The #1 Bestsellers Collection 2011
Page 70
She swayed, but he kept talking.
“I’m so sorry, Gina. I know that’s not enough. I know ‘sorry’ doesn’t mean a damn at a time like this, but it’s all I’ve got to give you.” His hands moved to her face, his thumbs stroking her skin. “I’m so sorry I didn’t appreciate the miracle we made together.”
Her father had lied to him. And thinking she was in pain, Adam had raced to her side. That bubble of hope lifted inside her again. She sucked in a breath and despite the cold Colorado wind buffeting her, Gina felt warm for the first time since leaving California. “Adam …”
“Wait. Let me finish.” He pulled her in close, held her tightly to him and stroked his hands up and down her back as if trying to convince himself that she was really there. With him. And Gina did nothing to stop him. She gave herself up to the wonder of being held by him again. To the scent of him filling her. To the feel of his strength wrapped around her.
When he spoke, his voice was quiet, torn. “You asked why I don’t have pictures of Monica and Jeremy in the house.”
She stiffened a little, but he felt it and held her tighter.
“I haven’t forgotten them. But there’s something you don’t know, Gina.” He pulled back to look at her. “Monica was leaving me. I was a terrible husband and not much better at fatherhood.”
That explained so much. “Oh, Adam. You blame yourself for—”
“No.” He shook his head now, sadly. “I don’t feel guilt for the accident—though if I’d been a better husband, maybe it wouldn’t have happened. No, Gina. What I feel is regret. That I couldn’t or wouldn’t be what they needed.”
Her heart hurt for him, but there was more than grief in his eyes, there was determination, as well. And hope. Something that lifted her heart even as she wanted to soothe him.
Adam tipped her chin up with his fingertips and said, “I want to be a husband to you, Gina. I want a real marriage. That’s why I’m giving you back the stupid land. I don’t want it. You hold it. Give it to the next child we make together. Just give me a chance to make it up to you.”
“Oh, Adam …” It was everything. Everything she’d hoped and dreamed and prayed for. All of it was here, within arm’s reach. She saw what she’d always wanted to see in his eyes and knew that they would now have the life together that she so craved.
“I miss you,” he said, gaze moving over her face like a dying man taking his last look at the world. “Like an arm or a leg. I miss you. A part of me is gone without you. Nothing means anything anymore because you’re not with me. Gina, I want you to come home. Be my wife again. Let me be the husband I should have been to you. I do love you, Gina. I’m not too stubborn to say it anymore. Will you take me back? Will you help me try again for another baby?”
Gina was staggered by his presence, his words, by the love shining in his eyes. She could even forgive her father for interfering this time.
“I love you, too, Adam,” she said, reaching up to cup his cheek in the palm of her hand.
“Thank God,” he whispered and pulled her in close again. When he kissed her there was desperation and adoration and the hunger Gina knew so well. Finally, though, when they broke apart to smile at each other, Gina had to tell him.
“I’ll come home with you, Adam, and we’ll make that wonderful life together. But—”
He scowled at her. “But?”
“There’s no need to work on another baby just yet,” she said, taking his hand and laying it flat against her belly. Meeting his gaze, she smiled wider, brighter and saw realization dawn in his eyes. “Our first child is just fine.”
He looked confused. “You’re still—”
“Yes.”
“So your father—”
“Yes,” Gina said, grinning now as she went up on her toes to link her arms around his neck.
“The old fraud,” Adam muttered, grinning back at her as he lifted her off her feet and swung her in a wide circle. “Remind me to buy your father a drink when we get home.”
“That’s a deal,” Gina said.
“Let’s seal this bargain right, shall we?” Then Adam kissed her and felt his world shift back into balance.
Table of Contents
Title Page
Copyright
Forced Wife, Royal Love-Child
About the Author
Dedication
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen
Chapter Fourteen
Epilogue
Valente’s Baby
About the Author
Dedication
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Epilogue
The Boss’s Christmas Seduction
About the Author
Dear Reader
Dedication
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen
Epilogue
The Executive’s Surprise Baby
About the Author
Dedication
The Garrisons
Prologue
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Epilogue
Bargaining For King’s Baby
About the Author
Dear Reader
Dedication
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve