From One Night to Wife. Rachael Thomas

once more.

      ‘So why do we have to get married?’ The disbelief in her voice was more than clear.

      ‘Marriage has never been on my agenda.’

      That much was true. After living in the shadow of his parents’ marital breakdown he’d written that idea off as a young man, preferring to enjoy the company of woman without complication and commitment. He only sought the pleasure of a woman’s company for fun. Purely carnal. Nothing more. Which was exactly what he’d been doing with Serena during her stay on the island.

      ‘And being a father?’

      She dropped the question so lightly between them he almost didn’t hear it.

      ‘I will be a father to my child.’ He evaded her question and the truth that lay buried within him. He wanted to be a father—to have his child grow up in a world of love and happiness—but he was sceptical that such happiness actually existed.

      ‘Make no mistake, Serena. My child will not be shuffled between countries like an unwanted Christmas present.’