Read Online Wildcard by Mina Carter and Chance Masters - Free Book Online Page A

gave him quick directions, and rested her head back against the seat. The directions were good, crisp, and clear. Within minutes, Mike pulled the sedan to a stop outside a neat little family home in a good area of town. Mentally he whistled. Plenty of money in this area. He turned to her, a compliment on the house hanging on his tongue, only to realize she was asleep.
    He nudged her softly to wake her up. “Rise and shine, Sleeping Beauty, we’re here.”
    He glanced toward her home. Getting out and grabbing up the groceries while she was still getting herself sorted, he waited a moment with the bag in his hand. He glanced toward her swollen abdomen.
    “So…just asking because I’ve been off the face of the earth the last few months but… Who’s the father?”
    A part of him, a large part of him, wanted it to be his. But the rounding of her belly looked too big. How long had he been gone? He paused as another thought occurred to him. Had she already been pregnant when they’d spent the night together?
    “It doesn’t matter.” She shrugged and walked past him up the drive. Like a small puppy, he followed her, the bag still in his hands as she opened the door and motioned him inside. He could only do as he was told, looking at her as though she’d grown two heads. He gritted his teeth as anger rose, hot and immediate.
    “What do you mean it doesn’t matter? Of course it does. To me at least. I mean…wouldn’t you want to know who your parents were? Or your kids if the role was reversed?” He set the bag down on the nearest counter and folded his arms. “It’s not like I’m asking you to amputate a limb or something. I just…I just want to know. Wouldn’t you?”
    She started to unload the bag, her lips compressed into a thin line. “Of course I would. But is it really something you want to know?”
    Opening the fridge door, she put a carton of orange juice away with a vengeance it hadn’t earned. Her movements were swift and efficient. He reached out to help, only to have his hands slapped away.
    “Does one night entitle you to any sort of answer when you just walked out without a w-word?”
    Since she was turned away from him, Mike couldn’t see her face, but on the last word, her voice cracked. His gaze zeroed in on the slight shake of her shoulders. She was crying.
    Aw, hell.
    Stepping up behind her, he wrapped an arm around her shoulders and pulled her against him. With his free hand, he used a piece of kitchen towel swiped from the nearby holder to mop her tears. He didn’t say anything, just let her sob for a bit. It wasn’t fair to her; he understood that. But he also had a right to know if there was a chance the baby was his.
    “I’d like to know, yes. Not that it would matter…you’re stuck with me, I’m afraid. But, it would be nice. Take it from a guy who was adopted. It kind of nags at you sometimes.”
    He loosened his grasp and turned her so she could face him. Her dark eyes were red, as was the tip of her nose. It was the cutest thing he’d ever seen.
    “I’ve never really had a reasonably normal and stable relationship before so you’ll have to bear with me. Downside to my job, I guess.” He kept his voice low and melodic, as he would with a frightened animal, to avoid scaring her.
    She searched his eyes as though looking for something. Perhaps looking for something in him she could hang her trust on. Finally she sighed, closing her eyes wearily and resting her forehead against his shoulder. He just held her, luxuriating in the feel of her in his arms again.
    “You are.”
    Relief flooded through him, a feeling so strong it took his breath away. Silently thanking God, he pulled her closer. She hadn’t been pregnant when she’d come to him, nor had she found someone after. The magic words, but it was like pulling teeth to get her to say it. When she finally did, he felt warm inside. Was this how it was supposed to feel? To hell if it was or wasn’t, it felt right all the