Part 18 (1/2)

'Then?' He shook his head. 'Surely you can understand what it was like? I was inundated with people who required my decision about this, my signature on that. I wanted to speak to you. Dear heaven, I wanted to see you. But my life was not my own.'

She nodded, 'I understand.'

'Do you?'

'I think so.'

'So-why did you not return my calls?' persisted Demetri.

stroking her gently. He looked down at her a little pensively. 'Do you know, I think you have put on a little weight?' He smiled, 'It suits you.'

'That's good.' Joanna drew a breath. 'Because there's a reason for that, too.'

Demetri frowned. 'Too?'

'I-wanted to get in touch with you,' she confessed hus kily.

'But-it was difficult.'

'Difficult?'

'I'm pregnant,' she said hurriedly. 'Now do you see why I didn't return your calls?'

Demetri stared at her, feeling as if his breath was trapped somewhere in the back of his throat. 'Pregnant?' he echoed incredulously. 'You are pregnant?'

'Yes.' She licked her lips. 'You're not too shocked are you?'

Demetri didn't know how he felt. Shocked, certainly.

Exhilarated, amazingly. But mostly relieved. So relieved. He'd thought for a moment that there was something wrong.

'I cannot believe it,' he said, staring at her helplessly. His eyes strayed to her b.r.e.a.s.t.s, still swollen from his lovemaking, to the gentle swell of her stomach, now so understand ably rounded.

She was expecting his child.

'But you don't mind?' she probed anxiously, 'I mean, I know it's not what you expected-'