Chapter 8
“I thought I told you to eat, you need me to feed that to you?”
“Why are you angry at me?”
“Because you were in trouble and didn’t come to me that’s why.”
Her mouth fell open and she looked at me in shock.
“You’re a woman with a child, don’t play stupid. I’m sure you know when a man is interested in you.”
“You, what are you talking about?”
“You want me to spell it out for you?”
“Please do because I have no idea.”
“You’re lying and it doesn’t suit you. Don’t play games with me I don’t like them.” Her cheeks heated and I knew I was right.
She was as aware of me as I am her though she does a better job of ignoring what she really feels.
All these weeks I’ve been circling her she hadn’t missed my intentions, no more than I’d missed her attraction to me though she did her best to hide it.
Had I not overheard her that day I stood outside the office I would’ve gone on believing she was immune to my advances, but I know better.
She isn’t aware that I know though so if she wants to put up a fight she can. As long as I win in the end, as long as I have her in my bed under me in the near future, I don’t care how we get there.
“Nothing to say? Then I suggest you eat, it looks like it’s going to be a long day.” I pulled the only other chair over next to hers and sat.
She became flustered and her hands shook as she brought the spoon to her lips and drank her soup. It took her half an hour to finish half the soup and half the salad.
“Is that all you eat everyday?”
“I told you I wasn’t hungry.”
“And I told you-you need to keep your strength up. If you want something else I’ll get it the choice is yours.”
She snatched up the leftover salad and stuffed some lettuce in her mouth while shooting daggers across the room with her eyes.
“Good, you’re learning, it’s best not to argue with me.” She turned that look on me but the look on my face warned her not to push her damn luck.
My phone went off and I left the room to answer. It was mom with the news I’d been waiting for. I went back to the room feeling a little better that I could do something for her.
“Dr. Spencer is going to get in touch with the doctor here and decide what’s the best course of action to take.” I said it as easily as I could without making it into a big deal.
“Really?” She put down her salad and looked at me with such hope it twisted my heart. How afraid has she been this whole time?
“Yes really.”
Just then the child woke up and started to fret. I watched her as she moved over to the bed to offer comfort.
“Mommy!” The little voice touched something inside me. At least I was reassured that I’m not a complete monster who could hate a child because she wasn’t mine.
She was very careful as she took the child in her arms and calmed her. “Mommy’s here baby girl.” She tested her head for fever and fed her some ice chips that had been sitting in a cup.
The little angel finally noticed me and hid her face in her mother’s side. “There’s nothing to be afraid of baby, this is mommy’s boss from work. He came all the way here just to see you and look.”
She reached for the bears and balloons Gavin had bought earlier and the child’s face lit up. It was strange seeing her in this new light, as a mother. It was going to take some getting used to.
I didn’t expect her to be a virgin, but knowing that she’d once been that close to someone else made me feel off.
In the world I move in, women switch bed partners as often as their underwear, so why did it bother me so much that this one had had a life before me?
As I watched her taking so much care of another man’s child I knew what I had to do. Get one of my own in her as soon as fucking possible.
That’s the only way I can think of to tame this beast that had been awakened in me. There was envy, anger, jealousy, all dark emotions running riot in my heart.
I didn’t like the feelings but I didn’t know how else to rid myself of them. And the only thing that came to mind was to breed her the first chance I get.
She had no idea as she read her child a story that I was plotting her future in my head. It was suddenly the most important thing in the world for me to get her with child, my child.
I sat in quiet contemplation as I watched her rock the child to sleep. She looked good doing it, like she was born to be a mother and I wondered what else she was good at.
Her talents as an architect were obvious, and now seeing her here in this domesticated scene, my mind was running away with itself.
What was she like in bed? Was she passive or will that fire she tries so hard to keep in check be unleashed once I get between her thighs?
She pulled the covers up around the child and sat for a minute watching her, bringing me back to the present.
“What’s her name?” I looked at the little head on the pillow.
“Amber.” She smoothed the sheet over the child lovingly.
“Amber Gritti?”
“Yes!”
“Is that her father’s name?”
“Yes, he named her before she was born.” I gritted my teeth and looked away from her. She still carried his name. Just how deeply in love was she with this guy?
And why the fuck are you this jealous of a dead man? How the fuck should I know? It was obvious that I’d lost my damn mind and was suffering some kind of meltdown.
“I’ll be right back.” I left the room and went for a walk and some fresh air to clear my head. What a hell of a day. I realized I was this out of sorts because I’d been side swiped by all this.
I had no idea that she’d had this whole other life before she came to me and now my mind was filled with all the dark spaces that were left open.
What else was I going to find when I go searching later? Is there someone else in her life now? There better fucking not be.
No matter, if there is I’ll just have to set her straight. No one else is going to have her but me. I stormed back into the building intent on telling her ass just that but got waylaid by the doctor.
“Dr. Spencer will be here tomorrow afternoon at the latest. We didn’t think it was a good idea to move the child right now so it’s best that he comes here.”
“Very well, make sure I get the bill.” I gave him one of my cards. “Did you tell her mother already?”
“No, I was just on my way to give her the news now.”
“No need, I’ll tell her myself. Is there anything else we should be doing right now to make her comfortable?”
“No, we’re doing all that we can. The most important thing is to keep her calm and let her little body rest. I have no doubt that with Dr. Spencer’s help and expertise she’ll be good as new in no time.”
“Okay thanks.” I headed to the elevator and back up to the room to give her the good news. I stopped just outside the door looking at in at her through the glass.
She looked so worried and so damn alone. My family wasn’t huge but at least we had each other. I made a silent promise to be there for her from now on. I never want to see her looking like this again.
She looked up when I walked in and I took no time in telling her the good news. The look on her face made some of the darkness fade.
“I don’t know how to thank you. I can never repay you.”
“I didn’t ask you to. No one should have to watch their child suffer because they don’t have enough money to pay for their care.”
I was actually surprised that she hadn’t put up more of a fight knowing her penchant for opposing me at every turn.
Thankfully she seemed more interested in saving her child’s life than in butting heads with me. Still I had to ask. I can never take anything for granted when it comes to her.
“I’m a little surprised that you didn’t give me more of an argument.” She took her time answering and when she did I wished I hadn’t asked.
“She’s all I have left of Richard there isn’t much I wouldn’t do to keep her safe.” Dammit!