Free Dante's Marriage Pact by Day Leclaire Page A

“It’s been a while.”
    â€œI guess you’re here to talk to my grandmother about the purchase contracts.” She took a swift step backward. “I’ll leave you to it.”
    â€œI’m not here to see your grandmother.” He approached, not the least surprised by the alarm building in her dark gaze. It had been a long, difficult chase, but she’d just been trapped and he didn’t intend to release her anytime soon. “I’m here to talk to you.”
    â€œThis really isn’t a good time,” she began, taking another swift step backward.
    She clutched the blankets in a white-knuckle grip, holding them almost protectively against her chest. It was her profound nervousness, bordering on fear, that finally gave her away. He looked at her this time. Really looked. And then it was his turn for his breath to hitch. His turn to stare in stunned disbelief.
    â€œYou’re pregnant.” The words escaped, part statement, part accusation.
    From behind him, he heard Leticia moan. “Shayla,you’re pregnant ? Why didn’t you tell your poor, dear grandmamma?”
    Shayla’s confused gaze darted from him to her grandmother and back again. “Yes, I’m pregnant. I guess that means there’s cause for celebration all around. I understand you’re married, Draco. Congratulations.”
    Married? “Who the hell told you that?” he snarled, though he could guess.
    â€œMy grandmother.”
    He suspected that if she’d thought first she might not have given him an honest answer. “Did she?”
    Naturally, the old woman continued to brazen it out. “That’s what I heard.” She rolled her eyes. “But what do I know? You Dantes breed like rabbits. With so many to choose from, it’s possible I got the name of the groom wrong.”
    â€œThat tears it.” He shot her a blistering glare that had her shrinking back against the cushions of her chair. “I don’t care if this is your house, I want you out of this room right now.”
    â€œWell, I never!” Leticia said, playing the affronted grand dame to the hilt.
    â€œThen it’s about time you did,” Draco shot back. He stabbed a finger in the direction of the door. “Excuse us. Please.” He nearly choked on that final word, before switching his attention to Shayla. She’d run if given half the chance, though considering the extent of her pregnancy he had a reasonable shot at catching her this time round. And it wouldn’t take nine months, either. “Shayla and I have a lot to talk about.”
    Leticia didn’t want to leave, he could see the resistance in every line of her whip-thin body. “Very well, I’ll go.” Her eyes narrowed on Draco, the soft baby blues bright with malice. “But I’ll be back.”
    â€œYeah, that’s what all villains say,” he muttered.
    Shayla must have heard because she glanced out thewindow, biting her lip. He wondered if it was to hold back laughter or to keep herself from tearing him a new one. The door closed behind Leticia, just shy of a slam, leaving them in murky silence. Draco didn’t hesitate. Most of his questions could be answered with one easy move.
    Before she realized his intent, he swept her into his arms and kissed her. It was a hard, ruthless kiss, one that gave no quarter, but demanded a response, a definitive answer to months’ worth of questions. He put every bit of the loss and hunger, anger and pain, hope and despair into that melding of lips.
    He felt her resistance, her initial panic. Her hands pressed against his chest, attempting to hold him at bay. And then it all changed. A soft moan caught in her throat, a moan of intense longing and desire. Where before her hands pushed, now they lifted and tangled in his hair. Tugged to bring him closer. Her lips parted and she deepened the kiss, easing it from hard to generous, ruthless to eager,