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I return to my office after the surgery, and on entering, I’m surprised when my secretary tells me with a brighter than normal smile that I have a visitor waiting in my office.
I’m curious. It’s the first time she’s ever let anyone wait for me inside my office.
All air leaves my lungs when I enter just as Ivy turns her head toward the door. When the initial shock wears over, pleasure swamps me.
“Ivy.” I stroll to her, intending to kiss her on the cheek, but when our gazes meet, and I see the cold expression in her eyes, I know it’s not a friendly visit.
I change course and walk around to my chair. “It’s nice to see you.” I shouldn’t say this, especially when she’s obviously upset, but she looks so fucking beautiful. It feels like feasting on my favorite meal with my eyes, and I can’t get enough of looking at Ivy. Her gray eyes have a darker shade, and her lips look more kissable than usual. She’s probably been biting the lower one, making it plumper.
My body heats up as an image of us both naked in her bed takes root in my mind. Her skin was so silky and hot to touch. She tasted of hot and spice, and right now, I want nothing more than the chance to nibble on her lips again and plunge my tongue inside her mouth.
She stares at me for a long time before speaking. “You sent your parents to do your dirty work for you.”
“What?” It takes a few seconds to shift my brain from my erotic thoughts to what Ivy is saying.
“Your parents came to my house today,” Ivy continues. Her voice is shaky, and she sounds as if she’s going to burst into tears at any moment. “They wanted me to sign over my rights for my baby in exchange for a million dollars.”
I almost laugh out aloud. “You must be mistaken. My parents don’t know where you live, and they would never do anything like that.”
She cocks her head to one side. “Is that how you’re going to play this, Alec?” She stands up. “The only reason I came by was to tell you that you are despicable and a coward. You can tell your parents where to shove those million dollars. As for you, you’re nothing but my sperm donor. We don’t need you in our lives.”
I’m too stunned to speak, and I simply watch her as she marches out of my office and bangs the door shut behind her. My parents did what? I don’t want to believe that my parents would stoop so low as to offer Ivy money in exchange for her baby. That is sheer madness, and I know they are good, reasonable human beings. No, there must be a mistake. My parents would never do something like that, and even if they were contemplating it, they would talk to me first.
I reach for my phone and call.
“Alec, how nice to hear from you in the middle of the day,” my mother answers cheerfully. She doesn’t sound like somebody who had threatened an innocent pregnant woman.
“Mother, did you and father visit Ivy Martin?” I hold my breath as I wait for her answer.
She takes a long time to respond, and I’m about to prompt her when she starts speaking. “Yes, we did.”
“Mother! How could you do something so stupid? Did you offer her a million dollars in exchange for her baby?” Sweat covers my whole back, and I can feel my shirt clinging to my skin.
“Alec, I’m not sure you understand this, but that woman is carrying our grandchild. We have to protect it,” she says, a hard note in her voice.
I’ve never known my mother to refer to another person in such a dismissive tone. I feel as if I’m talking to a stranger. “Why are you referring to her as ‘that woman?’ What has she done to you, Mother?”
My mother sighs as if it’s taking all her patience to deal with me. “Alec, have you seen where that woman lives? She’s not the kind of woman we would have picked to be part of our family, but she's carrying our grandchild because of a mistake at the clinic. The only way to get rid of her is to convince her to sign over our child’s rights and let us raise it.”
“Mother, have you lost your mind?” It’s the first time I’ve ever shouted at my mother. I can’t believe the nasty things coming out of her mouth. “Since when is being poor a crime?”
“Don’t give me a lecture about poverty,” she says. “I’ve lived it, and I know the kind of things people do for money. I don’t want my grandchild raised in that kind of environment.”
“You don’t have a choice, Mother!” I’m so angry that I don’t want to hear her voice anymore. I disconnect the call and jump from my chair to pace the office.
No wonder Ivy was so upset. My mother actually offered her money in exchange for a child. What century does my mother live in?
I need to make things right with Ivy. A knock comes on my door, and my secretary peers in. “Your three o’clock patient is here,” she says.
I let out a curse under my breath. I’m not in a state of mind to see any patients, but that’s not their fault. I need to pull myself together. Nothing can interfere with my work, even my parents’ poor decisions. “Can you give me ten minutes before you let her in?”
“Sure,” she says and retreats.
I take deep breaths. I need to make things right with Ivy. I need her to know that I was not part of that crazy scheme and that no one will take her baby away from her as long as I’m alive. I’m going to be her protector, even if it’s from my own parents.
Ten minutes later, I have my composure back, and my patient comes in. With a plan in place, I clear everything from my mind and focus on the job ahead. I give my patient my complete attention, and when the consultation is over, I check my calendar. I’m free for the rest of the afternoon.
“I’ll be out for the rest of the day,” I tell my secretary. I ignore the unspoken question in Marge’s eyes. “I’ll see you tomorrow.”
