“It’s just… It’s just some stuff I put together for you. For when…for when the baby comes.”

“Why would we need to use a day care? Or hire a nanny? Aren’t you going to breastfeed?”

She wrings her hands. “No, I wouldn’t. I’m not going to be around after the baby comes,” she says in a clear voice. I cannot be sure, but I think I heard sadness in her words.

“And why not?” I snap.

“I told you, I don’t…I don’t want to be a part of this baby’s life.”

I hear her words. I do. But I have a hard time associating them with her. I remember the way Brooke’s eyes lit up when she got her first glimpse of Daisy. Even though she refused to hold her, I wrote that off as her not feeling well.

“Why not?” My voice is rough and curt.

“I just don’t, okay?”

“What kind of answer is that? This is a child were talking about Brooke, not some pet or hobby. You can’t honestly be so selfish and callous.”

Her cheeks flush with anger, but it is nothing to the anger I am feeling.

“I am aware that it’s a child, Landon!” she snaps. “Maybe I just don’t want to be a part of your life anymore, ever think of that.”

“You would give up your child because you want to get away from the husband that you blackmailed into marriage for?”

I cannot fathom what she is saying to me. I scrub my hand through my hair. I am so tired. It took me forever to go to sleep last night. Every time Brooke so much as twitches last night, my anxiety flares up, wondering if she is still breathing. It seems like I had just fallen asleep when I woke to the sound of retching in the adjourning bathroom.

“Blackmailed?” She sounded shocked.

“Yes, blackmailed. Did you think I married you for love. Let me tell you something, Brooke, my heart didn’t pound when I first saw you and you certainly didn’t take my breath away when you walked down that aisle.”

I do not know how I ended up standing in front of my desk. Or when she stood up meeting my glare, but we are suddenly very close to each other.

“You bastard. It’s not as though you get my heart racing either.”

“Oh really? You’re going to sit there and tell me I don’t rev your engine?” I lean in closer to her. “I’ve felt your pussy squeezing around my cock, Beagchaithnini sneachta.”

She flushes again and opens her mouth to release another heated retort. But I do not give her the chance. Instead, I reach out and wrap my arms around her waist, tugging her to me, my lips smashing against hers in a heated kiss. I probably should not have done it considering how angry I am but seeing her stand her ground had me horny as hell. I put all my anger into that kiss, shoving my tongue through the slight opening between her lips, fucking her mouth. And she gave as good as she got, reaching up and digging her nails into my chest. I push us back a step, trapping her between me and the desk.