Reese Ryan - The Billionaire's Legacy

“Perhaps you should have a seat.” Worry lines spanned the doctor’s forehead as she indicated a sofa along the wall. She sat beside him. “Just take a deep breath. I realize this must seem very overwhelming, but everything is going to be fine.”

“Sorry, this is all kind of a surprise.”

“I know.” The woman nodded gravely. “Sloane explained the situation to me. I can only imagine what a shock it must’ve been. But the good news is, you have the opportunity to be there for the birth of your children. And you and Sloane still have lots of time before the twins are born to hash things out.” She looked pointedly at both of them in a firm but kind manner. “The twins are counting on you two to do that.”

“Will she be released today?” Benji wasn’t ready to talk about making nice. Not until he got some straight answers.

“I want to observe her for another hour. But as long as everything looks good, yes, she can go home. This isn’t preterm labor, but I still want her to take it easy.” The woman shifted her gaze to Sloane, and her tone and expression turned more serious. “Make sure she understands my instructions that she refrain from working. That includes not hauling groceries around. If she can’t comply with my limited restrictions, I’ll have to put her on full bed rest.”

“I understand,” Sloane said, her expression contrite. “I would never knowingly put the babies in jeopardy.”

“I know you wouldn’t, Sloane. But you’re carrying multiples. That makes everything a little trickier. So let’s err on the side of caution.” Dr. Carroll moved beside Sloane and squeezed her arm briefly before making a few notes on the tablet in her hand and checking the monitor.

“Any other specific things she shouldn’t be doing?” Benji was on his feet beside the doctor.

“Nothing strenuous. No lifting or high-impact exercise. Walking, swimming and gentle yoga should be okay.” She turned to Sloane. “But you should monitor how you’re feeling. Make sure there’s no pain or unusual discomfort.” She turned back to Benji with a sly smile. “And there are no restrictions on sex, within reason. If that’s what you’re asking.”

Benji’s cheeks heated and he sputtered, “No, that isn’t what I was asking.”

“Relax, Benj.” Sloane and the doctor were laughing. “I have no intention of jumping you when we get back to my place.”

Benji glared at her, not acknowledging her jab. He returned his attention to the doctor. “I was referring to the bump she took to the head. She passed out momentarily. Does she have a concussion? Will it impact the twins?”

“Relax, Mr. Bennett.” Dr. Carroll’s voice was patient and soothing. Like she was trying to convince a man in a straitjacket that he hadn’t been abducted by aliens. “She has a little knot there, but no concussion. We applied an ice pack to reduce the swelling. Something she should continue to do off and on this evening. But if she suddenly seems woozy or disoriented, by all means, bring her back.”

“Will the Braxton Hicks contractions always be this strong?” Sloane asked. Her voice was strained, the levity gone.

Benji quickly made his way over to Sloane and let her grip his hand. It seemed to ease her discomfort.

When he looked up at the doctor she was smiling, seemingly pleased by his instinctive need to comfort Sloane.

“If you stay hydrated, knock off strenuous activities and reduce your stress levels, hopefully they won’t be as intense. In fact, you might not feel them at all.” Dr. Carroll turned to Benji. “If they do become intense, give her fluids and get her to walk around a little. That should relieve them.”

The woman handed him a pamphlet from her pocket. “I went over this with Sloane earlier. It outlines the difference between Braxton Hicks contractions and preterm labor—which can be dangerous for the babies at this stage. Study it. Memorize it. We want these babies to gestate until at least thirty-seven weeks, if possible.”

“Benji doesn’t live here. He’ll be going back to Seattle,” Sloane interjected.

“No, I won’t. I’m not leaving your side until the twins are born. Not up for discussion,” he added, glaring at her again when she opened her mouth to object.

She snapped her mouth shut and rubbed her belly.

“Good.” Dr. Carroll nodded approvingly. “Because she’s been trying to do this on her own for too long, and I’ve been worried about her.”

Benji couldn’t help the twinge of guilt in his gut at the doctor’s remarks, despite the fact that he couldn’t possibly have known that Sloane was struggling through this pregnancy on her own. The guilt quickly turned to resentment.

He should’ve been there, and he would’ve been, if only Sloane had given him the courtesy of a single phone call or even a text message.

“All right, I don’t expect to see you again until your next scheduled visit at the office.” Dr. Carroll raised one brow at Sloane before turning to Benji. “Walk me out, Mr. Bennett?”

He followed the woman into the hall.

“I know you must be angry and that you have many questions for Sloane.” She pinned him with her piercing blue eyes. “I don’t begrudge you for that. But she doesn’t need any unnecessary stress. So keep that in mind as you search for answers and you two decide what comes next. Capisce?”

“Yes, ma’am.” He nodded, shoving his hands in his pockets.

“Good.” Her expression softened. She patted his arm. “Give her a chance to explain. And listen to all the things she’s afraid to say. She’s one tough lady, but deep down she’s terrified of going through this alone. So don’t let her fool you into believing that she doesn’t want or need your help.” Dr. Carroll reached out to shake Benji’s hand. “You two take care of each other and the two little people growing inside her.”

Benji sighed and nodded. “We’ll figure it out.”

When he returned to Sloane’s room, she immediately tensed, her eyes not meeting his.

Benji sucked in a deep breath and pulled a chair up beside Sloane. He sat back in the chair. “Okay, let’s talk.”

Two

Sloane’s heart felt as if it were beating out of her chest. And despite all the water she’d been made to drink in the short time since she’d been admitted, it felt like she was swallowing sand.

Her hands shook, and it took everything she had to maintain his gaze.

He was angry and hurt. Disappointed. In her.

So different from what she’d felt when she’d stared into those brooding brown eyes six months ago.

Her reasons for not telling Benji about the pregnancy seemed honorable and self-sacrificing when she’d made the decision to keep it from him. But now, faced with his resentment, they felt like cowardly excuses to avoid this very moment. When she’d have to face him again.

“I didn’t do this to hurt you, Benji. I honestly thought I was doing you a favor by keeping you out of the mess that I’ve made.”

“It’s not like you did this alone. I distinctly remember being there, too.” He folded his arms.

A wave of heat came over her and her nipples prickled with the memory of what had happened between them that weekend. How he’d made her feel.

“So why in the—” He drew in a deep breath and closed his eyes for a moment. She could swear he was counting to ten under his breath. Finally he opened them again and released a long sigh. “So why on earth would you think you needed to handle this on your own?”

“Because I’m not twentysomething anymore. I’m old enough to know better. I should never have gone to your cabin that night. Never let you kiss me.” Sloane shook her head, tears sliding down her cheeks. Damn hormones. She wiped away the tears with the back of one trembling fist.