Page 26 of Thin Lines (Donati Bloodlines 2)

Calisto didn’t know anymore.

“How is this pregnancy coming along?” he managed toask.

“So far, so good.”

It bothered him in a way he couldn’t explain that Emmawas pregnant with Affonso’s child. She was far too early in the pregnancy toactually look pregnant, but Calisto knew and that was enough to set his bloodon fire.

Jealousy compounded in his chest. His heart ached. Hisfingers itched with the need to wipe all his nonsense away. He couldn’t explainit, but he felt fucking awful.

Terrible, even.

What was worse, was the fact he still couldn’t look atEmma without seeing who he knew she was beneath her new last name and status. Shewasn’t just Affonso Donati’s pretty, young wife with no opinion to share andher fake smiles plastered on. She had fire. She had passion.

Calisto still found that he was ridiculously attractedto the woman, and that wasn’t okay. She still made his cock hard at night whenhe was alone. His memories of her didn’t do her any justice.

The real thing was far better.

Calisto swallowed the lump in his throat, and ignoredthe snugness of his slacks. It wasn’t the time. It was never going to be thetime.

Not again.

Then, he glanced at Emma in the passenger seat. Shewas watching him under her long lashes in that way of hers. Silent, unmoving,and sweet.

She knew he was remembering.

She had to know.

“Staying away didn’t help much, huh?” Emma asked.

Calisto cleared his throat. “I beg your pardon?”

“You heard what I said.”

He had.

“No, it didn’t help,” Calisto admitted.

“Shame. I hoped we could be friends, at least.”

Calisto didn’t know if that was possible. “Did it helpyou when I stayed away?”

Emma laughed, but it was strained and shallow. “Helpwhat? The difference between you and me, Cal, is that you had a choice in theend. You were capable of walking away. I was simply moved from one hand to thenext without a single say. There was no helping me. Don’t deludeyourself into thinking differently.”

“You’re right.”

And it killed him.

Emma rested back into the seat, and pressed twofingers into her temples. “I don’t know why, but I am exhausted.”

“I hear pregnancy will do that.”

“I suppose. But I feel like hell and probably looklike it, too.”

Calisto shot her a small smile. “For looking likehell, as you say, I think you look beautiful.”

Emma’s eyes snapped open and found Calistoimmediately. “Don’t do that.”

“Do what?”