How could he, at a time like this?But he cups my face in his hand and turns me to face him, and I see genuine warmth and amusement in his eyes. “You’re wrong, Manila. It’s not what you think.”I pull away from him, tears springing to my eyes again. I can’t watch him laugh at me. Mock me for trusting him. “If I’m wrong, then explain it to me. Tell me why you lied, why you pretended to care about me, about the twins. Why did you lie and pretend you wanted more babies—you already have children with her, don’t you? You have a family with a woman I’ve never even heard of.”“Yes you have,” he whispers.My eyes widen. Is he actually admitting it? Unable to help myself, I look back at him.There’s a quiet, sincere seriousness in his gaze, one I can’t turn away from. “You’ve met her. You know who the mother of my children is.”“I never met the woman in that photo,” I snap. But he’s already shaking his head, half laughing, yet with a spark in his eye. Something bright that catches the light as
“I want you,” he whispers, his voice low with feeling now. “I want this family. Once I realized you were single, available… I was consumed with feelings, Manila. I love you.”I blink hard, a solid lump tightening in my throat.“But I was scared to tell you, afraid that you would hate me. For hiring you for false reasons, for keeping this from you. I thought you wouldn’t understand.”“Cassius. Stop.” I tilt my head forward to rest my forehead against his, our eyes still locked. “Of course I understand. I love you, too.”“I want everything, Manila. You, the twins, a life together.” He closes his eyes again, a crease of pain crossing his forehead. “I can’t have more children. I’m infertile now. If you want someone who can, if you want a man who can give you more, I understand. But I won’t ever give up on wanting you, and my children. You must accept that.”I pull him into a kiss before he can say anything else so stupid or insane. The kiss sears through me, the kind of kiss I feel all th
Lucie started crawling today. It was cute at first, and then we both got exhausted, chasing her all over the living room, making sure she didn’t get into too much trouble.By late afternoon, Luca had figured out how to wriggle his little butt after her, and that just became a whole new mess.So even though it’s only 7PM, we’re both cuddled up naked in bed in Cassius’s apartment, watching TV on the big-screen in his bedroom.Only when the news starts in with the weather—and the date—does it hit me.“What’s today’s date?” I ask him, my heart pounding, though I try not to let it show. I don’t want to excite him. Don’t want to get his hopes up, not if I’m wrong.Surely I’m wrong.“The fourth,” he says, stretching his arms over his head and yawning. “Why?”“No reason.” I snuggle back under his arm, and he leans his head against mine, sighing contentedly.“Have I mentioned that I love you?” he asks sleepily.“Not today.” I tilt my head up to smirk at him. “Why?”“I’ve lost the remote,” he a
Book 4 is another standalone novel that also introduces new plot and characters while still maintaining the Billionaire's secret baby series. I had a one-night stand with my billionaire boss and surprise! I’m pregnant.And he cannot know.Travis Caldwell. The chiseled Greek god in a suit.It all started when I sold my company to him, which made him my new boss.We were instant enemies.His plans for my business make me want to scream.But before I know it he’s making me scream in the bedroom.I should probably stay away from him.Easier said than done when you work for the hottest man alive.His touch drives me insane, his kiss sends me to another planet.Now I want him every single day.I’m trying to figure out how I’m going to tell him about the baby when I find out,He’s been hiding a huge secret of his own…chapter 1 PAIGEIwince a little as I burn my tongue on the hot coffee I am sipping, trying hard not to spill any on my all-white pant suit. However, despite my singed tongue
TRAVIS Ilean back in my chair at the consortium’s offices in Midtown. I close my eyes and hold my scotch on the rocks to my temple in an attempt to dull the migraine that has been chasing me since morning. I have spent the day running around and putting out fires. It’s not different from any other day, but for some reason it’s taking a greater toll on me than usual. I take a sip of my smoky drink. It warms me from the inside out leaving a faint fruity aftertaste on my tongue. I pull my phone out of my pocket. It’s 8 o’clock in the evening, so I know Clark, my Head of Acquisitions, should be home from work.“Evening boss,” he says in a cheery voice.“I should fire you.”“What happened now?” I hear the laugh in his voice.“Why did you tell me to buy DeLisle?”“Because it is a young company with a lot of potential, and if managed well will become very profitable for us.”“Why did you suggest I keep Paige DeLisle on the payroll?”“Because she is the brain behind the entire operation.
PAIGE It’s been three days since my meeting with Travis and Jasmine. Travis has kept his distance. I don’t think he’s even been in the building since then. Which is ridiculous, considering I had to give up my office because his people insisted that he needed a place to work out of when he was in the building. So now I am in a smaller office down the hall from my old one. I’m in the middle of a team meeting with my design team, reviewing their sketches for the coming season when a knock sounds from the door. Travis’s head pops in. “Ms. DeLisle, I was wondering if we could have a moment.” I stand up from where I am perched on my desk and nod to the people in the room. They all start filing out as Travis walks in. Once the door closes behind him, he points at an easel holding a sketch of one of my most recent designs, “That’s beautiful.” I’m so entranced by the way he moves with such confidentease that it takes me a moment before I gather myself and say, “Thank you.” With one hand
By 3 o’clock I’m about to head out for a late lunch when my brother, Matt calls.I roll my eyes when I see his name flash across my screen. I love my brother, but ever since he graduated from college a few months ago, he hasn’t been able to get a job. I get it, the job market is tough right now, but every time he calls it’s to ask for a couple hundred dollars. He always promises to pay it back, but he never does.“Hello Matthew,” I answer the phone.“Hey big sis. What’s with calling me Matthew?”“That is your name, isn’t it?”“Yes, but you only ever call me Matthew when I’m in trouble.”“Okay, Matt, what do you want?”“What do I want? I’m just calling to say hi.”I immediately feel guilty. “I’m sorry. I’m having a long day at work.”“So the new boss is a slave driver, is he?”“No, it’s nothing like that. We are just butting heads creatively.”“Well, I’m sure everything will work itself out.”I smile. “I’m sure it will… Anyway, thanks for checking in.”“No problem…but there is one more
Samantha“Happy Birthday, Sam!”I raised my red solo cup into the air and let out a wild laugh as my friends cheered for me.Today was proving to be my best birthday yet, hands down.My friends had planned a rager for me in the woods just outside our small town of Greenswood.A bonfire blazed, and several kegs had been tapped.I was feeling good and tipsy and happy as I danced to the music blaring from someone’s pick-up.I was eighteen at last. A woman! The future was mine for the taking, or some sentimental crap like that.Whatever. I didn’t have to think about that just yet. I just wanted to enjoy my party and forget about everything else.Smiling, I spun in place and screamed out the lyrics to the song that was playing.Suddenly, I noticed a familiar figure emerging from the surrounding trees.He was tall, with shaggy blonde hair and familiar golden eyes. Eyes that were just like mine. I came to a stop. It took a few moments for my vision to clear, but when it did, I let out a sque