loving environment. However
that might be achieved.
Drily
he asked, ‘When was the last time you did laundry or washed dishes or even
shopped?’
Aneesa
flushed brick-red. ‘Once I might have been like that, but not any more. I’m a
fast learner and I don’t mind a bit of hard work.’
Something
within Sebastian twisted at her innate pride and how far she’d fallen from her
Bollywood princess pedestal. She wasn’t at all like the vacuous spoilt woman he’d
assumed her to be on her wedding day. He couldn’t believe though that she wasn’t
resenting her abrupt fall from grace, even if she didn’t show it.
She
went on with a rush. ‘Look—I meant everything I’ve just said. You just happen
to be the father of this baby. I really don’t expect anything from you at all.’
Sebastian
tried to ignore the effect her huge shimmering eyes were having on his
equilibrium. How could he feel dizzy sitting down?
He
focused with effort. ‘Quite apart from the fact that you’ve already got Daniel
wrapped around your finger, he would have a fit to see you treading on his
turf. You’re welcome to stay for as long as you need.’
He
quirked a smile and ran a hand through his hair, ‘Hell … we’re having a baby.’
His smile faded. ‘It’s just going to take me a while to absorb that. I’m not
used to sharing my space….’
‘I’ll
stay out of your way.’
Sebastian
shook his head and took the handkerchief out of her hand to wipe at a stray
tear on her cheek. ‘No … it’s not your problem. It’s my problem to deal with.
This is your home now as much as mine. And we need to look into booking you in
with a doctor and setting up appointments.’
‘I
can do all that, you’re busy.’
Sebastian
shook his head. ‘I’ll have my PA do some research.’
His
hand was cupping her jaw now, and Aneesa had stopped breathing. Her body was
reacting, tightening, melting, remembering . For a second she thought she saw an answering
heat in Sebastian’s eyes but then he got up and moved away, becoming brisk. Cold again.
‘I’ve
got a meeting in Paris this afternoon. I’ll be back late tonight, but as it’s
the weekend tomorrow I’ll be off so we can discuss doctors and hospitals.’ He
frowned now. ‘How long are you intending to stay?’
Aneesa’s
heart thumped to think that he might actually care, which was ridiculous. ‘Perhaps a couple of months? Until the scandal dies down at
home—my family will be worried if I stay away for too long.’
Sebastian
shrugged, a dart of emotion slicing through him at her easy mention of family. ‘Like
I said, you’re welcome for as long as you want.’
And
then he was gone. Aneesa felt slightly stunned. She wasn’t used to having
emotional outbursts like that but she figured it had to be her pregnant
hormones and the way Sebastian’s less than ecstatic reaction to her arrival
made her feel so vulnerable. And if that insouciant shrug just now was anything
to go by, evidently he wasn’t prepared to have much of a say in the baby’s
development, or birth.
Aneesa
put her hand on her belly and said out loud, ‘Looks like it’s just going to be
us, baby….’
When
she got up and started to put away her things again, she resolutely pushed down
the ache in her chest that told her of a very secret and treacherous desire
that Sebastian’s reaction to seeing her again might have been different. But
reality was harsh and that was something she’d been getting a master class in
recently.
CHAPTER FIVE
that might be achieved.
Drily
he asked, ‘When was the last time you did laundry or washed dishes or even
shopped?’
Aneesa
flushed brick-red. ‘Once I might have been like that, but not any more. I’m a
fast learner and I don’t mind a bit of hard work.’
Something
within Sebastian twisted at her innate pride and how far she’d fallen from her
Bollywood princess pedestal. She wasn’t at all like the vacuous spoilt woman he’d
assumed her to be on her wedding day. He couldn’t believe though that she wasn’t
resenting her abrupt fall from grace, even if she didn’t show it.
She
went on with a rush. ‘Look—I meant everything I’ve just said. You just happen
to be the father of this baby. I really don’t expect anything from you at all.’
Sebastian
tried to ignore the effect her huge shimmering eyes were having on his
equilibrium. How could he feel dizzy sitting down?
He
focused with effort. ‘Quite apart from the fact that you’ve already got Daniel
wrapped around your finger, he would have a fit to see you treading on his
turf. You’re welcome to stay for as long as you need.’
He
quirked a smile and ran a hand through his hair, ‘Hell … we’re having a baby.’
His smile faded. ‘It’s just going to take me a while to absorb that. I’m not
used to sharing my space….’
‘I’ll
stay out of your way.’
Sebastian
shook his head and took the handkerchief out of her hand to wipe at a stray
tear on her cheek. ‘No … it’s not your problem. It’s my problem to deal with.
This is your home now as much as mine. And we need to look into booking you in
with a doctor and setting up appointments.’
‘I
can do all that, you’re busy.’
Sebastian
shook his head. ‘I’ll have my PA do some research.’
His
hand was cupping her jaw now, and Aneesa had stopped breathing. Her body was
reacting, tightening, melting, remembering . For a second she thought she saw an answering
heat in Sebastian’s eyes but then he got up and moved away, becoming brisk. Cold again.
‘I’ve
got a meeting in Paris this afternoon. I’ll be back late tonight, but as it’s
the weekend tomorrow I’ll be off so we can discuss doctors and hospitals.’ He
frowned now. ‘How long are you intending to stay?’
Aneesa’s
heart thumped to think that he might actually care, which was ridiculous. ‘Perhaps a couple of months? Until the scandal dies down at
home—my family will be worried if I stay away for too long.’
Sebastian
shrugged, a dart of emotion slicing through him at her easy mention of family. ‘Like
I said, you’re welcome for as long as you want.’
And
then he was gone. Aneesa felt slightly stunned. She wasn’t used to having
emotional outbursts like that but she figured it had to be her pregnant
hormones and the way Sebastian’s less than ecstatic reaction to her arrival
made her feel so vulnerable. And if that insouciant shrug just now was anything
to go by, evidently he wasn’t prepared to have much of a say in the baby’s
development, or birth.
Aneesa
put her hand on her belly and said out loud, ‘Looks like it’s just going to be
us, baby….’
When
she got up and started to put away her things again, she resolutely pushed down
the ache in her chest that told her of a very secret and treacherous desire
that Sebastian’s reaction to seeing her again might have been different. But
reality was harsh and that was something she’d been getting a master class in
recently.
CHAPTER FIVE
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