Awaken to Pleasure - By Nalini Singh Page 0,33

father tends to go for the cradle." Her quick response was accompanied by a dry smile.

"I can't promise you loyalty." He didn't trust himself, not when his father's philandering genes ran in his veins. He'd never once cheated on Bonnie, but who knew when the badness would kick in.

"You're not a dog."

He scowled at her. "Stop being flippant." He knew how hurt she'd been at being abandoned by Lance, and yet he couldn't help himself from telling her the truth, needing her to accept him despite his flaws. It was an impossible situation because once she knew thetruth, she would never trust him with the love he wanted. The love he needed.

One eyebrow rose. "Why not? You're being overdramatic. Must come from working in the movies."

"Taylor." Nobody else ever reduced him to growling.

"That doesn't work anymore," she said, gleefully.

"It never did." He was undone by her irreverence. "Don't you want to know the truth?"

"I know all I need to know. You'll care for me and you'll care for Nick while we're yours and afterward, you'll make sure that we have what we need." Her words were practical, her tone even. Implicit was an acceptance that this marriage would end in a year. He wanted to shake her out of her blithe assurance that she could walk away from him, force her to accept his claim. "That's more than anyone's ever done for me. It's enough."

It wasn't enough for him. He should have been glad at finding such a sensible woman. Yet he kept thinking that he was being shortchanged, if he accepted that this was allTaylorhad to give him. Taylor, who had so much spirit and courage and hope. Taylor, whohe'd thought would lead him out of the darkness into which he'd tumbled after years of cold loneliness.

He supposed he deserved it. After all, a practical arrangement was all he'd asked for and she'd promised to deliver - Nick's safety in exchange for a baby. His eyes narrowed. He had a year to make Taylorpregnant. Once he had her carrying his child, he'd teach her to trust him with her love, even if it took a lifetime. PoorTaylor, she had no idea who she'd struck a bargain with.

"I think we have to at least show up at this party," he toldTaylorlater that day. They'd spent most of the previous hours working on legal documents, taking only a short break to explore the nearby coral reef.

The excursion had been worth making time for, if only to see the wonder onTaylor's face as they snorkeled through the reef's colorful and fearless inhabitants.

Though he was aware that after their returnTaylorhad spent time on the phone with her therapist, Maggie, he hadn't asked her about it. It was enough that she'd found someone who was able to help her.

"It's being hosted by the resort owners." Knowing them was the reason he'd been able to get a spot on the exclusive paparazzi-free island on such short notice.

Scowling,Taylorsaid, "No, we're not going."

He was so used to her sunny nature that he was momentarily stunned by the determined denial. "Why not?"

He heard her gritting her teeth. "I was poor,Jackson. I won't know how to fit in there. It'd be different starting out in our home because it would be my territory."

Her response astounded him. She was usually so self-contained and confident that occasionally he wished she'd show a little more need for him, but he'd never wanted her so vulnerable that she was hurting.

"You've worked in the industry..." he began, at a loss. And yet, the primitive part of him was exulting that she'd forgotten herself enough to share her fears with him.

"As a secretary!" Her eyes glittered. "They'll look down on me."

He walked across the verandah and clamped his hands on her shoulders. " Cara mia, I would never let them hurt you."

She bit her lip. He knew about her lack of trust in men and their promises, and could even understand it, but it still hurt when she didn't immediately believe in him.

"I won't let the vultures near you." He wanted to show her the tenderness she needed, but his voice came out rough, almost a command that she trust him.

To his surprise, she reacted favorably. Her back straightened and she threw him a glare for daring to give her an order. "I don't have anything to wear."

"We can go shopping in the resort boutiques. Whatever you wear, you'll knock 'em dead."

Her smile was brilliant, far more like the woman he was used