Page 65 of Revelations of A Secret Princess

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

JAKESAWTHEfire in Caro’s bright eyes die. It didn’t flicker or fade. It was snuffed out in an instant.

In the same instant cold engulfed him.

Her lips thinned as she pressed them together. Within his grasp her hands jerked then stilled. She blinked once, twice, the dark pupils widening, making her look wounded, as if he’d hurt her.

Yet it was Jake who felt the punch to his gut, like a hunting knife jabbing flesh, piercing a vital organ.

He forced himself to breathe slowly. She was surprised. She wasn’t rejecting him.

‘It’s a perfect solution, don’t you see?’ He sounded more confident than he felt. Like a desperate salesman giving a final pitch. That made him pause. He didn’t do desperate. There was no reason for the anxiety gripping his belly.

‘I realise it’s an unusual solution to our situation.’ Actually it was perfect. ‘But think about it. Ariane needs stability and a family to love her. We’re that stability. We give her that love. Even after such a short time I see the difference since you came into her life. We can be all she needs. And we’re good together, you know we are.’

Jake made himself stop. He wasn’t a snake oil salesman, pushing her into a purchase she’d regret. He knew she’d enjoyed this time together since leaving St Ancilla. It wasn’t only her relief at leaving her father’s kingdom, or even, he suspected, being with her daughter. Caro revelled in his company and his lovemaking. She’d been gratifyingly eager for both.

Yet Caro looked anything but eager as she slipped her hands from his and hitched the sheet high. She trembled so much Jake could see it.

The blade at his belly twisted, gouging deep.

Jake had never laid himself open to rejection by a woman. Not after being rejected time and again by his mother. He’d kept his relationships with women to simple sexual transactions. This was the first time he’d put himself on the line.

It was impossible she’d shun him.

Yet his pulse juddered as he looked for a sign of understanding and agreement.

‘But...marriage?’ She frowned as if marriage to him was some distasteful medicine.

‘Why not?’ He shrugged his bare shoulders, chilling now despite the warmth of the room, and wished he’d waited instead of rushing into this. Instead of getting the easy agreement he’d anticipated, he had the unnerving sensation her response wouldn’t be an enthusiastic ‘yes’.

Would he have done better dressed for business in his office, with Caro sitting on the other side of the desk? The idea was preposterous. Yet—

‘Isn’t it a bit extreme? Couldn’t we share custody, six months with you and six with me?’

Something heavy shoved down through Jake’s middle. Disappointment or something stronger? Because she didn’t leap at his suggestion. He told himself they discussed a pragmatic arrangement, that she wasn’t rejectinghim.

‘You said it yourself. If we live on opposite sides of the world one of us would miss seeing her when she’s with the other. This way she gets both of us.’

And we get each other.

‘Besides, if you’re pregnant, wouldn’t it be the best outcome?’

Any thought that argument would clinch the deal died as Caro’s face leached of colour. It was like watching flesh and blood turn to parchment and it curdled the hope within him.

‘You’re covering all bases, aren’t you?’ Instead of admiring his foresight, it sounded oddly as if Caro resented his pragmatism.

‘We have to be practical.’ He waited for her to agree. When she said nothing he went on. ‘Neither of us want to fight for Ariane in court.’

Finally, to his relief, she nodded. At least there was one thing on which they agreed.

‘We need a solution for Ariane that will work for us both. Why not stay together? Build on what we already have? I can see it working.’

He could see it so clearly he had to bite his tongue from insisting she must too. It was the best, the only solution.

‘Can you?’ Her gaze held his. It wasn’t the look of a happy woman. A woman offered security and caring, plus wealth beyond most people’s imaginings. Offeredhim.

Suddenly, instead of a billionaire with the world at his feet, Jake felt like someone else. Someone unwanted, never good enough even to hold his parents’ attention.

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