The Billionaire's Baby Bargain (A is for Alpha) (13 page)

But it wasn’t right. Andrés couldn’t just pluck her from her life and expect her to be okay with it. She still was in shock at his gall.
 

And what really terrified her was that every moment she spent in his presence, she was reminded how potent he was, how he went to her head like a fancy bottle of champagne. It was quite clear how easily she could lose her heart to him. She’d already come dangerously close when she’d been here just months ago.

Closing her eyes, she pressed her head against the cool stone of the wall, letting out a soft groan. She was trapped in Spain. In Andrés’ house. In the clothes he’d bought for her. She was the puppet and Andrés the puppeteer. Her life wasn’t her own anymore.

A sharp knock came on the door and she spun around, her pulse quickening.
 

“Come in,” she called, not sure if the person was waiting for a response or not.
 

The door opened and a man came in, carrying her food. He delivered the plate with a smile but made no attempt at conversation otherwise. A moment later he’d left.

Alone again. Isolated and vulnerable, Chloe turned her attention to the plate. She wasn’t hungry, she told herself. But soon the smell of food made her mouth begin to water. With a small groan, she plucked the silver lid from the plate.

Her eyes widened at the variety of temptation on it. There was chicken and rice, beans with ham, vegetables, and a glass of juice. Despite her protests of not being hungry, actually seeing the food made her realize how long it had been since she’d eaten.

She lifted the plate onto her lap and took a bite of chicken. Her eyes closed as the spices and meat exploded in sensation on her tongue. Amazing.

 
A half hour later, she was full and growing drowsy. The chair was so large and cushiony, she was able to curl up into it and lay her head on the arm.

Despite the delicious meal still in her belly, she couldn’t help thinking about her future and just how dim it was. She replayed the events of the day and realized the magnitude of what had happened. Her fears rushed to the surface and suddenly it was too much. She wept silent tears that she didn’t bother to wipe away.

Finally, limp with exhaustion, she let her eyes close. A few minutes later, she was asleep.

Andrés made his way down the hall, loosening his tie and fighting back the fatigue from the last forty-eight hours.
 

He hadn’t meant to leave Chloe alone for so long but had gotten stuck on a call to his London resort. He grimaced and wondered how strong her anger would be when he went into his room.

Running a hand through his hair, he sighed and pushed the door open. His blood quickened and the muscles in his shoulders tensed when he did not immediately see her. But then his gaze landed on her form, curled up in one of the chairs and fast asleep.
 

The tension eased from his body and a soft smile curled his mouth as he crossed the room to her. He tossed his tie over the couch then undid the first few buttons on his shirt.

Reaching her chair, he stared down at her and discovered how deeply asleep she was. Her pink lips were parted and her expression peaceful, even though her cheeks were stained with tears.
 

Guilt pricked lightly that he was the reason for causing them.
 

He ruthlessly cut the softer emotion down and hardened his heart. He’d done what needed to be done to ensure the safety of his unborn child, seeing as Chloe had given him very little reason to trust her.

Andrés leaned down to scoop her up, lifting her high into his arms. He carried her across the room to the bed; Chloe emitted a soft sigh as she laid her head on his shoulder.

This time, when a twinge of tenderness hit him, he didn’t fight it. Reaching the bed, he lay her down and smiled at the image of her body stretched out in the lovely pink dress he’d brought. She should not sleep in the dress, though. The buttons in the back would prove a discomfort throughout the night.

Though he knew she wouldn’t appreciate it, he set out to remove her clothing himself. A few minutes later he had her stripped down to the pink bra and panty set. She had barely stirred; only once to roll over to face him. For a moment her lashes had fluttered up and she’d stared at him. Her mouth curled into a sweet smile and she closed her eyes once more.

Now, he couldn’t help but notice how her breasts strained against the pink lace of her bra and her legs stretched out from the tiny scrap of lace panties. His groin tightened and his blood hummed possessively at the sight of her. She looked all too natural in his bed, as if she’d always belonged here.

He pushed a curl off her cheek and leaned down to brush a kiss across her lips. Soon he would have her again. But unfortunately, not tonight.

After pulling the blanket to cover her, he straightened with reluctance and left her side, crossing to the bathroom to shower.

Chloe awoke the next morning alone in bed. She sat up and glanced around, clutching the sheets to her as the memory of the last couple of days rushed through her head.

Oh no. It was real. She bit her lip and whimpered. For a moment, she’d prayed that it had all just been a nightmare. That Andrés hadn’t swept into her life like a tornado, leaving nothing behind but chaos and destruction.

But it wasn’t a dream. It was her new reality. And the fact that she was lying in just her underwear in Andrés’s bed in Spain proved it.

She froze and then let out a sharp gasp. Underwear? How on earth had that happened? Goodness, she didn’t even remember falling asleep, let alone undressing.
 

Had Andrés been the one to remove her clothing? Heat slid through her body at the possibility.

A sharp knock came at the door, followed immediately by Andrés striding in. He appeared as handsome and intimidating as ever, dressed in another expensive black suit. Was he leaving for work?
 

Her mouth dried when he approached the bed, his gaze sliding over her tousled hair and the sheet clutched to her chest. His lips curved in amusement, and she had to resist the impulse to throw a pillow at him to wipe the smirk from his face.

“Good morning, Chloe,” he murmured, and moved to open the curtains on the far side of the room. “You should rise. The obstetrician is on her way to the villa as we speak.”

Chloe blinked in dismay. “Excuse me?”

“Your obstetrician. The doctor who will handle your pregnancy and deliver our baby.”

“She’s coming here?” Chloe flailed out of bed, forgetting her state of undress until the heat in Andrés’s hooded eyes reminded her.

Her nipples peaked from his masculine appreciation, while a slow ache gathered low in her belly. Oh, damn her treacherous body. She should not feel an ounce of attraction to this awful man right now.

“Pregnancy agrees with you,” he murmured, catching her around the waist and halting her attempt to dart past him. “You are more beautiful than ever.”

“Let me go, Andrés,” she pleaded. “I would at least like to put on some clothes.”

“Why?” He gave a lazy shrug and traced a finger over the swell of her breast peeking above the lacy bra. “You will simply need to remove them again when she does the ultrasound.”

Her breasts rose under his light touch and the ache in her body grew greater.

“You sure don’t waste any time,” she accused, trying to hold on to the anger instead of the other emotion that threatened. “I haven’t even been in Spain for a day yet. Is it normal for you to have doctors at your beck and call?”

“I promised you would be well taken care of, Chloe.” He arched a brow. “Surely you’re not surprised that I want to ensure the health of my baby.”

“I’m not sure anything could surprise me at this rate,” she muttered and crossed the room to pluck a silk robe draped over the chair. She donned it and tied the belt fiercely around her waist. Turning, she glared at him. “You’re leaving for work, I hope?”
 

His gaze grew hooded and he gave a slight nod. “Yes, once the ultrasound is complete.”

Another knock came at the door. Still watching her, he called from the person to enter.

The doctor came inside then, pushing a cart that held an ultrasound machine. She was a beautiful woman in her thirties whose face shone with admiration when she spotted Andrés. She introduced herself to Chloe as Dr. Flores, then turned back to Andrés and jumping into a conversation in Spanish.

Chloe tried to follow along and was able to deduce the doctor was thanking Andrés profusely for a large donation to the clinic. Surprise slid through her. For all Andrés’s austerity, apparently he gave back to his community.

Eventually Dr. Flores ushered Chloe back into bed to do the ultrasound. Her belly was smothered in a cool gel and the doctor moved the transducer over the barely noticeable swell of her abdomen.

“Congratulations,” Dr. Flores said in thickly accented English and gestured to the screen. “There. You see? That is your baby. And if you look, you can see the heartbeat. The size and location appear normal…”

Chloe stopped listening completely. Her heart twisted and emotion rocked her to the core as she stared at the tiny flicker on the bean-shaped image. The flicker that symbolized the steady beating heart of her baby. She was really going to become a mother.

Tears of amazement thickened in her throat and she blinked rapidly.

 
Her joy was cut brutally short when she caught sight of Andrés’
 
stoic profile. He nodded at whatever the doctor was saying, but his stare remained void of emotion. There was no happiness, no excitement, just the same expression he’d probably have if he were being briefed on the latest figures for his resorts.
 

“Thank you, Doctor. I wish I could stay longer, but I’m afraid I’m needed at work,” he said flatly. Without even a glance down at her, he strode from the room.
 

She went strangely numb and couldn’t even begin to answer whatever question the doctor was directing her way. Finally she swallowed. Once. And then again. But the bile wouldn’t be kept down.

She struggled to sit up and muttered, “I’m sorry, but could we take a break? I think I might get sick.”

Andrés buried himself in his work, ruthless in his daily dealings and driving his staff harder than he had in years. But he didn’t apologize or explain his actions, and no one would have expected him to.

Now, halfway through the day, he unfortunately had to take a break to eat lunch. And it gave him just enough time to think about her. Chloe and the tiny baby growing within her womb.

Dios
. He closed his eyes and raised unsteady hands to thrust through his hair.
 

He was going to be a father.
 

Of course he’d already had a couple of days to come to terms with the knowledge. Despite his taunt to Chloe about proving there was a baby, he’d known she hadn’t lied.
 

But nothing had prepared him for seeing the tiny heartbeat on the monitor. The tender, protective emotions that had rushed through him had been so intense and threatening that he’d done the only thing he knew how to do. He’d shut down emotionally and left rather than deal with them.

His gaze moved around his office. There were no pictures on the wall of family or loved ones. Nothing of sentimental value. He had been a confirmed bachelor, with no ties of a wife or child.
 

And yet now he would have one, if not both.
 

The image of Chloe this morning in her lacy underwear flashed through his head, stirring his blood. If Dr. Flores hadn’t been on her way over, he would’ve taken Chloe again. Reminded her exactly what they’d had, what they would once more have.

Cristo
, but he wanted her with a ferocity that he wasn’t accustomed to. She brought out everything primal within him. And now that she carried his child, the desire increased to possess her on every level. And he would. All in good time.

He leaned back in his chair and looked out over the city, spinning a pen between his fingers.
 

Chloe knew her options to simply be his lover or become his wife. The question was which she would choose. And which did he prefer? When he realized the answer to what he preferred, it unsettled him more than he cared to admit.

Chloe watched in disbelief as another man walked into Andrés’s room, carrying a stack of clothing on hangers. This was the fifth man to bring in clothes for her.

“I don’t understand why he’s doing this,” she muttered and shook her head.
 

“Because he wants you to be happy,
señorita
. It is his way of showing that he cares.” Rosa patted her arm, beaming up at her. Then she turned her focus back to the men and began ordering instructions in rapid-fire Spanish.
 

Wanted her to be happy? Cared about her? She bit her lip to restrain the incredulous laugh that nearly escaped. That seemed incredibly far-fetched, but perhaps Rosa was simply a romantic at heart.

She watched the older woman take control of the situation, once again thankful for her presence. Rosa had been nothing but attentive and sweet to her today, and Chloe had already grown quite fond of Rosa. She hadn’t been fussed over quite so much since her mother had died.