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for the little guy.”
    Sophie felt touched at their pleas, but quite unmoved from her determination.
    “I truly appreciate what you guys are saying—but I’m quite happy here in the city. I have my own little apartment, and I have no intention of holding my child for ransom. You are all more than welcome to come visit at any time, I have a very comfortable couch, as Artemais is about to learn.”
    Sophie tried hard not to grin at the snickers and furtive looks all his brothers shot Artemais. He sighed stoically and tried not to rise to their bait. He simply raised an eyebrow in a manner that could only be called lordly and gave her a look . She had a sinking sensation that this man had no intention whatsoever of sleeping on her couch.
    An argument for a different time, Soph …she reminded herself.
    “Anyway,” she continued, determined, “the baby and I will certainly come out to visit you as often as possible.”
    Deciding the time for a change in the topic was called for, Sophie looked at each brother in turn, finishing with William.
    “What’s with this certainty everyone has that the child is a boy? Haven’t you heard genetics gives a 50/50 shot at gender being a boy or a girl.”
    William stepped forward, a mere breath away from her. Sophie wasn’t very intimidated, William didn’t emit any scary sort of vibes, but she certainly felt a little confused, having no idea what his intentions were. William placed a large hand over her stomach, pressing very gently.
    A little shocked by the intimate gesture, her eyes flew to Artemais. He merely smiled and nodded, obviously knowing what his brother seemed to be doing. Sophie, still unsure, tried to move infinitesimally away from the large man, but he held his other hand to her back. He in no way hurt her, he simply held her still and seemed to study inside her stomach, as if he could see or contact the tiny baby inside her.
    He seemed so somber and serious when compared to his feckless, carefree brothers; she hadn’t the heart to kick up a stink just yet. When he leaned closer to her, hand still gently but firmly pressed into her still-flat stomach, Sophie bent her head up, expecting him to kiss her cheek in welcome, as both Samuel and Dominic had. When William merely inhaled her scent, she was perplexed and getting a little scared.
    He moved back, but kept his hands resting where they were.
    “She definitely carries your child, Art,” he said in his quiet voice.
    Sophie took a step back, and William allowed his hands to fall back from her stomach and back. She wanted to question…to protest the strange actions, but before she could articulate any sound, Samuel and Dominic were whooping with delight and clapping Artemais on the back.
    She felt herself being lifted off the ground by William and swirled around in a circle. For the first time, she actually saw him smile—a huge, gorgeously brilliant smile that lit up his face and features. The man was totally beautiful when he smiled, and could easily rival his brothers with the ladies. After only seeing him somber and serious it came as a total shock to realize he was just as handsome, if not more so than his two younger brothers.
    For just a second, she idly wondered what made this man seem so somber. A split second later she realized trying to answer that question might integrate her with this family more. By trying to help them and learn more about their personal situations would make it even harder for her to stay strong and learn about Artemais and his family before committing to something permanent with them.
    As the knowledge registered in her brain, she decided to not question and pry. The thought of helping William, of trying to solve whatever dilemma dogged him persisted, but Sophie firmly squashed her instinct to try and help this man. His smile was truly beautiful, and for now, his being happy with her and Artemais’ baby was enough.
    Thank heavens he doesn’t smile that often , she thought, or else