“Nico. Thank you for coming. Please, do come in.” She stood aside as he took a few strides past her and into her flat. Inhaling his scent, which she had grown to love, she gently closed the door behind him and tucked a strand of hair behind her ear.
“Amber, you said you needed to tell me something.” Nico was cool and professional as he sat on her sofa. She took a big breath, realising that he wasn’t going to make it easy for her. She sat down opposite him.
“Can I get you a drink?”
“Some water would be great, thanks.”
She felt his eyes burning into her back as he followed her movements around the kitchen. Unfortunately, just then a bout of nausea hit her hard, and she had to steady herself and take deep breaths to let it pass. Please, please, don’t let me throw up, she prayed.
Within a moment, Nico was by her side. He reached tentatively for her arm. “Amber, are you alright? You don’t look so good.” His concerned eyes betrayed his cool demeaner.
She smiled as the nausea thankfully subsided. “So I keep hearing.”
He looked confused. She took a sip of water. “Nico, I have to tell you something, but I need you to sit down, please?”
He went back to the sofa, and she slowly resumed her seat too.
“I figure this will never happen to me again in my life, so right now, I don’t care and I’m just going to put it out there, okay?”
He nodded slightly, frowning at the same time.
Her voice trembled. She took a deep breath and finally spoke. “Nico, I don’t know how to tell you this,” she paused, looking away, “but I’m in love with you. I know it’s too late for us as I realise I’ve totally messed things up. But I just wanted you to know that it was never you. It’s just me and my screwed up childhood that’s caused me to never trust or fall for anyone.”
“Amber—”
She held up her hand, pulling on her internal strength to get out what she needed to say. “Please Nico, let me finish or I’ll never get this out. I don’t trust easily, I thought I was happy, that I didn’t need anyone. But I have fallen for you, even though I’ve tried so damn hard to resist.” She held up her hand again, silencing him as she could see him begin to protest. “The thing is, and I completely understand that you no longer want anything to do with me, but I’m afraid we’ll always be connected.”
“I’m not sure I understand. What are you saying?”
“Nico, I’m pregnant. It happened after our first time together.” She paused, waiting for the news to sink in. “I guess your swimmers are extra strong or something.” She tried to make a light joke as she saw the shock register across his face. He sat back on the sofa and she could almost see the thoughts running through his mind.
Surprising her with his agility, he was up within a flash and sitting next to her, reaching for her hand. She could see his beautiful green eyes glistening.
“Amber, wow, this is a shock—”
She pulled her hand away. “Nico, please, you don’t have to feel obligated to me. I just wanted to let you know. We’ll be fine on our own. Please go back to your bachelor life. I’m not tying you down.” Her voice cracked as tears filled her eyes.
“Amber, would you stop rattling on and on and please give me a chance to speak, woman?” He pushed her hair back and took her face between his hands, holding it still as he looked her in the eye.
“Amber, from the moment I met you, you captured my attention and then my heart. You’re right, I do have a reputation, but half of what you read is made up. I’ve not dated one single woman since I met you two months ago. All my life, I have been driven to work, and I never wanted to settle down. That’s until I met you. You’re the most stubborn, frustrating and possibly the feistiest girl I’ve ever met.”
She narrowed her eyes at him as he offered her a wide smile in return. “But you are also the most beautiful, sexy and kind hearted girl I’ve ever had the pleasure to meet. My family and friends have completely fallen in love with you.” A few tears fell onto her lap as she lowered her lashes. She felt his fingers lifting her chin to look at him. “I’m in love with you too, Amber. I have been for the past two months, ever since we first met. I admit, I’m not perfect, and yes, I’ll probably screw up a good few times, but I’ll never cause to you to doubt your trust in me. Ti amo. I love you, Amber. I don’t think I knew how to live before you came into my life.”
Tears poured down her face, and she grinned widely, not quite believing what she was hearing. He placed his hand on her tummy. “We’re really having a baby?” His eyes glistened with tears and she nodded, her eyes filled with love. “I promise you, I’ll love and cherish you both forever. This is all new to me too, but I can’t wait to start our new journey together, carino. We’ll figure everything out. Just the three of us, okay?”
Amber flew into his arms, holding on tight as she completely broke down and cried. All the tension, worry, stress and disbelief from the last month seemed to finally lift off her burdened shoulders. She had never felt so loved and cherished in all her life as she did at that moment in Nico’s arms.
“Okay, Nico.” She sniffed, wiping her eyes. “You’ve got yourself a family.” She laughed as she pulled back to stare into his molten eyes. And then they kissed, his lips capturing hers with a searing kiss as the connection swelled between them, strengthening and bonding their love. Eventually, he pulled back as they caught their breath.
“You’re both mine, carino. Nothing or no one will ever tear us apart.”
She replied with a fierce kiss of her own, and Amber relished in the knowledge that whatever happened, it would be all right. Because, being here, in Nico’s arms, was so right and all that she would ever need. They would cherish each other forever.
Acknowledgments and More
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Also by Demelza Watts
Book 1
Coming soon at the end of June 2015….Mia’s Story - Desired: Love in London Series 3
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Cherished: Love in London Series 2 Page 9