Page 19 of Taming a Heartbreaker

“I used birth control.” However, Redford could certainly see how a pregnancy could happen. A condom wasn’t equipped to handle the overload from multiple orgasms. Why hadn’t he thought about that? “Why didn’t she tell me she was pregnant?”

“I understand Carmen isn’t going to tell you anything about her pregnancy until she and the baby are out of danger.”

Sloan’s words broke into Redford’s thoughts and he all but toppled over. “Danger? What kind of danger?” Suddenly, a panic he’d never felt before took control of him. Being told he was going to be a father one minute, and then being told he might not be the next, caused him to feel disoriented.

Reaching into his jacket pocket, Sloan retrieved a piece of paper. “She’s experiencing a severe case of morning sickness that’s putting the baby’s and Carmen’s health at risk. The doctor is requiring up to six weeks of bed rest.”

“Six weeks?”

“Yes. There’s even a chance her condition might lead to something more serious. I wrote down the name of the condition on this paper. I read up on it and suggest you do the same. It’s pretty damn serious.”

Redford glanced over at Sloan after reading the information on the paper he’d been given. “I should have been told, Sloan.”

“It’s my understanding that you mentioned to Carmen you didn’t want kids. That probably has a lot to do with her not telling you right away. And again, she wanted to make sure she and the baby were out of danger.”

He met Sloan’s gaze. “Regardless of the relationship, or lack of one, I would never turn my back on my child, Sloan.”

“I know you wouldn’t, which is why I’m telling you. Leslie has no idea that I overheard her conversation with Carmen last night, and she won’t be happy with me for telling you about it when Carmen swore her to secrecy. However, I know if the roles were reversed, you would do the same for me.”

“Of course, I would.”

Sloan nodded. “Leslie flew out this morning for DC. All she said was that Carmen’s family is out of the country for the summer, and that Carmen caught something and isn’t doing well. And she needed to go check on her. What Leslie didn’t say, but what I overheard, was that Carmen was in the hospital and the doctors wouldn’t release her to go home unless she had someone to be there with her for a few days.”

Redford rubbed his hand down his face. “Thanks for telling me, Sloan, and I appreciate that you’ve included Carmen’s address on this note as well.”

“Don’t mention it,” Sloan said, standing. “Your research might have told you how to rid yourself of being p-whipped, but aren’t you even curious as to how a staunch womanizer, a man who is dead set against a serious involvement with a woman, was able to get p-whipped in the first place?”

Redford didn’t say anything because he honestly couldn’t answer Sloan’s question. “Maybe that’s what you really need to research, Redford,” Sloan said as he turned to leave. Before opening the door, Sloan added, “I’m in town until tomorrow, Redford. I’ll call later to see if you’re available to do dinner.” And then he was gone.

Less than an hour later, Redford had read up on Carmen’s condition. He’d even talked with the wife of a man on his executive team who had a gynecological practice. She’d explained that although severe nausea denoted a high-risk pregnancy, with the proper care the risks were lowered. Such care included bed rest, drinking plenty of liquids to stay hydrated, and avoiding foods that would aggravate the condition and make it worse. That’s when the possibility of hyperemesis gravidarum would become a concern.

Redford paced his office. He would make sure Carmen got everything she needed. Even if it meant hiring a maid, butler and cook to be at her beck and call for six weeks. Yes, that’s what he would do. He had reached for the phone to call someone who could arrange such services when suddenly he stopped and drew in a deep breath.

Carmen was having his baby. His baby. She was required to be off her feet for about six weeks while fighting for their child’s life. At that moment something came alive inside of him. She was doing this for their child. He knew at that moment he didn’t want anyone but him taking care of her and their baby.

Sloan was right. Control over mind and body might have been a fix, but it hadn’t told him how and why he’d gotten in that position in the first place. Hopefully, spending time with Carmen would shed some light on it. Moving to his desk, he picked up his cell phone to call Sloan.

“Yes, Redford?”

“I’m flying out to DC in the morning. I want to be the one taking care of Carmen and our baby.”

“Good luck with that. Leslie is there. Need I remind you that you aren’t her favorite person right now? She won’t let you in the door.”

He knew Sloan was probably right. Leslie was a fierce protector of those she loved. “I’ll just have to convince her I’m not there to cause Carmen stress, but to give her my support.”

“Leslie still won’t buy it, so I better go with you.”

Redford wondered if the real reason Sloan wanted to tag along was because he was missing his wife already. “Fine.”

After talking with Sloan, Redford called his company pilot to have the jet ready to fly out by noon tomorrow. Carmen’s pregnancy was definitely a game changer.

“Are you sure you don’t want anything else before settling in for the night, Carmen?”

Carmen glanced over at Leslie, who had arrived yesterday to discharge her from the hospital. The doctor had explained everything to Leslie, and she was taking her role of caretaker seriously.

“Honestly, Leslie, the only time I feel bad is when I can’t keep anything down.”

“Which seems to be all the time,” Leslie responded with a worried expression on her face.

---