“I’m not getting too much sun, and it has nothing to do with the pregnancy, I just don’t want you to touch me.”

“Well, you certainly didn’t mind my touch five minutes ago, Beagchaithnini sneachta.”

“Well, now I don’t, so let us just forget that happened. It was just a lapse in judgment anyway.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?” he snaps.

I sigh. “Nothing. I don’t want to fight. I just want to be alone right now.”

“Brooke—”

“Hello, anyone home?” Jared’s voice calls out.

Landon closes his eyes and clenches his jaw. When he opens them again, they’re devoid of any emotions.

“We’re not done discussing this,” he commands then turns to go find out whatever his friend wants.

CHAPTER 16

Locked Door

Landon

“The copter is ready, sir.”

I gave a slight nod acknowledging the man. I am sure I have been told his name but could not remember. My only thoughts were of Brooke. Brooke, who I left at home, alone, again after her weird behavior. Jared had some intriguing information on Arnold Macintosh that turned out to be a wild goose chase, sending me chasing this lead and that across Europe. I have gone home three times and left in the past three months, following his every move, trying to catch him red-handed. However, he was annoyingly law-abiding about everything, no matter how sleazy his actions were. I am back to square one.

I cannot get Brooke’s parting words out of my head.

*****

We had just sat down for dinner and Brooke was avoiding all contact, tucking her arms in on herself so she will not accidentally brush against me, head tilted down slightly to discourage eye contact. “Did you and Sonia have a nice visit?”

A nod.

“I’ve an unexpected business trip tomorrow.”

Brooke stilled at my words but said nothing.

“I don’t know how long I’ll be gone. I’m hoping it will be short, I know you have another doctor’s appointment coming up.”

Silence. Trying to push back my irritation with her, I tried again for conversation. “We get to find out the sex of the baby this time.” Brooke was well into her second trimester now. But with her complications, we decided to wait to find out the sex of the baby.

Another nod. I clenched my fork. I took a breath, but before I could speak Brooke shocks me with her question.

“You’re not intending to come to my room tonight, are you?”

Lust heats my blood at the thought. Brooke’s body has only improved with her pregnancy. Her curves becoming lusher, gaining weight in areas that seemed too thin before.

“What if I am?” I questioned, testing the waters.

Her spine goes rigid. “The door will be locked.”

Indignant, I asked. “You would refuse your husband his marital right?”

“I’m already pregnant, Landon.” She said.

I snort. “You think that’s the only reason I would, how did we put it, ‘love and cherish you’?”

Her cheeks went red with anger. “Do not pretend false intentions. You’ve only ever touched me for one reason.”