Lured (Team Zero #1) - Rina Kent Page 0,46

is showing more now. Town folk and my colleagues are starting to give me the looks.

Screw their judgy eyes. I’m almost twenty-one and old enough to make my own decisions.

My own parents are so cool about my pregnancy. Maman even cried in joy when I told her the news. She keeps stuffing the house with baby clothes. Papa sat me down and talked to me one on one. He always did that.

He told me he’d support me in any decision I make. Then, he offered to fly to England and bring me the father on his knees. I refused.

I don’t want Dominic to know. I have no doubt that he’d take responsibility, especially considering that he had no parents. But I won’t tie him down after he bluntly kicked me out. I’m not having this baby to score him or anyone else. I’m having this baby because I fell in love at first sight when I saw that image – that looked like a tiny alien on the monitor – and heard that maddening heartbeat.

Dominic has nothing to do with my decision. I miss him — to freaking death. He ruined me to the point I have no emotional room to let any other man in, but he’s also the one who pushed me away.

I feel bad for hiding his child from him, but screw him. He took something more precious from me. He took my body, my heart, and my soul and then left me as an emotional wreck.

I’ll never be the same easy-going albeit nerdy Camille anymore. He reshaped my world and then threw me away as If I were insignificant.

I only have myself to blame, though. I knew he’d break my heart and still offered it to him on a golden platter.

Maybe when I’m less bitter, I’ll consider telling him that he’s a father.

I open my notebook and go through my notes for an upcoming test. Studying and going through pregnancy can be challenging as hell, but I’m not the giving-up type.

Through my second read through, footsteps sound from behind me. I turn around, expecting to find Papa.

The notebook falls from my hand.

Dominic.

I blink. Once. Twice. But he’s still here.

This isn’t a dream.

He’s in a pressed navy blue suit that outlines his broad shoulders and gives him a ruggedly handsome look. His hair is shorter on the sides now, but it’s still long in the middle.

He’s looking at me with that calm expression, but there’s no hollowness this time. No ulterior motive to hurt and push me away. He seems uncertain but also tired.

Dominic is here.

My heart flips in anticipation and happiness. The need to run into his arms is so strong, I can barely contain it.

But… screw him.

The bastard kicked me out. He broke my heart until I could no longer gather the pieces. Who does he think he is to show up unannounced in my sanctuary? Not one or two or even three months after. It took him five whole months. It’s been freaking 153 days.

Not that I’ve been counting or anything.

His gaze dips to my belly, and he pauses. I can see that calculation in his eyes, then the recognition. He stares back at my face with awe like the asshole is actually happy that I’m pregnant with his baby.

I pick up the notebook, place it on the rock and stand up. It takes effort but my voice comes out calm. “The baby isn’t yours. I’m not crazy enough to carry your seed.”

This is only payback to what I’ve been going through since he hurt and pushed me away.

“Liar.” He approaches with steady but somehow careful steps. When he’s right in front of me, his lips curve in a genuine, heart-stopping smile. “Your heart and I are best friends and both of us agree that you’re lying through your teeth, Cam.”

Tears spring to my eyes even when I try to rein them in. Stupid hormones.

All the feelings I’ve been suppressing shoot to the surface. I’ve been so miserable and now that he’s here, it’s making me a mess.

I push at his chest with both fists. “You kicked me out, Dom! You can’t do that and then come here after whole five months and expect me to jump into your arms. That’s not how it works.”

There’s a pause before he says in a quiet tone, “You think I wanted to part from you? I’ve been going fucking crazy without you, but I had to make that decision.”

“Why? Just tell me why!”

His dark eyes meet mine,