Chapter 6
SIX
DECLAN
For the past two month I’ve thought about Zoe so many times.
I’m making a fresh start. Why can’t that include the woman who turned everything upside down in Las Vegas?
I’d thought I’d be there to party, but instead I’d found an unforgettable woman—one I’m too chicken to call.
The simple reality is that I have nothing to offer her.
Sure, I have money, but a woman like Zoe deserves the world. She deserves a man who hasn’t had such a messy past—one who can commit to her and keep his promises.
I’m not sure I can be that man.
But oh how I want to be.
And the whole time Nikki’s been blowing up my phone. I get it. She doesn’t want to lose a client like me. Even as my career tanked, my paydays were decent enough. But I just can’t do it anymore .
I haven’t had a holiday in years. Although I’m certain I’m done, the least I need is a break.
When the phone rings, I blow out a long, frustrated breath. Nikki’s the only person who’s been calling, so when I pick up and see Zoe’s name, I arch an eyebrow.
I pause before tapping accept. “Hello.”
“Declan, it’s Zoe.”
“Zoe?” Gotta play it cool. “Las Vegas Zoe?”
“That’s me. Las Vegas Zoe.” She laughs.
Wait. What’s she calling for? It’s been … two months.
My stomach sinks.
She couldn’t be … could she?
“What can I do for you?”
“I’m coming to Los Angeles and I wondered if we could get together for a coffee? There’s something we need to discuss.”
Shit .
I’ve had this conversation before. She’s pregnant. Last time, I was so drunk I couldn’t remember fucking the woman claiming she was having my baby. It turned out that that was because I hadn’t. She was in the right place at the right time, but on that occasion I’d had too much to perform.
But because she ticked two of those boxes, I’d still had to go through the whole paternity test thing and wait to make sure.
This time I have a clear memory of being with Zoe. The way her body moulded to mine, her response to every touch, and the way she tasted. Also, the way we used protection—we were safe. I made sure of it.
“Sure. Text me the place and time, and I’ll be there.” I’m short with her—I know I am, but I’m not sure how to feel. Was this her plan all along?
“Thanks, Declan,” she says, and her voice sounds so sad.
I hate it when women cry—especially the ones I like. And yep, despite my inner turmoil, I like the woman. I can’t help it.
“Are you okay, sweetheart?”
There’s a pause before she responds, which makes my suspicions for why she’s calling a little more likely. “I’m fine.”
“Let me know when you get into town. I’m not working, so I’m free any time.” I want to see her—want to lay eyes on her again, and hear the words from her lips.
“Okay. Thanks. Talk soon.”
And then she’s gone, and I’m left in the quiet of this stupidly big house all alone in the Hollywood Hills.
I guess all I do now is wait.
Two days later, I get the text with a location, date, and time to meet Zoe.
I make sure I get there early, order coffee, and find the most discreet table I can see. It’s a booth in the corner—the table hidden from the large windows down the side of the coffee shop.
My jaw tics as I try and maintain my cool, watching the entrance to the cafe like a hawk.
I have no doubt what this is about.
Zoe knew that we weren’t a long-term thing—hell, we weren’t even a short-term thing. I haven’t exchanged numbers with anyone in a long time, but there was a connection there. Even if we’d only intended for it to be a one-night stand.
And even though I can guess what’s coming, I still catch my breath when Zoe appears in the doorway. She’s so effortlessly beautiful, even dressed down in jeans and a T-shirt, her clutch slung over her arm. Her gaze scans the cafe, and as soon as her eyes meet mine, she gives a slight nod and walks toward my table. She’s not timid in her approach, and by the time those long legs wrapped in denim make their way to me, I’m hard as a rock.
“Zoe. It’s good to see you.”
She smiles, but it doesn’t meet her eyes. I’ve seen enough smiles like that to know it’s for show. My stomach sinks as it becomes clear she wants to meet in public for a reason. My suspicion’s confirmed.
“You too. Thank you for coming.” Zoe sinks into the seat opposite. She chews her bottom lip, and it’s endearing. It brings a smirk to my face to think of how good it felt to have those luscious lips wrapped around my cock. She was beautiful that night, but sitting here all fresh-faced and looking innocent, she’s gorgeous.
I’d never seriously planned for it, but would she be up for round two?
“I remembered how you took your coffee in Vegas. White, one sugar.”
She nods. “Thank you.”
“You’re welcome.”
Just as she sits, the waitress approaches and delivers the coffee.
Zoe flashes her a smile, and I nod .
“Thank you,” I say as she places the cups in front of us.
Zoe waits a moment, fisting her hands and flexing them. “There’s no easy way to say this, so I’m just going to come out with it.” Her brows knit as she gazes at me. “I’m pregnant.”
Shit .
Here we go. Again.
The thing that comes with fame is that people will come out of the woodwork from all over the place to make claims on you. I’m not sure why, but I’d thought she was different. “Okay.”
“You’re the only guy I’ve slept with in the past six months, so …” She scratches her nails against the tablecloth, and it’s all kinds of distracting.
“What is it you’re after, Zoe? Money? I’m not interested in a family. And I’ll want a DNA test.”
Her eyes widen. “I think you misunderstand. I’m not asking you for anything. I don’t need it. I thought I should tell you because the last thing I need is some shitty tabloid somehow finding out the paternity of my baby and catching you by surprise.”
I think my dick shrivels up and dies. “Oh.”
She gives me a strained smile. “I mean, I’ll add you to the birth certificate if you want, and I’d never deny you being a part of your child’s life. But I’m not here for anything—I just wanted you to know.”
My heart’s in my throat. This isn’t how I’d thought this conversation would go at all.
Zoe picks up her coffee and takes a sip, closing her eyes and letting out a moan that would make the dead stand up and take notice. It ripples through my body and my cock, which was trying to hide after she told me she didn’t need me, is paying attention.
For years, I never wanted commitment.
Now I’m not wanted, I want more.
What fresh hell is this?
“This is good coffee.”
I blink twice and give my head a little shake to wake myself out of the trance I seem to be in. “Oh. Yes. I love this place.” I’ve never been here before .
Her lips curve into a smile. It’s a lot warmer this time. “I can see why.”
My head spins. I’m not sure what just happened. And I’m not sure I like it. Isn’t this what I always wanted—to be free of any responsibility? I’ve walked away from my career, and that was the last thing left.
Zoe’s having my baby, and she’s happy for me to walk away too.
The thought of that sits heavy in my gut.
I’ve been sitting with her for maybe five minutes, and my whole world has been turned upside down, and not for the reasons I’d thought.
I need to make conversation—need her to stay talking with me so I can figure this out in my head. “So, what is it you do?”
Zoe’s eyebrows rise. “It’s a long story.”
“We can order more coffee.”
She chuckles and shakes her head. “I think I’ll just have this one, but I’m open to a juice or something afterward. I’m trying to cut back on caffeine.”
I lean forward. “The baby?”
Zoe nods and shrugs. “I don’t know if I can give it up completely, but I can be a bit of a coffee fiend, and that has to slow down. Thankfully, this coming year is a lot less stressful than the past few have been, so that shouldn’t be hard.”
“Why so?”
She bites her bottom lip. It’s not fair. I’ve spent the past few weeks thinking about this woman—talking myself out of contacting her—and now she’s here and making me hard all over again.
“The short version is that I work in tech. I created a dating app which I sold a couple of years ago and now I’m working out the rest of my contract with the company. The more they integrate it into their system, the less I have to do.”
I cock my head. “Really?”
Her lips curl into a bemused smile. “You seem surprised.”
Shrugging, I take a sip of coffee. “It’s just not a story I’d imagine anyone hears often. That’s brilliant.”
“Thank you. I thought at the end of the year I’d need to work out what to do with the rest of my life. Looks like the universe decided.” She lets out a sigh. “I’m not sure what’s coming, but I hope you know that the baby will be well looked after.”
My throat tightens. This is the weirdest conversation I think I’ve ever had. While this isn’t the first time I’ve dealt with the pregnancy talk, this is the first time I’m being left out of it.
I’m not sure I like it.
What the hell is happening to me?
“Zoe. I …” What do I want? Do I want to take responsibility? Do I want her? I mean, I’d take her home in a heartbeat—if anything, seeing her dressed casually without a lick of makeup and her hair scraped back, is even better than the night we met.
She looks like … her.
Her blue eyes sparkle, and she tilts her head forward as if she’s waiting for me to continue.
“This is a lot to take in,” I finally continue. “I need a little time to process it and what it means.”
Zoe’s lips curl into a smile. “I can understand. It took me by surprise. I know we were careful.”
I nod.
She rises from the table. “Thank you for the coffee. You’ve got my number. Call me if you want to talk.”
Her hips sway as she swishes away, and I can’t take my eyes off her ass.
I’m not immune to her in any way, shape, or form.
What the hell do I do?