Page 51 of Secret Dynasty

“What?” he demanded. “You didn’t think it would bother me? I’m fucking human, Kerrigan. The thought of seeing you pregnant with his baby…” He fell silent.

I waited, trying to decide if I should tell him the worst of it and wondering how he would react. “He expects us to sleep together,” I blurted out. “No matter how much I deny it, he just knows there’s something between us. When I signed the contract, he said it didn’t matter to him if I fucked you as long as I followed his timeline and kept it quiet.”

“He wouldn’t care if it wasn’t his—”

“You’re twins,” I repeated the rationale that Spencer had given me.

Holden’s shoulders shook, and for a second, I thought he was crying. Then I realized it was laughter.

“Holden?”

“I can’t decide if he’s doing this because he thinks we’ll be okay with it or if he just really hates me.” He chuckled as he looked at me, his eyes dilated from the alcohol. “What do you think?”

“I can’t...I’m sorry,” I said in a hushed voice.

“I know.” He lifted a hand and brushed it down my cheek. “Me either.”

“What are we going to do?” I asked him, my voice cracking.

“No crying,” he instructed me. “I think that photographer might kill me if I brought you back with ruined make-up.”

I rolled my eyes, momentarily distracted by the immediate pressure of the photoshoot. “I should have another drink and loosen up.”

“Just smile,” he said harshly. “You’ll look gorgeous no matter what.”

“Apparently not.” I reached for my glass. “It’s this fucking dress.”

He looked down at it, then back to me, his eyes sparkling. “What’s wrong with it? You’re perfect. I thought that since the first time I saw it on you.”

I’d forgotten that Holden had interrupted my gown shopping to deliver a message. My body heated as I recalled the way he’d looked at me that day.

“That’s the problem,” I admitted. “It’s perfect. It’s my dream dress. And I’ll never wear it…”

For you. I let the words die on my lips, knowing I couldn’t take them back.

“Never wear it?” he prompted in a silky voice.

I took a deep breath and found my courage. “I’ll never wear it for you.”

Holden inhaled sharply and our eyes locked.

“You’re wearing it now,” he pointed out.

“For a photoshoot,” I said miserably.

“Take the picture for me,” he said suddenly. “Wear the dress today for me.”

I caught my lip in my teeth and nodded.

His thumb strayed over and tugged my lower lip free. “I have an idea of how to get you to loosen up.”

“Holden, I… you’ll ruin my make-up,” I said feebly, already lost to the idea of his touch.

“No, I won’t,” he said wickedly. Getting to his feet, he picked me up and carried me to the pool table. Laying my back on it, he let my legs dangle over the side. Then, he gathered my skirt and drew it slowly up to my waist. I couldn’t see him past the tulle and lace, but I gasped when he kissed my inner thigh. “Take the picture for me,” he coaxed. “Looking like temptation with those flushed cheeks.”

I groaned as his mouth made its way to the apex of my thighs. He sucked my swollen lips through the lace of my knickers until I was trembling.

“See?” he whispered, his words dancing along my sensitive flesh. “You’re wearing this dress for me now.” A finger pushed away the lace barrier and his mouth covered me entirely. I arched, pleasure pulsing through me as his tongue stroked me to release.