Page 24 of Kinks of a Billionaire
No. Fucking. Shit.
“And you hid it from me, why?”
“I don’t know.” She faltered, embarrassment coloring her cheeks. “I’d learned I was pregnant earlier that week, and it felt wrong to run to you.” Another shiver rolled down her body and I closed my eyes, drawing on my patience. “I felt like such a loser.”
Her dark lashes lowered, throwing shadows against her cheeks, and I pressed my forehead against hers for a moment before getting myself together.
“You should always run to me.” She remained quiet, her eyes glistening with emotions that gutted me. “No matter what, when, or how. You come to me. Understood?”
She nodded.
“You still want to go through with your plan with an unemployed woman?” she murmured.
“Absolutely. You’ll never have to worry about money again. Not when you’re with me. Besides, you’re brilliant. You can help me with my company.”
She let out a strangled laugh. “I know nothing about your investment strategy. I can’t help you with it, not if you want to remain a billionaire.”
I had inherited the majority of my fortune, but I also expanded it—much like my brothers—by investing in real estate, stocks, and a start-up of several successful recreational stores.
“Then be a trophy wife. Anything you want.” Restraint and emotions roughened the edge of my voice. There was no way I was letting her go. She was mine to protect.
“I’m pregnant, and the baby isn’t?—”
She was trying to find reasons why we shouldn’t be together, and I wouldn’t have it.
“I’ll give you and the baby a beautiful life.” She shot me a dubious look, still unconvinced, but refusal wasn’t an option. Not anymore. “I vow on my mother’s life.”
She sighed. “I believe you, but I’m not your problem. Nor is my baby.”
“You’re under my protection, so is the baby. And just so we’re clear, you’re not my problem. You’re my solution.”
She narrowed her eyes. “Huh?”
My mind was working furiously. “You’ll be doing me a favor.”
“How’s that?”
“It will give me peace of mind to know you’re protected.” My eyes dropped to her lower abdomen. “Both of you.”
A frown creased her brow. “That’s… I’m grateful… flattered that?—”
“Do it for me,” I interjected. “If you won’t do it for yourself, do it for me.” I was grasping at straws here, trying to come up with a reason to convince her why this was a good idea. “You’ve jumped in for me at the business events I attend that offer me a plus-one. If we’re married, I don’t have to worry about it.”
She snickered softly. “Yes, and I know how easy it is for you to find a date.”
“But none of them are…” I let the unspoken word hang between us.I didn’t want to scare her away, so I quickly reined in my emotions. “Those women don’t stimulate me. Plus… they’renot helping me restore my image. The tabloids have been costing me business. I can’t let the people who rely on me for their livelihoods suffer because of some bad press.” Her bottom lip disappeared between her teeth, contemplating my words. “It’ll be a win-win for both of us,” I added.
I brought my thumb around and pressed it against the base of her neck where her pulse drummed.
“So… it would be strictly platonic?” She studied me with a defiance that I’d come to know well over the years of our friendship. “Because the last thing I need right now, Royce, is to be a footnote in your book, or anyone else’s for that matter.”
“Strictly platonic,” I agreed.For now.Because Willow was so fucking wrong.
She could never be a footnote in any book. Shewasthe book, a whole encyclopedia.
Chapter 11
Willow
