Steele 05 - Irresistible Forces

pregnant.
    “I’ll let you get back to Cameron and I prefer that you not tell him. He and Morgan have a friendship,” she said, thinking of her cousin, “and he might let something slip.”
    “I hate to say it, but you’re probably right. You’ve taken a big step, Taylor. Are you sure you’re ready for the next one?”
    Taylor felt a nervous flutter in her belly, the same belly that would be her child’s home for nine months. “Yes, I’m ready for the next one.”
    * * *
    “Tell me you’re joking about this, Nick.”
    The look on Matt Caulder’s face indicated that he was expecting Dominic to say the diabolic plan he’d just laid out to him was a joke. But the more Matt studied his best friend’s expression the more he could tell Dominic was dead serious.
    Accepting that when Dominic made his mind up about something, then that was it, he looked back down at the brochure he’d been given before meeting Dominic’s eyes again. Although he doubted it would do any good, he said, “The Caribbean is a nice place to be this time of year, but as your attorney I’m advising you not to go for what you have in mind.”
    Dominic had expected as much. He leaned back in his chair. He had arrived at Matt’s office knowing Matt would try to talk him out of what he saw was disaster waiting to happen. Dominic saw something else waiting to happen when he arrived in the Caribbean.
    “Your advice is duly noted although it won’t be accepted,” he said smoothly. “As my attorney, what I want is for you to draw up a document that will protect me in the event Taylor has a change of heart and doesn’t want me to be a part of my child’s life once she becomes pregnant.”
    “That can easily be done but what makes you think you’re going to get her pregnant?”
    Dominic smiled and stretched out his legs in front of him. “After looking at that brochure and knowing what you know about me, is there a reason I won’t?”
    Matt shook his head, chuckling. “No, but why this way?”
    “You, the king of one-night stands, have the nerve to ask me that?”
    “Mainly because I feel differently about life and love than you do.”
    Dominic knew that to be true. His and Matt’s friendship spanned years. They seemed destined to be friends, the way he had been destined to marry Camry. Matt’s mother, Deena, had been Megan’s best friend in high school, and although the two had attended different colleges, their close friendship remained intact over the years.
    When Deena got pregnant from a short-term affair it was Dominic’s mom she called on. Megan who had invited her to move to D.C. to stay with her until she was able to get on her feet to take on her role as a single mother. Matt was just a few months older than Dominic, but the two had been raised so close they considered each other as brothers. When Deena had died a few years ago from breast cancer it was Megan, Marcello and Dominic who had stood beside him as the only other family he had.
    Dominic came to his feet. “Well, draw up something that Taylor and I can both live with and make sure it’s airtight,” he said, recalling what Matt had gone through with his wife, Rhonda.
    “I can’t wait to meet her.”
    Dominic shot Matt a surprised look. “Why?”
    “Evidently Taylor Steele has caught your attention.”
    “No, her proposal has. There’s nothing going on between me and Taylor other than a business arrangement.”
    “And you’re certain that’s all there is to it?”
    “I want her,” Dominic said honestly.
    “And beyond that?”
    “There’s nothing beyond that.”
    “And again I’m going to ask if you’re sure.”
    Dominic met Matt’s unconvinced stare. “Yes, I’m absolutely and positively sure.”

Chapter 4
    “W elcome to the island of Latois, Mrs. Jones.”
    “Thank you,” Taylor said as she smiled at the perky receptionist. She and Dominic had made a decision to register under a false name as a way to avoid unwanted publicity. Although the resort’s management prided themselves on providing absolute privacy, the media had a way of finding out anything they wanted.
    Another thing they had decided to do was to let the management and staff assume they were married. She figured most of the couples at the resort were and felt there was no reason for her and Dominic to be the oddballs.
    Taylor checked her watch. She had flown in straight from D.C. and Dominic would be arriving a little later that day from New York. That would give her