Looking down at her, he said quietly, “You would not try to deny me that.”
She chewed her lip uncertainly, then sighed. “I guess I could stay until September. If you’re sure you really want me here that long?”
“I’m sure,” he said automatically.
“Three months living with a pregnant woman? A whole summer with a crying baby? That won’t cramp your style?”
“It’s what I want.”
“Well.” She gave a reluctant smile. “I’ve imposed on Franck’s charity long enough. I might as well impose on you for a while.”
“It’s no imposition. I want to marry you.”
She looked away. Her cheeks burned as she mumbled, “So does he.”
Leonidas gaped. “What!”
Daisy rolled her eyes. “It was a pity proposal. He felt sorry for me.”
Leonidas doubted pity had anything to do with it. “Did he try to kiss you?”
She looked shocked. “Kiss me? Of course not—Franck is old enough to be my father!” But Leonidas saw sudden uneasiness in her eyes, and he wondered exactly what Franck Bain had said to her. He made a mental note to keep the middle-aged artist on his radar.
He was furious that another man had made a move on her. How dared he? She was carrying Leonidas’s baby!
But could he blame Bain for wanting her? Any man would want Daisy. It made Leonidas all the more determined to marry her, and claim her as his own.
She tilted her head, looking up at him through dark lashes. “At least you have good reason to want me here. You love our baby.” She paused. “I never expected that.”
Relief flooded through him. “So you’ll stay?”
“With one condition.” She lifted her chin. “You have to promise, when I want to leave, you’ll let me go.”
He saw there was no arguing with her on this point. He hesitated. Once Daisy was here, living in his house, he believed he’d soon convince her they should marry. They both loved their baby. That was a good enough reason.
He hoped.
“If you’ll promise,” he said slowly, “you’ll never try to keep me from my daughter. Or hide her from me, even if you leave New York.”
Biting her lip, she gave a single nod.
Leonidas held out his hand. “Then I agree.”
“Me too.” Daisy shook his hand. He felt the slow burn of her palm against his, before she quickly drew it away.
“What changed your mind?” he asked quietly.
She looked up at him. “I loved my dad. That was what convinced me. Because you’re right. How could I deny our daughter the same chance for a father?”
The father that Daisy had lost, because of him. Leonidas felt a lump in his throat. The ghost of Patrick Cassidy would always be between them. How would they ever get past it?
He said in a low voice, “Will you stay tonight?”
“Yes. So will Sunny. Where I go, my dog goes.”
“She’s very welcome. Like I said. We’re dog friendly.” Looking at the dog lazing nearby, he added, “Besides, I think she likes me.”
“I noticed,” she said wryly. She yawned. “Though I didn’t pack any clothes.”
“I can send someone back—”
“Wake up one of your employees to send them to Brooklyn and back? I’m not that evil. I’ll just sleep naked.”
Leonidas broke out in a hot sweat, remembering her bare body against his, the soft sweetness of her skin as she moved against him. He wondered what it would feel like to touch her now, what she looked like naked, so heavily pregnant with his child...
No! He forced the image from his mind. He couldn’t seduce her. Not yet. She was still skittish, looking for an excuse to flee. He couldn’t give her one. He had to take his time. He had to win her trust.
“Fine. We can pick up your things tomorrow,” he said, breathing deeply.
“There’s not much to collect.” She gave a brief smile. “You don’t have to help me. I can just take the subway over.”
“Leave you to struggle with suitcases and boxes on the subway? Forget it. I’m helping you.”
“Fine,” she sighed. She yawned again. “I think I need to go to bed.”
He tried not to think about her in bed. “Sure.”
“I just need to let Sunny out first.” She rose to her feet, opening the door for her dog, who quickly bounded out into the courtyard.
As she stood in the doorway, Leonidas couldn’t stop his gaze from lingering over her belly and full, swollen breasts, imagining them beneath her white shirt and black leggings. Turning back, she caught his gaze. He blushed like a guilty teenager.
Clearing his throat, he gathered up the take-out