Page 27 of The Baby His Secretary Carries

“Why do you say that?”

“Would you?” Her stomach swooped. Was he joking?

His expression was inscrutable as he sipped his drink, gaze seeming to pick her apart. “Wouldyou?”

She had kind of implied that she would when she’d told him not to lead her on, hadn’t she?

“That’s neither here nor there,” she quickly said. “I’m pregnant, so it’s moot.”

“Is it not safe?” He cocked his head with intrigue. “I was under the impression most women could have sex while pregnant.”

She was struck dumb by that, then managed to answer him. “You’re not wrong, but how on earth would you know that?”

“This is Italy.” He shrugged. “Most men are trying to get their wife pregnant before she’s delivered the one she’s carrying.”

“Oh, for heaven’s sake,” she sputtered, but she couldn’t help a moment of speculation about whether he would find her growing curves sexy.

Don’t, she cautioned herself. She couldn’t let herself start thinking anything was possible between them other than this fake engagement.

“Have you received your results from today’s tests?” he asked, technically pushing up against the boundaries of their deal, but she could tell he was asking out of concern.

“My doctor said she would call me once she reviews them.”

“Hmm.” It was another thoughtful rumble. “We’ll table a discussion about an affair until after you’ve consulted with her, then.”

“Oh, is that what we’ll do?” Her voice went up an octave and so did her internal temperature. “Will I have any say in that discussion?” She was trying to sound sarcastic, but it was tough to pull off, especially when he rightly pointed out—

“You brought it up. I’m the one who’s being sensible and saying we should check with your doctor first. I’ll have a physical, too. Better safe than sorry.”

“You’re unbelievable.” But it had been her Freudian slip. Was she out of her tree? She absolutely couldnotsleep with her boss while pregnant with the secret baby of her dearest friend...who was married to his business associate!

“I’m going to have a bath.” She couldn’t handle the way he fried her brain circuits.

“Let me know if you want me to wash your hair,” he called to her back, taunting, but her skin tightened with anticipation at the thought of it.

She wanted him to touch her and see her naked and do all the rest. That was the stark, shameful truth.

She flipped him the bird. What was he going to do? Fire her?

The remainder of the week was a blur of work and training her team and getting Nonno settled back in his own bed. Molly also moved back to the villa with Gio, but Gio shrugged off her bringing more than a handful of essentials.

“Ilario has prepared the room next to mine with everything you’ll need.”

Indeed, the closet was completely stocked with yet another wardrobe from the same boutiques that had been raided when they had arrived. Evening wear had been added, and so many designer shoes that her mind boggled.

Molly had greater concerns than how Gio chose to spend his money, though. She found a report that Sasha had regained consciousness, but it didn’t say anything else. Rafael was out of surgery and seemed to be recovering, but hundreds of other news stories had taken over, so she wasn’t able to learn more than that. Her handful of texts to both of them remained unanswered.

Molly’s physician, Dr. Kala Narula, reviewed Molly’s blood work and saw nothing serious. She concluded what Molly suspected—she had fainted from shock.

Kala had been Sasha’s fertility specialist and was equally concerned by the news about the pair. She had reached out to the hospital in Rome, but they refused to share anything more than what was released to the press. She agreed with Molly that the best thing they could do for Sasha and Rafael was continue to keep Molly’s pregnancy as healthy as possible. She urged Molly to rest and eat smaller meals more often.

“And what about...” Molly almost swallowed her own tongue. “Sex?”

There was a beat of surprise, then Kala replied, “You’re far enough beyond implantation and your pregnancy is not high-risk. Physically, there’s no issue, but I wouldn’t advise this become an experimental phase in your life.”

“No.” Molly’s dry laugh held little humor. “That’s not what I’m considering. It’s someone I’ve known a long time and...” And she kind of wished the doctor had told her she was forbidden to have sex. Now the decision was all on her.

“I can’t tell you what to do, Molly, but I would remind you that this is a distressing time. It’s natural that you might be drawn to a relationship as comfort. Be aware that may be coloring your desire.”

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