The Tycoon's Paternity Agenda by Michelle Celmer Read Free Book Online Page A

hotel? Not only would that be rude and insensitive of him, he wanted her close by, so he could keep an eye on her and make sure she followed the doctor’s orders to the letter. They had three shots at this. He didn’t want anything going wrong.
    â€œNonsense,” he told her. “You’ll stay with me.”
    â€œAre you sure? I don’t want to impose.”
    They pushed out the door into the blazing afternoon heat where his car sat at the curb already waiting for him. “Of course I’m sure.”
    â€œIn that case, thanks. It’s been years since I’ve been to your house.”
    Three years to be exact. The day of Becca’s funeral.
    They stopped on the sidewalk near the limo. He really should get back to work, but she’d driven all this way and the least he could do was feed her.
    â€œWhy don’t I buy you lunch?”
    â€œI really need to get going,” she said apologetically.“I’ll probably just swing into the drive-through on my way home.”
    She would decline his invitation for something as unpalatable as fast food? Not to mention unhealthy. “Are you sure? There’s a café just around the corner.”
    â€œI promised my folks I would make a few stops for them on the way home, and I don’t want to get back too late. Can I take a rain check?”
    â€œOf course,” he said, though her casual refusal puzzled him. When it came to women, he was usually the one declining offers. And lately there had been plenty of them, no thanks to one of his coworkers who thought Adam had done enough grieving and needed to get back into circulation.
    Not that Adam considered Katy a woman. In the relationship sense, that is. In his eyes she was a business associate. One who was looking at him curiously.
    â€œWhat?”
    â€œIf it means that much to you, we can go,” she said.
    â€œGo?”
    â€œTo lunch. You looked…I don’t know…disappointed.”
    Had he? “No, of course not.”
    â€œYou’re sure? Because I can make the time.”
    â€œOf course I’m sure.”
    She didn’t look as though she believed him. “I know this has to be tough for you. I mean, as much as you want a child, they’re Becca’s eggs. It must stir up a lot of feelings.” She took a step toward him, reached out and put a hand on his arm. Why did she have to do that? Be so…physical? “If you need someone to talk to—”
    â€œI don’t,” he assured her, his gaze straying to her cleavage. Probably because there was so much of it, and she was standing so close that it was right there, inches from his face. Okay, more than inches, but still.
    â€œHello!” she said, snapping her fingers in front of his eyes,until he lifted them to hers. “I’m trying to be nice, and all you can do is stare at my boobs? And people wonder why I dress the way I do.”
    She was right. That was totally inappropriate. He was acting like he’d never seen breasts before. When not only had he seen breasts, he’d seen hers.
    â€œI apologize,” he said, keeping his eyes on her face. “And no, I don’t need to talk.”
    â€œI just figured you asked me to lunch for a reason.”
    â€œI did. I thought you might be hungry.”
    She sighed heavily. “Okay. But I’m here if you change your mind. Just call me.”
    â€œI won’t.”
    â€œYou know, it wouldn’t kill you to lighten up a little. You’re so serious all the time. That can’t be healthy.”
    â€œYou’ve never seen me at work. I’m a party animal.”
    She rolled her eyes. “Sure you are.”
    â€œSo I’ll see you next week?” he asked, anxious to end this nightmare of a conversation. She seemed to have an annoying way of getting under his skin.
    â€œSee you next week.”
    She turned and sashayed to her truck, hips swaying, curls bouncing. Anyone