Claimed: The Pregnant Heiress (15 page)

She couldn't ever remember laughing as much as she had with Chase over the past few weeks. “And what would that be?”

His mouth hovered close to the side of her face and he whispered the most sinfully delicious proposition into her ear. She fought to draw breath, fought even harder to keep her knees locked in place when they wanted to melt to the floor taking her along for the ride.

“Well, Ms. Worth?” he asked. “What do you think of my suggestion?”

She swallowed. Hard. “I think it's a distinct possibility, Mr. Larson.”

“I was hoping you'd say that.”

 

By the time Emma and Chase climbed out of bed several hours later, showered and scrambled into their clothing once again, it was almost time for her lunch date at the Tidal Pool with Ana. The two women arrived at the Vista del Mar Beach and Tennis Club at the exact same moment, and after exchanging enthusiastic hugs, they followed the hostess to a secluded table for two in a corner of the restaurant where they could talk without being overheard.

The minute Ana spotted Emma's engagement ring, her mouth dropped open. “What…? When…? How…?” She shook her head with a laugh. “Actually, the most important question is who?”

Emma chuckled. “His name is Chase Larson. You met him when we ran into each other outside of the Bistro earlier this month.”

“Oh, yeah. I remember him.” She made an
mmm
sound. “He was hot.”

Emma couldn't deny it and didn't bother trying. “He's amazing.”

“And what a rock. Is that a pink diamond?”

“Why, yes it is.”

“Why, aren't you the lucky one.”

Once the laughter died, Emma decided she might as well tell Ana the rest of her news and get it out into the open. “There's something else you should know. In fact, I'm surprised Nilda hasn't mentioned it already.”

Ana shoved her menu to one side and waved off the waitress. “Not a word. And trust me, I will have something to say to my mother about that particular oversight.”

“I'm pregnant. Closing in on twelve weeks now.”

Ana's mouth dropped open again and her gaze lowered automatically to Emma's waistline. “Pregnant. I just… I don't know what to say.”

“Congratulations? Best wishes?”

Her friend launched herself from her chair and flew to Emma's side, enveloping her in a tight hug. “Of course, congratulations and best wishes. I'm so pleased for you.” She pulled back. “Are you happy? I mean really happy? Oh, don't even bother answering. I can see from your expression that you're head over heels in love with the guy.”

Emma smiled tremulously. “I am. I'm crazy about him. And happier than I ever thought possible.”

“Then that's all that matters.” Ana resumed her seat and leaned forward. “So, when and where is the big wedding. When are you due? What's he like? Come on, Em. Tell me everything.”

Emma ticked off on her fingers. “I'm not certain, but it'll be soon. Someplace private, probably on the estate. The baby is due in the middle of August. Perfect.” Emma reached across the table and caught Ana's hand in hers. “And promise me you'll be at the wedding no matter what movie set you're working on.”

“I do promise since…” Ana blew out a breath. “I'm not sure I'm going back to L.A.”

It was Emma's turn to stare in disbelief. “Why not? I thought you loved your job.”

“I did at first. But I'm becoming more and more dis-enchanted.”

Emma frowned in concern. “Why? What happened?”

“Let's just say that a certain Hollywood megastar couple aren't as faithful as everyone claims.”

“No!”

“Oh, yes.” Ana leaned in and lowered her voice. “The husband of said couple, who shall remain forever nameless, but whose costumes I've had the dubious pleasure of designing, has been hitting on me for the past three months. The final straw came when he backed me into a corner this week and thought I'd swoon for joy over his star treatment tonsillectomy.”

“Did you slap him?”

“Tempting. Very, very tempting. But if I'd done that I'd have been fired and I can't afford to give up my old job until I have a new one. I swear, if It's Time actually hired help instead of using volunteers, I'd fill out an application here and now. The only thing I love more than costume design is my charity work.” She paused long enough to draw breath. “Lord, I'm ranting, aren't I?”

“If anyone deserves to, you do,” Emma reassured her.

Ana sighed. “I'll tell you, Em. I've had it with these Hollywood types who hit it big and think it entitles them to take whatever or whomever they want. I swear, I will never trust the rich and famous ever again.”

“I don't blame you. I wouldn't, either.”

Ana laughed and picked up the menu again. “What do you say we forget all about my problems and just enjoy lunch?”

It wasn't until they were halfway through their meal that a possible solution to Ana's problem occurred to Emma. “You know… Rafe Cameron is starting up a charitable foundation to support literacy.”

“Cameron…” Ana's brow wrinkled in thought. “The man who just bought out your dad's business?”

“That's the one. They're looking for someone to run it. It's called Hannah's Hope. You'd be perfect to head the project.”

“I don't know, Em.” Ana couldn't hide her uncertainty. “It sounds like a wonderful opportunity. But I'm not sure I'm qualified.”

Emma refused to let her off the hook so easily. “I know you. I know how much time and energy you put into charitable work. Plus, you have all the ins and outs down cold.”

“Why would Rafe Cameron want me? He has no idea what I'm capable of.”

“True. But according to Chase, Rafe isn't the one making the final decision. At least, he won't be making it without direction from the board of directors for the charity. And since I sit on the board…” She trailed off with a smile.

“Tell me you're joking.”

“Not even a little.”

“If there's even the smallest chance they'll consider me, sign me up.”

“Consider it done.”

The two women chatted for the next hour while they ate their lunch, then parted ways. Pleased with the possibility that Ana might be returning to Vista del Mar, and better yet, running Hannah's Hope, Emma continued on to It's Time. She spent the rest of the afternoon tackling the pile of paperwork that had built up in her absence. Finally ready to call it a day, she decided to drop by the estate and see how her father was holding up now that he'd finalized the sale of Worth Industries to Rafe.

To her surprise, he didn't answer his cell phone and she didn't find him at home. “He's at work,” Nilda offered helpfully.

“What's he doing there?”

Ana's mother shrugged. “He had a call from Señor Cameron a few hours ago and went in.”

“That didn't take long. I would have thought Rafe capable of running the business for more than a few days without needing Dad to come rushing to the rescue.”

Emma decided to go ahead and drive over to the corporate campus and see what was going on. If she didn't find her father there, she'd get up with him in the morning. She yawned,
exhaustion setting in. More and more she found it difficult to continue at the same pace she had in the past. She hated the idea of cutting back on her workload at the shelter, but the health of the baby was paramount and she wouldn't do anything to jeopardize that.

She pulled into the campus parking lot, surprised to see a massive jam of cars and trucks. Some were news vans with huge dish antennas on top and their call letters and station channels emblazoned on all sides. What in the world was going on? She scooted into the first available space. After locking the car, she wandered closer to the crowd. They were gathered outside the front of the main office building, a multistory glass-and-steel structure surrounded by a neatly trimmed grassy expanse, landscaped shrubs and tidy garden areas.

As she approached she saw they'd set up a platform with chairs and a podium. Rafe stood behind the microphone, sunlight glistening off his pale blond hair. His deep voice bounced off the glass behind him and echoed across the crowd. She couldn't make out the exact words, but she saw her father standing behind him in the shadows of the building, nodding in apparent agreement.

To her surprise, the instant Chase caught sight of her, he detached himself from those on the platform and vaulted to the ground. His long strides ate up the distance between them and when he reached her, he wrapped an arm around her and dropped a swift, yet delightfully thorough kiss on her mouth.

“I'm glad you made it,” he said in greeting.

“It's purely by chance. I had no idea there was any sort of ceremony planned,” she answered truthfully. “What's going on?”

“I assumed your father would have told you.”

She shook her head, then froze. Rafe made a sweeping gesture and behind him a large tarp dropped to the ground. Where once a sign proudly declared Worth Industries, now it read Cameron Enterprises. For some reason it struck her like an unexpected blow to the heart.

 

Chase watched the tarp drift to the ground and heard the slight gasp of pain Emma couldn't quite control. He shot her a sharp look, caught the devastation in her expression and instantly swung her in a swift half circle. “Let's go.”

“No, it's all right,” she insisted. “I'm fine.”

“I can see it's not all right and that you're not fine. Now I understand why your father didn't mention the ceremony to you.” He scanned the parking lot. “Where's your car?”

She pointed. “Seriously, Chase. It just caught me off guard. There's no reason you can't rejoin them on the podium. I'll see you at the condo once you're through here.”

“You'll see me right now because I intend to be in your rearview mirror every inch of the way between here and my condo.”

She must have realized the futility of further argument. With a brisk nod, she crossed the parking lot to her car. As promised, he kept behind her the entire way, careful not to crowd her, but keeping her in sight nonetheless.

“You all right?” he asked the minute they walked through the front door.

“For the last time, I'm fine. The change in name just took me by surprise, that's all.” She attempted a smile, one that didn't fool him for a minute. “Silly, really. You even mentioned this morning that it wasn't Worth Industries anymore, but Cameron Enterprises. I guess it didn't sink in until I saw the sign.”

“And it hit you.”

Her mouth trembled for a split second before she brought it under tight control. “Like a ton of bricks,” she reluctantly admitted. “Even though I've never been interested in running the business, I don't think I realized that it was such an integral part of me. Of my identity.”

“Come here.” She didn't hesitate, but went into his arms. He wrapped her up tight. “It's all going to work out, you'll see.”

“I know it will.”

“Are you hungry? I can whip something up. Actually, I make the best takeout you ever tasted.”

That won him a smile. After a short debate, he placed a call to one of Emma's favorite Mexican restaurants. Within the hour, they were curled up together on a lounger on the deck, sharing each other's choices. Once through, they watched while day transitioned into evening, the sun drowning itself in the ocean, its fierce light no match for the chilly ocean depths that seemed to consume it bite by bite. It wasn't until a crisp wind swept off the water that Emma shifted within Chase's embrace.

“Take me to bed,” she whispered. “I need you. I need to be in your arms. I need you to make love to me.”

“You read my mind.”

The two drifted in the direction of the bedroom, their progress stuttering to a halt whenever they lost themselves in the kisses they couldn't quite bring themselves to postpone. Darkness had invaded the bedroom by the time they reached it, gathering in deep, quiet shadows. Just enough ambient light slipped into the room for Chase to find the buttons of Emma's jacket, the zip of her skirt, to lift her silk shell up and off. The bits and pieces of her clothing drifted away, faint pools of pale color against the thick, plush carpeting. He traced the outline of her bra and her breath hitched.

Their phones rang almost simultaneously and he swore in annoyance. They broke apart long enough to fumble for them. “Dad,” Emma said, pulling her phone from her jacket pocket.

He retrieved his from his trousers. “Rafe. Let them go to voice mail. We can deal with whatever it is in the morning.” He tossed his BlackBerry onto the nightstand table, took hers and tossed it alongside. “Now, where were we?”

He found her mouth again and she opened to him. His tongue dipped inward and he tasted her with a blatant hunger that skated the edge of passion. Her lip beckoned and he caught it between his teeth and tugged. “I've been fantasizing about that lip all day.” He soothed it with a kiss. “It's been taunting me. Plump, saucy little lip.”

Her laugh turned to a moan when he deepened the kiss once more and she brushed against him with teasing, restless movements. Her hands fluttered, landed, then pushed and shoved until she'd stripped away his shirt, before returning to settle on his bare chest. Her nails scraped across the taut planes, raking his nipples. It plunged him into mindless need.

Off. Bed. In. The words were a mindless chant in his head. Clothes off. Fall onto bed. In, in, in. Driving and plunging and drenching himself in her. How was it possible that he possessed so little control when he was a man renowned for his control? It had only been this way with Emma, never with any other woman. He didn't understand it, had never understood it. Not that it changed a damn thing.

Her bra fell first beneath his onslaught and he took the time to fill his hands with her sensitive breasts, to worship them with tongue and teeth. To taste their burgeoning sweetness until she quivered against him, her breath coming in helpless little gasps.