Carrying the Lost Heir's Child (16 page)

And here she was, flat on her back, depending on him and now his girlfriend/maid was taking part in Lily’s humiliation.

“Could you get a bottle of water, please, Liz?”

“Of course.”

The cushion next to her dipped and Jake’s hand covered her stomach, then his fingertips were at the base of her throat. She missed those hands, missed how they could go from showing strength caring for horses to dominating her body in the bedroom.

“Your pulse is out of control.”

“I just got hot,” she defended, ignoring her betraying hormones. “Once I get some water and sit for a minute, I’ll be fine.”

“What have you eaten today?”

Shifting her arm to behind her head, Lily glanced up at him. “I had some orange juice and toast a couple hours ago.”

His eyes narrowed. “Lily—”

“Mom said you wanted some water.”

Lily jerked her attention just beyond Jake’s shoulder and saw a young boy with honey-wheat hair tousled by the wind or just the lack of a comb. He came closer, extending the bottle to Jake.

“Thanks, buddy.”

The boy smiled, showcasing a couple of missing teeth. “Hi,” he told her. “I’m Tyler.”

Lily couldn’t help but smile back. The boy had no clue who she was and that was just fine with her. He was adorable, but Lily couldn’t help but wonder who he was to Jake. The boy looked nothing at all like Jake, but he didn’t resemble the lady he’d referred to as mom, either.

“Tyler is Liz’s son,” Jake informed her as if sensing where her thoughts had gone.

“Hi, Tyler. I’m Lily.” She took the water from Jake and sat up a little higher as she uncapped the bottle. “Thank you very much.”

“You’re welcome.”

He turned and ran toward the back of the house, obviously finding nothing exciting with the new arrival.

Taking a long drink, Lily welcomed the cool liquid as it slid down her throat. She needed to get out of Jake’s house. The longer she stayed, the more questions she had and she really had no business asking them since she’d left Jake. Well, she physically left him. Emotionally had they ever truly been vested? When a relationship was built on lies it was really difficult to say who left whom first.

When she twisted the lid back on, Jake took the bottle and set it on the coffee table. “Lie down. I’ll get you something to eat.”

Remaining upright, she shook her head. “I’m not staying, Jake. I just need to pay you and I wanted to let you know about the baby and my appointment. I’ll never keep secrets from you.”

His shoulders fell and he gave a curt nod. “I deserved that.”

Lily laughed. “Oh, Jake. You haven’t begun to get what you really deserve.”

“Then let me have it,” he challenged, his chin tipped up now. “Say what you want, ask whatever you want. Don’t shut me out, not when we have so much between us.”

He was serious. He truly thought talking would place a bandage over the hurts and they’d go on their merry way to make a family and happily-ever-after. If she started on her rant of how hurt and angry she was now, she feared she’d never stop.

“Whatever we had between us was a lie,” she reminded him. “No matter how much you wish you’d done things differently, you still chose not to come clean with me, with Damon. You can’t claim to care about us when you hurt us so deeply.”

Jake stared at her for a minute, his eyes penetrating straight to her heart. Smelling him, sitting this close to him, within reaching distance of his bare torso, was pure hell. She missed the man she knew, the groom. The man before her was a stranger, a millionaire, but still...he was the man she’d fallen in love with.

Jake jerked to his feet and walked out of the room, leaving Lily confused. He wasn’t going to fight? Was he done here?

Seconds later he came back in and stood beside the sofa. “I know you hate me, I know you want nothing to do with me, but I have a proposition for you.”

Lily stared up at him. “You’ve got to be kidding me.”

He settled back down beside her, taking her hands in his. Lily tried to ignore how the simple gesture still made her heart beat faster, how she wanted to keep that familiar touch locked away forever. She wanted to tug her hands back, but she wouldn’t be childish. Whatever he wanted to say, she’d hear him out. Fighting at this point was moot. The damage was done and she’d officially steeled her heart...okay, she was in the process of doing so, which was why he needed to stop touching her.

“Where have you been staying?” he asked.

“At Stony Ridge.”

“I figured,” he muttered. “I want you to stay here.”

“I don’t want to be here at all, let alone to stay.”

“Give me one week,” he pleaded, his eyes never leaving hers. “That’s all I’m asking. One week for you to see the side of me I wasn’t able to show you. After seven days if you still want nothing to do with me, I’ll let you go. I will still want to be part of my baby’s life, but I won’t pursue you anymore. I just want you to see the man I’ve become, the man who loves you and wants to show you he’s not the selfish bastard who originally came to Stony Ridge.”

Lily needed to tell him the rest of what she’d learned at her doctor visit, but she hated admitting she needed anything from him.

When she remained silent, Jake squeezed her hands. “Don’t listen to your mind, Lily,” he murmured. “Listen to your heart. You even told me yourself that you couldn’t turn off your feelings. I’m only asking for a week. Let me take care of you, show you how we could be with no secrets, no lies.”

One week. It was a drop in the bucket compared to the time she’d already spent with him. But how would her heart be at the end of that time? Resisting him was hard on a good day and she had no doubt he’d pull everything out of his arsenal to win her back.

She just had to be smarter, stronger and remain the one in control. Jake couldn’t know how much he still affected her.

“The doctor also told me I needed to stay off my feet and let others do things for me.” Lily closed her eyes, sighed and refocused on Nash. “I can’t keep imposing on the Barringtons. Looks like you get your wish. I’ll give you one week, but that doesn’t mean I’m falling back into the way we were before.”

Liz chose that moment to step into the room carrying a plate and a glass. When she set them on the table, Lily laughed as Jake thanked her.

“Grilled cheese and chocolate milk?” Lily asked, quirking a brow.

“Your favorites.”

Why did he have to be so damn sweet at times? This was the same man who purposely betrayed her. She had to remember that. Who’s to say he wouldn’t resort to those tactics again?

“You owe me nothing,” Jake continued, picking up where he’d left off before Liz had come and gone. “But I’m willing to give you everything. I’m laying it all out there for you to see.”

Determination poured from him; he was serious and he wasn’t backing down. It’s not as if he could break her heart any more than he already had, and at the end of the seven days she’d leave. She’d go back to LA or even Arizona to visit her mother and then on to the set to record the animated film she’d just signed on for.

Lily continued to hold his gaze. “I won’t sleep in the same bed as you.”

Jake opened his mouth, but Lily cut him off. “That’s my nonnegotiable. I’m not here to play house.”

His eyes darted to her lips, then back to her eyes. “Deal. But, do you really think you can be here any amount of time and not fall back into my bed?” He eased forward, laid his hands over her stomach and feathered his lips across hers. “Now who’s the liar?”

Jake came to his feet, set the plate on her lap and walked out of the room. Her lips tingled from the barely there kiss and she cursed her body for the ache that spread through her, begging for more.

Only an hour into her seven-day stint. Why did she feel as though she’d just fallen right into his perfectly laid trap?

Eighteen

L
ily had chosen the bedroom upstairs at the opposite end of the hall from Jake’s. That was as far away as she could get.

Day one down. Only six more to go and she would be free to leave for Arizona to see her mother again before heading home to LA. The thought of going back across the country both thrilled and worried her. She was eager to get going on that animation film, but going back to all the shallow people, the chaos of daily living and the lavish lifestyles just didn’t appeal to her anymore.

Last night before bed, Lily had sent off a quick text to Ian, letting him know where she was. More than likely the Barringtons knew, but she figured she should at least let her agent know what was going on.

Not that it was anybody else’s business, but she didn’t mind if Ian shared where she was staying. These were complicated circumstances, after all.

Lily was thankful for the adjoining bath and it would serve Jake right if she spent the rest of her seven-day term in her room. No doubt Jake would show up at her door with trays of food so she didn’t have to get up. He’d take the bed rest seriously and he’d use it to his advantage—best she knew that going in. She was allowed to get up and move around, but for the most part, she was supposed to be down with her feet up.

She’d showered and changed into the dress Jake had picked out that day they had gone shopping. Damn it, he’d see this as a sign she was giving in. Little did he know most of her clothes were still back at the rental house and this dress just so happened to be in her suitcase...a suitcase he’d had Linda pack up and bring out to the estate. He was still taking control and she wasn’t sure if she was warmed by the fact or ticked that he still felt he had a right to be in charge of her life.

Pulling her wet hair up into a clip, she slid on her flip-flops and made her way downstairs. Before she could hit the landing the doorbell chimed, echoing throughout the house.

When Lily hit the bottom step, she glanced through to the foyer where Damon stood, hands in his pockets and glancing around as if he was just as uncomfortable being there as she was.

Was he here to see Jake or her?

Lily remained on the steps as Jake’s footsteps fell heavily on the hardwood floors.

“Damon,” Jake greeted. “This is a surprise.”

“I apologize for coming by so early,” Damon told him. “Is there somewhere private we can talk?”

Jake nodded. “Liz is in the back making breakfast. We can go into the living room. Should I tell her to set an extra place at the table?”

Lily gripped the banister, feeling like perhaps she should slink back upstairs and not eavesdrop on this conversation. But she didn’t move.

“I can’t stay long,” Damon replied.

Jake nodded, leading the way into the living area. Lily slid down and sat on the step, grabbing the slender post for support. Damon was here for one reason: he was either ready to forgive Jake or he was letting him go. A portion of Lily’s heart broke for Jake. Even with all the lies and deceit, she worried how he would cope if he lost his father forever. Jake was a strong, determined man, but just discovering your parent and then losing him would be crushing.

“I’m not sure if I should be worried or glad that you showed up on my doorstep.”

Damon let out a brief chuckle. Lily couldn’t see the men now, but she imagined the elderly mogul shaking his head as she’d often seen him do when he laughed.

The silence fueled the tension. Lily’s heart beat so fast, she couldn’t even imagine how Jake or Damon were feeling right now.

“To be honest I’m not sure how I feel myself,” Damon admitted. “Your latest bombshell really spun me around so fast I didn’t know how to react. But I’ve had several days to think about it.”

Nerves fluttering in her stomach, Lily closed her eyes and waited.

“I hate being played for a fool,” Damon went on. “I hate that you were that clever and I was so blinded that I didn’t see through the disguise and the act.”

“Damon—”

“Hear me out.”

Lily took in a deep breath sliding her arms around her swollen midsection.

“We were adversaries for so long and I know finding out I was your father was a blow you didn’t see coming. Your actions were made out of fear first and foremost. But I also know you’re driven to succeed. How can I fault a trait you obviously got from me?”

“I still went about this the wrong way,” Jake said, his tone low. “Once I started caring for you, the girls and Lily, I should’ve said something immediately.”

“Yes, you should’ve,” Damon agreed. “But you didn’t and what’s done is done. I believe everyone should have a second chance and I believe that being without my son for over thirty years is long enough. Life is short.”

More silence fell and Lily was dying to know what was happening in that room. She’d listened in long enough. As quietly as she could, Lily came to her feet and headed back up the steps. Once she’d closed herself in her room, she sank back against the door.

Damon had fully accepted Jake for who he was, obviously forgiving the lies and mistakes. Even though he didn’t come out and say the words, Damon wouldn’t be there if he hadn’t.

Lily didn’t know if she could be that forgiving. Yes, she figured eventually she’d forgive him. But forgiving him didn’t necessarily mean she could let him back into her life, her heart again.

Lily had only been at Jake’s estate a short time, and she struggled with her emotions for him every single moment. One second she wanted to talk to him, try to figure out if they could get beyond this hurt. The next second she wanted to leave, wanted to get away because she worried she couldn’t trust her feelings.

She wished she had the right answer and prayed for a miracle to guide her to where she needed to be.

* * *

Naps while pregnant were beyond amazing. Napping was a luxury she couldn’t afford when home in LA or on location filming, but here in Virginia where the pace was slower and she was ordered by her doctor to take it easy, Lily fully embraced a good afternoon rest.

Besides all of that, she was tired. Tired from the pregnancy, tired from the roller coaster ride they’d been on and utterly exhausted from worrying about the future of this child. After spending time on Jake’s turf, she was mentally drained and ready to pull her hair out.

Sexually, the man frustrated her. She wanted him, no matter how much her heart still hurt. He’d given her space, he’d not touched her since that slight kiss when she’d first agreed to stay, and damn if that wasn’t driving her out of her ever-loving mind.

He’d never even mentioned Damon coming by the other day. Was he keeping that to himself, as well?

As Lily came down the steps, she realized she’d slept much longer than she’d meant to. The antique grandfather clock in the corner of the living room chimed four times, echoing into the empty space.

Lily glanced around, noting the photos along the mantel of Jake with his arm around a beautiful older woman, more than likely his mother, photos of him with jockeys and horses at various winners’ circles. In every photo he was smiling.

She’d thought that smile was devastating with the beard, but without it, she could fully appreciate the intrigue, the devilish attitude and the power behind the man.

Laughter and squeals sounded from the front yard and Lily moved to the wide windows, shifting the simple linen curtains aside.

The tire swing swayed back and forth, Tyler held on, his legs dangling out of the hole. And Jake was pushing him.

Lily couldn’t deny how the scene clenched her heart. Jake wrapped his arms around the boy’s shoulders and pulled back, pausing for a moment before giving another big send-off. The wide grin across Jake’s face spoke volumes for how much the lazy evening activity delighted him.

He was going to be an amazing dad. No matter what had happened between them, Lily knew that Jake would always put his child first and be hands-on. But, she couldn’t help but wonder about this unique relationship he seemed to have with his maid and her son. Another layer he’d kept from her.

The fact he’d never let her fully in was the main point in that sharp blade that had pierced her heart.

Liz suddenly appeared beside Lily. “Tyler adores him.”

“The feeling seems mutual,” Lily replied, watching Jake’s face light up each time Tyler laughed.

“Jake has been a good influence for Tyler since my husband passed away.”

Stunned, Lily turned to Liz. “I’m so sorry.”

A soft grin spread across Liz’s face, but she kept her gaze on her son. “It’s been hard, I won’t lie. My husband was a groom here for several years. When he was killed four years ago, Jake asked if I’d like to work for him. I didn’t know much about horses, so he asked if I could cook and clean. I know he was just looking out for us, and I could never find a way to repay him because he didn’t have to take on a widow and a young child.”

Swallowing the lump of remorse, Lily turned her attention back to the front yard. So many facets made up this man. Some were bad: the lies, the betrayal. But the others were so good, so...noble, that Lily hated that he’d damaged his image just to get ahead in the horse industry. Had the breeding, the prospect of winning and generating more money been that important?

“I know it’s not my business,” Liz went on, shifting to face Lily. “I have no idea what’s going on with the two of you, but if it matters, Jake has never brought a woman here before. I can see how much he cares for you.”

“He does.” She couldn’t deny that, but that also didn’t mean they were meant to be. “He went about showing me the wrong way, though.”

Liz nodded and offered a genuine smile. “Just don’t shut him down, yet. Okay? Give him a chance. He’s all work and traveling to see his mom. But with you, I see a different side to him and he’d hate me if he heard me say this, but he’s vulnerable where you’re concerned.”

Lily closed her eyes, trying to block out the honest words coming from a virtual stranger. “You care for him.”

“Not in the same way you do,” Liz corrected. “He and my husband were good friends and had a strong working relationship. But my husband was killed during a robbery. He’d been in the wrong place at the wrong time. Jake didn’t hesitate to see to all of my and Tyler’s needs. I think of Jake as a friend and a hero when I needed one.”

A hero. Lily opened her eyes, her focus shifting instantly to the man serving as a little boy’s hero. A man who had faults and had hurt her so deeply she didn’t know how to forgive him.

“I need to get back to cooking dinner.” Liz started to walk away, but laid her hand on Lily’s arm. “I just wanted to make sure you knew where I stood with Jake because he loves you. He’s a powerful man, but you’ve brought him to his knees. You’re in control here.”

Liz’s footsteps echoed through the room until there was nothing but silence once again, other than the ticking of the grandfather clock in the corner.

Dropping the curtain back in place, Lily went out onto the front porch. The beautiful wide porch with sturdy wooden swings at both ends just begged for a lazy, relaxing day. She took a seat, curled her feet up on the deep red cushions and propped her elbow up on the back, resting her head on her fist. The gentle sway relaxed her.

Lily continued to watch the interaction in the yard, thankful she hadn’t been spotted yet. Jake had invited her to stay for a week, had wanted her to see the real man he was with no pretenses, no secrets.

She was already seeing a deeper side to the person she’d fallen in love with. But could she ever get past the fact he thought it was okay to deceive her? Who’s to say the next time he wanted something he wouldn’t lie to get it?

Between Damon’s visit the other day and seeing Jake with Tyler, Lily found herself wanting more. She just worried they were too far gone to get back on stable ground to build anything that could match the fire they had before.

A light flutter in her stomach had her pausing, her hand cupping her belly. The odd sensation happened again and Lily knew she’d felt her baby. Their baby.

The doctor had told her the first feeling she’d get in her stomach would feel like butterflies floating around. The description was pretty accurate, considering that for just a second the shocking sensation had tickled. The movement had only lasted the briefest of moments, but enough to have her smiling.

When she glanced back up, Jake’s eyes were on her, and Tyler was hopping out of the hanging tire and racing around to the back of the house. Lily’s smile faltered. So much tension stretched between them, so many words that needed to be spoken, so much emotion needing to be released.

Jake made his way toward the porch, and with each step Lily’s heart beat faster. He stopped in front of the swing, took her feet from the cushion and sat down, placing her legs across his lap.

“Don’t,” he told her just as she started to shift away. “Let’s just pretend this is a normal day and we’re enjoying this late afternoon breeze.”

His warm hands gripped her ankles, holding them securely on his lap. She hadn’t felt his touch for so long, she knew she’d missed it, but she had no idea just how much his warmth affected her.

“We’re not normal people and this isn’t just a normal family afternoon,” she whispered, hating how true her statement was.

His fingertips trailed from her shin to the top of her foot, back and forth until she couldn’t control the tremors that slid through her. That powerful, seductive touch of his would be her undoing.

Jake tipped his head just slightly, focusing those bright eyes right on her as he always had, as if he could see straight into her soul. “You always say you want to be a regular person, not the celebrity when you’re off location. Relax, Lily. We’re both simply going to be ourselves, nothing fake, no acting. Just Jake and Lily.”

Jake and Lily. As if they were an official couple. But she didn’t have the energy to argue and she would remain calm to keep her blood pressure down for their baby’s sake. And she was done fighting...fighting him and fighting herself.

“I think I felt the baby move a bit ago.” She hadn’t thought about telling him, but the words tumbled out of her mouth before she could stop them.