Baby for the Billionaire(40)
“What time is it?”
“Almost ten.”
His eyes grew alert. “You must be exhausted yourself.”
“I’m better now that I’m home.” And she was.
He scrutinized her more. “How’s Porter?”
“They’ll keep an eye on him overnight, but they’re confident it wasn’t a heart attack.”
His face relaxed. “See, I told you there was nothing to worry about.”
“I know.”
All at once his gaze noted her night attire, and the air stilled. His eyes burned into her, making her heart skip a beat. She waited for him to get to his feet and pull her into his arms.
Only, he seemed to withdraw. “I think I’ll use a spare room tonight. You need your sleep.”
Disappointment filled her. “I won’t be able to sleep without you,” she said, putting herself on the line … putting her heart on the line and hoping he didn’t notice.
The light of passion flared in his eyes again but was banked as he stood up and held out his hand. “Fine. We sleep, and that’s all.”
Her heart expanded at his thoughtfulness. He wanted her yet was prepared to put her needs first. Or what he thought she needed.
Happy to just be able to share his bed, she put her hand in his and together they went up the stairs. He made no attempt to make love to her, but he held her in his arms until she fell asleep. And she found that was just as welcome as making love.
She was home.
And she was where she wanted to be.
Ten
Cesare phoned the next morning to see how Porter was doing and Nick put the phone on loudspeaker so both he and Sasha could talk while they were getting dressed.
“Dad, it wasn’t a heart attack.” Nick went on to explain.
“Grazie a Dio!” Cesare said with relief.
“We’ve just called the hospital and he’s already been released,” Nick continued. “Sally will look after him. I’m sure she’ll make him take things easy.”
“Yes, she’s a good woman.” Cesare paused. “Sasha, your father’s a good man. He gives so much of himself to everyone. It would be a great loss if anything had happened to him. He’s the consummate businessman.”
Sasha wanted to choke. If only Cesare knew.…
“Thank you, Cesare,” she managed. “That’s kind of you to say.”
Cesare ended the call after that and Nick kissed her good-bye, but as he drew back he hesitated. “Are you sure you don’t want me to get out of the harbor cruise tomorrow? Alex or Matt can step in.”
Tomorrow was Wednesday.
Only two more days until Friday.
The thought of having to force her father’s hand pressed down on her. She felt sick at heart over him cheating the Valentes out of money.
She schooled her features. “No. I’ll be fine.”
Nick held her gaze a moment more. “Okay. See you tonight.”
“Yes,” she said, putting on a brave face.
As soon as he left, she finished dressing. She would go see her parents. Now that she knew her father hadn’t had a heart attack, he had to rectify the situation soon. She couldn’t go on like this.
No one answered the front door when she rang the bell, despite her father’s favorite music coming from inside the house. Then she realized it was coming from the back patio, so she went around the side and opened the gate.
To her shock, she found her father sitting on the lounger in the back garden, smoking a cigar and drinking whiskey. He looked like a man who was celebrating life.
Or something else?
Suddenly it hit her.
“Oh my God,” she accused, seeing him jump with fright as she strode toward him. “You didn’t have a suspected heart attack at all. You made it up.”
The blood siphoned from his face, then he turned red. “Don’t be stupid, child. Of course I didn’t make it up.”
“I don’t believe you.”
He stabbed out his cigar. “You think I’d put myself through all those medical procedures, not to mention worrying you and your mother, for the fun of it?”
“Yes! You were desperate. And you didn’t give a damn about me or Mum.” Sasha swung around when she heard her mother come out on the patio behind her. “Mum, I can’t believe you were a part of this.”