Leverage (Part Three)(21)

Julianna wiped her eyes and stared at Miles. “I don't understand why you care. Yesterday after telling you what’d happened between me and Boston you couldn’t get away from me fast enough. I don't understand men. You all act like you've never done anything wrong or made a mistake or did something you are ashamed of. I'm sick of all this judgment.”

“I'm sorry. I was wrong. It was a knee-jerk reaction and I don't know where it came from because I really don't care what you did in your past. All I care about is right now. I told you I would be your friend if that was all that was available. But it seems to me that Boston is out of the picture. And I can't say that I'm sorry.”

“I'm having his baby. Doesn't that mean anything to you?” She gestured to her stomach. “I don't get a free and clear pass. Even if we’re not together I still have to parent with him.”

“I understand that and I don't have a problem with you co-parenting with him as long as he doesn't get his hooks into you again.” Miles reached for her and when she didn't pull away, he knew he had a shot. “Julianna, we haven't known each other long but I would gladly spend my life getting to know everything about you. Can Boston say the same?”

“I don't know what Boston would say or do because apparently I don't know the man at all,” she said. “And frankly, I don't know that I'm ready to just jump right into someone else's arms either. I have too much going through my head to even think about anything else in my love life. And to be honest, I'm still kind of pissed at you for not being supportive when I needed it. I took a huge risk in telling you my big secret and you did not react the way that I thought you were going to. So I don't know what to think right now.”

He figured that was fair. He cursed himself for being a stupid clod. No matter what she'd told him he should’ve just accepted it with understanding. “You're right, I was an idiot. I don't know why I reacted that way. Like I said it was a knee-jerk reaction and I deeply regret it. All I can say is I'm sorry and show you with my actions that it’ll never happen again. Can you give me the chance to prove to you that I'm not like Boston?”

“Miles, I already know you're not like Boston. I know that you're a good man who is kind and generous. I just need time to figure things out.”

He smiled. “Honey, we’re on a beautiful Caribbean island. We've got nothing but time. For whatever you need, I'll be there for you.”

“You shouldn't make promises that you don't know if you can keep,” she warned.

He held her gaze, not afraid to make this promise. “I give you my word. In my world, a man's word means something.”

Her gaze was reproachful as she said, “Stop being so good. I can't take it.”

He dared much but he gently pulled her in his arms. “It's what you deserve so get used to it.”

She buried her face against his chest and he knew his heart was involved as much as he knew it wasn't wise but Julianna needed him and he would do everything in his power to erase the pain Boston Kincade had inflicted.#p#分页标题#e#

That was a promise.

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Boston arrived in California and went directly to his office. In spite of the long flight and being exhausted both emotionally and physically all he wanted to do was bury himself in work. And if he was working, so was Richard. He was on autopilot, answering emails and sifting through mail when Richard walked in with a frown on his weathered face. “What are you doing here?” he asked, irritated and grumpy that Boston had roused him from his bed to come down to the office. “What couldn't have waited until the morning?”

“I need you to set up an account for Julianna, one that I can monitor and have access to. Also, I need you to get her set up on the company benefits plan. And don't let them give you any bullshit about pre-existing conditions. I don't care what you have to pay to make it happen — just make sure she has good benefits. I don't want her going to some third world country medical clinic for her pregnancy needs.”

“I take it you left her behind in the Caribbean,” Richard said dryly, surmising, “Things didn't go very smoothly?”

Boston ignored Richard's question. “I also want you to make sure that her brother’s needs are taken care of so she doesn't have to worry about it. I don't want her to have to worry about anything, do you hear me? I don't want her stressed.”

Richard sighed. “I fail to see why this couldn't have waited until morning.”

Boston slammed his fist down on the desk, his temper fraying. “Because I didn't want to wait until morning damn it! Just do it.”