A Weekend Temptation Read online

  As she puffed out an irritated breath, her stomach rumbled in agreement with Joel. She was hungry. She should fight it, show him he was wrong about at least one thing. But she was weighed down and drained of energy. She could fight later. She’d eat now.

  She took a bite. Maybe he was right about the food—it did taste wonderful. And she did need to think about the baby inside her and make sure she gave it her best.

  “What happened in there? You are as stiff and pale as a corpse. Did Alexander hurt you? Did he touch you?” There was a hard edge to Joel’s voice that Ava had never heard before.

  She shivered. “No. I mean yes. I don’t know. It’s just… He'd told me he loved me.” Her bottom lip trembled before she breathed away the emotion.

  “Did you love him?”

  She looked down at the turkey sandwich in her lap then back into his piercing eyes. “I…” I thought I could learn to love him sounded weak. But it was the truth.

  Right now her ego stung like it had been poked with needles. She was so confused her mind spun. Why was she more angry that Joel had offered Alexander money, than she was by Alexander leaving?

  Tonight, Alexander had even gone so far as to suggest she marry Joel. Talk about unexpected.

  She should have been smarting more over losing Alexander That hurt should have cracked her open and left her bleeding. Alexander was a good man, the man of her dreams.

  “He told me he wanted to spend the rest of his life with me. I know he didn’t say the vow, in good times and in bad but…”

  “It’s better you see how he reacts in bad times before you marry and bring my child into the picture. You should be with a strong man who’s plastered to your side, no matter what.”

  “Like who? Like you?” She laughed bitterly. “You practically threw me to my front door after our island bliss.”

  “That’s different.” He looked over her head through the window for a blink before returning his gaze to sear over her face.

  “Right. Real different. The only reason you’re here is because I am having your child.”

  “What happened before is in the past. All that matters now is I’m here. I’m never leaving.”

  She snorted. “At least Alexander had a reason to dump me. Oh, wait, you did too. You had a better offer—a slinky, society princess waiting for your ring.”

  He scowled at her. “I am not marrying Claudia LeMur. And she’s not better than you. She was never better.”

  Shock was a blow to her gut for a moment. “So why propose to her?” And why did you leave me like I was nothing?

  “Why did you go out with Alexander? If you wanted me, why accept the weakling’s proposal?”

  Joel had her there. It’s not like she’d admit something like, “Because you left me.” She’d never admit something that foolish, not even to herself. “Point taken and scored,” she said in a thready voice.

  “I don’t want to score. I want to take care of you and our child.”

  The limo approached her condo and stopped.

  “Let me carry your sandwich in.” His voice was deep and soothing and too sexy.

  “I’m not hungry.”

  “You’re going to eat.” There he was ordering her around again.

  “I—”

  “Relax. No more fighting. You’ve had a startling few weeks. You’re as pale as copy paper. You need a quiet dinner and rest. After I carry your food up, I’ll leave, so I don’t continue to stir you up.”

  Everything about Joel stirred her up. He set her on edge. She should tell him to go to hell. But tonight she felt too raw, too exposed by the drama of the night, not to let him take her by the elbow and guide her inside.

  When they entered her dining room, Joel laid her dinner out and poured her another glass of juice from the fridge, acting as though he’d lived there a lifetime. When he held her chair, in front of her sandwich, she sat.

  Joel leaned forward, moved her hair from her temple and kissed the side of her head. The tender unexpected gesture made her choke back a sigh. Then he ran stroking fingers through her hair until she felt the urge to purr.

  “Alexander wasn’t man enough for you.” His voice went deep and velvety, the way she liked it.

  She sighed. “What do you know?”

  “I know.”

  “Why? Have you been spying on him? Spying on me?” Her teeth speared into the crusty, warm bread his chef had baked.

  “Yes. You’ve been under surveillance since I dropped you off after Stanfield Cay.”

  Her jaw dropped. Oh, my God. He had her investigated, this whole time. Did that mean he hadn’t moved on the way she’d thought he had? An unwanted heat settled in the middle of her chest. Their time together must have moved him like it had her. Otherwise why keep track of her?

  But if that was the case, why did he propose to Claudia? Had he proposed before or after Ava began dating Alexander? Her head hurt with all the questions now rattling through her weary mind. Questions Mr. Stony-heart would never answer anyway. Why bother asking and getting disappointed?

  Well, there was one question she couldn’t resist asking. “Did you love Claudia?’

  “No,” he snapped out so fast she flinched.

  Not because of his answer. She liked his answer. She’d flinched because there was no emotion behind the lightning-quick response. He’d dated Claudia for six long months, but his beyond-perfect fiancée had never reached him. The man truly was unreachable.

  “Did you actually break off the engagement with her this afternoon?” Her head tilted.

  “Yes.”

  “Poor Claudia.”

  “Don’t feel sorry for her. I can promise you, she’s as heartless as I am.”

  Another shiver snaked up her spine, icing over her skin as it made its journey. “She wasn’t in love with you? Then why did she say yes?”

  “Because she wanted what every woman who dates me wants—to marry a billionaire with connections. She wanted to be the society wife, to get another leg up for her social career.”

  “No way.” Ava shook her head. “She may have seen those things as pluses, but you’re wrong about Claudia, she cares about you. I can see it in her eyes and her possessive touch.”

  “No. Trust me, she’ll move on fast, find another mogul, and host his society parties. She’ll live the dazzling life she was meant to live.”

  Ava rubbed her arms that were now pimpled with icy gooseflesh. This was the man who’d fathered her child, and he didn’t even allow his fiancée access to his heart, if he even had one.

  “Don’t look at me like that. I didn’t hurt her. I didn’t have her heart just like she didn’t have mine. Our engagement was more of a business deal.”

  She frowned. “Just like ours would be.”

  “No, ours could never be that.”

  She blinked at him in surprise. “But you don’t love me.”

  “No. I’ll never love you. It’s not something I’m capable of anymore. But if you marry me, I’ll protect you, and care for you. I’ll give you the world and then some.”

  “The world minus love?”

  “What they say about money not buying happiness is complete bunk. When I slide my diamond ring over your finger and the world opens up, you’ll see money buys everything.”

  She rubbed the back of her neck. “How sad, you’ve never fallen in love.”

  “What do you know?” he snapped out. His emotionless wall cracked.

  “Are you saying you’ve fallen in love before?”

  “I’m saying it’s none of your damned business,” he said through tight lips, his brow furrowed.

  She nodded and fisted her hands on the table, glaring up at his dark, granite features. “Right, I’m only the pregnant woman you’re trying to marry. If I said yes to you, I’d be saying yes to money and nothing else. Because you’d never let me close. Never let me in.”

  He growled and raked his hands through his hair. “If I don’t leave now, we’ll fight, and you’ll continue to i
gnore your dinner. Tonight you need food and rest.”

  “If I say yes to you, we’ll fight for a lifetime.”

  “I’m walking to the door.” He pointed in the direction of the front door. “And you’re eating your meal then you’re going to bed. When I return tomorrow, we’ll meet with our wedding coordinator.”

  “Excuse me?” She forced in a deep breath that did nothing to calm her. “Open your ears, I’m not marrying you.”

  “You’re going to be my wife.”

  “Not a chance. I can’t marry a man I don’t know. I worked for you for a year, and I know nothing about you. Nothing about your past or your family. Do you even have a family?”

  His eyes darkened, and he stroked his jaw for a long moment. “Fine, I’ll let you meet my mother. I’ll arrange the trip today.”

  With that bomb dropped, he left her to stew, clicking the door closed behind him. Interesting. For a moment, when she’d told him she wouldn’t marry him, she’d seen steam behind his eyes. She’d actually made him angry.

  Could she do what Claudia couldn’t? Could she reach him, make him feel? Maybe even come to love her?

  It was worth the risk. She owed it to herself and her baby to try. He was the child’s father, and he was making an effort. Joel was letting her meet his family. That had to mean he was letting her in, didn’t it?

  Hold on. Don’t get your hopes up. He told you he’ll never love you. Don’t fall for him…

  Chapter Eleven

  The door to the Italian villa opened, and a petite powerhouse of a woman, with gray curls, olive skin, and eyes as dark and piercing as her son’s, assessed Ava from head to toe. After the slow visual exploration, Joel’s mother moved her sharp, accusing gaze to Joel, who remained as impassive as ever.

  “I thought you were bringing Claudia home?” The woman’s voice boomed with authority, proving she was the female version of her son.

  Not that her authority made any difference. Ava knew no woman could rule over Joel Stanfield, not even his own mother. His will was too steely.

  Joel shrugged and leaned in to kiss his mother on the forehead. “Change of plans.”

  “Good. While I love Claudia’s family, I never liked the youngest LeMur. She isn’t in love with you, and her smile never reaches her eyes.”

  He cleared his throat, an indication he was done talking about his ex-fiancée. “Ava Carson, this is my mother Sophia Stanfield. Mother, this is my future wife, once I can get her to admit we’re engaged.”

  “She hasn’t said yes?” Sophia cackled. “Interesting. A woman is actually resisting you? That’s a first, caro. I hope it means you’ve finally met your match.” Sophia took Ava’s arm, and with a surprising grip, guided her from the foyer to a candlelit dining room.

  “It’s a long drive from the airport. Dinner is ready, if you’re hungry, Ava.” Joel’s mom smiled at her.

  “I’m famished.”

  Joel surveyed the room, with its china place settings and crystal goblets. He nodded at servants, then they sat, and soup was served.

  “No one else is here, Joel. They’re all afraid they’ll say the wrong thing and be too happy and hurt you.”

  He scowled. “They won’t. Hurt isn’t something I feel anymore.”

  “Hurt him?” Ava tilted her head in query. Joel wasn’t a man who allowed himself to suffer. What was his mother talking about?

  “No wine for her,” Joel said to a servant pouring a ruby marsala into Ava’s glass. “She may have juice or milk.”

  The servant nodded and disappeared with the offending glass into the kitchen.

  “Will you let me speak for myself?” Ava shot him a dirty look.

  He shrugged then ignored her to focus on the chef. Joel ordered something in Italian, but Ava didn’t doubt it would be as delicious as the soup. She watched as the efficient, round man disappeared into the kitchen, then returned her attention to Joel’s mother.

  “I thought Joel was an only child,” Ava said to Sophia.

  “Oh no, cara. Joel has two brothers and a sister. All married and each with children. I have a total of seven grandchildren. I would have had—”

  “Enough, Mother,” he sliced over Sophia’s words.

  His mother’s color darkened, and she covered her mouth, as if she’d almost said something forbidden. Then she dropped her hand away. “Joel avoids us. Before the accident, we were all so close. Our family would meet here every holiday. Back then, he was at the villa at least once a month. Now we’re lucky to see him once a year. Oh, I know it’s too painful to see—”

  “It’s not painful.” He shook his head. “I’m busy running Stanfield’s multi-billion dollar company, so everyone else can jet around and live the lavish life. As for the past, let’s leave that buried. It doesn’t affect the now. The now is all about getting to know my bride, Ava.”

  His mother’s cheeks stained a deeper red. “You’re right. I talk too much about the past when I should be celebrating the future. When is the baby due?”

  Ava, who had just taken a sip of her lemon water, coughed as liquid burned down the wrong pipe.

  As the night wore on, Ava found she enjoyed dinner and talking to Joel’s mother. And, in spite of his command, she did find out some things about Joel’s past.

  Not about the dreaded accident that had pried Joel away from his family. But about how Joel had always been a strong, willful boy. How he’d taken over the failing family business after his father’s death. How Joel had done what none of his other siblings had wanted or been able to do—give the company new life and make Stanfield International into the financial success it was.

  Then she’d learned about his brothers and sister, and she’d started to see she and Joel had more in common than she’d first thought. Both of them came from a big family. Both of them were successful. Her success was thanks to Joel’s.

  But now she had confirmed what she’d always known in her heart—Joel kept a dark, painful secret. With the bits of information here and there, she started to piece the puzzle together. She learned why Joel refused to allow anyone close, why he was so emotionally absent.

  Joel had been in love with a woman, and some accident had torn her away from him and turned his heart to granite.

  Or maybe Joel was still in love with the woman he’d lost in that accident. Maybe that was why he could never surrender his heart again. Thinking about that sliced through Ava, and sadness welled up in her chest.

  “It’s time for Ava to rest,” Joel said in his dictator voice.

  “For God’s sake, Joel, I’m not a child.” Ava frowned at him. “You’re such a—”

  Joel’s mom reached across and patted her arm. “Don’t be hard on him, cara. He’s doing what he’s genetically programmed to do—to protect you and the baby. You should have seen his father when I was pregnant. Each time the man became an over-attentive lunatic. But it was his way of showing he loved me.”

  Ava nodded. She closed her mouth over the words, “But Joel doesn’t love me.” If Joel did love her, there would be no question of whether she’d accept his proposal. If Joel loved her, she’d marry him, end of story.

  Because if he loved her, he’d include her in his life, and he wouldn’t keep secrets. But that wasn’t the case.

  At least she wasn’t the only one being shut out. It sounded like after the accident, Joel had done his damnedest to exclude everyone in his family.

  Joel took her hand in his and helped her up. His fingers were searing and awareness zapped over her. Every time he touched her, her skin burned. No man had ever made her so aware of her own body. But no man had ever kept her at such a distance either. She had to remember that.

  “Tomorrow we’ll have a picnic on the beach, and I’ll show you where I grew up,” Joel said.

  She nodded. “Okay, show me your beach. But I’m onto your game.”

  “What game? I’m not playing with you.”

  “The game is: show me your wonderful mother, make me like her. Then sho
w me your stunning beach and all the while try to coerce me into marrying you.” She laid a hand over her heart.

  He shrugged and didn’t have the decency to express any shame. “You need to get to know me, so you can see I’ll give you what you need.” He lifted her hand, pressed it to his mouth, running his warm tongue over her fingertip then with gentle teeth, he nipped until she shivered.

  God the man had such power over her. Just one nip, and her breasts were aching, her nipples pebbling. Her deluded body didn’t care that he didn’t love her. It wanted the physical closeness. The out-of-control pleasure he’d given her.

  But she needed to resist Joel. She had a life-altering decision to make, and she wanted to keep sex and chemistry out of it so she could decide whether Joel would be a good husband and a loving father for her child.

  Yes, Ava had told him she wanted love. And she still did. But could she reach Joel enough to make him love her? Enough for her to hope that in time he’d fall for her?

  If not, should she still marry him?

  The moment Ava read the plus sign, things had changed, and it wasn’t just about what she wanted anymore. She needed to make the most informed decision in order to create the best life for her child. And her child deserved a father devoted to him or her.

  But she didn’t want to give her baby a life of bitter hatred, one that came from divorce. She wouldn’t allow her child to suffer like she had, growing up in a family void of love and affection.

  She followed Joel up a winding staircase, still thinking how this journey could prove to be the most important trip of her life. She’d come to Sicily with Joel to learn all she could so she could make a decision. That’s why she was being drawn into his family and uncovering small hints of his painful past.

  Joel stopped and opened the door to an elegant, pastel suite. The room was pure luxury, but she missed the details because her gaze locked with his as he towered in the doorway. The room, the house, everything disappeared. Everything but his searing eyes.

  “Until we’re married, you’ll have your own room. But the adjoining door remains unlocked. If you find yourself…awake tonight.”