Robyn Grady: The Billionaire’s Fake Engagement / Man from Stallion Country: The Billionaire’s Fake Engagement / Man from Stallion Country

Who was she to cast stones?

“When we finish this dance I’ll introduce you to Teresa and her fiancé.” His coal-black eyes smiled into hers. “They’ll love you.”

Natalie smothered a sigh. No avoiding introductions, she supposed, even when she preferred to keep their affair private. It would be easier when the time came. No explanations or awkward chance meetings with friends or family later. Just a simple, Goodbye. It’s been nice.

As he pressed her close, his cheek resting against her crown, Natalie wondered.

Would the decision to dissolve their affair be his choice or hers? As chief beneficiary of the Ramirez multiple millions, as well as a highly successful venture capitalist in his own right, surely Alex would tire of her sooner rather than later. He knew actresses, heiresses, a European countess. She was hardly Alexander’s first lover, nor would she be his last.

Or perhaps she would be the one to pull back.

Despite having agreed their time together would be a low-key, light-hearted and finite affair, it seemed the longer they knew each other, the more open Alex became about their relationship and the more inquisitive he grew. She didn’t need any more questions asked about her past. Her memories were too intimate to share…too private, and painful, to lay open to anyone, even Alexander.

But for now it was enough to enjoy the illusion.

Tonight she would forgive herself and make believe this fantasy would last.

“Alexander, a gentleman’s here to see you.”

Alex eased away from his beautiful dance partner to face Paul Brennan, his bodyguard, who stood as tall and broad as an oak. Paul’s gaze, as usual, was both shuttered yet cut-throat sharp.

All the long exhaustive day Alex had waited to hold Natalie Wilder in his arms. Who the hell was interrupting him in the middle of a family celebration?

Paul answered his employer’s unspoken question. “It’s Mr. Davidson.”

Alex’s brows nudged together. “What’s he doing here?”

Anticipating what Alex would say next, Paul rotated back. “I’ll ask him to leave.”

But Alex’s last-minute gesture held him up.

Was it a business concern? Several months ago they’d had dealings and Joe Davidson had come off second-best. Or was this interview personal? Something to do with Joe’s daughter? He and Bridget Davidson had dated briefly, but that had ended six months ago. He’d had nothing against Bridget, but if the chemistry wasn’t there, why delay the inevitable. She’d agreed.

Alex exhaled and nodded. “I’ll come over.” Sort it out quickly and get back. His sister had spent months organising this evening, from the buffet and music down to the pink and gold helium balloons bouncing around the moulded ceiling. Alex approved of Teresa’s choice in partner, too, which was no surprise. Teresa had her head screwed on right. Zachery Todd came from good stock, enjoyed life and clearly adored his fiancée. Both couldn’t wait to have kids.

Alex glanced at the exceptional woman standing beside him.

Engagements…children…

At age thirty, it almost made a man wonder.

Misunderstanding his look, Natalie stepped back. “It’s okay. I’ll wait here.”

Alex laced his fingers through hers. “I vowed that when I made it here tonight I wouldn’t leave your side. Come with me. This won’t take long.”

She arched a teasing brow. “Afraid someone might steal the next dance?”

“You can dance with whomever you please.” Grinning, he brushed a kiss against her brow. “As long as it’s with me.”

A moment later, they stopped before their uninvited guest and Alex extended his hand. His lip curling, Joe Davidson ignored the courtesy.

Inwardly groaning, Alex let his hand drop. “I take it there’s some problem?”

Davidson’s hard eyes settled on Natalie and his chin kicked up. “You don’t want your date hearing this.”

Alex’s jaw flexed. He was a patient man but he had no time for these kinds of games, particularly tonight.

“We’re celebrating my sister’s engagement. Please tell me what it is you’ve come to say. You’ll understand I’d like to get back.”

Amid the spin of party lights, Davidson’s walrus jowls darkened, but he kept his voice low, barely audible above the music. “Bridget’s pregnant. She’s not doing well. Not too well at all.”

Alex’s pulse rate spiked. Davidson was aware of Alex’s longtime friendship with a leading OB/GYN. Did Davidson hope to secure through him an urgent referral? If the circumstances were dire, why wasn’t the baby’s father here on the scene? Or wasn’t the father on the scene at all?

Alex tried to be tactful. “I didn’t realize Bridget was married.”

Davidson hissed, “She’s not.”

Alex’s shoulders rolled back. “What does this have to do with me?’

Blood in his eye, Davidson snapped out a curse and advanced. Paul’s large grip on his elbow hauled him back.

Alex held up a hand. “It’s all right, Paul. I’ll handle this.” His gaze drilled Davidson’s. “If you’re implying the child is mine, it’s not possible. Bridget and I were finished some time ago.”

“Like six months ago?”

At Joe’s response, Alex’s heart dropped to his feet.

They’d slept together only once, but he’d used protection. Excepting one, atypical time, he always used protection.

His head began to tingle.

Lord above, was it possible?

Party noise filtered back into Alex’s conscience as Joe Davidson’s arms knotted over his dark polo shirt. “I take it you won’t object to a paternity test.”

Alex forced the words past the lump of wood stuck in his throat. “I need to speak to Bridget.”

“Hoping to pay her off?” Davidson’s burning eyes narrowed. “No amount will save you from taking responsibility for this.” The corners of his mouth dragged down in distaste. “You and your high-and-mighty family. Everyone knows where your grandfather got his money. Juan Ramirez was nothing better than a mobster.”

Alex eased forward, a subtle but one-time-only warning. “I’ll forget you said that.”

“Bridget kept this to herself,” Davidson went on. “Tonight she finally admitted the truth to her mother.” His voice cracked on a humourless laugh. “Can you believe it? Her life is ruined and she wants to save you from public scrutiny.”

Natalie shouldered past Alex. “Your daughter’s life isn’t ruined. She’ll have a beautiful baby and—”

Alex curled a quietening hand around her arm and tipped his chin at the exit. “It’s time you left, Joe.”

Paul Brennan edged forward. “I’ll escort you out.”

“You can’t sweep this under the mat,” Davidson seethed. “This isn’t the old days where families like yours shut people up. My daughter’s entitled to compensation.” Paul’s giant hand on Joe’s shoulder steered him toward the door. “You’ll hear from my lawyers…”

As the threats faded and Joe was marched to the lifts, Alex linked his arm through Natalie’s and turned at the same time the music paused. Below a sky of swaying balloons, curious faces were angled their way, including Teresa’s worried gaze, which found his from the far end of the room.

Straightening to his full height, Alex gave an “everything’s fine” salute, then led Natalie back to the dance floor.

The music faded back up but Natalie’s heels dug in. “How can you think about dancing?”

He studied her eyes, darker than their usual shade of green and yet full of indignant fire. “Nothing can be done tonight.”

He could strangle Davidson for making a public display of such a private matter, although it seemed obvious that performance had as much to do with Joe evening a past score. Joe Davidson was a successful hydraulics engineer. When Alex won a government contract for a purifying design four months back, Joe had accused him of “following family tradition” and bribing officials.