Nine-Month Protector Julie Miller
For Taz.
Ive dedicated books to my writers group before, but I
especially want to thank Sue Baumann, who took over
as president from me in 2006, and has been a wonderful,
inspirational leader for our group. Shes a woman with
heart, talent and a clever sense of humor. I appreciate
your leadership, support and friendship, and, of course
the wet noodles and candy corn pumpkins. Thanks.
Contents
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen
Chapter One
Sarah Cartwright ran into the posh gold-and-porcelain appointments of Teddy Wolfes bathroom and puked.
She knelt in front of the commode, clutching her stomach and grinding her knuckles against her mouth until the worst of the humiliation had passed.
What an idiot. What an idiot!
Sarah? The millionaire owner of the Riverboat Casino rapped on the door. Will you be all right?
Only if the tile floor opened up and swallowed her whole.
Her mouth opened to form words, but she couldnt speak. What was there to say after what shed just learned? After what shed just done? Was there anything she could say that could make this whole evening go away?
She could hear Teddy outside the door, getting dressed. Fine leather creakeda belt? His Italian oxfords? The holster and Beretta shed seen lying on his desk?
Shed known he wasnt the average sort of sweet and dependable guy she usually dated. That air of danger about him, that unpredictability, had been what had made him seem so exciting in the first place. She should have known she was out of her league. Out of her depth. Out of her mind when shed started trading phone calls and had accepted this date with him.
Well, he continued in that suave British accent that shed foolishly fallen for. Take as long as you need. Make use of any of the facilities in my suite. Order room service from the restaurant or a bottle of champagne from the bar. But youll have to enjoy the bubbly by yourself. I have some business to attend to. My people will take care of you.
She heard the whisper of silk sliding against silk outside the door as he continued to dress. Or maybe that was the smooth sound of careless, heartlessmeaninglessseduction that shed succumbed to like the naive, wide-eyed homebody she was. Her stomach churned again and she leaned forward.
After growing up the daughter of Austin Cartwright, shed always fancied herself so smart about the world. But how could she not have seen this coming? Had she really felt so lonesome? So bored with her life? So left behind in the relationship world, after marrying off friend after friendand even her own motherthat shed refused to see the obvious?
She couldnt call it rape. Shed been a willing participant. It had been fun and daring, and shed had no desire to say no.
Shed been exactly the exciting new woman she wanted to be. It was the adventurous
relationship shed wanted to have.
But she hadnt known. If only she had known.
Sarah? Teddy sounded impatient now, irritated with her silence. His evening hadnt turned out the way hed planned, either. He probably expected her to thank him.
Im fine, she squeaked out on a whisper. She cleared her throat and reached for one of the crystal glasses on the counter. She pulled herself to her feet, filled the glass with cold water and took a swallow before repeating in a louder, stronger voice. Im fine.
It was a lie, but it didnt matter. That was all Teddy wanted to hear. Teddy with the smooth line and smoother kisses. Teddy with the money. Teddy with the gun. Teddy with the awful, awful words.
You can tell your father were square.
What? Not exactly the romantic pillow talk shed expected after their first time together. Sarah pushed herself up on her elbows and pulled the straps of her sundress back onto her shoulders while Teddy disposed of their protection, stood and zipped his pants.
Ill consider his debt paid in full. For now. Until the next time he loses more than he can afford to.
Whatever sense of adventure had driven her to risk her heart so quickly faded in a haze of confusion. What are you talking about?
The two-hundred-and-sixty grand Austin owes me. Owed me. Theres no need to worry about your father now. Ill make sure nothing happens to him. Teddy was speaking so matter-of-factly, like theyd just conducted a business transaction instead of an impulsive makeout session on the leather couch in his private suite above the casino. He picked up his shirt and leaned over to kissher. That was just what I needed. Thank you for the lovely evening.
Oh, no. No.
Was my father in danger? What had Austin gotten himself into this time? Her stomach twisted into knots. And I? This was just?
Sarah couldnt even bring herself to say the horrible thing shed just done. Her own father had put a price on her head.
She grabbed her shoes and her purse and dashed into the bathroom, locking the door, locking out the nightmarish mistake shed just made.