She groaned and pulled the blanket up over her head. “Turn the light off, Alex.”
He didn’t answer.
Suddenly the blankets were thrown back and she was being scooped up in his arms. Her eyes flew open. “Alex?”
A pulse leaped along the hard line of his jaw. “You’re my wife. You sleep beside me.”
A thrill zipped through her, but she lifted her chin in the air. “I’m only a temporary wife, Alex.”
“Then you’ll sleep with me temporarily.” He walked into their bedroom, placed her on the bed and stood looking over her. “Now, do you really believe that I cancelled the venue?”
Her gaze became trapped in his, and realization clutched at her heart. His stance was defiantly male, trying to show her he didn’t care if she didn’t trust him.
But she suddenly knew beyond doubt that he did care.
And she suddenly knew he’d had nothing to do with the venue cancellation for the fashion show. She’d just been letting her fears and prejudices get the better of her.
“No, Alex,” she whispered. “I don’t believe you did that at all now.”
His expression shifted with the barest hint of relief, but his shoulders gave him away. The tension seemed to ease out of him before he turned the light out and she heard him shedding his clothes.
Then the bed moved as he slid into it and pulled her up close against his chest. “Now, where were we…” he said, his voice thickening.
The next day they headed to the States in the Valentes’ private jet. Alex had a heavy schedule on arrival in Los Angeles so he had to get some paperwork out of the way first. Eventually he was able to sit back, relax and enjoy the breather.
And enjoy the beautiful woman opposite him in the lounge area of the aircraft.
Even when she made him mad.
For a while there last evening, he’d been so angry with her he’d barely been able to eat dinner. How the hell could she think he’d had something to do with the cancellation of the venue? He’d never do something like that.
Okay, he’d been determined she would accompany him to the States today, but everything he did was direct and upfront. No deceitfulness for him, and especially not when it came to family.
And right now, Olivia was family.
His immediate family.
His.
Watching her, something began to unfurl deep inside him. It just seemed so damn right having her here with him. All at once he wasn’t so sure he wanted to let her go when the year was up.
And if that were the case, would she be amenable to staying? Perhaps to stretching it out for a few more years after that? Perhaps he could even fulfill all of his father’s ultimatum?#p#分页标题#e#
It was crazy, but he now felt an odd lump in his throat at the thought of being a father. It was something he’d never cared about before, but with Olivia here beside him it didn’t seem so unimportant.
They were halfway over the Pacific Ocean when he said, “How would you feel about having my child?”
Her head snapped up from reading a book. “Wh-what?”
If it hadn’t been so serious he would have felt amused at her reaction. “I’d like to father a child and I’d like to have that child with you, Olivia. Do you have any objections?”
She was still gaping in shock. Her mouth opened and closed, then she swallowed hard. “Plenty,” she croaked.
His brows drew together. “I think we’d make good parents.”
She took a deep breath. “I have no doubt about that, Alex, but that’s not the problem.”
“Then what is?”
Her expression clouded as she placed her book on the coffee table between them. “You never said anything about children before.”
A cold knot began to form in his stomach. “I know, but I’ve been thinking—”
“Don’t.” She winced. “I mean, why would you ask me this now? It’s so out of the blue.”
Hell. He suddenly didn’t want her thinking he had growing feelings for her. Her reaction was enough to know they wouldn’t be welcome. Not at all. He had to make her believe this was all about his father.
“Olivia, I didn’t tell you everything about my father’s ultimatum. There was more he wanted than just that I get married.” He let a moment slide by. “My wife has to conceive an heir within twelve months or I still risk losing the inheritance.”
The blood drained from her face. “Oh God.”
Apprehension rolled through Alex at her reaction. He wasn’t sure why.
She drew a breath. “Why didn’t you tell me about this before?”
“Ours was…is…” he emphasized, “only a temporary marriage. I didn’t see it as an issue at the time.”