in her head practically screamed, but Mia couldn’t do it. She couldn’t betray the trust of a friend. She just had to believe that Bronson would understand her reasoning once the truth came out.
“I’m not sure what kind of mother I’ll make,” she told him, easing back down against his side. “I mean, I haven’t had an example, and I’ve never really been around babies. One of my foster homes had a toddler, but I wasn’t there long enough to get attached.”
“You were bounced around a lot?”
Mia nodded. “Yeah. After my parents died, I was placed into four foster homes by the time I was ten. When I turned ten, I was placed in a home with other kids waiting to be adopted. I was there until I turned eighteen, and then I decided it was time to take control of my life and do something that pleased me. I had no one else to please or answer to.”
“I’m amazed at the woman you’ve become, Mia, considering you were so young when your parents were killed.”
Mia nodded, rubbing her scar. “Yeah. I was five.”
He slid a finger alongside hers. “And that’s where this came from?”
“I only had minor injuries, but my parents were killed. Sometimes life isn’t fair,” she murmured. “I may not be the best mother, but I will love this baby with every fiber of my being and always put her needs before my own.”
Bronson moved in front of her, taking her hand in his. “I have no doubt you’ll be a fantastic mother, Mia. I’m not worried about that one bit. You go into everything in life with excitement at full throttle and give 110 percent.
“That’s one of the reasons I brought you on a getaway.” He leaned forward, placing a soft kiss on her lips. “I want you to know that I believe you, that I trust you and that I want to see where this thing between us will lead. That’s all I can offer, but I hope you’ll be patient with me.”
Love speared through her, nearly bursting to get out. She’d never, ever felt like this—so alive, so happy. She wrapped her arms around Bronson, choking back tears.
“Love is patient,” she whispered in his ear. “I’m not going anywhere.”
She eased back, noting the desire in his eyes, knowing hers matched his. Sealing the new milestone in their journey was logical, and Mia hoped every time they made love he could see, feel, just how much she did love him.
Bronson’s strong hands slid up the skirt of the tunic-style dress Victoria had made for her. Warmth spread through her as he leaned in to capture her lips again, massaging her thighs.
Mia broke the kiss, coming to her feet. Gripping the hem of the garment, she pulled it over her head and tossed it aside. Desire shot straight through her as Bronson’s gaze slid up her body, pausing at her matching yellow bra-and-panty set.
“You always have the most amazing things on under your clothes,” he told her, coming to his feet.
Mia slid his polo shirt off as he worked his jeans down and kicked them aside. He palmed her shoulders and tugged her toward him until she fell against his hard, solid chest. Mia looked up just as his lips came crashing down on to hers.
The swell of her belly brushed against him as their bodies molded together. Mia poured her emotions, her desires, her love into the kiss.
Bronson eased back, bent down and picked her up to carry her. “Where to?”
“Bronson, I’m getting too heavy for you to carry,” she scolded. “Put me down.”
“You’ve barely gained anything, and if I want to carry my family, I will.”
Mia’s eyes stung as she stared back at him. “Your family? In that case, take me anywhere you want.”
Hope sprang to life within her. He thought of them as a family. Did he intend to make them a family in the legal way?
Oh, God. Her dreams of a family, a real unit, could come true and with a man she was totally in love with. She realized she’d never want a family with anyone but Bronson.
He carried her down the narrow, stone hallway out one of the back doors. “I want to make love to you outside, in the open, under the stars.”
Mia knew there was no one around to see since the castle sat on a huge lot and they were the only residents.
He set her on her feet, wrapping his arms around her. “Look at me, Mia.”
She lifted her face, knowing her love shone in her eyes.
“Know that I care for you, know that what is between us is real to me and that I’m giving all I can emotionally.”
Mia smiled, holding his face between her hands. “I know, Bronson. I know more about you than you know about yourself. Make love to me.”
With soft, tender touches, he kissed her as he rid her of her bra and panties. Once she stood wearing only a kiss of the moonlight, Bronson placed his hands on her belly. He leaned down, kissed her stomach and murmured, “I love you” to the baby.
Mia choked back tears, knowing he was taking a giant leap outside his comfort zone by declaring his feelings aloud. His vulnerability was now out in the open for her to see. Which told her right there that he trusted her—and possibly loved her, too.
Bronson came up to his full height, framed her face with his hands and kissed her, backing her up until her legs hit the outdoor sofa. He spun them around and took a seat, urging her down to straddle him.
Mia hovered with her face above his, looking into his eyes, needing him to know that her love was genuine. “I love you.”
As they became one, Bronson’s eyes closed. Mia leaned down to kiss him as he stroked his hands up and down her bare back. The crisp night air pricked her skin, sending even more sensations surging through her.
She tilted her hips, arching her back as she lifted her face to the night sky. Bronson’s talented hands found her breasts and sent Mia over the edge. She cried out and let the climax spread through her.
In no time Bronson’s body stiffened as he grabbed her shoulders and pulled her back against him, capturing her mouth.
Mia held on to his shoulders as their tremors merged into one and knew that this was the man she was meant to spend her life with. There would be heartache, she had no doubt about that, but she intended to fight for him, for their family.
He loved her. Now she just had to pray that love was strong enough to get them through the next few days.
Once Bronson’s jet landed back in L.A., Bronson dropped Mia off at her cottage because his mother had called his cell and told him to come to the house before going anywhere else. She assured him her health was fine, but they urgently needed to talk in private.
He hadn’t told Mia about the message because he didn’t want to alarm her. What else could be wrong? If her health was fine, what else could she have to discuss that was so important?
Even though his mother was a Hollywood icon, she’d never been one for personal drama. Twice in one week she’d needed to see him in private—that made him a bit nervous.
Bronson entered the main house, smiling at one of the staff as they passed each other on the wide, curved stairs. As he entered the grand study where his mother spent nearly all her time, he noticed two things right off the bat:
one, his mother had been crying and two, Anthony Price stood right next to her.
“What the hell is going on?” he demanded.
Olivia gestured toward the sofa where his sister sat. “Please, Bronson, sit with your sister. There’s something you both need to know”
Remaining on his feet, Bronson eyed Anthony. “What’s