Irresistible Forces (13 page)

Her words must have touched him because he shifted his body and lowered his lips to hers. Like all the others, this kiss was hot, sexual and sent a flaming sensation all through her. Moments later, to her disappointment he pulled back and met her gaze.

“I want to take you out to dinner to celebrate.”

“Tonight?”

He gave a low chuckle and leaned down and brushed a kiss across her lips. “Yes, tonight.”

“I’m not sure I can move.”

“Um, you were doing quite nicely a while ago,” he pointed out as he placed his arm around her and drew her into the curve of his body.

“Yeah, well, that’s why I can’t move now, thank you very much.”

His expression turned serious. “No, thank
you
very much, Taylor. I owe you a wealth of thanks. I’d be the first to admit when you suggested that I father your child, I had a number of misgivings. But now since it’s official that you’re pregnant, I can only feel elation.”

He paused for a moment and then said, “I can’t wait to tell my parents.”

Taylor forced her head to move to look at him. “How are you going to tell them? How will you explain the situation between us?”

“Not sure yet, but they are fully aware that I’ll never marry again. They’re hoping that I’ll change my mind although I’ve told them on countless occasions that I won’t.”

Well, that was that, Taylor thought. What he’d said had effectively removed any hope she’d been harboring that he saw what they’d shared as something other than lust. “You could just tell them the truth, that you and I both wanted a child and so we entered into this business agreement to share one.”

“Yes, I could do that but they wouldn’t buy it. They would try their hand at getting us together. Unfortunately, they are die-hard romantics. They are in France now and won’t be returning for a week or so. I will have thought of something by then.”

Taylor was curious as to what he would come up with but decided they were his parents and he would have to deal with them. She, on the other hand, would be busy dealing with her own family. Now it seemed Cheyenne wouldn’t be the only one announcing plans of motherhood next weekend when the family got together for Marcus’s graduation.

“But one thing is for certain,
chérie,
” he said in a raspy tone.

Tiny flutters went off in her stomach. It always did something to her when he called her in French what was the equivalency of the word
sweetheart
in English. Although she knew it was a term of endearment that probably had no special meaning to him, she still felt something when he said it.

“And what is for certain, Dominic?”

“No matter how or why the child was conceived, they will look upon its existence like I will, as that of a special gift we’ve been given.”

Taylor had read in a pregnancy book that emotional changes were one of the side effects. Maybe that was the reason she suddenly wanted to cry at what Dominic said. His words had touched her deeply.

“Thank you,” she whispered, fighting back the tears in her eyes.

He reached out and ran the tip of his finger along the side of her jaw. “And what are you thanking me for?” he asked in a husky tone.

“For wanting this baby. For wanting it to be a part of your life, your parents’ life.”

“Did you think I would not, Taylor? Did you honestly assume that I would settle for anything less?”

No, she hadn’t assumed that. He was living up to her expectations. Instead of answering him, she leaned forward and touched her lips to his. He then gently gathered her into his arms, took over the kiss and devoured her mouth with a hunger she was used to.

As he proceeded to kiss her senseless, she fell deeper and deeper in love with him.

Chapter 11

V
anessa Steele stared at her two younger sisters. Pregnant and unmarried—the
both
of them—they seemed happy, so she was happy for them. She knew who had fathered Taylor’s child, but Cheyenne was keeping a tight lip as to who had fathered hers. The only thing Cheyenne would say was that he was someone she had met one night while doing a photo shoot in Egypt but wouldn’t be seeing again. Vanessa couldn’t help wondering if Cheyenne’s one-night lover had been an Egyptian native or an American she’d met who, like her, had been visiting the country.

“I hope the two of you know we’re going to have to celebrate, don’t you?” she finally asked. Taylor and Cheyenne were doing a sleepover at Vanessa’s house. They had just watched a Tyler Perry movie that had finally come out on DVD—for the fourth time—while munching on popcorn.

Marcus’s graduation had been beautiful and had brought out a lot of tears from those who recalled how it seemed just yesterday he was taking his first steps and now he was heading off to college—an Ivy League college at that, something Chance had always wanted for his son. Chance was proud of Marcus and everyone knew that if Cyndi had lived she would be proud of Marcus, as well, and more than satisfied at the fine job Chance had done in raising their son. Now Chance was married to Kylie, and had a seventeen-year-old stepdaughter named Tiffany and a baby son named Alden, who would be celebrating his first birthday soon.

Although surprised, the members of the family took both Taylor’s and Cheyenne’s pregnancy announcements well, and for once the cousins hadn’t bothered asking a lot of questions. After all, Taylor and Cheyenne were grown women, financially secure and able to take care of themselves. But Vanessa knew everyone had to be mildly curious about the men in their lives since no one had ever met either of them.

Vanessa was more than mildly curious but knew there was no need wasting her time on Cheyenne. Trying to get anything out of her would be like getting blood from a turnip, so she turned her concentration on Taylor.

“So, will you and Dominic Saxon have joint custody of your baby?” she asked Taylor, since she wanted to know.

Taylor shook her head. “No, I’ll have full custody, but he’ll get visitation rights.”

Deciding to play devil’s advocate, she asked, “And what if he changes his mind later and wants full custody? What will you do then?”

“It won’t happen.”

Vanessa raised a brow. “You seem certain of that.”

Taylor shrugged. “I am. I trust Dominic to do what he said he would do.”

Vanessa decided to make an observation. “You also love him, don’t you?”

At first Taylor didn’t say anything and then after taking a sip of her lemonade, she said, “Yes, I love him. But it doesn’t matter.”

“And why doesn’t it matter?” Cheyenne wanted to know.

Taylor smiled at her two sisters. “Because falling in love with him wasn’t part of the deal. I may never have his love but I will have his baby.”

“And will that be enough for you?” Vanessa asked softly, hearing the pain in her sister’s voice.

Taylor toyed with her glass a second or so before saying, “It has to be enough, Van, because that’s all I’ll ever have.”

Later that night Taylor couldn’t get to sleep so she lay in bed and stared up at the ceiling. She couldn’t help but recall the night when Dominic had dropped by her condo so he could be there when she found out whether or not she was pregnant. They had made love several times, and he had taken her to dinner later and ended up spending the night.

The following morning had been like all the others on the island when she had awakened in his arms…and to his lovemaking. He left the next morning for a business meeting in Australia. He hadn’t made any promises about when he would see her again, but had promised to call to check on her and he had, practically every day. She enjoyed receiving her daily phone calls from him, although she knew he was calling more for the baby’s sake than for hers.

When she had spoken to him earlier today he had mentioned that he had told his parents about the baby and they wanted to meet her. He hadn’t said how he had explained their relationship and she didn’t ask.

She heard her cell phone ring and glanced over at the clock. It was almost eleven. Wondering who would be calling her at this hour she got out of bed to grab the phone off the dresser. Caller ID indicated it was Dominic. Her heart jumped at the thought that he was calling her and wondered if anything was wrong, since they’d talked already that day.

“Dominic?”

“Yes,
chérie?
”

“Is anything wrong?”

She heard his soft chuckle. “No, nothing is wrong. It was only after dialing your number that I remembered there’s a three-hour time difference between us. I’m back in L.A. visiting my parents.”

“Oh.” Earlier that day when she had spoken with him he had been in Italy. He was definitely a jet-setter, but she knew that Dominic had investment interests all over the world.

“And how are your parents?” she asked.

He gave another soft chuckle. “They’re doing fine and are still walking on cloud nine at the thought of becoming grandparents. You have made them happy, Taylor. And they like the names we’ve picked out.”

Taylor smiled. “I’m glad.”

There was a slight pause and then he said, “I miss you, Taylor.”

She closed her eyes at the sexiness in his voice. “I miss you, too, Dominic.”

And she did, although she knew the reason she was missing him was vastly different from the reason he was missing her. She was smart enough to know that the sex between them was good, practically off the charts. Men got used to something like that. They began craving it. The reason she missed him was because she loved him and because she loved him, she enjoyed being with him whether sexual or not.

“When are you returning to D.C.?” he broke into her thoughts and asked.

“In a few days. In fact, I fly out Sunday morning.”

“Call my secretary and give her your flight information. I will be at the airport to pick you up.”

“You don’t have to do that.”

“I know, but I want to,” he said smoothly in a soft voice.

“Okay then. I’ll call and let her know.”

Moments later after hanging up the phone she got back into bed. Her fleeting happiness was somewhat fractured by the fact that the only thing between them was sex. Good, hot, passionate sex.

And yes, of course, there was the baby.

“You’re kind of antsy, aren’t you, Nick? Ms. Steele’s flight doesn’t arrive for a full hour.”

Dominic was roused from his thoughts by Ryder’s observation. He glanced toward the front seat where Ryder was expertly driving the sedan toward the airport. “I didn’t want to take a chance on traffic this morning,” he said.

“On a Sunday morning? Who are you trying to kid? Just admit you’re anxious to see the woman.”

Dominic frowned. “I will admit no such thing.”

“Fine, then suit yourself.”

Instead of giving Ryder a response, Dominic decided to look over the papers he needed to review for a business meeting he was having in England later this week. His father was relinquishing more and more of the hotel duties to him. He didn’t mind combining his father’s entities with his, especially now since there would be someone they would eventually leave all their wealth, too—the Saxon heir.

It didn’t take long for him to admit he was finding it hard to concentrate and tossed the papers aside. Ryder was right. He was antsy but he would never admit it. Ryder seemed to know too much as it was. But then, even as a teenager he hadn’t been able to pull anything over on the man.

“So, Nick, when is the wedding?”

Now, Dominic thought, Ryder was trying to be a smart-ass. “There won’t be a wedding and you know it. I’ve been married once.”

“Yes, but Camry is gone. Besides, the two of you lacked passion.”

Dominic glared at the back of the man’s head. “And how would you know?”

“I have eyes. You and Camry were best friends more than anything else. You understood her whereas her parents never did.”

That much was true, Dominic thought. The reason he had decided to marry her was to protect her from them. They had expected perfection and she had tried telling them time and time again that she was only human but they wouldn’t listen. “Camry meant everything to me, Ryder.”

“Yes, like I said, she was your best friend.”

Dominic’s eyes went cold. “She was my wife.” Ryder didn’t say anything and Dominic was grateful for the man’s silence.

It was short-lived.

“That baby is going to need a father, Nick.”

Dominic didn’t have to ask what baby he was talking about. “He or she is going to have a father.”

“Yes, a part-time one. Marcello was a full-time father to you. How can you cheat your own child out of having what you had?”

Before Dominic could give Ryder a blazing retort, Ryder quickly said, “We’re here. I’m going to let you out at the curb so you can be there when Ms. Steele walks off the plane since I believe that’s what you want.”

Dominic wouldn’t argue with him about that, because that was what he wanted.

Taylor saw Dominic the minute she walked through the gate. He was standing there, tall and as handsome as any man had a right to be.

And he was waiting for her.

A shiver went up her spine when at that moment she realized the sexual chemistry between them was still there, even in the crowded airport. She continued walking toward him and he moved toward her. The moment they were standing in front of each other, as if it had been months since he had seen her last instead of mere weeks, he pulled her into his arms and kissed her, deeply, soundly.

Moments later, knowing they were probably causing a scene, he pulled back and took her hand in his. “Come on, let’s get out of here,” he said gruffly.

It didn’t take long for them to claim her luggage. Ryder was there with the car waiting for them the moment they stepped outside the terminal. Once Dominic had her settled in the backseat with him, ignoring Ryder, he pulled her into his arms and kissed her again, long and leisurely.

When he finally released her mouth he whispered against her moist lips, “Come to the hotel with me and let me fix you breakfast.”

She took a deep breath. “You’re cooking?”

He smiled. “Yes.”

“Then there’s no way I’ll turn you down.”

He gave her a soft chuckle. “I was hoping you would say that.”

It was late afternoon before Taylor finally entered her apartment. After Dominic had prepared breakfast—and he’d done a good job of it, she would have to admit—they took a walk around the grounds of the hotel, which eventually led to Rock Creek Park. It was a beautiful day for a walk and she couldn’t get over just how attentive Dominic had been to her. His parents called and when he mentioned she was there, they wanted to talk to her. They were overjoyed at the thought of having a grandchild and couldn’t wait to meet her. Dominic promised to fly her out to L.A. when she was free to do so.

When they returned to his suite at the hotel, they had showered together and made love. Instead of staying in bed the rest of the day as she’d figured they would do, they had dressed and gone downstairs for brunch. Then he had taken her to the recreation room for a game of pool. He was surprised she knew how to play, and she had explained that she thanked her four cousins for acquiring such a skill. She had truly had fun, although he had beaten her each and every time.

They had returned to his suite and had made love again before he had brought her home. He had walked her to the door, promised to call once he arrived in London tomorrow, kissed her and then had left after seeing that she was safely inside.

Too tired to unpack her clothes, Taylor cuddled on the sofa and thought about her day with Dominic. Although neither had officially declared it to be so, they were lovers. They were doing all the things that lovers did.

She shook her head. This part of their relationship had not been planned. It just happened. Their week together on the island had done more than create a baby, it had created an unquenchable hunger for each other. She couldn’t help wondering—when would the intense craving come to an end? When would he decide that he wanted another flavor of the month and move on?

She knew that because of the baby her life would always be connected to his in some way. But she also knew that she needed to prepare herself for the time when he would tell her he was no longer interested in her. In her job she was a risk taker, and one thing a risk taker knew was those risks to walk away from. She could not let Dominic break her heart, and unless she did something that was just where she was headed.

She had never been a needy person and she wasn’t going to start being one now. She’d known when she had proposed the idea to Dominic that she would be sailing solo and nothing had changed. Time away from Dominic was what she needed. It was better if she got out of the situation now, on her own, before he forced her out.

With a heavy heart and a made-up mind, she pulled herself off the sofa and headed toward the bedroom to get ready for bed.

“Ms. Steele, Mr. Saxon is here to see you.”

Taylor frowned. That couldn’t be. Dominic had called her that morning from England and said he would be in business meetings all day. There was no way he could be back in the States.

“Mr. Saxon?” she asked, making sure she’d heard her secretary correctly.

“Yes. Mr. Franco Saxon.”

Franco Saxon?
Taylor pondered the name around in her mind. The only Franco Saxon she knew—or rather had heard of—was the wealthy Frenchman who’d made his millions through his shipping company. Could he be one and the same and why was he coming to see her?

“Ms. Steele?”

“Oh, yes. Please send him in.”

Never in a thousand years would Taylor be prepared for the sharply dressed, gray-haired older man who walked into her office. He had such charisma and style that she immediately recognized him as someone who had to be related to Dominic. But then there were the features, so like Dominic’s it was amazing. It was as if she was staring into the face of a much older Dominic. The man was tall and very handsome. It was evident the man was related to Dominic but in what capacity? Although she had yet to meet Dominic’s father, she had seen pictures of him in magazines and he wasn’t as old as this guy. Was this an uncle perhaps?