The Pregnancy Contract by Yvonne Lindsay Page B

his mouth from hers and fastened it anew in the curve of her neck.
    And then the firm grip of his hand was at her wrist, gently pulling her away from him. Pushing her away from him. She fought to control her breathing, to get some semblance of control over her wayward behavior. Her body felt heavy, lethargic—aching with longing.
    Her reaction to him—to the feel, the taste, the sheer craving she had for him—made her realize something that she hadn’t wanted to consider in a very long time. She still had feelings for him—very deep feelings. The thought was a sobering wake-up call. That Wade desired her, she had no doubt. She’d felt the throbbing heat of his passion in her own hand only seconds ago. But could she hope that his feelings for her would ever again be more than the disdain he’d so clearly expressed?
    She took a step away from him on legs that felt about as substantial as threads of cotton. Piper looked up to Wade’s face. The light from the desk lamp cast shadows across his features. For a split second she thought she’d glimpsed something there, something from when she knew she’d held his heart in her hands as he had held hers. Before she’d systematically destroyed everything they’d had between them without realizing how much she would ultimately hurt them both. But that glimpse gave her a tiny shred of hope. Maybe they could make this work. Maybe, just maybe, they could build something new out of the ashes of their old relationship.
    â€œI think we’ve proved we won’t have any trouble on the compatibility score, don’t you?” he said.
    And there it was, back in full Antarctic chill. That aloofness that told her that while she might be able to affect himon a physical level, there was no way he was going to let her back inside on an emotional one.
    She nodded, lost for a response.
    â€œSo there’ll be no more talk about artificial conception?” he pressed.
    She shook her head.
    â€œThen I think you’d better get off to bed, don’t you? You have a long day tomorrow at the office to look forward to.”
    Finally, she found her tongue. “Will we travel in together?”
    â€œNo, I need to be in early. I’ll leave the car for you if you like.”
    â€œOr I could use Dad’s,” she said.
    â€œRex’s Daimler was sold last year. There’s the hatchback the Dexters use but they’ll probably be busy with it tomorrow. What’s the matter, didn’t you like driving the Porsche? I can easily book a driver to take me into work.”
    She shook her head again. “That’s not the point. What will everyone think if I turn up in your car? They’ll assume the only reason I got a job there is because I’m sleeping with you.”
    He gave her a piercing look. “And that bothers you, that people might think—” he reached a hand out to trace her cheekbone “—we’re on intimate terms?”
    She jerked her head back but it did nothing to stop the tingling awareness on her skin.
    â€œYes, it bothers me. I meant what I said about learning to work there from the ground up. I need to learn to stand on my own two feet. I don’t want any dispensations just because of who I am.”
    He chuckled but the sound lacked humor, and made the fine hairs on the back of her neck prickle in reaction.
    â€œNo dispensations like walking in off the street to a job even though you have no experience and no qualifications? Why does that not surprise me?” He rubbed his eyes with one hand. “Go to bed, Piper. I’ll make sure you have sufficientmeans to get to work tomorrow. Means that ensure no one will think any the worse of you, I promise.”
    â€œThank you,” she said stiffly. “Good night.”
    â€œIt’s night all right,” she heard him mutter as she walked past him and out the door. “Not that there’s anything good about