Total pages in book: 29
Estimated words: 27565 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 138(@200wpm)___ 110(@250wpm)___ 92(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 27565 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 138(@200wpm)___ 110(@250wpm)___ 92(@300wpm)
But still. Disappointment sits heavy in my heart at his absence because I really wanted to tell Liam about the pregnancy. I wanted to make it special too, so I’m already decked out in a sparkly demi-bra and matching g-string, with the special stilettos that look like they have heels made of crystal. But the man isn’t coming home anytime soon, and so I pull on my silky robe before carefully placing one of the pregnancy tests right next to his plate. He often eats after getting home, and I know he’ll see it. Then I march upstairs, determined to get my beauty sleep because I’m an expectant mama and I need to take especial care of myself … after all, I’m shielding Liam Carrington’s baby inside my belly now.
8
Avalon
Oddly, I didn’t hear Liam come in last night, although the sheets next to me were tangled, indicating that he slept there. His pillow was depressed and the closet door was open, so he definitely came home, got undressed, got in bed, and then left again for work. But I suppose I was sleeping the sleep of the dead, and maybe Liam didn’t want to disturb me. Maybe pregnant ladies just conk out more, since we’re tired from gestating a child inside. The memory warms me again to know that I’m expecting a Carrington child.
But still, why didn’t Liam wake me? Usually, he pulls me close to that huge form, my back against his broad chest, and I sigh with contentment. Then, I’ll feel something nudge against the softness of my thighs and before I realize it, that massive shaft is penetrating my wetness, my body obeying the command of Liam’s more powerful one. More than once, I’ve fallen asleep straight after too, and woken in the morning to find his semen sticky on my thighs. It’s a wonderful way to begin the day, and I always smile like a Cheshire Cat, knowing that I’ve pleased my man.
But this morning, Liam was nowhere to be seen and there was no telltale wetness on my thighs so I know we didn’t make love in the grey light of dawn. Puzzled, I got up and got dressed, before putting his mysterious absence out of my head. Then, I ate a solitary breakfast downstairs before retreating to the library to peruse my latest thriller.
The story is amazing actually. It’s about a housemaid who works for a young suburban couple in Paris. Unfortunately, everything’s not as it seems with the perfect couple, and … dun, dun, dun… there’s a murder! I read raptly, consuming the pages at quicksilver pace while eating bonbons and sipping on herbal tea. Then, my phone rings, and I pick up. It’s an unknown caller, but I know that Liam uses a special service that jumbles his number so that it's undetectable. He doesn’t always want people to know it’s the CEO on the other side.
“Hello?” I ask, slightly breathless.
“Is this Avalon Leigh?” a pleasant male voice speaks. Oh, it’s not Liam, and immediately, walls come up.
“Yes, this is Avalon. Who’s this?”
“My name is Jimmy Warren, and I’m Mr. Carrington’s personal attorney. He may have spoken of me in the past?”
I pause.
“No, in fact he hasn’t mentioned you,” I say in a guarded voice. “Why?”
“Well, I’m calling on behalf of Mr. Carrington. I understand that you’re expecting his child.”
My eyes widen because how would he know? Duh, because Liam must have told him. My fingers white-knuckle on my cell as my heart begins to pound. Why is Liam’s personal lawyer calling me about my pregnancy? This can’t be good.
“Yes, I’m expecting a baby with Mr. Carrington,” I say in a tense voice. “Why?”
Jimmy Warren clears his throat.
“Well, I’ve been instructed to discuss your future plans with respect to the child, and to make any settlements as needed.”
“I plan on keeping my baby,” I say in a terse voice. “Why, was there something else?”
“No, of course not,” Mr. Warren says courteously. “Mr. Carrington is more than excited to become a father again. However, as a man of ultra-high net worth, you can understand why it’s important that he settle these matters in a manner that’s both fair to him, and fair to the child and the child’s mother. He wants what’s best for his progeny, and we find that careful planning, collaboration, and goal-setting have worked well in the past.”
“What do you mean, in the past?” I ask, perplexed. “This is my first baby.”
“Yes, of course. I’m sorry I wasn’t more clear. Mr. Carrington has two children already, with two different women. He wants all of his children to be on equal footing, and thus made offers to both Magda and Belinda, Madison and Ellie’s mothers. We would like to make the same offer to you.”
My face goes hot, although my palms are now ice cold. A sweat breaks out on my brow and my armpits become clammy and damp because clearly, this is a business call. We might be discussing a baby created from love, but to Liam, this is nothing but a transaction. How could I have been so foolish as to think it could be something more?