could sense him the moment he walked up and stood behind her. And as much as Harlem wanted to get into the Uber that had recently pulled into the circular drive, she couldn’t. It wasn’t safe.
Carter figured he’d given her enough time to calm down. Harlem had been through a lot. Not just tonight but over the past couple of months. He understood the root cause of her outbursts. But DNA didn’t lie. No matter how much Harlem may not have wanted him to be the father of her baby, no matter how much he may not have wanted it . . . he was.
Carter meant what he had said. He hoped Harlem would see reason, but if she didn’t, he was fully prepared to follow-through on his promise of carrying her out. Carter cleared his throat. “You ready?”
Harlem inhaled long and deep. She didn’t say a word. She couldn’t. Instead, Harlem pushed off the glass and started to walk out of the door. Quietly, Carter gave her some space as he followed a few steps behind.
She turned slightly and spoke over her shoulder. “I need to tell the driver.”
“I’ll do it.” Carter went over to the only car in the circular drive. He talked to the driver and tipped him a hundred-dollar bill. Carter then made his way back over to Harlem, and they walked to his car.
They didn’t speak the entire ride to her place. It was the longest twenty-three minutes of Carter’s life.
He pulled into the parking garage of Harlem’s condo. As they came closer to her designated parking area, the sound of her voice broke through the silence. “Take my spot.”
Carter did as she asked and maneuvered his car to where she had requested.
“I’ll walk you up.”
Harlem wanted to pull out her hair from frustration. She had been confined long enough with Carter Owens. “It’s not necessary. There is on-site, twenty-four-hour security in this building.”
Carter wasn’t about to argue. It was late, and he was exhausted. Instead, he just got out of the car. Then, came around to Harlem’s side and opened her door. She was slow and moved like a robot. It was clear from her body language that she was stiff, possibly from the carjacking altercation. Like the stubborn woman he’d known her to be, Harlem wouldn’t lean on him for support. Carter would be there just in case. He wondered if she would ever forgive him.
Each step towards her condo felt heavy as they walked to the elevators and finally to her front door.
Harlem pulled out her key. “I’ve got it from here.”
“Just let me check—”
Her voice was strangled. “Carter, please.”
He
