LITMIR.BIZ

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crept over her, and she lay back, closing her eyes. She felt disgustingly weepy. This was so far removed from the way she’d dreamed things might be one day. In her more sane moments, she’d accepted the fact that she’d probably never marry, never have someone she could absolutely trust. Trust just wasn’t in her makeup. And yet, it hadn’t stopped her fanciful daydreams of a strong, loving man. Someone who wouldn’t abuse her trust. Someone who would love her unconditionally.

      “It won’t be as bad as that,” Piers said gently as he took her hand in his once more.

      She opened her eyes to see him staring intently at her.

      “All right, Piers. I’ll marry you,” she said wearily. “But I’ll have conditions of my own.”

      “I’ll provide a lawyer to represent your interests. He can look over my part of the agreement and advise you accordingly.”

      How sterile and cold it all sounded. More like a hostile business takeover than a marriage. A delicate shiver skirted up her spine and prickled her nape. There was no doubt that she was making a mistake. Perhaps the biggest mistake of her life. But for her child, she’d do this. She’d do anything. From the moment she discovered she was pregnant, her child became everything to her. She wouldn’t lose her daughter. If she had to marry the devil himself, she’d grit her teeth and bear it.

      “How about I choose the lawyer and have him bill you,” she offered sweetly.

      To her surprise he chuckled. “Don’t trust me? I suppose you have no reason to. Of course. Choose your lawyer and have him send me the bill.”

      Her eyes narrowed. He was positively magnanimous, but then he could afford to be now that he’d won.

      “Is there anything you need? Anything you’d like me to bring you?”

      She hesitated for a moment. “Food.”

      “Food? They don’t feed you here?”

      “Really good food,” she said hopefully. “I’m starving.”

      He smiled, and she felt the jolt all the way to her toes. Damn the man for looking so disgustingly appealing. She didn’t want to be attracted to him anymore. Her hand smoothed over her belly in another silent apology. She didn’t regret a single thing about their night of passion, but it didn’t mean she wanted to dwell on it forever.

      “I will see what I can do about getting you some really good food. Now, get some rest. I’ll be back after a while.”

      As if she would rest now that he’d arrived and turned her life upside down.

      Then he surprised her by leaning down and brushing his lips across her forehead in a surprisingly tender gesture. She held her breath, enjoying the brief contact. As he drew away, his fingers trailed down her cheek.

      “I don’t want you to worry about anything. Just rest and get well and take good care of your…our daughter.”

      He seemed to struggle with the last as if he was making a concession to her claim, and yet, he looked grim. Maybe he had no wish for children. Tough. He now had a daughter, and he might as well get used to the idea.

      He gave her one last look and then turned to walk briskly from the hospital room. When the door shut behind him, Jewel let out her breath in a long whoosh.

      Married.

      She couldn’t imagine being married to such a hard man. She’d had enough hard people in her life. Emotionless, cold individuals with no heart, no love. And now she was consigned to a marriage that would be a replica of her childhood.

      Her hands rubbed and massaged her swollen belly. “It will never be like that for you, sweetie. I love you so much already, and there’ll never be a day you won’t know it. I swear. No matter what happens with your daddy, you’ll always have me.”

      Chapter Six

      “I’ve done a terrible thing,” Piers said when his brother, Chrysander, muttered an unintelligible greeting in Greek.

      Chrysander sighed, and Piers could hear him sit up in bed and fight the covers for a moment.

      “Why is it becoming commonplace for my younger brothers to call me in the middle of the night with those exact words?”

      “Theron messed up lately?” Piers asked in amusement.

      “Not since he seduced a woman under his protection,” Chrysander said dryly.

      “Ahh, you mean Bella. Why do I imagine that it was she who did the seducing?”

      “You’re straying from the topic. What is this terrible thing you’ve done, and how much is it going to cost?”

      “Maybe nothing. Maybe everything,” Piers said quietly.

      A curse escaped Chrysander’s lips, and then Piers heard him say something to Marley in the background.

      “Don’t worry Marley over this,” Piers said. “I’m sorry to have disturbed her sleep.”

      “It’s too late for that,” Chrysander growled. “Just give me a moment to go into my office.”

      Piers waited, drumming his fingers on the desk in his hotel room. Finally Chrysander came back on the line.

      “Now tell me what’s wrong.”

      Just like Chrysander to get to the point.

      “I had an affair—a brief affair, a one-night stand really.”

      “So?” Chrysander asked impatiently. “This isn’t new for you.”

      “She was my new assistant.”

      Chrysander cursed again.

      “I didn’t know she was my assistant until she showed up for work. I had her fired.”

      Chrysander groaned. “How much is she suing us for?”

      “Let me finish.” This time it was Piers who was impatient. “I didn’t intend to fire her at all. I asked my human resources manager to transfer her, or promote her or pay her for her entire contracted term, but he only heard the get rid of her part and fired her. She disappeared before I could remedy the situation, and I wasn’t able to locate her. Until now.”

      “Okay, so what’s the problem?”

      “She’s in the hospital. She’s ill, she needs a surgery…and she’s pregnant.”

      Dead silence greeted his announcement.

      “Theos,” Chrysander breathed. “Piers, you can’t let this happen again. Last time—”

      “I know,” Piers said irritably. The last thing he needed was a recap of that disaster from his brother. It was bad enough he’d been made a complete fool of, but his brothers had witnessed the entire debacle.

      “Are you certain the child is yours?”

      “No. I’ve asked for paternity testing.”

      “Good.”

      “There’s something else you should know,” Piers said. “I’m going to marry her. Soon, as in the next few days.”

      “What? Have you lost your mind?”

      “Funny, that’s what she asked me.”

      “I’m glad one of you has sense then,” Chrysander said heatedly. “Why on earth would you marry this woman when you don’t even know if the child is yours?”

      “It’s amazing how the tables have turned,” Piers said mildly.

      “Don’t even start. I heard the same thing from Theron when he was so set on marrying Alannis. Never mind that I was right about what a disaster that would be. You two warning me about Marley was an entirely different situation, and you know it. You don’t have a relationship with this

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