Why isn't Kirk up here as yet? He's supposed to be my knight in shining armor dammit!

I grimaced at the brothers who individually gave me stares of anger and pity. Pity was placed on Falcon's features as he said, "I apologize for my brother's rash behavior. You see, he's not thinking straight, and seeing you once more after all these weeks has caused his brain to short circuit."

"Clearly," I muttered glancing away. Then I said, "But he has no right to try and control me. Kidnapping is against the law."

"And so is prostitution." He pointed out dryly.

I blushed hotly at the snide but truthful remark and glowered at him. "What's it to you? For a man who's pointing out the forbidden, you're quite indulgent in it. If I do remember correctly, you offered to pay me a shit load of money for my ass."

His irritation visibly showed as his nose flared and his jaw ticked.

I snorted. "Hypocrite."

"This conversation is pointless!" He threw his hands up and paced the room.

"Brother relax," Falcon tried to calm him.

"I cannot!" He whipped around to face his brother. "He's sick, and instead of seeking my help, he wants to quarrel instead. He's such a cantankerous man!"

I bridled at his description of me. I'm a cantankerous man? So what is he? A humble bunny? And not all bunnies are humble.

Despite nausea rising in my stomach, I swallowed it down and shot back, "You caused this! You planned this from the start!"

"Asche..." Falcon warned, giving me a look of unease.

"If I'm sick, it's only because of his sly doing. There's no way that I'm going to take the blame for all of this!"

Nausea crept back to the surface.

"You took my money and ran away!" He accused, hotly.

The atrocious feeling traveled up and lodged in my throat but I carried on, unaware of the blanching of my face.

"You deserved it!" I told him, feeling my head swing.

Falcon gasped and before I could grasp the situation, I was falling forward. But before blackness consumed me, I saw him move with supernatural speed to catch my descending body.

***

My eyes fluttered open slowly and I blinked several times as the blurriness in my vision cleared out.

The first thing my eyes captured--or the first one--to be exact, was his stunning face and crimson eyes that were flooded with worry.

I made to sit up but he gently pressed me down by my shoulders. "Rest." He commanded sternly.

"What happened? Did I faint?" I asked, my voice raspy with sleep.

Raw emotion flashed on his features, softening the usual hard expression forming on his handsome face. Why is he staring at me like that?

I felt a pang of unease as I wasn't used to this side of him.

"You did." His voice was tight as he regarded me with those smoldering eyes. "Do you know that you frightened me greatly? This is why you shouldn't be alone, your health is at risk. Asche, please, let me take care of you. My worries will be no more if I can be close to you and my unborn child."

Guilt washed over me at his pleading. I'm a horrible person. Worried lines creased his face as his stare lingered intensely. He's obviously concerned about me. I can literally see and feel his genuine feelings for me but I shut them out. Humans are great vessels to hold lies and deception.

He desires to be there for this baby and I kinda made me bask in joy and dread altogether. There are two meanings to his plea: one, he's a great man and two, he's never letting me go. I know how these millionaire men function.

However, deep down inside, I was salivating at the offer. No more selling my ass, I can bathe in loads of money. My child will never need for anything and plus, my college fees will be paid in full. I can also go back to school.

But, just to test the waters, I said instead, "What if I said no?"

His expression darkened with hurt and frustration. He was about to object but I placed a finger on his lips. "I'm just asking for asking's sake."

"You're mine." He growled out. "I won't let you escape me again. You're carrying my heir, someone special as well as yourself. Don't you want to be showered with my love? I can give you all that you desire, Asche." He promised, taking my finger and swirling his tongue around it, gently sucking it so sexually.

My cock jerked awake and I felt for the first time, my baby stirring in my stomach.

"The fuck!" I yelped, pulling my finger away and clenching my ass tightly and the weird feeling. His teeth scraped it as I tugged it free.

Why did I clench my ass?

"What is it? What's wrong?" He questioned with a startled look.

"The baby moved. It moved!" I curled up against the headboard, feeling strange. The sensation was unexpected and weird. Like a butterfly fluttering in my stomach.

A smile spread on his face and he reached out to touch me but I pivoted away and shook my head 'no'.

"Asche..." His eyes glazed over with hurt.

"I'm not normal. I'm going crazy," I began to hyperventilate. "I don't think I can do this."

"Asche, my liare, just breathe." He soothed, keeping his distance. "Remember you don't want to put the baby under stress. This is a precious miracle that you're carrying."

"Precious to you!" I broke out into a sob. "I can see you had planned this all along. And what is my liare anyway?"

I heard him said that earlier but I was too angry to pay it any mind. But I'm slightly calm so now is the time for him to translate for me.

"It means love. My love." He said softly.

I stilled. My love?

Is that what he considered me as?

Men and women tend to use that word carelessly. I've been a victim of that powerful yet devastating word that crushed my hopes of ever loving someone or accepting someone's love in return.

***