assure you, Mia, if this baby’s mine, I will be part of his life.” He stepped closer to the woman who drove him insane on so many levels. “And if this baby’s mine, whether I like it or not, I will be part of your life. Count on it.”
Mia’s lips thinned. “I don’t want you in my life. Not after the accusations you’ve just hurled at me. I would never lie about something as serious as a baby. And I assure you, I haven’t been with another man in over a year and, no, it was not Anthony. He was my employer and friend, that’s all.”
Yet again, she sounded and looked so convincing. And there was that part of him that wanted to believe her. He didn’t even want to think of Anthony Price’s hands on her willowy, soft body. Didn’t want to think of another man’s baby growing inside her. Not that he wanted a baby with her, either. Other than the sexual, physical attraction, what did they have in common?
Sure, before this bombshell, he’d considered seeing where that attraction could lead. But now …
Dammit. Why? Just … why?
Mia moved past him, charging back to the kitchen.
“Where are you going?” he asked, following her.
“To call a cab.” She pulled her cell from the purse she’d left on the center island. “I think it’s best if we both cool down and think rationally before talking about this again.”
“I’ll drive you home.” He took the cell from her hand and hit the End button. “There’s no need to call a cab. The paparazzi would get wind of your leaving here in tears and who knows what story they’d make up.”
Mia stared at him, her face red from crying, her makeup smeared in one corner of her eye. And she was still beautiful. Alluring and simple all in one. But the most important question was, Was she a first-class liar who’d set out to trap him?
Only time would tell.
The pain sliced through her. Agony, frustration, despair. Even a week after dropping the news on Bronson, she still had that sickening pit in her stomach.
Mia curled up on her four-poster bed, refusing to cry. Expecting a child should be a joyous time in every woman’s life, but this moment was anything but joyous.
Toying with the bronze beading on her comforter, Mia thought about the life growing inside her. Most women ran to their mothers for advice, or a sister or best friend. Who did she have? Seriously? She’d purposely engrossed herself in work so she could forget that she’d never had anyone in her life who cared … other than her parents, who’d died when she’d been only five years old. Her few friends had busy lives of their own. Too busy to call and share the news or borrow a shoulder to cry on.
Never before had being alone bothered her; she actually enjoyed being independent. But now, when her life was taking a dramatically sharp turn, she truly wished she had someone.
She hadn’t expected Bronson to take the news well, but to accuse her of sabotaging the condom to trap him? That was beyond absurd. Once Bronson calmed down and could think rationally, would he believe her? Would Olivia and Victoria be happy or just as skeptical?
Oh, God. Would Olivia still let her remain in such a personal, intimate position? She needed this job, especially now with a baby coming—no way would she take any money from Bronson. That certainly wasn’t the reason she’d told him.
No, she’d told him out of consideration and, dammit, because it was the right thing to do. So why was she allowing all this guilt to consume her?
Her blood pressure soared once again at the thought of his believing the worst. But stepping back and looking at it from his point of view, she could somewhat understand how he’d distrust her. They had used a condom—her condom—and he really didn’t know her.
But the accusations he threw at her still cut deep. She prided herself on honesty and built her life on always telling the truth. Of course, that was before she saw the damning, life-altering file on Anthony’s desk mere days before she started working for Olivia.
On a groan, Mia rolled onto her back and stared up at the ceiling. Her locket slid around her neck and tickled her ear.
Why did her life have to end up so complicated? Why couldn’t she be like millions of other women who felt the joy and elation of having a baby? She’d always fantasized about telling the man of her dreams he would be a daddy. Now all her fantasies were shot.
But what did she expect, going to bed with a man she barely knew? Karma surely wasn’t this cruel. She hadn’t wanted any personal involvement with Bronson, especially until the secret of his illegitimate brother came out, and now she’d thrown herself smack dab in the center of his life—whether he wanted to admit it or not.
Mia glanced over at her clock and knew she couldn’t avoid the inevitable. Monday morning came too fast, and now she had to get ready to head to the main house, spend the entire day with Olivia and pretend she wasn’t hiding two major secrets from this woman.
As she made her way to her adjoining bath, Mia figured she deserved the good pity party she’d thrown for herself all weekend, but now it was time to take charge and stand strong. This was her life, she was bringing a baby into it and she needed to have a firm, solid foundation for them both to stand on.
Once Mia was ready, both with her appearance and mind-set, she headed to the main house where she would work just as she did any other day.
Should she mention the pregnancy?
From a boss/employee standpoint, absolutely. But this was Bronson’s mother, which forced the situation into personal territory. She honestly didn’t know how to handle this delicate matter.
She and Bronson needed to have an adult conversation that didn’t involve accusations and other harmful words in order to head in the right direction for this baby.
A wave of giddiness overwhelmed her as she followed the wide, palm-lined sidewalk to the patio doors of Olivia’s office. For once in her life, Mia had someone to focus on other than herself. The thought both thrilled and terrified her. She didn’t have the best examples of parenting growing up and she’d never been around babies, but she knew, without a doubt, that this baby would never, ever wonder if it was loved.
Love. Isn’t that all anybody ever wanted? To be loved, unconditionally, just for who they are and not for their accomplishments or what they could give in return.
One day, Mia vowed, she would find that love.
“Ah, there’s my beautiful assistant.” Olivia poured herself a small glass of juice from the tray the cook provided every morning with fresh juices and fruit. “Care for something?”
Mia shook her head. Thanks to the crackers by her bed, she’d been able to make it here. No way was she going to jinx her good luck with anything else.
“I’m fine right now. Thanks.”
Mia started to leave the office and head to her own when Olivia stopped her. “Is something wrong, dear?”
Cringing at the guilt that consumed her, Mia smiled. “Didn’t sleep well last night. I’ll perk up in a bit.”
With a smile on her nearly wrinkle-free face, Olivia nodded. “As long as you’re feeling
