Claiming His Pregnant Innocent
Page 1
“I’m expecting your baby.”
Lily has no choice—she must marry Bastian!
When Lily meets the landlord threatening to evict her, she doesn’t expect gorgeous tycoon Bastian Carrera! Heated antagonism leads to an extraordinarily sensual encounter, and shocking consequences. To claim his child—and the woman with whom he found such bliss—Bastian demands Lily meet him at the altar. But with only his ring to give, can she ever truly be his?
“I’m not saying we should act as if nothing happened. To tell you the truth, we can’t.”
“What do you mean?”
Lily’s insides were already churning with crazy feelings of hope mingled with anxiety. Seeing Bastian again, the last...the very last thing she could do was pretend indifference to the situation.
“Are you trying to tell me that there’s someone else on the scene? Is that why you want to forget about what happened?”
The affront in his voice took her aback. Tucking a stray strand of pale gold hair back into her bun where it had drifted free, it wasn’t easy to keep her hands from trembling. “There isn’t anyone else...and I can hardly forget what happened when—”
“When what?” He leaned forward, his hands on his knees as if immediately ready to spring to his feet and confront anything he found remotely disagreeable.
Understandably nervous, her heart racing like a greyhound’s out of the trap, Lily lifted her head and bravely met the Italian’s glowering stare. This was no time to give way to fear, she told herself.
“When I find myself expecting your baby.”
Maggie Cox is passionate about stories that can uplift and transport people out of their daily worries to a more magical place, be they romance novels or fairy tales. What people want most, she believes, is true connection. She feels blessed to be married to a lovely man who never fails to make her laugh, and has two beautiful sons and two much-loved grandchildren.
Books by Maggie Cox
Harlequin Presents
Required to Wear the Tycoon’s Ring
A Rule Worth Breaking
The Man She Can’t Forget
The Tycoon’s Delicious Distraction
In Petrakis’s Power
Bought: For His Convenience or Pleasure?
Secret Heirs of Billionaires
The Sheikh’s Secret Son
Seven Sexy Sins
A Taste of Sin
In Bed with the Boss
The Millionaire Boss’s Baby
Secretary Mistress, Convenient Wife
Visit the Author Profile page at Harlequin.com for more titles.
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MAGGIE COX
Claiming His Pregnant Innocent
To all my friends who’ve been unstinting in their love and support over the past difficult few months. Maggie x
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
EPILOGUE
EXCERPT FROM DA ROCHA'S CONVENIENT HEIR BY LYNNE GRAHAM
CHAPTER ONE
‘WHAT DO YOU MEAN, the tenant wants more time to consider her position? Are you telling me she’s refusing to vacate?’
Bastian Carrera couldn’t believe what he’d just heard. It was the last thing he wanted to hear after spending the past month enthusiastically talking to buyers overseas in a bid to increase his family-owned company’s market share of organic olive oil, and the day after tomorrow he would be out of the country again.
He’d returned home to Italy for a ‘pit stop’ before heading out to Brazil—not just on business, but to lecture. His family business was one of the leaders in its field, and many people were interested in how it had achieved its phenomenal success. The family might have the kind of personal wealth that most people could only dream of, and at thirty-six Bastian could have long ago taken things more easily if he’d wanted to, but he still took a personal interest in all aspects of the business.
However, the troubled expression on his father’s bronzed, lined face now couldn’t help but disturb him. It conveyed the guilt the older man plainly felt at not being able to give his son better news.
Just before Bastian had left he’d given notice to his tenants to quit the stone-built cottages they rented so they could begin work on the remaining acreage and get the rest of their land certified as organic. It generally took around three years to have the land converted, and his intention was to plant more groves with the finest organic olive trees.
For generations his family had established itself as one of the best olive oil producers in Italy and it had made their fortune, but it had never been just about making money. Their aim was to provide people with the very best produce they could deliver, and to that end Bastian took every chance he could to make improvements.
His father sighed. ‘No... She is not exactly refusing, but—’
‘Did you make it clear that she hasn’t a choice about whether she goes or stays? That we need the land for conversion?’
Reddening a little, Alberto Carrera shifted one shoulder. ‘I did. But the lady doesn’t want to go. She has not so long ago got divorced and is hoping to reignite her career. The light in the villeta is perfect for her work, she says, and she has set up her easel under the skylight.’
‘And who is she...? A student of one of the great masters?’ Unsympathetic, his son scowled.
‘She is not that kind of artist. Lily is an illustrator of children’s books and she says it is her right to remain in the villeta since she has signed a lease for two years and so far has only been renting for six months.’
The younger man scowled again and let loose a colourful curse. But, whatever emotion his expression might suggest, his visage was compelling—strong-boned and handsome as sin. Alberto proudly told people that his son’s looks came from his mother’s side...that all her family had been exceptionally beautiful. His only son was his last link to Annalisa, the enchanting girl he had fallen head over heels in love with all those years ago and lost far too soon when she’d died giving birth...
‘And did you offer this woman the compensation we discussed and tell her we would find her somewhere equally suitable?’
‘Yes, I did, son. But my sense is that she is not going to be so easily persuaded—and I can’t blame her.’
Impatient now, Bastian dropped his hands to his hips, his dark eyes flashing, ‘What do you mean, you can’t blame her? You sound as though this woman has put you under some kind of spell, Father! I have just two days before business takes me abroad again and I need to know the land conversion is in hand before I go. Never mind... I will go and speak to her myself.’
As he descended the grand stucco steps of the family’s house he was glad to get some air. His heart was pounding with indignant fury at this woman who imagined she could bend his father’s will to suit her own. How dare she try and take advantage of him when Bastian wasn’t around, perhaps seeing an opportunity to wear him down? He would soon set her straight...
On his way to the comparatively modest stone cottage that his ancestors had built, he reflected some more
on its stubborn occupant.
Not that he knew her or had even laid eyes on her. He left that part of the business to his father.
Alberto had become a little less able since his heart attack a year ago, and Bastian wanted him to keep his duties to a minimum. Along with the family’s housekeeper, Dolores, they had a loyal workforce who tended the land and oversaw the olive growing, and Bastian himself quite often helped out because he loved being close to the earth. In his opinion, its scent was like no other...
His father hadn’t complained too much about his new duties, thank God, and his son guessed he was only too aware that age was catching up with him. He’d practically worked himself into the ground, helping to build up the business, and the heart attack had quite rightly scared him...
Reaching the house that was set back from the olive groves, and gave its occupants plenty of privacy if privacy was what they sought, he negotiated the narrow stone steps with his usual agility. As he glanced up at one of the two wrought-iron balconies set beneath the sloping roof, with its plethora of red bougainvillea spilling through the decorative bars, he took a moment to breathe in the fragrance that saturated the air.
His tension started to ease. It was good to be home again, even if it wasn’t for very long.
Quickly he remembered his reason for visiting and rapped commandingly on the door. In his view it was important that he immediately gained the upper hand with his recalcitrant tenant and did not give her any advantage. At least that was the plan.
But the door opened suddenly and his gaze fell on a green-eyed fair-haired beauty who stood before him, barefoot and tousle-haired, in a sleeveless multi-coloured striped dress that couldn’t help but pay homage to a body so slender she might have been a prima ballerina. All his plans flew out the window...
‘Can I help you?’ she asked, her pretty, unadorned mouth clearly unsure as to whether to smile or not.
Where do I start? he thought. The shocking waves of potent want and need that swept through him powerfully just then all but stopped him from speaking. It was like being scorched inside and out, and he feared burning in the flames...
Hurriedly collecting himself, he replied, ‘Signora Alexander? I am Bastian Carerra...your landlord.’
‘You mean you’re Alberto’s son?’
Now her lips did shape a smile. Was there a woman alive who was immune to his father’s charm? Bastian mused. He could hardly believe this woman had been married and divorced, though. There was a real ‘untouched’ air about her...
‘That’s right. Can I come in? I’d like a word with you.’
Despite the heat of the day, he knew his tone was a little frosty. No matter how attractive Lily Alexander was, he’d make no bones about demanding she leave. After all, business was business, and he wouldn’t let the demands of his libido override his common sense...
‘We’ll go into the sitting room. We can talk there,’ she suggested. ‘But first of all can I get you a drink?’
‘No. I’d prefer it if we just talked.’
As she led this somewhat serious Italian into the charmingly homespun living room, with its very agreeable little balcony outside the French doors and in the distance a superlative view of the sea, Lily’s heartbeat skipped a little.
The younger Carerra might appear somewhat humourless, but no one could deny he was hot... With his mussed dark hair touching his shoulders, prominent cheekbones and those sultry brown eyes that could make any woman melt if he looked at them directly, he certainly stirred the senses. And it didn’t hurt that he wore his white cambric shirt and light blue jeans in an easy way that suggested he never had to worry about what he wore... That fit, toned body of his guaranteed that he’d look good in just about anything.
Catching herself, she realised it had been a very long time since she’d looked at a man with anywhere near longing. Life with a husband who hadn’t been interested in intimacy had seen to that. In any case, she wouldn’t let this pointless impulse to get to know the handsome Italian detract from her goal to continue renting the villeta. Coming here had given her the freedom she needed to concentrate on her work and earn a better living.
She’d always thought herself blessed to have artistic skills, even if it had bemused her logically minded ex-husband.
‘I can’t pretend I understand your devotion to this drawing you do when you could easily have a much better-paid career if you put your mind to it,’ he’d declared.
The problem was, Marc put all his energy into working as a broker in the City, and to him money was the only thing worth having. Lily should have known from the start that his values were a million miles away from hers. But her search for more stability in her life and her decision to marry a man with money and property, who could provide her with security, had led her completely astray.
Yes, Marc was attractive, engaging and witty, and when they’d first dated he’d regularly told her how much he enjoyed being with her, that he liked her better than any other woman he’d dated. What was not to like? But her feelings of friendship towards him had sadly not blossomed into desire.
On that subject, she’d become doubtful that she even had it in her to feel such an emotion.
In truth, what had started out as an enjoyable friendship categorically should never have led to marriage. That much was clear. Shortly after they were married their relationship had very quickly lost its way. Added to that, Lily had quickly grown to despise the phoney London life they’d lived, because she hadn’t been able to relate to his friends and colleagues who, in her opinion, put money and possessions over everything that was natural and good.
It hadn’t been the life she would have chosen if she’d utilised some common sense and their divorce had been both inevitable and welcome. When she’d received her Decree Absolute a year ago she had determined never to do anything so foolish again as to marry someone she barely even knew. No, she would be much more sensible.
Knowing she could earn money from her craft was the one advantage she had in her favour. Along with her savings, it meant that she wouldn’t have to depend on alimony. Yet Marc had still insisted she accept a generous cheque from him in order to help her get started in her new life. His reason for doing so was that he wanted them to remain friends and part amicably.
The charmingly aged Italian villeta she’d found provided her with just the surroundings she’d been looking for. It was the perfect place for her to work on her book illustrations and hopefully restore some confidence in herself. Particularly after a marriage that had made her doubt she would ever find a man who would truly desire her, or she him.
Perhaps she just didn’t have what it took for that?
‘Why don’t we sit down?’ she suggested, indicating the somewhat battered wine-coloured sofa while electing to sit in the chintz-covered armchair herself.
As Bastian settled himself Lily noticed that his hands rested on his knees, as though he might easily spring into action should the need arise. That surely suggested a man who found it hard to contain his energy and relax. Already sensing that he wanted to get their business over and done with as soon as possible, she hoped his impatience wouldn’t steer her towards trying to ameliorate him.
‘You remember a few weeks ago we gave you notice to vacate the property?’ he began.
Her smooth brow furrowed. ‘Yes. I was told that you needed the land for planting.’
‘Well, I understand from my father that you’ve changed your mind about leaving?’
‘I didn’t agree with the request in the first place and I told him so. When I rented this place I signed a legal document that stated the period of rental was two years. So far I’ve only been here six months’
‘I’m well aware of that, signora, but I hoped that our offer of financial compensation would take care of any inconvenience caused—as well as our promise to find you somewhere equally suitable for your requirements.
’
Releasing a sigh, she sat up a little straighter. ‘It’s not just about practical considerations. I’ve—I’ve grown to love this place. Being here has helped me find the inspiration I was looking for.’
Lifting an enquiring dark brow, Bastian folded his arms. ‘You have had trouble finding it elsewhere?’
‘I had what you might call a dry period. I made an unwise decision and life got rather difficult for me for a while. Consequently I lost faith in my ability.’
With a helpless shudder she caught hold of her hands to stop them trembling, but she knew her companion hadn’t failed to miss their slight quiver.
Why had she been so candid with him? She should learn to think before she spoke! Now he would probably suspect she wasn’t entirely confident about their upcoming chat and that perhaps she was unsure as to where she stood regarding the legalities of her rental.
His deep brown eyes unsettled her with their frank intensity.
‘But presumably your publishers still want your work?’
‘Yes, they do. I illustrate the stories of a well-known children’s writer, and so far I haven’t had any complaints. The books are doing very well in spite of my recent challenges.’
‘You do not wish to write your own stories and illustrate them?’
Funny he should ask that. It was one of her long-held dreams.
Lily swallowed hard. The knowing smile that dimpled his bronzed cheek was disconcerting. Now she trembled for a different reason... If he worked for MI6 he could probably persuade any female perpetrator of crime to confess immediately.
It shook her to her core to think of what that effortlessly sexy smile of his could do to a woman...
‘Yes, I do. I’ve already written a couple but... Well, it’s not an easy profession to get into.’
‘So better to stick with what you know? Is that what you’re saying?’
Indignant heat flooded her. ‘I’m not saying that at all. I just think it’s best to deal with one thing at a time.’
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