Jared's Counterfeit Fiancee - Brenda Jackson [20]
Unfortunately, in addition to his blockbuster hit records, Sylvester had this serious problem of wife-boredom. The man changed wives like he changed shirts, but one thing was always certain, when he cast one off to take on another he was extremely generous with the alimony.
Jared sighed deeply. It seemed Brewster was ready to dump the third Mrs. Brewster for wife number four. The only glitch in his plans was that his current wife wanted more alimony than Sylvester was willing to give her, which had his client fuming.
“I don’t want to give her one penny more, Jared. Baby or no baby.”
Jared lifted a brow. This was the first he’d heard of a baby. “Your wife is pregnant?”
“She says she is and could well be, but it makes no difference since it’s not mine.”
Jared’s brow inched even higher. “Do you know that for certain?”
“Yes,” Sylvester said with a frustrated sigh. Then lowering his voice as if the office might possibly be bugged, he whispered. “I’m sterile, man. As sterile as a new hospital on opening day. It’s the result of a childhood illness. So if Jackie’s claiming she’s pregnant with my child then it’s not mine.”
Jared sighed deeply. “If what you’re saying is true, that won’t be hard to prove with a paternity test.”
“It is true and nobody is going to try to lay a claim that I’m their baby’s daddy.”
Jared watched Sylvester pace around the room. “Should I be surprised if you remarry within hours of your divorce being final?” he asked, knowing that was usually the norm.
Sylvester stopped his pacing and met Jared’s gaze and he actually saw deep hurt in the man’s eyes. “No. I loved Jackie and wasn’t involved with anyone else. With her there was never a dull moment, man, always excitement. She was something else. For the first time in my life I fell in love and look what happens. And that’s what makes it so bad. Jackie refuses to level with me even after I told her I was sterile and there was no way that baby was mine. Now she’s claiming that I’m the one who’s lying.” In anger, he hit his fist on the desk. “Women can’t be trusted, man. I’ll never marry again.”
Jared was silent for several moments before he nodded, although not for one minute did he believe Brewster would keep that promise. Marriage was an addiction to Brewster, one Jared was glad he didn’t have.
“I’ll contact Jackie’s attorney next week. I’m sorry things have come to this because I thought the two of you made a nice couple. But if you’re certain she’s been unfaithful then—”
“I’m certain. I don’t have the name of the man she was involved with but there was an affair. Her pregnancy is proof enough.”
Half an hour later, Jared had completed dictating information into his recorder for his secretary to transcribe. Standing, he walked over to the window and looked out. This was another morning that wasn’t going well. First off the bat, while drinking his coffee and reading his newspaper, he had come across the article announcing his engagement to Dana.
Then he had arrived at Garbella Jewelers as soon as their doors had opened only to find that they had already sold Cord’s ring. He had ended up purchasing another ring and was racking his brain for an excuse to give his family as to why Dana would no longer be wearing the original one. In his opinion, the only saving grace was that the one he’d purchased had a diamond that was twice as large and was closer to what he imagined Dana might like.
He sighed as he checked his watch. It was time to leave if he wanted to pick Dana up for lunch on time.
Dana.
She was becoming a major problem. He didn’t consider his proposal a business arrangement. Otherwise he would have drawn up formal documents between them. She was merely doing him a favor. They had exchanged favors before so he knew she wouldn’t go back on her word. But there were factors thrown in the equation that he hadn’t counted on.
Like his strong attraction to her. And the dreams he’d been having.
Last night he had actually dreamed about her legs and thighs, in addition to other parts of her that he hadn’t seen. In his dream,