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Billionaire's Contract Marriage 42
She didn’t leap up in excitement as they turned for the gallop to the winning post. The crowd on the terrace was in its usual uproar but she simply sat quietly, and Peter had the uneasy feeling her mind had slipped to another place and she was there by herself, not with him or anyone else. The race finished and she didn’t even seem aware of the bustling aftermath—people going off to get drinks, celebrating their winnings or commiserating over their losses.“Erin …” No response.He reached over and touched her hands. Her head jerked towards him, eyes wide and startled.“Where were you?” he asked.“Oh!” Hot colour whooshed into her cheeks. Embarrassed confusion in her eyes.“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to drift off. I just do sometimes,” she rattled out apologetically.Did she have some mental problem?“It’s nothing to do with you, Peter,” she swiftly assured him.”You’ve been marvellous company. It was watching the horses. They’re so beautiful and it started me thinking…”She hesitated, fro
Last Updated : 2023-02-24Billionaire's Contract Marriage 43
The irritating buzz of the bedside telephone woke him. Peter quickly reached out and snatched up the receiver, not wanting Erin to be disturbed from her sleep. It had been a long night of the most sensual sex he’d ever experienced.The desire they stirred in each other was incredibly mutual and he wanted her to stay in his bed as long as he could keep her there.The clock-radio read one minute past eight. His mother was nattering away on the telephone line. He muffled the voice noise with his hand as he slid swiftly from Erin’s side and strode out of the bedroom, quietly closing the door behind him. He took a deep breath to quell his sharp annoyance at being called this early on a Sunday morning. If it wasn’t his mother…He lifted the receiver to his ear and couldn’t quite keep an impatient terseness out of his voice as he demanded,” What’s up, Mum? Some emergency?”A blank silence, then,” Haven’t you been listening, Peter?” “I’m barely awake,” he said on an exasperated sigh.“Then yo
Last Updated : 2023-02-24Billionaire's Contract Marriage 44
“You started the role-playing, Peter,” she reminded him.”Offering to be my prince. And I let myself be sucked into it because I really did think you might be.”A muscle in his cheek contracted. His eyes blazed with fierce resentment.”You knew what you were getting, Erin. I didn’t bypass any important facts about me.”“Who really knows anybody?” she muttered derisively.There were always—always—things hidden—things that came out to bite you when some emotional trigger was hit. She’d been subjected to this kind of angry man pride before and knew there was no fixing it, short of giving up writing and becoming a satellite to his interests. Erin gritted her teeth. Not even for this man would she give up her essential self.She turned aside to gather up her clothes, and the David Jones bag that held what she’d worn on Friday night. Better to make her exit in the latter outfit, since yesterday’s made her too recognisable to anyone who’d seen the newspaper photograph. Which reminded her of th
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Her little fling…Peter seethed over being cast for that role by Erin Lavelle. He couldn’t see it any other way, given her readiness to leave him when the situation no longer suited her. Toy with the prince for a while, fulfil a few sexual fantasies, enjoy whatever entertainment he provides, but keep him in the box marked Playtime.The infuriating part was all the signals had been there if he hadn’t been so blindly arrogant about his own appeal to a Cinderella preschool teacher. Erin had dressed to bowl him over on Friday night and there’d not been the slightest hesitation over going tohis castle. Even her serene silence in the car on the drive out to Bondi Beach should have telegraphed he was doing precisely what she’d wanted of him. Why bother with conversation when the game was well and truly on?Then the way she’d taken over out on the balcony…All the pleasure she’d given him was soured by the knowledge that she had only been interested in having a physical relationship, and only
Last Updated : 2023-02-24Billionaire's Contract Marriage 46
Seven months later…Erin checked that she had everything ready for the meeting; jug of iced waterin the refrigerator, glasses ready on the kitchen bench, coffee percolator loaded—Jane Emerson, her agent, never drank anything else—Earl Grey tea for Richard Long, her very English editor, and a plate of assorted cookies that should please everyone. The living room was tidy, the curtains pulled back to showcase the view of Byron Bay —white sand and crystal clear turquoise water.She had bought this beach house four years ago. It suited her, right away from the bustle of major cities, especially for writing. She didn’t care if the animated film people thought she was some prima donna author, insisting that they travel to her for the consultation on how her story was to be brought to the big screen. At eight months’ pregnant, and determined on keeping that fact as private as possible, she didn’t want any fanfare about this meeting.The publicity could come afterwards, when everything had b
Last Updated : 2023-02-24Billionaire's Contract Marriage 47
“So you shared with a stranger what you should have shared with me,” he slung at her in disgust.Erin stared at him helplessly, unable to offer any further defence for her decisions. She simply hadn’t realised he would care so much about a baby who was yet to be born, that he would feel so responsible when she had assured him they were having safe sex.”I was going to tell you, Peter,” she said limply, despairing that he would believe anything she said.“Were you?” His eyes glittered with biting cynicism.”If I hadn’t set up this movie deal and kept my name out of it until we met face-to-face, you could have gone on keeping me in ignorance of my child as long as you liked.”There was no use denying it. He wasn’t going to accept her word for anything.“Why did you?” she asked, needing some respite from being the accused, grabbing at the fact that he’d given no explanation of his actions.“Why did I what?” he snapped, still in a towering rage over what she’d done.“Set up this movie deal.
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A completely different fear gripped Erin as Peter gently lowered her into the chair she used for writing—fear for the baby. Something had to be wrong for it to be coming a month early. She wrapped her arms protectively around her belly, rocking it in an agony of hope that all was still well.“Try to stay calm. Panic won’t help,” Peter coolly advised.”Give me your doctor’s name and I’ll get things moving for you.”“Davis.” She nodded to the telephone on the desk.”Press six for his surgery.”Within seconds he was acting for her.”This is Peter Ramsey, calling on behalf of Erin Lavelle. I need to be connected to Dr Davis immediately. This is an emergency.”A waiting pause, then,” Yes, I am that Peter Ramsey. I’m with Erin Lavelle .Her water has broken and she’s suffering labour pain. I’d appreciate it if you’d despatch an ambulance immediately to her house on Ocean Drive, number 14, and meet us at the hospital when we get there.”Another pause.The bad pain had receded, leaving only a du
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For a moment she forgot the indomitable warrior who would fight for what he wanted, and remembered the prince, riding in to the rescue—the magnificent man he had been in her imagination.”I’m glad you were here for me. For us,” she said huskily.“I would have been all along if you’d let me, Erin,” he replied, restirring her guilt for not telling him about her pregnancy.“I’m sorry.”He shook his head.”It’s gone.” The blue eyes pierced hers with determined purpose.”We’re here now. And we have our son to consider.”“Yes,” she agreed, though her mind instantly shied away from discussing the future. Her hand curled protectively around her baby’s head as she turned her gaze from Peter and looked at their son, not wanting him torn between two worlds.“Have you thought of any names for him?”They were not fighting words. There was a smile in his voice. Erin’s inner tension eased a little. Peter wouldn’t want their son hurt by a conflict between his mother and father. Surely he’d do his utmost
Last Updated : 2023-02-24
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Billionaire's Contract Marriage 80
Something about him looked so tortured in that moment that Aneesa had to fight back the urge to put out her hand to touch him in comfort.His head came up and his eyes speared hers. ‘But I’ve also been feeling alive, and connected, for the first time in my life.’He stood tall again and Aneesa felt curiously weightless. He reached out a hand and curled it around her jaw, fingers around her neck under the heavy fall of her hair. She could feel a slight tremor in his hand and her heart tripped.‘I never … wanted to create a family. I never wanted to marry. I never wanted to fall in love. I had no frame of reference for all of those things that most people aspire to, and take for granted. I’ve always been terrified that something of my father’s twisted genes was lying dormant in me and that basic happiness was something I could never have, as if I was jinxed in some way.‘But seeing Nathaniel get married, and Jacob come home to try and make amends … seeing him come to terms with the past
Billionaire's Contract Marriage 79
He palmed her breasts, making the peaks tighten into sharppoints, and she drew his head down so that he could take a nipple into his mouth. Her belly tightened with pleasure as he suckled her roughly. She met him head-on, biting the skin on his shoulder, and then licking where she’d bitten, revelling in his unique musky taste.Neither of them could wait, desperation fuelling their movements as Sebastian pushed her legs apart and settled between them. Just before he thrust, with Aneesa’s hands on his hips, her legs drawn back, he said with a guttural moan that seemed to be pulled out of him, ‘I need this … I need you.’An ache lodged in her throat and emotion surged as he thrust deep inside her. And then they were caught up in the familiar dance, which took them higher and higher until every sinew was pulled taut, and when an explosion of intense pleasure gripped her and went on and on, Aneesa wondered how she’d ever be able to cope knowing she’d never have this again.Long languorous m
Billionaire's Contract Marriage 78
THREE days later, sitting at the dinner table, Sebastian couldn’t quite believe that he was still there, amidst the organised chaos of Adani family life. As soon as he’d been pulled into the house, it had been taken for granted that he had to stay. And not only that, but Aneesa’s parents had clearly gone out on a limb and challenged their conservative beliefs to put him and Aneesa in a room together.She’d looked at him miserably once they’d been alone in the bedroom. ‘I had no idea they would do this. I’m as shocked as you, believe me. But if I cause a fuss they’ll get embarrassed—’He’d waved a hand. ‘It’s fine. It’s not like we’ve not shared a room before.’‘No,’ Aneesa had said, avoiding his eye. Evidently she hated this as much as he did and just wanted him to return to England so that she could get on with her own life and having the baby.Something in her demeanour had made his voice sharp. ‘Look, I’ll stay a couple of days and then I’ll have to return anyway, so we can put up
Billionaire's Contract Marriage 77
Her eyes narrowed. ‘What’s that supposed to mean?’He looked away and shrugged, cursing himself for showing that it bothered him on any level. ‘You always said you would want to go home.’He could feel her penetrating look and tensed. She sighed. ‘Yes, I did. And I think the time to go is before I turn into a total caricature of some kind of jealous lover.’Her honesty surprised him. He was so used to women being vague, indirect.Before he could dwell on the significance of that, she stood and said breezily, ‘You made it very clear what would happen here. What you wanted. So I really don’t see the point in prolonging my stay. Things should have died down at home, and I need to get prepared for the baby coming.‘That is—’ her voice suddenly became more hesitant ‘— unless things have changed for you …?’Sebastian looked up at her. The sun was behind her and all he could see was her narrow framed silhouette. She had to be referring to the fact that he seemed to turn into a walking human e
Billionaire's Contract Marriage 76
A house, a country house; it had to be. Where his mistress lived. Feeling nauseous, Aneesa instructed the driver to stop in a lay-by where she was just out of sight of Sebastian’s car. She paid him and got out and watched him drive away. Feeling utterly ridiculous now, on wobbly legs she walked around the corner of the hedge fully prepared to meet a locked gate when she walked slap-bang into a solid wall of muscle.Hard hands held her, blue eyes as cold as ice blistered down into her shocked ones. ‘What the hell do you think you’re playing at following me in that cab like some character in a bad movie?’Too shocked to do anything but blurt out the truth, Aneesa just said, ‘I thought you were going to meet a mistress or a lover so I followed you.’Aneesa could see the play of emotions cross his face and even a glint of humour. She could deal with his anger better than pity. ‘Don’t laugh at me.’Sebastian’s face sobered and his hands became gentle on her arms. ‘And what exactly were you
Billionaire's Contract Marriage 75
ANEESA was sitting beside Annabelle at one of the round tables where they’d just finished coffees. She didn’t need to look around to know that Sebastian hadn’t reappeared. She was trying to concentrate on the conversation but was still smarting from his cruel words.She was also reeling with the knowledge that this beautiful, immaculately turned-out woman had been so horrifically beaten. Annabelle was being very sweet and explaining that her twin brother, Alex, was a racing car driver based in Australia, and couldn’t be there.Aneesa put a hand to her bump, only realising what she’d done when she noticed Annabelle follow the movement. She grimaced. ‘It’s still small, but it seems to be getting bigger by the day now.’Annabelle smiled politely but then looked away with a small frown forming between her grey eyes. ‘Jack should be here too, our elder brother, but I haven’t seen him yet. I know Jacob wants to talk to him….’Annabelle’s eyes snagged and widened on something or someone else
Billionaire's Contract Marriage 74
An enigmatic look had passed between Sebastian andLucas.Through it all Sebastian had his arm clamped aroundAneesa’s waist and her face was starting to hurt from smiling so much. And then she felt him tense rigidly. She followed his gaze to see a man approach them, the man she’d guessed was Jacob in the church. Tall with thick black hair, dark eyes like Rafael. And a grimly determined look on his face. Aneesa could feel Sebastian’s urge to turn and walk away and she silently willed him to stay. He did.But as the two tall men squared up to each other the lengthening silence became unbearable. Aneesa might have been invisible for all the attention either man gave her, and then abruptly Sebastian issued a tortured sounding, ‘I can’t do this.’ And letting Aneesa go, he strode away and out of the reception room.Jacob’s black eyes followed his brother and Aneesa could see the sorrow in them. She tentatively touched his sleeve and he looked down at her, finally focusing on her. Apologisi
Billionaire's Contract Marriage 73
He’d grown up learning to duck from his father’s loose fists. He’d invariably been protected by one of his brothers and witnessed them getting a dose of physical violence, but none more so shocking than his beautiful older sister, Annabelle, the day their father had whipped her mercilessly, leaving her with permanent scars. He’d been too small to step in and help her and that sense of ineffectualness had stuck with him, heightening his sense of isolation. And his sense of fear that perhaps he couldn’t protect his own child.When they’d bought his suit for the wedding, he’d led Aneesa to a well-known designer shop on Bond Street, but on the threshold she’d pulled back and he’d looked down to see her face, puce with embarrassment. He’d frowned. He would have thought she’d have been running in, eager to indulge. But when she’d refused to budge she’d finally admitted, ‘I don’t have enough money to pay for a dress here. Let’s go somewhere else. Please.’And gruffly, he’d assured her that h
Billionaire's Contract Marriage 72
INARTICULATE rage boiled upwards within Sebastian. ‘How dare you go through my personal things!’Aneesa stood before him, pale and intensely vulnerable- looking but with an unmistakably determined glint in her eyes. Her chin came up. ‘I dare because as your own brother just told me, I’m a part of your family now and will be for a long time to come, thanks to our baby.‘Tell me,’ she asked conversationally, colour returning to her cheeks, ‘was last night just a quickie before you asked me to move out, or were you planning on taking your fill before my body becomes too rounded and repulsive to you?’‘Stop it,’ Sebastian said curtly, the thought of her body growing more rounded having the complete opposite effect on his body. And before she could say anything else he asked, ‘What did you mean about my brother?’Aneesa leaned back against the desk, still holding the wedding invitation and the brochures. ‘Jacob just called. He wants to know why he hasn’t been able to get in touch with you
