His eyes narrowed. “You had no idea? So you’re telling me that when you spent the night with me you didn’t know who I was?”
Eyes wide, Erin shook her head. Now that he’d said it out loud it didn’t sound good at all. Sleeping with a total stranger? She cringed inside just thinking about it. How could she blame him for having a low opinion of her?
She could feel the heat of shame rush to her face. He would never respect a woman like her. How could he? She had absolutely no excuse except for the fact that the night he’d taken her to his villa Dare had so captivated her that she hadn't found the power to resist him.
Mortified, Erin could only stare up at Dare and what she saw in his eyes made her wince. Was it scorn or disgust that registered there? Either way Erin knew she was lower than dirt in his eyes.
“Why should I believe you," he grated, “when you all but threw yourself into my arms? Twice. Why would you have done that if you didn’t know who I was?”
“I don’t need to explain myself,” she said with far more bravado than she felt. “You wouldn’t believe me, anyway.”
“Try me.”
She opened her mouth to object but then she breathed a sigh. What was the use? She might as well lay all her cards on the table and then he could do what he wished. “The first time I was just going to ask you out…as a dare, to satisfy my friends. I slipped and that was when I grabbed on to you.”
“You weren’t trying to kiss me?’
“Absolutely not.”
“It sure looked like it.”
“Well, I wasn’t,” she said, glaring at him. He didn’t have to look so pleased with the idea. “And the second time, in the bar, it was pure coincidence that I bumped into you. I was trying to get away from a most annoying man and saw you as my means of escape.”
“Oh, so that’s all I was to you.”
“That’s all.”
“And the third time?”
"What third time?”
“Your going out on the date with me, then to the villa. What’s your excuse for that one?”
“I…” She swallowed. She had no idea how to explain that one away. Finally, she said, “You were the one who invited me.”
For a long time he stared at her then he spoke, his look enigmatic. “So it was.” He nodded slowly. “So it was.”
Now what did that mean? Did he believe her or was she still nothing more than a groupie in his eyes?
Well, groupie or not, Dare was here in her apartment, thousands of miles from his resort and his island, and she needed to know why. He’d certainly not come all this way out of love for her.
She was loath to broach the subject but since he seemed intent on skirting around the real reason for his visit Erin decided to take the plunge. She’d always faced her problems head on and she wasn’t going to stop now, even if it meant facing off with the lion in her apartment.
“Dare, I’ve asked you twice and you’ve not given me an answer. Why are you here?” She lifted her chin and looked him squarely in the eyes. “Is it because of the baby? You want to state your claim?”
Erin never saw someone’s expression change so fast. His frown disappeared. In his eyes was a look of shock that was like a slap to her face. He hadn’t known. Dare had not had any inkling that she was expecting his child.
“Baby? Are you…pregnant?”
Erin bit her lip and dropped her eyes. Goodness, she’d said quite enough already. Oh, Lord. She’d let the proverbial cat out of the bag and now she would have to face the consequences.
“Erin, are you pregnant?” This time his voice was stern but the shock was replaced by a calm that almost seemed more dangerous. “Tell me.”
She swallowed but still she could not speak. Neither could she look in his eyes. She did not want to see the condemnation there. This was her baby, and no matter what she would not feel shame for carrying this life inside of her.
In the end, she just nodded.
He expelled his breath. “And the baby is mine?”
Erin’s eyes flew to his and her mouth fell open in shocked anger. “Of course it’s yours. What? Do you think I make it a habit of going around sleeping with different men?”
“How should I know?” His retort was quick and brutal. “You fell into bed with me easily enough.”
“Do you know what? Just leave my apartment. Get out before I call the police. I don’t need to stand here taking your insults.” She marched over to the door and flung it open. “Leave. Now.”
Dare gave her a lethal look then strode toward her. As she stepped back he gripped the door and slammed it shut.
Erin gasped. Who did he think he was? “What are you doing? You’d better go."
“Listen to me,” he said through clenched teeth, "you can’t drop that bombshell and then expect me to walk away simply because you tell me to. I need to know. Are you expecting my child?”
“Yes, Dare, I’m expecting your child as I think you already know." She practically spat the words at him. “But never fear. I don’t expect a thing from you. I’ve already made arrangements for the baby so don’t feel you have to contribute anything. And,” her voice rose and she pointed an accusing finger at him, “if you came all this way to try to convince me to get rid of my child you can just turn around and go right back to Santa Marta because it’s not going to happen.”
“Get rid of…what the hell?” Dare raised his hand and she flinched but he simply raked his fingers through his hand. There was a look of confusion on his face. “I don’t understand. I used protection every time.”
Seeing his bewildered state Erin softened just a little. “They’re not one hundred percent guaranteed. You should know that.”
“Yeah, I do, but I thought they’d have been good enough for one night.” He shook his head. “And you’re not on the pill?”