Eventually Dr. Flores ushered Chloe back into bed to do the ultrasound. Her belly was smothered in a cool gel and the doctor moved the transducer over the barely noticeable swell of her abdomen.
“Congratulations,” Dr. Flores said in thickly accented English and gestured to the screen. “There. You see? That is your baby. And if you look, you can see the heartbeat. The size and location appear normal…”
Chloe stopped listening completely. Her heart twisted and emotion rocked her to the core as she stared at the tiny flicker on the bean-shaped image. The flicker that symbolized the steady beating heart of her baby. She was really going to become a mother.
Tears of amazement thickened in her throat and she blinked rapidly.
Her joy was cut brutally short when she caught sight of Andrés’ stoic profile. He nodded at whatever the doctor was saying, but his stare remained void of emotion. There was no happiness, no excitement, just the same expression he’d probably have if he were being briefed on the latest figures for his resorts.
“Thank you, Doctor. I wish I could stay longer, but I’m afraid I’m needed at work,” he said flatly. Without even a glance down at her, he strode from the room.
She went strangely numb and couldn’t even begin to answer whatever question the doctor was directing her way. Finally she swallowed. Once. And then again. But the bile wouldn’t be kept down.
She struggled to sit up and muttered, “I’m sorry, but could we take a break? I think I might get sick.”
Andrés buried himself in his work, ruthless in his daily dealings and driving his staff harder than he had in years. But he didn’t apologize or explain his actions, and no one would have expected him to.
Now, halfway through the day, he unfortunately had to take a break to eat lunch. And it gave him just enough time to think about her. Chloe and the tiny baby growing within her womb.
Dios. He closed his eyes and raised unsteady hands to thrust through his hair.
He was going to be a father.
Of course he’d already had a couple of days to come to terms with the knowledge. Despite his taunt to Chloe about proving there was a baby, he’d known she hadn’t lied.
But nothing had prepared him for seeing the tiny heartbeat on the monitor. The tender, protective emotions that had rushed through him had been so intense and threatening that he’d done the only thing he knew how to do. He’d shut down emotionally and left rather than deal with them.
His gaze moved around his office. There were no pictures on the wall of family or loved ones. Nothing of sentimental value. He had been a confirmed bachelor, with no ties of a wife or child.
And yet now he would have one, if not both.
The image of Chloe this morning in her lacy underwear flashed through his head, stirring his blood. If Dr. Flores hadn’t been on her way over, he would’ve taken Chloe again. Reminded her exactly what they’d had, what they would once more have.
Cristo, but he wanted her with a ferocity that he wasn’t accustomed to. She brought out everything primal within him. And now that she carried his child, the desire increased to possess her on every level. And he would. All in good time.
He leaned back in his chair and looked out over the city, spinning a pen between his fingers.
Chloe knew her options to simply be his lover or become his wife. The question was which she would choose. And which did he prefer? When he realized the answer to what he preferred, it unsettled him more than he cared to admit.
Chloe watched in disbelief as another man walked into Andrés’s room, carrying a stack of clothing on hangers. This was the fifth man to bring in clothes for her.
“I don’t understand why he’s doing this,” she muttered and shook her head.
“Because he wants you to be happy, señorita. It is his way of showing that he cares.” Rosa patted her arm, beaming up at her. Then she turned her focus back to the men and began ordering instructions in rapid-fire Spanish.
Wanted her to be happy? Cared about her? She bit her lip to restrain the incredulous laugh that nearly escaped. That seemed incredibly far-fetched, but perhaps Rosa was simply a romantic at heart.
She watched the older woman take control of the situation, once again thankful for her presence. Rosa had been nothing but attentive and sweet to her today, and Chloe had already grown quite fond of Rosa. She hadn’t been fussed over quite so much since her mother had died.
Her heart ached again and she realized how much she missed her mom. Especially at such an emotional, confusing time when she would’ve given the perfect advice.
Chloe sighed and followed the men to the walk-in closet to further explore her new wardrobe. There were dresses, pants, and shirts of various sizes, some geared for pregnancy. But all were the finest quality and lacking price tags again.