High-Society Secret Baby - Maxine Sullivan Page 0,38
expect you to answer this call.”
His brows flattened in a frown. “Is there a problem?”
“Only that I forgot it was Cassandra’s birthday today,” she said, sending shock through him. “I should have remembered, but this year has been so…hard.”
It was Cassandra’s birthday today?
Hell.
It took him a few seconds to pull himself together. Then he said, “Okay, thanks for letting me know.”
“Can you please give her our birthday wishes? You know I like to do the right thing in these sorts of situations.”
Dominic felt a flicker of annoyance. “Don’t worry, Mum. Cassandra knows how you feel about her.”
There was a slight hesitation. “Thanks, darling.”
He disconnected the call and stood there, letting it sink in. Dammit, no wonder Cassandra had looked excited one minute, then the next like the bottom had fallen out of her world. She’d thought he was taking her out for her birthday. He strode to the door and went in search of his wife.
At the party he saw her across the room. She was smiling, and she looked stunningly beautiful. He immediately wanted to lose himself in her.
And then he noticed the couple standing beside her. The woman he didn’t recognize. The man he knew instantly. Keith Samuels. Cassandra’s ex-lover.
The image of Keith and Cassandra in bed together sent fire spiking through him. He strode across the room, his eyes fixed upon them, anger bubbling inside him. He didn’t like the way the other man was leering all over her.
“And I’m sorry we didn’t get to Liam’s funeral,” Keith was saying as he came upon them. “Tanya and I were on our honeymoon. My divorce had only just come through the week before and we’d already paid for and booked the cruise.”
“Cassandra, I’ve been looking for you,” Dominic snarled, having to refrain from grabbing the other man’s throat as he approached them. Both their heads snapped toward him and both looked uncomfortable. Or guilty.
“Dominic,” Keith said, turning slightly pale. “I didn’t know you were there.”
“Clearly.”
Dominic took Cassandra by the elbow. “Excuse us. I need to speak with my wife.” He quietly emphasized the last words, then walked her toward the French doors, though he had the sense to make it look as if he was taking her outside for a stroll. He didn’t want any newspapers reporting a tiff between them.
“Dominic—” she began. “I—”
“I don’t want to hear what you have to say, Cassandra,” he hissed, not letting her go until they were in the shadows at the far end of the terrace. “Sorry to interrupt your little dalliance with your lover.”
“Dominic, this is ridiculous. There was nothing to interrupt.”
“Tell that to someone who might actually believe you.”
She flinched. “You make it sound like I met him here on purpose. How could I? I didn’t know you were bringing me here tonight.”
“No, but you took advantage of it as soon as my back was turned.”
“He and his new wife came up to me. I would never have spoken to him otherwise. I dislike the man intensely.”
His eyes narrowed. “So you’re telling me the affair’s over now?”
“There never was any affair.”
“Liam wouldn’t lie over something like that.”
“And I would?”
“Your track record isn’t so good.”
Her shoulders seemed to slump, then as quickly she drew herself up with calm dignity. “Believe what you will, Dominic. I can’t stop you.”
He wondered if this was a ploy to get some sort of sympathy out of him. It didn’t work. Liam had broken down and told him about her affair when he’d mentioned the will. His brother had been on his deathbed. He’d had no reason to lie.
He fixed her with a stare. “You couldn’t even tell me it was your birthday, so why would I believe you’ve started telling me the truth now?”
Her eyes widened. “You know it’s my birthday?”
He inclined his head. “My mother phoned before on my cell. She wanted to apologize for not remembering.”
“She did?”
“You sound surprised. No doubt she thought it was the correct thing to do.”
“Despite hating my guts?” Cassandra’s lips twisted. “I’m sure.”
He allowed her that small irony. Then he asked, “You didn’t think to let me know yourself?”
“It’s only a birthday,” she dismissed.
He shot her a glare. “You were trying to make me feel bad.”
“How can you feel bad when you didn’t know?” she said, looking confused. Then she shrugged. “Anyway, it’s not important in the scheme of things.”
“Not like your affair with Keith is important, right?” he snapped, as everything seemed to squeeze tight inside him. “The affair is over, Cassandra. For good. If I