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“This isn’t a social call.”
Her words didn’t deter him as he closed the space between them and slid his hands over her waist, down her hips, and pulled her against him.
“I’m not in the mood to talk anyway,” he replied with a slight grin.
When he went for her lips, Eve skirted out from his hold. One kiss and she’d be a goner. There was absolutely no room for hormones right now.
“What was that stunt in the paper all about?” she demanded. Certainly mentioning their family drama would douse any desire he had.
Graham shrugged. “The truth was uncovered.”
“The truth,” she repeated. “You expect me to believe my father has Winchester heirs milling about Chicago? Sounds too convenient for this news to come out now.”
“Our investigator turned up quite a bit on your father.” Graham took one step toward her. “I don’t want to argue with you about this. You have to see the truth and accept it.”
With a very unladylike growl, Eve turned on her Christian Louboutin heels and made her way into the formal living room. This was one of the few rooms left in her home where they hadn’t had sex. She had to focus on the fact that, even though she was expecting, this affair might be coming to an end. How could she continue when he was so adamant about destroying her family?
“I know you’re trying to look out for the best interest of Carson,” she started before he could say a word. “But you have to see it from my point of view, too. This is my father. I know you all hate him. I know he wasn’t the nicest man to you guys.”
“He’s a bastard.”
Crossing her arms over her chest, Eve forged on. “He’s dying.” Those words hurt to say, but she was fighting for him, so remaining strong was the only option. “This is not the time to drag his name through mud in the press.”
“Eve—”
“No. If you want me to come to court, you better get your brother and that investigator to back the hell up.” Eve hadn’t realized she’d stepped forward until the tips of her shoes were touching Graham’s. “I will not negotiate.”
A corner of his mouth kicked up into a grin. Eve didn’t want to give in to the ridiculous schoolgirl flutter in her belly; she couldn’t let her emotions take over. She was already personally involved with him, already carrying his child. She had to have some sort of hold on this...what? Relationship? Did they actually have a relationship? Was there a label that could be placed on whatever they were doing?
Not likely. They were both a mess. The only time things ever seemed to be going their way was in the bedroom. Sex had a way of making you think your world was perfectly fine. Then the cold slap of reality hit.
“If you start laughing—”
Graham snaked an around her waist and pulled her in tight. “Wouldn’t dream of it.”
“Don’t kiss me.” Did that protest sound weak? “This isn’t a good idea.”
He nipped at her jawline, traveled up to her ear and whispered, “Feels like a great idea.” His hands curved over her backside, pulling her hips into his.
Graham’s hands and mouth, his body for that matter, always seemed like the answer. He made her forget everything except for how her body seemed to zing to life. But she couldn’t zing, not today.
Eve pressed her palms to his chest and eased back. “No. I won’t be distracted by sex. I want your brother to back off the media attacks and insults.”
The muscle in his jaw clenched. “Fine.”
Narrowing her eyes, Eve shifted from his grasp. “It’s that easy? You agree and know he’ll just back down?”
Graham shrugged. “He’s acting out of hurt, not rage. I can reason with him.”
Eve wanted to believe Graham, but she didn’t know Brooks very well. All she knew was how much of a mess they’d created with this secret affair. She was a fool to think their actions wouldn’t trickle into their families’ lives.
She turned, needing to put some space between them. Having him so close was difficult. They never just talked and she wasn’t immune to his charm...much as she’d like to be.
But just as she spun away, a wave of dizziness overcame her. The room tilted before her eyes, and she reached out for any stationary surface. Everything seemed to be moving in slow motion, but Eve cringed, waiting for the hard hit to the floor.
At the last minute, her hand went to her stomach just as strong arms wrapped around her torso.
Secure against Graham’s chest, Eve kept her eyes shut as she pulled in a shaky breath. The dizziness remained. It was the first time she’d experienced this pregnancy symptom.
“Okay?” he whispered in her ear.
Not really.
Eve patted the hand he had around her. “I’m okay.” She hoped. “Just lost my balance.”
Opening her eyes, she focused on the chair and eased from Graham’s hold to have a seat. Crossing her legs, she wasn’t a bit surprised when his gaze landed directly on her bare skin.
“I want to know what Brooks says and if he plans on getting your PI to ease up. You’re attacking a dying man.”
Graham unbuttoned his black jacket and crouched at her knees. “We’re not attacking, Eve. We simply want your father to do what is right for our half brother. Surely you can see that he’s entitled.”
“My opinion is irrelevant.”
Why was her stomach threatening to revolt? She’d been hoping to bypass this common symptom of pregnancy. She’d rather skip straight to that miracle glow so many raved about. Actually, she’d rather skip to the end when her baby was safe and healthy in her arms.
Heat washed over her. That clammy, instantly hot type of feeling that swept through you when you had the flu...or morning sickness apparently. Why now? Why did this have to happen with Graham here?
“I need to get to work,” she told him, hoping he’d leave so she could be miserable all on her own. “Text me later after you talk to Brooks.”
Graham’s hand slid over her knee. “You’re looking pale. Are you okay?”
Of course she looked pale. One minute she was fine, the next she felt like death. Why wasn’t he leaving so she could battle this on her own? Why did Mr. Always-Polished-and-Sexy have to see her like this? She prided herself on being that sultry vixen he seemed to believe she was. If she tossed her toast on his Ferragamo shoes, she’d totally ruin her image.
“Eve?”
He wouldn’t leave until she assured him she was fine. “Just tired,” she told him, attempting to hold her head high and show as little weakness as possible, considering.
His brows dipped. “Are you coming down with something?”
Just a child.
If he didn’t think she was fine, he’d never get out of here. With all the energy she had left, Eve pushed herself out of the chair, forcing Graham to come to his feet, as well. She ignored his worried look and started toward the open foyer. Time to show her guest the door before she made a complete fool of herself and he figured out she was pregnant. She couldn’t tell him just yet.
“I’m running late,” she lied. “You let me know how we’re going to proceed after you talk to your brother.”
As she reached for the door handle, his hand covered hers.
“Don’t push me out.”
“We both have work.” Why was he so close? His familiar cologne enveloped her, but to her surprise, it didn’t turn her stomach. His warm breath tickled her cheek, and any other time she’d relish the moment. Now was definitely not that time.
“I mean mentally,” he corrected. Taking her by the shoulders he turned her around. “Whatever is going on with your dad, the courts and my brothers doesn’t have to affect us.”
Eve couldn’t help the laughter that bubbled up. “You’re a fool if you believe that. It has already affected us. Until today, we’ve never kept our clothes on when you came here.”
His aqua eyes darkened. “I’m more than ready to rip that suit off you.”
And he would. Graham didn’t make veiled threats or empty promises. Right now, though, sex was not the answer.
Eve reached behind her and turned the doorknob. “You talk to your brother—we’ll talk about the suit ripping later.”
His eyes darted down to the V of her jacket, then back to her mouth.
“When I come back later, I want you to still have this on.”
With a quick, promising kiss that was anything but innocent and sweet, Graham walked out. Eve shut the door at her back and rested against the wood. How could she feel so nauseous and yet still be reacting to this man?
One thing was sure: until she knew where he stood with this whole inheritance issue, and until the ultrasound came back okay, she wasn’t telling him anything. They’d continue on as they had been...having sex and pretending the world around them didn’t exist.
Three (#ulink_b57659ef-88f5-5575-bdbe-ec068b731b8f)
“Tell me this is your idea and you’re not being persuaded by a woman you should consider our enemy.”
Graham eyed his brother, hating how much this paternity issue was eating away at them. They both just wanted answers...answers Sutton had, but refused to share. The man was dying. Why was he now choosing to be loyal to Cynthia? He hadn’t chosen her years ago, so this sudden burst of emotion was completely out of character.
And Brooks’s actions were also out of character. “This isn’t you,” Graham stated, eyeing his twin. “Being vindictive. I know you’re reacting out of frustration and hurt, but attacking Sutton in the media isn’t the way to deal with it.”
Brooks grabbed a tumbler from behind the bar in his study and poured two fingers of bourbon. Gripping the glass, he stared down at the contents as if weighing his actions. Eve wasn’t forcing Graham to do anything. What she said made sense, and Graham knew his brother wasn’t a hateful man. Brooks was fair, honest and loyal...quite the opposite of Sutton Winchester.
“Are you sleeping with her?”
The quietly spoken question hovered in the air. Brooks didn’t even look up, but Graham felt the punch to the gut just the same as if his brother had shouted the question.
“Are you going to ease off with the media?” Graham countered. “If you want Eve to cooperate, or any her sisters, we can’t come at them like we’re coming in for the kill.”
Graham winced at his poor choice of words considering the state of the old man. But still, Nora, Grace and Eve weren’t to blame. They didn’t choose to be born to a man as evil and self-righteous as Sutton.
Brooks tipped back the contents and slammed his glass down onto the polished mahogany bar. “You can’t be loyal to your lover and to your family. Your promiscuous ways are going to bite you in the ass.”
Graham paced across the room to the floor-to-ceiling window overlooking the city below. This penthouse suite was perfect for a bachelor with a busy lifestyle. “I’ve gotten along just fine in my professional and personal life without your input.”
“If you think getting into bed with a Winchester isn’t going to do damage to our family, you’re even more blindsided by lust than I first thought. Didn’t we agree you’d stay away from her?”
Graham fisted his hands at his side. This was his brother, his twin. They were so similar, yet different. Brooks was the outgoing type, the go-getter, the grounded brother. Graham was definitely outgoing and a go-getter, but he also enjoyed a good time, a good woman. He’d been told often that his quiet charm won him cases and had women falling at his feet. He was just fine with that assessment.
But Graham wasn’t ready to give up what he and Eve were doing. Why should he? He’d never experienced anything like Eve before and he sure as hell wasn’t going to let Sutton Winchester’s will come between them. He’d find a way to make everything work, play the peacemaker and get the job done. Isn’t that what he excelled at?
“We didn’t agree on anything,” Graham stated. “Eve and I are adults. I know where my loyalties are and I won’t let anything stand in the way of getting Carson what is rightfully his and getting Sutton to tell us the name of our father. But attacking him in the press isn’t the way to go. We need to go in with a milder approach, for a stronger impact.”
Brooks quirked a brow. “And how do you suggest doing that?”
Pulling in a breath, Graham turned from the window. “Stop the press war and put a hold on the legal proceedings.”
Brooks opened his mouth, but Graham lifted his hand. “Leave this to me. We want Sutton to suffer, but not necessarily his daughters. They’ll be hurt, but we can make it less of a blow to them. Sutton is still alive, so as long as he is, we go straight to him. Play hardball with him. Introduce the evidence Roman has discovered and let Sutton make a choice. Tell him we’ll go to the media with all the facts, and the lineup of women claiming to have a child by him, or he can put Carson in his will as a beneficiary and give him his share. I’m demanding he give us the name of our father no matter what he chooses to do about the other issues. I refuse to back down on that.”
Brooks raked his thumb back and forth on his glass of bourbon, considering all the options. Graham knew he could make this work. He knew Eve would see his side so long as they quit attacking her father. Damn, but he admired her loyalty. Graham just wished she didn’t have to be so faithful to such a bastard.
“We’ll try your way.” Brooks came around the bar, leaned an elbow on top and shot Graham a look. “But you better remember what team you’re fighting for.”
Graham nodded. “I never forget who I’m fighting for. Carson and you are my top priorities.”
Brooks nodded. “Good. I have another topic I want to discuss.”
“Does it require more bourbon?”
With a shrug, Brooks crossed the room and took a seat on the leather sofa. “I want to talk to Sutton. In person.”
Inwardly cringing, Graham glanced toward the ceiling and wondered why he was surprised. Brooks was a man on a mission. He was determined.
“You want to leave the girls out of this, fine. For now,” Brooks added, aiming a hard look at his twin. “But the three of us—Carson, you, me—we’re going to talk to Sutton. He’s growing weaker every day and I know it may be cruel to go to him and put the pressure on, but we have to try.”
Their mother had passed just months ago, taking the secret of who fathered them to her grave. Graham had no idea why she didn’t tell them. At first, he’d thought for sure Sutton was their father and she’d been afraid, ashamed. But the DNA test had come back, proving Sutton had only fathered Carson, leaving Brooks and Graham confused and hurt.
While they yearned to know who their father was, Graham was elated that old bastard wasn’t his. Not to mention the fact that it had left the path wide open to seduce Eve the night of the charity ball for the children’s hospital. He’d gotten the results right before the gala. Eve had shown up wearing a body-hugging gold gown. That honey-brown hair she’d piled perfectly on top of her head came tumbling down all around him when he’d finally gotten her to his penthouse. They’d barely survived the cab ride.
“I’ll go with you,” Graham stated, pulling himself back into the moment. He needed to be strong for his brothers, needed them to know they were a team. “Sutton isn’t as strong as he used to be.”
Brooks sent a malevolent grin. “That’s what I’m counting on.”
* * *
After a long day, exhaustion finally won. Eve nearly wept as she submerged herself in the soaker tub in her master suite. All the symptoms of her first pregnancy had come back full force: the need to rest at all times, the nausea that slammed into her with no warning, the emotions that were all over the place. Just trying to keep herself in check at work today had been trying. When someone from a newly acquired company in Barcelona offered condolences for Eve’s father, she nearly lost it. Thankfully they had only been chatting on the phone and not via video conference because the tears welled up in her eyes and flowed, but Eve managed to clear her throat, offer thanks and keep her tone neutral.
Why were people acting like he was already gone? That was the part that completely gutted her. He was very much alive, though his health was failing.
Her hand slid down through the lavender-scented bubbles to rest on her flat stomach. Babies were a blessing. The innocence they injected into your life couldn’t be matched. Eve wanted to tell her father, wanted to be excited about this new life, but first she had to talk to Graham.
Keeping their child from being a victim in this family war was going to be a struggle, but she refused to believe it was impossible. She knew Graham was loyal to his family—that much was obvious. But how would he react to this child? How would he treat her?
She didn’t want him to hover, didn’t want him to assume she wanted him as a permanent fixture in her life. She had a plan, goals, a career that was taking off better than she’d ever anticipated.
Tears pricked her eyes. She didn’t want this career at the expense of her father’s health, his life. She’d taken over as president when he could no longer run Elite Industries.
When her cell chimed, Eve jumped. She should’ve left the thing in her purse, but she’d been carrying it around like a pacifier lately...because one day she’d get the inevitable call about her father.
The cell lay on the edge of the tub surround. Eve glanced at the screen and saw Nora’s name. Worried this might have something to do with her dad, Eve dried her hands off on her towel and quickly read the text.
Relief slid through her when she saw it was just a Halloween party invitation. Sounded fun. In terms of costumes, Eve could go as an overworked, worn down, emotional mess. Maybe she could go in her pajamas with bed hair to really play up the part.
