Читать книгу Baby for the Greek Billionaire: The Baby Project / Second Chance Baby / Baby on the Ranch - SUSAN MEIER, Susan Meier - Страница 15

FOR THE FIRST TIME since getting Gino, Darius felt his world righting. He had grown more than comfortable with his role as Gino’s father. Plus his feelings for Whitney had taken a sudden, unexpected turn. Now that he realized she might be agreeable to an affair, their attraction no longer seemed wrong. It was just part of the picture. Part of who they were. And if they continued to grow in friendship as they had been, pretty soon he was going to act on it.

As they drove home from the city the following Tuesday evening, he realized “pretty soon” might come sooner rather than later. There she sat, long lean legs crossed, her soft yellow hair tumbling over her shoulders as she worked, tempting him. Over the past few weeks, she’d slowly changed the way she dressed from oversize suits to simple sweaters and skirts. She’d also relaxed her hairstyle, as if she was returning to her normal self. And she was captivating. Gorgeous. If he didn’t stop staring at her, he’d be in sad shape by the time they reached the estate. So he did the only thing he could to get his mind on something else. He started talking.

“Nick’s flight has been moved up. He’ll be at the house on Friday afternoon of the weekend he and Cade are staying, instead of Friday evening.”

Whitney looked up. Her pretty Persian-cat eyes warmed with humor. “So are we going home early to meet him, or are you risking the silver?”

“I told you. I’m not worried about the silver, but I’m not so sure I want to leave him alone with Liz.”

She burst out laughing. “Oh, come on.”

“No, you come on. He’s a womanizer.”

Her head tilted. “Really?”

He scuffed the toe of his shoe in the limo carpeting. He’d just called his brother a womanizer as if it was a bad thing when he intended to try to get Whitney into bed.

“He’s got thirteen years on her.”

She nudged his shoulder. “Stop acting like an old man.”

He glanced up, caught her gaze. “I am an old man.”

“At thirty-eight?”

The question came out on an airy giggle and everything inside of Darius thundered to life. He hadn’t flirted with anyone in weeks. Maybe months. But there was something about flirting with Whitney that was more fun than normal. Maybe because only a few weeks ago this kind of conversation would have been foreign to her. And he’d helped her get to this place.

Surely that meant he could be allowed to enjoy it?

“Maybe I’m not so old as I am experienced.”

She snorted and glanced down at her papers again. “I’ll bet you are.”

He knocked the toe of her high heel with the toe of his oxford. “Wanna find out?”

She looked up, her eyes filled with fear. But in a blink the fear was gone, replaced by curiosity.

Oh, yeah. She wanted to find out.

The mild tingle of arousal in his gut suddenly became a raging river. He could have ravaged her right there in the limo.

And not been sorry.

That shocked him. He really wouldn’t have been sorry. In his mind’s eye he saw nothing but pleasure with her. No sadness or fear for her. No guilt or recrimination for himself.

This really was going to happen.

Finally, she said, “Don’t flatter yourself,” and returned her attention to her paperwork, but he knew she was lying. She wanted him as much as he wanted her.

It was a milestone for her. One he wouldn’t take lightly. He would make sure the moment was right when he seduced her. But he would seduce her. Not just for his own pleasure but for hers, and to bring her wholly back to the woman she was supposed to be. He couldn’t bring back her child. Couldn’t change her memories. But he’d been helping her take steps to recovery all along. He could help her take the next one.

After dinner, he would lure her into the den and they’d have ‘the’ conversation. He wouldn’t risk any misunderstanding. They both had to be clear about this or it wouldn’t work.

Because they were now getting down on the floor with Gino, Whitney changed into jeans before she went to the nursery to play for the hour before dinner. After they ate, Darius rose from the table and immediately walked to her chair, which he pulled out for her. “Can you spare a few minutes to talk with me in the den?”

“Sure.”

He led her back down the hall. Once in the den, he pointed to the sofa as he headed for the bar. “Wine?”

Because she still had two hours of reading to do, she shook her head. “No. Thanks.”

“I was kind of counting on you having a glass of wine before our talk.”

“Really?” She laughed. “You want me tipsy?”

“Yes. No.” He winced, then pulled out a bottle of wine and popped the cork. “I want you relaxed.”

She laughed again. “I thought we were past being nervous around each other.”

“Not quite. There’s one more thing we haven’t discussed. Something we need to discuss and then we’ll have everything out in the open between us.”

“I’m ready.”

He sucked in a breath. “Okay, Whitney, I don’t have to tell you that we’re attracted to each other.”

That was the last thing she’d expected him to say. Rather than sit on the couch as he’d indicated, she took a step back toward the door. “And?”

“And I know I told you that I wouldn’t kiss you again, but I’ve changed my mind. I now think we should do something about this thing between us.”

Looking at his full lips, the gleam in his dark eyes, she felt a longing that she hadn’t felt in years. Oh, she was tempted, but she’d already worked all this out in her head and decided it was trouble. She laughed nervously and, as casually as possible, took another two steps back. “I’m not ready for a committed relationship.”

Unfortunately, he came out from behind the bar and easily caught up with her. He stepped close, toyed with a strand of her hair. “Who says that’s what I want?”

Her breath froze in her lungs. Temptation rose up like the morning sun, bright and full of promise. But they weren’t the only two people in this equation.

“Have you forgotten, we’re parents … raising a child together for the next eighteen years?”

“We’re also mature adults who understand ourselves.

You were hurt, nearly destroyed by a man you trusted. I had a father who couldn’t remain faithful if he tried. I saw how he hurt my mom. I won’t hurt a woman that way.”

“And you think having affairs doesn’t leave women hurt?”

“Not if you go into the relationship knowing the score. You said yourself Missy was fine with what she had with my dad.”

“I know but—” Though that was true, she hadn’t meant it in the context he’d taken it. “That’s different.”