Baby By Accident(41)
How he could have possibly landed in this delightful family was beyond her.
“He’s been unsettled for so long,” his mother commented.
Unsettled? Was this the euphemism his relatives used to describe his need to bed every female on the planet?
Out of the corner of Lise’s eye, she watched his hand tighten on his thigh.
“Really?” She arched her brows in saccharine surprise. “I would never have guessed.”
She felt his glare. Felt the heat of it.
She must go along.
“Si,” his mother continued, oblivious to the fiery undercurrent. “He’s flitted from female to female—”
“Momma.”
“But now.” His mother gave her son a fond smile as she patted his shoulder. “He’s landed. For good.”
Turning, Lise looked at him. Smiled sweetly. Let the pause draw out as long as she could.
His gaze gleamed with a dire threat.
She must play the game.
His big body tensed for her blow. How she wanted to deliver that blow.
However, she couldn’t. Not because of his threats, but because she couldn’t bring herself to spoil this woman’s happiness. Even if her spawn was the son of Satan. Eventually, this nice woman would be disappointed. Eventually, her son would show his true colors. It wouldn’t be Lise who disillusioned her, though.
“I’m so glad he chose me.” She smiled another of her sweet smiles right into his widened eyes.
He’d thought she’d do it. He’d thought she would destroy his mother’s fantasy.
He hadn’t a clue what kind of woman she was.
Why did that hurt?
His mother burbled on, extolling his virtues exactly like she did every time she was in the vicinity of her new daughter-in-law. Lise listened politely, nodded graciously and wished she could say, I don’t care. I don’t care about his wealth. I don’t care about his two university degrees. I don’t care about his success.
I don’t care.
His mother bubbled.
She gritted her teeth and held onto the smile.
No. I certainly don’t care that he loves children. Adores his one thousand nieces and nephews. Supports a whole charity for teenagers in trouble.
His mother was angling for grandchildren. His children.
He hadn’t told his family about the pregnancy, which amazed her. She’d figured he’d wave his paternal pride in front of their eyes as soon as they got off the plane. Yet he hadn’t said a word. Apparently, he was completely intent on proving this a love match instead of allowing anyone to think it was a marriage of convenience.
For once, she hadn’t disagreed. She had no wish to parade her stupidity around. If her bump was a bit bigger it would have never worked. But her bump was still a bump, not a bulge. Thus, the farce continued.
His mother finally bustled away to her chair leaving behind her a hushed silence cocooning them together. Keeping the noise of the party apart from what lay between them. Separated them.
Lise stared down at the silverware. Trying to ignore the sexual pull, trying to ignore the praise of his mother, trying to ignore the yearning inside wishing she was really a part of this large, happy family.
She’d always wanted to be a part of a large, happy family.
He suddenly leaned in, his mouth close to her ear. A quiver of electricity went down her spine as his words whispered on her skin. “Thank you, Lise.”
Why were there sudden tears pushing behind her eyes? Why did his deep, soft voice curl around her heart and wrench her emotions? Before she could think it through, wonder at what was inside her, another of the endless courses plopped in front of her. Chicken with some kind of sauce.
Would this day never end?
After day comes night, her mind whispered.
A night she’d consciously pushed aside, not wanting to think about it. There were too many other confrontations and conflicts and commitments for her to deal with, she’d told herself during this past month. She’d think about that later.
“You have to eat something.” His tone switched back to its usual tough dictation. “This chicken will stay down.”
Would it? She didn’t think so. Not with the sudden looming realization of what was ahead of her. Tonight. No longer something in the future to worry about later.
A long finger slipped along her jaw and lifted her chin, turning it to meet his gaze. “Eat.”
A deep, dark heat spiraled inside her. Her physical reaction to his touch blossomed in her like a velvet flower budding with need. Scaring her deeply.
After day comes night.
With him.
She wasn’t going to be allowed to return to her Mayfair house and hibernate. He’d made it clear. No, they were off to Paris. He had a flat there, he’d told her. Right on the Seine. Right in the heart of the city she’d always dreamed of as her honeymoon destination.