“I thought you would at least be interested in hearing about her.”
There was a flicker of something in his eyes, but it was gone as quickly as it appeared. “Another time.” He made a show of checking his watch. “I have to go. You’re welcome to stay and have lunch, on me.”
The dismissal hurt more than I thought it would. “I’d rather not.” I clenched my jaw and stood as well. “I was stupid to think you were human and had some semblance of a heart.”
“Says the woman who kept my alleged daughter from me for almost two years.”
“Don’t turn this on me,” I snapped. “I’ve already explained my side of the story, but you’re just going to blow me off without a second thought? Fine! You can be angry with me all you want. I probably deserve it. But remember, this isn’t about you and me. There’s another person involved, one I care about more than life itself. She’s an amazing kid, and you’re going to regret not getting to know her.”
I forced myself to take a deep breath, trying to calm down before I said something I’d regret. “If you change your mind, you know how to reach me.” I wasn’t going to let him have the final word. I wasn’t going to let him be the one to walk away from me—from Nylah.
As I moved past him, his hand shot out to grab my elbow, firmly enough to make me pause and glance up at him. We were so close my breasts grazed his chest. I could feel the heat radiating from him. The smell of his expensive cologne invaded my nostrils, and I found myself taking a step back.
Marcus peered down at me, and in that split second, his expression softened. “It was good to see you again, Ella.”
My heart skipped a beat.
No, I thought to myself. No. Don’t fall for those eyes again. You have to think of Nylah. This is about her. Not you.
But, I knew I couldn’t leave in anger, even though it still simmered within me. “You, too, Marcus. I hope—” I didn’t finish my sentence and pulled away, turning from him before tears rolled down my face. I had to get out of there.
3
Marcus
Lucy was talking, but I had yet to hear a single word she’d said.
My lunch with Ella had been hours ago, and I hadn’t been able to focus since. I hadn’t accomplished a single thing once I’d returned to my office.
As soon as I’d laid my eyes on Ella, I had been blown away by her beauty, again. That heart-shaped face, those eyes, that wide smile, her delicious curves, her ass … it was all as stunning as I remembered. But any thoughts of bringing her up to my penthouse and burying my dick between her slick folds had vanished the second she turned serious.
When Ella told me her daughter was mine, my mind had gone blank.
Completely.
I prided myself on my ability to handle any situation, yet I wasn’t prepared for this one. My dismissal of her had been purely self-serving. I needed time to process and think—which I couldn’t do while she sat in front of me, staring with those round hazel eyes.
Kids weren’t completely off the table, but they sure as hell weren’t part of my five-year plan. I had been extremely careful with my past conquests.
Ella had been the only one-night stand I’d had without protection.
And apparently, she’d had my kid.
I wasn’t an idiot. I knew the pill failing wasn’t unheard of and tended to happen more often than people realized. We had been consenting adults, and we were both responsible. If the kid was mine, I would do right by her.
After all, I wasn’t a complete bastard.
But the random timing of her admission gave me cause for concern.
I had sensed she wasn’t telling me something and, yet, I believed her when she claimed she didn’t want money. I’d been around plenty of gold diggers and believed I could spot the differences. Ella’s clothes had been stylish and well taken care of. Not expensive, but clearly new and well cared for. She had also walked away from a free meal without even hesitating, something most people didn’t do if money was tight.
“Sir?”
I blinked and glanced up at Lucy. I had completely forgotten she was there. “I’m sorry, what were you saying?”
“I wanted to know if you needed me to come with you to the marketing meeting on Thursday to take notes.”
“Yes. You’re familiar with Patterson’s work. What can you tell me about him?”
“Well, he’s aggressive.” Lucy held her pencil against her lip. “He knows that his company is the best, and he won’t hesitate to remind you of that. But the work they do is spectacular, so he’s earned his bragging rights.”
“He certainly does like to brag,” I muttered, running a hand through my hair.
Lucy studied me curiously before she spoke again. “Are you all right? You’re looking a little pale.”
This time I couldn’t blame her concern on interfering. The truth was, I wasn’t okay—far from it. I was sure it was written all over my face.
“Clear my schedule for tomorrow,” I ordered, getting to my feet. I needed to go home and process where I wouldn’t be disturbed.
“Oh, are you not feeling well?” Lucy took a step closer. “I can make an appointment with your doctor if you’d like.”
“Not necessary.” I shut down my computer and closed the file I’d been attempting to read. “Just make sure you take messages tomorrow and keep working on that task list I gave you. I’ll have my cell on me if anything major comes up.”
“I can handle it.” Lucy gave me a thumbs-up.
I nodded half-heartedly and walked out of the room, ready to get back to the penthouse. Being alone was exactly what I needed. The only way I would be able to decide what to do would be to remove all distractions.
When I walked through the front door, however, I knew something was off. Samson didn’t come bounding to greet me as he always did. On further investigation, I found him in the living room, draped across my mother’s knees like an overgrown lapdog.
“Mother? What are you doing here?”
Ruth-Mabel Willingham was the epitome of elegance and class. She had been brought up among the New York elite, just as I had, although during a different time. Nearing her seventies, she didn’t look a day over fifty, mostly due to a strict diet and exercise—well, and most likely Botox. I also suspected plastic surgery was involved, but she would never confirm it.
Unlike my dad, I didn’t mind seeing my mother. I could have a decent conversation with her and not come away feeling like pulling my hair out.
“What kind of question is that? I wanted to see my only son, of course.” She extended her hand toward me. “Hello, darling. I would get up, but your puppy has decided against it.”
Samson lifted his head and nudged at my mother’s other hand until she resumed stroking his fur. I snorted. He was far from a puppy.
“You big baby,” I told him affectionately. I gave my mother’s hand a squeeze before leaning down and placing a kiss on the top of her head. “You should have called. I could have had dinner brought up.”
“Oh, well, I assumed it would be best to drop by.” My mother lifted her gaze to mine. “Your father says you’ve been too busy to take his calls.”