When the rest of the exam was done and she got herself dressed, Mia scheduled an ultrasound for next month and didn’t wait for Bronson before she made quick steps back to his car.
She wasn’t sure what she was most angry at. His abrupt questioning about the DNA, that he acted like he cared once she’d mentioned her symptoms or that he had the doctor laughing at his witty charm by the end of the appointment.
Damn that man. She just wanted to throttle him for making her so aware that her feelings weren’t slacking at all … if anything they were growing stronger.
The man oozed sex appeal, he charmed everyone he came in contact with and he’d starred in nearly all her dreams since they’d left Cannes. One would think, in light of the situation, she’d learned her lesson not to fall for the charm, but unfortunately her mind and her heart were not receiving the same memo.
So now she wasn’t only angry with him for his accusations and attitude toward her, she was furious with herself for getting all tied up in knots over a man she’d let work his way into her life. Permanently.
By the time Bronson pulled in front of Mia’s cottage, he knew he was not going to get an invite inside. He also knew that wouldn’t stop him.
He opened her car door, took her hand to help her out and kept holding it, even when she tugged. He wasn’t letting her off the hook that easily.
She’d driven him crazy from the second she’d stepped out of her house. Immediately he’d noticed the change in her body from her fuller breasts to her thicker waist. She’d looked completely simple in layered colorful tanks that hugged her slightly rounded belly and a plain cotton skirt, showcasing those killer legs. Her ensemble was utterly sexy.
Added to that, her protectiveness of the baby, her adamant stance that she wanted a stable life for her child—maybe his child—was just another aspect that made her even more attractive.
Everything about her was sexy, and Bronson wished like hell he could get those thoughts out of his mind.
But how could he when she was very likely carrying his child? How could he deny that he still wanted this woman, whether she was lying or not? And how the hell had he let his emotions slip from his grasp? He seriously had no control as far as Mia was concerned, and that could prove to be catastrophic.
Every time he thought of the baby, he thought back to Cannes, when he’d wanted her and nothing else mattered. He always got what he wanted; there were never consequences. Until now.
Mia unlocked her door and reached in to type in her security code. “Thank you for taking me,” she told him, obviously trying to block him from coming in. “I have a lot of work to catch up on after taking a few hours off.”
Bronson knew his mother cared more about this baby, which could be a Dane heir, than whatever work she’d put on Mia’s schedule.
“I’m coming in.”
She eyed him and he waited for the argument. Surprised when she moved from the door, Bronson followed her in.
“In case you missed my not-so-subtle silent treatment, I’m not in the best of moods right now,” she told him, heading to the kitchen. “I cannot believe you asked the doctor about a DNA test. I just can’t …”
Because she really didn’t want him to uncover the truth or had that question really upset her?
Mia had made this kitchen her own with an array of cooking magazines spread open on the counter next to the stove. A very impressive spice rack sat next to an even more impressive knife set.
“You know it has to be done, Mia.” He watched as she reached for a handful of M&M’s from a glass candy dish on the center island. “The sooner we know, the sooner plans can be made.”
She laid out an assortment of colors, moving the green ones to the side. “I do know, Bronson. I know you’re the father. I don’t care about having a test after the baby is born, if it will ease your mind, but I will not put this baby in jeopardy right now just to satisfy you. The doctor went over the risks. I’m not willing to chance a miscarriage or harm this baby in any way.”
“Then we’ll have the test as soon as the baby’s born,” he told her, watching her pick through her candy like a child. “No excuses then.”
Intrigued, he watched as she ate all the other colors, but saved the green ones for last. “You don’t like green?”
She eyed the candy, then looked up to him. “They’re my favorite. I always save the best for last.”
He watched her dainty, pink-polished fingertips pick up one green piece at a time and pop it into her mouth. Why did he have this urge to feed them to her? She could very well be playing him. But damn if he wasn’t starting to have doubts about that. Emotionally, he couldn’t afford to go down this path again.
He tried not to think of her phoning Anthony to discuss how quickly and easily she’d gotten so personal with Bronson’s family. But he couldn’t dismiss the reality that she could be doing just that. So many emotions—both for and against Mia—and he didn’t know where to place them all. Unfortunately, they’d conglomerated into one large ball of anger and frustration. What he needed to do was stay focused on work … the one aspect of his life he had control over lately.
He’d met with his mother this week, and they’d finalized the movie script and budget. Now he had to put the wheels in motion to produce it, and then they could make the grand announcement. The media had their ideas about the secret project he was working on, considering he’d been so private about it, but they hadn’t guessed yet.
And he intended for no one to find out until he and his mother were ready. That included the stunning woman standing across from him, possibly carrying his child. His mother had really done some work to keep this project a secret from Mia.
“You’re awfully quiet for someone who came in uninvited.” She spoke without looking up as she pulled out another handful of candy and proceeded to separate them. “Something on your mind?”
The fact that he still wanted her just as badly as he had in Cannes. Liar or not, this woman turned him on by simply standing there. Hadn’t he learned his lesson after the last deceitful beauty?
Bronson knew he needed to keep a closer eye on Mia. If she were out to destroy him, he’d break her. And if not, well, they could at least have some fun along the way.
But that seed of doubt had been planted in his mind once he saw how genuine she was regarding this child. Was she telling the truth? Had this pregnancy been unplanned and was he indeed the father?
Common sense told him no, but his heart was starting to get involved as far as this child was concerned, and he wanted so much to believe her.
Taking a seat at the wrought-iron barstool, he reached for one of her precious green M&M’s. “I actually thought we should spend some time together. You are so adamant this baby’s mine, so I’d like to know what you expect from me. You’ve stressed it’s not money. What is it?”
Mia’s hand froze as she reached for another green piece. “I don’t want anything from you, Bronson. Not for me anyway. I want this baby to have a loving father. That’s all.”
She met his eyes on those final words, and the sincerity he saw nearly put a choke hold on him. Either he was becoming a pushover or she was telling the truth. Time would tell.
“I promise, if this baby is indeed mine, he will know no stronger or deeper love.”
That was something Bronson didn’t have to think about. This baby would be a Dane and have everything at his disposal. He’d never lack for stability or love.
“What about for yourself, Mia?” Bronson stood, came around the bar and leaned against the counter right next to her. “What do you want?”
Her hand trembled as she placed the