The Tycoon's Baby Revelation - Elizabeth Lennox Page 0,22

as if she could somehow cover the blush. “I’m in charge this weekend. You’re going to accept it, enjoy yourself, and spend some quality time with your sisters.”

She wanted to yell as frustration swamped her, but this was Josh. She knew that he’d never do anything to hurt her or her sisters. Just the opposite, in fact. He went out of his way to ensure their safety. For Rayne and Pepper, he acted like a big brother. Josh always stepped in when Rayne or Pepper needed help with anything.

“Fine,” she huffed, turning to look at the crowd because looking at him made her stomach tighten. She hated that sensation and seemed to be feeling it more often lately. Josh Starke was just so…enigmatic? Yes, but it was more than that. There was something about him, something special, something that made him almost untouchable and unreachable, but at the same time, he knew how to come across as persuasive and approachable.

What was it about him that constantly fascinated her?

“Did you see me?” Pepper called out, rushing through the crowd. Pepper was so outrageously vivacious and gloriously beautiful that the crowds parted for her, heads turning to watch admiringly as she passed. It was the same with Rayne, probably because her hair was so eye-catching, not to mention the quiet intensity that surrounded her. People automatically respected Rayne.

Sloane watched, amazed at the similar reactions caused by seemingly opposite personalities.

In the end, she didn’t really care why people were so mesmerized by her sisters, she just cared that her sisters were treated with respect. Sloane loved them because they were warm, wonderful people. She opened her arms for Pepper who, of course, threw herself into Sloane’s arms, as she laughed excitedly with her precious degree clutched in her hand.

“We did it, Sloane!” Pepper whispered, literally bouncing with her exuberance.

Sloane laughed and cried, then spotted Rayne right behind Pepper. Immediately, she opened her arms and Rayne moved in to hug her. The three of them laughed and cried as they hugged, a trio celebrating their triumphs. “You both did it!” Sloane said with an urgency that conveyed her intense love for these two amazing women.

None of the laughing, sobbing, hugging women were aware of the glowers from their dark protector as Josh glared at several men who watched the trio, entranced by their beauty. Nor was Josh aware of Jefferson and Wilma standing off to the side, watching smugly.

Chapter 6

“Where are we going?” Sloane demanded, glaring up at him.

“Celebrating,” he announced without changing his expression, obviously amused.

There was a huff of impatience. “Yes, but where?” she urged with a heavy dose of exasperation.

He shrugged, the dark suit shifting on his tall, muscular frame. “You’ll have to be patient and find out.”

She fidgeted in the soft leather seat, making Josh chuckle faintly. He knew she hadn’t given up on trying to discover his intentions. Sloane never gave up. She might strategically retreat, only to come at him – or any problem – in a different way. But she never gave up.

“You’re doing that on purpose, aren’t you?” Pepper asked, her eyes pinging back and forth between Sloane and Josh. The four of them were alone in the back of the limousine, Jefferson and Wilma having gone home after the elaborate dinner. “You know that Sloane not only has to know everything, she has to be in control too.”

Rayne laughed softly, her eyes moving back and forth between the two of them as well. “They play this game just to annoy each other, don’t they?” she said in a mock whisper.

“I think so!” Pepper replied, in an equally theatric voice.

Josh simply lifted a dark eyebrow in their direction. And because they thought of him as a big, sometimes-overly protective brother, they giggled and settled back against the leather seats of the limousine.

All of them were tired after the long, emotionally draining day.

Sloane shifted again, angling her shoulders to glare at him more effectively. “Look, I’m sure that whatever you have planned is lovely, but I’d like to get some sleep.”

“You’ll get plenty of sleep. Just…” he paused when the driver pulled through the gates of the airport. “We’re here,” he announced without finishing his previous sentence.

“Here?” Sloane asked, peering out of the windows. “Why are we at the airport?”

“We’re taking a flight,” he said as if that was the most obvious thing in the world. “You’ve been here plenty of times before,” he admonished. “You should know the routine by now.”

It was true that she’d flown