Then he kissed the side of her neck, drawing her earlobe into his mouth.
“Are we sleeping or making love?” she asked.
“Do you have a preference?” He did. But he was willing to compromise anything if it meant he could hold her in his arms tonight.
“Just getting clarification.”
“Any reason we can’t do both?”
“I’ve been having a little trouble getting up in the mornings.”
“I can be quick,” he offered. “And then you can get right to sleep.”
He felt her body quiver with laughter. “Such a gentleman.”
He moved his hand to the curve of her breast. “Does fast work for you?”
She turned onto her back, and he could just make out her expression in the moonlight. She was such an incredibly beautiful woman, and his heart did a funny flip-flop as he gazed into her eyes.
“Slow works for me,” she told him, slipping her small, soft fingertips under the hem of his T-shirt and stretching it off over his head.
“Slow it is.” He leaned in for a full-on kiss.
Her warm lips softened and parted. He was instantly lost in their magic. A cool breeze danced over his bare back, while his blood heated to a boil. But still he kissed her, holding her close, worshipping her body, moving ever so slowly, ever so patiently into more intimate kisses, more intimate caresses, making love to her until they both collapsed from exhaustion.
Even then, he held her close. Less than half-awake, at the first streaks of dawn, he longed for things he knew could never be.
Charlotte woke up alone. It was late, and the film set below on the front lawn was a hive of activity. Equipment was humming. People were shouting. And the greasy smells from the catering-truck breakfast grill permeated her bedroom.
Her stomach roiled.
She jumped out of bed and rushed to the bathroom, vomiting briefly into the toilet.
She sat back on the cool tiles, rubbing a sheen of sweat from her forehead. No matter how amazing it was with Alec in the middle of the night, she had to start getting some sleep. Raine might feel like a teenager, but Charlotte’s system was clearly rebelling.
She rose shakily to her feet, splashing water on her face and brushing her teeth at the sink. Now that the dizzy spell had passed, she was hungry. Really hungry.
Maybe she’d grab a snack first, then get a shower later. She reached for the robe hanging on the back of the bathroom door.
Suddenly, she froze.
She was incredibly hungry, and not the least bit ill.
This was four mornings now that she’d felt temporarily nauseated.
She did some quick math in her head, then she dropped weakly to sit on the edge of the tub.
No.
It couldn’t be.
They’d used a condom, and the odds against it were astronomical.
Still.
She cringed and dropped her face into her palms.
Her period was five days late, and she’d just vomited at the smell of bacon.
She had to get her hands on a home pregnancy test.
Positive.
Charlotte stared at the parallel magenta lines on the little plastic wand. She was pregnant. She was going to have Alec Montcalm’s baby, angering him and disgracing her grandfather all in one fell swoop. Alec hadn’t signed up for this.
And what would the Hudsons think? They’d realize she’d been carrying on an affair right here under their noses. Any respect she’d hoped to gain from Jack was gone. And Lillian. Lillian was from another time, another age. Charlotte barely knew her grandmother, and this was what Lillian would learn about her. Especially after learning of her brother Jack’s wife Cece’s pregnancy. She kept that a secret from Jack for two years. How would Lillian cope in another scandal?
She swiped at a wayward tear.
She was pregnant.
She had to be strong.
There was-
She glanced down at her stomach, and her hand moved reflexively over the flat surface. There was a baby inside her. A baby that would need love and care and protection, despite any circumstances of its birth. A little girl, like her. Or a little boy, like Jack, who would count on Charlotte to take care of him.
She sat up straighter, knowing what she had to do.
She’d keep her pregnancy a secret-at least until the film finished shooting. The Hudsons would never have to know it had happened here. Then she could quit her job with her grandfather, and go away, somewhere private, where nobody knew her and nothing could hurt her child.
She’d have to tell Alec eventually, of course.
Alec.
Her stomach tightened with dread.
How was she going to sleep with Alec again? She couldn’t do it with such a huge lie between them. And he would be back to her room, probably tonight. And she’d have to look him in the eyes and…
She groaned out loud.
“Charlotte?” It was Raine.
Charlotte grabbed at the plastic wand. “I’m…” she called out. “Just a…” She scrambled to her feet.
“Are you okay?”
“I’ll be…”
But it was too late.
The en suite door was open, and Raine had crossed the bedroom.
“Cece and I were-” Raine stopped cold, with Cece nearly barreling into the back of her.
Charlotte could feel the blood drain from her face.
The cardboard package was strewn across the countertop. The wand was in her hand, with its damning positive result glaring up in living color.
Raine reached for the wand, confirming what she had already seen.
In a split second, Raine had pulled Charlotte into her arms. The dam burst loose, and Charlotte’s tears flowed freely.
“It’s okay,” Raine crooned.
“It’s a disaster,” moaned Charlotte.
Raine grasped her firmly by the shoulders, pulling her slightly away, speaking firmly. “No. It’s not. Babies are never a disaster.”
“Alec doesn’t want to be a father,” Charlotte hiccuped. “He doesn’t even want a relationship. All he wants-”
“Don’t sell Alec short.”
But Raine didn’t understand. She had rose-colored glasses when it came to Alec. Though, who could blame her? He was a wonderful brother. He was willing to fight people for her.
The memory brought fresh tears, and the bathroom blurred around her.
She felt an arm on her shoulders, and it was Cece’s voice this time. “I know how you feel,” Cece stated. “I’ve been exactly where you are. You’re scared. You feel all alone. You’re desperately struggling to get your bearings.”
Charlotte nodded. Cece had it exactly right.
“Now, here’s what you’re going to do.” Cece led Charlotte to the bed, sat her down on the edge and sat next to her, taking her hand. “You are going to tell Alec immediately.”
Charlotte’s entire body clenched at the mere thought of that conversation.
Even Raine took a couple of reflexive steps across the bedroom. “I’m not so-”
“You have no choice,” Cece continued. “You know, and he deserves to know, too.”
Charlotte shook her head. It was too soon. Like Cece said, she needed to get her bearings before she did anything at all. “He doesn’t need-”
“The longer you wait, the worse it gets. He’ll want to know why you waited, and you will not have a good explanation.”
“He doesn’t need to know when I knew.”
“Charlotte,” said Cece with exaggerated patience, “look at me.”
Charlotte did.
Raine sat down on the other side of her, rubbing one shoulder.
“I waited two years,” said Cece. “First I waited a week. Then I waited two more. And then I was in Europe, and nobody had to know. And then I came back, and I had Theo to explain. I very nearly kept my son from his father.”
“It won’t be like that.” Charlotte would tell Alec. She just needed a bit of time
.
“It won’t get easier,” said Cece. “Every day after today, it’ll get harder.”
“She could be right,” Raine said. “Starting the minute we walk out that door, we’re all going to have to lie to him.”
Cece nodded. “Can you lie to him, Charlotte?”
Charlotte shrugged, her eyes dampening again. Could she lie to Alec? She didn’t want to lie to him. But she didn’t want to tell him the truth, either. Because telling him the truth would mean the end. And she had so counted on things not ending just yet.
Another week. Another day. Even another night in his arms. Because once he knew, he’d never hold her tight again. He’d never whisper in her ear, nuzzle her neck, wrap his strong arms around her body. And she’d never be able to pretend, not for one more second, that they had a future together.
Not that she’d be able to pretend, anyway.
Cece was right.
She couldn’t lie to Alec.
“I have to be honest,” said Kiefer, as they replaced their mountain bikes in the rack in Alec’s garage. “It’s worse than I thought.”
Alec squirted a stream of water into the back of his throat, wiping the sweat from his forehead. “You two back to fighting?” It wasn’t surprising. It was damned inconvenient from a business perspective. But Alec had only himself to blame. He was the one who sent them on the trip.
Kiefer shook his head, leaning back and bracing his elbows on a workbench. “Not fighting.”
“What’s the problem then?” Alec didn’t understand.
“All that fighting we used to do?”
“What?” Alec glanced at his watch. He had a conference call with Japan in an hour, and he’d hoped to see Charlotte before then.
“Turns out it was foreplay.”
Alec dropped his water bottle back into the holster. “Seriously, Kiefer. Too much information. She’s my sister.”
Kiefer reached into his hip pocket and pulled out a small metal object, tossing it to Alec.
Alec caught it in midair. It was a scrolled silver box, hinged at the lid. He popped it open, revealing a large, diamond solitaire.
His gaze flew to Kiefer.
“It’s not like I’m asking your permission or anything.” Kiefer sobered. “But I wanted to give you a heads-up. I’m proposing to your sister.”
“It’s not about the money, is it?”
Kiefer scowled, and Alec saw a flash of genuine anger in his eyes.
“I can’t believe you even asked that.”
“Story of my life,” said Alec.
“Not the story of mine. And you know better.” Kiefer glared at him for a loaded moment.
“I know better,” Alec admitted. Kiefer was a man of integrity. Alec snapped the box shut and tossed it back. His lips curved in a grin. “You think she’ll say yes?”
“She damn well better,” Kiefer growled. “Or else become a nun. Because that woman is never, ever getting near another man as long as I’m breathing.”
Alec rocked forward and stuck out his hand, clasping Kiefer in a strong, thorough shake. “Then congratulations, brother. We’ll talk later about reorganizing the company structure.”
Kiefer held his palms up. “Hey, I’m not looking for-”
“I know you’re not. But, trust me, you’ll be sharing the pain the minute the honeymoon is over.”
Kiefer grinned, and Alec grinned broadly in return. He couldn’t imagine a better husband for Raine. He couldn’t imagine a better business partner for himself.
A door opened on the far side of the garage.
Kiefer popped the ring box back in his pocket. “Better go get showered. I’ve got a hot date tonight.”
“Good luck,” said Alec. “You’ll both come and see me after?”
“You bet.” Kiefer gave a jaunty salute as he backed away.
“Alec?”
It was Charlotte, and Alec weaved his way through the parked cars toward her. Something deep inside him settled to contentment as he took her hands in his, drawing her into a hug.
She clung to him for a long minute, burying her head against his shoulder. But there was a tension in her body, a strain in her breathing.
He pulled back to look into her luminous, almost frightened blue eyes.
“Hey?” he asked, going on alert. “What’s wrong? Your father? Jack?”
She shook her head, stepping farther away.
He reached for her, but then something held him back. He got a horrible feeling in the pit of his stomach.
“Charlotte?”
She turned her head, focusing on the small windows at the top of the bay doors where stark sunlight filtered through. “I…” She closed her eyes.
“You’re scaring me,” he told her honestly.
She nodded, swallowed, then looked back at him. “I’m so sorry, Alec.”
“What?” He took a reflexive step forward, but she shrank back.
“Spit it out, Charlotte,” he demanded. Nothing could be worse than standing here wondering what had put that look in her eyes. And nothing could be worse than getting signals that his help wasn’t welcome.
“I’m-” She took a breath. “I’m pregnant.”
Alec felt as though he’d been punched squarely in the gut. How could she…? When did she…?
“Who?” The question burst out of him with absolutely no eloquence whatsoever.
Her eyes squinted down. “Who what?”
“Who’s the father?” He wasn’t going to rail. He wasn’t going to judge. She was a grown woman when she arrived on his doorstep. He hated that she had a past, but she did.
Her face contorted with anger. “How can you even ask?”
“You think it’s none of my business?” Okay, now he was starting to judge. And now he was starting to get angry. He couldn’t help it. The thought of another man’s hands on Charlotte made him want to break something.
“You, you idiot. You’re the father!”
Alec jerked back. “How-”
“The usual way.” Her hands curled into fists by her sides.
“But it’s only been-”
“Three weeks. Nearly three weeks.”
“The first time?” Not bloody likely.
Her voice went hard. “I’d say so.”
“We used a condom,” he pointed out.
“We did.”
There was a loud buzzing in his ears. She couldn’t be lying. DNA tests were too easy to come by these days. She’d actually gotten herself pregnant. With his willing participation.
Here he’d thought she was different. He’d thought she was honest.
“What?” He sneered. “Did you poke holes in it?”
She blanched, but he honestly wanted to know how she’d pulled it off.
Many women had tried to trap him many different ways. He’d let his guard down with Charlotte. A mistake, obviously. But she’d seemed different, genuine, uninterested in his money. He’d been certain it was safe to enjoy a fling. But now he could almost hear his late father’s admonition in his ears.
Across from him, Charlotte appeared speechless.
“What’s your explanation?” he pressed.
And then they started. The big, shimmering crocodile tears he’d seen a hundred times. Next would be the protestations of innocence, the near-Oscar-quality denial that she’d been involved in any kind of plot whatsoever to get her hands on his money.
Damn.
He felt so hollow this time.
The betrayal was so much worse when he wasn’t prepared.
“No explanation?” he asked.
“An accident,” she managed in a halting rasp. “I didn’t mean-”
“Yeah. An accidental pregnancy. Oldest trick in the book.”
She shook her head.
“I guess I’ll see you in court.” He shook his head, turning for the door.
“Alec.” His name seemed torn from her soul.
But he didn’t turn back. As he made for the door, fury bubbled up inside him
, both at her and at himself. He’d been a fool, and it was going to cost his family big-time.
It was all Charlotte could do to say upright. Her legs were wobbling and her broken heart was shooting pain to every corner of her being.
She’d expected to Alec to be angry.
She certainly hadn’t expected him to declare his love and propose marriage. Although a small corner of her soul had hoped for that. But she hadn’t expected his accusations. And she’d been completely unprepared for his cruelty.
She gripped the corner of a Mercedes. She had to walk out of here. There were a hundred people making a movie on the front lawn. Somehow, she had to hold her head up and make her way back to her room.
There, she’d pack. Hopefully, she wouldn’t see anyone before she could call a taxi and make it to the airport. Home to Monte Allegro. She’d explain to her grandfather, quit her job and disappear. There was absolutely no way she’d be meeting Alec in court or anywhere else.
He could take his money and choke on it.
She heard a sound. Then Raine and Cece appeared. They rushed to her side.
“Oh, dear,” said Cece.
“Bad?” asked Raine.
Charlotte nodded, valiantly fighting her tears. “I have to get back to my room. He thinks I got pregnant on purpose.”
Both women gasped.
Raine growled. “I am going to-”
“No!” Charlotte grabbed Raine’s arm. “Please don’t say anything to him! Just let me leave. All I want to do is go home.”
Raine searched Charlotte’s expression for a long moment. Then she nodded. “You should go home. Take care of yourself. I’ll ream my brother out later.”
Alec couldn’t get Charlotte’s image out of his head, her tears, her confusion, her vulnerability. Obviously, she’d been certain her plan would work. Just as obviously, he couldn’t let it. Even if he had been plagued with second thoughts for the past two hours.
He brought his fist down hard on the desktop.
He couldn’t marry a woman who’d set him up, no matter how much he wished it could work between them. And what kind of a fool was he for even considering it?
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