Read Online The Daddy Decision by Donna Sterling - Free Book Online

turned to Cort, her beautiful brown eyes wide with bewilderment. “Why? Why would you offer us this?”

    â€œBecause, contrary to what you might believe...” he locked his gaze with hers, allowing her no escape “...I do care about your happiness, Laura.”
    Her lips parted, her chest rose. Her eyes darkened with some troubled, chaotic emotion.
    He wanted very much to kiss her.
    â€œOh, Cort, you’re wonderful!” Steffie cried from where she sat on the arm of B.J.’s chair. “I knew you cared about these guys.” She turned a radiant face to the others. “He just gets so wrapped up in business that he forgets to show it.”
    Laura caught her bottom lip between her teeth and looked away from Steffie.
    Cort forced his attention away from Laura’s bottom lip and spoke again to Fletcher. “As much as I love to please my sister,” he said with a small, self-deprecating smile, “I’m not going to pretend my motives are selfless. I happen to enjoy championing new businesses. Feeding them. Watering them. Watching them grow.” He allowed his shoulders to sink deeper into the chair and extended his legs more comfortably in front of him. “Plus, I expect to harvest some healthy financial returns.”
    Fletcher looked almost faint with excitement, though he tried to maintain a facade of sophistication. “W-would you expect a controlling interest? I mean, Laura and I planned to merge our sole proprietorships into one corporation, but I don’t believe we’d be interested in sharing the control with anyone else.” He didn’t sound very firm on that point. He wouldn’t make a very good poker player.
    Or a good father for Laura’s baby. Every minute that ticked by only strengthened that conviction in Cort.
    â€œBefore we finalize my investment,” he replied, “I’ll need to approve your plans for spending the money. But as far as your business itself goes, I don’t want an active
role in it. We’ll spell out my expectations in the contract. A percentage of the profits. Stock options. Franchise rights. That sort of thing.”
    Fletcher bestowed another glance on Laura. A speaking glance. An imploring glance. Tiny frown lines gathered between her golden eyebrows and she chewed the bottom corner of her lip, her uncertainty almost painful to behold.
    Fletcher swung his attention back to Cort. “We were thinking of buying the building we’re in, but there’s a renovated mansion nearer to the river that would make the perfect antique shop...and a showcase where Laura could base her design business.”
    Cort nodded. “I’ll have my staff study its commercial potential before you buy it. If you choose the right property, the value should skyrocket in the next few years.”
    Fletcher turned again to Laura, his excitement palpable. “What do you think, Laur?” He dropped a casual hand on her knee.
    Cort tensed at the sight of Fletcher’s hand on Laura. The gesture was a casual one, he knew, but also possessive. Husbandly. Who the hell did he think he was?
    An obnoxious voice inside his head answered: The future father of her baby . A heaviness settled in Cort’s gut.
    â€œWe’ll...we’ll talk about it, Fletcher,” Laura hedged. “We don’t want to jump into anything without a lot of thought.”
    â€œWhich also makes sense,” Cort agreed. “Unfortunately, I can’t afford to give you much time. I’ve got the capital free right now, but I do need to put it back to work. I’ve had my eye on a few different investment vehicles, and if you decide against my offer, I’ll go with one of those. Either way, I’ll have to make the move soon.”
    â€œHow soon?” Sweat beaded on Fletcher’s forehead.
    â€œWithin the week.”

    Fletcher blinked behind his wire-rimmed glasses. Laura let out a soft cry. “We have to decide