to use her all along, then he would’ve tried to use her to get closer to her father. If he was that sure her father held secrets about Graham’s past, then he could have easily used his charms and sneaky maneuvers to find out what she knew. Or have her find out what her father knew.
He’d done neither. When they were together, he’d avoided the topic. It had taken Eve two restless, sleepless nights to replay their last seven weeks. There were no red flags, nothing other than an intense affair and unexpected emotions.
Now she stood in the lobby of his building, clutching a photo, more scared than she’d ever been in her life. This was the biggest risk she’d ever taken, but this could also be the greatest thing to ever happen to her.
By the time Eve reached the top floor and stood outside the only door in the hall, she was a little more under control...until the door swung open and Graham stood there in a pair of running shorts, beads of sweat running down his chest.
“Doorman told me you were on your way up,” he explained. “I was on the treadmill.”
Eve still didn’t say anything. Now that she was here, all the speeches she’d rehearsed vanished from her mind. The picture in her hand crinkled, drawing her attention to the reason she needed to gather up that Winchester courage.
“I, um...can I come in?”
Graham stepped back, opening the door wider. The second she passed by him, she was assaulted with that sexy, sweaty, masculine scent. She wanted this to be easy, didn’t want a messy reunion...if he’d take her. They’d been through so much already, Eve wasn’t even sure a relationship was possible.
Eve crossed the spacious entryway and stepped down into the living area. Her eyes were fixed on the skyline.
“I never got to appreciate the view in Tennessee,” she muttered. “I was numb when I left.”
When he said nothing, Eve turned, only to find he’d moved in closer behind her.
“I was still numb when I saw you at my dad’s house,” she went on. “But then I realized you didn’t have to be there. You could’ve let me go, could’ve waited and fought me.”
His intense stare hit her as fiercely as his words. “I’d never fight you, Eve.”
“I’m tired,” she whispered. “Tired of worrying, tired of questioning and tired of wondering what we’re doing.”
Graham reached for her, pulling her into his arms. She didn’t care that his chest was damp with sweat. All she cared about was that he didn’t seem to have changed his mind.
“Put it all on me,” he murmured against her ear. “Every fear, every worry, give it to me. I want to be everything for you, Eve.”
She eased back, hope spreading through her. “Can our lives be that easy? Can we make this work?”
“I’ll do anything to have you in my life, Eve. Anything. Not just the baby, but you.” He framed her face with his strong hands. “I’ve never loved a woman the way I love you. I’ve never wanted to. But we fit, Eve. We get each other and I can’t imagine life without you.”
Sliding the black-and-white image between them, she held up the picture for him to see. “This is for you.”
Graham took a step back and stared at it. It was a sonogram of their baby. His eyes instantly misted as he slowly reached for the glossy image.
“I didn’t think you’d had the appointment yet.”
“I called the doctor for a favor.” Eve smiled, unable to stop herself as she saw how in love Graham was with this child already. “I wanted to give you this. I wanted you to know that we are both yours if you’ll have us. If you can forgive me for doubting you, for doubting us.”
His eyes instantly sought hers. “There’s nothing to forgive. I’m the one who nearly ruined the greatest thing that’s ever happened to me. I won’t ask you to marry me. But know that the second you want to, I’m ready.”
Eve started to say something, but he held up his hand. “Because I love you both. I want to build a life with you, raise all the babies you want.”
“My father defended you,” she told him.
Graham looked shocked. “He did?”
“I know you think he has a secret about your father, but this disease, it’s changed him. I—I’ll go with you if you want to ask him. He won’t lie to me.”
Graham pulled her in once more. “I have everything I need right here. I won’t put you between your father and me. Besides, Brooks has a lead with the investigator.”
Eve pulled back. “That’s great.”
Graham smiled. “Roman is out now searching and he’s pretty sure he has the name we’ve been searching for.”
“Oh, Graham. Are you excited?”
“I am.” He kissed the top of her head. “But not nearly as excited as I was the second I knew you were here to see me. Don’t leave. Stay with me.”
Eve leaned up on her tiptoes to kiss him. “Maybe we should start with a shower and then talk.”
Graham set the picture down on the accent table and scooped her up into his arms. “That’s the best idea I’ve ever heard.”
* * * * *
Michelle Celmer
From lovers to sworn enemies…and back again? A dramatic Dynasties tale from USA TODAY bestselling author Michelle Celmer!
Wealthy private investigator Roman Slater has never forgiven himself for hurting former flame Grace Winchester. And Grace has never forgiven him, either! When she discovers that he now has her family in his sights, she puts up a fight.
But where Roman is concerned, she can’t help it: she’s a lover not a fighter. Despite herself, she’s back in the millionaire’s bed just like that. But is Grace setting herself up for a replay of past betrayals? Or will Roman prove that he’s one of the good guys this time around?
For Mike and Trevor
Grace Winchester didn’t get nervous.
As the youngest of the Winchester daughters, she may have had a privileged and pampered childhood, but as an adult she was no spoiled heiress. She’d worked damned hard building her fashion-design business, and she was a well-known and respected activist for women’s rights. In a world where men dominated, she’d trained herself over the years to believe that there wasn’t anything she couldn’t do.
Okay, so there was one thing.
