More Than a Millionaire / The Untamed Sheikh. Emilie Rose

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СКАЧАТЬ you or do you not trade in your women more often than most people charge their cell-phone batteries? A child needs security and stability.”

      “I haven’t been involved in a long-term relationship lately, if that’s what you’re asking. Have you?”

      “My love life is none of your business.”

      “It is if your habits could endanger my kid’s health.”

      Her mouth opened and closed like a goldfish, but she couldn’t manage to dredge up a blistering comeback. Once again, as ugly as his comment might have been, his concern was valid. “That isn’t an issue.”

      “I want a copy of your medical records and to attend every doctor’s appointment with you.”

      She bit her tongue. Pain stabbed her mouth. “What?”

      “You’ll need to transfer your records to the obstetrical practice I’ve chosen.”

      “Are you out of your mind? You can’t make those decisions for me.”

      “I want to track his development. And this obstetrical group is the best in the region.”

      She shoved her plate aside. “First of all, he might be a she. Second, I have my own doctor. I’ve been seeing her for years, and I’m not changing. You can’t make me.”

      He weighed her words as if debating arguing. “Is he or she board certified?”

      “Of course. I wouldn’t go to a hack—especially now. I’ll have my doctor fax you a report after each visit.”

      “Not good enough. I want to be able to address questions as they arise and see the ultrasound scans.”

      Any child would be lucky to have a parent so interested. If only hers had been, but her father had been too busy with his gambling buddies.

      “I’ll check with my doctor, but I think she’ll agree to meet with you. I also want to make sure Beth and Patrick are comfortable with your intrusion.”

      Not that either of them had attended her appointments thus far. Their absence had surprised Nicole. But maybe the obstetrical appointments were painful reminders of Beth’s inability to conceive.

      “They’ll have to deal with it. Get used to it, Nicole. I will be a part of this child’s life with or without your voluntary consent. And I won’t be parked in the waiting room at the doctor’s office. I’ll be right by your side during every examination.”

      Chapter Four

      Ryan’s audacity astounded Nicole. He was backing her into a corner, and she really didn’t like it.

      She could feel her muscles tensing, her heart pounding and her hands trembling. She silently chanted her three P’s. Her mantra didn’t have its usual calming effect. The urge to tell him to go to hell nearly overcame her good manners, but volatile reactions never solved a problem. They only exacerbated the situation, and alienating him was the last thing she needed to do.

      “You can’t impose on my private doctor’s appointments.”

      “Would you like to bet on that? Your exams are also my child’s exams. I have the right to make sure you’re following doctor’s orders and not endangering my kid.”

      She crumpled the cloth napkin in her lap and her toes curled in her shoes. “I would never do that!”

      It took everything Nicole had to rein in her temper. For Patrick and Beth’s sake, for her baby’s sake, she had to find a solution—a peaceable solution. She excelled at finding ways to make the impossible happen at work. Wasn’t she known as the go-to girl? But compromise ideas were scarce now.

      She’d learned that whenever a problem was this complex it helped to break it down into manageable increments and address each component separately. She needed time and distance away from Ryan to get her thoughts in line.

      Carefully pushing her chair back from the table, she took a deep breath and then rose to her feet. “Thank you for lunch, but I’d like to leave now.”

      He stood more slowly. “You haven’t finished your lunch.”

      “I don’t think I can eat another bite. Morning sickness.” More like man sickness.

      “It’s not morning.”

      “The baby doesn’t wear a Rolex.” Ryan did—an expensive gold model like her father had gambled away at a casino. She remembered the screaming match that had ensued when her mother found out.

      “I’ll drive you.”

      She dropped her napkin beside her plate. “I’d rather call a taxi.”

      “We haven’t finished our discussion.”

      She couldn’t possibly remain polite in his company. “There’s no need. Please have your physician fax your health records to my office.”

      “Mine?” His dark eyebrows winged upward.

      “Yes. Yours. As you pointed out, I—we have every right to know if this baby will inherit something from you that might affect the pregnancy or delivery.”

      “I told you I was healthy.”

      “And you expect me to take the word of a stranger?” She threw his words back at him, and then smothered a wince.

       That wasn’t nice, Nicole.

      But maybe if he realized how ridiculously intrusive he was being then he’d back off.

      “I’ll take care of it. But I’m not calling a cab for you. I brought you. I’ll take you back.” His inflexible tone and rock-hard jaw warned her arguing would be a waste of time.

      Some battles weren’t worth fighting. As long as she won the war—and she would win—she could concede this one. “Fine. Lead the way.”

      “Before you go, I have one more request.”

      Her insides snarled into a tense knot at the calculating glint in his baby blues. Her control was already teetering on the edge. One teensy shove and she’d lose her temper.

      “If you find my home unsuitable, then help me find another one.”

      She blinked and swallowed, not liking the direction of his thinking. “Why would I do that? And why would you want me to?”

      “Because we both want my child to be raised in a safe environment.”

      My child. The words raised her hackles, her temperature and her heart rate each time he said them. But at the same time, she couldn’t help but be impressed that he cared enough to make the effort to provide a better environment. “A real-estate agent would be more knowledgeable.”

      “Without a doubt. I’ll engage one to find the houses, but she won’t have a personal stake in my decision. You might as well СКАЧАТЬ