by Maya Banks
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.”
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 woman. You slept with her one night, and now she claims to be pregnant with your child, and you’re going to marry her? Just like that?”
“She needs my help. I’m not stupid. I’m having our lawyer draw up an ironclad agreement that provides stipulations for the possibility that the child isn’t mine. For now, with her surgery looming, it’s best that we marry. This way I can make decisions for her care and that of the child’s. If it does turn out to be my daughter, how would I feel if I had sat back and done nothing while I waited for the proof?”
“Daughter?”
“Yes. Apparently Jewel is pregnant with a girl.”
Despite his doubts and his heavy suspicions, he couldn’t help but smile at the image of a little girl with big eyes and a sweet smile.
“Jewel. What’s her last name?”
“Oh no you don’t, big brother. There’s no need to get all protective and have her background dug up. I can handle this myself. You just concern yourself with your wife and my nephew.”
“I don’t want you hurt again,” Chrysander said quietly.
And there it was. No matter how much he wanted to avoid the past, it was always there, hanging like a dark cloud. Unbidden, the image of another child, a sweet baby boy, dark-haired with a cherubic smile and chubby little legs, came painfully to mind. Eric. Not many days had gone by that Piers hadn’t thought of him in some form or fashion, but not until now had such pain accompanied the memories.
“This time, I’m going to make sure that my interests are better protected,” Piers said coldly. “I was a fool then.”
Chrysander sighed. “You were young, Piers.”
“It was no excuse.”
“Call me if you need me. Marley and I would like to come to your wedding. It will be better if family is there.”
“There’s no need.”
“There is every need,” Chrysander said, interrupting him. “Let me know the details, and we’ll fly out.”
Piers’s hand gripped the phone tighter. It was nice to have such unconditional support. And then he realized the irony. He hadn’t exactly offered Jewel his unconditional support. He’d strong-armed her and taken advantage of her situation.
“All right. I’ll call when I have the arrangements made.”
“Be sure and let Theron know as well. He and Bella will want to be there.”
Piers sighed. “Yes big brother.”
Chrysander chuckled. “This is a small thing I ask. It’s not as if you’ve ever listened to me before.”
“Give Marley my love.”
“I will—and Piers? Be careful. I don’t like the sound of this at all.”
Piers hung up the phone. He should call Theron, but he couldn’t bring himself to face another inquisition. Especially now that Theron had joined the ranks of the deliriously happy. He’d be appalled that Piers was going to marry a woman he barely knew, a woman who might well be lying to him.
Instead he phoned his lawyer and outlined his situation. Then he arranged a security detail for Jewel. He and his brothers took no chances with those close to them after what had happened to Chrysander’s wife, Marley. Next he called to see when Jewel’s doctor would next be making his rounds. He intended to be there so he’d know exactly what
was going on.
Lastly, he called a local restaurant and arranged for a full-course dinner to be prepared for pickup in an hour.
Jewel was ready to fidget right out of the bed. She’d only gotten up to use the bathroom, and now she’d decided she’d had enough. The doctor was releasing her tomorrow now that someone had shown up to take care of her. She had to work to keep the snort of derision from rising in her throat.
She could do without Piers Anetakis’s brand of caring.
The thin hospital gown offered little in the way of modesty, and so after showering, she dressed in a pair of loose-fitting sweats and a maternity shirt. She toweled her hair as dry as she could and left it loose so it would finish drying.
She had settled in the small recliner to the side of her bed when the door opened, and Piers strode in carrying two large take-out bags.
She sat forward nervously as his gaze swept over her. Then his eyes narrowed, and he set the bags down on the bed.
“You should not have showered until I was here.”
Her mouth fell open in shock. “What?”
“You could have fallen. You should have waited for me to help or at least called for the nurse.”
“How do you know I didn’t call for one of the nurses?”
He stared inquisitively at her, his eyes mocking. “Did you?”
“It’s none of your business,” she muttered.
“If you’re pregnant with my child, it’s every bit of my business.”
“Look Piers, we need to get something straight right now. Me being pregnant with your child does not give you any rights over me whatsoever. I won’t allow you to waltz in and take over my life.”
Even as the sharp protest left her lips, she realized how stupid she sounded. That’s precisely what he had done so far. Taken over. What else explained the reason for this marriage he proposed?
She bit her lip and looked away, her hand automatically moving to her belly in a soothing motion.
Piers began taking food out of the bags as if she’d said nothing at all. The smells wafted through her nostrils, and her stomach growled. Heavenly.
She raised an eyebrow. She wouldn’t have thought he’d give much thought to what she could or couldn’t have.
“Thank you, I’m starving.”
He prepared a plate and handed it to her along with utensils. Then he fixed a plate for himself and settled on the edge of the bed.
“I can get back into the bed so you have a place to sit,” she offered.
He shook his head. “You look comfortable. I’m fine.”
They ate in silence, though she knew he watched her. She refused to acknowledge his perusal, though, and concentrated on the delicious food instead.
When she couldn’t eat another bite, she sighed and put down her fork.
“That was wonderful, thank you.”
He took the plate and set it on the counter along the wall. “Would you like to get back into bed now?”
She shook her head. “I’ve had enough bed to last a lifetime.”
“But shouldn’t you be in bed with your feet up?” he persisted.
“I’m doing well. The doctor wants me on moderated bed rest until my surgery. That means I can get up and move around. He just doesn’t want me on my feet for long periods of time.”
“And this job you had, you were on your feet all the time?” he asked with a frown.
“I was waitressing. It was necessary.”
“You should have phoned me the minute you knew you were pregnant,” he said fiercely.
Her expression turned murderous. “You had me fired. You told me quite plainly that you wanted nothing further to do with me. Why on earth would I be calling you? I wouldn’t have called you now if I hadn’t needed you so badly.”
“Then I suppose I’ll have to be grateful you needed me.”
“I don’t need you,” she amended. “Our daughter does.”
“You need me, Jewel. I have a lot to make up for, and I plan to do just that. We can talk about your firing when you aren’t in the hospital and you’re feeling better.”
“About that,” she began.
He raised an eyebrow. “Yes?”
“The doctor is releasing me in the morning.”
“Yes, I know. I spoke to him before I came back to your room.”
Her fingers curled into tight fists, but she kept the frustration from her expression. Or at least she tried.
“I don’t need you hovering over me at every moment. You can drop me off at my apartment—”
Before she got any further he shook his head resolutely, his expression implacable.
“I’ve arranged for the rental of a house until your surgery. I’ll take you there of course. I’ve hired a nurse to see to your needs—”
It was her turn to break in, her head shaking so stiffly that her neck hurt.
“No. Absolutely not. I won’t have some nurse hired to babysit me. It’s ridiculous. I’m not an invalid. I have to stay off my feet. Fine, I can do that without a nurse.”
“Why must you be so difficult?” he asked mildly. “I’m only doing what is best for your health.”
“If you want to hire someone, hire a cook,” she muttered. “I’m terrible at it.”
Amusement curved his hard mouth into a smile. It was amazing what a difference it made in his face. He looked almost boyish. She stared at him in astonishment.
“A cook can be arranged. I, of course, wish to see that my daughter and her mother are well fed. Does this mean you aren’t going to fight moving in with me?”
She made a sound of protest, but it quickly died. She’d walked right into that one. With a long suffering sigh, she uttered a simple, “No.”
“See, that wasn’t so hard, now was it?”
“You can quit the gloating. It’s not very attractive on you.”
His grin broadened. The amazing thing was, it made him look quite charming. Dangerous, Jewel. He’s dangerous. Don’t fall for that charm.
“I’m going to take you home with me, Jewel,” he said patiently. “There’s little point in arguing. All the arrangements have been made. Tomorrow I hope to see to the wedding arrangements. Understandably, concerns for your health came before our marriage, but once I have you settled in, I’ll see to the necessary plans.”
The beginnings of a headache thrummed at her temples. Was this what her life was going to be like? Him calling all the shots and her meekly following along? Not if she could help it. Right now, she was tired, worried and more than a little stressed, and as weak as it made her feel to hand everything over to him, it also felt good to relinquish her problems. Even if it was just for a little while.
“Does your head hurt you?” he asked.
She drew her hand away, unaware until now that she’d been rubbing her forehead. “Stress,” she said in a shaky voice. “It’s been a long couple of weeks. I’m tired.”
What an idiot she was, outlining her weaknesses in stark detail. As if he hadn’t already honed in on her disadvantages.
To her surprise, he didn’t make any sharp or sarcastic remarks. He took her hands gently in his, and lowered them to her lap. Then he carefully helped her up.
Too stunned to do more than gape at him, she cooperated without complaint. He stepped behind her and sank down onto the seat, pulling her down onto his lap.
She landed with a jolt of awareness that five long months hadn’t diminished in the least. There was still potent chemistry between them, much to her dismay.
His warmth wrapped around her, soothing her despite her rioting emotions. She was almost in complete panic when his fingers dug into her hair and began massaging her scalp.
A soft moan of surrender escaped her. Bliss. Sheer, unadulterated bliss. His strong fingers worked to her forehead and then her temples.
Bonelessly she melted further into his chest. He stiffened slightly and then relaxed as he continued his ministrations. For several long minutes, neither spoke, and only the sound of h
er soft breathing could be heard.
“Better?” he asked softly.
She nodded, unable to form coherent words. She was floating on a cloud of sheer delight.
“You are worrying yourself too much, yineka mou. The stress is not good for you or the baby. Everything will be all right. You have my word on it.”
The statement was intended to comfort her, and she did appreciate his effort. But for some reason, his vow sounded ominous to her ears. Almost like this was a turning point in her life where nothing would ever be the same. Like she was giving up control, not just for the short term.
Of course things are changing irrevocably, you idiot. You’re pregnant and getting married. How much more change could you possibly make?
Still, she tried to draw some comfort in the serious promise in his voice. He didn’t trust her. She didn’t think he even particularly liked her, but he desired her, that much was obvious. And she desired him. It wasn’t enough. Not even close, but it was all they had.
Not exactly a prime start to a marriage.
Seven
J ewel tilted her head so she could see out the window as Piers pulled through the gates of a sprawling estate covered in lush green landscaping and well manicured shrubbery. The house came into view when they topped the hill, and her eyes widened in appreciation. Despite the size of the grounds, the house was what she’d deem modest in comparison.
Still it was gorgeous. Two stories with dormers and ivy clinging to the front. He’d said he rented the place. Who knew such places were for rent?
He parked in front of the garage that was adjacent to the main house. Behind them, the car carrying her newly assigned security detail pulled in. Before she could get out, one of the guards appeared and opened her door. He hovered protectively, shielding her…from what? Only when Piers reached for her hand, did the guard step away.
“I’m not helpless, you know,” she said dryly when he tucked her against his side. But she would have been lying if she denied that having his help thrilled her in an inexplicable way. His body was warm and solid against hers. Strong. The idea that she wasn’t alone nearly brought her to her knees.
“I know this,” he said in his brusque accent. “But you’ve only just gotten out of the hospital, and you’re carrying a child. If at any time you need help, it is certainly now.”
