"Are you ok?" Gunner asked.
"How the fuck can you ask me that?" Marla all but screeched. "How could you Gunner? How could you?" she repeated, tears sliding down her cheeks, her broken heart clear for all to see.
"How could I what?" Gunner asked, confused.
"Get her pregnant? No wonder you didn't want to make it work with me. You were too busy screwing your ex-wife!"
"Keep your voice down," Gunner seethed.
"Keep your dick in your pants! Or at least decide where you want to park it permanently," Marla seethed angrily. "You're the worst kind of man. You come off as a saint, but really you're just a no-good, two-timing snake who spreads his sperm around like any other man-ho."
She reached across the booth and slapped him.
Three pairs of eyes looked at Marla.
Bria's mouth gaped open.
Gunner held his cheek ... and his composure.
"Are you finished?" he said slowly.
"Yes. Literally and figuratively. I'm finished with your ass!" Marla hissed.
"I thought we settled that some time ago, so I'm glad to hear that you've put some finality to things. And for the record, the baby Bria is carrying is not mine."
"The child is mine," Carrington clarified coolly.
Bria had been so engrossed in the confrontation between Marla and Gunner, that she had forgotten to be shocked that Carrington was somehow here in this restaurant with Marla. Now that he'd spoken, it reminded her brain to ask, how did they know each other?
"How is that possible?" Marla asked.
"I'm sure you know how babies are made," Bria said sarcastically. "A better question would be, how do you two know each other?" She directed her question to Carrington.
"We met in Vegas a little over a year ago."
Vegas ... that rang a bell, Bria thought.
"Really?" Bria said, looking from Carrington to Marla to Gunner. "Seems Vegas was the beginning and end of a lot of things for me that I had no idea about. How many other women's husbands did you snag on that Vegas trip Marla? Apparently, you were a very busy girl."
"Bria," Gunner said.
"Don't ‘Bria' me Gunner Michaels. You obviously weren't her only catch on that trip." She turned her gaze to Carrington. "Were you aware that you weren't the only fish on the hook? Or didn't you care?"
"There's no need to be vulgar Bria," Carrington said dryly.
"I'm not. What's vulgar about the truth, especially as you are obviously still on the hook."
"You're angry. I get that. But who and what are you angry at?" Carrington asked, his gaze stalking hers.
"I'm angry that this kind of bullshit infects my life right now. What are the chances that the father of my child is apparently screwing my ex-husband's baby mama? It's ghetto and it's creepy as hell. Does that answer your question Mr. Shelby?" Bria said, nudging Gunner out of the booth.
"Bria-"
"Just move Gunner. I'm out of here. You all can relive Vegas in all its glory. Hell, have a threesome if you want. I don't care. I wasn't part of the first meeting and I definitely have no desire to be a part of this sick reunion."
Present Day
"And you stormed out just like that?" Maya asked, her mouth gaping.
"Yes. I felt like I was gonna be sick to my stomach. I got mad all over again at Gunner for even putting me in that ghetto-ass situation. And Carrington sat there all high and mighty like a lump on a log – looking as innocent as ever."
"Whoa buddy! What are the chances? I mean, the odds are astronomical!" Maya said, chomping on mouthfuls of popcorn. "Your child's father and your ex-husband involved with the same woman. I have to see her. She must be something."
"As much as I hate to admit it, she is. And to think I even gave one iota of a thought to marrying him."
"So have you talked to him since?"
"Yes. He cornered me in my office a couple of days ago. I'd been ignoring his calls all week."
"So what's the deal with him and Marla?" Maya said.
"Funny you should ask, because that's exactly what he wanted to explain. He says they're not involved. Gave me some cockamamie story about calling her a few weeks ago after not having seen her since Vegas. That they went for drinks one time – so he says – and that the reason they were in the restaurant that night is she'd left her glasses and they'd arranged to meet so she could pick them up. And for the record, trust me, she is not the glass-wearing type. That heifer has perfect vision – especially when it comes to honing in on other women's husbands."
"But Carrington isn't your husband," Maya pointed out sheepishly.
"This is no time to be literal Maya. You know what I mean."
"Alright, alright, I'm just trying to get you to lighten up. You're way to tense for a pregnant woman – an early-in-her-pregnancy, high-risk pregnant woman, I might add. You could lose the baby if you keep going like this Bria," Maya said.
"I know," Bria said, instinctively cupping her stomach and sighing.
"That's why I've been holed up with HGT V and chamomile tea after work these days. Now, if Carrington would just leave me alone."
"So where do you all stand?"
"There is no standing. He insists that we should get married, which, considering the circumstances, is about the most ridiculous thing I can think of. And tonight, I'm telling him so."
"What's happening tonight?"
"I finally relented. I'm going over to his place get it through his head once and for all that there will be nothing between us."
"Nothing except a child," Maya said soberly.
Chapter 39
"NOTHING EXCEPT A CHILD. He's going to always be a part of your life when this baby comes Bria. You love him. I can see it all over you. How are you going to handle having him in your life, loving him, but not being with him?"
BRIA PONDERED MAYA's words as the driver Carrington had insisted on sending for her deposited her in front of the luxury hotel he called home when he was in the city.
Meanwhile, forty-five floors above, Carrington was in the midst of some pondering of his own. He still couldn't wrap his head around the fact that he was going to be a father again. He'd meant it when he said he didn't want more children. But immediately upon hearing of Bria's pregnancy, it was like a whole new world opened up to him. A world he didn't even know he missed.
When Alexandria was conceived, he was too young to appreciate what a gift a child was. He was also busy working, going to school and building a career. It made it hard to stop and smell the roses of being a parent.
Now, he had none of those hold-backs. He could spend as much time as he wanted with his child, go anywhere in the world, and do anything he wanted. And he realized he wanted that life – he wanted that life with Bria. But obviously, she was still in love with her ex.
Well he might not be able to have her, but he'd be damned if another man was going to stand in for him with his child. Especially not her ex-husband. His child would know exactly who its father was – from day one. And tonight, Bria would learn just how serious he was about that.
He downed a shot of bourbon, the warmth cascading throughout his chest, putting feeling into crevices that had laid cold for too long. As the door to the elevator of his suite opened, he found himself thinking that this woman could be the source of that warmth. But it was not to be.
"Bria," he said. "Glad you made it. I would have come for you myself, but I had a conference call from Tokyo that—"
"You don't have to explain Carrington. And you didn't need to send a car. I could have Ubered it just fine."
"It's the least I could do, considering your condition. I don't want you standing around waiting for an Uber in this cold."
"It's not like I would have been waiting outside. Have you seen the opulent fortress that passes for a law firm named SLAW?" she said. "And I'm pregnant, not handicapped."
"You're pregnant with my child," he said. "That gives me license to take extra measures when and where I deem necessary," he said aut
horitatively.
"I'm glad you brought that up," she said, wanting to iron out their differences so she could get on with her life, and he could get on with his.
"Sit," Carrington said. "Can I get you something to drink? To eat?"
"No, I'm fine," Bria said, taking off her coat and throwing it over the back of the sofa.
This sofa – so many wonderful evenings of their blissful weeks together had started – and in a few cases, ended – right here.
Bria shook her head to clear it. Those times were over. And the best thing about those times were that she got a forever gift from them. Her right hand cupped her almost-not-too flat anymore belly.
Carrington noticed the gesture. "You'll be showing a little in the not-too-distant future."
"Probably," Bria said. "Which is why we need to iron some things out. Starting with the office. How are we going to handle this? Everybody knows we had a – a thing; a fling a—"
"Is that all it was Bria?"
"What it was is beside the point. What's important is how we handle the news moving forward. I'm content to say nothing and let people speculate. Eventually the truth will come out anyway."
"I'm not going to hide the fact that you're carrying my child. And I will not have my child come into this world under a cloud of suspicion, as if it was something to be ashamed of. There's no reason to do a formal announcement if you don't want. But at the very least, as your due date gets closer, the impending birth can be added to the marriage and birth section of the company newsletter – with me listed as the father."
"That's not necessary," Bria said.
"In my opinion, it is. And so it shall be done. Next issue ... marriage. I've proposed it, but you've yet to give me an official answer."
"I would've thought my radio silence until you cornered me in my office yesterday would have been answer enough."
"I see," Carrington said, his elbows on his knees, his hands in a tent pressed against his lips s as he sat in a large leather chair across from her.
"You see what exactly?" Bria said, trying to keep her attention on the conversation and away from his lips. "Come for me baby," he whispered, as he drove into her again. "Come for me Beautiful Bria."
Bria rubbed her right hand across her throat, and swallowed hard.
"Are you sure I can't get you something to drink?" he asked, following her every motion.
"No," Bria all but croaked. "I'm fine. I just want to get this conversation over with so I can go home."
"I see," he said again.
"Stop saying that, or at least tell me what it is you see exactly," Bria snapped. Damn those eyes. Damn his scent. Damn her stupid, betraying body. Must it always throb in his vicinity?
"What I see is, we are having a child. A child deserves to have its mother and father present in its life – on a daily basis," he added. "Why would you want to deny your child that, especially given what you told me about your upbringing? Or, are you involved with your ex-husband? Is a reconciliation in the works? Because if that's the case Bria, let me disabuse you of the idea that anyone will be a father to my child but me."
"You make a lot of assump—... you know what, forget it."
"No, please, let's not forget it. What were you going to say?" Carrington insisted.
Bria eyed him, but remained silent.
"Look Bria, this doesn't have to be about us or notions of a romantic love or any of that. You're carrying my child and I do not want it born out of wedlock. That may sound old-fashioned to you, but bringing a child into the world with a sense of stability is important. We get along well. Clearly, we desire each other. We could make a marriage work; probably better than most. The proper thing to do is to get married, for the sake of the child."
"You are such a hypocrite," Bria said. "If you really felt that way, you would have married your daughter's mother. Stability obviously didn't matter to you then."
"I was eighteen years old. I barely knew my ass from a hole in the ground. Obviously, my views have changed. You should at least consider it – for the sake of our unborn child."
"You're wrong Carrington. That's exactly why I won't consider your marriage proposal."
"You are the most stubborn woman I have ever met. Do you know how many women would—"
"Would what?" Bria interjected. "Love to be in my shoes? Consider themselves lucky to carry your child? Would be grateful that you want to put a rock on their finger? ... You obviously don't know anything about me Carrington Shelby. Nothing at all."
"Then why don't you help me better understand. Look, I know that what I'm proposing is unconventional. But I really do think we could make a go of a successful marriage. At the very least, our child would have both of his parents in his life from day one."
"That can happen for her without the benefit of a marriage license. We don't live in the stone ages Carrington. And that's precisely why love is the only reason to get married these days. And since that's not on the table, let's just table the idea of marriage."
"Do you really find the idea of marrying me so repulsive? Or, was I just a casual sexual fling; someone to get your sea legs with as you floated back into the dating pool after your divorce?"
"What does it matter?" Bria evaded. "We are where we are."
"It should matter, don't you think?" Carrington replied. She wished she could see his face, his eyes, to get an idea of his thoughts. He stood in front of the ten foot-tall windows in his living room, hands in his pockets. The glistening lights of the Empire State Building showcased a heart in honor of the upcoming Valentine's Day.
Bria thought it ironic that they were discussing the ultimate signs of love – marriage and a baby – but couldn't be further from the fairy tale.
"Is this because of your ex-husband?" he asked quietly. He kept his back to her, but Bria could feel the tension in him all the way across the room.
"Why do you think he has anything to do with this?"
"Because you two seemed awfully chummy when we ran into each other at the restaurant last week. You seem to have mended your differences. How often do you all hang out?" he asked, turning to face her, a challenge in his voice.
Bria felt her anger percolate. "You seemed awfully chummy with Marla. You two seem to have reconnected. How often do you all hang out?" she asked, crossing her legs as she sat ramrod straight on his couch.
"I told you, there's nothing between us," Carrington replied. "I met her for a drink once. That's when she left her glasses, which I agreed to return."
"I'm not stupid Carrington," Bria responded, her anger escaping her for a split second. "It's not important anyway. You're free to do as you please," Bria said, harnessing her emotions. The very idea of him touching that woman made her want to cut something – or someone: him, Marla – either would do at this point. Shaken by the violent nature of her thoughts, she bit her bottom lip and kept quiet.
"Did you tell him about the baby before you told me?" Carrington asked. The intensity of his gaze dared her to lie to him. Her heart jumped. The answer was written clearly on her face.
"Yes," she almost whispered.
Carrington's whole body stiffened, as if he'd absorbed a body blow.
Guilt formed a knot in Bria's stomach.
"So your ex husband, who cheated on you resulting in your divorce, knew about my child before I did?" he said in forceful clips.
Bria watched him closely, feeling the need to defend Gunner even though what Carrington said was true. She wanted to say that it was half her fault they were divorced, and that had she been a better wife to Gunner, she wouldn't be in this mess anyway. But she didn't dare say any of that, because somewhere along the way, she would have to tell him that she loved him. And that must always remain a secret. Better that he thought she was still in love with her ex.
"I was shocked and scared and confused when I found out I was pregnant. My best friend was out of town. Gunner was the only other person I felt like I could talk to about it."
"And it never
occurred to you to talk to me; the father of the child? You can have sex with me, but you can't open the rest of yourself to me? Is that really all I am to you Bria? A good time?"
Bria dropped her eyes to the floor. No. She hadn't felt like she could talk to him. But he was certainly so much more to her than a good time. Her tongue was like lead. It wouldn't move. She was too afraid she say the wrong thing .. or the one thing she knew he didn't want to hear. She loved him. She loved their baby. She wanted nothing more than to be a family. A real family, not a forced family out of obligation. How could she tell him that?
"You can never get that moment back Bria. Did it occur to you for one second that I'd want to be the first one you told?"
"No, it didn't," Bria said, her buried anger catching fire and rising. "In case you've conveniently forgotten, you pulled a disappearing act. I didn't hear from you for weeks. What was I supposed to do? Pick up the phone and beg you to come hang out with me again because I'm pregnant with your child? I'm not that desperate. I never have been and I never will be. Ever," Bria seethed.
Carrington felt like he'd been kicked in the stomach. She was right. He couldn't deny it. He had pulled a disappearing act, but that was for her own good. He couldn't give her what she wanted – or at least, that's what he'd believed at the time. But this child changed everything, much to his surprise. The only thing he wanted in the world was to give her want she wanted. Because that's what he now wanted to. But apparently, she wanted it with her ex; with the man she'd never gotten over.
Life could be a cruel fucker at times, he thought, making his way to a bourbon bottle on the table behind the sofa. He poured himself a two-finger sized drink and took a swallow.
"I never thought of you as desperate," Carrington said. "Do you know what it feels like to another man know more about his child than he does? Especially when that other man is the ex-husband of the woman carrying said man's child?"
"Carrington that's taking things a little far, don't you think? I'm barely six weeks along. There's not much to know," Bria said.
"Only that you are pregnant. That it is mine. And that you're keeping it. How about have you gone to the doctor? What are the risks? When do your prenatal appointments start? Does he know all of that?" His voice was calm and low, but his anger weaved through it.
Love after Betrayal: An Interracial, Billionaire Romance Page 18
