He didn’t want to let her go. Ever.
But if he tricked her into marrying him, everything he admired most about Carrie—her cheerful selflessness, her hopefulness, her dreamy, idealistic heart—would be destroyed.
Grinding his teeth, he stared at all the leatherbound books on the other side of his study. He’d told himself that he had no choice but to be ruthless—for his son’s sake. But the truth was that Henry would always be happy with Carrie as his mother. He’d have a wonderful childhood in Seattle, playing baseball with kids in the neighborhood, part of a community, loved by all his cousins and grandparents.
What could Théo offer him except for a large bank account and a drafty gilded château?
“The only rich family is one that is filled with love.”
He thought about his own lonely upbringing. He’d never felt like he had a home. But even so, even at eight years old, he’d been glad when his parents had separated. Living in the same house with parents who coldly despised each other had been painful. Especially since, even as a child, Théo had known he was the shackle that imprisoned his parents together.
He thought of the beauty and hope in Carrie’s eyes when she’d spoken of the man she would someday love.
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Théo ground his teeth, feeling like he wanted to punch the wall.
It doesn’t matter what she wants, he told himself angrily. I won’t give them up. My son is my blood. Carrie will be my wife. I will never let her be loved by another.
But could he selfishly possess her when he knew it would destroy the light in her that he loved the most?
Clutching his hands into fists, he closed his eyes. He took a deep breath. When he opened his eyes, he stared through the window at the blue sky, at the beauty of the gardens and olive groves stretching toward the craggy mountains.
Then he reached for his phone.
An hour later Carrie knocked on the door to his study, then peeked around the door.
“Is this what happens when you own the plane?” she teased him. “You can keep everyone waiting while you check your email? Even Lilley is already waiting in the car—”
Her voice was cut off when she saw another man in the study. Rising from the desk, from the papers where he’d just affixed his final signature, Théo nodded his lawyer’s dismissal.
“I don’t like this,” the man said grimly in French.
“I don’t expect you to,” Théo replied in the same language, coldly. The man stalked out of the study, brushing by Carrie. And Théo looked at her, knowing it was the last moment she would love him.
She’d never looked so beautiful. No woman on earth could compare. Her clothes were just jeans and a simple polka-dotted blouse. She wore no makeup but the glow of happiness, and her hair was swept back in a glossy ponytail. Her only jewelry was the engagement ring sparkling on her finger. But the marble-size diamond wasn’t half as brilliant as the love and light shining from her hazel eyes.
Théo felt a sharp lump in his throat.
“What was that all about?” Carrie asked, glancing behind her to where the lawyer had disappeared.
He cleared his throat, but it still took several seconds before he could speak over the razor blade in his throat. “That’s Jacques Menton. My head attorney.”
“Finishing up some business before we leave? That’s good.” She gave him an arch, impish grin. “Because once we’re married you’re all mine. The honeymoon will last a year. Maybe two.”
This hurt more than he’d thought. He swallowed. “I have to tell you something.”
She smiled back at him, happiness and trust shining through her. “What’s that, my love?”
His knees felt weak. He sat down heavily in his desk chair. He had to get this over with. Get her out of here as quickly as possible, before his will failed.
He looked up at her. “I’ve known almost the whole time that Henry is my son.”
Her smile widened, her eyes glowing with pure adoration. “You realized I wouldn’t lie to you?”
“I got the results of the paternity test almost immediately.” He reached for her hand, then suddenly knew that if he touched her he’d never be able to get through this. He placed his hands flat on the desk. “Before I’d even bought that ring for you, I already knew.”
Carrie looked down at the sparkling jewel, then back at him, bewildered. “Why didn’t you tell me?”
“Isn’t it obvious?” he said grimly. “So I’d have time to seduce you into bed and make you agree to my proposal.”
The light in her eyes faded. Then a new thought occurred to her, and she looked up with a beaming smile. “And I had time to teach you how to love—so we’re even.”