All's Fair in Lust & War by Amber Page Read Free Book Online Page B

breasts.
    Her one and only pair of Manolos had been the finishing touch.
    When she’d arrived at the intimate French restaurant where she’d arranged to meet Pence she’d known by the slack-jawed look on the face of every man she’d passed that she’d done well.
    But by the time the maître d’ had shown her to the table and helped her settle into a chair under Pence’s watchful gaze, her confidence had already been taking a nosedive. His eyes had scraped over her body, taking in the size of her breasts and the curve of her hips.
    “Have you gained weight, Becky?” he’d asked.
    “N-no,” she’d stuttered. “It’s just this dress. It forgives nothing.”
    “Good. You look great, but you know how important it is to stay thin if you want to make it in advertising.”
    Becky had nodded. “I know,” she’d said quietly.
    But inside her mind had been screaming. Pregnant women got fat. Would Pence love her when she was fat? It would only be temporary, but his attention span was notoriously short. By the time this baby was born and her body had returned to normal he might have forgotten all about her.
    Then what would she do?
    “What’s wrong?” Pence had asked, reaching out to stroke her hand. “Did I say something to upset you?”
    “No, not at all,” she’d said with a small smile. “I’ve just got a lot on my mind.”
    “That’s right.” He’d groaned. “You wanted to ‘talk.’ What is it this time? Is your mom after you to get married again?”
    She shook her head. “No, not so far this month,” she’d said.
    Just then their server had arrived, giving Becky a reprieve. He’d offered Pence a sample from a bottle of freshly uncorked Syrah. Pence had inhaled deeply, then swished the purple liquid around in his mouth. After a long moment he’d given a sharp nod. The waiter had smiled and filled their glasses before fading away.
    Pence had looked at her over the rim of his glass. “So what is it?”
    Becky had taken a deep breath and reached into her black sequined bag with a trembling hand. “I have a surprise for you,” she’d said.
    He looked at her suspiciously. “I don’t like surprises,” he’d said.
    She’d pulled out the small silver-wrapped package she’d stowed in her purse and handed it to him.
    “I think you’ll like this one.”
    Lord knew he’d talked about his longing for children often enough.
    “Humph,” he’d muttered as he undid the bow. “We’ll see about that.”
    He’d torn off the wrapping paper in one fell swoop. Becky had felt her heart rise into her throat as he lifted the lid of the box, unsure of what his reaction would be. He’d frowned when he saw the framed picture inside.
    “What is this?” he’d demanded.
    “It’s a picture,” she’d said. “An ultrasound.”
    “An ultrasound? What? Do you have a tumor?”
    “N-no,” she’d stuttered, taking a deep breath. “I’m pregnant. That’s a picture of a baby. Our baby.”
    Pence fell back in his chair. “Pregnant? But how could that be? We take precautions.”
    Becky had shrugged her shoulders, knowing full well that she wasn’t as religious about taking her birth control pills as he supposed she was.
    “Apparently not enough,” she’d said.
    “So this is real? You’re not joking?”
    “No,” she’d whispered. “I’m not.”
    “But this can’t be. You can’t be pregnant. I have a wife! ”
    Her heart had plummeted, smashing into the polished cement floor at their feet. “You’re married? ” she’d whispered.
    “Of course I’m married. I thought you knew that? Didn’t you ever wonder why I never spend the night? Or why I never invite you to my house?”
    “N-no. I just thought... Well, I didn’t think. You said you loved me! You talked about getting married!”
    He’d taken her hand again, stroking it gently. “I do love you. And I would love to marry you. But I can’t divorce my wife. Her father owns the agency. If I left her I’d lose everything.”
    “But