Carrying the Lost Heir's Child. Jules Bennett
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first all the sneaking around had been exciting, thrilling. Of course, that part was still arousing, but they basically knew nothing about each other. All he’d wanted was to confront his past, secure his future and now he was dealing with a whole new future.
Lily was an amazing woman, there was no denying that fact. But that didn’t make him ready to settle down and play house, either. Could he see himself with someone like her? Considering they only knew each other in the bedroom, sure. Reality might be a different story.
Why the hell was he thinking like this? They were having a baby, that didn’t mean they had to register for monogrammed towels.
“Hey, Lily.”
Nash turned to see the beautiful Barrington sisters as they led their horses into the stalls.
“Hi, Cassie, Tessa.” Lily walked around him, sending her signature scent of lilac straight through him. “I had a break from filming and thought I’d come see you guys since I rarely get in here.”
Good save.
Nash went on with his duties, trying to ignore the feminine laughter of the three women in his life...only two of them had no clue just how close to him they were.
He’d created a complete and utter mess and he had to gain control and figure out how the hell to keep his plans and deception from blowing up in his face.
As much as he didn’t want to admit it, he’d come to care for this family. Even though he hadn’t let them in beyond work, he knew these sisters, saw the love their father had for them, witnessed bonding moments when they thought no one was around.
They were a family. A tight-knit, perfectly woven-together family. And when Nash ended up besting Damon, Nash had no clue where that would leave him in the family tree.
* * *
Ridding her body of her meager breakfast of dry toast was not a promising start to her day. It was the final day of shooting and Lily just wanted to crawl back into bed and tell the crew to do the scene without her. With her stomach revolting, she didn’t care that she was the female lead, she just wanted to lie in her bed and die, because she was positive that’s what was happening.
She was already fifteen minutes late for hair and makeup. She was never late. Some actors and actresses had a reputation for being divas while filming, often times making the rest of the crew wait on them, but Lily had prided herself on being professional. Her time wasn’t worth any more than any other person’s on set.
She slapped her sunglasses on, hoping to hide the dark circles until she got to the makeup chair. She’d had enough energy to throw on her strapless maxi dress and flip-flops before heading out. But her mind wasn’t on filming. Besides the baby, Lily was seriously starting to worry about her and Nash.
Her and Nash? Why did they instantly click like a couple inside her mind?
Because that’s the way her mind—and her heart—had started leaning. The man exuded strength, not just in his physical job, but with everything he did. Since he found out about the baby he’d been ready to control every aspect of this pregnancy, to anticipate her every need. And, as much as it pained her to admit it, his dominating presence only deepened her attraction to him.
There was so much to the man and she wanted to discover it all. She completely trusted him with her body, now she wanted to see if she could trust him with more.
What did he want? Did he want more with her? If he did, would he be able to handle the very public life she led? One worry after another cycled through her head.
The overcast clouds were about as cheery and pleasant as she felt at the moment. She really hoped the first trimester passed quickly and she was a textbook case pregnancy because, while she was excited about the little life growing inside her, she was so over feeling carsick, as if she was riding a roller coaster and spinning in circles all at once.
Adding all of that to the uncertainty about Nash and what move they would take next was about to break her.
“I was just coming to check on you.” Ian fell into step beside her. “Everything okay?”
Tears pricked her eyes. Was everything okay? Not really. She was pregnant by a man she knew little about and she was falling in love with him. That chaotic mess had somehow become her life and she had no clue how to sort out all these emotions to make sense of things.
Ian stared at her, waiting on her to answer. Shoving her hair away from her shoulders, Lily blinked back tears, thankful for the sunglasses.
“I wasn’t feeling very well this morning.”
He gripped her elbow and pulled her gently to a stop. “You’re looking a little pale. Are you okay?”
Lily sniffed and shook her head. “No, I’m not, but I will be.”
Ian’s brows drew together as he glanced around, then focused back on her. “You’re crying. That’s not okay. Did something happen with your mom?”
“No, my mom is fine.”
Lily reached beneath her sunglasses and swiped the tips of her fingers at the tears just starting to escape. Why couldn’t she control her emotions? She just wanted to wrap up this day of filming and go back to her trailer where she could think of how to gently let Nash know she was developing stronger feelings for him.
“If you’re sick, maybe I should see about putting your scene off. A few more hours shouldn’t make a difference.”
A few hours? She needed a few weeks, or months, depending on how long this state of feeling like death lingered. Of course by that time she’d resemble a whale which would totally knock her out of playing Rose Barrington.
“A few hours won’t make a difference, but thanks.”
She sniffed again, desperately needing a tissue. Wow, if the paparazzi could only see her now. Sniffling, crying and looking like pure hell. They’d make up something akin to Starlet Hooked on Drugs or The Girl Next Door Reverts Back to Her Wild Days as their top story.
“Does this have to do with Nash?” he whispered. “You seem really upset for just not feeling well. Did he do something?”
Hysterical laughter burst through her as more tears flowed. Yeah, she was officially a disaster and she was totally falling apart in front of her new agent. An agent who had flown all the way out here to convince her to sign with his agency...the poor man was probably reconsidering his decision even though in the short time they’d been official, they had come to think of each other as good friends.
So instead of letting him continue to think she’d gone completely insane, she blurted out, “I’m pregnant.”
Ian’s eyes widened for only a second before he wrapped his arm around her shoulder and pulled her into a friendly hug.
“I assume this is Nash’s?”
Lily nodded against his shoulder and held on to his arms. “Nobody knows. Please keep the news to yourself until I tell you otherwise.”
“Of course.” He gave her shoulder a slight squeeze, then stepped back. “Is this why you haven’t gotten back to me on either of those scripts?”
His smile warmed her and she nodded. “I’m so torn. I have no clue what work you can find for me and I just don’t know how I’ll manage with being pregnant or even what will happen when the baby comes.”
Ian kept his grip on her shoulders and tipped his head down to look her straight in the eye. “Listen, this news is a shock to you now, but you are a strong woman. Actresses have babies all the time. You will do just fine and I’ve no doubt I’ll find work for you. Never worry about that. That’s my job. Okay?”
The strong wind had her hair dancing around her shoulders. Lily shoved the wayward strands behind her ears. “I need to get to hair and makeup. I’m really late now. Thanks for understanding and for keeping my secret.”