Secret Child, Royal Scandal. Cat Schield

she hadn’t given up all hope until Marc’s first birthday.

      “I don’t believe you.”

      “If you give me a chance, I’ll prove it to you.” His dark gold eyes glittered with sensual intent.

      A hysterical laugh bubbled up in her chest. She clamped her teeth together and fought to appear unflustered. No easy task when the masculine scent of the man awakened buried memories. A tingle began between her thighs as she relived the joy of his hands on her body, his lips on hers.

      Last night she’d stood up to him, an alarmed mama bear protecting her cub. Today she was a woman confronting a man who intended to persuade and seduce. Heat bloomed in her cheeks. She scowled, angry with herself and taking it out on him.

      “If you want me to take your interest in Marc seriously, you’d be better off demonstrating that you have what it takes to be a father.”

      “I agree.” He nodded. “Which is why I sent a gift to Marc, as well.”

      Noelle bit back a groan. “What sort of gift?”

      “A small thing.”

      “How small?”

      “A child-sized electric car. My assistant said her son loves to drive his cousin’s. He is about Marc’s age.”

      She hissed out a breath. “You can’t just do that.”

      “Of course I can.”

      Once upon a time she’d have teased him about his arrogance. Once upon a time she’d been madly in love with him.

      “An electric car is an expensive toy. I want Marc to value art and stories and music. Not things.”

      “He’s a four-year-old boy,” Christian scoffed. “They want to get muddy and have adventures.”

      Noelle knew it was ridiculous, but she could feel Marc slipping away from her with each word Christian spoke. Her son would love this thrill-seeking prince and want to go live in a palace, and never once miss his mother. “And you’re an expert on four-year-old boys?”

      “I was one once. And he’s a prince. He should always get the best.”

      Panic rose. Her voice dropped to a whisper. “That’s not how I’m raising him.”

      “We need to be together for Marc’s sake.” Christian caught her hand and gave it a gentle squeeze. “He shouldn’t have to grow up without a father.”

      Christian seemed sincere enough, but Noelle couldn’t ignore that he needed an heir and knew just how stubborn Christian could be when he wanted something. She tugged her hand free and squared her shoulders.

      “I can’t possibly be with you,” she said. “I’m involved with someone and we’re quite serious.”

      * * *

      Christian absorbed Noelle’s statement with a slow eye-blink, his thoughts reeling. He’d come in too confident, certain that he could win over Noelle with a few roses and a bit of persuasion. She’d always been there any time he needed her. It had never once occurred to him that she might be in love with someone else. Acid burned in his gut at the thought of her with anyone besides him.

      “You didn’t mention anyone last night.”

      Her expression, once so transparent and open, betrayed none of her thoughts. “All I thought about was Marc and the effect your sudden appearance in his life would have on him.”

      “Who is this man you’re seeing?” The question sounded more like an interrogation than a friendly inquiry.

      “Someone I met shortly after I moved to Paris.”

      Five years. Had she run into his arms after Christian had sent her away? A knot formed in his chest.

      “I’d love to meet him. Does he live in Sherdana?”

      “Ah.” Suddenly she looked very uncertain. “No. He splits his time between Paris and London.”

      Christian was liking this more and more. “Long distance affairs are so difficult,” he purred. “As I’m sure you’re finding out.”

      “Geoff loves Marc.”

      Christian saw resolve blazing in the depths of her chestnut-colored eyes.

      “And Marc loves Geoff. They have a great time together. We are good together.”

      He wondered at her vehemence. Was she trying to convince him that this Geoff character was father material or convince herself that he was husband material? Either way, Christian saw a foothold that would allow him to breach her defenses.

      “When does he plan to come to Sherdana next?” A long unused oubliette beneath the castle on Christian’s vineyard might be the perfect place to stash Geoff until Noelle came to her senses.

      “Why?” Noelle regarded him with narrowed eyes.

      “I’d like to meet him. Does he visit regularly?”

      “Of course.” But she didn’t sound all that sure of her answer. “That is, when his cases permit. He’s the managing partner of a very successful law firm specializing in human rights law and extradition.” Pride softened her lips into a fond smile. “And of course, Marc and I travel to London and Paris quite often to visit him.”

      “How serious are you?” The more Christian heard, the less concerned he became that Geoff was going to prove a hindrance. If something of a permanent nature was going to happen between Noelle and her absent suitor, it should have occurred in the past five years. “Do you plan on marrying?”

      She glanced down at her clasped hands. “We’ve discussed the possibility, but haven’t made anything official.”

      What sort of man waited five years to claim a woman like Noelle? A very stupid one. And that was just fine with him. Christian had no qualms about stealing Noelle out from beneath the man’s nose.

      “Have dinner with me tonight.”

      Her eyes widened at his abrupt invitation, but she shook her head. “I can’t. Geoff—”

      “Isn’t here and from the sound of things isn’t likely to visit any time soon.” A half step brought him close enough to hear her sharp intake of breath and feel the way her muscles tensed as he traced his knuckles along her jawline. The old, familiar chemistry sparked between them. “You deserve a man who will appreciate you every minute of every day, not whenever his business dealings permit.”

      Noelle batted his hand away. “What would you know about how I deserve to be appreciated? When we were together, the only time you concerned yourself about my needs was when we were in bed.”

      “You make it sound like that’s a bad thing.” He spoke lightly, hiding his regret that he’d hurt her. He’d been a selfish bastard when they were together and hadn’t grasped her worth. How ironic that finally understanding her value had compelled him to send her away.

      Yet was he behaving any less selfishly now? After ignoring her for five years, he’d suddenly decided to drag her back into his life because he needed her once again. Was it fair to disrupt the tranquil, comfortable world she’d made for herself? Probably not, but now that he’d begun, Christian couldn’t bring himself to stop. They’d made a child together. He had a son. That wasn’t something he intended to walk away from.

      “Christian, you weren’t good for me five years ago, and you’re not going to be good for me now. I was so madly in love with you I was happy with whatever scraps of your life you were willing to share with me. That’s not enough for me anymore. I have a son who deserves to be loved and nurtured. He is my primary focus. Every decision I make is with his best interests foremost in my mind.”

      Christian’s temper flared. “And you don’t think his mother being married to his father is the best thing for him?”

      “Not