The Conspiracy of Baby-Switching novel Chapter 98

"Last night was a million times easier than when I came home from the hospital with two babies. You have no idea how hard it's been and what I've

been through and I'm angry and resentful at you."

He sits back. "Fair call."

"And sometimes I just really want to stab you or something."

"Slightly sinister serial killer aspirations...but okay, I'm listening."

"And you've just turned up here, snapped your fingers and expect me to jump into your arms, and it doesn't work like that." He listens intently.

"And you use your dick against me and that isn't fair."

"My dick?" He frowns in surprise. "What's my dick got to do with anything, are you angry we slept together?"

"Yes. Furious with myself."

"Why?" he says softly as he tucks a strand of hair behind my ear. "That night was perfect, how could you regret it?"

"Because it wasn't a conscious decision for me, it was a spur-of-themoment physical act."

He stares at me for a beat. "You're angry that we did it on my desk all those years ago, aren't you? You're angry because you think it just happened."

"It did just happen."

"After I wanted it for seven years. It did not just happen, Violet. In fact, it was the best sexual experience of my life, and now that I know what came from it, it's even more special. It was premeditated in my mind for years before."

I twist my lips as I think.

"Did it just happen for you?" He frowns. "You mean...you didn't want it to happen at all?"

"Not like that." I hesitate before I say the next thing. "The thing is, I don't blame your mother for hating me. If Dominic was three weeks before his wedding and his secretary turned up with two of his children that were conceived on his desk, I'd be devastated too."

"Do not defend her, that is different."

"How is it different?"

"I've got to get into my suit, do you want to come upstairs?" he asks. I haven't seen his bedroom here.

"I'm heavy to take up the stairs."

"No, you're not. Come talk to me while I get ready." He carries me up the stairs, down the hall, and into the grand bedroom, then lays me on the fourposter bed.

"I have to shower. Do you need anything?" He passes me my phone.

"Nope. I'm good."

He disappears into the bathroom and I hear the shower running. Although I can't see him in the bathroom, I can see his reflection in a mirror in the bedroom. He takes his shirt off over his head and his broad, muscular back comes into view.

My heart stops as I stave off excitement.

He drops his pants, and although I can't see below his waist, my breath falters anyway. Just knowing he's naked in there does things to me. I drag my eyes back to my phone.

Stop it.