Page 47 of His Impossible Heir

He reached out to touch her back, but realized that he couldn’t handle touching her. He’d been thinking nonstop about her since she’d walked out of his life in Paris. But seeing her now, she looked…defeated.

“Do you not want the baby?” he demanded, leading her into his office. There were several computer monitors on his desk. He liked seeing all of the data laid out in front of him. Instead of leading her over to the comfortable sitting area of his office, he gestured to one of the chairs situated in front of his desk while he walked around and sat down behind his desk.

Her head jerked up and he saw the surprise. “Of course I want this baby!” she gasped, covering her stomach with both hands. She wore a pair of jeans that probably fit her figure about fifteen pounds ago. But now, they looked like they might slide off her hips if she stood up too fast. “Don’t you?”

Now that shocked him! “Why the hell would I want your baby?”

The look on her features was similar to what he’d expect if he’d slapped her. Stunned, horrified, and silent.

It took her several moments to regroup, and he sat there, silently stewing. She knew that he couldn’t produce children! He’d told her that! It was why they hadn’t used protection and now she saunters into his office, looking sick and distraught, and has the audacity to ask if he wants her baby?

The question only infuriated him further and he stood up, bracing his hands on the desk as he leaned forward. “Are you here asking me to…be the father to your baby?”

Her mouth opened and closed and he could read the answer in her eyes before she responded.

“Youare!”

Daniesh couldn’t believe the gall. Pushing away from the desk, he backed up to the windows, unable to stand being so close to her. She had no idea what she was doing to him, how much hewantedthis baby to be his. And damn it, if he didn’t get her out of here, he might just beg her to let him do it!

And he would! Daniesh wanted Amanda, and any baby she had, to be his. He could pretend that the child was his. He was strong enough. He could pretend as long as he had her in his arms.

“Get out!” he snarled. At the wounded look in her eyes, his voice softened slightly. No matter what, this was still the woman he loved, even if she’d gone to another man right after. “Get out of here and don’t ever come back.” He rubbed a hand over his face, trying to keep himself from reaching for her.

Maybe if he’d been stronger, maybe if he’d been sleeping more and not dreaming about her every damn night, wondering if she was okay, if she was eating and sleeping well, wondering if she was thinking and dreaming about him too…maybe if any of that had happened, then he could have kept silent as she stood up on trembling legs and walked out of his office.

But none of that had happened. He was exhausted. And she looked even worse than he felt. So he couldn’t stop the words as her fingers touched the doorknob.

“Do you need money?” he barked. “Is that it?”

Slowly, Amanda turned and stared him down. His chest felt like it was on fire as his rage filled him.

“I came here hoping that you’d want to be a part of our child’s life, Daniesh. But apparently, you’re not the man I thought you were.” She opened the door, her back stiff. “I don’t need anything from you!”

And she walked out.

Daniesh heard only two words; our child. “Our” child? He raced around his desk and jerked the door open in time to see Amanda turning the corner, heading the wrong way. He wasn’t sure where she was going, but he raced after her.

“Amanda, stop!” he bellowed.

Everyone in the hallway stopped, staring at their leader in alarm. He never spoke to anyone in that tone. He was always cool and professional. But Amanda didn’t stop! She kept on going. He knew that she’d heard him because her too-thin shoulders jerked. However, the command didn’t convince Amanda to stop. In fact, she sped up!

The woman disobeyed him!

Now why did that make him burn even hotter for her?

He was losing his mind! Yes, that had to be it. Desire for her was driving him insane!

He rushed down the hallway and grabbed her arm, spinning her around. She glared up at him, her lips pressed tightly together as if she were trying to hold back the barrage of outrage.

“What the hell do you mean? That isn’tourchild!” he hissed.

Amanda jerked her arms and he released her so that he wouldn’t hurt her. “You’re right,” she snapped back, leaning forward as she added, “Apparently, it’s onlymychild!” And she turned and started walking again. “You don’t want to have anything to do with our child, Daniesh. I heard you loud and clear. I will not bother you again!”

And she pushed her way through a doorway. Right into a broom closet!

A split second later, she stomped back out, disgruntled and annoyed, then looked both ways down the hallway. “How the hell do I get out of here?” she snarled. “This place is a freaking maze!”

“This way,” he replied, taking her upper arm again. She stiffened and jerked her arm away from him again. He sighed, then extended his arm. “If you would…?” he offered.

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