Alina brushed away tears he hadn’t realised he’d shed. Touched his cheek. A new softness shone in her beautiful eyes, curved in her smile. However deep she’d buried her maternal instincts, it wasn’t enough. The natural mother he suspected her to be was going to surface, no matter how hard she fought it.
His mouth felt dry, his chest tight. His heartbeat powered up. Whether because of their baby or her it didn’t matter. From this moment they really were a family. The voice in his head was telling him to somehow keep it that way.
‘Okay, Mum and Dad, I’ve got the information I need.’
Ethan blinked as the monitor clicked off. Over already? He wanted to watch longer, see more.
‘Check with the receptionist for your photos and DVD.’ The technician handed Alina a box of tissues. ‘Good luck. I might see you when you come in again.’
Ethan took the tissues and began to wipe off the gel, desperate to be physically involved, not wanting to come down from his euphoria. He concentrated on her stomach, absurdly self-conscious after revealing a side of him few people had ever seen.
Coward. He’d said thank you—a pathetic reward for the miracle she’d brought to him.
Throwing the tissues in the bin, he turned to meet compassionate violet eyes. A deep yearning, alien to his normal awareness, flowed through him. Along with the desire to cherish and protect as long as he lived. He shook with its intensity.
‘Ethan, are you all right?’
Her fingers rested on his arm. For her a friendly gesture. For him, much more.
‘Better than I’ve ever been.’
He smoothed her top down and helped her from the bench. Kissed her tenderly until he ran out of breath, needing her gentleness, her sweetness. Her.
‘Let’s go home, darling.’
* * *
After an early lunch Ethan drove to his parents’ home alone, psyching himself up for the confrontation. He’d always been the mediator, acting as a buffer for others. Not any more. Today he was the activist.
His parents’ judgemental nature along with their unachievably high standards had caused so many problems. He was convinced their agreement to Louise’s marriage had been motivated only by the idea of hosting a flash high society event. It was their interference that had motivated the newlyweds to move to Barcelona. Now they’d gone he had no one else to champion. Except the quiet beauty he’d left alone in their apartment, and the grandchild he might inform his parents was on the way.
He walked round the house, growling in frustration. It was ridiculous that their offspring had to use the front door like guests once they’d left home, that he had to ring the bell even though they must know he’d arrived. His greeting to his father was polite, yet clipped, the reply mundane.
‘This must be important, for you to take time off from work. Is it something to do with the estate?’
As expected, no welcome.
‘No.’
He walked straight to the lounge. His mother sat in her chair, perfectly groomed. Just once he’d like to see her in casual clothes, with mussed-up hair. His thoughts flew to the heart-warming image of his wife in the blue chainstore outfit she’d worn at their first meeting.
‘Good afternoon, Mother. I won’t be stopping. I have an appointment.’
To take my bride on a honeymoon I hope will bring us even closer than we’ve become.
She frowned at his lack of physical greeting. He compared her barely touching air-kiss for Alina with the loving embrace he’d received from Jean when they’d met. Didn’t feel the slightest guilt.
‘Good afternoon, Ethan. Is there something wrong?
His father was now seated in an armchair. There was no mention of that disastrous visit, nor the fact that there’d been no further contact until yesterday morning, when he’d phoned them. They’d never deign to make a conciliatory move, and he was only here for Alina’s sake.
He took the settee, placing a long envelope on the coffee table.
‘I have something to tell you prior to an official announcement. If you don’t approve, that’s hard luck. It’s a done deed.’
They both stiffened. He paused. This was for his sister, his friend. Their baby.
‘Alina and I were married yesterday evening.’
‘What?’ His father sprang up.
‘Sit down, Martin.’
Sophia’s curt tone had its effect. He obeyed, glaring at his son. She continued, her censure radiating through the air.
‘Is this some sort of warped joke because you took umbrage at our concerns over her background? I know application forms need to be lodged a month before, so...’
‘It was done. We had a quiet wedding, with friends as witnesses.’
His mother went rigid, unusually lost for words. It was his father who spoke.
‘Really, Ethan. We coped with immature dramas from your sister. Never expected any from you. You’ve always been practical and reasonable—’
‘Maybe too much so,’ Ethan cut in brusquely. ‘I lost precious time with Louise and Leon because you would not accept they were meant for each other. Time I’ll never get back now they’re gone.’
Dismissing the protests that erupted from both of them, he leant forward, balanced his elbows on his knees and clenched his hands together.
‘I love Alina.’ Not a lie. It wasn’t the same as being in love. How could he not love someone who’d given him the most priceless gift he’d ever have? ‘And anyone who upsets or disrespects her will be out of my life. I don’t give a damn what people think or say. Accept it or not—she’s my wife, my priority.’
He waited, quite prepared to walk out. The looks they exchanged didn’t faze him. He didn’t care what explanation they gave their social acquaintances for his hurried secret wedding. Their society image mattered only to them. Tragedy had taught him that there were far more important things in life.
His mother finally found her voice. ‘How are we supposed to explain this rushed event to our friends?’
All they cared about was how it would affect their image. He almost laughed out loud—couldn’t remember when he’d last heard genuine amusement from either of them. Alina had a quiet sense of humour, enjoyed quirky comedies, and encouraged him to see the fun in them too.
‘That’s not my concern.’ He flicked the envelope with his finger. ‘This is a copy of the notice that will be placed in the paper on Saturday, plus a list of friends and relatives whom I will inform later this week. I would prefer you to wait until then to tell anyone else. We’ll be away on our honeymoon until Sunday, so I’ll only be answering urgent calls.’
‘What about the Starburst chain?’ His father sounded shell shocked.
‘Under control.’
‘I see. As usual, you’ve covered everything.’
He wasn’t fooled by his mother’s resigned tone.
‘Will we see you when you return?’
He hesitated. Dared he trust them around Alina, especially as her pregnancy would soon be apparent?
‘That depends on your attitude. Our baby’s due in October.’
Ignoring their gasps and aggrieved expressions, he stood up.
‘I’m happier right now than I have ever been in my life, and thrilled that my wife is carrying my baby. Anyone who isn’t can just stay away.’
He said goodbye soon after, breathing a sigh of relief as he went through the gates. He ought to feel guilty for the subterfuge. Instead his head was filled with Alina—her beguiling smile, the way her violet eyes revealed her emotions. Her extraordinary courage.
My wife. The simple yet profound phrase kept repeating in his brain. As he drove, singing along off-key with the radio, he felt giddy and irrationally happy. He was going home to claim another long kiss, as sweet as the one they’d shared before he left.
‘TURN RIGHT IN four hundred metres. Clifftop Lane.’
Ethan obeyed the GPS instruction, grateful for the hassle-free drive. He pulled up in front of a white weatherboard house, switched off the engine and checked the time.
‘Twelve minutes short of the two-hour estimate. You feeling okay, darling?’
‘Apart from needing to stretch. This car rides much smoother than most of the vehicles I’ve travelled in.’ She opened her door.
He was there to help before her foot touched the ground. Arching his back, he drew in a deep breath. ‘Ahh...’
Alina followed suit. ‘Eucalyptus. Invigorating! True Australian aroma.’
His heart sang. Could she look any more beautiful, any happier? ‘Shall we take a look inside?’ He jingled the keys he’d picked up on the way through Katoomba.
‘Can we go for a walk first? I’d like to see the sun set on the mountains.’
They walked along the path behind the house. Through the trees they saw glimpses of brown, green and gold against a darkening blue sky, dotted with pink-tinged clouds.
‘Picture-perfect.’ Alina sighed, stopping to implant it into her memory.
‘I agree,’ Ethan replied, ignoring the scenery and embracing her from behind. He trailed soft kisses over her neck, revelling in the way she quivered with each one. Trembled himself when she twisted round, wrapped her arms around his neck and pressed her lips to his.
He inhaled the spring essence that was Alina. Fought the craving to show her how much he wanted her. His heart pounded into his ribs. And darn near exploded when her lips parted, inviting more intimate contact.
Without hesitation he accepted, loving her with his tongue, aligning their bodies with pleasurable strokes of his hands, letting her know how blatantly he was aroused. His world shrank to the two of them. It was all he needed, all he desired.
Alina arched into him, letting his heat simmer through her, returning his kiss with a passion that shook her. Her anticipation had been building since they’d arrived, diminished by the expectation of guilt. When it hadn’t come, she’d pushed the boundary by kissing him.
Danger signals abated to an almost inaudible buzz. Painful consequences were a long way in the future. For the moment she was caught in the now. Yearning overrode everything, holding the darkness at bay.
Necessity for air broke them apart. The transparent desire in Alina’s eyes told Ethan all he wanted to know.
He swung her up, cradling her close to his chest. ‘Mine.’ Hoarse with emotion.
‘Yours...’ Hot. Breathless. Murmured into the skin above his polo shirt.
He strode back to the house, king of his universe.
* * *
The sun’s rays teased Alina’s eyelids open. She blinked, snuggled further under the cover, trying to recapture the magic of her dream. Reached out for...
Her eyes flew open.
She was cradled by a solid wall of naked muscle, moving to a gentle rhythm. Warm breath tickled her earlobe. Firm fingers lay on her hip. A delicious glow spread from her core to every extremity at the memory of Ethan’s ardent lovemaking. She turned over to look at him.
Ethan. Her husband. Her lover. Her lips curled as she recalled the tension in his muscles as he’d held his own need in check, caressing and soothing her until her barriers had finally exploded in a fiery burst of passion.
A wave of shyness engulfed her. He was a mature man who’d made love to many women. She’d only known the gentleness of first love before. Ethan had awakened the woman in her, freed her heart. But did he want it? Swearing to care for her and protect her was an abyss away from loving her.
He made a low contented sound in his throat, rolled onto his back and arched. Lazy cobalt eyes opened, widened. His lips curled in a slow, satisfied smile that held such tenderness it tugged at her heart.
‘This is the perfect way to wake in the morning.’
He reached out for her, covering her mouth with his, his tongue tempting her lips to open for him. How could they not when she’d hardly recovered from the dizzy heights he’d taken her to during the night? In this big bed that she’d never forget.
‘Ethan, I...’ Where were coherent words when she needed them? ‘Last night I...’
‘Last night was more than I’d dreamt it would be...so much more than I’d fantasised.’ He stroked her tousled hair, tangled his fingers through her curls. ‘Promise me you won’t regret what we shared. I sure as hell won’t. Never. Not for a second as long as I live.’
Alina yearned to drown in the dark blue pools of his eyes, longed to share it all again now. Couldn’t say the words.
Ethan ached to make love to her again, but saw the confusion in her bemused violet eyes. Knew he’d have to wait. Knew he’d have to find the right moment to tell her he wanted to make this marriage real in every way. Wanted her to always be his wife.
‘Go shower.’ Sometime soon he’d share one with her. ‘I’ll get breakfast, then we’ll go sightseeing.’
She nodded, shuffled to the edge of the bed and hesitated. He smiled, loving her shyness even though she’d been married before. Was married now. He couldn’t contain his chuckle as she shot from the bed. Paid for it as his body reacted to the sight of her running naked to the en suite. Pulling on his boxers, he headed for the kitchen, planning their day, their evening. Their night.
‘Ethan!’
The panic in her voice froze his blood, sending him racing for the bathroom, his heart pumping. A heart that screeched to a halt at the sight of her huge frightened violet eyes. He dropped to his knees in front of her, hunched forward on the toilet lid, wrapped in a white towel, her arms clasping her stomach. Dragged her to his chest, fighting his own gut-wrenching fear.
‘Alina, darling—tell me. What’s wrong?’
She shuddered. A pain-filled cry jarred against his bare skin. ‘It h-h-hurts. In my stomach—’
Her stuttering stopped with a sharp sound that cut through him.
For a second his mind went blank, refusing to process the horror her words evoked. Then it cleared. Alina needed a practical, take-action man. Lifting her as if she were delicate china, he carried her to the bed, brushing his lips across her forehead. Telling her everything would be all right. Silently cursing the fates for putting her through more torment.
Grabbing his mobile, he opened Alina’s unpacked suitcase, rummaging for underwear and a dress with one hand, thumbing his phone with the other. He wrestled into the jeans and polo top he’d worn on the trip and slid on his sneakers one-handed, holding the phone to his ear with the other.
His answers to the operator’s questions were clear and precise. Details could wait. Alina was frightened. His heart wrenched every time she shuddered and cried out. Their tiny baby might be in danger. He didn’t dare think beyond getting them to the hospital—thankfully not too far away.
With a plan in action, he helped Alina into her clothes. He murmured reassuring phrases he’d never be able to recall, trying to ignore the resurging irrational fear gnawing at his insides. He told them both how cherished they were. He couldn’t, wouldn’t lose either of them. They were so close to becoming a family, and he’d fight like hell to keep that prospect attainable.
* * *
True to the operator’s word, a medical team and trolley were waiting at the emergency entrance of the hospital. They whisked her away, leaving him to find a place to park.
Walking through the front doors, he was confronted with corridors, signs, and not a trace of Alina. Now she and their baby were in good care his composure crashed. His life, his future, was somewhere in this building and he wanted to be close to them.
He needed them. They needed him.
* * *
There’d be a path from his prowling back and forth worn i
nto the waiting area if they didn’t come for him soon. How far away was she? Had she asked for him?
He repeatedly checked his watch, matched it with the clock on the wall, tensed when anyone in hospital garb walked in.
The guilt gnawing at him now was worse than he’d felt after Louise and Leon had died. This time he’d been actively to blame. Last night when Alina had welcomed him with kisses and caresses he’d loved her with a passion that had shaken him to his core. Emotions he’d have claimed not to be any part of him had surfaced, taking them both soaring to the edge of ecstasy and tipping them over.
This was his fault. That book said sex was safe after the first trimester as long as there were no problems. He hadn’t considered that there might be. He slammed a fist into his other palm. Prayed to all the gods that anyone believed in not to let Alina suffer another loss.
‘Mr James?’
He swung round and locked eyes with a man who hardly looked old enough to be an intern.
‘I’m sending your wife for an ultrasound and she’s asked for you to be with her. This way.’
They fell into step and he continued. ‘The physical examination shows nothing wrong. There’s no bleeding, and your child’s vital signs are strong.’
Ethan’s brain filtered out whatever came next. Tension whooshed out of him, leaving him loose and vulnerable. Nothing wrong. Strong vital signs. Their baby was a fighter. It didn’t lessen his culpability.
‘Doctor, last night we made love. Could that have been the cause?’
‘Alina told me. It might have some bearing, maybe not. Even if the ultrasound shows all’s well I’d like to keep her in at least overnight, so we can monitor them both.’
‘Do whatever’s necessary to keep them both safe.’
* * *
Ethan sank into a chair in the private room, his eyes glued to the monitor recording their baby’s heartbeat. He tried to swallow the lump in his throat as he watched that life-affirming pulse—faster than his, normal for an unborn child.
Bound by the Unborn Baby Page 16