Expecting her rival’s baby!
Driven businesswoman Eve Winchester has big plans to take her father’s Chicago real estate empire global. But when she ends up pregnant by her family’s personal and professional nemesis, she’s thrown into the shark tank of corporate intrigue. Now she’s doing damage control as she falls even deeper for Graham Newport.
Graham has never had such a heated, secret fling. But suddenly Eve is pregnant, and no strings attached turns into the ties that bind. Graham won’t turn his back on what’s his, but will family friction tear apart their fledgling affair?
“Don’t kiss me. This isn’t a good idea.”
Did that protest sound weak?
He nipped at her jawline, traveled up to her ear and whispered, “Feels like a great idea.” His hands curved over her backside, pulling her hips into his.
Graham’s hands and mouth, his body for that matter, always seemed like the answer. He made her forget everything except for how her body seemed to zing to life. But she couldn’t zing, not today.
Eve pressed her palms to his chest and eased back. “No. I won’t be distracted by sex. I want your brother to back off with the media attacks and insults.”
She turned, needing to put some space between them. Having him so close was difficult.
But just as she spun away, a wave of dizziness overcame her. The room literally tilted before her eyes. Her hand went to her stomach just as strong arms wrapped around her torso.
Secure against Graham’s chest, Eve kept her eyes shut as she pulled in a shaky breath. The dizziness remained. This was her first symptom of pregnancy.
“Okay?” he whispered in her ear.
Not really.
* * *
His Secret Baby Bombshell is part of the Dynasties: The Newports series—Passion and chaos consume a Chicago real estate empire.
Dear Reader,
I’m thrilled to be part of this exciting continuity! With so many twists and turns, and a secret baby, I couldn’t wait to start working on Eve and Graham’s torrid romance.
A secret pregnancy is such a fun plot. I love to read it; I love to write it. But with two dynamic characters, this story was even more of a pleasure for me. Who doesn’t love a hero and heroine clashing from the get-go? But there’s a fine line between hate and passion. For these two, family differences are instantly put aside when their desires take over.
As a reader and writer, I cling to that independent heroine, the one who takes charge of her life and goes after what she wants. Eve is definitely that strong-willed woman. She’s not a bit ashamed to have a secret affair with her family’s most heated rival...not to mention a younger man. Business and personal lives certainly don’t need to mix, right?
Wrong.
An unexpected pregnancy is one sure way to expose their affair. Now Eve and Graham must decide whether their relationship is worth risking stirring up the animosity in their families. Can a baby bridge the Winchesters’ and the Newports’ differences? More importantly, will they decide to come together as one united family?
I hope you enjoy this latest installment of Dynasties: The Newports!
Happy reading,
Jules
JULES BENNETT
His Secret Baby Bombshell
National bestselling author Jules Bennett has over thirty romance novels in print worldwide. She’s written for Harlequin since 2008 and currently writes for two lines: Desire and Special Edition. When Jules isn’t working on her latest romance novel, she’s spending time with her family or procrastinating on social media. Check out all of her upcoming titles, appearances and more on her site at julesbennett.com.
Books by Jules Bennett
Harlequin Desire
What the Prince Wants
A Royal Amnesia Scandal
Maid for a Magnate
The Barrington Trilogy
When Opposites Attract...
Single Man Meets Single Mom
Carrying the Lost Heir’s Child
Mafia Moguls
Trapped with the Tycoon
From Friend to Fake Fiancé
Dynasties: The Newports
His Secret Baby Bombshell
Harlequin Special Edition
The St. Johns of Stonerock
Dr. Daddy’s Perfect Christmas
The Fireman’s Ready-Made Family
From Best Friend to Bride
This book goes to my shelf buddies and awesome friends Sarah M. Anderson, Andrea Laurence and Cat Schield. Love you all!
Contents
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
Chapter Fifteen
Chapter Sixteen
Chapter Seventeen
Excerpt from Convenient Cowgirl Bride by Silver James
One
Déjà vu swept over Eve Winchester. Not again. This cannot be happening again.
The two pink lines mocked her denial.
Eve clutched the pregnancy test, gripping the side of her white pedestal sink with her other hand.
Sheets rustled in the bedroom. Through the crack in the bathroom door, Eve could see Graham Newport lying in her bed.
Now that she knew her predicament, she had no idea what step to take next. For someone who prided herself on plans, on spreadsheets and following through on details in a timely fashion, she was completely lost.
But her unknowns stemmed from the fear of what Graham would do. How would he react? How would their families, whose rivalry was legendary in Chicago, deal with this shocking news? The Newports and the Winchesters had enough drama on their hands lately. The Newport brothers’ paternity had been thrown into question earlier this year. Graham and his brother Brooks were still up in the air after their paternity tests came back negative, but their other brother, Carson, had discovered who his real father was—Sutton Winchester, who happened to be Eve’s, too.
Yeah, they were all in a state of upheaval right now and this unexpected pregnancy would just toss a stick of dynamite into the fire.
With shaky hands, Eve quickly put the test back in the box and shoved it beneath some trash in the can under the sink. Finally, risking another glance over her shoulder, she peered through the slight opening in the door and noted that Graham was still asleep. He had one toned leg thrown over white sheets, one arm stretched out to the side. Eve closed her eyes and pulled in a deep breath. After the paternity test had proven Graham wasn’t related to her in any way, they’d finally given in to the feelings they’d fought so hard against. They’d been so careful to keep this heated affair a secret. But when their instant attraction had become evident, they’d both gotten backlash from their siblings. Fine, they could sneak around and leave the siblings out of it, right?
Yeah, that had worked for the past six weeks. So much for keeping their families out of their private lives.
Now she was having a baby. A second pregnancy...this one much scarier than the last. This time she knew the ugly horrors that could happen. She’d lived through them, still bore the internal scars, and now she’d have to find a way to push through again. Could fate be that cruel?
Eve slid her hand over her silk chemise. Her flat stomach had once been round, once held another life taken all too soon. As much as she wanted to take her father’s company global and focus on being in charge, she refused to let an innocent baby feel anything but loved and secure. And abo
ve all, this child would not be a victim in the war between the families.
That is, if she made it to full-term.
Fear coursed through her. The fear of telling Graham weighed heavily on her, but the fear of losing another child was absolutely crippling. Going through such grief again might very well destroy her. Added to that, her father was terminal. How much pain could one woman endure and still keep going?
The sheets rustled again and Eve knew she couldn’t hide in the bathroom forever. Graham had come over late last night and they’d quickly tumbled into bed, as was their habit. No sweet-talking, no romantic walks for them. Eve had a passion for Graham and the family feud between the Winchesters and the Newports had no place in their affair.
Unfortunately, their worlds were about to collide in ways they never dreamed.
Stepping back into her bedroom, Eve pulled in a deep breath. Even though her entire world was completely turned upside down, she still had obligations, and Elite Industries needed their new president to be in top form at all times. The man in her bed would have to go because she had a meeting shortly and she needed to prepare. Plus, she needed some time alone to process her situation.
The second Eve crossed the room, Graham’s intense aqua eyes were on her. That heavy-lidded gaze did amazing things to her body. Just one stare, one simple touch, and the man had her under his spell. The potency he projected was unlike anything she’d ever known.
With a cockeyed grin, he jerked back the sheet in a silent invitation for her to join him. He never had to say a word to get her right where he wanted her. There had been an unspoken agreement that this was sex only. Clearly they didn’t want more because they were both married to their jobs and the intensity of their passion was off the charts. A committed relationship couldn’t be this hot this fast. But they were about to enter a committed relationship of a totally different nature.
Eve shook her head. “As much as I’d love to take you up on your offer, I need to get some work done.”
He raised one dark blond brow. “On Sunday morning? I can make you forget all about work.”
Graham Newport could charm the crown from a queen...which was why he was one of Chicago’s finest lawyers. Despite his young age of thirty-two, Graham had made full law partner at Mayer, Mayer and Newport. And it wasn’t just the charm that catapulted him into his prestigious position. That reserved, quiet, yet lethal strength had him soaring to the top.
“Maybe so,” she agreed, trying to sound casual, though the hidden pregnancy test mocked her. “But I have an online meeting later with a group from Australia because it will be their Monday morning.”
Graham sat up, the sheet pooling around his bare, sculpted waist. Raking a hand through his disheveled hair, he sighed. “I hate when you want to be responsible.”
Eve nearly cringed. If he thought she was responsible now, wait until he discovered the pregnancy. But that would have to wait. She needed to cope with this shock first, needed to make sure everything was all right. Granted, everything had appeared to be fine with her last pregnancy...then suddenly it wasn’t.
Even though she and Graham had a physical relationship only, he had every right to know. But until she saw a doctor, she was keeping this news to herself. The last thing she’d ever want anyone to feel was the empty void and crushing ache of losing a child.
“You okay?”
Eve blinked, pulling herself back to the moment. Graham’s aqua eyes held hers. Pasting on a smile, she nodded. “How could I not be after last night?”
Get it together, Eve.
Graham jerked the sheet aside and stalked across the room to gather his clothes. The man was completely comfortable with his body and she was completely comfortable enjoying the view.
Eve smoothed her silk robe with shaky hands before adjusting the covers and pillows on the bed. She needed to focus on something other than the sexy man in her bedroom, who never failed to satisfy her every desire, and the unborn child they’d made.
Graham would demand to know how this happened. She’d told him she was on birth control, and she was. But she’d switched types right about the time of the children’s hospital charity ball...their first night together.
Strong arms circled her waist as she fell back against Graham’s hard chest. Her body instantly responded to his touch and when his lips caressed the side of her neck, Eve couldn’t stop her head from tilting, her lashes from closing and a moan from seeping out. She had no willpower when it came to Graham and the bedroom. Obviously.
“Maybe I could help you with preparing for this meeting,” he muttered against her ear. “I do my best thinking in the shower.”
Eve had been prepared for this meeting for weeks. That was her thing. She was always professional, always prompt, and she always had a plan B. Her spreadsheets had spreadsheets, and her period was never a day late.
Which is how she’d known when she needed to buy a pregnancy test.
And, if Graham really knew her, he would’ve caught her in the lie about needing to get ready for a meeting. He would’ve known she had her notes and speech down pat in order to win over the prospective new company. Which just went to prove, they didn’t know each other very well at all outside the bedroom.
With a quick, effective tug, Graham pulled the knot free on her robe. Eve gripped his hands. “You may think in the shower, but I guarantee I won’t be able to.”
Graham playfully nipped at her earlobe and released her. “You’re always flattering me.”
As if his ego needed any more stroking.
Eve finished making the bed as Graham sat in the corner accent chair and slipped his dress shoes on. The man was hot as hell naked, but designer suits did some amazing things for him. And each time he showed up after work, she had a hard time resisting that GQ look with a touch of unkempt hair going on. How could one look like one needed a haircut and still have the entire Chicago power-lawyer look going?
It was the side eye. He had the sexiest side eye she’d ever seen. He’d tip his head in that George Clooney kind of way and peer at you from beneath those thick lashes. Yeah, those aqua eyes were the main component of his charm to get you hooked. Once he had you under his spell, he pulled you in tighter, snaring you with the rest of all of his seductive ways.
“I actually have a case I’m working on.” He came to his feet and rolled up the sleeves of his black dress shirt. “Brooks and I are meeting later. Say the word, though, and I’ll gladly cancel.”
Laughing, Eve shook her head. “We both have meetings. And if our families keep noticing how you and I are both MIA at the same time, they’re going to stage an intervention.”
Without a word, he closed the space between them, wrapped her in his arms and kissed her. Could something so potent, toe-curling and heart-clenching be summed up in such a simple word as kiss? Being kissed by Graham was an event, something she should prepare for, but there was no way she could ever prepare her body for the onslaught of passion and desire that slammed into her each time he touched her.
He ran his hands up and down her back, the silky material gliding against her skin. Nipping at her lips, he murmured, “I’ll be back tonight.”
With that whispered promise, he released her and walked away. Eve remained still, clutching her robe, staring at the neatly made bed and trying to figure out exactly how this unplanned pregnancy would weave into her perfectly planned life...and how Graham would take the news that he was going to be a father.
* * *
“Sutton will not win in the end,” Brooks threatened. “If it’s the last thing I do, I’ll expose that man for the cheating bastard he is.”
Pinching the bridge of his nose between his finger and thumb, Graham blew out a breath. Sutton Lazarus Winchester had always been a thorn in their side—his real estate business was Newport Corporation’s main competition—but ever since they’d discovered Sutton had had an affair with their mother, Cynthia Newport, things had been much worse.
It had all started when she
had first come to Chicago. Her real name was Amy Jo Turner, which she’d used until she fled her abusive father when she’d been pregnant with twins. With a brand-new name and town, Cynthia had gone to work in a coffee shop, saving money to raise two boys. She’d ultimately been taken under the wing of Gerty, a retired waitress. It was at this coffee shop that Cynthia met Sutton and wound up going to work for him. Cue illicit affair and their half brother, Carson.
The entire string of events was a complete mess. But now that the DNA test was official, Graham and Brooks knew for a fact Sutton wasn’t their father. Which had made Graham’s seduction of Eve possible. The woman kept him tied in knots. He counted down the time to when he could get his hands on her again, have her panting his name and wrapping that curvy body around his.
“Are you even listening?”
Graham dropped his hand to the arm of the leather club chair in his brother’s office and sighed. He was half listening, half fantasizing new ways to make Eve lose control.
“I hear you,” he confirmed. “And I agree. Carson is entitled to an inheritance when Sutton passes. It’s only fair seeing as how Carson is his child, as well. The estate shouldn’t just be split among the girls.”
Sutton’s three daughters were fighting this battle, as well. Nora, Grace and Eve weren’t quite ready to welcome another sibling, but too bad, because the tests proved Carson was indeed a Winchester no matter how many people disliked the fact.
And Graham despised that he and his brothers were technically teaming up against Eve and her sisters. But it was only fair that when Sutton finally passed, Carson got his fair share of what was rightfully his. It would be in the Winchesters’ best interest not to fight this matter because Graham would fight back...and win.
This entire mess was just another reason Graham and Eve had to keep their affair a secret and 100 percent physical. Nothing too heavy, no commitments and nothing long-term.
And no way in hell could their siblings ever come to know the full truth of just how hot their attraction burned. They’d not been too secretive about their initial attraction, but quickly discovered discretion was the best way to go. Considering what he and Eve did was no one’s business, they’d opted to take things to the bedroom and ignore the turmoil surrounding them.
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