Drawing up her shoulders, she turned around again and stared coolly at him. “If you think because we were once lovers that you can take up where we left off, you’re sadly mistaken.”

He blinked in surprise and then anger replaced the surprise. “God, Kelly. Do you think so little of me that I would try to force you into a sexual relationship when you’re pregnant and unwell?”

“You don’t want to know the answer to that.”

He swore long and hard. “What makes you think I would ever want to sample my brother’s secondhand goods anyway?”

She balled her hands into fists and forced a careless reply. “Well, since your brother didn’t mind, I assumed it was a family trait.”

His blue eyes became ice chips and his jaw twitched spasmodically. Then he spun around and disappeared into his bedroom, the sound of the door slamming reverberating throughout the apartment.

Kelly sighed and sank into a nearby armchair. What demon had forced her to throw more fuel on the flames she would never know. The need to defend herself had long since fled. He should have believed in her then. She didn’t really care what he chose to do now. The desire for him to stand behind her and protect her had fizzled when she realized that she’d never had his love or his faith.

God, what was she doing here? Just being in New York again brought back too many memories she would be better off forgetting.

Restless and sick at heart, she made her way back into the kitchen and took stock of the contents of the refrigerator and cabinets. Deciding that she had all the necessary ingredients for one of her favorite dishes, she began laying them out on the countertop. At least it would give her something to do and lunch would be taken care of. She’d always loved to cook for Ryan when they lived together.

“What the hell do you think you’re doing?” Ryan demanded, materializing out of nowhere and taking the pan she was holding from her. He steered her firmly away from the counter and back into the living room. “Sit,” he ordered once they reached the couch. He propped her feet up on the coffee table, placing a pillow under them. He stood back, his expression lacking the anger of just a few minutes ago.

“Maybe you didn’t understand the doctor’s orders. You’re to rest. Stay off your feet.” He enunciated each word in clipped tones as if he were speaking to a dolt. Well, that wasn’t entirely untrue. She was the biggest dolt in the world for getting caught up in this mess.

He seemed calm. And she was calm, too—at least for now. It was time to get things out in the open. “Ryan, we need to talk.”

He looked surprised and a little wary over her change in tone, but he sat down across from her and regarded her with open curiosity. “Okay, talk.”

“I want to know why you came to Houston.” She was careful to keep her emotions in check as she waited for his response.