Prognosis Baby Daddy - Amy Andrews Page 0,22

rows of aquatic craft before pulling up in front of The Mermaid.

‘Isn’t she beautiful?’ he asked.

Katya was pleased to see that Ben had shed his mood from the garden and she gave The Mermaid the once-over. She supposed it was beautiful but she was paying more attention to the way the boat bobbed in the water.

‘Come on,’ he said, grabbing her hand and helping her onboard. ‘I’ll show you around.’

Ben adored this boat. He’d had every intention of selling her when he’d sold the Ferrari — after all, he hadn’t been out in her in a decade — but he just couldn’t bring himself to do it. Maybe because it didn’t have the same symbolism as the red car. Mario hadn’t been interested in boats so The Mermaid was something that didn’t represent his continuous rivalry with his brother.

The boat had been truly just about his own pleasure.

As he sat at the helm and refamiliarised himself with the dials, ran his hands over the wheel, he lamented not having found the time to go out in her often. He’d been out in her once since his return to Italy and had been too busy with the Lucia Trust to go again. Maybe if Katya enjoyed herself this weekend, she’d come out with him again?

‘Is there a bathroom on this thing?’ she asked, her stomach already protesting the slight swell she could feel through the soles of her feet.

‘Sure.’ He grinned. ‘Come on, I’ll show you below.’

Katya didn’t feel like she was going to vomit — yet. But she wanted to make sure she knew where to head if she did. This boat was shinier than anything she’d ever seen before, and she didn’t want to foul it.

She climbed down the stairs, following his lead, and walked into pure luxury. Her feet sank into deep-pile carpet and her eyes took a moment to adjust to the muted light. They were in a lounge area with leather chairs and a coffee-table. A plasma screen dominated the wall the chairs faced.

Ben showed her the galley, which sparkled and shone like everything else. Then he showed her the cabins — two large luxurious ones equipped with huge beds. Beds you could roll over and over and over in. She had a vision of the two of them doing just that, the sheets tangling around their legs.

She blinked hard to dispel it as he showed her the decadent en suites complete with spas. ‘What do you think?’ he asked.

Katya reeled. She’d never been amongst such luxury. The splendour of the Lucia Clinic faded in comparison. She felt gauche, like Cinderella at the ball. Her head spun and for a brief moment she thought she was going to lose the contents of her stomach immediately.

‘It’s like a...palace.’

Ben chuckled. She was all wide-eyed, clearly overwhelmed. ‘Every woman deserves a palace once in a while, don’t you think?’ he asked.

Katya wasn’t sure about that. It wasn’t something she’d ever wished for. Sure, she’d wished they’d had more. That her mother had been home more often. That she could have gone to school more often. That they’d had food in their cupboards and a warm house all the time. She’d never even dared to wish for something like this.

And her child was going to be part of all this. Would grow up amongst all these amazing things. Would never know what it was like to feel hungry or cold. Or unloved. This wasn’t a life she would ever feel comfortable living, but as much as it dazzled, even scared her, she was pleased that the baby would never have the sort of life she’d endured.

‘I guess,’ she said quietly. Doubtfully.

‘I know you don’t feel comfortable with all this,’ Ben said, gesturing around him, ‘but I swear, if you just let yourself, you’ll have a great day.’

Katya looked into his earnest face. He wanted her to like his boat. He wanted her to enjoy herself. She could see it in his keen gaze. She smiled at him then and made a conscious effort to relax. Considering the bombshell she was going to drop at some stage, the least she could do was let him know how much she appreciated him trying to show her a good time.

‘OK.’ She smiled. ‘Aye, aye, Captain.’ And she saluted him.

Ben threw back his head and laughed. Somehow he couldn’t imagine Katya ever being obedient. It was almost as absurd as her being mellow. ‘Let’s go back on deck and get under way.’

‘Aye, aye, Captain,’