Page 9 of The Baby His Secretary Carries

“It’s the only conclusion that makes sense.” His ears rang as though he’d taken an uppercut to the jaw. But, yes, this explained both her reluctance to accept a job that most people would kill for and the retching he’d just overheard. “Don’t deny it. Guilt just landed on your face like a cream pie.”

Her hand tightened on the chair and her color seemed to drain away. For one second, he thought she might faint, but she looked toward the window and her spine straightened.

Hemight pass out—his shock was that profound. Why? People were entitled to a private life. Even his employees, he thought ironically, but how?Who?

“You said you aren’t seeing anyone.”

“I’m not.” Her voice was firmer than he’d ever heard it. “I don’t want to talk about this. My personal health is not my employer’s concern.”

She shifted to face the door to the balcony, leaving it closed, but staring out. Her silhouette was the figure he had involuntarily memorized—average in height, narrow shoulders, a deliciously round ass. She was definitely plumper than a few months ago, though.

He ran his hand down his face, trying to assimilate this development with the rest of what had happened today.

“Valentina doesn’t know.” Would she have told him if she had? She was very loyal, but also very ethical. She wouldn’t betray anyone’s medical status without their permission.

“No one knows.” Molly twisted around, voice taking on a note of warning. “It’s common for people to keep things under wraps for the first trimester, in case it doesn’t work out as planned.”

If she was concerned about miscarriage, she obviously wanted this pregnancy. His mind filled with wild thoughts he wasn’t entitled to have, but who thehellwas this man who’d made love to her, but wasn’t involved with her?

“Does thefatherknow?”

Her mouth tightened. “None of this is information I am required to share with you.”

“I’m not threatening your employment, Molly. I’m trying to preserve it.” Wasn’t that obvious? “If you need a mat leave, fine. Tell me what we’re working with. We’ll find a way around it. I don’t see how this prevents you from becoming my assistant.”

Assistente?His grandfather’s skepticism rang in his ears, then his plea.I only wish you were married with a son, Gio. Then I could die in peace.

“This is a very private matter that is not up for discussion.” She stubbornly folded her arms. “I was about to ask Valentina for a six-month leave, starting three weeks from now. Provided I have no health complications, I can offer that to you. I’ll support whoever you pick to take over for Valentina—”

“Three weeks?How far along are you?”

“Three,”she said firmly, ignoring his question. She pointed at her middle. “Everything about this topic is firmly off-limits. It’s as classified as any company information that you have ever sent across my desk. I mean that, Gio. Tellno one.”

He’d never seen her like this, with her chin up and her eyes sparkling with battle. It was hot. She was.

Shut up, libido.

Don’t go far...Nonno’s voice echoed in his head.You brighten up the place.

Could she brighten up an old man’s final days?

“Three weeks,” he repeated, swiveling the puzzle pieces in his head, trying to make them fit. “I’m not prying—” he was definitely prying “—but I need to know whether the baby’s father will be annoyed at your devoting every minute of the next three weeks to me.”

She clung to her elbows, shoulders hunched. After pursing her lips and seeming to debate her words, she finally gave a small, pained frown of concession.

“The father and I are not involved. Not in the way you’re suggesting.”

Good.

“I was intending to work until the twenty-first,” she continued, looking to her toes. “I can give you that without any reaction from him.”

“Does he plan to support you and the baby? Is that why you’re refusing my offer?”

“Three weeks and this topic is off-limits.” She drew a circle above her navel. “Those are my terms.”

“Three weeks in which I will continue to sweetenmyterms in order to persuade you to stay. You’ll immediately take everything I offered you this morning.” He kept speaking even though she opened her mouth to interrupt him. “You’ll take the full signing bonus. I’ll double it each time you double the timeline of your commitment.”

“You don’t mean—”

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