Page 35 of Big Deal Sweetheart

Chapter Eleven

Keifer lay Nova backon his bed, his heart beating a mile a minute. When Delilah’s mother had been pregnant, she’d thrown up the first couple months of her pregnancy, until she’d finally agreed to see a doctor and listened to him. She had hated to believe he was anything other than an ogre. Everyone had thought they’d had the perfect love affair, but the truth was, she had only wanted him in the beginning because he was good in bed, and then she’d gotten pregnant. He’d insisted she keep the baby, or he’d cut her out of his life, and she’d be cut off from his money. She’d known he meant what he said because he never said things that he didn’t mean.

“Stay right there. I’ll be back in a few minutes. Don’t move a muscle.” He kissed her lips before snatching his phone from the nightstand. He walked out into the hallway, dialing his chef, and ordering a meal he figured would be easy on her stomach. His next call was to his physician, who just happened to be several floors down. Within minutes he was striding back into his bedroom, satisfied to not only feel as though he had things in hand, but also to find Nova in his bed where he had left her.

“Breakfast will be here shortly. Can I get you anything before then?” He had a small kitchenette that he kept stocked with some of the things he loved. Already the fresh smell of coffee was coming from the other room. Shit, if she was with child, then caffeine was a no go for her.

“I’d love some juice if you have it.”

Keifer would have fruit flown in if she wanted it. What the fuck good was being rich if you couldn’t make sure your woman, who was more than likely pregnant with your child, got what she wanted? He hoped like hell it was his. “Be right back with your juice.”

It took him a few minutes to get his coffee and her juice. Rachel had hated the scent of coffee when she was pregnant. Hell, she’d hated him when she was pregnant. She’d hated everything when she was pregnant, but she allowed him to pamper her with all the things she’d wanted, even if she didn’t truly want them or need them. Any excuse she could get to spend money and then sell the things to hide the money away for later. If only she’d known he’d have given it to her freely if she’d just walked away after having Delilah and lived her life. He was a little overbearing, he freely admitted it now. Rachel...she had been a sad person who couldn’t handle the way her hormones changed along with her body during her pregnancy. Of course, he hadn’t known everything back then. He didn’t understand addicts the way he did now.

Determined to banish all thoughts of the past and focus on the here and now, he made his way back to Nova and what he hoped would be their future. He was older, wiser, and what he felt for Nova was nothing like what he’d experienced then.

“Here you go, Nova. Sit up, baby.” He placed several pillows behind her, pleased to see the color had returned to her naturally tanned complexion.

Nova took the glass of orange juice with a less than steady hand. By the time she’d drank half its contents, she appeared stronger. He sipped his black coffee, keeping a careful eye on her without actually letting her in on his thoughts. The last thing he wanted to do was run her off. For the first time in a long time, he was at a loss for words. It was totally out of character for him, and he didn’t like it one bit.

“You’re staring at me, and while I love having your attention, it’s making me feel like an insect under a microscope right now.” She took another sip of juice then let him take the glass from her.

“I’m sorry. I hate seeing someone I care for get sick.” Which was the absolute truth.

“In that, we have something in common, because I hate being sick. If you give me a little bit, I’ll get out of your hair.” She lay back with a sigh.

“Sure, I’ll let you do that. Right after Hell freezes over.” Someone knocking on the outer door to his suite interrupted their conversation, which really was good because it was going to deteriorate quickly if she thought he’d let her leave. No, he wasn’t going to hold her captive, but he’d be damned if she left because she thought he was repulsed by what happened earlier.

“Thank you, Sloan. When Charles arrives, please show him back.”

“Yes, sir. Your daughter has requested I let her know when the two of you are up as well. What shall I tell her?”

“Tell her I’ll call her once we are up and around.” He wanted to see what Charles had to say. If Nova doesn’t freak out and storm her way home first.

He returned with the tray of things that he hoped would settle her stomach. Toast and fruit with bacon and a selection of jam.

“Please tell me there aren’t any eggs under there?” Nova placed her hand on her stomach.

He sat the tray on the end table before settling onto the bed. “Hmm, do eggs make you sick usually?”

“Um, yes, nowadays anyhow.” She looked at the tray then him, her stomach rumbling loudly.

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