He looked deep into her eyes and she saw a glimpse of the passion they’d shared. But just as quickly, the fire was gone. “I’ll see you later,” he said, leaving her alone on their wedding night.
Most of Maddox’s employees had left by the time Brock invited Logan Emerson into his office after hours. He’d hired the private investigator a short while back when it had become clear that someone was leaking company secrets. Brock’s gut sank again as he remembered the exact moment he’d learned Elle had been the one. Elle, his uncorrupted island, had been twisting the knife at the same time she’d made love to him.
Logan sat across from Brock. “I just heard about your marriage. I was surprised.”
“She’s pregnant with my child,” Brock said.
Logan, usually reserved, gave a low whistle of surprise. “I’m assuming that means you won’t be prosecuting her.”
“You assume correctly,” Brock said.
“I understand. Well, it appears as if my job here is done,” Logan said.
Brock frowned. “Perhaps not. Maddox is still at a critical point. There are several possibilities I want to explore. Quickly, of course. I’d like to keep you on longer until we see how things shake out.”
“No problem,” he said. “Just let me know what you need.”
“Good,” Brock said and stood. “That’s all for now.”
Logan extended his hand. “Best wishes on your marriage. It’s not my place to say, really, but I don’t believe Elle enjoyed the deception.”
Brock just nodded. He was still coming to grips with how his life had been turned upside down in such a short time. “Thank you.”
Brock reviewed his plans for the rest of the week, but it took longer than usual because he kept thinking about Elle’s deception. He clenched his hands, then released them. The only thing that helped him was the fact that he would have done the same for his father. And he’d do anything for the sake of the company. It was his duty, his destiny, his heritage.
Hours later, after he left work, he climbed the stairs to his suite. He noticed one of the bedroom doors was closed but the one to the master bedroom was left open. The lamp on his bedside table was on, and the covers on his king-size bed were turned back. Walking through the doorway, he studied the room, catching the whiff of a sweet scent. His gaze caught on a small, clear vase on the bedside table. Inside stood one ruby-red rose. From Elle’s bouquet. He saw a piece of paper sitting next to the vase.
Thank you. Elle.
It wasn’t the first time she’d thanked him for giving her flowers, but still, he was touched. The rose reminded him of the passion they’d shared before everything had come to light. He lifted it and inhaled the fragrance, wondering if they would ever feel that sweetness they’d shared again.
Four
Elle set her alarm so she could join Brock for breakfast. She wasn’t at all sure how to make their marriage work, but she knew that avoiding him wouldn’t help. Shaking off her sleepiness, she beat him to the sunroom by a minute and a half.
His eyebrows lifted in surprise as he entered the room.
She felt a tiny surge of gratification and smiled. “Good morning.” She lifted the hot pot of coffee. “Ready for your first cup?”
“Yes, thank you,” he said, and she poured for him.
She felt his gaze skim over her as he took a sip. “Where’s yours?”
She shook her head. “Coffee’s not on my list these days.”
“Why not?”
“Caffeine’s a no-no during pregnancy,” she said. “It helps that I’ve temporarily lost my taste for it.”
Brock’s eyebrows furrowed. “Ooh. That’s tough. How does that affect your sleepiness?”
She laughed. “I’m still in the sleepy stage.”
“Sleepy stage?”
“I want to take naps constantly. I’ve actually felt like this for several weeks and was hoping I wasn’t coming down with something. But I guess in a way, I did. The nine-month flu,” she said, chuckling to herself.
Brock smiled as he lifted his cup for another sip.
“The good news is any day now I’m supposed to start feeling a burst of energy and I’ll be incredibly productive.”
“As long as you don’t plan on running a marathon,” he said. “Your main job is to take care of yourself and the baby.”
“At some point, I’ll need to make some plans for a nursery,” she ventured, watching his expression carefully.
He nodded and met her gaze. “Eventually, the child can be moved into his or her own room. My suite was originally designed for my wife and me to share the master bedroom, and the infant to sleep where you are currently.”