Sins from Her Past (Scandalous) by Jules Bennett Read Free Book Online

girl to think first.”
    As Evelyn studied him, she thought back to something he’d said days ago.
    “Tell me what your dreams are. I’ve heard you hint to something secretive for a while now.” She smiled, quirked a brow. “I bet you’re ready to settle down, marry and have two-point-five kids. How close am I?”
    Vin laughed. “Actually, not too far off the mark.”
    Shock consumed her. “You want to marry?”
    His eyes drifted away. “Mine aren’t nearly as interesting as yours.”
    “Come on,” she joked. “We’ve been friends long enough. I think you know I’ll only laugh for a minute.”
    Never missing a step or taking his eyes from hers, he said, “I want a baby.”

Chapter Four
    “A baby?” she echoed. “That’s…not at all what I was expecting.”
    Vin nodded. “And before you make some smart-ass remark about my lifestyle, I want a family and the whole thing. Wife, marriage, all of it.”
    He didn’t want to be laughed at for such a basic, usually female goal. But there it was, the truth. He wanted a wife and children.
    “I had no idea you were so passionate about this. Do you plan on marrying just anybody or does love factor into your plans?”
    He shook his head. “I’d love to marry for love, but the woman I’m currently interested in isn’t exactly ready to date, much less marry. I’ve actually even thought of a surrogate.”
    Evie froze, bringing their dancing to a standstill. “You think a woman is just going to get pregnant with your baby and hand the child over?”
    “Calm down,” he told her. “I’m not going to do it, I said I’d thought about it. I’m pretty anxious to have a family of my own.”
     
    Evie turned, her full skirt swishing around as she moved to the railing. “You really want this. I honestly never knew you thought of much else other than business.”
    “I think a lot about my personal life,” he told her. “Especially now that you’re back.”
    Evie jerked around. “I don’t want this working relationship to get in the way of our friendship or anything else that happens between us, Vin.”
    Vin stepped toward her. “You know me, Evie. You know when I want something I go after it.”
    Her eyes misted and Vin wondered what had happened. Did he miss something that had upset her? Was he being too aggressive? Too vague in his goals? Perhaps he was going about this the wrong way, but he truly wanted Evelyn in his life and he believed they had a chance if he could just get past whatever kept that shield up over her heart.
    “Sometimes being aggressive, going after what you want can hurt others in the process,” she whispered. “Sometimes demands can ruin people.”
    Before he could figure out what she was talking about, she’d fled the balcony and her bedroom door had slammed.
    Vin shoved his hands through his hair and cursed.
     
     
    Evie refused to admit she was avoiding Vin, even though she had gotten up before him and had left the penthouse before he ever came out of his room.
    Now she lay basking in the glorious sun on the white, sandy beach. The ocean rolling in soothed her mind. And after last night, she needed to chill out. She’d taken out her fear of dominance on Vin. It wasn’t his fault he had goals and did anything at all to achieve them.
    The thought of him with a child put a smile on her face. A man with a baby was the epitome of sexy, in her opinion. A loving father encompassed integrity and loyalty, two qualities her own father had possessed.
    As always, when she thought of her parents’ deaths her mind circled to the events that had taken place shortly after. The events that had lasted for two sickening years.
    “You going to roll over or are you so intent on avoiding me you’re going to scorch yourself out of spite?”
    Evelyn squinted her eyes up at Vin who towered over her. She hadn’t even heard him approach, she’d been so lost in thought.
    “I’m not avoiding you.” Okay, so she was, but whatever. “I’m getting