Baby for the Billionaire(80)
Annalise stared at him, stunned. “But … who are you going to marry? Does Isabella know her? Does she even like her?”
“She adores her.”
That brought her up short. “Oh. Well … Well, that’s good. I don’t quite know what else to say,” she added weakly. “Congratulations?”
“She hasn’t accepted my offer yet.”
Annalise stilled. “Wait a minute. Is this your way of telling me you no longer need my services?” A look of utter devastation swept across her face. “Is your wife—assuming she accepts your offer—is she going to take care of Isabella full-time?”
“Yes and no. I still need your services.” Jack captured an escaped curl, one that tumbled halfway down Annalise’s back, and used it to reel her in. “Just in a slightly different capacity. I hope you’ll consider it a promotion.”
She was quick to put two and two together and come up with the requisite four. He watched shock etch a path across her elegant features. “You don’t mean … You can’t possibly think I—”
“Oh, but I can and I do. Ms. Stefano, I would very much appreciate it if you’d consider exchanging your position as nanny for one as my wife.”
The couch caught her as her knees gave out. “You can’t be serious.”
“I’m dead serious. You may recall that I once told you that I’d do whatever it took to retain custody of Isabella. I also seem to remember you saying something quite similar. I know how serious I was when I made that statement. How serious were you?”
Pain burst to life in her eyes, burning with an intensity that seared straight through to his soul. He accepted it, didn’t attempt to defend against it. He deserved to burn for what he was about to do. And no doubt he would.
“Oh, Jack,” she whispered. “How could you?”
He captured Annalise’s hands in his and drew her to her feet again. “As I’ve informed you more than once, I will do whatever it takes to retain custody of Isabella. But I will also do whatever you ask, give you whatever you demand, in exchange for your agreement to my plan. Please, Annalise. Marry me.”
“No.” She shook her head, the restlessness of her curls revealing the extent of her distress. “I can’t. Anything but that.”
“You’re not already married?” Surely the PI would have uncovered evidence of a husband.
“No, of course not.”
“And you claimed you weren’t involved with anyone.”
“I’m not.”
“Then it’s a moral objection.”
She gazed at him helplessly. “You don’t understand.”
He cupped her face, drew her upward so their mouths met, colliding in soft passion, igniting sparks he didn’t dare allow to catch fire. “Then explain it to me so I will.”
It took her a moment to gather her wits enough to reply. “I adore Isabella, you know that. I’d do anything to ensure her recovery. But it would be wrong for me to agree to this, wrong on so many levels.”
“It would be temporary, Annalise. Once CPS signs off, you’re free to leave whenever you want. I’ll make sure you’re provided for.”
“You mean money,” she said bluntly. “You mean, you’ll pay me to be your wife.”
He’d never been accused of being a charming man, so he didn’t bother trying to act the part. “I believe it’s called alimony. But if you’d prefer to consider it wages—just like you’re paid wages as Isabella’s nanny—that’s fine with me.”
Her chin quivered. “Well, it’s not fine with me.”
“Because of the money or because you think it’s wrong?”
“I don’t know.” Her voice broke and she covered her face with her hands. “I just don’t know.”
“Listen to me. I’m not paying you for sex. If you choose to share my bed, it’s because we’re attracted to each other physically. Consider this an old-fashioned, arranged marriage. I’m a man with a child in need of a wife and mother. You’re a woman who has career goals which can more easily be met as a result of our marriage.”
She bowed her head and he waited for endless moments while she weighed her options. Finally, she spoke, her voice whisper-soft. “My father once told me that being a single parent was the most difficult job he’d ever attempted. He never felt he’d done a proper job. The guilt ate him alive.”