Free The Billionaire Baby Bombshell by Paula Roe

people…tomorrow?”
    He reached for his wineglass and cradled it gently in his hand. “I’ll arrange it.”
    “Great!” Yelena felt relief shade the edges of her satisfied smile and with a nod she refocused on her meal.
    Thankfully, discussing local businesses and the physical logistics of arranging the event kept them talking until after coffee. But when Alex called room service to clear the table, Yelena’s good mood shattered with her ringing phone.
    It was Carlos.
    “Where are you?”
    “Why?” With a glance at Alex, she quickly walked down the hall and into the bathroom.
    “Are you with—” he paused, then almost spat out the words “—Alex Rush?”
    “Again, why?” She gently closed the door.
    “Dammit, Yelena! I told you to stay away from him.”
    “You’ve told me nothing of the sort.”
    “I would’ve thought my silence on the subject didn’t need elaboration.”
    She glared at her reflection in the mirror. “I’m not a mind reader, Carlos.”
    His huff of impatience cranked up her irritation. “What’s gotten into you? You used to be so…”
    “Compliant?”
    “Sensible. People have been talking.”
    Something in his tone bothered her. A lot. “So what’s new?” At his aggrieved sigh, she narrowed her eyes and leaned back on the door. “What? Can’t I go about my daily business without some gossip spreading lies?”
    Carlos was quick to latch on to that. “So he’s a client?”
    “I didn’t say that.”
    “But that’s what you meant.” He sighed. “You need to get yourself a boyfriend, Yelena.”
    His sanctimoniousness rankled, tiny pinpricks stinging her skin. “Maybe he’s my boyfriend, Carlos. Maybe he’s decided to set me up as his bought-and-paid-for mistress and I’m going to dance naked for him every night. Whatever the reason, it’s none of your damn business!”
    She jammed her finger on the disconnect button, cloying heat choking her throat. But as she yanked the bathroom door open, she nearly ran smack-bang into Alex.
    At the last second she sprang back, skillfully avoiding his steadying hands.
    “Everything okay?”
    “Fine.” She gave him a belligerent look, straightened her T-shirt over her hips and tossed her head.
    “Doesn’t sound like it.”
    “It’s Carlos.” She brushed past him, too irritated to acknowledge the little zing as his body heat briefly enveloped her. “He’s being an ass.”
    Yet as angry as she was, she could still feel Alex’s presence close behind as they returned to the living room. “He’s…” She threw her hands in the air before flopping down onto the sofa.
    “Being Carlos?”
    “Yeah.”
    When she fixed him with a considering look, he met it steadily.
    “He thinks you and I…we…” She broke off, feeling the warmth on her cheeks. “I have no idea how he knew I was here.”
    The tiny stab of guilt hit Alex low. Of course he’d made sure Carlos knew. “Does it matter?”
    “It does to him. What on earth did you do to him?”
    His jaw tightened involuntarily. Yet his calm words beliedthe fury simmering under the surface. “Maybe it’s not all my fault.”
    “I didn’t say it was.” She frowned, glancing away. “But it’s odd. Why would he think we’re involved? He’s never seen us together…I mean,” she added with a flush, “ romantically. Has he?”
    “Not that I know of.”
    She went on, almost absently, “Sure, we’ve been to parties, official functions, but we’ve never been alone—”
    “Except at the Christmas ball in July. In the kitchen.”
    The flush on her face remained, his slow smile aiding its presence. “And I’ve never been to your office or—” She broke off, eyes rounding. “I have. Once. And Carlos was there.”
    “When?”
    She frowned. “It was September the first. Gabriela’s birthday. I remember because she was running late and asked me to pick up the cake then double-check you’d left already. Your…” She paused, swallowing. “Your father turned