Jordan’s irritating smirk really isn’t necessary. He wouldn’t let me off his lap as we were driven to the airport where he had a private plane waiting to take us to our destination. But now, he won’t let me leave his side at all. I have to pee, and the ass is following me. Waiting outside the door to make sure I’m not bounced around in-flight.

I hate that I find it oddly sweet. I hate that I’m attracted to him, and I hate that he makes my heart beat faster with each possessive look of his sinful gaze.

Returning to our seats, I say, “Jordan Maxwell, huh.” It’s the first time I’ve spoken since he dragged me from the church. Well, carried me, actually. And let’s not dwell on the rippling muscles under his fancy suit.

“Yup.” I want to smack that damn grin off his face. But I’m more likely to kiss it right now. My body feels like it’s burning up from the inside out.

It has to be the pregnancy hormones.

“Did you know who I was?” I asked. Surely, he wouldn’t really want the spawn of my father.

Turning in his seat, he looks at me. Jordan’s eyes wander down my body, landing on the tiny bump in my stomach. I wrap my arms around the area to hide it. Not due to embarrassment, but I’m just not understanding why he wants a woman who is already pregnant. I gave him an out.

“Yes and no.”

“That clears it up.” I roll my eyes.

“Watch it,” he warns, and I see it in his gaze. He’ll only take so much. “I obviously knew who your father was, but I had no idea you existed.”

Ouch.

“He doesn’t talk about you. I don’t think he’s ever mentioned a child, nor has your mother.” My husband looks thoughtful for a minute before shaking his head.

“How do you know them?” I inquire. It’s not the first time the question has popped up.

I knew Jordan was wealthy before I heard his name. It’s in every line of his body, the cut of his hair, his personal aura. What I don’t understand is how my parents could possibly know someone so wealthy.

“Dad is only a salesman.” The sardonic look he gives me tells me I should know better. “He’s not?” Now I’m really confused. For as long as I can remember, my father has worked for an office supply company, going from company to company hoping for exclusive contracts.

“Your father works in the IT department of my company.”

“Oh.” Perplexed, I ask, “Why lie?” I don’t expect an answer from him but feel the need to say it out loud.

Sighing, he pulls me closer to his warm body. Relaxing into his arms, I listen to his soothing voice. “Your father has worked for my family for over twenty years. I don’t know why he’s lied to you. Nothing Maxwell, Limited does is hidden from the public. We sell military-grade equipment to the U.S. Defense Department.” Taking a breath, he squeezes my arm. “Your father is an ordinary IT guy. He fixes viruses and bugs in our computers. He doesn’t have access to our equipment, blueprints, or anything worth selling.”

“So how did he incur so much debt?” Again, not expecting an answer from Jordan. But he seems to know my father better than I do.

“Horse races, mostly.” His voice sounds frustrated. “Bet on the wrong horse, and everything went downhill from there.”

“How do you know this? Why haven’t they told me?” The answer is simple. They didn’t want me around anymore. Informing me that they were having financial problems wouldn’t have even been a blip on their radar.

“Enough of them. Tell me about you, Mag-pie.” Well, at least, he’s not calling me Maggie. I hate that nickname.

“What do you want to know?” I suddenly become shy with the spotlight turning on me.

“You just graduated college, didn’t you? What did you study?”

Shifting in my seat beside him, I say quietly, “I dropped out.”

“Why?”

“Umm, pregnant, baby, school. Doing it alone isn’t exactly an option. It’s not like I have decent role-models for parenting. This kid needs all the attention I have.”

“Where’s the father?”

“Europe somewhere. He’s not interested in being strapped down with a baby.” Shrugging, I try to play it cool, but it hurts like hell. I know what it’s like to be rejected by a parent. I don’t want that for my child. Ever.

“Did you love him?” Jordan’s question startles me.

“God, no. I barely tolerated him.”

“So, why’d you sleep with him?” Good question.

I don’t know how to answer that without sounding like a needy, little girl. “I wanted to feel connected in some way. We’d been dating for a few months and were at a party drinking. One thing led to another, and six weeks later, I’m pregnant. Another six weeks, and I’m married to you.” I try shrugging it off like it’s nothing, but it’s everything.

“He just left? Decided the consequences of taking advantage of a vulnerable girl were too much for him to bear?” Oh, the husband is pissed off now.

“It’s not a big deal, Jordan. I’d rather him out of the picture than treating my child like dirt. I can do this alone, just not while attending school.”

He remains quiet for so long, I begin to feel rejected all over again.

“You’re wrong,” he finally says.

“About what?”

“You’re not doing this alone, Megan. I’ll be here every step of the way.”

Stunned, I stare stupidly at him.

I know we’re married now, and maybe it hasn’t quite sunk in that he has not only married me but my baby, too. I guess I just didn’t expect him to step up the way a real father should.

* * *

The rest of the flight remains quiet as Megan falls asleep against me. Seeing her, speaking to her, I know I’ve made the right choice in our honeymoon destination.

Bora Bora in the spring is supposed to be perfectly temperate. I rented us a hut on the beach overlooking the lagoon, so we’ll be isolated to do as we please, however we please.

Being attracted to Megan is a plus in my book. I wasn’t sure what I was going to do if I didn’t find her appealing, but watching her walk down the aisle, I’d known immediately that we would have chemistry. The fact she feels it as well is a bonus.

Feeling her in my arms at this moment, an obsessive need to completely make her mine overtakes me. I don’t just want her to be my wife, I want her to be my partner. I want her to love me as much as I know I’m going to love her. I realize she’s carrying another man’s child, but all I see it as is an extension of her. I already know I won’t take Megan until she’s ready, and that just might test every ounce of my control, but earning her trust is so much more important.

Knowing the doubts she has about her parents, the lack of love and trust, I understand I’ll have my work cut out for me where she is concerned. I’m thinking I might have to extend our honeymoon past the two days I’d planned. She needs to see me as a person and not just the man she was forced into marrying.

Admiring the sun on the horizon as it dips below the skyline, I pull her closer to me and decide to get some shut-eye myself. Once she sees our sleeping quarters, I have a feeling I might have a fight on my hands.

I’m looking forward to it.