Smart. Check.
An offer too good to be true. Check.
Casey
Getting pregnant isn't the problem.
It's protecting my heart from Malcolm which scares me.
Hard not to get attached when the man of your dreams has a heart of gold and he’s a stallion in the bedroom.
I’ve been through much worse. I’ll do what I need to do to give my mother and sister a better life.
Infused with humor, family drama and steamy sex, Malcolm and Casey's story will leave you breathless until the very end.
BRAND NEW: BABY WANTED
CHAPTER ONE
MALCOLM
The early morning sunlight streamed in through the stained-glass window and into the parlor, casting colorful shadows across the dark hardwood floor. I groaned. My father always had a flair for the dramatic. I'd say that calling an early Saturday morning meeting qualified as dramatic. It was also exactly like him.
My head hurt from drinking a wee bit too much the night before. Okay, a lot too much, but I hid it well. The bags under my eyes seemed to stand out more than normal. Those, I couldn't do much about, so I just had to roll with it. “Mr. Crane, you look rather sleepy this morning,” Alba, our faithful housekeeper, said with a knowing smile.
She handed me a cup of coffee without me even asking. She knew me too well.
“Thanks, Alba, but I've told you. Don't call me Mr. Crane,” I said with a smile. “That's my father's name.”
Alba had been with my family for at least as long as I've been alive. Probably longer than that. Her dark hair was more gray than brown these days, her smooth face showing subtle signs of age. She was at least the same age as my dad, if not a little older. Health-wise though, she seemed to be faring much better than the old man.
“You're going to be the head of the family before long,” she winked. “Better get used to being called Mr. Crane, CEO of Crane Enterprises.”
“Yeah, not exactly looking forward to that,” I said.
Alba might have been right though. Given my father's health, it might be the reason we were all gathered for a family meeting. Officially, it was my mom who called the meeting – though I knew she was acting on my father's instructions. She sat across from me, holding her head high and looked as dignified as ever as she sipped her tea. She'd never been one for coffee, never needed it. She'd always been full of life and zest; something that hadn't change all that much despite the fact that she was getting older herself.
Her hair was freshly colored and neatly piled on top of her head in a light blonde bun. Her mouth suddenly twisted into a frown and she stared past me. I didn't have to turn around to see the reason for her disdain – his voice could be heard all the way down the hallway.
“Good morning, Cranes,” Adam said as he sauntered into the parlor room.
He smirked at me as he passed me by. The woman on his arm didn't dare look at me, but her appearance hit me like a sledgehammer to the gut.
“Danielle?” I asked.
I stood, surprised and appalled to see my ex-girlfrien
d on Adam's arm. We'd split up not even twenty-four hours before and yet, there she was, slinking along with my brother like nothing happened.
She didn't make eye contact with me, her blue eyes wide as if she didn't understand how she got there. Adam leaned close and kissed her to taunt me. Danielle kissed him back – looking very enthusiastic. My blood boiled inside of me, but I knew I had to keep myself in check. This wasn't the time or place for it.
“Brother – or shall I say – half-brother, since that's clearly what I am to you,” he greeted me, stepping forward and letting go of Danielle's hand. “Surprised to see me?”
“Not at all,” I said.
I wasn't surprised to see him turn up. I was surprised to see her, though. Even more surprised to see her with him. Danielle finally met my gaze and I felt that familiar shudder roll through me. She’d always had a profound effect on me.
She looked beautiful, as she always did. Her white-blonde hair sleek and straight, fell down and kissed just the tops of her shoulders. She was nearly six feet tall in her heels, and completely lean. Almost too thin, thanks to her blossoming career as a model. Personally, I liked her better when she had a few curves