Billionaire’s Secret Baby

Mandy had made it back to her bedroom and was calling a cab when Elliot found her. His heart was beating erratically, but he steeled his nerves so that she wouldn’t notice.

“Is everything alright?” he said gently.

Mandy turned to face him. Her eyes were glassy with unshed tears, and her hands betrayed her.

“I can’t seem to dial,” her voice was choked with emotion. “The damn buttons keep swimming around.”

She was so beautiful standing there so lost and forlorn. He gently approached her and took the phone from her shaking fingers.

“Who would you like to call?” his tone was gentle as if soothing a wild animal.

Mandy swallowed, and a single tear dropped from her impossibly long lashes onto her pale cheek.

“I can’t stay here, Mr. Brand.”

She wanted to tell him that she’d spent her entire life being unwanted. That at her parents at least she knew the score. Here was a whole new element, and she wasn’t strong enough to deal with more hatred and scorn.

The situation with Kim hadn’t helped anything. She was hurting for her sister. Not only had Kim lost her husband, but she was now a soon to be a single mother. Mandy had seven months of experience with the judgments and scorn that came along with that package.

And then there was Elliot. She could hardly look at him without feeling guilty that he was the father of her child, and that he was a good man.

Mandy had convinced herself that the man that night wouldn’t have cared that she’d gotten pregnant. Now, she knew better.

And then there was fear. Mandy had heard what Mrs. Herrington said about her being a ‘gold digger.’ What would happen if they did find out that Elliot was the father? What if they tried to take her baby away?

There were too many questions and not enough reasons to stay.

“Can’t,” he said softly, “Or won’t?”

Mandy felt another teardrop fall and grit her teeth, “I don’t belong in your home. You saw what I came from. Let’s just pretend that we never met. That Dr. Roberts never called you, and that I never came in for that interview.”

from his large body. He was rugged and handsome, fierce, and independent, and she knew that this was a

get a good night’s rest. We can

a good night’s sleep would cure everything. But she’d a feeling that it would only make her want to

the phone,

you think you’re doing?” she protested.

want you leaving in the middle

can’t keep me here against my will,” Mandy was beginning to get angry, and her tears dried

My staff is explicitly loyal, and if I must place Robert outside of your door all night long, I will do

“How dare you presume to know what is best for my

chests brushed. Mandy felt a jolt of electricity from that innocent encounter that had her remembering that night from so long ago in extreme detail.

hard slabs of marble. Mandy blinked, trying to get the images to fade.

minty breath brushed across her face, “I know that you have dark circles under your eyes from lack of sleep. I know that you were living in a home without adequate heat. I know that you need to eat. Despite the roundness of your belly, your arms and legs are terribly thin. There are hollows under your cheekbones, and you’re swaying on your feet. I will not allow you to leave

“Why are you doing this?” Mandy whispered. “Why do you care?”

clenched his jaw. He didn’t want

“Let’s just say that I owe it to

heard before. He loved the individual he was speaking about with all his heart. She could see the fervent promise in

slipped out and

softly,

like it had

isn’t with us anymore, and

to argue. She wanted to leave and never look back. But the look in his eyes, the intent promise that he

if on cue, her

ghost of a smile crossed Elliot’s face, “I will return with your supper.”

doorway, “I have brought a tray, Ms. Johnson. And I wanted to apologize for

her cheeks heat, “Please, don’t worry about it.”

lifted, “No, I behaved poorly, and

tray of soup and sandwiches. He walked over to the little bistro table in the living

and sat in the chair, “Thank you, Mrs. Herrington.