Kissing her still-flat stomach one more time, he came to his feet and framed her face, taking her mouth once again. This time his hands roamed all on their own—one cupped her breast, the other slid down her abdomen to settle between her legs. As she grasped his shoulders, she widened her stance and tilted her hips, silently showing him what she needed, what he wanted to give.
He stroked his hand over her. Her quick breath, her arched back, the water sluicing all around them had him gritting his teeth to hold himself in check.
“Anthony…I’m…”
She shattered against him and he watched her head tilt back against the tile, eyes closed, mouth slightly open as she cried out. When her body ceased trembling, he led her to the tiled bench seat along one of the back walls of the shower. When he sat down, she came to stand between his legs.
With her hands on either side of his face, she looked down at him and smiled. “I love you, Anthony.”
His heart swelled and he knew that this second chance they were taking was certainly not deserved on his part, but he was so thankful, he was going to grasp it with both hands and never let go. No matter the fear he had of this second baby, he would be strong and take charge as head of this family.
He gripped her waist and pulled her forward until she rested a leg on either side of his thighs. Once she straddled him, he smoothed her wet hair back from her face and laughed.
“What?” she asked.
“We’re going to drown if we stay in here much longer.”
She smiled, wrapping her arms around his neck. “I think we’ll be fine.”
At the same time her lips claimed his, she sank down on him. Damn that woman knew how to move. He should’ve known she’d take control as soon as he let his guard down. But if getting pushed around by a woman who wanted him was punishment, he’d gladly pay the penalty.
As her hips rocked back and forth, he tore his mouth from hers to capture a breast. One thing hadn’t changed in their ups and downs…he still loved her body and thoroughly enjoyed showing her.
When she picked up the rhythm, he gripped her waist and enjoyed the slide of her body beneath his hands. She grabbed hold of his shoulders and leaned her forehead against his as she shook, her eyes locked on his. And that’s when he finally relinquished control.
He let the climax and the woman of his dreams take him over the edge.
Fourteen
“Be honest about this pregnancy. How do you feel?”
Searching for the right words to answer Charlotte’s question, Anthony stared down at the flickering orange-and-red flames licking around the marred wood.
Charlotte had put Lily to bed while he’d gotten the fire pit all set up and pulled two cozy chaise lounge chairs close by. They’d sat in silence for several minutes and he knew she was thinking. He also knew she’d want him to open up about this baby.
“I’m anxious to see you grow with my child,” he told her honestly. “But I’d be a fool not to be scared about bringing another innocent into the mix.”
Silence once again settled between them. Anthony wondered if he’d said the wrong thing, but he had to be straight. He would’ve kept the fear to himself, but she’d asked and he wasn’t about to lie.
“But you know I’m a firm believer in fate and that everything happens for a reason,” he went on. “I also know that once we get back to L.A. and start talking to a marriage counselor, that should reinforce the foundation of our marriage.”
Charlotte reached the narrow distance between the chairs and clasped his hand. “Well, you’re willing to talk to someone—that’s a big step in the right direction. You’re already so wonderful with Lily. Just imagine how amazing it will be to hold your very own child.”
Now he would have two children and Charlotte depending on him. Financial dependence didn’t worry him at all. Yet he was just getting back what he wanted and now he was blindsided by Lily and another baby. But he wasn’t lying when he said he believed everything happened for a reason. He only hoped and prayed the timing was right and that they could indeed make this work.
If Charlie ever walked away from him again, he was certain he wouldn’t be able to handle it.
“I won’t let you down,” he told her, waiting until her eyes met his. “Never again.”
For so long he’d thought all she needed was a padded bank account, a lavish house to throw parties and the backing to keep her donations to the Children’s Hospital up-to-date, but she’d really only needed one thing: love. His undivided attention, unconditional love and never-ending support. She’d need that love now more than ever and so would these innocent babies.
And after all they’d been through, he deserved nothing, yet she continued to give everything…even a baby. He only prayed she would stay after the ninety days.
“I love you, Charlotte. I never told you enough, but I love you more than I can say and you give me so much more than I deserve.”
“You gave me something, too.” Her free hand settled over her flat belly. “But what if something happens? God, Anthony, I’m scared to death.”
He pulled their joined hands up to his mouth and kissed hers. “I’ve already told you, this baby will be fine. You and I are obviously fighters or we wouldn’t still be together. Our baby will be strong, healthy and beautiful, just like her mother.”
And in the next several months, he would work on a way to nail this director job with Bronson, gain custody of Lily permanently and cement this bridge that kept collapsing between him and Charlotte. He never again wanted to feel vulnerable or out of control. He refused to lose anything he cared about ever again.
* * *
“What are you doing?” Charlotte laughed.
Anthony peered from behind the leather sofa with a small movie camera in hand, the red light blinking.
“Filming the two of you playing on the floor,” he explained as he crawled on his knees with one hand on the floor.
Charlotte picked up another oversized block and stacked it on top the others. “And this requires you to crawl?”
He grinned from behind the camera. “I wanted to get down here on your level. If I’m standing above you I don’t capture the moment as well.”
Charlotte rolled her eyes and looked at Lily, who was chewing and slobbering all over a red block with her big blue eyes fixed on Anthony. “Did you hear that, sweetheart? Uncle Anthony is always the director, even in his downtime.”
Anthony hit a switch that caused the camera to beep, then set the device down on the floor. “Charlotte, I didn’t mean for you to think—”
“Anthony.” She looked over at him, seeing the sincerity on his handsome face. “I’m kidding. I’m glad you’re taking home movies of Lily. I wasn’t implying anything else. Okay?”
He smiled, put the camera back up into position and clicked the button again. “And here are my two favorite ladies,” he said, more than likely for the camera. “Playing blocks on our last day at the lake.”
Charlotte glanced toward the window and sighed. “I wish it would clear up. I’d love to take Lily for a walk, but I’m pretty tired after yesterday.”
And last night, but she wouldn’t say that with the camera running. Who knew who would watch that film in later years.
“Olivia and Victoria are anxious for us to get home,” Anthony told her. “They’ll be at the house tomorrow to see our little Lily Bug.”
Charlotte was pretty anxious herself to see Anthony’s birth mother and sister in the privacy of their own home. Too often where Olivia Dane went, some sort of media entourage followed. Besides, she wanted them to get to know Lily better and share the good news of the second baby on the way.
She smiled at Anthony. “We’re pretty blessed, aren’t we?”
He moved the camera away from his face for just a moment, and she caught the
flicker of a smile and a twinkle in his eyes. “Beyond what I deserve.”
Charlotte continued building with the blocks, showing Lily how they stacked, but the eight-month-old was more interested in squealing and knocking them back down. There was no way she could be around this baby and not smile. She was too precious, too full of life. And Rachel was missing it all.
Tears filled her eyes. One escaped and slid down her cheek.
Anthony put the camera aside and moved toward her, taking a seat beside her. “Hey, what’s wrong? You were just smiling.”
“My mind wandered,” she told him, handing Lily another block. “Every time I’m playing with her or rocking her, I think of Rachel. I feel sick knowing she’ll never see this sweet baby grow up. Then I wonder how you’d get along with Lily and our baby if something happened to me.”
Anthony put an arm around her, squeezing her close against his side. “Dry those tears, Charlie. We are the happiest we’ve been in a long time.”
“You haven’t talked about Rachel very much.” Charlotte nestled her head against his shoulder, breathing in his masculine scent, relishing his strong, secure hold. “I worry that you keep so much bottled inside, Anthony.”
He kissed the top of her head. “I think of her nearly all day. I’m sad Lily won’t know how loving her mother was, but what we can do to make sure Rachel’s legacy lives on is to talk about Rachel and show Lily pictures as she gets older. I definitely want Rachel to be part of this.”
Charlotte’s heart melted. “I couldn’t agree more. Lily needs to know how much her mother wanted her, how much she was loved.”
Lily tossed a wet, slobbery block that bounced right off Anthony’s forehead.
“Well, at least she’s got good aim,” he laughed. “Maybe she’ll be a softball player.”
Charlotte laughed through her tears, thankful for the life she’d been given.
Fifteen
“Oh, my darling. Let me see that baby.”
Charlotte stood at the base of the steps holding Lily when Olivia, the Grand Dane herself, barely had taken a step into their Hollywood Hills home. The woman was even more beautiful than the movies had made her out to be. She was stunning, classy and overly thrilled to be called “Grandma.” Quite a juxtaposition.
“Come on, Lily Bug,” Anthony said, taking the excited baby from Charlotte’s arms and handing her over to his mother. “She’s a bit squirmy today.”
Olivia’s face lit up as she took the baby. “Oh, I love her. She’s just the sweetest little angel. Yes, you are.”
Charlotte smiled and cautiously moved forward when Anthony extended his hand to her. This was what she’d missed growing up. Togetherness, the bond that comes from unconditional, familial love.
“I’m so glad you could come, Mrs. Dane.”
Olivia waved a hand. “Oh, call me Olivia, darling. We’re family, for heaven’s sake.”
Just then the door opened once more and a stunning beauty stepped in. “Sorry. I had to finish that call,” Victoria said, sliding her phone into her designer handbag.
Charlotte stepped forward and smiled. “Welcome to our home. If you’d like to come into the living room, Anthony can get your bags.”
“Sure thing.” He closed the gap and gave Victoria a kiss on her cheek. “You can hold Lily if you can get her away from Olivia.”
Victoria looked over to her mother, who was cooing with silly puckered lips. “Oh, I’ll get her away,” she assured. “I have to hold that baby.”
Charlotte led them into the open living area where one entire wall was filled with floor-to-ceiling windows and glass double doors to allow any guest to enjoy the beautiful view of the lush flower gardens. Charlotte had always worked very closely with the groundskeepers and prided herself on maintaining the gardens with a tropical feeling.
She had no reason to be nervous with Olivia and Victoria staying here. Anthony had invited them to spend the weekend as a family and Charlotte thought that was a great idea. To see him embracing every aspect of his family, trying to mold the two sets together, really warmed her heart. He had taken a giant leap from living and breathing movies to becoming a family man. She wanted him to be able to do both, but she was certainly relieved that he’d opened his eyes to the fact that his career had become an obsession.
“This is just gorgeous,” Victoria said, running her hand along the marble mantel. “I’m thinking of renovating my home and I’ve been looking at some marble chips.”
Charlotte came to stand beside Victoria. “I love this shade of gray. It’s dark enough to look black, but soft enough not to be so harsh.”
“You are too precious. Yes, you are.”
Charlotte and Victoria looked at each other and laughed at Olivia’s baby talk across the room.
“My mother has wanted a baby in this family forever,” Victoria added. “Between Lily and Bella, Bronson and Mia’s baby, the heat is off me for a while.”
Charlotte forced herself not to touch her stomach. They didn’t know about the pregnancy yet, and since this was Anthony’s family, she’d let him decide when to make the happy announcement.
“Do you want children?” Charlotte asked, then realized she’d always hated when people asked her that. “Sorry, that’s not really my business.”
Victoria reached over, patting her arm. “No need to apologize. I’d love to fill my house with babies. I just have some career goals I’d like to accomplish first.”
Charlotte glanced over to Lily, Olivia and Anthony. “We’ve only been her guardian for a few weeks, but she’s certainly changed our lives. I love her so much.”
“This little sweetie would be impossible not to love.”
Olivia held Lily up in the air, puckered her lips and made even more silly noises.
Victoria laughed and leaned over to Charlotte. “If you want to do anything at all, like take a few hours and read a book or go shopping, do it while my mother is here. She will do everything for this baby. You and Anthony could leave the house and she wouldn’t even notice.”
Watching Olivia with Lily gave her a sense of belonging. Lily wasn’t related to Olivia in any way, shape or form, but the woman had instantly taken to her as if she was her very own.
This bond the Dane family had wasn’t just a show for the media and the paparazzi. They were genuine and caring and perfect for her and Anthony at this stage in their lives. Perfect for the baby she carried and for Lily.
“Would you two like anything to drink or eat?” Charlotte asked, feeling that she should at least offer something to her guests. “I made some banana muffins earlier and I was thinking of grilling fish for dinner.”
Olivia threw her a glance and smiled. “Darling, sit down. We don’t need to be waited on.”
“Nothing for me, thanks.” Victoria moved to sit on the sofa, obviously trying to get to Lily. “I snacked the whole way here and I need to stop that. I get the munchies when I’m creating a new design.”
Feeling more relaxed with Anthony’s new family, Charlotte sat next to Victoria on the sofa. “What are you working on? Can I ask?”
“Oh, I don’t mind talking shop,” Victoria told her, crossing her long legs and easing back onto the cushions. “I’m in the middle of drawing up a few wedding gown designs for my friend Stefan. He’s the prince of Galini Isle, a small island country off the coast of Greece, and since this will be for the princess and soon-to-be queen and I’ve never designed wedding dresses, I’m a little nervous. I’ve never met his fiancée, so that’s why I’m working on several choices for her.”
Olivia, still bouncing a happy, giggly Lily, said, “Oh, you have no reason to worry. They wanted the best and they’ve got her. Your gowns are unique and exquisite. Besides, you and Stefan go way back, honey. He wouldn’t have asked if he had any doubts.”
Victoria s
ighed. “I hope the bride is happy with Stefan choosing the designer, Mom.”
Charlotte couldn’t imagine designing for royalty. She couldn’t even imagine knowing royalty. Talk about glamorous.
“I’m sure other designers will have copies of your gown within days after the ceremony,” Olivia added. “You’ll be busier than you already are. One of these days you’re going to have to slow down.”
Anthony sat up straighter on the arm of the sofa and laughed. “Slow down? Is that Olivia Dane giving advice on slowing down?”
“Exactly,” Victoria chimed in. “She’ll never work at anything other than warp speed.”
Anthony glanced across the room and winked. Charlotte nearly melted. He looked so happy, so bright with his family here.
He’d asked her to give him ninety days until the hearing for Lily’s permanent guardianship, but Charlotte knew after their weeks away in Tahoe they would last much, much longer than three months.
And she couldn’t wait until the hearing so Lily was legally and permanently theirs.
“Would you like to tell them our news?” Anthony asked during a lull in the conversation, still smiling across the room.
Charlotte swallowed as both women turned to look at her. “Why don’t you?”
“We’re expecting,” he said proudly. “Should be a spring baby.”
Olivia squealed with delight, causing Lily to squeal as well and clap her hands. “Oh, I wanted grandbabies so badly and here I’m going to have three within one year. I am a blessed woman.”
Victoria leaned over and hugged Charlotte. “That’s wonderful. How are you feeling?”
Charlotte couldn’t get over the way these women were talking with her as if they’d known her forever and they were very eager to hear about her life. Did they know about the separation she and Anthony had had for several months? If they did, they were being very discreet and noble about it. Thank God, because she really wanted to move forward and celebrate their marriage and babies.
“I’m okay. I get a little queasy in the evenings, but nothing in the mornings, as the books say.”
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