The #1 Bestsellers Collection 2011(252)

If possible, the scowl on his face deepened. His dark eyes shuttered and before she could say anything else, Adam stood up and faced her.

“This isn’t about my son. Don’t bring the past into this.”

“The past colors everything we have now,” she argued.

“Maybe in your world, but the past does not influence me.” He glared at her and Gina knew he actually believed that lie. But she also knew the truth. She knew that when he’d heard Danny’s joyful scream, it had touched something inside him. Something he kept locked away from everyone.

“This isn’t about that boy. This is about the deal we struck. I realize we made a bargain,” he said, his eyes as cold as ever, his words as unaffected by emotion as the robotic voice of a computer. “One which, I’m sure you’ll admit, I’ve done my very best to honor.”

“Yes,” she said tightly, trying to ignore the rush of heat that swam through her at the mere thought of the nights she spent in his arms. If she hadn’t been using her diaphragm religiously, she had no doubt that she’d be pregnant. Her mom had always said they were a fertile bunch and heaven knew Adam had certainly put everything he had into making the child they’d agreed on. “You have. As have I,” she pointed out quickly.

“True.”

Did his eyes warm up there for a second? Was he, too, thinking about their nights together? Or was it only wishful imagining on Gina’s part?

“But,” he said, capturing her attention again, “since we’ve been married more than two months and you’re not pregnant yet, it might be time to reconsider the bargain.”

“What?” She hadn’t expected this. Hadn’t thought that Adam would want to walk away from a deal that promised him the deed to the land he wanted so badly. But if he did want out, what could she do about it? Clearly she hadn’t been able to get him to open up yet. So was she supposed to pick up her toys and go home? Forget about her time here? With him? Try to move on?

Oh, good God.

As if needing more room for this conversation, Adam stepped past her and walked into the shadow-filled barn. The mingled scents of horses, fresh hay and old wood made an almost comforting aroma. She walked to join him and kept her gaze on his even when he turned his head to stare out at the sun-washed yard beyond the open doors.

“You want to end the bargain?” she asked, and winced when her voice came out so small, so reluctant. “Because if you do, I won’t agree.”

She should, of course. What kind of woman would stay with a man who didn’t want her? Where the hell was her dignity? Her sense of Torino pride? But the moment those questions rose up in her mind, she mentally provided the answers.

Her pride had been swallowed by her love. It wasn’t as though she had a choice in this, Gina thought in her own defense. It wasn’t as if you got to choose who to love. She had loved Adam for most of her life. Sometimes, she felt as if she’d been born loving him. And the time spent with him these last few months only confirmed her feelings.

She wasn’t an idiot, though. She knew he wasn’t perfect. Far from it, in fact. He could be cold and calculating. He wasn’t an easy man to get along with, but he was never cruel or deliberately unkind, either. There were shadows of pain in his eyes that she only rarely caught glimpses of and his even rarer smiles were enough to melt her heart even when she was doing her best to stand strong.

Not perfect, no. But he’d always been perfect for her.

And wasn’t that what loving was all about?

He shifted his gaze, stared at her for a long time and she really wished she could read whatever he was thinking in his eyes. But he was too good at masking his emotions. Too good a negotiator in business to let his opponent get a good read on him.

Finally, though, he spoke. “No, I don’t want to end our bargain.”

Gina pulled in a slow, deep breath, relief swamping her even while anxiety hovered nearby, ready to pounce. “All right,” she said. “Then what are you talking about?”

“I think it would be in both our best interests to redefine the bargain, that’s all,” he said quietly. “You’re not pregnant yet …”

“It’s only been a little over two months,” she argued.

“True. But what if it takes a year? Two?”

She didn’t say anything, even though on the inside, she knew she wouldn’t have had a problem with it. The more time she had with Adam, the better her chances of getting through to him, making him see just how good they could be together.

“My point is,” Adam said, pushing his hair back from his forehead with one hand, “I think we should set a time limit on this endeavor.”