Irresistible Forces - Brenda Jackson [62]
“Oh.” Earlier that day when she had spoken with him he had been in Italy. He was definitely a jet-setter, but she knew that Dominic had investment interests all over the world.
“And how are your parents?” she asked.
He gave another soft chuckle. “They’re doing fine and are still walking on cloud nine at the thought of becoming grandparents. You have made them happy, Taylor. And they like the names we’ve picked out.”
Taylor smiled. “I’m glad.”
There was a slight pause and then he said, “I miss you, Taylor.”
She closed her eyes at the sexiness in his voice. “I miss you, too, Dominic.”
And she did, although she knew the reason she was missing him was vastly different from the reason he was missing her. She was smart enough to know that the sex between them was good, practically off the charts. Men got used to something like that. They began craving it. The reason she missed him was because she loved him and because she loved him, she enjoyed being with him whether sexual or not.
“When are you returning to D.C.?” he broke into her thoughts and asked.
“In a few days. In fact, I fly out Sunday morning.”
“Call my secretary and give her your flight information. I will be at the airport to pick you up.”
“You don’t have to do that.”
“I know, but I want to,” he said smoothly in a soft voice.
“Okay then. I’ll call and let her know.”
Moments later after hanging up the phone she got back into bed. Her fleeting happiness was somewhat fractured by the fact that the only thing between them was sex. Good, hot, passionate sex.
And yes, of course, there was the baby.
“You’re kind of antsy, aren’t you, Nick? Ms. Steele’s flight doesn’t arrive for a full hour.”
Dominic was roused from his thoughts by Ryder’s observation. He glanced toward the front seat where Ryder was expertly driving the sedan toward the airport. “I didn’t want to take a chance on traffic this morning,” he said.
“On a Sunday morning? Who are you trying to kid? Just admit you’re anxious to see the woman.”
Dominic frowned. “I will admit no such thing.”
“Fine, then suit yourself.”
Instead of giving Ryder a response, Dominic decided to look over the papers he needed to review for a business meeting he was having in England later this week. His father was relinquishing more and more of the hotel duties to him. He didn’t mind combining his father’s entities with his, especially now since there would be someone they would eventually leave all their wealth, too—the Saxon heir.
It didn’t take long for him to admit he was finding it hard to concentrate and tossed the papers aside. Ryder was right. He was antsy but he would never admit it. Ryder seemed to know too much as it was. But then, even as a teenager he hadn’t been able to pull anything over on the man.
“So, Nick, when is the wedding?”
Now, Dominic thought, Ryder was trying to be a smart-ass. “There won’t be a wedding and you know it. I’ve been married once.”
“Yes, but Camry is gone. Besides, the two of you lacked passion.”
Dominic glared at the back of the man’s head. “And how would you know?”
“I have eyes. You and Camry were best friends more than anything else. You understood her whereas her parents never did.”
That much was true, Dominic thought. The reason he had decided to marry her was to protect her from them. They had expected perfection and she had tried telling them time and time again that she was only human but they wouldn’t listen. “Camry meant everything to me, Ryder.”
“Yes, like I said, she was your best friend.”
Dominic’s eyes went cold. “She was my wife.” Ryder didn’t say anything and Dominic was grateful for the man’s silence.
It was short-lived.
“That baby is going to need a father, Nick.”
Dominic didn’t have to ask what baby he was talking about. “He or she is going to have a father.”
“Yes, a part-time one. Marcello was a full-time father to you. How can you cheat your own child out of having what you had?”
Before Dominic could give Ryder a blazing retort, Ryder quickly said, “We’re here. I’m going to let you out at the curb so you can be there when