The Despirate deal

the penthouse lik

inked against the soft light pouring in through tall windows, her body warm,

n was

, a trace of everything that had happened between them last night. Th

n? Their agreement was supposed to be clean-cut. No emotions. No entan

door snapped her o

n, smiling profes

u that your pre-op medical checkup is scheduled for ten. A car wil

d. "Thank

flickering in her eyes. "There's a woman here

od ran col

downstairs lounge. S

y, already reaching fo

-

her ribs as she descended into a part of her life she thoug

ned, her worst fea

egs crossed, nails painted blood

polished,

arms spread like they were still chi

ed. "You didn't even inv

d. "You weren't in

hed. "Touchy

whistle. "Well, you certainly traded up. From maid

er arms. "Why

amusement-and something darke

s. She probably s

ear you married Adrian Blackwood. Do you know how many women i

. She didn't need

ve to wonder... What exactly did you offer him to seal the deal? Pity

d into a fist. "Y

you should know... the past doesn't stay buried forever. Espe

nd sauntered toward the exit, her he

-

suite to get ready for the doct

't just a coincidenc

rning ab

-jeans and a blouse-and tied her hair back. She didn't want to wo

the entrance and led her into a private wing where her assigned

is morning-bloodwork, ultrasound, and a minor physical exam. Nothing in

ed, tryin

s, and met with specialists who explained every step of the upcoming proce

terrifi

o longer alone. Adrian had

t wha

-

Lena returned to the pent

d up, drink in hand. He looked at

she sai

voice was e

s if unsure how to cross the invisibl

d his throat. "You dis

e up a

his drink. "I ha

a visit fro

snapped up. "Y

d up here. Said my step

n sharply. "I don't

linked

care about you. Th

, surprised by th

dle them,"

irmly. "You sho

p. For once, someone wanted to protect her-not becaus

closer. "Did sh

e it clear that they're no

ll make it clear to them th

t tight. "Why are

moment, then brushed a str

people get used. Especially

eath c

say anything else, he l

ed her cheek as his lips moved against hers, asking for something mor

ouched her. Nothing business-like in the way he

apart, breathless, Lena p

ed," she

I," he

want to pre

. "Then w

, Lena wondered if maybe-just maybe-this despe

-