The Nanny Trap

“Did you explain to your mother what happened?”

“Since I’m unsure on all the details, I thought it would be better if you told her.” It was a gentle nudge to share the story with him.

As soon as they sat down on the plane, Bella snuggled beside Blake in one of the comfortable leather chairs, her head on his shoulder.

“How did you find out that Victoria isn’t Drew’s mother?”

“I came across some of the paperwork from the clinic. The treatment was a lot less expensive than it should have been. When I looked at the itemized statement, I noticed that the charges weren’t for in vitro, but for artificial insemination.”

“Victoria told me her eggs weren’t viable,” Bella explained, remembering her shock when the former model had asked to use Bella’s eggs as well as have her carry the baby.

“As far as I know that’s not true,” Blake said.

“I guess I’m just a gullible farm girl from Iowa.” Bella burned with humiliation at being so easily duped. “I believed her.”

“My ex-wife excelled at telling a person what they wanted to hear.” There was a hint of frustration beneath Blake’s even tone. “For years she let me believe she wanted to have a family.”

“Maybe she didn’t know what she wanted until it was too late,” she suggested. “I know that she was determined to hold on to you.”

“Is that how she talked you into letting us use one of your eggs?”

“She was frantic, telling me that your marriage would be over because she couldn’t give you a baby. It was entirely plausible. Infertility can tear apart a marriage.”

“But how did she think she could get away with lying to me about our son’s parentage?”

“Desperate people do foolish things sometimes.” Bella stared up at his strong profile, saw the muscle move in his cheek. “I should know. I gave away my son in exchange for the money to help my parents keep their farm.”

Blake cupped her cheek in his hand and kissed her with slow, thorough adoration. “And every day that goes by I thank heavens your parents had financial difficulties, because otherwise we never would have met and I wouldn’t have my son.”

“I’m not sure they’d appreciate hearing you say that,” Bella teased, sliding her hand along his muscular arm, enjoying the strength of him beneath her fingertips.

“They’re going to be my family now. I hope you realize I’m going to take good care of all your siblings.”

Bella groaned. “Please don’t tell them that. They already see me as the cash cow. If they have any idea how generous you are, they’ll never leave you alone.”

“Don’t worry. I can handle them.” His lips covered hers, silencing any further protest she might make.

Relaxing into the familiar press and retreat of his kiss, Bella hummed in appreciation of the masterful way he could make her forget everything but what was happening at that moment. For too long she’d worried about the future. Blake kept her completely grounded in the present.

“I love the sounds you make,” he murmured, gliding his lips along her neck.

She shivered in delight as he lightly sucked on her sensitive skin. “What sounds?”

“Your moans have terrific range. They tell me how much you like something. And then there’s the way you purr. I know you’re really happy when that happens.”

“I do all that?” Despite the level of physical intimacy she’d experienced with him, hearing his praise sent heat spiraling into her cheeks.

“All that and more.” He kissed her forehead. “You make me happier than I’ve ever been.”

Was that possible? His marriage to Victoria had seemed perfect. They’d been an it couple. Attractive, talented, wealthy. Bella couldn’t remember a time when they were in the same room and didn’t touch in some way. She’d envied their obvious passion for each other.

“I’m glad.”

Blake’s intent blue eyes grew sharp. “You don’t sound convinced.”

“You forget, I saw you with Victoria.”

“She didn’t make me feel like you do. Living with her was often exhausting. She loved drama. When it didn’t present itself organically, she created it.”

“But you seemed so happy.”

“Our marriage worked as long as Victoria got what she wanted. And I was happy to give her whatever. All I wanted was for us to be parents. Things began to change as soon as she agreed to try for a baby.”

Bella kept silent. The best thing she could do was trust that Blake knew what he was getting into by marrying her. He was telling her that he was tired of beautiful and exciting. He wanted…what? Plain and dull? She sighed.