LITMIR.BIZ

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who simply nodded. “I just want to get this all out so there’s no confusion as to where I stand and what’s going on.”

      Mia wanted to throw up. Undoubtedly Bronson would start the same song and dance she’d heard the past two days about “if” the baby was his. No matter how harsh those words sounded and how she hated him for saying them, she knew he was just as scared as she was.

      “I will assume this baby is mine for now,” he went on. “But we will get a DNA test to determine the father.”

      “I never agreed to that,” she piped in. “You assumed I would, but since I don’t want your money, it’s a moot point.”

      Bronson turned on her. “You will have a DNA test done on the child, Mia. Forget yourself for a minute, will you? If this child is a Dane, he has a sizable fortune he’s set to inherit.”

      “Are you kidding me?”

      Mia glanced around to Victoria who was now on her feet, hands on her hips. “You’re acting like this is a business arrangement. You’re talking about a child for crying out loud, Bron. Your child. You may have been caught off guard the last time, but I believe Mia. She wouldn’t lie about the paternity.”

      A bit of elation spread through Mia at Victoria’s confidence that she wasn’t trying to swindle anything from this family, especially since they’d only known her about seven months. But what did she mean about “last time”?

      “You just want the baby to be mine,” Bronson said. “Don’t start sewing designer Onesies.”

      “You want the baby, too.” Olivia moved toward them. “There’s no need to deny it, Bronson. I know you’re scared to death to admit this is your child for fear of losing another baby. But I agree with Victoria. Mia isn’t lying. I’ve gotten to know her very well, and this is an honest, loyal woman.”

      She wasn’t feeling so loyal at the moment, considering the secret she held. Oh, she was being honest about this baby, but not so much about the baby Olivia gave up nearly forty years ago.

      Talk about intense. This was why Mia didn’t want to do family meetings. First of all, she wasn’t in the family and, second of all, old wounds always reopened and Mia certainly didn’t want to add that dash of salt into Bronson’s.

      But what was all this talk of the baby he lost? They made it sound as if that baby wasn’t his. But surely if his ex-fiancée was pregnant, the baby had been his. Hadn’t it? Good Lord, was there another buried Dane scandal? What kind of mess had she stepped into?

      “I’m not here to discuss my past,” Bronson declared, eyeing his mother and sister. “I’m here to let you all know that this baby is between me and Mia for the time being. I don’t want you two fawning all over her and getting attached to someone who may not even belong in this family.”

      “Excuse me,” Mia chimed in. “This baby is as much a Dane as it is a Spinelli. If your mother and sister want to get attached, let them. Just because you are choosing to keep your distance doesn’t mean they have to. My whole life I wanted to be part of a family.” Mia clutched her locket and choked back tears. “My whole life. Do you know what that’s like?”

      Mia stared at Bronson, not caring a bit that Olivia and Victoria were listening, not caring that her voice was cracking. She was standing up for her child, as no one had done for her after her parents’ death, and she was starting now. This child would know love and security from day one.

      “I never really felt a sense of belonging. Once my parents were killed …” She hesitated, praying the tears stinging her eyes wouldn’t spill over. “I will not have our child wondering where he or she belongs. I want nothing but love for this child. You can keep every last dollar. Just don’t deny the fact this child does belong here just as much as you do. Don’t deny our baby the bond only a loving family can provide.”

      Mia caught sight of Olivia and Victoria, and both women had glistening tears and soft smiles. Bronson, on the other hand, still wore the signature scowl he’d had in place since he’d learned the truth. What would it take to get him to look on the bright side? Try to make this a positive time?

      “I’m sure you all need to talk, so I’ll let you have your privacy.”

      Mia turned on her heel and left the room. She didn’t slow down until she was far enough away from the house that no one would see her break into tears.

      She’d never been much of a crier. Life had toughened her up at a young age, but lately she couldn’t stop the tears. Whether it was the uncontrollable hormones or the fact that she just didn’t want her baby to feel neglected and abandoned, she didn’t know. What she did know is that it was quite obvious the Dane women were perfectly comfortable with the idea that this baby belonged in the family. Too bad Bronson believed the worst.

      And that’s what hurt the most. Had he always believed the worst in her? When he’d slept with her, had he just been passing time?

      Mia hated the thought that she’d slept with Bronson out of pure lust. She’d never slept with a man only because she found him attractive. But it wasn’t just that Bronson was curl-your-toes sexy. He had been so smooth, so seductive, and with the ambiance of Cannes and all the romance surrounding them, she’d been caught up in a whirlwind. But she’d be damned if she let her lack of good judgment affect her child’s life or what Bronson thought of her.

      This baby would have everything she never did: stability, unconditional love and family. Mia would settle for nothing less.

       Eight

      The next month flew by without any major drama—baby or otherwise. Anthony still hadn’t confronted Olivia, and Bronson was still as personable as a bedsheet when he’d call twice daily to ask how she was feeling.

      But today was the day of her first prenatal visit, and Bronson would be picking her up any minute.

      This should be a fun ride.

      As if the strained phone conversations weren’t enough, now she had to sit in close proximity to the man she found both insufferable and devastatingly attractive at the same time. She couldn’t blame any of this on her hormones. Bronson was still just as sexy, and every time she looked at him she couldn’t help but remember their night together.

      She so wished she could forget how amazing his hands felt as they’d glided over her body. The way he held her, giving so much of himself. Mia had never before experienced anything like it, and she had a feeling she never would again. Yes, the sex had been hurried, frantic, but Bronson had been so in tune with her body, so perfect for her.

      When Mia’s doorbell rang, she grabbed her purse and keys and opened the door to a still-sexy Bronson. She reset the alarm and closed the door behind her. Without a word, Bronson led her to his two-door sports car. At least he had the decency to open the passenger door for her.

      “This’ll be a blast,” she muttered to the empty car as he walked around the hood.

      As soon as he got in and brought the engine to life, Mia twisted in her seat. “You don’t have to go. No one will think anything if you just stay away. I’ve already given you the out you obviously want. I expect nothing from you.”

      Bronson’s grip tightened on the wheel, the muscle ticking in his jaw. “I said I’d be there for every appointment in case the baby is mine. I meant it. My assistant has already called to ensure we will be taken back immediately.”

      Mia wasn’t going to argue. In truth, she wanted to share this glorious time with someone, she just wished that someone shared her excitement.

      And she was excited—more and more every day. The baby was coming whether she’d planned for it or not. True, the fear still overwhelmed her at times, but in all honesty, she was happy about this little person growing inside her. She’d even had a burst of giddiness this morning when her skirt had been snug.

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