Читать книгу The Illegitimate Heirs: Luke, Zach and Jake - Kathie DeNosky - Страница 11

The next morning, Luke slid a folder across his desk for Haley’s perusal. “I’ve taken the liberty of having an attorney who specializes in family law draw up a prenuptial contract for you to sign.”

“How did you manage to get this done so quickly?” she asked, looking a lot like the proverbial deer caught in the headlights of a car.

“You can get just about anything done in a short amount of time for the right price.” He nodded toward the document she hadn’t yet touched. “I think you’ll find the agreement spells out what is expected from both of us when it comes to joint custody and parenting the boy. It also covers what we’ll both keep and what compensation you’ll receive when the marriage is dissolved.”

She looked a little distressed. “And when will that be?”

“Whenever we both agree that we’d like to move on with our lives.” He shrugged. “I’m sure we’ll know when the time comes.” Leaning back in his chair, he motioned toward the folder. “Take your time to read over the contract, then sign it and have it back on my desk by the end of the day.”

“It’s so generous of you to give me an ample amount of time to think over what I’ll be signing,” she said, her tone sarcastic.

He stated what he saw as obvious. “I don’t intend to drag my feet on getting this finalized. You laid down the terms, I’ve made the decision to comply with them and we’ll get married on Saturday morning. But between now and then we have a lot to do.”

“What’s the rush?” she asked, hiding a yawn behind her delicate hand. She looked thoroughly exhausted and he’d bet his next multimillion-dollar deal that she hadn’t slept a wink the night before. The thought that she’d soon be in his bed caused his heart to stall and a slow smile to tug at the corners of his mouth.

“Why wait?” he responded, answering her question with one of his own. “I want to get started making you pregnant as soon as possible.” That instantly brought her fully awake and added quite a bit of color to her unusually pale cheeks.

“You can’t be serious. We’ll be sleeping together?” She shook her head and the curls brushing her flawless cheeks fascinated the hell out of him. “I don’t remember you mentioning anything about that last night.”

He smiled. The idea of waking up with her in his arms each morning was becoming more appealing with each passing second. “I didn’t think I’d have to. The last I heard, that’s what married people do.”

Her turquoise eyes grew wide. “But the only reason for the marriage is to have a child. I thought we’d be sleeping in separate rooms and visit a doctor for some kind of medical procedure. That’s what we would be doing if we weren’t getting married.”

“You assumed wrong.” He couldn’t stop himself from giving her a wicked grin. “I have all of the required equipment, sweetheart. And let me assure you, everything works just fine. I see no reason for us to resort to a turkey baster when I’m perfectly capable of taking care of the job myself.”

He almost laughed out loud at the shocked expression crossing her pretty face. “But we barely even know each other outside of this office. And you’ve made it quite clear that you have no expectations of the marriage lasting for any length of time after the birth.”

Had he heard a hint of panic in her voice?

Interesting.

“That’s not exactly true. I said we’d know when it was time to move on. That could be a month, a year or even ten years after the birth before that happens. But that’s not the point,” he said, shaking his head. “I can’t think of a better way to get acquainted than making love. Besides, if I have to get married to get the heir I want, you can damned well bet I’m going to enjoy all of the benefits of the marital institution. And that includes sleeping with you.” Heat began to gather in his lower belly and anticipation filled his chest. There were definite advantages to meeting her demands.

He didn’t think it was possible, but the blush on her cheeks changed from pink to a deep rose. Was it possible that Haley found the idea of making love with him less than appealing? Or could it be that she was a bit more innocent than he’d anticipated?

Deciding to find out, he stood up and rounding the desk, took her by the hand to help her to her feet. “While you read and sign the prenup, I’ll make the arrangements for our trip to Pigeon Forge,” he said, taking her into his arms.

“W-what are you doing?”

“Giving the woman I’m going to marry a hug,” he responded, drawing her a bit closer. Holding her to him increased the heat in his lower body and sent a shaft of excitement straight through him.

At first, she stood stiffly in his arms. “We aren’t going…to be married…here in Nashville?” she asked, sounding delightfully breathless.

“No.”

When he drew her even closer, Luke felt a tiny tremor course through Haley and instantly knew his suspicions about her innocence were right on the mark. He normally liked his women to be a little more experienced. But for reasons he couldn’t put his finger on, he found Haley’s inexperience oddly touching.

“I have an important meeting with the management employees of Laurel Enterprises and I want to tour my new properties and meet the construction crews,” he explained, enjoying the feel of her silky hair against his cheek. “And since there are several wedding chapels in the Pigeon Forge area where we’ll be staying, it just makes sense for us to get married while we’re there.”

“This is a…” She paused. “…huge step. I’m not entirely certain we’re doing the right thing. Are you sure you want to go through with this?”

“I am.”

“Really?” She didn’t sound as if she believed him for a minute.

He nodded. “You told me that it would take us getting married before you’d have my son and I’m complying. In some courts, a verbal agreement is as binding as any contract. And unless you’ve changed your mind about us being married, I’d say we have a solid deal, sweetheart.”

“No, I haven’t changed my mind.”

He smiled. “I didn’t think so.” Releasing her, before she realized just how much he looked forward to making her pregnant the old-fashioned way, he picked up the folder containing the prenuptial agreement. “This is fairly basic and straightforward. After you sign it, I want you to take the rest of the day off, as well as tomorrow.”

“Why?” she asked, looking confused. “I thought you said we had a lot to accomplish.”

He nodded again. “I need to review the agenda for my meeting with the Laurel employees, call the charter service to arrange our flight and reserve a wedding chapel for the ceremony.”

“But you normally have me make those arrangements for you.”

“You’ll be too busy.”

She frowned. “Doing what?”

“You’ll need to pack, inform management that you’re giving up your apartment and decide whether to store your furniture or donate it to an agency for the homeless.” He walked back around the desk and reaching for his suit jacket hanging on the back of his chair, removed his wallet. “I almost forgot. I have to attend a charity thing at one of the museums tomorrow evening and I need a date. I want you to go shopping for something new to wear,” he said, handing her one of his credit cards. “And while you’re at it, you might as well get whatever you’re going to wear for the marriage ceremony on Saturday.”

To his amazement, she looked as if he’d offered her a poisonous snake instead of the small harmless piece of plastic. “If I want something new to wear, I’ll get it myself.” She sounded more than a little offended as she scooped up the folder containing the prenup. “For your information, Mr. Garnier, I’m not destitute. You pay me more than enough to be able to afford whatever clothes I wish to purchase.”

As he watched her leave his office in an obvious huff, he wondered what he’d said to upset her. Didn’t men buy things for their spouses anymore?

Of course, he and Haley weren’t married yet. Maybe she took exception to him paying for things like that before they’d made their union official.

But the way he saw it, it was already a done deal. They had a verbal agreement, would soon have a signed prenup and within a few days a marriage certificate. End of story.

Staring at his computer screen, Luke still couldn’t quite believe that in two days, he’d be a married man. Hell, he’d spent the better part of his adult life avoiding anything more than a casual relationship with any woman. And he’d never so much as entertained the idea of getting married. So why was he jumping into the deep end of the marital pool with both feet now?

Haley had every trait he wanted for his heir—intelligence, a good head for business and excellent health. And for another, he couldn’t get her to have his son without the benefit of marriage. Yet, when he’d first heard her requirements to agree to his plan, he’d rejected the idea outright and given serious consideration to looking for a different woman. But the more he’d thought about it over the course of their dinner together, then later on the drive to his place after dropping her off at her apartment, the more sense it made and the more appeal it held.

She was extremely passionate about mothering a child and that would definitely work to his benefit. He had several satellite offices throughout the south, requiring a certain amount of travel, and juggling a small child with all the paraphernalia required for his care would be counterproductive. Besides, he would have had to hire a nanny to care for his son until the boy was out of infancy and old enough to go with him to the actual job sites anyway. But with Haley sharing custody of the child, Luke wouldn’t have to worry about finding someone suitable to give his son the quality of care he expected.

And then there was the more pleasurable aspect of marriage. Until he’d stopped by to ask her to be his surrogate, Luke had never seen Haley outside of the office and certainly not wearing anything other than the conservative suits she seemed to prefer for her job.

But when she’d opened her door and he caught sight of her long, slender legs in those extremely short little cutoffs and the size and shape of her pert breasts in that snug tank top, it had damn-near knocked his socks off. It had been like he was seeing her for the very first time and every one of his male instincts had come to full attention—reminding him in the most basic of ways that he hadn’t had the pleasure of a woman’s company in his bed for a very long time.

His lower body tightened even more. In two short days, Haley would be his and he would be making love to her quite frequently. Just the thought of having those shapely legs wrapped around him and her soft body cradling his caused the heat deep in the pit of his belly to flicker into a flame.

“Here’s your signed prenup,” Haley said, choosing that moment to walk into his office. When she tossed the folder onto his desk, then turned to leave, she added, “And unless you wish to issue another edict about what I need to do before we make the trip to Pigeon Forge, I’ll be leaving the office now.”

So that was why she’d become so upset. She obviously viewed his suggestions about her apartment and buying something new to wear as high-handedness. He’d have to remember that calling all the shots at the office was one thing, but he’d have to exercise a little more diplomacy when they were discussing what he thought she should do in her personal life.

“Before you leave there’s just one more thing. Are you using anything for birth control?” He knew she wasn’t presently seeing anyone, but that didn’t mean she wasn’t prepared.

Her cheeks colored the pretty shade of rose they always did when he mentioned anything to do with sex. “No. That’s not an issue.”

“Good.”

“Is there anything else?” she asked, her gaze not quite meeting his.

“I’m pretty sure what I told you earlier covers everything,” he said, unable to stand up without her seeing the evidence of his arousal. “I’ll give you a call this evening to let you know what time I’ll pick you up for the charity event tomorrow evening.”

She shrugged one slender shoulder as she continued toward the door. “Whatever.”

“Haley?” When she stopped and turned to face him, he grinned. “There is one more thing I really think you should consider doing.”

“What?”

Her withering glare might have stopped a lesser man, but it didn’t phase Luke one damned bit. Nor did it stop him from a little teasing.

“Be sure to get plenty of rest between now and Saturday.” He gave her a suggestive wink. “I plan on getting our little project started this weekend.”

When her cheeks turned bright pink and she fled his office like something chased her, he laughed out loud. Getting married just might prove to be more fun than he’d first thought. At least temporarily.

As Luke held her hand to help her out of his limousine, Haley glanced at the other couples arriving for the museum’s annual charity event. She recognized several prominent businessmen, a couple of them Luke’s rivals, and she knew they were attending for the same reason Luke was—meeting potential clients. Making a contact at a social function could mean the difference between signing a lucrative contract to build the next high-rise to grace the Nashville skyline or watching the competition walk away with the job.

“It’s good to see you again, Luke,” a distinguished-looking elderly gentleman greeted them as they walked through the museum’s entrance. He pumped Luke’s hand, then turned to give her a friendly smile. “And who is this lovely young lady?”

“My executive assistant, Haley Rollins,” Luke answered, already scanning the crowd in the atrium. “Haley, I’d like for you to meet Max Parmelli, the curator of the museum and the head of this year’s charity drive for the city’s homeless shelters.”

Holding her hand, the older man leaned forward to kiss the back of it. “It’s a real pleasure to meet you, Ms. Rollins.”

She smiled at the pleasant older man, but Luke prevented any other greeting when he placed his hand to her back and guided her through the crowd toward a group of men standing by the fountain in the middle of the room. One of them she recognized as a former client of Garnier Construction who she knew in the very near future was going to be expanding his current building, if not contracting for a new one.

“Why don’t you look at some of the exhibits or get something for yourself at the buffet tables?” Luke advised, his attention clearly focused on the men by the fountain. “I’ll find you in a few minutes.”

Effectively dismissed, she watched him join the group before heading toward a display of artifacts believed to belong to the ill-fated Romanov family of Russia. She really wasn’t all that interested in any of the exhibits, but she couldn’t—wouldn’t—just stand there like a little lost puppy, waiting for Luke to once again grace her with his attention.

Sighing, she wandered around the museum, wondering what on earth she’d gotten herself into. It hadn’t been lost on her that Luke had introduced her to the curator as his executive assistant, instead of his fiancée or future wife. Nor did he have any compunction about dumping her in favor of soliciting a possible repeat client.

But she really didn’t have any reason to complain. He’d made it quite clear that he was only marrying her because he couldn’t get her to have his heir any other way. And she was going through with their arrangement because she wanted a baby more than she’d ever wanted anything in her entire life.

Haley smiled as she absently gazed at a delicate, elaborately decorated egg. She was finally going to have her own baby—a child she would love and nurture and who would love her unconditionally in return. And the fact that Luke was going to be the baby’s daddy made her decision to go through with their agreement much easier. The only fly in the ointment was the fact that Luke didn’t love her, nor did he make any pretense that he expected their marriage to last.

“It looks pretty fragile, doesn’t it?”

At the sound of the male voice at her shoulder, Haley turned to find a nice-looking man with dark blond hair and sparkling green eyes standing next to her. “Yes, it does,” she said, really taking a look at the Faberge egg in the glass case in front of her for the first time.

“Back where I come from, we fry up the eggs for breakfast and throw the shells away,” he remarked, laughing.

“And home is Oklahoma or Texas?” she asked, recognizing his southwestern drawl.

“Beaver, Oklahoma, to be exact,” he announced proudly.

“And you?”

“I was born and raised in Atlanta.” She walked to the next display case containing pictures of the Romanov family shortly before their deaths. “But I’ve lived in Nashville since I was in college.”

“Never went to college myself,” the man disclosed, shaking his head as he followed her. “I left home right after graduating high school with a fifty dollar bill in my pocket and an old guitar slung over my shoulder.” He grinned. “That was fifteen years ago and I’ve been here ever since.”

“So you’re in the music business?” she asked politely.

The man looked shocked for a moment before giving her a wide grin. “You’re about the sweetest thing I’ve come across in a long time. What’s your name, darlin’?”

She caught sight of Luke coming toward them like a charging bull. “Haley, I need you to come with me.” The censure she detected in his voice startled her.

“Haley is it?” the man beside her repeated, smiling. “Pretty name for a pretty lady.”

She ignored the man’s compliment as Luke came to stand on the other side of her. “Is something wrong?”

“No. I just want to get your opinion on one of the paintings offered here that I thought would make a nice addition to the office.” Before she could respond, he glared at the friendly man standing beside her. “You’ll have to excuse us.”

When Luke took her by the elbow and strongly urged her in the opposite direction, she gave the man an apologetic smile. “It was nice talking with you.”

He nodded. “You, too, Haley. That’s just my luck, though. All the pretty ones are already spoke for.”

She frowned as Luke hurried her toward a gallery on the opposite side of the atrium. “Are you sure there’s nothing wrong?”

“We’ll talk about it later,” he said, leading her to an abstract painting. “Right now, I want your opinion on this. Do you think this would be appropriate for the reception area?”

She stared at him before she finally shook her head and turned her attention to the painting. “I’m not the person you should be asking about this.”

He looked surprised. “Why not?”

“Because I prefer a more realistic rendering,” she elaborated, pointing to a beautiful landscape down the long wall. “I especially love scenes like this.”

“Really?” Shaking his head, he glanced from one painting to the other. “I wouldn’t have guessed that about you.”

“I’m sure there’s a lot about me you’d never guess,” she murmured, moving on to view another canvas. If he was surprised by her taste in artwork, he’d be shocked right down to his Italian loafers to learn how she truly felt about him.

While Luke arranged the purchase and delivery of the landscape she had chosen for the Garnier office on Monday, Haley continued looking at the array of artwork.

“You know, that picture looks like something my nephew did when he was in kindergarten,” a familiar voice remarked from behind her.

Turning, Haley smiled at the man she’d talked to earlier in the room displaying the Romanov treasures. “You wouldn’t happen to be following me, would you?”

He grinned. “Would it bother you if I said yes?”

“It wouldn’t set well with me.”

Haley glanced up to see Luke walking toward them, his expression anything but pleased. “Come on, Haley. It’s time I took you home.”

“There you go again, trying to steal her away from me,” the man said good-naturedly.

Luke placed his hand to her back. “Pal, she’s not yours for me to steal away. She’s already mine and you might as well give up the chase. It’s not going to happen tonight or any other night.”

Surprised by his possessive words, Haley didn’t even think to protest as Luke guided her to the exit. But when they stepped onto the sidewalk in front of the museum and she finally found her voice, she asked “What was that all about?”

He gave the valet instructions to call for his limo before turning to face her. “Do you even know who you were talking to?”

“No. Why?”

Luke’s frown eased a bit. “That was country music’s bad boy, Chet Parker. Surely you’ve heard about his womanizing. He has quite a reputation.”

She glanced over her shoulder at the museum’s entrance. “You can’t be serious,” she said, amazed that she hadn’t recognized the country music superstar.

“He’s divorced again,” Luke advised disgustedly. “And I’d say he was sizing you up as his next candidate.”

Haley shook her head. “I doubt that. We were just chatting about the displays.”

“Guys like Parker don’t strike up a casual conversation with a woman. Not without an ulterior motive.” When his limousine pulled up to the curb, Luke helped her into the back, then slid in beside her. “Just keep in mind that you and I have a deal. And it doesn’t include the likes of Chet Parker.”

A mixture of anger and disappointment settled in the pit of Haley’s stomach. Luke wasn’t acting possessive because he cared for her, he was just concerned that she might find a reason to renege on their agreement.

Thankful the ride to her place was short, when the driver parked the car in front of her apartment, she gathered her evening bag and readied herself to escape Luke’s presence. If she didn’t, she wasn’t entirely certain she wouldn’t bop him on top of his thick head with her sequined clutch.

Unfortunately, he had other ideas. When the chauffer opened the door and Luke got out to help her to her feet, he wrapped his arm around her waist and started up the walk to her door.

“There’s no need to see me inside. I’m perfectly capable of finding my own way.”

“I’m sure you can,” he said as he continued to escort her to the front step. Taking her key from her, he fit it into the lock and opened her door. “But I always make sure my date gets inside safely.”

“Your date? I wasn’t aware that’s what I was tonight,” she retorted, unable to stop herself.

“Of course you were.”

She shook her head. “Let me see. You didn’t ask me to go to the event with you, you told me that we were going. Then this evening, I was introduced as your executive assistant and immediately dismissed in favor of a potential client. And at no time during the evening do I remember You referring to me as your date or being treated like one, unless you want to count that little display of macho possessiveness with Chet Parker.”

He looked at her like he didn’t have a clue what she was talking about. “You are my assistant and I’m sure you recognized the client I was talking with. I don’t need to tell you how profitable his business could be for Garnier Construction. And as far as Parker was concerned, he needed to get the message that you’re unavailable.”

Suddenly too tired to explain what he was obviously missing, she reached for her key. “On second thought, just forget it. You probably wouldn’t understand if I drew you a picture.”

“Oh, I get it.” He held her key just out of reach. “You feel that I neglected you this evening.”

“No,” she lied. That was exactly the way she’d felt, but for one thing, he had no idea that she had romantic feelings for him. And for another, he didn’t see her as anything more than his executive assistant, who had obviously lost her mind and agreed to help him with his cockamamy scheme to have a baby.

“Please, give me my key. I’ll see you tomorrow morning when you pick me up to go to Pigeon Forge,” she responded, holding out her hand.

To her surprise, he shook his head and wrapped his arms around her waist to draw her to him. “I can’t let you think that I was ignoring you.” He smiled as he ran his index finger over the scooped neckline of her dress. “Or that I didn’t notice how sexy you look in this little black number.”

Haley felt as if her heart bounced down to the pit of her stomach, then rebounded to lodge in her throat. His strong arms holding her securely to his tall, solid frame and the intention in his dark blue gaze sent a shiver of sheer delight through her. How many times in the past several years had she imagined him looking at her that way? Or what it would feel like to be in his arms and have him kiss her?

But when he lowered his head to cover her mouth with his, reality far exceeded any of her fantasies. Light and tender, his firm lips moved over hers with such care it robbed her of breath and sent a delicious warmth flowing in her body.

Tingles of excitement rushed through her when he used his tongue to coax her mouth to open for him. Haley couldn’t have denied him access to her inner recesses if her life depended on it. She wanted to experience every nuance of Luke’s kiss, wanted to taste him and have him taste her in return.

As his tongue mated with hers, her knees gave way and she raised her arms to his shoulders to keep from falling. Never had a kiss left her feeling as if every bone in her body had been turned to soft, malleable putty.

But all too soon Luke eased the pressure of his mouth on hers and nibbled tiny kisses from her lips to her ear, then down to the hollow below. “I’ll be by around seven in the morning to get you,” he whispered, sending a wave of heat coursing through her.

“Th-that’s awfully early,” she noted, distracted by his warm breath feathering over her suddenly sensitive skin.

“I want to get the wedding out of the way before I meet with the Laurel employees,” he stated, releasing her to step back.

Being doused with a bucket of ice water couldn’t have been more effective in ending the sensual feelings he’d created within her. Of course he’d think of their wedding as an inconvenience to be dispensed with as quickly as possible in order to get back to business as usual.

“Don’t bother,” she said, plucking her key from his fingers. “I’ll meet you at the airfield.”

Walking into her apartment and closing the door before he could argue the point further, Haley barely suppressed the urge to scream. She hadn’t expected him to feel the same about their wedding as she did. After all, she might love him, but he barely knew she existed beyond the office. Yet, it certainly would have been nice for him to view the ceremony as more than just fulfilling one of the details of their agreement.

She shook her head as she entered her bedroom to change into her nightgown. Her father’s housekeeper used to warn her to be careful what she wished for because she just might get it.

Haley had never understood what the woman meant more than she did at that very moment. Tomorrow she would have everything she’d wished for. She would become Luke Garnier’s wife—albeit temporarily—and quite possibly within the next year, the mother of his child.

So why wasn’t she happier about it? And why did she feel like she was embarking on a journey that could very well end up destroying her?