The Tycoon’s Secret Affair / Defiant Mistress, Ruthless Millionaire: The Tycoon’s Secret Affair

She bit her lip and looked away, her hand automatically moving to her belly in a soothing motion.

Piers began taking food out of the bags as if she’d said nothing at all. The smells wafted through her nostrils, and her stomach growled. Heavenly.

She raised an eyebrow. She wouldn’t have thought he’d give much thought to what she could or couldn’t have.

“Thank you, I’m starving.”

He prepared a plate and handed it to her along with utensils. Then he fixed a plate for himself and settled on the edge of the bed.

“I can get back into the bed so you have a place to sit,” she offered.

He shook his head. “You look comfortable. I’m fine.”

They ate in silence, though she knew he watched her. She refused to acknowledge his perusal, though, and concentrated on the delicious food instead.

When she couldn’t eat another bite, she sighed and put down her fork.

“That was wonderful, thank you.”

He took the plate and set it on the counter along the wall. “Would you like to get back into bed now?”

She shook her head. “I’ve had enough bed to last a lifetime.”

“But shouldn’t you be in bed with your feet up?” he persisted.

“I’m doing well. The doctor wants me on moderated bed rest until my surgery. That means I can get up and move around. He just doesn’t want me on my feet for long periods of time.”

“And this job you had, you were on your feet all the time?” he asked with a frown.

“I was waitressing. It was necessary.”

“You should have phoned me the minute you knew you were pregnant,” he said fiercely.

Her expression turned murderous. “You had me fired. You told me quite plainly that you wanted nothing further to do with me. Why on earth would I be calling you? I wouldn’t have called you now if I hadn’t needed you so badly.”

“Then I suppose I’ll have to be grateful you needed me.”

“I don’t need you,” she amended. “Our daughter does.”

“You need me, Jewel. I have a lot to make up for, and I plan to do just that. We can talk about your firing when you aren’t in the hospital and you’re feeling better.”

“About that,” she began.

He raised an eyebrow. “Yes?”

“The doctor is releasing me in the morning.”

“Yes, I know. I spoke to him before I came back to your room.”

Her fingers curled into tight fists, but she kept the frustration from her expression. Or at least she tried.

“I don’t need you hovering over me at every moment. You can drop me off at my apartment—”

Before she got any further he shook his head resolutely, his expression implacable.

“I’ve arranged for the rental of a house until your surgery. I’ll take you there of course. I’ve hired a nurse to see to your needs—”

It was her turn to break in, her head shaking so stiffly that her neck hurt.

“No. Absolutely not. I won’t have some nurse hired to babysit me. It’s ridiculous. I’m not an invalid. I have to stay off my feet. Fine, I can do that without a nurse.”

“Why must you be so difficult?” he asked mildly. “I’m only doing what is best for your health.”

“If you want to hire someone, hire a cook,” she muttered. “I’m terrible at it.”

Amusement curved his hard mouth into a smile. It was amazing what a difference it made in his face. He looked almost boyish. She stared at him in astonishment.

“A cook can be arranged. I, of course, wish to see that my daughter and her mother are well fed. Does this mean you aren’t going to fight moving in with me?”

She made a sound of protest, but it quickly died. She’d walked right into that one. With a long suffering sigh, she uttered a simple, “No.”

“See, that wasn’t so hard, now was it?”

“You can quit the gloating. It’s not very attractive on you.”

His grin broadened. The amazing thing was, it made him look quite charming. Dangerous, Jewel. He’s dangerous. Don’t fall for that charm.

“I’m going to take you home with me, Jewel,” he said patiently. “There’s little point in arguing. All the arrangements have been made. Tomorrow I hope to see to the wedding arrangements. Understandably, concerns for your health came before our marriage, but once I have you settled in, I’ll see to the necessary plans.”

The beginnings of a headache thrummed at her temples. Was this what her life was going to be like? Him calling all the shots and her meekly following along? Not if she could help it. Right now, she was tired, worried and more than a little stressed, and as weak as it made her feel to hand everything over to him, it also felt good to relinquish her problems. Even if it was just for a little while.

“Does your head hurt you?” he asked.

She drew her hand away, unaware until now that she’d been rubbing her forehead. “Stress,” she said in a shaky voice. “It’s been a long couple of weeks. I’m tired.”

What an idiot she was, outlining her weaknesses in stark detail. As if he hadn’t already honed in on her disadvantages.

To her surprise, he didn’t make any sharp or sarcastic remarks. He took her hands gently in his, and lowered them to her lap. Then he carefully helped her up.

Too stunned to do more than gape at him, she cooperated without complaint. He stepped behind her and sank down onto the seat, pulling her down onto his lap.

She landed with a jolt of awareness that five long months hadn’t diminished in the least. There was still potent chemistry between them, much to her dismay.

His warmth wrapped around her, soothing her despite her rioting emotions. She was almost in complete panic when his fingers dug into her hair and began massaging her scalp.

A soft moan of surrender escaped her. Bliss. Sheer, unadulterated bliss. His strong fingers worked to her forehead and then her temples.

Bonelessly she melted further into his chest. He stiffened slightly and then relaxed as he continued his ministrations. For several long minutes, neither spoke, and only the sound of her soft breathing could be heard.