Free Bought by a Millionaire by Heidi Betts Page B

plate on her lap and handed her the steaming cup of tea. “Careful, it’s hot.”
    She brought the ceramic mug to her lips and blew to cool the light brown liquid.
    â€œIt’s chamomile. I hope that’s okay. And caffeine-free. I made sure of that, since all the books say pregnant women should avoid caffeine.”
    A small, thoughtful smile touched her lips. “I’m sure it’s fine, thank you.”
    He stood to her side, watching as she nibbled the toast and sipped the tea. Her color looked better than it had when he’d found her, he noted. And her appetite seemed healthy enough. Maybe he should make her something else.
    â€œDo you want a bowl of soup? Or a sandwich? Or…I don’t know…anything?”
    â€œThis is plenty,” she said with a shake of her head and took another bite.
    Checking his watch, he realized she’d probably drift off soon. It was a little early for bed, but she’d been sick and was weaker than usual. She needed her sleep.
    She needed a few other items, as well. Without a word, he marched out of the room and started gathering everything he could think of. Tissues, cough drops, Tylenol, sore throat spray, bottled water and bottled orange juice. Returning to her room, he set them on the bedside table.
    The toast was nothing but crumbs and her cup was nearly empty.
    â€œIf you need anything during the night, help yourself. Or call me. I’ll be right next door.” His brows drew together for a moment, and he added, “Or in my office, on the other end of the living room. Sometimes I work late, so if I’m not in bed, I’m probably there.”
    She nodded, apparently resigned to staying with him for a few days, at least.
    â€œWell, if there’s nothing else…” He let the words trail off,trying to figure out why the heck he was so nervous all of a sudden.
    â€œNo, I don’t think so.” Her gaze darted to the nightstand. “It looks like you’ve thought of everything. I appreciate it, thank you.”
    He inclined his head and backed slowly out of the room. “Good night.”
    â€œGood night.”
    On the way to his office, he stopped in the kitchen to pour himself a glass of wine and nuke a single-serving frozen casserole. All of this was new to him: taking care of—and caring for—another human being. He supposed he should get used to it; after all, he’d be a father in only seven more months. Then, he would be responsible for feedings, diaper changes, immunizations…everything involved in raising a child from infancy to adulthood.
    And yet none of that scared him nearly as much as having Shannon asleep in the next room. He was beginning to feel things for her that he shouldn’t.
    If he’d wanted to become emotionally involved with the mother of his child, he’d have gone about the task from a whole different angle. He’d hired a surrogate specifically because he didn’t want the romantic attachments of a wife or girlfriend.
    But Shannon made him imagine what it might be like to be having a child with a woman he loved. To live with someone for the first time in his adult life and start a family with that person. All things he had never wanted before.
    And he didn’t want them now.
    He didn’t.
    Just as soon as the baby was born, he and Shannon would go their separate ways, and he’d forget about her. She’d likely move on with her life and forget about him just as quickly. Itwas only his growing attachment to the notion of being a father that had him thinking he was also experiencing genuine sentiments toward Shannon.
    Taking a sip of the smooth red wine, Burke watched the turntable inside the microwave going around in a slow circle.
    He had seven months, he thought. And in seven months, he could convince himself of almost anything. Even that.
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    When Shannon awoke the next morning, she felt a thousand times better. She still had a bit