Forbidden Secrets: His Secret Baby Bombshell
Michelle Celmer
Charlene Sands
Jules Bennett
His Secret Baby BombshellGraham Newport has never had such a heated, secret affair. Eve Winchester is exactly what he needs – a career-driven woman who is only looking for physical. But when he discovers she's pregnant, Graham is ready to fight for Eve and their baby… Back in the Enemy's BedWealthy private investigator Roman Slater has never forgiven himself for hurting former flame Grace Winchester. And Grace has never forgiven him, either! Yet despite herself, she’s back in the millionaire’s bed…The Texan's One-Night StandoffChicago real estate hotshot Brooks Newport is on a quest to find his true father. But tracking him to a small Texas town puts Brooks on a collision course with horse trainer Ruby Lopez. Especially when a no-strings-attached night together has consequences!
About the Authors (#u8b889e87-879a-57d3-9855-18449d0f6066)
National bestselling author JULES BENNETT has over thirty romance novels in print worldwide. She’s written for Mills & Boon since 2008 and currently writes for two lines: True Love and Desire. When Jules isn’t working on her latest romance novel, she’s spending time with her family or procrastinating on social media. Check out all of her upcoming titles, appearances and more on her site at www.julesbennett.com (http://www.julesbennett.com).
MICHELLE CELMER is a bestselling author of more than thirty books. When she’s not writing, she likes to spend time with her husband, kids, grandchildren and a menagerie of animals.
Michelle loves to hear from readers. Like her on Facebook or write her at PO Box 300, Clawson, MI 48017, USA.
CHARLENE SANDS is a USA TODAY bestselling author of more than forty romance novels. She writes sensual contemporary romances and stories of the Old West. When not writing, Charlene enjoys sunny Pacific beaches, great coffee, reading books from her favorite authors and spending time with her family. You can find her on Facebook and Twitter, write her at PO Box 4883, West Hills, CA 91308, USA, or sign up for her newsletter for fun blogs and ongoing contests at www.charlenesands.com (http://www.charlenesands.com).
Forbidden Secrets
His Secret Baby Bombshell
Jules Bennett
Back in the Enemy’s Bed
Michelle Celmer
The Texan’s One-Night Standoff
Charlene Sands
www.millsandboon.co.uk (http://www.millsandboon.co.uk)
ISBN: 978-1-474-08171-9
FORBIDDEN SECRETS
His Secret Baby Bombshell © 2016 Harlequin Books S.A. Back In The Enemy’s Bed © 2016 Harlequin Books S.A. The Texan’s One-Night Standoff © 2016 Harlequin Books S.A.
Published in Great Britain 2018
by Mills & Boon, an imprint of HarperCollinsPublishers 1 London Bridge Street, London, SE1 9GF
All rights reserved including the right of reproduction in whole or in part in any form. This edition is published by arrangement with Harlequin Books S.A.
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, locations and incidents are purely fictional and bear no relationship to any real life individuals, living or dead, or to any actual places, business establishments, locations, events or incidents. Any resemblance is entirely coincidental.
By payment of the required fees, you are granted the non-exclusive, non-transferable right and licence to download and install this e-book on your personal computer, tablet computer, smart phone or other electronic reading device only (each a “Licensed Device”) and to access, display and read the text of this e-book on-screen on your Licensed Device. Except to the extent any of these acts shall be permitted pursuant to any mandatory provision of applicable law but no further, no part of this e-book or its text or images may be reproduced, transmitted, distributed, translated, converted or adapted for use on another file format, communicated to the public, downloaded, decompiled, reverse engineered, or stored in or introduced into any information storage and retrieval system, in any form or by any means, whether electronic or mechanical, now known or hereinafter invented, without the express written permission of publisher.
® and ™ are trademarks owned and used by the trademark owner and/or its licensee. Trademarks marked with ® are registered with the United Kingdom Patent Office and/or the Office for Harmonisation in the Internal Market and in other countries.
www.millsandboon.co.uk (http://www.millsandboon.co.uk)
Table of Contents
Cover (#ue18adef4-5faf-5bf2-a6c1-165217b077b2)
About the Authors (#u526d832a-7423-5145-902f-b92ef337ec77)
Title Page (#u7ea1ccc8-5c1c-55a1-86e2-d6609dc3a1bf)
Copyright (#uecd2ad02-f2f8-5a9b-a969-2ca9dc41d079)
His Secret Baby Bombshell (#uc9fc3bf9-5cb9-5e1e-8974-5de35661cffa)
Back Cover Text (#ube82b128-190d-5e79-ae61-ad1565fe0481)
Dedication (#u6e8b3549-ec31-5722-93a0-c5f96e62e4ea)
One (#u72a52c96-c3ac-53de-bc8d-fcd418557fcc)
Two (#u06cbe2c9-2129-540f-a5a9-bc82f1bdbc83)
Three (#u855c91c9-95ff-56b0-a0f0-1b90fef8f824)
Four (#ua0a98a54-78b1-530a-9c60-7c11b9b5a931)
Five (#u0ae7ab87-7bd0-5a1d-94f7-9e0a59f59d04)
Six (#ue84cd7a6-b082-5813-9e10-6322eae32cd2)
Seven (#ucb2fc855-5537-5bac-8078-c71eccb3393b)
Eight (#u27087676-3476-5213-a59d-bf7828b56194)
Nine (#u2d68f6d3-ba1e-58a6-b918-a469c34eee5b)
Ten (#u9b3b615d-7cf7-55ee-83a1-01d3c4edea7d)
Eleven (#uac98481d-bb83-54f5-924c-9dd9a90e3b19)
Twelve (#u10cf9f04-c120-5351-b775-c08504d5f630)
Thirteen (#litres_trial_promo)
Fourteen (#litres_trial_promo)
Fifteen (#litres_trial_promo)
Sixteen (#litres_trial_promo)
Seventeen (#litres_trial_promo)
Back in the Enemy’s Bed (#litres_trial_promo)
Back Cover Text (#litres_trial_promo)
Dedication (#litres_trial_promo)
One (#litres_trial_promo)
Two (#litres_trial_promo)
Three (#litres_trial_promo)
Four (#litres_trial_promo)
Five (#litres_trial_promo)
Six (#litres_trial_promo)
Seven (#litres_trial_promo)
Eight (#litres_trial_promo)
Nine (#litres_trial_promo)
Ten (#litres_trial_promo)
Eleven (#litres_trial_promo)
Twelve (#litres_trial_promo)
Thirteen (#litres_trial_promo)
Fourteen (#litres_trial_promo)
Fifteen (#litres_trial_promo)
The Texan’s One-Night Standoff (#litres_trial_promo)
Back Cover Text (#litres_trial_promo)
Dedication (#litres_trial_promo)
One (#litres_trial_promo)
Two (#litres_trial_promo)
Three (#litres_trial_promo)
Four (#litres_trial_promo)
Five (#litres_trial_promo)
Six (#litres_trial_promo)
Seven (#litres_trial_promo)
Eight (#litres_trial_promo)
Nine (#litres_trial_promo)
Ten (#litres_trial_promo)
Epilogue (#litres_trial_promo)
About the Publisher (#litres_trial_promo)
His Secret Baby Bombshell (#u8b889e87-879a-57d3-9855-18449d0f6066)
Jules Bennett
Expecting her rival’s baby!
Driven businesswoman Eve Winchester has big plans to take her father’s Chicago real estate empire global. But when she ends up pregnant by her family’s personal and professional nemesis, she’s thrown into the shark tank of corporate intrigue. Now she’s doing damage control as she falls even deeper for Graham Newport.
Graham has never had such a heated, secret fling. But suddenly Eve is pregnant, and no strings attached turns into the ties that bind. Graham won’t turn his back on what’s his, but will family friction tear apart their fledgling affair?
This book goes to my shelf buddies
and awesome friends Sarah M. Anderson,
Andrea Laurence and Cat Schield.
Love you all!
One (#u8b889e87-879a-57d3-9855-18449d0f6066)
Déjà vu swept over Eve Winchester. Not again. This cannot be happening again.
The two pink lines mocked her denial.
Eve clutched the pregnancy test, gripping the side of her white pedestal sink with her other hand.
Sheets rustled in the bedroom. Through the crack in the bathroom door, Eve could see Graham Newport lying in her bed.
Now that she knew her predicament, she had no idea what step to take next. For someone who prided herself on plans, on spreadsheets and following through on details in a timely fashion, she was completely lost.
But her unknowns stemmed from the fear of what Graham would do. How would he react? How would their families, whose rivalry was legendary in Chicago, deal with this shocking news? The Newports and the Winchesters had enough drama on their hands lately. The Newport brothers’ paternity had been thrown into question earlier this year. Graham and his brother Brooks were still up in the air after their paternity tests came back negative, but their other brother, Carson, had discovered who his real father was—Sutton Winchester, who happened to be Eve’s, too.
Yeah, they were all in a state of upheaval right now and this unexpected pregnancy would just toss a stick of dynamite into the fire.
With shaky hands, Eve quickly put the test back in the box and shoved it beneath some trash in the can under the sink. Finally, risking another glance over her shoulder, she peered through the slight opening in the door and noted that Graham was still asleep. He had one toned leg thrown over white sheets, one arm stretched out to the side. Eve closed her eyes and pulled in a deep breath. After the paternity test had proven Graham wasn’t related to her in any way, they’d finally given in to the feelings they’d fought so hard against. They’d been so careful to keep this heated affair a secret. But when their instant attraction had become evident, they’d both gotten backlash from their siblings. Fine, they could sneak around and leave the siblings out of it, right?
Yeah, that had worked for the past six weeks. So much for keeping their families out of their private lives.
Now she was having a baby. A second pregnancy...this one much scarier than the last. This time she knew the ugly horrors that could happen. She’d lived through them, still bore the internal scars, and now she’d have to find a way to push through again. Could fate be that cruel?
Eve slid her hand over her silk chemise. Her flat stomach had once been round, once held another life taken all too soon. As much as she wanted to take her father’s company global and focus on being in charge, she refused to let an innocent baby feel anything but loved and secure. And above all, this child would not be a victim in the war between the families.
That is, if she made it to full-term.
Fear coursed through her. The fear of telling Graham weighed heavily on her, but the fear of losing another child was absolutely crippling. Going through such grief again might very well destroy her. Added to that, her father was terminal. How much pain could one woman endure and still keep going?
The sheets rustled again and Eve knew she couldn’t hide in the bathroom forever. Graham had come over late last night and they’d quickly tumbled into bed, as was their habit. No sweet-talking, no romantic walks for them. Eve had a passion for Graham and the family feud between the Winchesters and the Newports had no place in their affair.
Unfortunately, their worlds were about to collide in ways they never dreamed.
Stepping back into her bedroom, Eve pulled in a deep breath. Even though her entire world was completely turned upside down, she still had obligations, and Elite Industries needed their new president to be in top form at all times. The man in her bed would have to go because she had a meeting shortly and she needed to prepare. Plus, she needed some time alone to process her situation.
The second Eve crossed the room, Graham’s intense aqua eyes were on her. That heavy-lidded gaze did amazing things to her body. Just one stare, one simple touch, and the man had her under his spell. The potency he projected was unlike anything she’d ever known.
With a cockeyed grin, he jerked back the sheet in a silent invitation for her to join him. He never had to say a word to get her right where he wanted her. There had been an unspoken agreement that this was sex only. Clearly they didn’t want more because they were both married to their jobs and the intensity of their passion was off the charts. A committed relationship couldn’t be this hot this fast. But they were about to enter a committed relationship of a totally different nature.
Eve shook her head. “As much as I’d love to take you up on your offer, I need to get some work done.”
He raised one dark blond brow. “On Sunday morning? I can make you forget all about work.”
Graham Newport could charm the crown from a queen...which was why he was one of Chicago’s finest lawyers. Despite his young age of thirty-two, Graham had made full law partner at Mayer, Mayer and Newport. And it wasn’t just the charm that catapulted him into his prestigious position. That reserved, quiet, yet lethal strength had him soaring to the top.
“Maybe so,” she agreed, trying to sound casual, though the hidden pregnancy test mocked her. “But I have an online meeting later with a group from Australia because it will be their Monday morning.”
Graham sat up, the sheet pooling around his bare, sculpted waist. Raking a hand through his disheveled hair, he sighed. “I hate when you want to be responsible.”
Eve nearly cringed. If he thought she was responsible now, wait until he discovered the pregnancy. But that would have to wait. She needed to cope with this shock first, needed to make sure everything was all right. Granted, everything had appeared to be fine with her last pregnancy...then suddenly it wasn’t.
Even though she and Graham had a physical relationship only, he had every right to know. But until she saw a doctor, she was keeping this news to herself. The last thing she’d ever want anyone to feel was the empty void and crushing ache of losing a child.
“You okay?”
Eve blinked, pulling herself back to the moment. Graham’s aqua eyes held hers. Pasting on a smile, she nodded. “How could I not be after last night?”
Get it together, Eve.
Graham jerked the sheet aside and stalked across the room to gather his clothes. The man was completely comfortable with his body and she was completely comfortable enjoying the view.
Eve smoothed her silk robe with shaky hands before adjusting the covers and pillows on the bed. She needed to focus on something other than the sexy man in her bedroom, who never failed to satisfy her every desire, and the unborn child they’d made.
Graham would demand to know how this happened. She’d told him she was on birth control, and she was. But she’d switched types right about the time of the children’s hospital charity ball...their first night together.
Strong arms circled her waist as she fell back against Graham’s hard chest. Her body instantly responded to his touch and when his lips caressed the side of her neck, Eve couldn’t stop her head from tilting, her lashes from closing and a moan from seeping out. She had no willpower when it came to Graham and the bedroom. Obviously.
“Maybe I could help you with preparing for this meeting,” he muttered against her ear. “I do my best thinking in the shower.”
Eve had been prepared for this meeting for weeks. That was her thing. She was always professional, always prompt, and she always had a plan B. Her spreadsheets had spreadsheets, and her period was never a day late.
Which is how she’d known when she needed to buy a pregnancy test.
And, if Graham really knew her, he would’ve caught her in the lie about needing to get ready for a meeting. He would’ve known she had her notes and speech down pat in order to win over the prospective new company. Which just went to prove, they didn’t know each other very well at all outside the bedroom.
With a quick, effective tug, Graham pulled the knot free on her robe. Eve gripped his hands. “You may think in the shower, but I guarantee I won’t be able to.”
Graham playfully nipped at her earlobe and released her. “You’re always flattering me.”
As if his ego needed any more stroking.
Eve finished making the bed as Graham sat in the corner accent chair and slipped his dress shoes on. The man was hot as hell naked, but designer suits did some amazing things for him. And each time he showed up after work, she had a hard time resisting that GQ look with a touch of unkempt hair going on. How could one look like one needed a haircut and still have the entire Chicago power-lawyer look going?
It was the side eye. He had the sexiest side eye she’d ever seen. He’d tip his head in that George Clooney kind of way and peer at you from beneath those thick lashes. Yeah, those aqua eyes were the main component of his charm to get you hooked. Once he had you under his spell, he pulled you in tighter, snaring you with the rest of all of his seductive ways.
“I actually have a case I’m working on.” He came to his feet and rolled up the sleeves of his black dress shirt. “Brooks and I are meeting later. Say the word, though, and I’ll gladly cancel.”
Laughing, Eve shook her head. “We both have meetings. And if our families keep noticing how you and I are both MIA at the same time, they’re going to stage an intervention.”
Without a word, he closed the space between them, wrapped her in his arms and kissed her. Could something so potent, toe-curling and heart-clenching be summed up in such a simple word as kiss? Being kissed by Graham was an event, something she should prepare for, but there was no way she could ever prepare her body for the onslaught of passion and desire that slammed into her each time he touched her.
He ran his hands up and down her back, the silky material gliding against her skin. Nipping at her lips, he murmured, “I’ll be back tonight.”
With that whispered promise, he released her and walked away. Eve remained still, clutching her robe, staring at the neatly made bed and trying to figure out exactly how this unplanned pregnancy would weave into her perfectly planned life...and how Graham would take the news that he was going to be a father.
* * *
“Sutton will not win in the end,” Brooks threatened. “If it’s the last thing I do, I’ll expose that man for the cheating bastard he is.”
Pinching the bridge of his nose between his finger and thumb, Graham blew out a breath. Sutton Lazarus Winchester had always been a thorn in their side—his real estate business was Newport Corporation’s main competition—but ever since they’d discovered Sutton had had an affair with their mother, Cynthia Newport, things had been much worse.
It had all started when she had first come to Chicago. Her real name was Amy Jo Turner, which she’d used until she fled her abusive father when she’d been pregnant with twins. With a brand-new name and town, Cynthia had gone to work in a coffee shop, saving money to raise two boys. She’d ultimately been taken under the wing of Gerty, a retired waitress. It was at this coffee shop that Cynthia met Sutton and wound up going to work for him. Cue illicit affair and their half brother, Carson.
The entire string of events was a complete mess. But now that the DNA test was official, Graham and Brooks knew for a fact Sutton wasn’t their father. Which had made Graham’s seduction of Eve possible. The woman kept him tied in knots. He counted down the time to when he could get his hands on her again, have her panting his name and wrapping that curvy body around his.
“Are you even listening?”
Graham dropped his hand to the arm of the leather club chair in his brother’s office and sighed. He was half listening, half fantasizing new ways to make Eve lose control.
“I hear you,” he confirmed. “And I agree. Carson is entitled to an inheritance when Sutton passes. It’s only fair seeing as how Carson is his child, as well. The estate shouldn’t just be split among the girls.”
Sutton’s three daughters were fighting this battle, as well. Nora, Grace and Eve weren’t quite ready to welcome another sibling, but too bad, because the tests proved Carson was indeed a Winchester no matter how many people disliked the fact.
And Graham despised that he and his brothers were technically teaming up against Eve and her sisters. But it was only fair that when Sutton finally passed, Carson got his fair share of what was rightfully his. It would be in the Winchesters’ best interest not to fight this matter because Graham would fight back...and win.
This entire mess was just another reason Graham and Eve had to keep their affair a secret and 100 percent physical. Nothing too heavy, no commitments and nothing long-term.
And no way in hell could their siblings ever come to know the full truth of just how hot their attraction burned. They’d not been too secretive about their initial attraction, but quickly discovered discretion was the best way to go. Considering what he and Eve did was no one’s business, they’d opted to take things to the bedroom and ignore the turmoil surrounding them.
Keeping things simple—no talk of families or wills and Sutton’s health—was the only way this affair was working and Graham was in no hurry to end it. A physical relationship with a woman who matched his passion like no other wasn’t something he was ready to toss aside.
“So I need you to subpoena Eve.”
The cold, harsh words jerked him from his thoughts. Graham sat up in his seat. “Excuse me?”
“I didn’t think you were listening,” Brooks growled. “We need her and her sisters to testify at the hearing regarding Sutton’s estate. I need you to hand deliver those subpoenas.”
So much for attempting to keep his relationship with Eve impersonal. Damn it. He wholeheartedly agreed that Carson was due his percentage, but he didn’t want to go to battle with Eve. Not that he wouldn’t win. Winning had never been an issue because when Graham Newport went into a courtroom, he was there for battle and came out on top. Always. But to get into a war with Eve... He blew out a breath. That would destroy this chemistry they’d discovered.
Not that he wanted anything long-term or serious with her, but he wasn’t ready to put the brakes on this amazing secret affair they had going. And he had to admit, the whole sneaking-around thing did thrill him on a new level he never knew existed. Sex had always come easy for him, but to know Eve matched his passion, his fire, was something he’d never found before. So, for now, he’d really like to keep this subpoena out of his personal life.
“When’s the court date?” Graham asked.
Brooks rested his forearms on his neat, mahogany desk. “Two weeks. I’d rather have it moved up because, with Sutton’s health declining, I don’t want to take any chances.”
Sutton wasn’t doing well at all. The man was on his last leg and Graham wasn’t sorry the old bastard was fading. Sure, that sounded cold and harsh, but it was fitting for the man who was ruthless and conniving. The man had taken advantage of Graham’s mother, whether she would’ve admitted it or not. He’d gotten her pregnant, unbeknownst to him, but he’d still tossed Cynthia aside when he was done with her. Clearly his high-society wife was all he needed at the end of the day, though she’d ultimately ended up leaving him.
Graham’s own mother had recently died, too, which is how the paternity issues had come to light in the first place. But the loss was still too fresh, too heart wrenching, so he turned his focus back to Brooks. Letting the void in his heart consume him would be all too easy.
“What did Roman find out?”
The private investigator Brooks had hired to uncover Brooks and Graham’s paternity had been working diligently on the case, yet hadn’t come up with a name yet. They’d never known who their father was and, for a brief time, they feared Sutton was the one. Now that Roman Slater had found out that Sutton had fathered Carson and abandoned their mother, Brooks and Graham were out for blood. The only way to take Sutton down was to hit him where he’d feel it the most. Considering the man didn’t have a heart, Brooks and Graham were going after his finances on Carson’s behalf, and ultimately that would trickle down to his daughters. Graham ignored the guilt gnawing away at his chest. Business and sex were two areas where he never got emotionally attached.
“I’m waiting to find out, but he’s almost positive he’s uncovered more children Sutton fathered from his affairs. If that’s the case, I won’t hesitate to use it against him.”
Graham muttered a curse and stared out the floor-to-ceiling window behind Brooks. The Chicago skyline was one he never took for granted. He loved his city, loved working here and taking charge. The ambiance of such a powerful city gave him ammunition each day to fight his battles.
“If he uncovers too many, they’ll all want a share of Sutton’s assets.”
Graham crossed his ankle over his knee and raked a hand over the back of his neck. Maybe he should get a haircut. No. He liked Eve’s fingers running through his hair. He liked the way she toyed with the strands on his neck when...
Damn it. He was here for Brooks. How could he concentrate when Eve kept creeping to the forefront of his mind?
“I thought of that, too,” Brooks agreed. “Which is another reason I want this finalized before Sutton passes. So those subpoenas need to be delivered as soon as you can draw them up.”
Graham nodded. He might not want to do this, he might hate mixing this business with his personal life, but there was no other way. And Graham knew Brooks wasn’t usually this ruthless. But his twin was angry, hurt. They both were. With Sutton so hush-hush about what he knew, and right on the tail of their mother’s passing, there was just so much emotion and nowhere to put it all.
Sutton was a man who deserved to be destroyed, and if Eve and her sisters got in the Newports’ way, well...they better just cooperate because Graham would win this fight for Carson. Taking prisoners along the way wasn’t ideal, but he’d do so for the sake of his brothers. Family was everything, after all.
Two (#u8b889e87-879a-57d3-9855-18449d0f6066)
Two days had passed since the test. Two hours had passed since her doctor had done an exam and confirmed the pregnancy, assuring her everything looked fine. She’d held it together until she made it back to her car. In the quiet of the parking garage, she’d wept for the innocent life growing inside her and prayed she’d have the strength to make it through.
Just because children weren’t something she’d set her sights on for her future didn’t mean she didn’t want this baby. Years ago she’d been naive and unprepared for what life threw her way. Now Eve was ready to do anything and everything to keep her baby safe and secure. She’d started taking vitamins the day she took the home test. At this point all she could do was relax and attempt some sort of stress-free life...as much as was possible when she was planning global domination.
As president of Elite Industries, she was more than ready to broaden the scope of the company’s dealings. Her father had created a good foundation, but she wanted more. She wanted to prove to herself, and to her ailing father, that she could make this company even better. Before he passed, she wanted him to be proud of what she’d done.
Back at the office, Eve closed her eyes and tipped her head back against her leather office chair. Her father’s days were numbered, there was no denying the truth that faced them. Sliding a hand over her stomach, Eve wondered at what point she should tell him about this next generation. Would he be excited she was carrying on the name? But if she told him about the baby, she’d have to tell him about the baby’s father. Eve wasn’t ready to expose her child to this ugly war just yet.
Once she told Graham, then they could decide when to tell everyone else. He needed to know; she just had no idea how to go about telling him. Would he be angry? Would he blame her or would he embrace fatherhood? How on earth would they deal with shared parenting?
Questions whirled around inside her head as her office door burst open and slammed against the wall. Eve jerked upright, shocked to see Graham striding through, her assistant, Rebecca, right on his heels.
“I’m sorry, Ms. Winchester,” Rebecca stated nervously. “I tried to stop him.”
What was he doing here? Nobody knew about their affair and they’d purposely gone out of their way to avoid being seen together in public. His barging into her office could jeopardize everything.
“It’s fine.” Eve shot her assistant a smile and nodded in a silent dismissal. Once the door was closed, she glared at Graham. “What the hell are you thinking coming here? The last thing we need is gossip about your being in my office.”
Graham crossed to her desk and slammed a piece of paper down, the force sending other paperwork fluttering to the floor. “We need you to testify.”
Shocked, Eve came to her feet and braced her palms on the top of her desk, completely ignoring the paper. “What?”
“This is a subpoena regarding your father’s assets and Carson’s interest in them.”
Rage bubbled within her. This is why he’d come? Was this also the same reason he looked so angry? What was he thinking doing this to her, to her family?
“How dare you order me to testify against my father?”
The muscle in Graham’s jaw tightened, a tic she’d noticed when he was angry with himself. So, that was the real issue here. Why was he doing this if he didn’t want to?
What was going on and why was he doing this to her?
“You have to see what your father is, Eve.” Graham’s bright eyes held hers. Those same eyes that had devoured her body just yesterday now held so much anger, resentment. “Carson is entitled to his share of the inheritance. Plus, our PI has uncovered some other nasty facts regarding Sutton.”
As much as Eve wanted to close her eyes to battle the pain, she couldn’t. Her father may not be a popular man, but he was still her father and she wouldn’t let anyone stand in her office and throw ugly rumors around. Yes, he’d admitted to affairs while married to her mother, but that was in the past. Couldn’t people change? Did he have to pay for his sins forever? He was dying. Couldn’t everyone just let him live out his last days in peace?
Enough. She refused to allow this to happen, let alone in her own office...her father’s old office. Reaching for her phone, Eve started to dial her assistant. Instantly Graham’s fingers encircled her wrist.
“What are you doing?”
She glared at him. “Having security escort you out.”
The pressure around her wrist increased, but not to the point of hurting. “Hang up, Eve. Hear me out for two minutes and I’ll go.”
Still gripping the phone, Eve stared into his eyes, and her first thought was whether their child would have those mesmerizing baby blues. How could she resist him and tell him no when she couldn’t get her own hormones in check?
And, how could she fault his loyalty for standing up for his brother? Wasn’t she standing up for her father? They both held family bonds high and she had to admire that, but she still couldn’t allow him to shove his weight around. Not here on her turf.
She hung the phone up and pulled away from his touch. Crossing her arms over her chest, Eve tipped her chin. “Two minutes.”
A hint of a smile danced around those kissable lips. No. She couldn’t think of him in those terms right now. The way he came barging into her office, forcing this subpoena on her had nothing to do with what they did in the bedroom. Right this minute, they were enemies...and soon to be parents. Talk about a conflict of interest.
“Carson is your half brother, too,” Graham began in that steady, low tone of his that no doubt always had the judge and jury hanging on his every word. “He deserves part of your father’s assets.”
“Considering my father is very much alive, that’s not my call,” she argued. Eve hated discussing the fact that her father’s health was failing, but the harsh truth was always at the forefront of her mind. “Is that all you barged in here for?”
“Eve, you have to see this is the right thing to do for Carson. Don’t let Sutton’s hatred and hardheaded notions trickle down to you. You’re too good for that.”
For a split second, Eve wanted to melt at his words, but then she recalled who she was dealing with. Chicago’s youngest, fastest-rising attorney who marched through court and came out with a victory every time. He had Charm with a capital C. He oozed it and exploited it in order to get what he wanted.
“I have no hatred toward Carson,” she stated firmly. Carson was just as much an innocent as she and her sisters were. “I simply don’t feel it’s my decision to say what happens to my father’s things. He has a will, Graham.”
“One that was implemented before he knew of Carson’s existence.” Graham pressed his palms on her desk and leaned forward. “Regardless of what you want to do, you’ve been served, Eve.”
Part of her wanted to applaud him for holding his ground and having his brother’s back. The other part of her wanted to slap him, tear this subpoena to shreds and toss it like confetti in his face. But she refused to let her emotions show.
“I believe your two minutes are up.”
His eyes held hers for a moment longer, but he finally turned and walked out, his exit much less dramatic than his entrance. Once the doorway was clear, Eve’s legs gave out and she sank back to her chair. With shaky hands, she unfolded the document and stared at the date she was due in court. Whatever was going on with the Newport brothers, she sincerely wished they’d leave her out of it. Her father was dying, she was pushing to acquire another real estate company in Australia and now she was expecting the baby of a man who should be her enemy.
What more could life throw at her?
“Ms. Winchester?”
Eve glanced up to see Rebecca standing in the doorway. “Do you want me to have security make sure Mr. Newport is out of the building?”
“No, Rebecca. That won’t be necessary. Mr. Newport’s business is done here. He won’t return.”
There. Hopefully that would help quash any rumors about Graham’s unexpected visit. Rebecca wasn’t one to gossip, though. Eve wouldn’t have her as an assistant if she were, but she still wanted the utmost respect from her staff.
“We had a mutual client and he was dropping off some paperwork,” Eve added. “Thank you.”
With a slight nod, Rebecca stepped back out and closed the door.
So much for telling Graham about the baby soon. Now she had to figure out where they stood because he’d drawn a battle line the moment he’d opted to show up at her office. He could’ve had anyone on his staff deliver that subpoena.
Again, this proved how his family loyalties and his career were his top priorities. Which only made Eve wonder: Once he knew they’d created a baby, would she and the child be included in that inner circle?
* * *
The following morning, Eve’s patience had run out. Graham hadn’t contacted her since he’d burst into her office yesterday, and now the glaring headline mocked her from the front page of the paper: Chicago Kingpin Sutton Winchester’s Infidelity Produces More Heirs.
She began reading the article and literally had to take a seat on a stool at her kitchen island when she hit the line about his “fathering numerous children out of secret affairs.” Her stomach churned, and the nausea had nothing to do with the baby.
Tears pricked her eyes as anger rushed through her. There was only one family who wanted to stir the proverbial pot and that was the Newports. Brooks may be the ringleader in this agenda to bring down her father, but Carson and Graham were right there with him. And no doubt Graham had known all about this little media exposé when he was in her office yesterday.
Betrayal was a sickening feeling. But how could she feel betrayed? He’d never pretended to be on her side when it came to their families. They had sex, plenty of sex, but that didn’t make them a couple. That didn’t mean he had to be loyal to her or defend her to his family.
Eve knew very well who Graham was when she’d gotten together with him, so if blame was to be placed, she needed to point the finger at herself. She just wished she weren’t getting so personally wrapped up in a man who was 100 percent wrong for her.
And what the hell was this about her father having “numerous” other children? Carson was the only child she knew of. Perhaps now that his secret son had come to light, others wanted a share of her father’s holdings. The man was worth billions. Vultures would be swooping in wanting money, especially with his health failing.
An ache spread through her chest. People were picking away at her father. He was still alive, he was still in control of his will, and all of these people vying for a piece of something that didn’t belong to them were seriously making her turn into someone she didn’t want to be. If anyone, Graham included, wanted a fight, she’d give them one. She would protect her father, especially now, and she had no doubt her sisters would happily join her in the battle.
Eve finished her orange juice and dry toast so she could take her vitamin and keep it down. She’d learned on day one not to take that pill on an empty stomach and lately she was nauseous anyway. Whether from the pregnancy or from the constant roller coaster with the Newport men, she wasn’t sure.
But if Graham expected her to show up in court and do dirty work on behalf of his brothers, she expected something in return.
She shot off a quick text to her assistant to reschedule any morning meetings. Eve already knew there were two, but both were with coworkers and could be adjusted. Nobody would second-guess the president’s orders.
Once she finished with Rebecca, Eve sent Graham a text demanding an immediate meeting at her house. If he was going to play hardball, then so was she. Maybe he only knew her well in the bedroom, which was fine, but now the proverbial tables had turned. Hell, they hadn’t just turned, they’d been flipped completely over.
Eve quickly showered and threw on her favorite crimson suit. The V of the jacket’s lapels was just low enough to be sexy, yet high enough to be professional. She was gearing up for battle and she wanted to look her best.
She’d just applied her lip gloss when her doorbell rang. Eve’s master suite was on the first floor of her Chicago mansion. Five bedrooms upstairs were available for any guests, but she rarely went up there. Maybe she’d reconsider once the baby came. She wasn’t comfortable being on a separate floor from her child. Of course, at first she’d like the bassinet to be in her room so she could be close to her baby for nightly feedings.
Eve paused and pulled in a breath. That was the exact attitude she needed to keep in regards to this baby. A positive attitude, an outlook that planned for a future with her child. Because nothing would go wrong...fate wasn’t so cruel as to take away a second child.
Eve gripped the door handle and gave herself a mental pep talk. The second she opened this door, she had to forget Graham was the father of her child and remember he was the man trying to ruin her father.
Opening the door, Eve stepped back and gestured for Graham to come in. They’d never been formal, and perhaps she should’ve had this chat on neutral territory, but she wanted to be here, on her turf. This was her day to win the battle.
The moment she closed them inside and turned to face him, her body heated. Damn it. Why did he have to slide that sultry gaze over her? When he started to step toward her, Eve held her hands up.
“This isn’t a social call.”
Her words didn’t deter him as he closed the space between them and slid his hands over her waist, down her hips, and pulled her against him.
“I’m not in the mood to talk anyway,” he replied with a slight grin.
When he went for her lips, Eve skirted out from his hold. One kiss and she’d be a goner. There was absolutely no room for hormones right now.
“What was that stunt in the paper all about?” she demanded. Certainly mentioning their family drama would douse any desire he had.
Graham shrugged. “The truth was uncovered.”
“The truth,” she repeated. “You expect me to believe my father has Winchester heirs milling about Chicago? Sounds too convenient for this news to come out now.”
“Our investigator turned up quite a bit on your father.” Graham took one step toward her. “I don’t want to argue with you about this. You have to see the truth and accept it.”
With a very unladylike growl, Eve turned on her Christian Louboutin heels and made her way into the formal living room. This was one of the few rooms left in her home where they hadn’t had sex. She had to focus on the fact that, even though she was expecting, this affair might be coming to an end. How could she continue when he was so adamant about destroying her family?
“I know you’re trying to look out for the best interest of Carson,” she started before he could say a word. “But you have to see it from my point of view, too. This is my father. I know you all hate him. I know he wasn’t the nicest man to you guys.”
“He’s a bastard.”
Crossing her arms over her chest, Eve forged on. “He’s dying.” Those words hurt to say, but she was fighting for him, so remaining strong was the only option. “This is not the time to drag his name through mud in the press.”
“Eve—”
“No. If you want me to come to court, you better get your brother and that investigator to back the hell up.” Eve hadn’t realized she’d stepped forward until the tips of her shoes were touching Graham’s. “I will not negotiate.”
A corner of his mouth kicked up into a grin. Eve didn’t want to give in to the ridiculous schoolgirl flutter in her belly; she couldn’t let her emotions take over. She was already personally involved with him, already carrying his child. She had to have some sort of hold on this...what? Relationship? Did they actually have a relationship? Was there a label that could be placed on whatever they were doing?
Not likely. They were both a mess. The only time things ever seemed to be going their way was in the bedroom. Sex had a way of making you think your world was perfectly fine. Then the cold slap of reality hit.
“If you start laughing—”
Graham snaked an around her waist and pulled her in tight. “Wouldn’t dream of it.”
“Don’t kiss me.” Did that protest sound weak? “This isn’t a good idea.”
He nipped at her jawline, traveled up to her ear and whispered, “Feels like a great idea.” His hands curved over her backside, pulling her hips into his.
Graham’s hands and mouth, his body for that matter, always seemed like the answer. He made her forget everything except for how her body seemed to zing to life. But she couldn’t zing, not today.
Eve pressed her palms to his chest and eased back. “No. I won’t be distracted by sex. I want your brother to back off the media attacks and insults.”
The muscle in his jaw clenched. “Fine.”
Narrowing her eyes, Eve shifted from his grasp. “It’s that easy? You agree and know he’ll just back down?”
Graham shrugged. “He’s acting out of hurt, not rage. I can reason with him.”
Eve wanted to believe Graham, but she didn’t know Brooks very well. All she knew was how much of a mess they’d created with this secret affair. She was a fool to think their actions wouldn’t trickle into their families’ lives.
She turned, needing to put some space between them. Having him so close was difficult. They never just talked and she wasn’t immune to his charm...much as she’d like to be.
But just as she spun away, a wave of dizziness overcame her. The room tilted before her eyes, and she reached out for any stationary surface. Everything seemed to be moving in slow motion, but Eve cringed, waiting for the hard hit to the floor.
At the last minute, her hand went to her stomach just as strong arms wrapped around her torso.
Secure against Graham’s chest, Eve kept her eyes shut as she pulled in a shaky breath. The dizziness remained. It was the first time she’d experienced this pregnancy symptom.
“Okay?” he whispered in her ear.
Not really.
Eve patted the hand he had around her. “I’m okay.” She hoped. “Just lost my balance.”
Opening her eyes, she focused on the chair and eased from Graham’s hold to have a seat. Crossing her legs, she wasn’t a bit surprised when his gaze landed directly on her bare skin.
“I want to know what Brooks says and if he plans on getting your PI to ease up. You’re attacking a dying man.”
Graham unbuttoned his black jacket and crouched at her knees. “We’re not attacking, Eve. We simply want your father to do what is right for our half brother. Surely you can see that he’s entitled.”
“My opinion is irrelevant.”
Why was her stomach threatening to revolt? She’d been hoping to bypass this common symptom of pregnancy. She’d rather skip straight to that miracle glow so many raved about. Actually, she’d rather skip to the end when her baby was safe and healthy in her arms.
Heat washed over her. That clammy, instantly hot type of feeling that swept through you when you had the flu...or morning sickness apparently. Why now? Why did this have to happen with Graham here?
“I need to get to work,” she told him, hoping he’d leave so she could be miserable all on her own. “Text me later after you talk to Brooks.”
Graham’s hand slid over her knee. “You’re looking pale. Are you okay?”
Of course she looked pale. One minute she was fine, the next she felt like death. Why wasn’t he leaving so she could battle this on her own? Why did Mr. Always-Polished-and-Sexy have to see her like this? She prided herself on being that sultry vixen he seemed to believe she was. If she tossed her toast on his Ferragamo shoes, she’d totally ruin her image.
“Eve?”
He wouldn’t leave until she assured him she was fine. “Just tired,” she told him, attempting to hold her head high and show as little weakness as possible, considering.
His brows dipped. “Are you coming down with something?”
Just a child.
If he didn’t think she was fine, he’d never get out of here. With all the energy she had left, Eve pushed herself out of the chair, forcing Graham to come to his feet, as well. She ignored his worried look and started toward the open foyer. Time to show her guest the door before she made a complete fool of herself and he figured out she was pregnant. She couldn’t tell him just yet.
“I’m running late,” she lied. “You let me know how we’re going to proceed after you talk to your brother.”
As she reached for the door handle, his hand covered hers.
“Don’t push me out.”
“We both have work.” Why was he so close? His familiar cologne enveloped her, but to her surprise, it didn’t turn her stomach. His warm breath tickled her cheek, and any other time she’d relish the moment. Now was definitely not that time.
“I mean mentally,” he corrected. Taking her by the shoulders he turned her around. “Whatever is going on with your dad, the courts and my brothers doesn’t have to affect us.”
Eve couldn’t help the laughter that bubbled up. “You’re a fool if you believe that. It has already affected us. Until today, we’ve never kept our clothes on when you came here.”
His aqua eyes darkened. “I’m more than ready to rip that suit off you.”
And he would. Graham didn’t make veiled threats or empty promises. Right now, though, sex was not the answer.
Eve reached behind her and turned the doorknob. “You talk to your brother—we’ll talk about the suit ripping later.”
His eyes darted down to the V of her jacket, then back to her mouth.
“When I come back later, I want you to still have this on.”
With a quick, promising kiss that was anything but innocent and sweet, Graham walked out. Eve shut the door at her back and rested against the wood. How could she feel so nauseous and yet still be reacting to this man?
One thing was sure: until she knew where he stood with this whole inheritance issue, and until the ultrasound came back okay, she wasn’t telling him anything. They’d continue on as they had been...having sex and pretending the world around them didn’t exist.
Three (#u8b889e87-879a-57d3-9855-18449d0f6066)
“Tell me this is your idea and you’re not being persuaded by a woman you should consider our enemy.”
Graham eyed his brother, hating how much this paternity issue was eating away at them. They both just wanted answers...answers Sutton had, but refused to share. The man was dying. Why was he now choosing to be loyal to Cynthia? He hadn’t chosen her years ago, so this sudden burst of emotion was completely out of character.
And Brooks’s actions were also out of character. “This isn’t you,” Graham stated, eyeing his twin. “Being vindictive. I know you’re reacting out of frustration and hurt, but attacking Sutton in the media isn’t the way to deal with it.”
Brooks grabbed a tumbler from behind the bar in his study and poured two fingers of bourbon. Gripping the glass, he stared down at the contents as if weighing his actions. Eve wasn’t forcing Graham to do anything. What she said made sense, and Graham knew his brother wasn’t a hateful man. Brooks was fair, honest and loyal...quite the opposite of Sutton Winchester.
“Are you sleeping with her?”
The quietly spoken question hovered in the air. Brooks didn’t even look up, but Graham felt the punch to the gut just the same as if his brother had shouted the question.
“Are you going to ease off with the media?” Graham countered. “If you want Eve to cooperate, or any her sisters, we can’t come at them like we’re coming in for the kill.”
Graham winced at his poor choice of words considering the state of the old man. But still, Nora, Grace and Eve weren’t to blame. They didn’t choose to be born to a man as evil and self-righteous as Sutton.
Brooks tipped back the contents and slammed his glass down onto the polished mahogany bar. “You can’t be loyal to your lover and to your family. Your promiscuous ways are going to bite you in the ass.”
Graham paced across the room to the floor-to-ceiling window overlooking the city below. This penthouse suite was perfect for a bachelor with a busy lifestyle. “I’ve gotten along just fine in my professional and personal life without your input.”
“If you think getting into bed with a Winchester isn’t going to do damage to our family, you’re even more blindsided by lust than I first thought. Didn’t we agree you’d stay away from her?”
Graham fisted his hands at his side. This was his brother, his twin. They were so similar, yet different. Brooks was the outgoing type, the go-getter, the grounded brother. Graham was definitely outgoing and a go-getter, but he also enjoyed a good time, a good woman. He’d been told often that his quiet charm won him cases and had women falling at his feet. He was just fine with that assessment.
But Graham wasn’t ready to give up what he and Eve were doing. Why should he? He’d never experienced anything like Eve before and he sure as hell wasn’t going to let Sutton Winchester’s will come between them. He’d find a way to make everything work, play the peacemaker and get the job done. Isn’t that what he excelled at?
“We didn’t agree on anything,” Graham stated. “Eve and I are adults. I know where my loyalties are and I won’t let anything stand in the way of getting Carson what is rightfully his and getting Sutton to tell us the name of our father. But attacking him in the press isn’t the way to go. We need to go in with a milder approach, for a stronger impact.”
Brooks quirked a brow. “And how do you suggest doing that?”
Pulling in a breath, Graham turned from the window. “Stop the press war and put a hold on the legal proceedings.”
Brooks opened his mouth, but Graham lifted his hand. “Leave this to me. We want Sutton to suffer, but not necessarily his daughters. They’ll be hurt, but we can make it less of a blow to them. Sutton is still alive, so as long as he is, we go straight to him. Play hardball with him. Introduce the evidence Roman has discovered and let Sutton make a choice. Tell him we’ll go to the media with all the facts, and the lineup of women claiming to have a child by him, or he can put Carson in his will as a beneficiary and give him his share. I’m demanding he give us the name of our father no matter what he chooses to do about the other issues. I refuse to back down on that.”
Brooks raked his thumb back and forth on his glass of bourbon, considering all the options. Graham knew he could make this work. He knew Eve would see his side so long as they quit attacking her father. Damn, but he admired her loyalty. Graham just wished she didn’t have to be so faithful to such a bastard.
“We’ll try your way.” Brooks came around the bar, leaned an elbow on top and shot Graham a look. “But you better remember what team you’re fighting for.”
Graham nodded. “I never forget who I’m fighting for. Carson and you are my top priorities.”
Brooks nodded. “Good. I have another topic I want to discuss.”
“Does it require more bourbon?”
With a shrug, Brooks crossed the room and took a seat on the leather sofa. “I want to talk to Sutton. In person.”
Inwardly cringing, Graham glanced toward the ceiling and wondered why he was surprised. Brooks was a man on a mission. He was determined.
“You want to leave the girls out of this, fine. For now,” Brooks added, aiming a hard look at his twin. “But the three of us—Carson, you, me—we’re going to talk to Sutton. He’s growing weaker every day and I know it may be cruel to go to him and put the pressure on, but we have to try.”
Their mother had passed just months ago, taking the secret of who fathered them to her grave. Graham had no idea why she didn’t tell them. At first, he’d thought for sure Sutton was their father and she’d been afraid, ashamed. But the DNA test had come back, proving Sutton had only fathered Carson, leaving Brooks and Graham confused and hurt.
While they yearned to know who their father was, Graham was elated that old bastard wasn’t his. Not to mention the fact that it had left the path wide open to seduce Eve the night of the charity ball for the children’s hospital. He’d gotten the results right before the gala. Eve had shown up wearing a body-hugging gold gown. That honey-brown hair she’d piled perfectly on top of her head came tumbling down all around him when he’d finally gotten her to his penthouse. They’d barely survived the cab ride.
“I’ll go with you,” Graham stated, pulling himself back into the moment. He needed to be strong for his brothers, needed them to know they were a team. “Sutton isn’t as strong as he used to be.”
Brooks sent a malevolent grin. “That’s what I’m counting on.”
* * *
After a long day, exhaustion finally won. Eve nearly wept as she submerged herself in the soaker tub in her master suite. All the symptoms of her first pregnancy had come back full force: the need to rest at all times, the nausea that slammed into her with no warning, the emotions that were all over the place. Just trying to keep herself in check at work today had been trying. When someone from a newly acquired company in Barcelona offered condolences for Eve’s father, she nearly lost it. Thankfully they had only been chatting on the phone and not via video conference because the tears welled up in her eyes and flowed, but Eve managed to clear her throat, offer thanks and keep her tone neutral.
Why were people acting like he was already gone? That was the part that completely gutted her. He was very much alive, though his health was failing.
Her hand slid down through the lavender-scented bubbles to rest on her flat stomach. Babies were a blessing. The innocence they injected into your life couldn’t be matched. Eve wanted to tell her father, wanted to be excited about this new life, but first she had to talk to Graham.
Keeping their child from being a victim in this family war was going to be a struggle, but she refused to believe it was impossible. She knew Graham was loyal to his family—that much was obvious. But how would he react to this child? How would he treat her?
She didn’t want him to hover, didn’t want him to assume she wanted him as a permanent fixture in her life. She had a plan, goals, a career that was taking off better than she’d ever anticipated.
Tears pricked her eyes. She didn’t want this career at the expense of her father’s health, his life. She’d taken over as president when he could no longer run Elite Industries.
When her cell chimed, Eve jumped. She should’ve left the thing in her purse, but she’d been carrying it around like a pacifier lately...because one day she’d get the inevitable call about her father.
The cell lay on the edge of the tub surround. Eve glanced at the screen and saw Nora’s name. Worried this might have something to do with her dad, Eve dried her hands off on her towel and quickly read the text.
Relief slid through her when she saw it was just a Halloween party invitation. Sounded fun. In terms of costumes, Eve could go as an overworked, worn down, emotional mess. Maybe she could go in her pajamas with bed hair to really play up the part.
Eve shot back a quick reply to tell her sister she’d be there. Asking if Graham could come as her date probably wasn’t the smart thing to do.
Wait. Why was she thinking of taking him anywhere as her date? They weren’t dating, they were...
Eve dropped her head against her bath pillow and groaned. She didn’t know what they were exactly and that’s what annoyed her. She had her life all mapped out with color-coded tabs to tell her when and where to do everything. She prided herself on being efficient, planning everything and knowing exactly what was coming her way.
What she hadn’t planned on was the onslaught of desire associated with Graham Newport. One look led to another, then to flirting, which was put on hold when they both realized her father had been involved with his mother. The second they knew Sutton wasn’t Graham’s father, all bets had been off, all warnings from family ignored.
Eve hadn’t been able to get Graham alone fast enough that first night after the children’s hospital gala, and from the way he practically tore her dress off her, the feeling was mutual.
That had to have been when she got pregnant. She’d only switched her birth control a week before, thinking it was a safe time since she wasn’t seeing anyone. They’d been all over each other before condoms were mentioned, but she’d assured him she was on the pill and they’d quickly had the “I’m clean” conversation.
Thinking back now, Eve realized he would blame her for this pregnancy. She’d assured him she was covered, that they were safe. Well, he could blame her all he wanted, so long as this child remained unaffected by any wrath from the Newports.
When her cell chimed again, Eve jerked from her relaxed position. Even though her body was calm and resting, her mind never shut off. She zeroed in on the screen and saw Graham’s name this time. Once again, she dried her hands and checked his message, cursing herself for acting like a teenager.
Meet me at my penthouse. 30 min.
Eve gritted her teeth. While some may go for the demanding attitude, she did not. Besides, she was exhausted. If she could sleep in this warm bubble bath and not drown, she would.
Because she didn’t want him to think she jumped when he texted, though she did, Eve set her phone back down without replying. There was no reason to pretend that the thought of Graham didn’t have her body humming, but now she had to be realistic. She was expecting his child, and she was entering into a battle over her father... Sex couldn’t be the main thread that held them together at this point.
Eve closed her eyes for just a moment, needing to push aside all the fears, all the questions, and just relax. Her doctor told her to try to take as much downtime as possible. Even if she could grab five minutes here and there, she would have to for the sake of the baby and her own health.
All too easily she could let her mind drift into the worry of whether she was carrying a healthy baby, but she wanted to focus on the positive. Would she have a boy or a girl? Would her baby have Graham’s striking aqua eyes and her honey hair? One thing was for sure—this child would be strong-willed, determined and take charge, all qualities she and Graham possessed.
Eve’s mind went to the nursery, and she instantly envisioned Nora and Grace helping her decorate. She could hire a decorator, but this wasn’t a kitchen or bathroom job. No, Eve would take a hands-on approach to her baby’s room.
The water had cooled, but Eve was still content to just lie there and relax. The quiet of her home was a welcome reprieve. She’d been in meetings all day, had made numerous decisions regarding offices in several different countries. She wasn’t one to have idle time, but she had to admit this felt amazing.
She definitely had to listen to her body, and her body was tired and in need of some downtime.
“Eve.”
Water sloshed as she jerked and opened her eyes to see Graham standing in the door separating her bedroom from the bath. Her heart beat out of control in her chest. He’d scared the hell out of her.
She blinked, realizing she’d fallen asleep. The water chilled her now and she shivered as she started to get up.
“What are you doing here?” she asked, stepping from the tub to reach for the towel from the heated bar. “How did you get in?”
His eyes raked over her, causing her chills to multiply for a totally different reason. “You were supposed to meet me an hour ago.”
Eve wrapped herself in the towel and secured the edge between her breasts. She’d been asleep that long? Maybe she was more tired than she’d thought.
“First, I never agreed to meet you after you demanded it.” She crossed her arms, rolling her eyes when his gaze dipped to her cleavage. “Second, you didn’t tell me how you got into my house.”
One slow step turned into two and suddenly he was in front of her. His fingertips trailed up her bare arms and shivers wracked her body. Without a word, he tipped his head to rake his lips lightly across her jawline. Eve fisted her hands at her sides. She wanted to clutch him and give in to what he was obviously offering, but she had to think with her head, too.
“You smell amazing,” he muttered as his mouth continued to explore her skin. “I worried when you didn’t show up.”
Eve cursed herself when her head tipped back. With this man, she didn’t have control over her body. The fact that he worried about her warmed her, but she couldn’t think like that. They weren’t in a relationship. In fact, last time she’d talked to him, they were more divided than ever.
“Graham.” She pushed at his chest. “We can’t do this.”
Her slight shove did nothing to budge him. Wrapping his arms around her, he met her eyes.
“Brooks and I have an unspoken understanding.”
Eve narrowed her gaze, waiting for him to elaborate. “And that’s him keeping his investigator out of my family’s business?” she asked when it was clear he wasn’t going to go into detail.
“He’s staying out of this for now. I don’t want to talk about my brothers or your father.” He nipped at her lips. “Trust me, Eve. I won’t hurt you.”
Trust him. Oh, how she wished she could. She had a secret she wasn’t ready to reveal and he wanted her trust. And he may not intend to hurt her, but he was hell-bent on destroying her father, which in turn would most definitely hurt her.
With an expert flick, he had her towel open and gliding to the floor before she could stop him. Every intimate encounter before now had been frenzied, frantic, clothes flying and lips exploring. Something about this slow seduction in her bathroom seemed even more...intimate. Were they crossing a line or was she just reading into this?
“Stop thinking,” he demanded in a whisper against her ear. “Feel, Eve. Only feel.”
As if she had any other choice.
Four (#u8b889e87-879a-57d3-9855-18449d0f6066)
He couldn’t touch her, taste her enough. When she hadn’t shown, he’d wondered if she was working, but then she hadn’t even replied so he’d panicked like some lovestruck fool. Considering he was neither in love, nor a fool, Graham hated how he’d let his imagination run away from him.
But then he’d gotten into her place, using the security code he’d seen her type in one other time, and every worry fled. Seeing her wet in that tub full of disappearing bubbles, he’d had one mission and that was to get his body on hers as soon as possible.
But he wanted to go slow. She looked positively exhausted, not that he’d ever tell her. He wasn’t an idiot when it came to women. Something about how vulnerable Eve looked resting in the bath stirred deeper feelings in him that he’d quickly tamped down, but he welcomed the rush of lust and desire.
He wanted her, he needed her and he planned on having her. Now.
Her bathroom was spacious, complete with a vanity island in the middle. Perfect. He scooped her up, sat her on the edge and stepped between her thighs.
Running his hands up her legs, over those rounded hips and over her waist, Graham wasn’t surprised when she trembled beneath his touch. Trembling was a nice start, but he planned on having her writhing, panting his name.
Her fingers curled around his shoulders. “We shouldn’t do this anymore,” she argued, but her words came out on a whisper, betraying her true feelings.
Graham slid one fingertip between her breasts and down to her abdomen. “And why is that?”
Eve sucked in a breath as her lids lowered. Yes. That was the reaction he wanted to see. Complete surrender.
“B-because. We want...”
Graham leaned forward, his mouth trailing along the path his finger had just traveled. “Oh, yes. We want.”
Her hands framed his face as she urged him back up to look at her. “We want different things,” she stated, her eyes holding on to his.
“Right now I’d say we want the exact same thing.”
“It’s not in here that I’m worried about.”
She had every reason to worry, but he meant it when he said he wouldn’t hurt her. Eve was innocent, but she may feel some of the aftershock of her father’s wrath. Everything that was coming down on them was a result of Sutton’s actions. If anyone was hurting Eve, it was her father. Couldn’t she see that?
“I told you to trust me,” Graham reminded her. His hand settled between her thighs. “No more talking.”
The second he touched her, she moaned. Leaning back on her hands, she offered herself up exactly the way he’d been fantasizing about all day. He’d wanted her in his penthouse with the city lights flooding into his living room, but this was fine, too. If anyone stopped by to visit, they wouldn’t see his car because she’d given him a bay in the second garage in the back of the house for such eventualities. This sneaking around only amped up his desire. Graham never backed away from a challenge and he damn well wouldn’t start now that Eve was having doubts.
The more his hand moved over her center, the more she let out those sexy little moans. Then she’d bite her lip as if she hadn’t meant to show how much she enjoyed what they were doing.
He wanted to bite that lip.
Graham continued stroking her as he leaned forward and took her mouth with his. She instantly opened to him, matching his need with her own. And that’s what made Eve so perfect in the bedroom. They had the exact same needs, they knew how to pleasure each other without a single word and neither of them expected anything beyond exactly this.
Eve tore her mouth away and shut her eyes as her entire body tightened. Watching her come undone was the sexiest experience of his entire life. She had no qualms about the noises she made, or the way her damp hair clung to the side of her cheek when she’d thrown her head to the side. This was Eve. His Eve.
No. Not his. She would never be his. This was temporary, no more.
The moment her body relaxed, Graham jerked her to the edge of the counter and unfastened his pants. He couldn’t wait another minute. He needed to have her and didn’t want her coming off the high she’d just had. She was everything he needed at this exact moment, and he refused to look beyond that. There was no future...not for them.
Her arms wrapped around his neck, her breasts pressed up against his dress shirt and he didn’t even care that he was still technically fully clothed. That was the need he had for this woman.
Eve’s ankles locked behind him and Graham bent his head to claim that precious mouth once more as he joined their bodies.
Would he ever get enough of her? He kept waiting for this new sensation to wear off, but it had been several weeks now and he was just as achy for her as ever. There was a desire inside him that he hadn’t known before her. Part of him wondered if they’d still sneak around if their families weren’t the Newports and the Winchesters.
When Eve arched her back, pulling her mouth from his, he took the opportunity to capture one perfect breast with his lips. His actions were rewarded with another soft moan as she gripped his shoulders. Her body quickened the pace, and he was all too eager to join her.
When she cried out his name, it was the green light he needed from her to follow her over the edge. He held her as they trembled together, held her after their bodies had cooled and then carried her into her bed.
And Graham refused to even think about why he was feeling so protective of her right now. This had nothing to do with Sutton, Brooks or Carson. His actions had nothing to do with how worn she’d looked when he’d arrived.
No, this was only sex. Nothing more. It couldn’t be.
* * *
Eve finished the conference call with one of her father’s established clients in Miami. Even though she was taking Elite Industries into global territory, there was still a need to keep the current clients satisfied. Now that Eve was president, she intended to not only continue building on current relationships, but also adding to their Elite family. This business was all she’d known; she was molded to fill this role and she took every bit of it seriously.
Eve popped in another peppermint and willed the flavor to calm her queasy stomach. She’d read from multiple sites—and her doctor had confirmed—that peppermint would alleviate the queasiness.
Two days had passed since Graham had shown up in her bathroom. Two days since she’d had the opportunity to tell him about the baby. But there was that whole family rivalry standing between them, driving the wedge deeper with each passing day. Graham had urged her to trust him, but that word was too easily thrown around. And what had he meant by that? He’d implored her at her weakest moment, and damn if she hadn’t given in.
She wanted to trust him in more areas than just her body. She had to believe that he’d taken care of getting Brooks to stay away from the media. Dirty rumors could damage her family’s reputation. Something that would start a domino effect and impact Elite Industries.
She refused to allow Graham, Brooks or Carson to destroy the only life she’d ever known. The life she needed to secure for her child.
A light tap on her door had Eve straightening in her seat. Shoving the peppermint into the side of her mouth, she called, “Come in.”
The door swung open and Eve’s younger sister, Nora, stepped in. Nora in all her beauty and radiance. She’d fallen in love with hotelier Reid Chamberlain and the two were deliriously happy. Reid had also taken to Nora’s son and they were absolutely adorable together. Over the past several weeks, the trio had become inseparable. Eve was thrilled to see her sister find her soul mate. Being a single mother had to be so difficult, but Nora had always made life look like a breeze.
The tug on Eve’s heart had her cursing herself. She wasn’t jealous. Jealousy meant she wanted love, a man in her life. She didn’t need, nor did she want those things. Staying focused on Elite, and now this precious baby she carried, was all she had time for. Being a single mom would be difficult, but women did it every single day and, damn it, Eve wouldn’t fail. She refused to be intimidated by her fears.
“I hope you’re not busy.” Nora slid her plaid scarf from around her neck and dropped it, and her designer purse, onto the chair across from Eve’s desk. “I was out and wanted to swing by. I haven’t seen you in a few days.”
Eve pasted a smile on her face. “I’ve been busy. I got your text about the party.”
Nora beamed. “You have to be there, Eve. Grace won’t tell me her costume but swears it’s going to be awesome. Reid and I are thinking of either going as a Viking couple or as Superman and Lois Lane.”
“Sounds fun.”
Nora tipped her head to the side. “You’re bringing a date, right?”
Everything inside Eve stilled. A date. Probably not, considering that she’d only been with Graham for the past six weeks. Plus, they weren’t dating, not by any means. And with the way things were going in the press, there was no way in hell a Newport would be allowed inside a Winchester’s home. Well, Eve’s home didn’t count, but her sisters would never stand for Eve and Graham being an item.
Eve cringed. An item? They’d never been on a date. They snuck around, they’d created a child and now she had to figure out a way to tell him, considering they were definitely not an item. So, no. No date for her at the party.
“I’ve been a little too busy to date.” Too busy sneaking in time between the sheets with a Newport. “But I promise I’ll be there in costume.”
Nora rolled her eyes and dropped onto the other leather chair. “You work too hard, Eve. You need to date. There’s not one man you can ask to be your date?”
Well, there was a man, but...
“I don’t need a date,” Eve stated, propping her elbows on her desk. “I’m happy for you and Reid, but not all of us want that happily-ever-after. I’m building Elite and taking it into the next generation. It’s not easy work, so I haven’t had much social life.”
Okay, two days ago she’d done social life right on the vanity in her bathroom, but that wasn’t necessary to point out here.
A solemn look instantly came over Nora’s face. “Have you been to see Dad in the past couple days?”
Guilt ate away at Eve. She’d been busy building this company he’d left in her care. She wanted him to see how far she could take it before he...passed. But thinking about the inevitable had tears burning her eyes.
“I know,” Nora whispered, swiping at her own eyes. “I’m on my way there, actually. Grace was there last night and said he was having a good day. I hope he’s still the same when I get there.”
Their father was in his home being nursed by the best caregivers they could find. He was a man of dignity; he didn’t want his last days to be in a nursing home or hospital and Eve couldn’t blame him. She and her sisters were just fine with granting him any wish he had right now.
“Have you seen Carson?” Nora asked.
Blinking away the tears, Eve shook her head. “I haven’t.”
Their new half brother. To find out after all this time they had a brother was definitely a blow. Sutton had been known to have affairs, or so the rumor mill had spun it over the past several years, but now there was proof. Eve wasn’t quite sure how to handle Carson, but she did know he didn’t deserve any of her father’s holdings. He knew nothing of her father. They shared DNA only. There was no bond, there were no treasured moments. Not that any of that was Carson’s fault, but Eve wasn’t ready to embrace him just yet. And she certainly wasn’t ready to argue over her father’s assets while he was still alive.
“He’s requested to see father.”
Eve straightened. “What?”
“He wants to talk,” Nora clarified. “We can’t deny him, Eve. He has every right to see his father.”
Before he dies. The unspoken words hovered between them, driving home the point that their father was human. He’d cheated on their mother, now he was dying. He shouldn’t have to keep paying for his sins, and he shouldn’t have his name tarnished when his days were numbered.
And that brought Eve’s thoughts right back to Graham. Was Carson requesting to see their father because he was trying to gain ammunition for their media campaign? Every protective instinct welled up inside her.
“It’s a bad idea,” Eve told her sister. “He could be plotting with Brooks and Graham.”
“I don’t think that’s what he’s doing. Brooks hired a private investigator. If they want to dig up Dad’s past, we can’t stop them and I highly doubt Dad will give up any skeletons in his closet on his own at this point.”
Nora’s words sank in, and actually made sense. Still...
Graham had wanted her to trust him. Those words kept bouncing back and forth in her head and she truly wished she knew what the answer was.
“What does Grace think?” Eve asked.
Nora lifted a slender shoulder. “She’s fine with letting Carson in. She’s not as cynical as you are, though.”
“I prefer the term realistic,” Eve countered. With a heavy sigh, she nodded. “Fine. But one of us needs to be in the room.”
Nora nodded. “I agree. I’ll let Carson know and we can set up a time.”
“Wait.” Eve pressed her palms to her desk and eased back in her seat. “Have you asked Dad?”
“He wants to see his son.”
Those simple words were what this all boiled down to. Carson was Sutton’s son. The final say belonged to their father and he would never turn away family...especially a newly discovered son.
“Let me know when and I’ll make sure I’m there,” Eve told her sister.
Nora got to her feet and pulled her scarf back around her neck. After adjusting her navy cardigan, she grabbed her handbag and hooked the strap on her forearm.
“Try not to work so hard,” Nora said, a soft, caring tone lacing her voice. “You’re looking tired and you have assistants who can help.”
Eve laughed. “Wow, thanks for the confidence booster.”
Circling the desk, Nora embraced her. “I say this because I love you. Don’t let work rule your life like Dad did. Take time for yourself. Who knows? You may change your mind about that happily-ever-after but find your Prince Charming has passed you by while you were stuck in your office.”
Graham’s face instantly came to mind, but he was far from Prince Charming. He was more the evil villain with charm and charisma that made him impossible to resist. Besides, she didn’t need anyone to rescue her—prince or peasant.
“I promise to get more rest,” Eve assured her as she eased back. “Now, go on and see Dad. Tell him I’ll be by later.”
Once Nora was gone, Eve fell back into her seat. She was exhausted, and it was showing. She was going to have to take better care of herself. Her life wasn’t just about her anymore. She had an innocent child to care for, and she would do anything to keep her child safe.
Reliving the nightmare of losing a baby wasn’t an option. But fear had a crippling hold over her. Between the worry of miscarriage and telling Graham, she had some legitimate concerns. Would this be a replay of the last time? Granted, before she’d thought herself in love. She wasn’t as naive this time. But she still wanted Graham to be accepting of their child, wanted him to take part in the baby’s life.
She had to tell him. Tonight. There was no easy way to drop this bomb and she wasn’t a coward. No matter what happened after she told him, she’d be just fine.
Five (#u8b889e87-879a-57d3-9855-18449d0f6066)
She’d avoided him for two days. Two. Damn. Days.
Graham had gone to bat for her, going against his brothers, and Eve had dodged his texts and calls. The fact that he’d thrown away all common sense when Eve had pleaded with him to not ruin her father spoke volumes. That’s something someone in a relationship would do. They weren’t in a relationship. They had sex. Private, sneaking-around, amazing sex.
Well, they had been. But when he’d been at her place and they’d been intimate, she’d turned down any further advances the morning after. Did she want to call this affair quits? Too bad. He wasn’t ready and her body’s response to his touch told him otherwise. Not that he would beg. Hell, no. And he didn’t want a relationship, but he certainly wasn’t ready to end this.
Even if he wanted something more, he was too swamped with being a partner in his law firm to feed any type of relationship. Sex was a stress reliever and Eve was definitely on the same page, though she may have been fighting herself on this matter. She was just as vigilant in her career and wanted nothing more. So, when she ignored his texts, it shouldn’t have bothered him...but it did. Eve wasn’t one to play games, and if she wanted to put on the brakes, he imagined that she’d just tell him so.
Then, as if she hadn’t been silent for two days, she texted him to say she needed to talk.
He didn’t like the sound of that. The whole we-need-to-talk thing was such a veiled subject and he didn’t like how it eluded to the fact that she may want to call this quits.
Eve possessed every quality he’d ever wanted in a lover. She was career driven—so she wasn’t monopolizing his time—she was passionate and damn if she didn’t challenge him...in bed and out.
He’d never cared when another woman blew off his calls, though that rarely happened. The few times it had, he’d moved on. No worries. Yet with Eve, he wasn’t going to have her call it quits without seducing her one last time. If she wanted to move on, he wouldn’t stop her, but he sure as hell would give her a send-off she’d never forget.
Just the thought of getting his hands on her again had Graham hurrying to get to her office. He’d purposely waited until it was good and dark before setting out. With the skies darkening earlier this time of year, he was able to log in more hours with her.
Damn. He shouldn’t keep track of the hours he’d spent with her. He should be going with the flow in this casual hookup arrangement. But he was human and Eve turned him on like no one else ever had. So what if he wasn’t ready to put the brakes on just yet?
Graham wasn’t oblivious to the fact that he hadn’t seen anyone else since that night at the ball when he’d seduced Eve. Had he ever gone this long with the same woman? Other women would think things were getting serious, but not Eve. She knew the boundaries. Besides, even if they wanted to make this something more permanent, no way in hell would their family feud allow that to happen. The last thing he wanted was his brothers or her sisters in their business.
No, it was all about sneaking and seducing. That was the name of the game. He’d been looking for a label and he’d found one. Simple as that.
So what if he had a designated bay in her second garage all to himself. He refused to believe this was serious. Hiding his car when he visited her at her house was merely precautionary, that was all. If one of her sisters or assistants stopped by, he could easily hide in one of the rooms of her sprawling mansion. A car would be a bit harder to explain if it was out in the open.
But now he was at her office, parking in a public garage, so there. Why the hell was he arguing with himself? He’d rather concentrate on Eve and how quickly he could have her on her desk panting his name. Ironically, she was the perfect distraction from the investigation and beating his head against the wall where Sutton was concerned.
Graham took the elevator up to her office. Nobody would be there this time of the evening, and Eve wouldn’t have requested he come if her assistant or any other staff members were hanging around. Their offices had quickly become the go-to choice for late-night rendezvous.
As he made his way down the wide, tiled hall, the intense, familiar scent of Eve’s jasmine perfume enveloped him. Would he ever tire of smelling it? When she’d wrapped herself around him after her bubble bath the night before last, he’d inhaled that sweet scent. Everything about Eve was a punch to his gut. The desire for her hadn’t lessened one bit—if anything, he only craved her more. That was dangerous territory to venture into, but he was in complete control. He had to be.
Her office door was slightly cracked, a sliver of light slashing the dark floor tiles. Without bothering to knock or give a warning, he pushed open the door and found her at her computer. As Graham moved closer, he realized she was staring at her screen, scrolling with her mouse, but she didn’t seem to be focusing in on any one thing.
She hadn’t said a word, hadn’t even turned to acknowledge his presence. As he came behind her chair, he glanced at the screen. Photo after photo of Eve with her sisters and their father in various places and times continued to scroll up the monitor. Sometimes she’d stop, scroll back down, then commence to go up again. Eve was a brilliant photographer. The images around the entire floor of her office proved that. She claimed her photography was a hobby, but he knew full well if she ever opted out of the real estate industry, she could turn pro without fail.
Graham swallowed. Whatever she’d called him here for had to do with that old bastard. Talk about a mood killer.
When she didn’t say anything, Graham surveyed her spacious office overlooking the city. The floor-to-ceiling windows showed off a brilliant Chicago skyline dotted with lights. As he turned, he noted the built-in bookshelves on the far wall were full of books, mostly on photography and real estate. When Eve was passionate about something, she put her whole self into it. He could attest to that.
But the fact that he admired and cared about her hobbies was even more dangerous than having his physical desire escalate. Getting too personal meant setting down roots. He wasn’t about to set down roots with any woman. Ever. Let alone a woman whose family bitterly rivaled his.
Graham walked back to the desk, setting his hip on the edge beside her chair. The picture she’d homed in on now was of a smiling Sutton surrounded by his daughters. This had to have been taken recently. Eve wore that killer red suit she’d had on a few days ago and Sutton wasn’t looking well. But he actually smiled in these pictures. Graham didn’t want to see his old rival as a human being capable of such emotions.
“I’m almost done,” she told him, without turning. “I have a few more to upload.”
Graham didn’t want to see Sutton’s face on the screen another second, especially not with Eve smiling back from the picture. Guilt twisted the knife in his chest. He had no right to hate the relationship between Eve and her father. He had no right to...what? Be jealous? No way was he jealous. That was absolutely...
Damn it. Maybe he was jealous. How did a man like Sutton deserve love and loyalty from someone so caring and trusting as Eve? Sutton was a bastard and that he’d managed to raise three amazing women was a miracle.
Sutton may have been a conniving jerk, but he’d made the right choice putting Eve in charge of his company. There was no one better to run Elite Industries. She had a vision, something fresh that would drive the company into the next several decades. She was brilliant, independent and charming. She had all the traits that would make Elite expand in the exact ways she wanted it to because she refused to take no for an answer, and she refused to fail.
“I saw my father today.” Her soft words cut into the silence. “Grace and Nora happened to be there at the same time. Dad knows I always have my camera on hand, so he wanted family pictures in case...”
Graham didn’t like that vulnerable, lost tone in her voice. Selfish as Graham was, and as much as he loathed Sutton, he wasn’t going to let Eve grieve alone. The loss of a parent was still too fresh, too painful for him. Nobody should have to face such emptiness on their own.
Squatting down beside her chair, he gripped the arms and turned her to face him. Finally, her bright green gaze landed on his. “It’s good you have these pictures. Many family members don’t get to say goodbye, let alone capture the final memories.”
Moisture gathered in her eyes as she nodded. When one lone tear slipped down her cheek, Graham reached to swipe it away. But his hand lingered on her cheek, his thumb sliding across the darkness beneath her eye.
“You’re tired,” he said before he could catch himself. “Maybe you should go home and rest.”
“I’m fine. It’s only seven. I wouldn’t sleep now, anyway.”
Stubborn. Hardheaded. So much like himself, he felt as if he were looking in a mirror. Still, he wouldn’t let her work herself to death and that had nothing to do with their intimacy. He wouldn’t want to see anyone this exhausted and worn down.
“What time did you come in today?”
She pursed her lips and looked away. “I think five. Or maybe it was five yesterday and six today. I can’t remember right now.”
He clenched his teeth and counted backward from ten. She was pushing herself too hard and someone needed to intervene.
“You have spreadsheets scheduling your bathroom breaks at work and you can’t recall when you came in or how long you worked today?”
Eve’s sharp gaze collided with his. “So?”
“You’re working too hard. You’re going to break if you don’t slow down.”
Narrowing her eyes, Eve stood up, but Graham didn’t get out of her way. “That’s the second time today someone has said that to me. My apologies if I look tired. I’m in negotiations with a company we want to take over, my sister is pressuring me to bring a date to some silly costume party and my father is dying. I’ll try to look less exhausted tomorrow and double up on concealer.”
Her words sank in and Graham got to his feet and reached up to cup her shoulders. Closing the miniscule gap between them, he brought her body flush against his.
“I’ll be your date.” Because no way in hell was another man going on her arm.
Eve blinked away her unshed tears. “You can’t be my date. Nora and Reid are hosting the party at my dad’s. You think they’re just going to let a Newport onto the Winchester estate?”
Graham shrugged. “I’ll wear a mask and a great costume. Introduce me as whoever you want. But I’m your date.”
“No,” she said with a shake of her head. “I’ll go alone.”
So long as no schmuck was escorting her, Graham was fine. Still, part of him wanted to go with her, but she was right: that was ridiculous thinking. They weren’t a couple, so why pretend to be one? He hated how his instant go-to idea was to be with her as her date. They didn’t date. Sneaking around after dark, parking their cars where they couldn’t be seen and sending texts in code was not dating.
Circling back around to the original topic, Graham asked, “What are you doing to yourself?” Sliding his thumbs beneath her eyes, he let out a sigh.
Eve blinked but remained silent. Something was going on with her. He wasn’t sure what, but he wasn’t leaving until he knew. Maybe it was the stress from her father’s illness and from buying another company, just as she’d said. But could it be something else?
“If you want to end things, just say so.”
Her eyes widened as she shifted back slightly. “What?”
Graham dropped his hands. He couldn’t touch her and not want her, but he’d be damned if he begged. “If you want to bring this arrangement to a close, that’s fine.”
The color drained from her face. She started to step back, but hit her chair and lost her balance. Graham reached around to grab her, but she pushed away. Struggling out of his hold, she ended up moving around him and putting a good bit of distance between them.
“That’s fine?” she repeated. “If you’re that detached from this...whatever this is, then leave.”
Careful of his next words, Graham slid his hands into his pockets. Eve was clearly on edge and his blasé words hadn’t helped. He hadn’t expected her to be so upset. Still, this was useful information to have. Clearly she wasn’t calling him here to break things off.
He closed the gap between them, following her when she took two more steps back. Those expressive green eyes remained locked onto his, but her never-ending steely determination had her jaw clenched, her nostrils flaring.
“I’m not leaving,” he finally replied. She may try to be fierce, but she looked as if she’d break at any moment. “Tell me why you called me here.”
She blinked once, then shook her head. “It can wait.”
When she attempted to skirt him once more, Graham reached out to grip her biceps. “Stop running. Tell me, Eve. I haven’t heard from you in two days and I haven’t felt you beneath me in just as long. What’s going on if you’re not ending things?”
She continued to stare at him as she bit the inside of her cheek. Whatever she was gearing up to tell him must be something major. Obviously she wasn’t going to tell him to take a hike, but what else was there? Did she have news on Sutton she was afraid to share?
Eve pulled in a shaky breath, her body trembling beneath his hands. She was scared. Whatever was going on had her terrified because he’d never seen Eve this run-down, this unsure of her words.
“Just tell me,” he stated, sounding harsher than he intended. “My mind is spinning and I have no clue what you want to tell me.”
“I’ve rehearsed this in my head, but now that you’re here, I can’t find the words.”
Worry coursed through him. They may not be a serious item, but Graham wanted to reassure her he wasn’t some unfeeling ass. He framed her face and nipped at her lips.
“Whatever you need to tell me, we’ll deal with it. Are you sick? Is it something with your dad you think I won’t care about? What, Eve?”
Her dark lashes rested against her cheeks as she let out a sigh. Finally, she lifted her lids, and her eyes locked onto his.
“I’m pregnant.”
Six (#u8b889e87-879a-57d3-9855-18449d0f6066)
Graham didn’t release her. He couldn’t even think, so getting his brain in gear to let go wasn’t happening.
Pregnant. How could one word cause such panic and uncertainty? And why did this room seem to be closing in on him?
His hands fell from her arms. Graham raked his fingers through his hair and attempted to pull his scattered thoughts together. Over the past six weeks they’d been intimate so many times. He had no idea when this had happened. All he recalled was that first time when they’d been in such a rush and she’d assured him she was on birth control.
“Say something,” she whispered.
“Did you plan this?”
Eve jerked as if she’d been slapped by his words. “I would never do that.”
Graham shrugged. “How do I know? Despite the past month and a half, I don’t know you that well.”
Eve’s cheeks pinkened with rage the instant before her hand came up in a flash and struck his face. The crack seemed to echo in the open office. Graham’s head jerked, but he didn’t reach up to touch the sting.
“You can’t blame me for asking,” he countered, refusing to feel sympathy despite the hurt in her eyes. “I assume this baby is mine.”
Her eyes narrowed. “I haven’t been with anyone else since we started seeing each other.”
He firmly believed that. Eve was too busy at work for fun and he occupied her evenings, save for the past couple. Still, a paternity test would be required considering he had quite a padded bank account. Someone like Eve wouldn’t be after a man’s money, though. But he would be smart about this. And being smart, he wouldn’t bring up the test right now or his other cheek may feel the same sting.
“I don’t expect anything from you,” she went on, crossing her arms over her chest. “In fact, maybe we should bring what’s between us to a close and focus on what’s best for the baby.”
Graham didn’t know what he wanted right now. His entire world had been flipped and control had never been so out of his reach. But he didn’t want to just end things with Eve, especially now.
“That won’t change the situation.” Graham struggled to keep his distance, but he needed to play his cards right. “I will be here every step of the way, Eve. Whether you want me around or not. This child is a Newport and I never turn my back on my responsibilities.”
“Is that what I am now?” she asked. “A responsibility?”
So maybe he hadn’t chosen his words as wisely as he’d intended. “You’re the mother of my child.”
He watched her shoulders relax as relief slid over her. But then Eve blinked and her gaze darted away. Was she worried he’d reject her and the child? Didn’t she know him at all?
Of course she didn’t. He’d even thrown that fact in her face moments ago. They truly didn’t know each other. And now they were going to be parents.
Brooks and Carson were going to...hell, he didn’t know what their reaction would be. But for now, he was keeping this information to himself.
What would Sutton say? Once the man found out his responsible daughter was pregnant by his enemy, would he change his mind and give up the secrets he was keeping about Graham and Brooks’s paternity? A plan started forming in Graham’s mind.
“Have you told your sisters?”
Eve shook her head. “I haven’t told anyone. I... I’m not sure they’ll take this very well.”
Most likely not. And he knew Sutton wouldn’t take it well, either. The man probably had higher hopes for his daughter and new president of Elite Industries than having a child by a Newport. But Graham was serious when he said he’d be there through everything. He may not have planned on having a child with anyone, let alone Eve, but he would never turn his back on an innocent child...especially his own.
A possessive streak shot through him as he stared back at Eve. This was why she looked so tired, why she was likely running herself ragged. She was scared of the pregnancy, worried about the backlash when the rest of their world discovered the truth. Again, he would be there. Nobody would hurt his child or the child’s mother, no matter what their relationship status was.
“Let’s keep this between us until we know how to deliver the news.”
Eve nodded. Her arms went around her waist, as if to somehow protect their child. “I don’t want our baby to receive backlash from either of our families. No matter what’s going on or not going on between you and me, please promise me you’ll protect our child.”
The urgency in her tone had Graham stepping toward her. “I promise.”
The vow came easily because he’d walk through hell to keep his child safe. Odd how he’d only known about this baby for mere minutes and already his priorities had changed. And one thing was certain: his child would have his last name, even if he had to marry Eve.
The idea made him cringe. Not that being married to Eve would be terrible, but he didn’t want to be married to anybody. Still, some marriages were made of lesser things. At least he and Eve understood the importance of each other’s work and they would both love this child.
“When is your doctor’s appointment? I want to go.”
Eve shook her head. “That isn’t necessary.”
“I’m going.”
Chewing on her bottom lip, she nodded. “Fine. It’s next week. I went the other day for initial blood work. He said everything looked fine and gave me vitamins and my due date.”
As Graham listened to her, he was already thinking about the time when the baby would arrive. All work would have to be put on hold. No way in hell was he missing the birth of his child.
His child.
Unable to stop himself, Graham reached out and eased her arms aside before placing his flat palm against her stomach. To even think there was a life growing inside of her, a life he’d helped create, absolutely humbled him.
Eve stilled beneath him. When he glanced up to her face and caught sight of her wide eyes, he swallowed and stepped back.
“I have no idea how to act,” he admitted, shoving his hands in his pockets. “I don’t want to upset you, but I want you to be aware how serious I’m going to take this.”
“Honestly, I just want to figure out how to make sure our families won’t turn against us or this child. That’s all I care about. Anything between us doesn’t matter anymore.”
A point he wholeheartedly disagreed with, but his actions would speak for him over time. He wasn’t going anywhere, and keeping Eve close would be simple. No way was another man moving in. Eve and this child were his. Period.
Graham made sure that if there was something he wanted, nothing stood in his way. He may not want a family in the traditional sense, but letting Eve just put up a barrier between them was out of the question. His desire for her hadn’t diminished one bit. In fact, knowing she carried his child was the biggest turn-on he’d ever experienced.
“How are you feeling?” He hadn’t even asked her. He’d jumped straight into wondering if she’d trapped him, to asking about paternity, to wanting to feel her still-flat stomach.
“Fine.”
The clenched half smile betrayed her. Graham tipped his head. “You can’t lie to me, Eve. You’re exhausted—you admitted that earlier. But how else are you feeling? Does the doctor think you can keep working all these crazy hours or should you be resting?”
She stared at him, not answering, not even attempting to answer. Her eyes welled up once again and Graham waited. What had he said wrong? He had a million questions, but right now he wanted to know how she was feeling.
“I know this is your child, but...” Eve’s words died away as she turned her back to him. Graham reached for her shoulders, but pulled back at the last minute.
The only sound in the room was Eve’s shaky breathing. The lights of the Chicago skyline spilled in from the window. They’d shared some intense experiences in this office, but nothing compared to the intensity of this moment.
“Why do you care?” she whispered.
“Because you’re carrying a Newport.” Damn, that sounded heartless. Why was that his first response? Why did he have to sound so cold?
Because he couldn’t let himself feel anything else for Eve. He had to remain detached. Their families made the Montagues and the Capulets look like besties and he couldn’t cross the emotional boundary with her. Granted, having a child together was crossing the point of no return, but that didn’t mean they had to set up and play house together. Plenty of children had parents who didn’t live together. Whatever the arrangement, Graham wouldn’t let his child ever want for love, stability or a solid foundation.
Squaring her shoulders, Eve turned and swiped her damp cheeks. “Well, I have some emails to send. I’ll text you all the specifics about my doctor’s appointment, but if anyone sees us coming and going—”
“You’re dismissing me?” Unbelievable.
Her eyes didn’t hold the heat or the light he was used to seeing. Now she stared at him as if he were merely a business associate. “I have work. Surely you understand.”
“I understand you’re trying to keep some ridiculous wall between us.” Anger bubbled within him. He didn’t know what he wanted her to do or say, but he sure as hell didn’t want this unfeeling Eve. “I’ll be at the damn appointment if I have to sneak in the back way.”
Eve nodded and moved around him to settle back in at her desk. She wiggled her mouse until her screen came back to life. And right there was Sutton’s face smiling back, with his hand holding Eve’s. Graham had not only been dismissed, he was being mocked by a man who wasn’t even in the room.
“We’ll talk later,” he promised, heading toward the door. “Don’t believe for one second this changes what we had going, Eve. I still want you, and if you’re honest, you want me, too. That passion isn’t something that can be turned off.”
Her hands froze as she gave him a sidelong glance.
“I’ll give you the space you want,” he went on, gripping the door handle. “But you better get ready because I won’t be far and I won’t wait long.”
With that vow, Graham stormed out. Game on. Graham wasn’t concerned about how their families would react to the baby. He refused to allow anything other than complete and utter love and acceptance. No, what Graham needed to concentrate on was the fact he wasn’t done with Eve, in the personal sense that had nothing to do with their child.
And if she thought he was going to walk away from her or their child, well, she was about to find out that a Newport always got what he wanted.
Seven (#u8b889e87-879a-57d3-9855-18449d0f6066)
“What the hell is wrong with you?” Carson threw his cards down onto the green felt and leaned back in his seat. “You’re moping like a woman.”
Graham wasn’t in the mood for company, let alone playing poker and chatting with his brothers. But when Carson had stopped by earlier, he’d apparently picked up on Graham’s doldrums right away and called for reinforcements, texting Brooks to come, as well. Now here they all were.
Graham proudly laid down his royal flush and raked in the chips. Maybe he wasn’t in the mood, but he’d been on a winning streak. After sorting the chips by color and putting them away, Graham got to his feet and took his empty tumbler back to the built-in bar.
“I’m done here.” Graham refilled his glass with his favorite bourbon. “I’ll go put on The Maltese Falcon.”
They had an ongoing tradition that stretched back to a time when they lived with their mother and Gerty. Gerty introduced them to the Hollywood classics and insisted they watch them together. To this day, they continued to honor her tradition.
Graham missed her. She was a strong woman, a woman who refused to let life knock her down, and she’d do anything to help others. His mother had been just as strong. A lump formed in his throat as he slid his fingers over the remote to start the movie. Each day seemed to be better than the last, but he knew he’d always feel the void from the loss of Gerty and his mother.
Graham had so many questions now that his mother was gone. She’d been single, pregnant and scared when she’d come to Chicago. Had she even told Graham and Brooks’s father that they existed? Had he knowingly turned his back on her or did he have no clue he’d fathered twin boys?
These were questions Graham may never have an answer to. Cynthia took her secrets to her grave. The truth would be something he and Brooks would have to uncover all on their own. At least they had ruled out Sutton as their father, which was a blessing in itself. But the bastard knew the truth and was dodging them. His time was limited, which meant that Graham had to take drastic action if he wanted answers.
The idea of using Eve to obtain the information had his stomach in knots, but she was carrying his child and if Graham had to let that news slip to Sutton in order to get information...well...
Graham heard his brothers behind him as they came into the home theater. But his mind wasn’t on the movie or even the idea of his father out in the world somewhere. His mind was on Eve. The parallel between her and his mother’s experiences wasn’t lost on him, but there was a huge difference. Graham planned on being part of this child’s life. Eve wouldn’t be alone, she wouldn’t have to worry about facing this without support.
“He’s still got that look,” Brooks muttered. “He won every damn hand and still looks like he’s ready to punch the wall.”
“Your face would do,” Graham replied without glancing over. “I like my walls intact.”
“If you’re going to fight, at least pause the movie,” Carson interjected. “I know we just watched this one a few weeks ago, but it’s still my favorite.”
Graham shook the ice cubes around in his glass. “I’m not going to hit anything, but if you two keep discussing my mood, I’m likely to change my mind.”
Graham turned the volume up until the surround-sound speakers hidden around the room were blaring. He’d had enough of the chitchat and getting in touch with his feelings.
There was no mention of Sutton tonight, which was a relief. Brooks had his PI on the hunt for their father, and apparently there was still no news. Maybe they could just have a regular night like they used to. Something bland and boring. Graham never thought he’d wish for such a thing, but lately his life seemed to be heading in about twelve different directions.
His cell vibrated in his pocket. Setting his glass on the table next to his theater recliner, Graham slid the phone out and held it down to his side so his brothers couldn’t see. The screen lit up with Eve’s name. He wasn’t going to reach out to her just yet. He wanted to leave her wondering when he’d be back, when he’d make a move. There was an ache in him that drove him insane and he wanted her to be just as achy, just as needy.
He quickly read her message.
Dr. McNamera November 17 9:00
That was all. Nothing more, nothing personal. The dynamics of their relationship had changed. Because he was apparently a masochist, he scrolled through their previous messages. Flirting, hookup times, codes for what they would do to each other once they were alone. He shifted in his seat as he recalled doing exactly those things.
It was late, but that didn’t mean she wasn’t at her office. She worked even on weekends, not that he could fault her because he knew that drive to stay on top of the career you’d worked so hard for. But he wanted to see her, needed to see her.
For the first time in...ever, Graham willed this movie to end. He loved spending time with his brothers, valued their special bond, but right now he had other plans.
Plans that involved Eve, a dark room and no interruptions from the outside world. He didn’t want her to get swept away into the fear of being pregnant. He wanted her relaxed and he knew exactly how to make that happen.
Intending to make it through the next couple hours, Graham opted not to refill his bourbon. Two glasses were enough because he wanted his head on straight.
“You all up for more poker?” Brooks asked as the credits rolled.
“I need to get home,” Carson replied, coming to his feet. “I don’t have to spend my nights looking at you two anymore.”
Carson had found love. Good for him. Graham wasn’t jealous, he just didn’t believe in such things. Still, whatever Carson and Georgia had together was genuine. The way they looked at each other, the way they were always looking out for the other was a testament to their deep bond.
“Can’t say I blame you,” Brooks countered. “You’re a lucky man.”
Brooks wanted that home life. He wanted the wife, the kids, all of that. Graham wanted to nail this case he was working on and get Eve to come around to seeing they didn’t need to cool it in the sheets simply because they’d created a child. “I actually need to run an errand,” Graham chimed in.
Both brothers turned to look his way. Brooks smirked. “Really? What’s her name?”
Graham busied himself putting the remote away and taking his glass back to the bar, which was just off the theater room. His brothers followed him. No way were they going to leave him alone.
Empty glass in hand, he whirled around. “It’s just work. Relax. I’m in the middle of a big case. That’s all I can say.”
They both stared at him, clearly not believing the lie. With a shrug, he turned to the bar and started stacking the glasses and returning the bottles to the shelves on the wall.
“I’m out,” Carson said on a sigh. “I’d rather be home with Georgia than try to figure out what Graham is being so cryptic about.”
Fine by him. One down. One to go.
From the corner of his eye, Graham saw Brooks eyeing him, arms crossed over his chest. The sound of Carson headed down the hall, the sound of his footsteps growing softer before eventually disappearing. Now that Carson was gone, Graham waited for the accusations from his twin.
“Whatever you’re smirking about, get it off your chest,” Graham finally said, turning to face Brooks.
With a shrug, he replied, “Nothing in particular. Just curious as to why you’re rushing off. I’m sure you could do anything work related from here. I know you have your laptop at the ready at all times. And I’m sure you know whatever case you’re working on like the back of your hand without having to look at any files.”
Graham hadn’t gotten to the top at such a young age by depending on anyone else. Every case, every file, every opponent in the courtroom was filed away in his mind. He knew every detail backward and forward. He studied his rivals and found their weaknesses so he could annihilate them when they came face-to-face. So Brooks was right, but no way was Graham going to admit such a thing.
“You don’t have to know every detail of my personal life,” Graham fired back. Okay, maybe that was harsh, but right now, he wanted to get to Eve. “Are we done here?”
Brooks blew out a sigh. “For now. I’ll let you have your little secret, but all secrets come out eventually. Just ask Sutton.”
The jab hit too close to home. Yes, Sutton’s secret baby, aka Carson, had taken nearly three decades to come to the surface. Graham highly doubted Eve’s secret would last three months. Soon both families would know that the Winchesters and the Newports were going to be bound together for life.
That thought had Graham reevaluating everything. Eve had every right not to put his name on the birth certificate. She had every right to fight him for custody. She’d lose, but that wasn’t the point. The point was, he refused to let his child come into this world in the midst of a feud.
So now Graham had to show her who he really was. Eve had to see him as a compassionate, loving man who would do anything for his child. She had to see that working together was the best thing for all of them. Because he refused to allow any other man to come in and take away this little family. Love didn’t have to be a factor. Graham held the power here, and he would get Eve to marry him, ensuring their child carried the Newport name. A marriage based on sexual chemistry was more than enough for him to rethink saying his “I dos.”
And that was why Graham was even more eager to get to her house. Soon Eve would see just how perfect they were together.
Eight (#u8b889e87-879a-57d3-9855-18449d0f6066)
Seven o’clock. Most nights she’d still be at the office, but it was Saturday so Eve had opted to come home. She really needed to cut out the weekends for a while. She was exhausted, and her doctor had told her to listen to her body. Well, she was listening and her body was telling her she needed to get rid of these heels and kill the suit. Yoga pants and a tee sounded pretty good right now. Oh, and a ponytail.
She rarely was off her game. Even at home she was always professional because she often did video meetings and had to look the part. Sure, the other day she had on yoga pants and bunny slippers beneath her desk, but she’d put on makeup, earrings and a suit jacket. Boom. She so owned this corporate world.
She’d nearly cried with relief after she washed her face and pulled her hair back. Now that she was comfortable, she had a little boost of energy...and an extremely empty stomach. She’d had an early lunch to work around meetings, but she seriously needed to keep some snacks in her office at work. Her assistant would’ve gladly gone and gotten her anything, but Eve had her assistant doing so much lately with the acquisition of the Australian company, Eve hated to even ask for a pack of crackers.
Maybe she’d lie in bed, gorge on food and watch a movie on Netflix. A date with herself? Sounded heavenly and completely relaxing. Just what the doctor ordered.
When someone knocked at the back door, Eve nearly cried. Only one person came and went via the French doors overlooking the outdoor living area. The door was conveniently located by the garage Graham used.
She peered down at her attire and shrugged. He’d seen her in her suits, in a ball gown and in her birthday suit, but he’d never seen her in sloppy, I-want-to-be-left-alone mode.
Circling the kitchen island and bypassing the breakfast nook, she reached the French doors. Only the soft glow from the motion lights illuminated Graham’s broad frame, slashing a streak of light across one side of his face. His eyes pierced her straight through the glass. There was an intensity to this man that her body couldn’t deny. She hated how, even now, especially now, she didn’t want to deny him anything. But if she didn’t watch out, she would end up hurt. Right now, she had to focus on her baby.
Flicking the lock, she opened one of the doors. Because she knew he wasn’t just here for a quick visit, she stepped aside and let him in.
The second Graham was inside, she clicked the lock back into place. When she turned, his eyes raked her, as they always did. She shivered, but was too tired to even appreciate her instant arousal. There had to be some sort of stop button where this physical relationship was concerned. Shouldn’t they focus on how to make this parenting thing work? The time for selfish desires and needs had come to an end.
“If you’re here for—”
He held up a hand. “I’m not.”
When he took a step forward, closing the gap between them, Eve waited for his familiar touch. But he simply held her gaze and offered a gentle smile. “I’m here for strictly innocent reasons.”
Eve laughed, waiting for him to deliver the rest of the punch line. When he only quirked a brow, she sobered. “Innocent? Honey, you don’t have an innocent bone in your body.”
Honey? Had she seriously just used that term? Exhaustion had obviously stolen her common sense.
“I don’t mean to be rude, but really. Why are you here?”
Graham took her elbow and guided her through the house. Her house. As if he owned the place. And she was allowing this to happen. Then he led her up the stairs, toward her bedroom, and pulled back the pristine white duvet on her king-size four-poster bed. Eve darted her eyes between the inviting bed and the confusing man.
“Okay, what’s going on?”
Graham took her hand and ushered her into bed. “I had no plans until I got here. But now that I see you’re practically swaying on your feet, we’re going to relax.”
“We?” Eve slid into bed because the temptation was far too great for her to fight.
“That’s right.” Graham picked up the remote, hit a few buttons. The flat screen slid up from the entertainment island that separated the bed from the sitting area. “I’m going to watch a classic with you.”
Okay. So if she had all of this straight in her head, Graham had just appeared at her back door not looking for sex, but to watch a movie and...snuggle?
Eve continued to stare as Graham as climbed into bed beside her and began studying her remote. After several minutes of muttering under his breath—something about his law degree being useless—he finally figured it out. Instantly the room filled with music as the movie popped up, and Eve had to brace herself. He was legitimately here to watch a movie. They were in her bed...completely clothed.
“You’re still staring and you’re going to miss this opening,” Graham said without looking her way.
Her gaze went to the large screen and she instantly recognized An Affair to Remember. It was one of her favorite movies. But how did he know? They’d certainly never discussed such personal things.
“Why are you doing this?”
Graham sighed, paused the movie and glanced her way. Those striking blue eyes pierced her heart. But she couldn’t have her heart involved, not with him, not now. Her emotions were simply all over the place. She couldn’t act on any temporary feelings.
“I love old movies. I want to do absolutely nothing right now but watch one with you. We both work too hard, and now we’re having a baby. Maybe it’s time we get to know each other.”
Without another word, he took the movie off pause, turned the volume up and reached for her hand. The detail-oriented nerd in her wanted to know what was going on. Was this a date? Albeit a warped version of one. Was this some ploy to get her to fall for him? If so, he was doing a damn good job. Did he truly want to get to know her?
Eve attempted to concentrate on the movie, but between exhaustion and the way Graham’s thumb drew lazy patterns over the back of her hand, she was having a difficult time.
What was Graham up to? The man was ruthless in a courtroom, if his reputation around Chicago was any indicator. He could’ve easily had her undressed and beneath him had he tried, because denying him was nearly impossible. Yet he seemed all too happy to lie here, hold her hand and do absolutely nothing.
Graham Newport was playing some sort of game and if she didn’t figure out the rules soon, she was going to find herself on the losing side. And that was not an option because she’d end up hurt. Eve had been dealt enough by the hand of grief to last a lifetime and she wasn’t looking for more.
* * *
Graham knew she’d fallen asleep within the first ten minutes of the movie. Her hand had gone lax beneath his and she even began to snore quietly. He found himself watching her and smiling. Okay, this little plan of his had backfired in a major way.
He’d come here for one reason—to start his plan of seduction. Getting her to trust him, to maybe even develop stronger feelings for him, was a must for making sure they came to a mutual understanding where their child was concerned. And when he asked her to be his wife, he was determined that she’d say yes.
Graham refused to get into a tug-of-war with her over the baby. He refused to allow his child to be a pawn in any family feud, let alone between him and Eve.
But the second she’d opened the door and let him in, he’d seen just how tired she was. She was struggling to keep her eyes open. Was she not sleeping well at night? Was she not feeling well because of morning sickness? Was she working too hard?
Knowing Eve, she’d put 110 percent into her day as usual and then dragged herself home to rest in private. He knew she was trying to figure out what he was doing here, why he’d shown up and hadn’t stripped her and made love to her right away. Every part of him wanted nothing more than to peel her out of her T-shirt and leggings. She’d looked damn good dressed down.
And that was a problem. Seeing Eve in an evening gown was heart-stopping. The way a killer suit hugged her hips nearly had him begging. But when she was just herself, makeup-free and wearing casual clothes, she was the most dangerous. He wanted to think this side of Eve was only for him, that she didn’t expose this part of herself to anyone.
He shouldn’t want to get more deeply involved with her, but he was a selfish bastard. He wanted all of her. She was the mother of his child and she was his. He didn’t give up on anything he wanted, and he’d never wanted anything more than to be a father.
This realization hit him hard. Never before had he thought about having a child, yet now he could think of little else. He may not have had a father figure growing up, but he knew the love of a parent. He knew how to put his own needs aside to care for a child and make sure they had a secure life.
The movie had ended, and the room got dark. Graham turned off the TV, sliding the screen back into the island. Silence filled the room, save for Eve’s soft snores. Pale light from the hall lamp gave enough of a glow for him to see. Graham reached across the bed and smoothed the silken strands of hair from her face. Instantly Eve startled awake. Her heavy-lidded eyes locked onto his.
“Sorry,” he murmured. “I didn’t mean to wake you.”
Eve blinked and sat straight up against her mound of pillows. “I never make it through a movie on a good day, let alone when I’m already tired.”
“Are you not sleeping well?” Concern had him scooting a bit closer. There was too much space between them, literally and figuratively.
“I’m sleeping fine. That’s the problem. I want to sleep all the time. The doctor said that was normal in the first trimester.”
A wave of relief washed over him. He knew absolutely nothing about pregnancies, so hearing any morsel of doctor’s advice was comforting. He needed to start reading anything and everything he could get his hands on about this. He wanted to be able to connect with her, to comfort her, and somehow show her that he was there and she wouldn’t be doing this alone.
“Maybe you should cut back a bit each day at work until this trimester passes.” Her bored glare was all the answer he needed. Not that he thought she’d readily agree, but still. “You’ve only got a few more weeks. Then, when you’re feeling better, you can add those hours back on.”
“Can I?” she asked, her tone mocking. “I’m so glad to have your permission.”
Raking a hand through his hair, Graham came to his feet and rounded the bed. “That’s not what I meant and you know it. I’m worried about you.”
“About the baby,” she corrected.
“Fine. I’m worried for both of you.” And he was. Only a total jerk would ignore the mother’s needs. “I want what’s best for both of you.”
Eve stared up at him. A red crease mark from her pillow marred the right side of her cheek, but her eyes were actually refreshed. Her ponytail had slid to one side of her head, random strands had escaped and hung down one side. Yeah, he knew nobody got this view of her, and part of him puffed up with conceit that he was the one here with her.
“I can’t do this with you.”
Confused, Graham lost focus on her sexy, disheveled look. “Excuse me?”
She waved a hand in the air. “This...whatever this is. Your attempt to get to know me or vie for some affection. I don’t know what you’re doing, but I’m not playing games now, Graham. We’re having a baby—that doesn’t mean we have to be a couple.”
Why did those words feel like a slice to his...what? Heart? His heart wasn’t supposed to be involved. But he sure as hell didn’t like that she was so quick to put him on the back burner. That wouldn’t work with his plan, not one bit. But he wasn’t about to give up. He’d barely gotten started.
“Maybe I want to make sure we stay on the same track,” he retorted. “Perhaps I want to stay friends with the mother of my baby so we can make this child’s life as amazing as possible without turmoil.”
“Are we friends?” she asked. “Seriously. We have amazing sex and we’re both workaholics. That’s about all we have in common. Can a friendship be built on that?”
Graham shrugged. “I’ve had friendships built on less.”
Eve seemed to study him for a moment before her eyes darted down to her lap where she toyed with the hem of her oversize tee. “It’s getting late,” she whispered.
If she thought he’d take that as a cue to leave, she didn’t know him. Obviously that was the entire point of his being here. Why did this seem so forced? Why had everything seemed so easy up until very recently?
Because sex was easy. It was all the emotions that made the struggle real.
“Do you want me to go?” he asked, needing to hear her say it, but refusing to beg for anything. He eased a hip onto the bed next to her. “Do you want me to leave you alone and simply wait for texts about our child? Because you have to know that’s not my style. I’m not a man who waits for anything. When I want something, I take it.”
Her mesmerizing eyes slowly came up to his. “And what is it you want? The baby, I know. But we’re a package, Graham. Don’t you see that? I don’t even know how we’re going to make this work. You and I aren’t together, our families hate each other and your brother is so angry and hurt, he’s ready to destroy my father given any opportunity.”
Tears welled up in her eyes and the sight was something Graham wished he never had to see. “Right now, all that matters is this child. Not your father, not my brother and not this fight. I don’t want you worrying about this, Eve. It’s not good for the baby.”
She burst into tears. Full-on, hands-over-her-face sobbing. What had he said? Obviously the wrong thing when he was only trying to help. No wonder men and women never seemed to be on the same page. They weren’t even in the same book.
Clearly words were getting him nowhere and he wasn’t about to leave when she was so upset. Wrapping an arm around her, he pulled her against his chest as she continued to cry. Stroking her back, he attempted some comforting words, but he doubted she could hear them.
Moments passed and Graham had to wonder if there was something else that was upsetting her. Surely this wasn’t just him. But with all the weight of everything coming down on her, she was bound to break. He didn’t want her broken, but if she had to lean on someone, he wanted it to be him. No other man would be coming in here, not when she was carrying his child.
Eve wasn’t weak, she wasn’t vulnerable, yet right now she was having a moment. He wouldn’t embarrass her by asking what he could do. She wouldn’t want anyone coming to her rescue. He may not know much about her, but he recognized pride. Actions always trumped words anyway, so he’d show her how he cared instead of just talking about it.
Finally, Eve eased away, wiping at her damp cheeks with the back of her hands.
“Don’t say you’re sorry,” he interjected when she opened her mouth.
“I’m not.” She offered a soft smile. “You should’ve left me to have my meltdown. I can’t believe you stayed.”
“What kind of jerk do you think I am? I’m not just going to leave.”
Closing her eyes, she blew out a breath. “I don’t know what to think right now or what your angle is, but I don’t think you’re a jerk.”
His angle? Simple. He wanted his child to be raised with the Newport name. He wanted her to willingly give him rights, and if he had to marry her to get them, then he would. Being around Eve was no hardship and his ache for her hadn’t diminished in the slightest.
Before he could comment, her stomach growled. Graham laughed. “Hungry?”
She wrapped her arms around her waist as if to ward off any other sounds. “Actually, I was going to get something when you knocked. Then you guided me up here and the bed was so inviting. I haven’t eaten since early lunch.”
Graham came to his feet. “Stay here. I’ll get something.”
Eve rolled her eyes. “I’m not bedridden. I can make myself something to eat.”
“I’m sure you can, but I’m here.” Graham stepped back when Eve swung her legs over the side of the bed. “Stubborn, aren’t you?”
Even with her red-rimmed eyes and pink-tipped nose, her smile was like a kick to his chest.
“A trait we both possess. Sounds like we’ll have a strong-willed child.”
Graham smiled. The idea of his child being strong, independent and a go-getter was absolutely perfect. A healthy combination of mother and father...he’d never given it much thought, but their child would be a perfect Newport.
Eve got to her feet and attempted to readjust her hair. Finally, she jerked the ponytail holder out and gathered up the fallen strands. In a flash, she had the mass of hair piled back atop her head.
“You don’t have to stay,” she told him. “I’m just going to make a quick sandwich and go to bed.”
“You’re trying so hard to get me out of here.” He tipped her chin up and stepped in closer, so close the heat from her body warmed him. “I’m going to make sure you eat and then I’m going to make sure you’re all settled in. We’ll make small talk—we may even share a laugh. We can talk about the weather or we can talk about the baby. Up to you. But I’m not leaving, Eve. I’m going to be here, so you better get used to it.”
“Is that a threat?” she asked with a soft smile.
He kissed her, hard, fast, then released her. “It’s a promise.”
Nine (#u8b889e87-879a-57d3-9855-18449d0f6066)
Eve rolled over in bed, glanced at the clock and closed her eyes again.
Wait. She jerked up in bed and stared at the glaring numbers. How did it get to be so late? Sleeping in had never been an issue for her. She always showed up before anyone else and got a jump start on her day. At this rate, she was never going to make it into the office on time.
The sudden jolt of movement had her morning sickness hitting her fast. She rushed to the en suite bathroom and fell to her knees.
She’d had worse mornings, but still, she didn’t like this feeling one bit. How could she remain professional if she was showing up late and looking like death?
Once she was done, she wiped her face with a cool, damp cloth and realized two things: one, it was Sunday so she wasn’t late for anything. And two, there was a glorious smell coming from the kitchen and overtaking her home.
Surprisingly, whatever that scent was, it didn’t make her more nauseous. If anything, her stomach was ready to go. This roller coaster of emotions and cravings was extremely difficult to keep up with.
Eve thought back to last night when Graham had made a simple grilled cheese sandwich and cut up an apple for her. Then he’d practically patted her on the head and sent her to bed, saying he’d lock up.
So, either he’d stayed and that was him in the kitchen, or one of her sisters was here. She highly doubted Nora or Grace had come by just to do some cooking, so she had to assume Graham had made himself at home.
Considering that she’d just tossed her cookies, so to speak, she opted to brush her teeth before heading down. By the time she hit the bottom steps, her mouth was watering. The magnificent aroma filled the entire first floor. Suddenly her belly growled and she had no idea how she could go from sick one second to hungry the next. Pregnancy sure wasn’t predictable.
Heading down the wide hall toward the back of the house and the kitchen, Eve tried to figure out what to say to Graham. She’d seriously had a meltdown last night. He’d been so concerned about the baby, about her. But she hadn’t been able to control those insane emotions.
Years ago when she’d thought herself in love, she’d have given anything for her boyfriend to have cared about her, about their baby. But she’d endured the first trimester and part of the second alone. Then she’d struggled through the miscarriage, the D & C, the grieving. All of it on her own. She’d pushed her sisters away because nobody could fix her broken heart. Nobody could bring back her baby and she wanted to be left alone.
Graham was most likely worried about his place in their child’s life. He wasn’t the type of man to sit back and let someone else raise his child. Still, the fact he’d stayed last night showed the type of man he was. He could’ve walked away.
So what did this mean? Did he want more than just shared parenting? Did he want to try at a relationship?
Good morning, shoulders.
Freezing midstride, Eve stared straight ahead to the sexiest cook she’d ever seen. She’d seen Graham countless times with nothing on, but finding him in just his jeans standing at her stove was like some sort of domestic porn. Seriously. This was calendar material. Forget the firefighters, sign Graham up. The way those back muscles flexed and relaxed as he did...whatever it was he was doing.
There was a man cooking in her house. The sexy, hot father of her baby was cooking in her house.
This sight alone was enough to make her want to strip and see if they could make use of that kitchen island, but she’d promised herself no more. She needed to focus on so many other things and her sex life was going to have to take a backseat for a while. What a shame, when she was facing such a delectable sight.
“You’re just in time.”
He didn’t turn around as he spoke, just continued to bustle about getting breakfast ready as if this were the most normal thing in the world. As if he belonged here.
Eve couldn’t move from the doorway. Between last night and this morning, she had no clue what Graham had planned next. Not one time did he try to get her undressed. Maybe he didn’t find her as appealing as he used to. Perhaps pregnant women were a turnoff. Granted, it wasn’t like she felt sexy at the moment.
No matter, she wasn’t looking for more. At this point, her only hope was that she could keep the peace in her family when they found out she was carrying a Newport’s baby.
“Why did you stay?”
Graham froze, plates in hand. Throwing a glance over his shoulder, he held her with his intense stare. “Because someone needs to make sure you’re taking care of yourself.”
“So you’re my keeper now? I’m old enough to take care of myself.”
She didn’t mention the fact that he was younger than her. There was no need to state the obvious. But the fact that he’d stayed out of pity didn’t sit well with her. Maybe she’d gotten her hopes up too high to think he’d stayed simply because he cared.
“I’m not saying you can’t.” He dished up some type of casserole and...was that fried apples? “It’s the weekend. I wanted to stay and make you breakfast, so I did.”
She wanted to argue, but the second she took a seat at the island and he placed that plate in front of her, she had no idea what they’d been on the verge of bickering about.
Eve stared down at her plate of food, which looked like it came from some cooking magazine—not the kind featuring light cuisine, either. Then she glanced at Graham, who was scooping up his own servings.
“You cook?” Okay, that was a stupid question. Clearly elves weren’t involved. “I mean, this is more than just oatmeal or cereal for breakfast. Where did you learn this?”
Graham set his plate down and went back for two large glasses of orange juice. After putting everything on the island, he took a seat on a stool next to her.
“My grandma Gerty taught us all about cooking. It may have seemed like punishment at the time, but looking back I can see she did it out of love, and as a way to bond.”
The wistfulness layered with the love in his tone told her this grandmother was one special lady. Eve pierced one gooey apple with her fork. The buttery, cinnamon sugar flavors exploded in her mouth. She prayed this food stayed with her. This was definitely too good to waste.
“Tell me about Gerty,” Eve said, forking up a bite of some egg, sausage and cheese casserole. “Is she still alive?”
Graham swallowed and shook his head. “No.”
That one word, full of sadness, had Eve pausing with her fork midway to her mouth. “Oh. Um...sorry. I didn’t think.”
Graham barely spared glance look her way. “No reason for you to be sorry. She passed away several years back. But she was like a second mother to us. Mom met Gerty at a coffee shop. Gerty was retiring, but she’d already taken a liking to Mom. The two were close and Mom moved in with Gerty because she needed help.”
A single, pregnant woman. Eve’s fork clattered to her plate as she thought of the parallel between Graham’s mother’s situation and hers. Did he see it? Is that why he was so adamant about helping her? Did he want to make up for the sins of some faceless man? Graham was so loyal, so noble where his family was concerned.
“Don’t go there.”
Eve jerked her gaze to Graham, who had shifted on his stool to face her.
“Don’t let your mind betray you,” he added. “I’m not pitying you because of my mother’s circumstances. I’m sure she was scared being single and pregnant, but that’s not why I’m here.”
Resting her palms on the edge of the counter, Eve tipped her head. “Why are you here? What do you want, Graham? Just say it.”
His aqua eyes sparkled, and his lips pursed just slightly, reminding her of what she’d been missing out on the past few days. “Maybe I want to get to know you more. Maybe I think you need to know me better, as well. We need to be strong together, for the sake of our baby and our families.”
Eve couldn’t agree more, but the way he looked at her said he wanted more than just pleasantries. Could she deny him? Probably not, but she did wholeheartedly agree with him that they needed to work together.
“Then you’ll have to stop eye-flirting with me,” she told him, resuming her amazing breakfast.
“Eye-flirting?”
“Yes.” She stabbed another apple with her fork. “You look at me and I can see you undressing me in your mind, but you haven’t made any attempt to do so. I can’t figure you out, but I can’t be on the receiving end of that stare anymore.”
Eve froze midchew as Graham’s fingertip slid along her jawbone. Quickly, she finished her bite so she didn’t choke. Her body responded instantly and he’d barely touched her. Why did she have to still want him? Why couldn’t she get him out of her system?
“I’ll strip you right now and take you on this counter.” He turned her head toward him, his eyes darting to her mouth. “Say the word.”
Oh, she wanted to say the word. Any word. Anything that would turn this passion into action. But she had to think straight...didn’t she? She’d told herself not to fall back into the pattern of sleeping with him. That would be all too easy...and all too amazingly delicious.
No. She couldn’t. They couldn’t work as a team to figure out how to deal with the pregnancy and their families if their clothes were always falling off.
“Oh, my word, that wind is...”
Eve and Graham jerked their attention to the back door where Nora stood, her hair blown around her face, her mouth wide, her eyes even wider. There was a toss-up as to who was more shocked.
“You’ve got to be kidding me,” Nora finally stated, shaking her long hair away from her face.
There was no reason to deny anything. Seriously. What could Eve say? Graham was sitting right here, shirtless, and Eve had clearly just crawled out of bed. Denying anything at this point would only make Eve look like a fool and insult her sister’s intelligence.
“Plenty of breakfast if you want some,” Graham supplied with that darn sexy grin. Clearly he was going the hospitable route instead of the awkward one.
Eve couldn’t help the laugh that escaped her.
Nora’s eyes narrowed on Graham before she turned to Eve. “You think this is funny? I thought you two were done...whatever it was you were doing.”
Eve started to stand, but Graham put a hand on her arm. “We’re not done, as a matter of fact.”
Eve cringed. If he said anything about the baby, there would be nothing to stop Nora from telling Grace. Eve really needed to be the one to tell her sisters...and not in front of Graham. This was definitely a private matter she needed to handle on her own.
“Eve, come on.” Nora stepped into the kitchen, her eyes locked on Eve’s. “They’re trying to destroy Dad’s name, his reputation. You of all people should get how damning that could be, not only to our family, but to the company. They think he’s hiding secrets, but he’s a dying man. Why would he keep secrets at this point?”
Nora had just wrapped up and delivered the crux of the entire situation in that one question. Why indeed? That the matter was out of her control made this whole pregnancy even scarier. There had to be a way to keep this baby safe from family backlash.
“You’re not telling me anything I don’t already know,” Eve replied, purposely keeping her voice calm, though her heart was pounding hard in her chest. “Graham and I are keeping everything private.” For now. “So this doesn’t need to go any further.” Also, for now. “Did you need something from me?”
Nora blinked, then shook her head. “Seriously? You’re going to brush this off?”
“There’s nothing to brush off,” Eve corrected. Now she did slide out from beneath Graham’s touch so she could stand and approach her sister. “What Graham and I are doing, or not doing, is really only our business.”
Was she honestly going to put Graham above her sisters’ feelings right now? Eve was dangerously close to relationship territory, to an area neither of them ever wanted to be. But he’d stood firm against Brooks regarding the media backlash; that much was obvious from the pullback in the coverage. Perhaps they had already crossed that line and that was something she’d have to think about later.
“Eve wasn’t feeling well last night, so I stayed to make sure she was okay,” Graham chimed in. “Then I made breakfast and was going to head home after we ate. Now that I know she’s feeling better, I’m comfortable leaving.”
The weight on her chest vanished as she realized he wasn’t about to share their secret.
Nora gave him a suspicious look. “You mean you stayed and took care of her because...why? You care about her? Eve, come on. You have to see he’s using you. He’s using you to get closer to Dad.”
The accusation hurt. She knew for a fact Graham wasn’t using her. He wasn’t. He wouldn’t take what they shared and turn it against her. Just because he hated her father didn’t mean he’d be so cruel to her. And she hated that her sister didn’t think someone like Graham would want to be with Eve simply because he found her attractive.
“I’m not using her. In fact, I asked Brooks to retract the media statements he made regarding your father.”
Nora’s eyes narrowed once again. Eve couldn’t blame her sister for being so skeptical. Eve would feel the same way if the roles were reversed. Nora wouldn’t understand there was much more to Eve and Graham than met the eye. And Nora wouldn’t understand because Eve didn’t fully understand it herself.
Another wave of nausea swept over her and Eve swayed on her feet. She gripped the stool and closed her eyes. Instantly Graham had his strong hands around her waist.
“Eve? What?”
She squeezed her eyes tighter, willing the unwanted nausea away. She couldn’t answer for fear of getting sick right here. She hoped staying still for just a moment would help...
“Eve, talk to me,” Graham urged. “Is it the baby?”
“Baby?” Nora exclaimed.
Suddenly Eve’s fear of getting sick wasn’t the issue. Now her sister knew and there was nothing Eve could do to stop this train wreck.
Ten (#u8b889e87-879a-57d3-9855-18449d0f6066)
Graham didn’t give a damn about the slipup. And he could care even less if Nora was shocked. When Eve swayed and caught herself on the barstool, his protective instincts took over.
Scooping her up in his arms, Graham ignored her weak plea to put her down as he carted her over to the living area off the kitchen. Once he laid her on the sofa, he noticed her pallor and the sheen of sweat that dotted her forehead. He eased himself onto the sofa beside her and lifted her legs onto his lap.
“Get her a cold cloth,” he ordered Nora without taking his eyes from Eve. What if something was wrong? Why did she look so damn pale?
Eve laid one hand on her stomach and the other over her forehead. “I’m fine. Just give me a minute.”
Seconds later, Nora waved a washcloth in Graham’s face. He used it to wipe Eve’s forehead, her neck. He didn’t like this helpless feeling one bit. He’d seen his grandmother and his mother grow weak and pass. Not that Eve was dying, but the thought that there was nothing he could do for her right now really pissed him off.
“Eve.” Nora stood over the back of the couch and reached down to smooth a damp strand of hair from her sister’s face. “Are you pregnant again?”
Eve groaned, muttering something Graham didn’t comprehend because he’d homed in on the key word in Nora’s question.
Again?
What the hell did Nora mean by that? When had Eve been pregnant before?
“I’m pregnant,” Eve mumbled. “Don’t tell Grace. I’ll tell her.”
“Oh, honey.” Now Nora’s voice took on a compassionate tone, one that Graham instinctively knew had everything to do with this former pregnancy. He was almost afraid to find out the details, but he would. “How far along are you?”
“Seven weeks now.”
Graham listened to the sisters, but his mind was overloaded. A spear of unexpected jealousy hit him square in the chest. He had no right to be jealous of a faceless man who’d created a baby with Eve. Clearly they weren’t together anymore. But still, Graham didn’t want to think of her experiencing this with anyone else.
“Promise me,” Eve was saying, her eyes pleading with Nora. “Don’t say anything. Let Graham and me handle this. We want what’s best for the baby, and our families have to come to some sort of peace.”
Nora glanced at Graham before looking back down at Eve. “I promise. I know what it’s like to be pregnant and unsure of what to do next.”
Nora had been a single mother before she and Reid had fallen in love. Graham didn’t know much about Nora’s circumstances, but it sounded as though she’d been alone and scared. Fortunately, Eve wouldn’t be alone. Ever, if he had any say.
Eve started to sit up, waving her hand when Graham tried to ease her back down. “It passed. I’m fine. I’m just going to sit here for a bit.” Looking over her shoulder, she asked, “What did you need this morning, Nora?”
“What? Oh, it’s not important.” Nora smiled, then wrapped her arms around her sister. “I thought we might go shopping for party costumes for Halloween, but we can go another day.”
Again, Graham didn’t like being left out of this little shopping trip. Didn’t like being so easily dismissed as though he was replaceable.
“I’ll feel fine in the afternoon if you want to wait.”
Nora stood straight up and nodded. “Sounds good. Text me later. Reid doesn’t want to go, so I’ll just pick something up for him. But I was given a list of things he refuses to wear. Tights being at the top of the list.”
“No Robin Hood for him, then.” Eve smiled. “Thanks for understanding and keeping this to yourself. I know you have questions, but I’ll address them. Just not now.”
Graham watched the younger Winchester sister as she adjusted her cardigan and smoothed her hair back. “I promise to keep this all to myself, but if you need any help with doctor’s appointments or someone to—”
“She’s got someone,” Graham stated. “Just be sure to keep that promise.”
Nora pulled in a breath as if she wanted to let him have it, but Graham flashed her what he hoped was a charming smile. No way in hell was he letting anyone else care for Eve and his child. They may not be a couple, but she belonged to him now.
Closing her mouth without saying anything, Nora turned on her heel and left out the front door. Silence filled the spacious room. Eve’s legs were still in Graham’s lap, but she sat up with her arm stretched across the back of the sofa.
“We’re going to have to tell your brothers now,” she said, rubbing her head. “I’ll have to talk to Grace and...this is just going to be a mess.”
“This isn’t a mess. If our families can’t see that a child is more important than our rivalry, then—”
“Tell me more about Gerty.” Eve’s eyes held his. She reached down and took his hand.
“Excuse me?”
Eve glanced down, traced a pattern over his palm. “You seemed so happy when you were talking about her. You seemed nostalgic and that’s a side of you I don’t know.”
Graham swallowed. She didn’t know this side because it was the one that was most vulnerable. But he wanted her to fully know him, to gain her affection so that his plan would be flawless. In order for that to happen, he’d have to bare all his emotions where his past was concerned.
“Gerty was amazing.” Because he couldn’t sit still, he shifted from beneath her and went to the kitchen for her plate. After putting it on her lap, he set her juice on the side table. “She’d swat our hands with a wooden spoon if we cursed, then just as lovingly show us how to bake homemade bread. I’ve never known anyone like her.”
Eve continued to hold on to her plate. Graham picked up the fork and got a small bite for her. When he lifted it to her lips, she kept her gaze on his as he fed her.
“When I fell off the monkey bars in the first grade, she came right to the school because she didn’t want to worry my mom or disrupt her shift at the coffee shop. By the time Mom got home, Gerty had bandaged me up, given me ice cream for dinner, and we were watching Casablanca.”
Eve smiled as he lifted another bite to her mouth. “You get your love of old movies from her.”
Graham nodded. “I get many things from her. She would always say how she was just a waitress, but she took pride in her job. She told us to do whatever job we wanted, whether it be a janitor or a doctor. She wanted us to know that every job was important and to make sure we worked hard.”
Graham recalled her harping on how important hard work was time and time again. No matter the career, they had to put 110 percent into it. She was a proud woman and Graham knew his mother had found a real-life angel just when she’d needed her. Or perhaps they’d needed each other, considering that Gerty’s husband had just passed when she took in Cynthia.
Graham continued to feed Eve. He shared random stories about his childhood. Whatever popped into his mind, he shared. For once, he was completely relaxed. Surprisingly, he wanted Eve to be fully aware of where he came from. He didn’t come from money. He’d worked his ass off to get where he was at the law firm.
After her plate was completely clean, he reached for the juice and handed it to her.
“That was amazing,” she told him. “Feel free to cook for me anytime.”
Graham stilled. He wasn’t prepared to play house. He had no road map, no plan here. All he knew was the end result had to be that his child was raised as a Newport.
“I’m sorry,” she told him, glancing away. “I didn’t mean that the way it sounded.”
“Don’t be sorry.”
Shaking her head, she put her plate and glass on the table before leaning back on the couch. “You may be able to keep those emotions hidden in the courtroom, but I can read you better than you think. I understand you don’t want a relationship with me, or any type of commitment. I wasn’t implying that.”
Graham raked a hand over his face; the stubble on his jawline was itchy and annoying. “Neither of us is at a point in our lives when we can put forth the time and attention a relationship needs.”
Eve nodded. “I agree.”
“But that doesn’t mean everything that happened before I found out you were pregnant is over. I can’t just shut off my desire for you, Eve. If you want to cool it in that area, tell me now. I’ll respect your wishes and I’ll still do everything in my power to keep you and this baby safe and cared for.”
He had to say what she wanted to hear. He couldn’t scare her off this early. He couldn’t even hint at what his true intentions were.
Eve pushed to her feet and started pacing. She stopped in front of the fireplace and turned her back to him. His eyes focused beyond her, on the photos she had arranged across the mantel. Every silver-framed picture showcased her family. The sisters, Eve and her mother, a young Eve on her father’s shoulders. He didn’t want to get into that aspect of her life. Graham couldn’t afford to see Sutton as a loving father. Graham didn’t give a damn about Sutton, save for the fact that he knew who Brooks and Graham’s birth father was. Or he at least knew a name. The old bastard was keeping this information to himself and Graham would do anything to find it out.
But he wouldn’t use Eve or his unborn child to get it.
“I don’t know what I want,” Eve finally said. “This passion clearly isn’t going away anytime soon. But I need some space.”
When she turned around, Graham had to force himself to remain seated. She didn’t need him cutting her off, she needed him to be strong for her. But he wouldn’t stay away long.
“Wanting you has never been a question,” she went on. “But—”
“I know.” And he did. Graham came to his feet, pleased when her eyes raked over his bare chest. Let her look, let her continue to want and need just as he did. If she needed him, then that would play right into his hand. “I’ll give you space, Eve. But you need to understand, I’m not going away. I won’t pressure you or point out that you’re looking at me like you want to take the rest of my clothes off.”
Eve rolled her eyes. “So arrogant.”
“Accurate, not arrogant,” he corrected as he slowly closed the space between them. “I’m going to check on you every day. I’m going to be involved with this pregnancy. But you’re going to come to me on your own.”
He now stood so close to her that his bare chest rubbed against her T-shirt.
She tipped her head back. “You’re sure of that?”
Graham eased closer, his lips within a breath of hers. “Positive.”
He brushed his lips against hers, not quite kissing her, but feeling her warm breath. The slight whimper that escaped her was reassuring, but he stepped back. Fisting his hands at his sides to remain in control, he counted backward from ten.
She wanted space? So be it. She’d see just how difficult ignoring this desire would be.
“I’ll call you later.”
Graham forced himself to walk away. After getting his clothes and letting himself out, he reevaluated the plan in his head. Carson and Brooks needed to know about the baby, but he couldn’t tell them just yet. He needed to formulate a better strategy for dealing with the Winchesters that didn’t involve obliterating Sutton, and in turn hurting Eve. He didn’t want her hurt, he wanted her to be completely and utterly his. But he also wanted Sutton to divulge the name of his father before he died.
Damn it. There had to be a way to get everything he wanted and not hurt Eve in the process.
If Roman could find their birth father soon, Graham knew Brooks would ease off Sutton. Or if Sutton somehow found it in the deepest part of his dark heart to share the information he knew, that would be even better. But Graham feared the man would go to his grave with the secret.
Just like his mother had. Why hadn’t she just told them? All Graham had ever heard was how their father wasn’t in the picture and she didn’t want to talk about him.
So here they were with no answers, other than that Sutton was Carson’s father. But that was it.
Putting thoughts of Sutton out of his mind, Graham pulled away from Eve’s house, already planning on how to gain her attention, to make her come to him. Because he wouldn’t beg for any women...not even the mother of his child.
Eleven (#u8b889e87-879a-57d3-9855-18449d0f6066)
Graham eased back in his chair and thanked God the case he’d been waiting on to go to trial was finally scheduled. This would be a slam dunk for his client, and another win for Graham and the firm.
Since she’d last seen him, he’d randomly texted Eve. He purposely didn’t flirt, didn’t get into anything sexual or do the whole pathetic what-are-you-wearing thing. Nope. He wanted to keep her guessing, because if she was guessing, then she was thinking about him and his next move. And if she was thinking about him, then her thoughts would travel to the bedroom all on their own.
But the wait was killing him. It had been too long since he’d touched her properly. The thought of having another woman didn’t excite him in the least. Eve was the woman he wanted in his bed, or anywhere else he could get her all to himself.
He knew she was getting ready for her sister’s upcoming costume party, but he still wanted to see her. She couldn’t come to him fast enough.
“Mr. Newport.” His assistant’s soft voice came through the speaker. “You have a visitor.”
Eve? No, that was ridiculous. She wouldn’t come here, not after she’d exploded when he’d shown up at her office during business hours.
“Shall I send Carson in?”
Graham came to his feet and pressed the speaker button. “Yes. Thank you.”
Graham’s door swung open and Carson stepped inside, closing the door at his back.
“You have a minute?”
Graham gestured to the seat across from his desk. “Of course.”
“I’ll be brief.” Carson remained standing, so Graham did, too. “I’m going to see Sutton this evening. He called me yesterday and wanted to meet. I’ve been hesitant, but his time is limited, so I’m going.”
Graham stilled. “Alone?”
“I know you and Brooks want answers from him, so if you want to go, we can all meet there. That bastard thinks he can always get what he wants, but we’re a team, so we’re in this together.”
Another encounter with Sutton? Why not. The more they pumped him for answers, the greater the odds he’d wear down and just tell them what they wanted to know.
“Is Brooks going?”
Carson nodded. “He’s meeting me there.”
Graham glanced at the files on his desk, the open emails on his computer screen waiting to be answered. Nothing was more important than another shot with Sutton. Their time was running out.
“What time?” he asked, turning back to his brother.
“Seven.”
Graham gave a firm nod of his head. “I’ll be there.”
Carson pulled in a deep breath and shoved his hands in his pockets. “I have no idea what I’m going to say. It’s still awkward for me, especially now that he’s dying...”
Graham couldn’t imagine the emotions Carson was dealing with right now. “Are you sure you don’t want to take Georgia instead?”
“No. She understands the need for the three of us to be there. I want to help you guys get the answers you need, plus I want to see what he has to say.”
Graham wondered what Eve would say if she knew he was going to see her father. She was protective of him, wouldn’t want anyone going to him on his deathbed and pumping him for information. Still, Graham was going to try one last time. Who knew when the man was going to pass? Sutton may have still been getting the best care at his sprawling estate, but that was only because of his billions. He was too proud to be in some facility like everyone else.
Had Eve told her father about the baby? Doubtful, or Sutton would’ve called Graham to meet with him, as well. Was Eve planning on exposing their secret or was she hoping to avoid telling her dad?
“You okay?”
Graham blinked and focused back on his brother. “Yeah. Fine. I’ll finish up here and meet you all over at Sutton’s.”
Carson let himself out and Graham hurried to finish up the work that needed his attention right now. Once he was done, he grabbed his cell and thought about firing off a text to Eve but opted not to. She didn’t need to know what was going on. If Sutton wanted her to know, he could tell her. Graham wasn’t putting himself in the middle any more than he already was.
Sutton’s affairs were his business, but Sutton’s affair with Graham’s mom was clearly out in the open now. Considering that Carson wasn’t much younger than Graham and Brooks, Graham knew the affair had started when he and Brooks were mere infants. There was no way in hell Sutton wasn’t aware of the first name of their father at least. Why did the old bastard care enough to keep it secret? Any information he provided would go a long way to helping them discover who their father was.
But maybe they wouldn’t like the answer. Maybe their father was fully aware of the twins he’d given up. Maybe he didn’t want anything to do with them. Still, that was a risk Graham and Brooks were willing to take.
In the end, Graham texted Eve, asking if she’d found a costume for the party. Simple enough, but effective in keeping her on her toes and their lines of communication open.
As soon as he started to shut the lights off in his office, the cell vibrated in his pocket. He pulled it out and nearly sagged against the wall. The image of Eve dressed as some sexy goddess with a white wrap hugging all her tempting curves had him gritting his teeth and cursing himself for telling her he’d give her space. The little vixen was playing games with him. She wanted him begging. He was sure that was her angle.
But two could definitely play at that game and he never played without every intention of winning.
* * *
Sutton Winchester’s house was a vast estate not too far from the offices where he’d once controlled the real estate world. Graham and Brooks moved in behind Carson as they were led toward the back of the house. The butler was solemn and said nothing as he gestured for them to follow. Not that Graham was expecting a warm welcome, but still.
He tried to take in the surroundings, tried to imagine Eve growing up in this cold mansion. There wasn’t a thing out of place and it looked more like a museum than a place where children played.
Graham instantly thought of his penthouse and cringed. Not exactly a playground, but he would make damn sure his child had a fun place to be a kid even if he had to remove his wet bar and put in an indoor jungle gym.
How pathetic was this? He was already one-upping Sutton in his own mind in regards to parenting. Ridiculous.
The servant escorting them motioned toward a set of double doors. Carson thanked the man and threw a glance back at his brothers.
“We’ve got your back,” Brooks stated. “Go in when you’re ready.”
Carson turned back around, placed his hands on the knobs and eased both doors open. Graham didn’t know what he expected, maybe a gray-toned man lying in bed hooked up to machines keeping him alive. But the reality was Sutton sitting up in a plush chair with his feet up by the fire in what Graham assumed was the master suite. A thick, plaid blanket covered his lap.
Sutton was once a kingpin in the corporate world, but right now he looked to be someone’s loving grandpa waiting for children to gather around for story time.
Actually, this was his child’s grandfather, but Graham would rather forget that little fact and focus on the reason for their visit now.
“I was hoping you’d come alone,” Sutton stated. “But I’m not surprised you brought your brothers.”
Graham didn’t reply. This was Carson’s show...for now. Carson had received the invite and it was Carson who had the most to get off his chest. Graham and Brooks were most likely beating the proverbial dead horse. Okay, really poor choice of words, but he couldn’t help what popped into his head.
“My brothers and I are a unit. You know all about family loyalty, right?” Carson mocked.
Sutton merely nodded, not answering the rhetorical question.
“I don’t even know what to say to you,” Carson admitted.
Graham exchanged a knowing look with Brooks. They both knew Carson was on edge, and it definitely cost him to admit it. The poor guy had been on the fence about whether to fully accept Sutton as his father, whether to approach him and listen to what the old man had to say. But they were here now and Graham was more concerned about Carson’s feelings than anything else.
“Have a seat.” Sutton turned his attention to the twins. “All of you.”
Carson remained still, staring at his father. Graham moved first to take a seat on the sofa on the other side of the oriental rug across from Sutton. Brooks sat beside him and finally Carson took the last spot on the end.
Sutton shifted in his seat. Graham wasn’t sure if it was nerves or if the old man was simply trying to get comfortable. Sutton wasn’t the type to show his emotions, so Graham doubted he was feeling anything but smug. He’d called Carson to come, and he had.
“Why did you want me here?” Carson finally asked, breaking the silent tension.
“You’re my son.”
Graham snorted, ignoring Sutton’s frown and quick, disapproving look.
“So you’re expecting us to get to know each other now that I know the truth and you’re sick?” Carson asked.
Sutton turned his face to the fire. Orange flames licked against the black stone. The Chicago air was cooling quite a bit, hinting at an early winter. Graham found it easy to focus on the weather, on the fire, on anything other than the fact he didn’t want to be here. Oh, he wanted to be here if he was going to get a name, but the chances of that happening were about as good as Sutton recovering from lung cancer.
“What you decide to do is up to you.” Sutton coughed, and that’s when it was apparent how sick the man was. This coughing fit wasn’t short and it wasn’t quiet. Finally, when he was done, he turned back to Carson. “I wanted you to know that I truly loved your mother.”
Brooks tensed beside Graham. Of course he’d bring their mother into the conversation. He’d pretend that he knew her well, that he was heartbroken to leave her. Sutton had left Cynthia alone and pregnant, just like he’d found her. Only this time she’d been pregnant with his kid and he hadn’t known it. Still, a lowly waitress and outsider wouldn’t have fit into his high-society world of luxury homes, cars and diamonds.
The atmosphere of anger and bitterness in this room enveloped them all. There was so much to be said, but at the same time they were dealing with a dying man...and Eve’s father. The grandfather of Graham’s baby.
Graham stared at Sutton and tried to imagine the man from the picture on Eve’s mantel. The man who held his daughter on his shoulders at some amusement park. Sutton may be ruthless, he may have had countless affairs, but he loved his children. Considering that he had been shocked by the news of Carson’s paternity, Graham wasn’t surprised he’d called Carson to his home. Sutton wouldn’t sit back and just ignore his child.
But he had no problem ignoring his ex-lover’s other children.
“If you loved our mother, then tell us the name of our father,” Brooks stated. “You were with her long enough. She would’ve confided in you.”
Sutton shook his head. “It’s because I loved Cynthia that I won’t betray her confidence. If she’d wanted you to know, she would’ve told you.”
“Tell them.” Carson’s low demand shocked Graham.
“It’s not my place, son.”
Carson let out a humorless laugh, eased forward and rested his forearms on his legs. Hands dangling between his knees, he glanced toward Brooks and Graham. Trying to offer silent support, Graham nodded for Carson to go on.
“My brothers deserve to know their father,” Carson said, looking back at Sutton. “They keep hitting dead ends. If you can help them—”
“I didn’t call them here,” Sutton interrupted. “I wanted to see you. I don’t have much time, though my doctors keep telling me I’m a fighter. I’m realistic.”
“All the more reason for you to tell us,” Brooks stated. “You may be the only other person who knows. We don’t even know if our birth father is aware of us.”
Sutton simply stared back. He gave no hint of what he knew, no sign that he even cared if they were struggling. Graham never liked the man from his dealings with him in the corporate world. He’d been sneaky and underhanded. He kept secrets, even from his staff. Graham had actually seen one of Sutton’s previous employees win a case against the old man, but that had been during Graham’s internship so he hadn’t had a hand in that win.
Graham knew Sutton wasn’t about to give up the name, if he even knew a name. For all Graham knew, Sutton was just stringing them along. How had Eve turned out so loyal and honest?
Obviously Eve’s mother had a hand in raising her daughter right and was smart enough to finally leave Sutton after years of unfaithful marriage.
“I want to make something clear,” Sutton went on. “Cynthia was the love of my life.”
Graham didn’t want to hear this, didn’t want to be subjected to more lies. But one glance at Carson made Graham realize that his younger brother wanted to know. Not that Carson was naive, but Carson was more prone to forgiveness than Graham or Brooks. So Graham remained silent, though he had plenty of thoughts racing through his mind.
Sutton’s eyes didn’t leave Carson. “I would’ve given anything to be with Cynthia. But my wife was so well connected in Chicago society, it would’ve been career suicide to leave her. Plus, she would’ve made life hell for Cynthia, and I couldn’t allow that.”
“Would you have made the same decision if you’d known about me?”
The underlying tone of vulnerability was something Graham had never seen from Carson. Graham’s younger brother was a rock, he was always in control, but this little meeting was getting to him. Graham prayed Carson would hold it together.
“I would’ve gone through hell to be with my son.”
Sutton’s answer sounded honest. Graham fully believed the man would’ve sacrificed his marriage to Eve’s mother. No doubt Sutton would’ve wanted a son to raise, to mold into his heir. But Eve had filled that role, and she was doing a remarkable job. Maybe too remarkable.
And just like that, his thoughts had once again strayed to Eve during this meeting. He’d be checking on her again when they left here...especially after that little picture she’d sent to torture him.
“I want to hate you,” Carson muttered.
Graham glanced over in time to see Brooks give a manly, reassuring pat to Carson’s shoulder. They were here for Carson, to support him. If he wanted to embrace Sutton as his father and live out these days happily ever after, then that’s what they’d do. But Graham wasn’t so willing to forgive the bastard.
“I know you do,” Sutton agreed. “And you have every right. But I couldn’t die, not without telling you that Cynthia meant the world to me and I regret not having been there for you.”
Graham wasn’t surprised that their mother had kept the baby from Sutton. She’d probably been scared of the backlash and it was just as easy to live with Gerty and raise her boys in secret as opposed to facing legal proceedings, which she wouldn’t have been able to afford.
Silence filled the room. The fire continued to crackle, sending out wayward flickers and orange sparks. Graham glanced around the room. He thought for sure that he’d see pictures of Eve and her sisters here, but there was nothing. Images of Eve staring at pictures of her father on her computer flashed through Graham’s mind. She’d been so eager to get those images uploaded and she’d scrolled through them as though they were her lifeline to her ailing father.
Graham didn’t want Carson to give his loyalty, his love to Sutton, but this wasn’t Graham’s choice to make. Who knew what would happen if and when he ever found his birth father? Maybe Graham would find a jerk who knew about his kids and just didn’t care. What then? Would Graham still forgive him or want to try to make a relationship with him?
“I don’t know what to say, honestly.” Carson stared at his hands dangling between his knees. “I’d like to visit you, maybe see you a little more and talk. For whatever time we have—”
“I’ll take anything,” Sutton said, a soft smile forming on his pale face.
Graham had only seen that smile in Eve’s pictures. Apparently he reserved the emotion for his children. Graham was a bit jealous of how Carson’s journey had ended; he deserved a dad, even if it was Sutton.
Brooks came to his feet and sighed. “I’m done here. Carson, stay as long as you like. I’ll be outside.”
Once Brooks was gone, Graham also stood. He approached Sutton, knowing this may be the last time he ever saw the man. He had no intention of ever coming back.
“I’m glad you’re not my father,” Graham said, leaning down just enough so only Sutton could hear. “But Carson is happy to finally know. If you have to fake affection, do it. He deserves a father who isn’t a jerk.”
“I love my son,” Sutton said simply.
Graham nodded and straightened. It was so tempting to tell him about the baby. So tempting to get just one final jab in. But Graham wasn’t that much of an ass and he’d never do that to Eve. He wanted a chance to show her what a good father he could be and harassing her father was not the way to go about that.
Graham turned to his brother. “I’ll wait outside with Brooks. Seriously, take your time.”
Before Graham had gotten outside, he’d fired off a text to Eve indicating what he’d do to her if he were to ever see her in that Halloween costume.
“That man can rot in hell for all I care.” Brooks rested his back against one of the thick, white columns of the portico. “I’m happy for Carson, but damn it. That man is infuriating.”
Graham stepped forward, shoving his hands into his pockets and hunching his shoulders against the chilly breeze. “Carson has been on the fence for a while now. He wants to forgive Sutton. I hate to come to the guy’s defense, but he didn’t know Carson existed.”
Brooks jerked his gaze around. “Are you serious? You’re going to stand there and make excuses for the guy? If Mom was the love of his life, as he claims, then he would’ve moved heaven and earth to be with her. And he damn well would give a portion of his estate to his biological son.”
When Graham didn’t reply, Brooks narrowed his eyes. “This has to do with Eve, doesn’t it? You’re still hung up on her.”
He was the father of her child. Which was a few levels above being “hung up on her.”
“I’m stating the obvious, that’s all.” Graham wasn’t about to bring Eve into this discussion. She had enough on her plate without being further caught up in this battle. “Sutton and Carson need time to talk alone. You and I will only make things worse.”
Brooks started pacing on the stone walk. “I need Roman to come up with something concrete. I’m putting all my faith in him to find our father.”
“I know,” Graham said, hating how much this issue was controlling Brooks’s life. “But it will happen. We can’t run into dead ends forever. Something will turn up. Someone somewhere knows the truth.”
Brooks snorted and jerked his thumb toward the house. “Yeah. He’s in there.”
Graham stared at the double doors. Sutton knew. Absolutely without a doubt he knew. But Graham refused to beg the man. He would find out on his own. He would not give Sutton any satisfaction in getting one up on him. Ever.
Twelve (#u8b889e87-879a-57d3-9855-18449d0f6066)
Seven weeks pregnant and her body was already showing signs of change. Eve attempted to adjust her cleavage in the strips of fabric covering her chest. The white goddess costume had seemed like a good idea at the time, but now she felt very exposed.
Glancing in her floor-length mirror, she shivered as she recalled Graham’s text. The man wasn’t playing nice. He was trying to get her to give in and...well, she was having a difficult time recalling why she needed to stay away.
Oh, yeah. Someone had to be responsible and think things through right now. Someone had to step back and think straight. When he sent those messages, and there had been many, Eve found it more and more difficult to keep him at a distance.
She hadn’t seen him for several days. Too many. The messages hadn’t started out as flirty, but then she’d sent that picture and she’d opened up some sort of dam. He’d flooded her phone with messages that would’ve made her high-society mother blush.
With the cool, windy October weather, Eve would definitely need a coat this evening. Otherwise she’d freeze her butt off.
Eve glanced at the antique clock on her vanity and sighed. She was running late because insecurities over the changes in her body had her doubting her costume. But she had no plan B so goddess she was. Nobody would guess she was pregnant; of course Nora already knew, but she hadn’t said anything yet. There was no reason for anyone to believe she was expecting, so worrying over her fuller chest was ridiculous.
Still, she feared that when the rest of her family found out, when her father found out she was not only expecting, but carrying a Newport child, there would be trouble. She’d already gotten a glimpse of things to come from Nora. Her family wouldn’t be happy. Granted, she was going into this situation with her eyes wide open and not full of stars. Eve had lost a child before when she thought herself in love. Now her family would probably criticize her for making a mistake with another man who was all wrong for her.
Not that her baby was a mistake; the first person to even hint at that would have to deal with her wrath. No, her mistakes came in the form of choosing the wrong men. Clearly she had bad judgment.
By the time Eve pulled onto the Winchester estate, she was confident that she needed to tell her family. The sooner they knew about the baby, the longer they’d have to get used to the idea. After the party tonight, she’d tell Grace and their father when they were all together. It would be the perfect time. Not that there was a perfect time to drop a bomb like this. But there was no changing the fact that she was having a baby.
A baby. The thought thrilled and terrified her at the same time. She was still ten weeks away from the seventeen-week mark. She would feel so much better once she got past the hurdle that had left a hole in her heart during her last pregnancy. Eve honestly didn’t know if she could bear another loss so great. She was already facing the inevitable loss of her father, but to add a second baby to the...
No. This baby was just fine. She wasn’t going to even think that way... From now on she would have only positive thoughts. Her child was a Newport and a Winchester, which immediately equaled a fighter.
Eve pulled in behind Grace’s car and grabbed her clutch and the present she’d brought for her father—a framed photograph. Sliding her phone into her purse, Eve headed toward the grand entrance. Her childhood home was nothing short of spectacular—Sutton Winchester would settle for nothing less than the best.
Instantly memories of growing up here flooded her mind. The house always looked like a museum, but there had been a toy room on the third floor where the kids were given free rein. She and her sisters had spent hours in there playing, dreaming, fighting...all the things close sisters did. They’d run around outside playing tag, chasing each other and fantasizing about being grown-ups. Seriously, growing up was so overrated. They should’ve enjoyed those carefree days a bit more.
Pulling her wrap tighter around her, Eve made her way to the door. Without knocking, she let herself in. The aroma of something spicy, maybe cinnamon, hit her. Definitely a hint of pumpkin, too. Whatever the cook had prepared—or Nora had had catered—smelled absolutely divine. And thankfully in the evenings, Eve was fine; she didn’t have to deal with a queasy belly. So she was ready to have her fill of the party food, but not the wine.
Eve had just pulled her wrap off to hang it on the coat tree in the foyer when Nora came gliding down the hall. Eve put her wrap up and set her clutch and gift on the marble entryway table.
“You look gorgeous,” her younger sister declared. “I knew this goddess costume would be so perfect for you.”
Eve took in her sister’s vibrant green historical ball gown. “Talk about stunning. Nora, you’re glowing.”
Nora beamed. “I know it’s not what I bought when we were out, but then I saw this the other day and had to have it.”
“So what is Reid?”
“Lucky.” Eve glanced at Reid, who’d just stepped from the formal living space. He wrapped an arm around Nora’s waist and kissed her cheek. “I’m damn lucky,” he added.
Reid was dressed as a Civil War–era soldier, complete with sword dangling at his side. He and Nora looked as though they’d stepped out of a time machine. Eve was jealous of Nora’s itty-bitty waist; no doubt she’d gone for the whole corset and all. Eve’s hourglass shape was not long for this world.
“That you are,” Eve agreed, giving her sister a wink. “How’s Dad feeling today?”
“Good. He’s even donned a bit of a costume for the occasion, though he said he’d stay in the study since his oxygen and everything is set up in there. Visitors are welcome, though.”
Eve gripped the present beneath her arm and nodded. “I’m going to see him now before everyone else arrives.”
“You doing okay?” Nora asked, keeping the question vague.
Eve glanced at Reid, who showed no sign of knowing anything. “I’m great. If you’ll excuse me.”
Eve made her way to the study. She hated thinking of her father being so sick that he was confined to one room, but she knew that if he truly wanted to move about the house, his caregivers would make it happen. Her father remained in the study more out of pride than anything else. There was a bathroom right off the spacious room and hospice care had set everything up to look like a master suite. Her father’s old desk where he’d spent countless hours when he worked from home sat in the corner. Next to the desk was a large built-in shelf housing all of his favorite books.
As she walked down the hall, Eve took stock of all the memories. She hated the thought of his estate being split up when he passed. She wanted her childhood home to remain in the family, but that might not be possible. Who knew what would happen with Carson and how far his brothers would go to make sure he received his share.
Just the thought of Graham stirred mixed emotions within Eve. The ache she had for him kept growing with each day that passed without him, but on the other hand, she hated knowing he was one of the forces waging war against her father.
Pulling the framed picture from beneath her arm, Eve tapped lightly on the double doors and let herself into the study. The cozy fire welcomed her. Her father was actually in his chair beside the flickering flames. The last time she’d visited, he’d been sitting up in bed but hadn’t felt like going much farther. To see him in a chair was such a surprise, Eve’s eyes instantly filled with tears. The eye patch and pirate hat combined with his navy blue bathrobe made her laugh, though. He’d dressed up for the guests that would come through. If it weren’t for the oxygen, she’d swear he was back to normal. But he’d never be himself again. He’d never be the man he once was and she was slowly coming to grips with the harsh reality.
“Look at this beautiful goddess who came to visit.” He lifted a hand toward her. “Come on over. You look stunning, Eve. Just like your mother.”
Of course she looked like her mother; everyone told her as much growing up. The honey-brown hair, the bright eyes, curvy figure. Eve had seen enough pictures of her mother in her younger years to know she was practically a clone. But Eve didn’t want to discuss her mother right now. She wanted this evening to be fun, to be filled with love since the entire family would all be under one roof.
“What have you got?”
Eve flipped the frame around. “I had this made for you. It’s from my visit the other day.”
Sutton stared at the picture for several moments before finally reaching for it. With both hands, he gripped the sleek pewter frame and settled it on his lap. Eve waited, watching as her father continued to look at the faces staring back at him. Sutton with his daughters, an image that hadn’t been captured since they were little.
“This means everything to me,” he said, his voice thick with emotion. “You’ve always had such a good eye for photos.”
Eve leaned against the side of the chair and laughed. “It was just a selfie, Dad. But I thought it turned out nice and wanted you to have something in your room.”
He glanced up at her, his bushy brows drawn together. “You always know what to do. This is perfect.”
“I’m glad you like it.”
He looked at the image once more before turning his attention back to her. “Tell me about Elite. How are things going?”
The man was on his deathbed and wanted to know about business. He would probably die with his company—his baby—on his mind.
“We’re doing great.” Eve was thrilled with the direction they’d taken since she’d been placed at the helm. “We actually just signed on a Sydney office two days ago.”
Sutton’s smile spread across his face. “I knew you would take a great company and make it even greater. I’m so proud of you, Eve. You’ve not let anything stand in your way.”
“I learned from the best,” she declared, wrapping her arm around his shoulders as she settled a hip on the arm of his chair.
“Some women are cut out for husbands, kids, which is fine. But I knew you were the one to follow in my footsteps. You never had—”
“Let’s not talk about work.” She had to steer him in another direction. Because even though she hadn’t wanted the whole family lifestyle once she’d gotten a taste of corporate world, clearly she wasn’t going to be able to dodge it for long. “Nora said you were feeling pretty well today. You look good.”
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