Читать книгу Son Of Scandal - Dani Wade - Страница 12

Three

“Do I get any kind of explanation?”

“Do you deserve one?” Under other circumstances, Ivy had plenty of reserves to pull from to keep herself diplomatic. But Paxton’s appearance here had her off guard and on edge.

She needed her sisters. A glance toward the doorway from the kitchen showed that it was empty. Ivy licked her dry lips. When Paxton had asked to speak with her alone, they’d reluctantly left for the front parlor. Not that they wouldn’t come running if she yelled, but still...she couldn’t stop herself from wrapping her arms around her middle.

Facing him alone made her stomach hurt even more than when she’d just been worrying over him showing up.

“How’d you find me?” she asked.

“Human resources was nice enough to help with an address.”

She licked her lips again. “Why?”

“Seriously?”

Ivy was genuinely surprised as Paxton’s eyes widened and his tone deepened with more anger. She wasn’t sure why. Paxton was passionate about kids. But the knowledge that he was here for that reason alone made her own anger surge.

“I could have been at the doctor’s office for any number of reasons...” she insisted.

“Like getting a prescription of prenatal vitamins?”

“That was none of your business, Paxton.”

“Don’t even go there...” he growled.

He leaned closer, his height giving him the advantage. His intention might not be intimidation, but it sure felt that way. Even in her heels, she’d never come close to his height. In her current flip-flops, she didn’t stand a chance. But at least she was still on her feet. Sitting down felt like giving him too much of an advantage, so she continued to stand, even though her body swayed under the continuous onslaught of pregnancy hormones, nausea and exhaustion.

Paxton wasn’t through throwing his weight around. “If you simply wanted to walk away from your job, that’s your prerogative. But with my child? No way.”

The possessiveness in his words sent a scary thrill through her. “My child,” she insisted.

“Your words earlier already told me it’s mine, too.” He smirked. “You can’t deny it. I was listening at the window. I heard it all.”

How would it feel to be able to wipe that smirk off his face?

If she’d known he was listening, she’d have been careful not to give so much away. Eavesdropper. But then, Paxton was used to having his way in life. She’d seen it time and again when she worked for him. It would be best to set some boundaries up front. “A little beneath you, isn’t it?”

“I could say the same. Sneaking around. Running away. You could have just told me.”

In that moment it felt like Ivy’s blood turned to jet fuel and someone set a match to it. Heated fury instantly engulfed her. She stomped forward. “At what point? You made it clear you weren’t interested in hearing anything personal. And you certainly didn’t seem to be interested in any consequences before today.”

He shook his head. “This is a child we’re talking about here.”

Obviously that’s all that mattered. “I see. The only consequences of note are the ones that affect you.”

He stalked away, steps heavy on the kitchen’s tile floor, and raked his hands through his blond hair in a familiar gesture she’d seen so many times in his office. Frustration. Anger. It took a lot to push Paxton that far. When those emotions overtook him in public, he simply went cold in his expression, movements and words.

Not in private. That was the part she already missed—all the emotions she’d been privy to that Paxton rarely showed anyone outside his family.

Unfortunately, now the emotions were directed at her. And not the fiercely tender ones she remembered from their one night together.

After several rounds of pacing, he settled in a chair at the table, then gestured for her to do the same. The stubborn part of her that wouldn’t rest today wanted to insist he wasn’t her boss anymore. She’d sit when she was good and ready. But the invitation rather than demand in his simple motion made her stubbornness seem petty.

Damn him.

She sat across from him, uncomfortably reminded of the many business negotiations she’d seen him participate in, sitting just this way. Facing his opponent dead-on. He didn’t let them know they were opponents. Oh no. He greeted them with a charming smile and handshake. Otherwise he’d be giving too much away.

She unconsciously braced herself as he leaned her way.

“Why?” he asked, his voice soft but with an undercurrent of steel. “Were you ever going to tell me?”

She bit her lip, feeling heartless. But what could she say? She hadn’t truly decided what she was going to do. Right now, every day was about survival: submitting résumés for another job, getting enough food in her so she didn’t pass out, but not so much that she threw up.

Not an easy balancing act.

Finally she sighed, then attempted to put her thoughts into words. “Eventually...” She swallowed, studying the intricate pattern of light and dark wood pieces fitted together to create the handmade table where so many big family discussions had taken place in her life. “Once I had things figured out and stable, I would have let you know.”

“And what needs to be figured out?” His voice had gone low again, this time with warning.

Surprised, she glanced over at him. She’d known that Paxton was unusually devoted to his family and doted on all of his nieces. Every bit of that protective instinct was alive and well in his expression right now. But not for her...never for her. “Obviously a new job,” she said, hurt clipping her words.

“Obviously?”

“Yes, Paxton.” Her exasperation left her breathy. “Regardless of what happens between us or with this pregnancy, working together after this would not be pleasant...or professional.”

“Why not? Can’t you separate your emotions from your job?”

Not that much. “Don’t be ridiculous, Paxton.”

“What happened between us—”

“Was a mistake.”

He froze for a split second, as if he couldn’t believe her words. “Says who?”

“You—” she erupted, slapping her palm on the table with more force than she had intended. How dare he act like she was overreacting. “You did. With every phone call and email that contained plenty of instructions but a whole lot of nothing.” She couldn’t control the rise in volume. “You did this, Paxton.”

“You never said anything.”

“I slept with my boss!” She struggled for breath in the midst of her raging emotions. “When he leaves without waking you up and then never mentions it again, there could only be two explanations—he’s either too drunk to remember what happened or refuses to acknowledge what happened. There’s not a whole lot I can say to address either of those situations.”

“I wasn’t drunk,” he said quietly.

“Which leaves only one alternative.” Turning away, Ivy pressed her hand hard against her stomach. The chaotic emotions rushing through her did not help her morning sickness at all. Though why they called it that, she’d never know. Hers was more like morning, noon and night sickness.

“Are you okay?” Paxton asked, his voice sounding closer. Sure enough, a quick glance confirmed he was on his feet and halfway around the table already.

“No,” she snapped. She breathed slow and deep, in through her nose, out through her mouth. So far the only things she’d found that helped when the nausea hit at its random times were to keep very still and stay calm. This situation wasn’t conducive to either.

“Besides, there are other issues to consider.”

“Like what?”

She realized he wasn’t going to let her get away with not answering that question. But her brain was seriously on strike right now. Thinking things through wasn’t her strong point. All she knew was that anything she said about her family could potentially do a lot of damage.

Not just for herself and any custody battles she found herself in, but also for Jasmine. Even though her sister had a fiancé with clout now, the news of the Harden sisters’ true heritage could break her event-planning business if the McLemores decided to go after her.

“I can’t... I can’t talk about that right now. My stomach—” She hated to use illness to get herself out of this discussion, but at least this overwhelming sickness came in handy for something.

“Okay,” he conceded.

But she had a feeling she wasn’t getting off easy. Suddenly he stood before her with his legs braced and his arms crossed over his chest.

“But remember,” he said, “I can’t fix what I don’t know.”

“I’m not sure this can be fixed.” Ivy gasped against a wave of nausea. “I just...I need time.”

“We don’t have an infinite amount of that left.”

She glanced up to find him facing her, big body braced, arms crossed over his chest, causing his dress shirt to strain over smooth muscle. He opened his mouth. Then closed it. All while staring at her.

“What?” But she was almost afraid to ask. Paxton wasn’t the type of guy to be at a loss for words.

“Did you do this on purpose?”

Wow. Ivy swayed. Or did she? Maybe it just felt that way with her mind reeling. She really had been delusional to think he might feel anything for her...hadn’t she?

Her chest was too tight with hurt for her voice to come out more than a whisper. “Is that really how you see me?”

His answer was too matter-of-fact for her liking. “No. But people can hide a lot.”

Just like he had. He’d hidden a lot of suspicion behind caring, hadn’t he? “There’s nothing I can say to convince you that I didn’t deliberately get pregnant, Paxton,” she said with more resignation than conviction. “That’s gonna be a problem, isn’t it?”

“Probably.”

* * *

She doesn’t look so fierce in her sleep.

Paxton stared down at Ivy as she rested on the sofa in the Hardens’ front parlor. Her tousled hair looked the same as it had on the morning that he’d left her in his bed, but her face was thinner now. A slight frown rested between her brows, as if she couldn’t get comfortable, even in her sleep.

Uneasy with the softening of his emotional defenses, Paxton forced his gaze away from her to the surrounding room. He took in the antique furniture mixed with a few well-worn pieces and lots of soft feminine touches. The living space seemed well used and designed for comfort, while respecting the past.

“She’s plumb tuckered out all the time,” the older woman the sisters called Auntie said as she came up beside him.

Paxton glanced over at her, unease filtering through him. “Is this level of sickness dangerous? I don’t remember either of my sisters having this problem.”

Sierra rarely got sick at all. Janine had spent the first three months throwing up every morning, then she was fine the rest of the day. But they were both very emotional—conversations could turn into minefields without warning.

“Oh, it isn’t dangerous,” Auntie said with a wave of her hand. “As long as we keep enough food in her, she and the baby will be fine. Not comfortable, by any stretch of the imagination. But safe.”

Paxton suppressed a smile. “Good to know.”

“It’s all been rough on her—” Auntie went on, shifting slightly “—between the sickness, how this all came about and getting used to the idea of bringing a new life into the world. That’s a lot for a girl to take in.”

Paxton was well aware. “I bet.”

“She’ll be a good mama, though. You’ll see.”

Finally Paxton let his gaze return to the sleeping beauty. He knew Ivy to be capable, efficient, eternally prepared for any number of clients’ demands. The night of the masquerade, he’d discovered just how passionate she could be. The last thing he’d wondered about her was what kind of mother she’d be.

Guess he better start considering the possibilities.

That’s not why I’m here. Paxton shook his head slightly. He’d spent the night vacillating between sheer panic and endless questions. Not the joy that he’d felt each time his sisters had announced their pregnancies.

He’d realized immediately after leaving yesterday that he’d taken the wrong tack. Letting their emotions take control wouldn’t get them anywhere. Especially not him. It was the first time he could remember his emotions overtaking his logic so completely. A scary place for him to be.

So he’d returned this afternoon for a bit of reconnaissance. His best option for moving forward and answering his own questions about this whole situation was information.

Information about Ivy outside of their professional exposure to each other. Information about her family and the environment the child would be born into. That way he could make decisions and plans based on what he thought was best.

This situation wasn’t ideal. It was what it was. He just needed a plan of action.

He forced his gaze away. Focus on the plan. Not on the woman.

“Thank you for having me,” he said, turning up the wattage on his smile as he glanced back at Auntie. Just as he had yesterday, he’d noticed her limp as she’d led him from the front door, into the parlor. She had the pinkish complexion of health, but also the slight droop of exhaustion in her expression. Even this early in the evening.

“Oh, these girls keep me busy,” she said, “but it makes life happy, you know?”

“I do, indeed. My family is a big part of my life also.”

And he was not looking forward to hearing their thoughts when they found out he’d gotten his assistant pregnant. Definitely not what they’d had in mind when they urged him to start a family. Of course, it wasn’t what he’d had in mind, either. Family had been the last thing he’d been thinking about when he’d taken Ivy to bed that night.

“I love having a big family,” Auntie was saying, “Even though they came to me later in life. Do you have a big family?”

Paxton smiled and chatted about his two sisters and all his nieces. He truly loved his family, even when they were driving him crazy. He’d always been close with his siblings and his parents and grandmother. As the only grandson, they had high expectations for him and his future family. Almost as high as he had for himself.

Having a baby with Ivy didn’t fit into the plan. His stomach twisted as he imagined their disappointment. But regardless of whether this baby fit his stringent requirements for having children, the baby existed. Paxton was not the kind of man who could simply walk away.

It wasn’t just about responsibilities, either. He’d spent a lot of time with his sisters and nieces. He didn’t know where this was going, but those joyful thoughts of welcoming a child into the world and watching it grow were already taking hold.

Only a day, and he’d already been sucked in.

“Thank you for taking care of her,” he said, in a sincere effort to show his appreciation, despite what Ivy would have thought if she’d heard it.

The older woman’s smile was kind. “Ivy insists she’s handling it, but it is wearing her down, I believe. She doesn’t want anyone else to feel responsible, but that’s what family does.”

She leaned a little closer and lowered her voice. “I even postponed a trip with her sister Jasmine because I just don’t want her alone. And she needs her own bed right now, her own space. Not to be out at Willow’s place, away from her comfort zone.”

Paxton stared for just a moment, his brain kicking into overtime. Something started to take shape, but before he could analyze it, a soft voice drifted across the room.

“Somehow I knew you’d be back.”

Paxton was unsettled by Ivy’s resigned tone. Without thought, his chin went up and he said, “You shouldn’t doubt it. We’ll be a major part of each other’s lives from here on out.”

Inwardly he winced. Probably not the right approach at the moment. Unlike Ivy, Paxton knew he needed to keep his emotions out of this situation. He wasn’t sure how he felt about Ivy. About her being the mother of his child. He’d attempted to put every spine-tingling moment of their night together out of his mind...and had succeeded until the moment he’d returned home. But he didn’t want to think about it. Right now, he needed to focus on the child.

The one thing he refused to walk away from.

Not wanting to hover over her, Paxton crossed to the sofa, where she lay, and eased himself into the far corner. Ivy’s eyes widened before she pushed herself into a more upright position and pulled her feet closer to her. But not before he caught sight of her delicate feet with their bright pink toenails.

Once more he struggled to push back the memories.

“I’ll leave you youngins alone for a bit,” Auntie finally said, winking at Paxton. “I’m sure you have a lot to discuss.”

Indeed they did.

Paxton turned back to Ivy, then winced at her cynical expression.

“Any particular reason you’re trying to charm my aunt?”

Busted. “What are you talking about?”

“I’ve been watching you in action for a year and a half now. I’ve seen that same smile a hundred times. What are you trying to prove?”

That I’m not the bad guy here. “How are you feeling?” he asked, instead of answering her question.

She pushed the heavy fall of her hair back behind her ear. “Okay.”

He could spot the lie from a mile away, even without her grimace.

“Medicine helping any?”

She glanced down at the floor as if she was uncomfortable with the attention. “It helps me not be sick, but doesn’t take away the nausea altogether.”

She’d lost weight, he noticed again. Her high cheekbones stood out more than they had, creating a hollow beneath. There were dark shadows under her eyes, too. She was indeed having a rough time of it.

“The doctor says only about a month more...” she said, her voice weak. “Then we should start to see some improvement.”

As much of a jerk as it made him, he was about to use that little fact to his advantage. The idea that had teased him earlier now fell firmly into place.

As he looked into her cautious gaze, Paxton kept his expression serious. It would be all too easy to slip into charming-businessman mode, like he had with Auntie. That realm he could navigate easily. But Ivy would feel like she was being played.

He needed her on board. Not on edge.

“Ivy, I want to come stay with you.”

The shock that widened her eyes reverberated inside of Paxton. He couldn’t believe he was saying it out loud. But this made the most sense to him...and he hadn’t been able to come up with a better option to get the amount of information he needed.

Thankfully she didn’t mock his motives, or rage about the time they’d spent apart. Instead she seemed almost sad as she whispered, “Why?”

“We’re having a baby together.”

“Not really,” she countered. “I mean, we have created a child together. But we aren’t really together, are we?”

She had a point. Paxton stood, the need to clarify his thoughts pushing him to pace. “No,” he said. As uncomfortable as it might be, they needed to get this point out in the open. “For now, we aren’t together.” He pivoted to face her. “But we will always be tied to one another. And right now, I’d say I know as little about you outside of work as you know about me.”

She was already shaking her head. “I just can’t deal with this right now, Paxton. Maybe later—”

“That’s just it. I’ve had a lot of experience with pregnant women. You know that.” After all, she’d watched him go to appointment after appointment with his sister last year, when her husband was away on business. “Auntie says Jasmine wants her to go on a trip with them. Let me take care of you. It will be easier on you, and on—”

“How’s it going in here?” Auntie asked as she came back through the door with a tea tray. She set it on a little table near the couch. “Here’s some ginger tea, sweetheart. Sip this slowly.”

She handed a delicate teacup to Ivy, who raised it to her lips for a little sip before saying, “Thank you, Auntie.”

The older woman limped over to a recliner, then lowered herself into it gingerly. Ivy frowned as she watched, the questions obvious on her face.

“Actually, Auntie,” Paxton said, taking a chance despite the growing horror in Ivy’s expression, “I’m trying to convince Ivy to let me stay here for a while. Let me take care of her. Take the burden off you so you can go on the trip with Jasmine.”

Auntie glanced at Ivy with an almost-amused expression that he didn’t understand. “Now, young man, don’t you use me to put pressure on this young lady. She’s carrying enough guilt as it is.”

“I didn’t mean to—”

“Then you don’t know women as well as you think you do,” she said with a smile. “Most women feel guilty for something or other. Ivy has had to take a step back lately, let other people do the work while her body handles the process of creation. That’s not what she’s used to...but I do think you have a point.”

“You do?” Paxton hadn’t thought she’d come onboard without some persuasion.

“This isn’t really about me,” Auntie chided him with a soft smile. “It’s about you and Ivy. And you can’t figure out anything about you and Ivy without working it out together.” She transferred her smile to the woman looking pale and panicked on the couch. “It’s hard to do that with distance...and a chaperone.”

A stubborn expression took up residence on Ivy’s face. “So you want to let someone you don’t know live here while you’re gone?”

“But you know me, don’t you, Ivy?” Paxton prompted.

“So why did you accuse me of getting pregnant on purpose? Obviously you don’t know me.”

Paxton gave in to the renewed desire to pace. He didn’t want to get into the particulars of his doubts, his accusations. But he wasn’t seeing a way out. Especially not with Auntie’s and Ivy’s gazes trained directly on him. The pressure to explain warred with the desire to be defensive about his mistakes. “It was a long time ago.”

“Did someone try to trap you into marriage?” Ivy asked, her wide eyes a sign of surprise he didn’t believe.

Auntie made a soft clucking sound of comfort.

“No,” Paxton assured her. Veronica hadn’t trapped him into anything. “I have simply been deceived in the past by women who want more than I care to give. While I don’t think that’s what’s happening here, the question had to be asked.”

Auntie laughed. “Son, if someone is scamming you, I doubt they’re just gonna admit it when you ask directly like that. But I can assure you, my niece is on the up-and-up. Besides, I doubt she was the one who brought the birth control to the party. Right?”

“Auntie!” Ivy cried, her pale cheeks flushing rose-red.

Paxton would normally have chuckled, but he was too lost in the memory of grabbing a condom from the bedside table. The box of condoms he’d bought. She was right. Birth control was always something Paxton handled himself. Only this time it had failed him.

He felt a low throb in his body, as if reminding him it had all been worth it. Too bad his body lied.

Then Ivy pressed a hand to her stomach and grimaced. As she lifted the teacup back to her lips, Paxton decided to give her some breathing room. Normally, he pressed hard when he wanted something. Pressed until he received the answer he wanted. But now wasn’t the time for that...and he had a feeling Ivy wasn’t a woman who would take it.

“Look, just think about it. I think it would be good for us.” Even if maintaining his distance would be harder under those circumstances. But he had to remember his life plan. This might be a detour, but he refused to be derailed from his own goals. Or his family’s expectations. “I’ll come by tomorrow.”

“Why don’t you just call?” Ivy asked.

Maybe he would press...just a little more. “Because regardless of your decision, you’re stuck with me. Yours is only a choice of location.”