Six Hot Summer Nights

She wasn’t sure what she was most angry at. His abrupt questioning about the DNA, that he acted like he cared once she’d mentioned her symptoms or that he had the doctor laughing at his witty charm by the end of the appointment.

Damn that man. She just wanted to throttle him for making her so aware that her feelings weren’t slacking at all … if anything they were growing stronger.

The man oozed sex appeal, he charmed everyone he came in contact with and he’d starred in nearly all her dreams since they’d left Cannes. One would think, in light of the situation, she’d learned her lesson not to fall for the charm, but unfortunately her mind and her heart were not receiving the same memo.

So now she wasn’t only angry with him for his accusations and attitude toward her, she was furious with herself for getting all tied up in knots over a man she’d let work his way into her life. Permanently.

By the time Bronson pulled in front of Mia’s cottage, he knew he was not going to get an invite inside. He also knew that wouldn’t stop him.

He opened her car door, took her hand to help her out and kept holding it, even when she tugged. He wasn’t letting her off the hook that easily.

She’d driven him crazy from the second she’d stepped out of her house. Immediately he’d noticed the change in her body from her fuller breasts to her thicker waist. She’d looked completely simple in layered colorful tanks that hugged her slightly rounded belly and a plain cotton skirt, showcasing those killer legs. Her ensemble was utterly sexy.

Added to that, her protectiveness of the baby, her adamant stance that she wanted a stable life for her child—maybe his child—was just another aspect that made her even more attractive.

Everything about her was sexy, and Bronson wished like hell he could get those thoughts out of his mind.

But how could he when she was very likely carrying his child? How could he deny that he still wanted this woman, whether she was lying or not? And how the hell had he let his emotions slip from his grasp? He seriously had no control as far as Mia was concerned, and that could prove to be catastrophic.

Every time he thought of the baby, he thought back to Cannes, when he’d wanted her and nothing else mattered. He always got what he wanted; there were never consequences. Until now.

Mia unlocked her door and reached in to type in her security code. “Thank you for taking me,” she told him, obviously trying to block him from coming in. “I have a lot of work to catch up on after taking a few hours off.”

Bronson knew his mother cared more about this baby, which could be a Dane heir, than whatever work she’d put on Mia’s schedule.

“I’m coming in.”

She eyed him and he waited for the argument. Surprised when she moved from the door, Bronson followed her in.

“In case you missed my not-so-subtle silent treatment, I’m not in the best of moods right now,” she told him, heading to the kitchen. “I cannot believe you asked the doctor about a DNA test. I just can’t …”

Because she really didn’t want him to uncover the truth or had that question really upset her?

Mia had made this kitchen her own with an array of cooking magazines spread open on the counter next to the stove. A very impressive spice rack sat next to an even more impressive knife set.

“You know it has to be done, Mia.” He watched as she reached for a handful of M&M’s from a glass candy dish on the center island. “The sooner we know, the sooner plans can be made.”

She laid out an assortment of colors, moving the green ones to the side. “I do know, Bronson. I know you’re the father. I don’t care about having a test after the baby is born, if it will ease your mind, but I will not put this baby in jeopardy right now just to satisfy you. The doctor went over the risks. I’m not willing to chance a miscarriage or harm this baby in any way.”

“Then we’ll have the test as soon as the baby’s born,” he told her, watching her pick through her candy like a child. “No excuses then.”

Intrigued, he watched as she ate all the other colors, but saved the green ones for last. “You don’t like green?”

She eyed the candy, then looked up to him. “They’re my favorite. I always save the best for last.”

He watched her dainty, pink-polished fingertips pick up one green piece at a time and pop it into her mouth. Why did he have this urge to feed them to her? She could very well be playing him. But damn if he wasn’t starting to have doubts about that. Emotionally, he couldn’t afford to go down this path again.

He tried not to think of her phoning Anthony to discuss how quickly and easily she’d gotten so personal with Bronson’s family. But he couldn’t dismiss the reality that she could be doing just that. So many emotions—both for and against Mia—and he didn’t know where to place them all. Unfortunately, they’d conglomerated into one large ball of anger and frustration. What he needed to do was stay focused on work … the one aspect of his life he had control over lately.

He’d met with his mother this week, and they’d finalized the movie script and budget. Now he had to put the wheels in motion to produce it, and then they could make the grand announcement. The media had their ideas about the secret project he was working on, considering he’d been so private about it, but they hadn’t guessed yet.

And he intended for no one to find out until he and his mother were ready. That included the stunning woman standing across from him, possibly carrying his child. His mother had really done some work to keep this project a secret from Mia.

“You’re awfully quiet for someone who came in uninvited.” She spoke without looking up as she pulled out another handful of candy and proceeded to separate them. “Something on your mind?”

The fact that he still wanted her just as badly as he had in Cannes. Liar or not, this woman turned him on by simply standing there. Hadn’t he learned his lesson after the last deceitful beauty?

Bronson knew he needed to keep a closer eye on Mia. If she were out to destroy him, he’d break her. And if not, well, they could at least have some fun along the way.

But that seed of doubt had been planted in his mind once he saw how genuine she was regarding this child. Was she telling the truth? Had this pregnancy been unplanned and was he indeed the father?

Common sense told him no, but his heart was starting to get involved as far as this child was concerned, and he wanted so much to believe her.

Taking a seat at the wrought-iron barstool, he reached for one of her precious green M&M’s. “I actually thought we should spend some time together. You are so adamant this baby’s mine, so I’d like to know what you expect from me. You’ve stressed it’s not money. What is it?”

Mia’s hand froze as she reached for another green piece. “I don’t want anything from you, Bronson. Not for me anyway. I want this baby to have a loving father. That’s all.”

She met his eyes on those final words, and the sincerity he saw nearly put a choke hold on him. Either he was becoming a pushover or she was telling the truth. Time would tell.

“I promise, if this baby is indeed mine, he will know no stronger or deeper love.”

That was something Bronson didn’t have to think about. This baby would be a Dane and have everything at his disposal. He’d never lack for stability or love.

“What about for yourself, Mia?” Bronson stood, came around the bar and leaned against the counter right next to her. “What do you want?”

Her hand trembled as she placed the glass lid back on the candy dish. “Nothing. I already told you.”

She was crumbling. Now he just had to push a little harder. If she were lying, he’d discover it, and God help her if he didn’t like what he found.

With his index finger, he grazed her cheek, her chin, until she turned to look at him. “If this baby’s mine, there can’t be any lies between us. Starting now. What do you want, Mia?”

“Nothing.” Her eyes betrayed her as they darted down to his mouth and back up. “There’s nothing I … need.”

That statement alone just proved she was a liar. And he didn’t know if he was pushing her to torment her or himself, but he had a feeling they were both equally uncomfortable right now.

Which was all the more reason for him to take charge.

Bronson couldn’t stop his lips from claiming hers any more than he could stop the arousal that punched him whenever he so much as thought of her.

He hadn’t gotten to where he was in life by riding on the coattails of his name. Nor had he gotten there by being weak.

But Mia was working her way into his life, causing a weakness he couldn’t afford.

Literally.

Nine

Mia had wanted to feel those lips on hers again but never thought she would. So she’d lied when she said she didn’t want anything. She couldn’t very well tell Bronson she wanted him again, could she? He was so skeptical of her, and if she wanted that family she’d dreamed of, she’d have to take it slow and make him see she was the real deal.

As Bronson’s hands slid up to cup the sides of her face, Mia realized that’s exactly what she wanted. She wanted to see where this attraction would lead. He couldn’t very well deny that he was physically attracted to her … she could feel the evidence.

Mia wrapped her arms around his neck and gave in to the kiss as Bronson changed the angle. She arched her back, pressing her sensitive breasts against his solid chest.

What had happened to make him turn from being so irritated at her to devouring her in her kitchen?

Mia eased back. “What was that for?”

Dark eyes filled with desire stared back at her. “You may not need anything, Mia, but I do. I’ve tried to keep my hands off you. I’ve tried to keep my distance because I didn’t want to complicate anything with this pregnancy, but I can’t.”

Really? Was this a game or was he sincere?

“But you don’t believe me.”

Bronson rested his forehead against hers and sighed. “I want to, God do I want to. I want this baby to be a Dane.”

Mia’s heart clenched at the battle he waged within himself. And he’d admitted his fears aloud—that shocked her. His frustrated tone and moment of vulnerability revealed more about his state of mind than he’d probably intended.

She reached up, grasping his biceps. “Then let yourself believe and I swear to you, you won’t get hurt.”

At least not about this. About Anthony being his biological brother … that wasn’t her secret to tell, and she could only pray her loyalty and vow of silence didn’t blow up in her face.

Bronson stepped back, shoving his hands in his pockets. The muscle ticked in his jaw as he glanced out the French doors to the hot-tub area. “All I can offer is a physical relationship, Mia. I have nothing else to give a woman at this stage in my life. I promise if this child’s mine, I’ll love it beyond measure. But if you’re under the impression that you and I can forge a relationship—much less a marriage—we can’t.”

She hadn’t been under that impression. Of course, that didn’t stop her from hoping and dreaming for a family of her own. But she wouldn’t push—that’s not how she wanted to obtain her family. She would hold out for love.

So while spending more time with Bronson might exact a toll on her emotionally, she was willing to take the chance because she believed there was so much more than physicality to explore between them.

“I just want us to get along for the sake of the baby,” she told him. “If anything happens between us, physical or otherwise, we’ll deal with that when the time comes. For right now, this baby is my main concern. Not your needs and not mine.”

Bronson’s eyes came back to her. “You’re going to be a great mother.”

Mia’s throat tightened, and her belly fluttered. She was going to be a mother. What she wouldn’t give to be able to go to her own for advice right now.

She could get through this on her own. She had no choice. Although she had a feeling that getting her heart involved with Bronson was going to lead to a bigger heartache than she could ever imagine.

After three weeks of life getting back to normal, Mia thanked God every day that her morning sickness didn’t rear its ugly head. Nausea occasionally followed her around like an unwanted friend, but other than that, she felt fine. Bronson had called and stopped by, but nothing intimate had even come close to transpiring again, and her hormones were screaming for one more touch.

Just as Mia was turning off her computer for the day, Olivia stepped into her office. “Do you have a minute or do you need to go?” she asked.

“I’m in no hurry. I’m just going home to try a new recipe I saw in a magazine.” Mia sat back down in her chair. “Something wrong?”

“Not at all. I want to commend you for how well you’re handling this pregnancy, considering my son’s doubts.”

Mia really didn’t want to get into what she and Bronson discussed. Working with the grandmother of her child while wanting Bronson more in her life could get a bit awkward.

“I’m not trying to pry,” Olivia said, as if reading her thoughts. “But I do want to offer some money to help with the baby’s furniture, clothes, whatever you want to buy.”

Mia came to her feet. “Oh, no. I’m not taking any money, Olivia. What you pay me is more than enough, and I’ve been setting some aside in my savings for anything this baby may need.”

“I didn’t think you’d take it, but I had to offer.”

“No, you didn’t. I will be just fine and so will the baby, no matter what Bronson decides.”

Olivia crossed her arms over her bright orange silk tunic. “Well, I don’t care what my son or you say, I will be spoiling my grandchild, so you tell me when you decide on furniture or a nursery theme. I have a wonderful designer, if you’re interested.”

Mia laughed. “I hadn’t even thought that far ahead yet.”

“Oh, yes, you have.”

“Okay, maybe I have,” Mia conceded. “But not much. I want to find out the sex of the baby before I decide on the colors. And I’d really like to do everything myself.”

Olivia shook her head. “Stubborn and independent. My son has his work cut out for him. At least say you’ll hire someone to paint. You don’t need to be smelling those fumes.”

How could anyone not love this woman? She was so caring, so take-charge, so motherly.

“I promise.”

Olivia moved around the side of the desk and came within a foot of Mia. “I have to tell you this because I’m a mother and because I love my son and have come to care about you like family. Don’t let Bronson’s attitude deter you if you want him in your life.”

“Pardon?” Olivia wasn’t really going to attempt her hand at cupid’s bow, was she?

Olivia laid a gold-ringed hand on Mia’s arm. “This baby has scared him more than he’ll ever admit. The last time … it didn’t end well. There are things you don’t know, and it’s his place to tell you if he chooses. I just don’t want you to think everything is as it seems with him.”

“I won’t pry into his past, Olivia.” Mia smiled, touched that this Hollywood icon valued her family more than anything else. “Right now we are getting along for the sake of the baby. What I want, what he wants, doesn’t matter.”

Olivia cupped Mia’s cheek. “Oh, my darling, you’re so wrong. You’re a unit whether you like it or not. Everyone’s happiness counts. Don’t shove your own desires aside, especially now when you need people in your life.”

Mia knew she needed people. She’d never wanted to need anyone, but she had to think realistically and see that she was out of her league here. She would need help and guidance with this child.

“I’ll let you know about that painter,” Mia said, hugging Olivia.

Mia left her office and walked out through Olivia’s as she always did. The summer evening breeze wasn’t quite so stifling tonight, and Mia lifted her face to the sky, feeling confident she was heading in the right direction with her life.

For now there was no turmoil, or not as much as there had been, and that suited Mia just fine. She hated drama—ironic since she loved working in Hollywood.

As she walked along the wide concrete path back to her house, she resisted the urge to call Anthony. She wanted to share her good news with him because they were friends, but she didn’t want to add any more issues to his home life.

She also wished she could talk to him about broaching the delicate subject with Olivia. The guilt she carried was pointless since she couldn’t say anything. How she wished she could go back to that day in Anthony’s office and not open that file he’d had on his desk. Why did she have to uncover a secret that had been buried for decades?

“Good evening.”

Mia squealed, jumping back with a hand to her heart. “Bronson! You scared me to death.”

If she hadn’t been so lost in thought, she would’ve noticed him sitting on her porch looking sexy as ever. Of course, he’d show up out of the blue. That’s what he did. Oh, he called every morning, but with his crazy work schedule, which changed from day to day, she never knew when he’d make a surprise visit.

“I didn’t mean to scare you.” He came to his feet and took her hand as she ascended the steps. “Were you lost in thought?”

Yeah, thinking about your brother.

“Something like that,” she told him as she fished out her key from her bag. “How long have you been waiting?”

“Just a few minutes.”

She led him inside, turned off the alarm and set her purse and keys on the foyer table. “I was just going to fix dinner. You hungry?”

A slow, cautious, sexy smile spread across his face. “Starving. I’d help, but the cook always kicked me out when I was a kid. So maybe I’ll just observe.”

Mia laughed as she toed off her heels and headed toward the kitchen. “I can turn on the TV if you’d like to watch something.”

She moved toward the flat screen on the wall between the breakfast nook and the kitchen.

“No, I’d rather have conversation or silence. My brain is on overload right now.”

Mia didn’t question what was wrong. He didn’t want to do personal and she could live with that … for now. But he was here, wanted to stay for dinner. Something drew him to her and she wasn’t going to question it.

She pulled one of her cooking magazines from her stack beside the fridge and turned to the earmarked page. As she bustled around the kitchen pulling out ingredients and double-checking the list, she was hyperaware of his presence. He didn’t say a word, but the shuffling of his rolling up the sleeves of his white dress shirt and the smell of his masculine aroma filled her kitchen.

“Feeling okay today?” he asked as she preheated the oven.

“I’m fine. I can’t wait until the ultrasound.” Mia pulled out a mixing bowl and stared across the island at Bronson. “I just want to see her.”

“Her?” he asked, raising a brow.

Mia laughed. “I go back and forth using her or him. I don’t care what we have.”

Bronson’s shoulders tensed.

“Sorry.” Mia cringed as she turned to get a pan. “I didn’t mean to make you uncomfortable.”

Silence settled in once again as she mixed and poured everything into the baking stone. Once she had the dish in the oven, she wiped her hands on a towel and turned to Bronson.

“That has to bake for about an hour. Do you want some wine or a drink?”

“No, I’m good.”

Mia couldn’t take it another minute. She just had to uncover the truth Olivia spoke of.

“I know it’s not my place to pry, but I need to know about your ex-fiancée and the baby.”

Bronson’s eyes turned dark as he jerked his gaze to hers. “No, you don’t. There’s nothing that concerns you.”

Mia wet a rag and wiped off the counter. She needed a prop for her nervous hands. “Actually, it does involve me, considering you’re hesitant about everything because of your past. Your ex-fiancée is always in the room with us, whether you realize it or not.”

“Leave it alone, Mia.”

For once she was not going to back down. “You know all about my life. You know why this baby means so much to me. I want to know why this baby scares you to the point that you can’t even discuss it without tensing up.”

Bronson came to his feet, running a hand through his stylishly messy hair. “I don’t know why you think now is the time to rehash all this.”

“I’ve been wondering for a while, Bronson, and today your mother—”

He jerked around. “My mother? You’ve got to be kidding. Did she tell you I loved that child, that his name was chosen and that I could hardly work for all the anticipation surrounding my upcoming marriage and baby?”

Mia tossed the rag into the sink. “She just said that—”

“What?” He threw his arms out to the side. “She said what? That my ex-fiancée was sleeping around behind my back and the baby wasn’t mine? Oh, and did she tell you how I believed the baby belonged to Anthony?”

Breath caught in Mia’s throat. Anthony the father? That couldn’t be. He loved his wife more than anything and was fighting to save his marriage.

She placed her palms on the island and stared into his tormented eyes. “Oh, God, Bronson. I had no idea.”

“No, but you had to push and push until I gave in. Well, congratulations. Now you know my secret.” He muttered a curse. “I don’t know how that wasn’t leaked to the media.

They all assumed we split over her losing the baby, that the stress was too much.”

Mia remembered reading that, hearing those rumors. Now she understood why this DNA test was so important … especially considering the rumors about her and Anthony and after he’d seen them talking in Cannes.

“That’s why you don’t believe me,” she whispered. “All of that in your past, added to my history with Anthony, has stacked the deck against me and instantly put you on guard. In Cannes, even, you probably thought I was working for the enemy. You slept with me with all these hateful thoughts in your head. I swear, Bronson, I never even entertained thoughts of sleeping with Anthony.”

Mia turned, holding a hand over her slightly rounded stomach. She didn’t want any of this ugliness to touch her baby.

“Maybe dinner was a bad idea.” She kept her gaze down, her body facing away from him. She couldn’t look him in the eye right now. Not when she knew so much hurt was swimming in hers. “I honestly didn’t meant to hurt you, to make you relive that nightmare. But I can’t be around someone who believes everything I say is a lie.”

Bronson’s hands came up to her shoulders. “Dinner isn’t a bad idea at all. I want to spend time with you, Mia. I didn’t mean to yell at you. I just wanted you to see where I’m coming from.”

Mia allowed those strong hands to turn her around, and she studied those eyes that showed so much emotion. It was probably a good thing he was on the other side of the camera. No way could he ever hide his true thoughts.

“I see a lot of pain,” she told him, smoothing the line between his brows. “I see a man who wants to hope and is afraid to. If you’ll look back at me, really look, you’ll see we aren’t so different.”

And then she did something she’d been dying to do—even with the accusations, the lies, the uncertainty.

Taking control of the situation, she rose on her bare toes and kissed him.

Ten

He was toast.

Bronson knew when he’d been waiting on her porch that if she so much as hinted that she wanted physical contact, he’d be all over her. He’d been wanting her for weeks. Not just a kiss, either.

And her pressing her lips, her body, against his was much more than a hint—it couldn’t get more obvious than that.

Bronson wrapped his arms around her waist and picked her up, holding her body against his. She’d read into his feelings, his emotions too well, and that scared the hell out of him. He didn’t want to be under her scope—he didn’t want pity.

He wanted to know if she was trying to trap and destroy him.