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It was a struggle for him to give me the option to deny his request, and I couldn’t help the surge of emotion that flooded me. I’d done my best to protect myself from falling for him, but it was impossible to deny the feelings I had for Leo. Even knowing what he was involved in couldn’t keep me from admitting I was in love with him.
Leo was everything I’d ever wanted.
“Okay.”
We were interrupted by the waitress bringing our food. As important as I knew the conversation was, when the scent of the food hit me, I had no choice but to dig in.
I moaned at the first bite of gyro meat and seasoned rice. It was perfection.
Glancing up, I saw Leo smiling at me. Shaking his head, he chuckled before lifting his own fork.
“I’ll send you a list of doctors in the area and let you pick who you’d like. Just let me know when your appointment is, and I’ll make sure I’m free.”
A wiggle of worry caused my throat to close on the food I was trying to swallow. I had to take a drink of my water before I could speak.
“I’m not sure if my insurance—”
I was on government assistance, and the doctors who accepted it were few, and overbooked. It was possible I wouldn’t be able to get in with any of them for a few months.
“I’ll take care of the cost. Don’t let that be a factor. Choose anyone you want.”
Once again, too many emotions tangled together. It was a hit to my pride to know I needed what he was offering, but I was relieved I wouldn’t be limited to the government clinics. The cost of the medical care I’d need over the next few months had been a major worry, and despite Leo claiming he’d take care of everything, the concern over it had lingered. I felt like I was taking advantage of him by making him pay for my care, but I knew he had the means, whereas I didn’t, and I’d always been picky about my doctors. Allowing him to cover the cost would let me choose a better clinic with more openings. This situation was far more personal than going in for a cough, and gratitude flooded over everything else.
“Thank you,” I whispered as I ducked my head, blinking back tears.
As delicious as the food was, my stomach soured with the rollercoaster of emotions. I didn’t like the uncertainty that had grown between us, and I knew I was the one that put it in the way.
Leo’s fingers slipped under my chin, raising my head until I had to look him in the eye.
“I’m going to take care of you, Cadence. You’re mine, this baby is mine, and I promise you’ll have everything you need.”
The tears spilled over as my lips trembled.
What I needed was him.
To know he would always be there.
But that wasn’t something he was capable of giving me.
Chapter Eleven
Leo
Iknew Cadence was struggling with what was happening, so I tried to bury my excitement about the pregnancy. I’d worried she would tell me she didn’t want the baby, or didn’t want me involved, but I should have known she wouldn’t make that choice. Family was everything to her.
I doubted she realized the way her hand moved to her stomach, cupping it protectively. I’d been prepared for the worst when I came to her office to talk to her, but I was glad she seemed to be fighting herself less. She was as drawn to me as I was her, it was only a matter of time before I could convince her to take the last few steps for us to be together.
My mother had been ecstatic at the news when I’d gone over to ask her advice on how to approach Cadence. My Blossom’s refusal to talk to me over the weekend had twisted me up so much I’d taken Roderic’s car so she wouldn’t recognize it, and parked on the corner down the street so I could watch her house. I’d only left for necessary trips to grab coffee and relieve myself, and I’d collapsed in bed when I finally went home after she’d left for work. I almost hadn’t woken up in time to make it to the office to take her to lunch.
Mother assumed since Cadence was pregnant there was nothing standing in the way of us getting married and mating, but the look my father had given me let me know he wasn’t convinced. I knew I’d have to deal with him soon enough and put my foot down over the Dimitri issue.
Standing and moving to Cadence’s side, I pulled her up so I could wrap my arms around her. She needed the comfort, and I needed to feel her against me. I didn’t care who saw as I stroked her hair and pressed a kiss to the top of her head, purring until the sobs eased.
Releasing her when she tried to pull away, I noticed her glance at the clock and realized we were out of time. She hadn’t finished her meal, so I had the waitress bring us a box as I took care of the check.
Cadence remained quiet as we left the restaurant. I knew she would need more time to accept everything, and there was no reason for me to push her when she was facing so much. As much as I longed to mark her as mine, I needed to wait for the right time. Too much too soon would send her running.
I also needed to figure out what to do about her family. She’d told me about her father dying when she was younger and her mother’s mind slowly slipping from the strain of a broken bond, but I was more worried about her younger brother. Michael could make things difficult for Cadence, and she didn’t need the guilt and worry it would bring if he didn’t accept what was between us.
