Page 31 of Consequence of One Reckless Night

It upset her that he’d only met avaricious women in his life, but that he clubbed her with them, enraged her. “I’m not like those women,” she asserted, her eyes flashing fire. “I came to you, confused and terrified, and you turned me away, called me a liar and ordered me to kill this child.” Splaying one hand possessively across her belly, she said, “I will never do it.”

Alexandre reached out and covered her hand with his, a possessive action which baffled her. “I’m sorry I said those things to you, but I want this child.”

“Then why did you say...?”

Pain flickered in his eyes. “Something happened in my past... the news of this pregnancy caught me unawares and I was thrust right back into that horrible period in my life.”

Alexandre pondered if he should tell her the truth about his childhood but quickly snuffed the thought. He didn’t know her well enough to expose himself to her, giving her ammunition to destroy him. He had to guard his feelings and his heart.

Never again would he let anyone, not even Raquel, close to his heart.

“I want this child, and I promise to love and protect it, Raquel.”

The fierceness behind his promise touched her. That he was capable of feeling remorse and was willing to change, gave her hope. Perhaps she could count on him to help her with this baby, after all. But she also felt disappointment—he only wanted the baby, not her.

“I want to protect this child, and—you.”

His words confused her. Protect the baby and her? From what? The scorn of her family? The media furor kicked up by the newspaper article?

“And there is only one way I can ensure you both are completely protected.”

She looked up at him, puzzled. “What do you mean...?”

“We will get married.”

Chapter Twelve

“No!” Her answer shotout of her, surprising them both.

“No?” Alexandre stared at her—incredulous at her curt reply.

Raquel shook her head. “I can’t... marry you.” Dread filled her at the thought of plunging headlong into another marriage of convenience. “How can I marry you when... when I know nothing about you?”

Her answer irked Alexandre and he glared at her. “You were prepared for an arranged marriage before. Tell me, what do you know about Leandro?”

“That... that was different,” she stuttered—shamefaced.

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