Cinderella's Tycoon

“I told you. We need to talk.”

As an answer, that was hardly illuminating. She considered him, trying to read his emotions and drawing a blank. Whatever he felt, he didn’t let it show on his face. He simply looked...remote. And very formidable. “I—I won’t make any claim on you,” she said slowly, wondering if that was at the heart of his reserve. “I mean, I know you have money, but this doesn’t really have anything to do with you. It was entirely my decision and I’m more than prepared to take full responsibility—”

“No.”

“Excuse me?”

“I said, no. Biologically this child is half mine. Not only do I expect to take my share of the responsibility, but—” for the first time he hesitated, if only for a second “—I’m willing to take all the responsibility.”

“What do you mean?”

“I mean that if you’ll give me the child, I’ll see to it that it has everything it could possibly need.”

She could feel her eyes widen as his meaning sank in. She jumped to her feet. “No!” Agitation stripped away the last trace of her normal reserve. “I could never do that. This is my baby! I’ve waited and planned and dreamed about having it, and I’m not giving it up. Not to you or anybody!”

He stared stonily at her, then leaned back on the couch and crossed his arms. “All right. We’ll get married.”

“What?”

“We’ll get married,” he repeated. “It’s probably better, anyway. Kids ought to have two parents.”

She’d been right earlier. He was crazy. “Don’t be ridiculous. I don’t even know you!”

He climbed to his feet, once again towering over her. “Then it’s time you start. And what you’d better understand is, that’s my kid you’re carrying, most likely my son, and I’m not going to stand on the sidelines, with no say in his upbringing, while he spends most of his life either alone or with a baby-sitter while you struggle to support him. So you can either marry me—or I’ll sue you for custody. Your choice. Although—” he took a pointed look around, his gray eyes unreadable as he examined her minuscule living room with its worn furnishings “—I think it’s only fair to point out that you’d have a mighty slim chance of winning.”

Susan stared at him. It was clear from his implacable expression that he meant every word he said. Still, the whole idea was crazy. Marriage was meant to be the kind of loving, trusting relationship her parents had enjoyed, not an alternative to being sued, for heaven’s sake.

Still, he was right about one thing. In the best of all possible worlds, a child should have two parents to love it. Not that she agreed with his crazy proposal. She couldn’t possibly marry him. The whole idea was preposterous.

Yet his expression made it clear that he expected her to acquiesce. “I—I’ll need some time to think about it,” she hedged instead, trying to buy herself some time until she could come up with a better solution.

His eyes narrowed. “No. Nothing is going to change, and I don’t want people counting on their fingers when our child is born. It’s going to be touch and go as it is.”

“But what if something happens? It’s still early in the pregnancy yet. Something could go wrong...”

“We’ll deal with that if it happens.”

“Oh, but—”

“Look, I’m not exactly wild about this myself.” For half a second, a bleak look came over his face. Then his expression hardened. “But it is the best solution. I don’t know what you’ve heard about me, but I’m not some sort of wife beater or anything. I promise I’ll take good care of you and the baby. You won’t have to worry about anything.”

“I’m sure that’s true, but still...”

“Yes or no?” he said intractably.

“I...”

“Choose.”

Oh! What should she do? Squeezing her eyes shut, she tried to envision marriage to Sterling—and failed. She had no trouble, however, picturing the two of them in court. In her mind, she could see him surrounded by high-priced lawyers as some faceless judge banged a gavel down and awarded him custody of her baby. “I...I—yes,” she whispered.

“Good.” He was suddenly brusque. “How does tomorrow sound to you?”

Her eyes popped open. “For what?”

“The ceremony. Judge Lester’s a friend of mine. I’m sure he’ll be glad to do it.”

“But I have to work!”

“Call in and tell them you quit,” he commanded. “I’ve got more than enough money for the both of us, and in your condition you shouldn’t be on your feet anyway.”

She gazed at him in shock, stunned by how casually he was rearranging her entire life. “But—but—I can’t!”

“You have family you need to call? Just tell me who it is, and I’ll have them flown in.”

“No,” she said faintly. “There’s nobody.”

He crossed his arms. “Then what’s the holdup?”

“It’s...” She tried desperately to think of an answer other than it’s too soon, pretty certain it would get her nowhere. “I don’t have anything to wear,” she said lamely.

“Huh.” Without another word, he reached into his pocket, pulled out a money clip, peeled off some bills and thrust them at her. “Here.”

“Oh; no. I can’t—”

“Take it.” His gaze touched briefly on her dress, then came back to her face. “Go out and buy yourself something pretty.”

“Oh, but—”

“Unless something changes, I’ll come by tomorrow at twelve forty-five to pick you up.”

She thought of all the things she had to do. She’d have to call her landlord, her boss and the clinic. Luckily the house had come furnished, but the refrigerator and the cupboards would still have to be cleaned out. She’d have to call to turn off her utilities. And find time to shop for a new dress. And, of course she’d have to pack...

She fought off a fresh wave of exhaustion. Taken all together, it was close to overwhelming. She was going to need every minute she had. “No. Please. I’ll—I’ll meet you there.”

“Okay,” he said reluctantly. “One o’clock, the county courthouse. The judge’s chambers are on the second floor.” He searched her face. He must have seen her uncertainty, because he said abruptly, “Give me your word you’ll be there, Susan.”

She stared back at him, stung as she saw the distrust in his eyes. “I’ll be there. I promise.”

“All right.” With a stiff nod, he settled his hat on his head and strode toward the door, where he smacked the screen open with his palm and was gone.

Susan stared dazedly after him. Oh, dear. It appeared she was getting married.

Whether she wanted to or not.

Two

She wasn’t coming.