“Our investigator turned up quite a bit on your father.” Graham took one step toward her. “I don’t want to argue with you about this. You have to see the truth and accept it.”
With a very unladylike growl, Eve turned on her Christian Louboutin heels and made her way into the formal living room. This was one of the few rooms left in her home where they hadn’t had sex. She had to focus on the fact that, even though she was expecting, this affair might be coming to an end. How could she continue when he was so adamant about destroying her family?
“I know you’re trying to look out for the best interest of Carson,” she started before he could say a word. “But you have to see it from my point of view, too. This is my father. I know you all hate him. I know he wasn’t the nicest man to you guys.”
“He’s a bastard.”
Crossing her arms over her chest, Eve forged on. “He’s dying.” Those words hurt to say, but she was fighting for him, so remaining strong was the only option. “This is not the time to drag his name through mud in the press.”
“Eve—”
“No. If you want me to come to court, you better get your brother and that investigator to back the hell up.” Eve hadn’t realized she’d stepped forward until the tips of her shoes were touching Graham’s. “I will not negotiate.”
A corner of his mouth kicked up into a grin. Eve didn’t want to give in to the ridiculous schoolgirl flutter in her belly; she couldn’t let her emotions take over. She was already personally involved with him, already carrying his child. She had to have some sort of hold on this...what? Relationship? Did they actually have a relationship? Was there a label that could be placed on whatever they were doing?
Not likely. They were both a mess. The only time things ever seemed to be going their way was in the bedroom. Sex had a way of making you think your world was perfectly fine. Then the cold slap of reality hit.
“If you start laughing—”
Graham snaked an around her waist and pulled her in tight. “Wouldn’t dream of it.”
“Don’t kiss me.” Did that protest sound weak? “This isn’t a good idea.”
He nipped at her jawline, traveled up to her ear and whispered, “Feels like a great idea.” His hands curved over her backside, pulling her hips into his.
Graham’s hands and mouth, his body for that matter, always seemed like the answer. He made her forget everything except for how her body seemed to zing to life. But she couldn’t zing, not today.
Eve pressed her palms to his chest and eased back. “No. I won’t be distracted by sex. I want your brother to back off the media attacks and insults.”
The muscle in his jaw clenched. “Fine.”
Narrowing her eyes, Eve shifted from his grasp. “It’s that easy? You agree and know he’ll just back down?”
Graham shrugged. “He’s acting out of hurt, not rage. I can reason with him.”
Eve wanted to believe Graham, but she didn’t know Brooks very well. All she knew was how much of a mess they’d created with this secret affair. She was a fool to think their actions wouldn’t trickle into their families’ lives.
She turned, needing to put some space between them. Having him so close was difficult. They never just talked and she wasn’t immune to his charm...much as she’d like to be.
But just as she spun away, a wave of dizziness overcame her. The room tilted before her eyes, and she reached out for any stationary surface. Everything seemed to be moving in slow motion, but Eve cringed, waiting for the hard hit to the floor.
At the last minute, her hand went to her stomach just as strong arms wrapped around her torso.
Secure against Graham’s chest, Eve kept her eyes shut as she pulled in a shaky breath. The dizziness remained. It was the first time she’d experienced this pregnancy symptom.
“Okay?” he whispered in her ear.
Not really.
Eve patted the hand he had around her. “I’m okay.” She hoped. “Just lost my balance.”
Opening her eyes, she focused on the chair and eased from Graham’s hold to have a seat. Crossing her legs, she wasn’t a bit surprised when his gaze landed directly on her bare skin.
“I want to know what Brooks says and if he plans on getting your PI to ease up. You’re attacking a dying man.”
Graham unbuttoned his black jacket and crouched at her knees. “We’re not attacking, Eve. We simply want your father to do what is right for our half brother. Surely you can see that he’s entitled.”
“My opinion is irrelevant.”
Why was her stomach threatening to revolt? She’d been hoping to bypass this common symptom of pregnancy. She’d rather skip straight to that miracle glow so many raved about. Actually, she’d rather skip to the end when her baby was safe and healthy in her arms.
Heat washed over her. That clammy, instantly hot type of feeling that swept through you when you had the flu...or morning sickness apparently. Why now? Why did this have to happen with Graham here?
“I need to get to work,” she told him, hoping he’d leave so she could be miserable all on her own. “Text me later after you talk to Brooks.”
Graham’s hand slid over her knee. “You’re looking pale. Are you okay?”
Of course she looked pale. One minute she was fine, the next she felt like death. Why wasn’t he leaving so she could battle this on her own? Why did Mr. Always-Polished-and-Sexy have to see her like this? She prided herself on being that sultry vixen he seemed to believe she was. If she tossed her toast on his Ferragamo shoes, she’d totally ruin her image.
“Eve?”
He wouldn’t leave until she assured him she was fine. “Just tired,” she told him, attempting to hold her head high and show as little weakness as possible, considering.
His brows dipped. “Are you coming down with something?”
Just a child.
If he didn’t think she was fine, he’d never get out of here. With all the energy she had left, Eve pushed herself out of the chair, forcing Graham to come to his feet, as well. She ignored his worried look and started toward the open foyer. Time to show her guest the door before she made a complete fool of herself and he figured out she was pregnant. She couldn’t tell him just yet.
“I’m running late,” she lied. “You let me know how we’re going to proceed after you talk to your brother.”
As she reached for the door handle, his hand covered hers.
“Don’t push me out.”
“We both have work.” Why was he so close? His familiar cologne enveloped her, but to her surprise, it didn’t turn her stomach. His warm breath tickled her cheek, and any other time she’d relish the moment. Now was definitely not that time.
“I mean mentally,” he corrected. Taking her by the shoulders he turned her around. “Whatever is going on with your dad, the courts and my brothers doesn’t have to affect us.”
Eve couldn’t help the laughter that bubbled up. “You’re a fool if you believe that. It has already affected us. Until today, we’ve never kept our clothes on when you came here.”
His aqua eyes darkened. “I’m more than ready to rip that suit off you.”
And he would. Graham didn’t make veiled threats or empty promises. Right now, though, sex was not the answer.
Eve reached behind her and turned the doorknob. “You talk to your brother—we’ll talk