Tempting Danger

by Katie Reus

  “I’m not saying you can’t be. Of course I want you to. But that has nothing to do with marriage. We’ll figure something out. Couples do this all the time. So can we. As long as we’re civil, maybe even one day friendly, I think…I’d be happy to co-parent with you.” She looked so vulnerable in that moment. Before he could respond, she continued, “I know you probably have a lot to say to me. And probably are concerned about my skills as a mother.”

  He frowned at her words. He knew the things she had done. And he didn’t judge—even if he was angry that she’d used him. He might not be exactly like his father, but he lived in shades of gray. She’d done what she had out of a sense of wanting justice. But he hated that he’d been a means to an end. That everything between them was an act. “I think you will be a fierce mother,” he murmured, turning to look out the window.

  She sucked in a surprised breath but didn’t respond.

  The bright colors and lights of Miami flew by as they headed down Ocean Drive. And when he turned to Alena again, her head was tilted back against the leather seat, her eyes closed and her breathing steady.

  He couldn’t believe she’d fallen asleep so quickly, but he was glad for it. After seeing Summer Freeman tonight he hoped that Alena wanted to use her while in Miami. The woman was one of the best. But he would research other OB/GYNs as well. His child would only get the best care.

  Swallowing hard, he couldn’t tear his gaze from Alena. She looked so peaceful, almost happy.

  If he could go back in time…he would still want to have met her. He hated that she’d used him, even if he understood why she’d done it. And he couldn’t say he was sad that she was pregnant. Surprised, yes. But he wasn’t unhappy. As fucked up as it was—and he was well aware that he had his own issues—he liked being tied to her. More aptly, he liked that she was tied to him.

  He never should have kicked her out of his life all those months ago. He should have known that he wouldn’t be able to get over her. And he was done trying.

  Alena was carrying his child and she would eventually be his wife. They weren’t going to do some bullshit co-parenting thing where she might end up with someone else. Where some other man could help raise his child. Touch his woman.

  Fuck. No.

  He would do what was best for their child. His own father had been a monster. Andre wanted the chance to do this right.

  Chapter 4

  As the car pulled to a stop in her sister’s driveway, Alena opened her eyes. For a moment, she looked confused before giving Andre an open, unguarded smile.

  Just for a fleeting moment.

  But then that guarded expression slid back into place. Not that he was surprised. Things were so screwed up between them. He wondered if they could ever make it right.

  “I can’t believe I fell asleep,” Alena murmured, straightening her dress as she stretched, arching her back ever so slightly. Then she gave a short laugh. “It’s not even ten o’clock. This really is sad.”

  “You’re pregnant, it’s natural you’re tired. I’m sure you should be getting all the rest you want. Speaking of, how long will you be staying in Miami?” He needed to know so he could adjust his plans. He’d be sticking close to her. Even if they couldn’t overcome the barriers between them right away, he was going to try.

  “I’m not sure. I’m here to help out with Nika’s wedding plans. They’re getting married in a month and a half. I’ll probably just stay until the wedding.” She paused, eyed him warily. “I was actually thinking of moving here. It’s close to my sister and I miss her. I think it would be good for me and…” She put a hand on her stomach but didn’t continue.

  He’d actually figured as much. “I have a place where you can stay. Actually, I have a handful to choose from. Condo or a house, whatever you prefer.”

  She shook her head. “No thanks, but I do appreciate the offer.” Her words were stiff, but polite. “I’ll likely find another place to stay for the next month and a half. My sister says I can stay here the whole time but I don’t want to be a bad guest. And no one likes guests for longer than a few days.”

  He certainly wouldn’t mind if she stayed with him indefinitely. The moment he had the thought, he frowned at himself. He would be insane to trust her, to let her into his life again. But she was in his life. And he wanted to try to make something real with her. Even as he told himself that he needed to keep walls between them, to keep his distance. He just wanted to marry her so their child could have a whole family, so that some other asshole wouldn’t be raising his kid.

  Yeah, he didn’t think he could swallow his own lies.

  Though he wanted to insist that she at least look at a couple of his places, he simply nodded. “The offer is always open. Also, I would like to set up a meeting with you and go over our co-parenting options, some things we should probably figure out. I can have my attorney set up a meeting with yours.” He’d rather just figure things out themselves but thought it was what she would want.

  “Do you really want to involve attorneys? I think we can figure out something just the two of us.” She lifted her shoulder. “But whatever you want is fine with me.”

  Hell no, he didn’t want to involve his attorney. Though he would mention it to the man because he’d have to make some changes, set up a new trust for his unborn child. “For now, I think the two of us can figure things out on our own. How do you feel about Dr. Freeman?”

  “I really like her. And I’ll need to find a doctor here in Miami for the duration of my stay whether it’s just a month and a half or long-term.”

  “They do have great hospitals here.” This entire conversation was so bizarre. He felt as if they were being ridiculously polite. But what was he going to do? Yell at her? He knew why she’d used him. He even understood it. If he’d been in her shoes he would have likely done the same thing.

  She nodded. “Would you like to go to my first appointment with her? I’m sixteen weeks now, so in the second trimester. I should be coming up on another check-in soon anyway. My doctor in New Orleans has been seeing me every couple weeks like clockwork so I imagine it will be the same here.”

  He was glad she’d asked him, even if surprised. She’d only admitted that she was pregnant because she’d had no choice. He wanted to believe that she would have come to him, but who knew how long it would have taken her. Of course he would’ve found out on his own as soon as a pregnant picture of her hit the tabloids. He was surprised that Barry hadn’t known about her visits to a doctor but Andre had only asked for certain details, like if she’d started seeing someone. “I’d like that. Also—” He paused, trying to find the right words so she wouldn’t get annoyed. “I think you should take one of my security guys with you while you’re here. I know you’ve had security in the past and I’m surprised you didn’t have anyone with you tonight.”

  “I have basic security in New Orleans and usually when I travel for work, but I’m staying with my sister, and Declan has the most ridiculous security system.”

  “I’d still feel better.”

  “Are you actually asking?” She lifted an eyebrow. “You’re usually so bossy.”

  “I’m trying to be civil.” Because he simply couldn’t be angry or yell at her, not when she was sitting here pregnant.

  Some of the light dimmed from her gaze and he hated it. “Let me think on it,” she finally said. “I’ll set up an appointment with Summer next week. As soon as she can fit me in.”

  “I’d like to see you before then. What does your schedule look like tomorrow?”

  “I’m going dress shopping with Nika. We’re actually just going to one shop and trying on dresses. I can’t believe she doesn’t have her wedding dress picked out yet.” Alena shook her head.

  “Okay, what about tomorrow night? We can have dinner.”

  “Yes, that sounds good. And please no more talk of marriage.” She rolled her eyes.

  He definitely wasn’t going to promise that. “I can pick you up wherever is easiest for
you.”

  She nodded slowly, a small smile playing at her full lips. Lips he’d kissed, teased, nibbled on. “So far we really are off to a good start with this whole being-civil thing. I know that I said it the night…” She gave her head a little shake. “I’m not sorry for what I attempted to do to Yasha. But I am desperately sorry that I used you.”

  “Was anything we shared real?” Because the thought of her giving herself to him—sleeping with him when she didn’t want to, just so she could get to his father—made him nauseous.

  “It was, for me. I never expected to have feelings for you. At the time I actually wished that you were more like him. That you were at least a little bit horrible. It would have made it easier to use you. But you were the exact opposite of him, a good, decent man. And I really am so incredibly sorry for…using you.”

  He nodded, unable to find his voice. He had so many things he wanted to say to her, but couldn’t force anything else out. Instead of responding, he opened the door and slid out, holding out a hand for her. She picked up her purse and took his hand. He wasn’t surprised to see Declan waiting on the front porch, watching the two of them carefully. “Call me or text me tomorrow and we’ll set up a time,” he said to her.

  She nodded, and for a moment it looked as if she might say something more but then she turned and headed toward the front door. She said something too low for him to hear to her brother-in-law-to-be before ducking inside.

  Declan waited until the door shut behind her before striding toward him, a neutral expression on his face. Andre knew what the man was worth, and though the Coconut Grove home was nice, he was a little surprised he didn’t live somewhere bigger, more upscale. Perhaps he shouldn’t be. Everything about Declan Gallagher was understated.

  They hadn’t spoken much since four months ago, so Andre held out a hand. “Nice to see you.”

  Declan nodded once and took his hand. “You’re bringing Alena home instead of her date?”

  “He wasn’t her fucking date.” Okay, way to remain civil.

  Declan just snorted. “I’m going to say this once. She told me that you know about her pregnancy. And I know what she did was wrong. But…not unwarranted. Regardless of what I think, Alena is Nika’s sister. She loves her. If you hurt Alena in any way, I will hurt you.” No drawn-out or explicit threats, just a simple truth from a dangerous man.

  Andre was dangerous too. And he could respect Declan looking out for Alena. Was glad for it. “I would never hurt her. I couldn’t.” Even the thought of something happening to her— No.

  Declan just gave him an assessing look, but didn’t respond.

  “Tomorrow it will likely hit the entertainment media that Alena and I are together, or at least have been seen kissing at the gala.” Declan didn’t seem surprised by this but the man was hard to read—try impossible. Andre continued. “I plan to be involved in her life and our child’s life. And she’s mine to protect now.” He felt ridiculously possessive where she was concerned. It had been like that almost from the start. Maybe he should hold on to more anger but he couldn’t find it in him. Not after seeing Alena in person again. She’d woven a spell over him.

  Declan still didn’t respond, just watched him. There was a reason the man had worked for the CIA. Something not many people knew. Andre guessed he’d been very good at his job.

  “She won’t take my offer of a place to stay while here in Miami, but I want her to at least take my security.” He gritted his teeth, beyond frustrated that she even wanted to think about it.

  “Have you offered her security?”

  “Yes.”

  “Is there any particular reason you think she needs it?”

  “She’s pregnant.” That was reason enough. Also, she was his.

  “I’ll subtly push her. And if she won’t take yours, she’ll take mine. I’ve already got a guy on standby to escort her and Nika anywhere they go if I’m not with them.”

  Right. Of course Declan would. “Okay, then.”

  Declan nodded and so did Andre. That was that. He headed back to his waiting vehicle, hating that he was heading home without Alena. Soon enough she wouldn’t be separated from him. It was going to be a challenge convincing her they should be married but he was up to it.

  Chapter 5

  “Are you crying again?” Eyes wide, Nika stared at Alena, hands on her hips.

  In a stunning A-line wedding dress with an organza skirt and a long train decorated with thousands of beads and sequins, her sister looked lean, graceful, and ready to walk down the aisle. “I can’t help it. My baby sister is getting married. And you look so beautiful in that dress. It’s my favorite so far.” Their mother would have loved to see Nika like this.

  “You’ve literally said that about every single dress. And you started crying at over half of them. This is a whole new side of you.”

  Dabbing at her eyes, Alena nodded. “I know, it’s ridiculous.”

  “It’s not ridiculous, it’s kind of sweet.” Nika just shook her head, her lips curving up.

  “Says no one but you. I’m going to look awful tonight when—”

  “When what?”

  “Ah, nothing.”

  Nika’s gaze narrowed. “Spill it.”

  Alena hadn’t mentioned to her sister that she’d be seeing Andre later. She had, of course, told her that Andre had brought her home last night and knew everything. She was still reeling from seeing him in person, and all the feelings he evoked in her. Guilt and lust had been intertwined, fighting for dominance. And of course she couldn’t forget her respect for him. Or…the L word. She wasn’t going to think it. She wasn’t. “I’m going to see Andre tonight. Not sure what time yet. He’s supposed to text me later.” It was already later afternoon and she was surprised he hadn’t.

  “I can’t believe you didn’t tell me. Was this meeting your idea or his?”

  “Both. We’re going to talk about the future for our baby, which feels way too surreal to say out loud.” He’d been shockingly civil to her, which made her think that he could get past what she’d done. Maybe.

  “With lawyers?”

  “No. He mentioned it, but I really don’t want to involve them. I feel like we could probably figure stuff out on our own.” Of course that was only if things remained even-keeled between them.

  “I think it’s a good idea. And I’m glad he knows now.”

  Before Alena could respond, Tricia Brown, the owner of the shop, ducked her head behind the curtain of the dressing rooms. She smiled, her gaze going wide as she looked at Nika. “First, you look amazing. That one is definitely my favorite so far. Second, Declan is here.”

  Alena popped up from where she was stretched out on a tufted lounge chair. “You stay right here. He’s not allowed to see you.”

  “Alena, that’s ridiculous—”

  “Nope. You’re doing this one traditional thing.” Her sister deserved to have some normalcy in her life. As maid of honor—and more importantly, as Nika’s big sister—it was her job to make sure she did. “I’ll take care of him.”

  The owner stepped into the dressing area and started talking to Nika about the dress.

  Alena nearly ran into Declan as she rounded the corner. He was standing near a display of tiaras, looking a little uncomfortable in the store. And he wasn’t alone. Her eyes widened when she saw Andre with him, his hands shoved into his pockets.

  Today Andre had on black pants, a black Armani jacket—his favorite designer—and a blue shirt that matched his pale eyes. Of course he looked good enough to eat.

  “What are you doing here?” she asked, looking between them, not sure who she was actually asking.

  “I miss Nika,” Declan said simply.

  “Well you can’t see her. Not now. She’s still trying on dresses, and looks amazing in every single one.” Oh God, she was going to start crying again like the overemotional wreck that she was.

  Declan just smiled and took a step toward the curtain.

  “Uh uh. I�
�m not messing around. It’s bad luck.” She gave his chest a light shove. “There’s champagne over behind the checkout area. I’m sure Tricia wouldn’t mind you getting some.”

  “Are you seriously dismissing me?” He looked amused by the very idea.

  “You better believe it. I take this maid of honor business seriously. There will be no bad luck for you guys. Plus it’ll be so much more meaningful if you don’t see her in the dress until the big day.”

  Declan shook his head but did as she said.

  When she turned to Andre she found him staring at her. “Wow,” he murmured more to himself than her.

  Seeing him again so soon was a punch to all her senses. She’d thought about him as she tried to fall asleep last night. Thought about, fantasized about…and even if it seemed crazy, she’d wished she’d never gotten out of that limo. Which was just plain stupid.

  When she realized he was staring, she looked down at the formfitting navy-blue dress made of stretch lace. It was comfortable and actually looked good. And if she gained weight in the next month and a half—which she no doubt would—the middle part would stretch with her. It fell right to her knees, had a scoop neckline and detachable sash which secured at the empire waistline. It didn’t look great hanging up, but Nika had insisted she try it on. And her sister had been right. As she often was. “You can really see the bump in this dress.” Way to state the obvious, she mentally chided herself.

  He stepped forward, quickly closing the distance between them. “Yeah.” There was a touch of awe in his voice. When he met her gaze, he seemed to collect himself and that neutral expression was back in place. “Declan and I ran into each other at La Mar. He mentioned where he was heading so I figured I’d come with him. We can do an early dinner and talk once you’re done here if you’d like?”