Nicola Marsh - His Little Miracle - The Billionaire's Baby

Chuckling, she jerked a thumb over her left shoulder. ‘Don’t worry, I’m not walking anywhere. I’m sleeping out the back while my apartment’s being renovated.’

‘You’re kidding?’

He shook his head, his horrified expression sending a warm glow through her. He still cared about her, even if she didn’t want him to.

‘There’s no way you’re staying here. A locksmith on a job today said almost every café and restaurant along this strip has been broken into late at night or in the early hours, and he was called out this morning to the sushi place in the next block.’

‘Really?’

She hadn’t heard. Then again, the Niche had been running on one speed—flat out—since she’d opened up around eight. ‘Did they take much?’

Stepping closer, he laid a hand on her upper arm, his touch sending slivers of searing heat crackling through her.

‘They didn’t only rob the place. They knifed one of the kitchen hands who’d come in early to do some prep.’

‘Oh, no!’ Her hand flew to her mouth, her stomach roiling in shock at such a horrific, violent act happening so close to home. ‘Was he okay?’

‘It was a woman. Which is why you’re not staying here on your own, no matter what you say.’

Shrugging off his hand, she squared her shoulders. ‘Look, I’ll be fine. I’m used to taking care of myself. And, besides, I have an alarm.’

His lips set in a thin, stubborn line. ‘You don’t think they had an alarm at the sushi place? Or all the other places along this precinct?’

He ran a hand through his hair, his jaw set, his exasperation palpable.

‘These guys slashed that poor girl even after she’d handed over the takings; it’s pretty obvious they’re brazen, hardened criminals who don’t give a damn about who they hurt or how badly. So there’s no way you’re staying here alone. Haven’t you got someone you can stay with?’

‘Do you think I’d be sleeping on a dodgy fold-out camp bed in the storeroom if I did?’

The sarcastic response popped out before she could think, and she mentally clamped a hand over her big mouth. Great, now he’d think she was a loser with no friends, when the truth of the matter was…well…apart from Anna, who rented a single room in a boarding house, she wasn’t close to anyone.

She’d liked it that way, had fostered her independence deliberately when she’d first come to Melbourne, eager to obliterate her painful memories of Blane and her traitorous parents and the baby that would never be by burying herself in making the Niche the best darn café this city had ever seen.

She’d learned it was easier not to rely on people, for they always let you down no matter how close or how much you loved them.

‘Well, then, there’s only one thing for it.’

She didn’t like the intent in his eyes, his rigid expression. ‘You’ll have to stay with me.’

‘No way!’

The corners of his mouth twitched. ‘Would you like some more time to think about your answer?’

Shaking her head, she backed away from him. Silly, really, as if physical distance could stop the current vibrating between them.

‘Thanks for the offer, but—’

‘Cam, this is non-negotiable. You’re not safe here, and there isn’t a hope in hell I’m taking no for an answer. You’re staying with me till your renovations are done, and that’s final.’

‘Is it now?’

Folding her arms over her chest, she tilted her chin and glared at him, hating his high-and-mighty attitude while a small part of her couldn’t help but love this new, take-charge Blane.

He’d always been so laid-back, so unruffled, and she’d loved that about him, yet this new commanding, powerful, take-no-prisoners guy was pretty impressive, too.

‘Look, this doesn’t have to be complicated.’ He held his hands out, palms up, as if he didn’t have any tricks up his sleeves. ‘I’m not trying to pressure you, and this isn’t some underhanded, dastardly plan to get you where I want you.’

Crossing the small space between them, he cradled her face before she could move, his touch warm and soothing and oh-so-right. ‘I care about you. And if it makes you feel any better, just consider my offer as that of a friend, no strings attached, okay?’

Was he insane? No strings attached? Not only were they bound by strings, they were lassoed, hog-tied and entangled in thick unbreakable rope.

If seeing him again after all this time was hard, living under the same roof would be pure torture.

She couldn’t do it.

However, she hadn’t got as far as she had in the city without a healthy serving of common sense, and right now her street savvy was telling her she was taking her independent stand to extremes.

She could trust Blane, he’d always been a man of his word, and if he was offering her a safe place to stay, she’d be smart to take it.

The Niche might be her life, but she’d be stupid to risk losing hers over it.

Staring up into his eyes, the flecks glowing cobalt, she knew there was only one answer she could give him: the sensible one.

He dropped his hands as she nodded slowly. ‘Okay. Thanks for the offer.’

She could have sworn he sagged with relief, and the depth of his caring struck her anew.

‘Great. Ready to go?’

‘Actually, I need to finalise some stuff before tomorrow, so why don’t you go ahead, and I’ll swing past your place later?’

‘No, I’ll wait.’

She laid a hand on his arm, hoping to convey her thanks at his chivalry. ‘I’ll be fine. It’s still early. There are people everywhere, and I’ll be sure to leave before dark.’

His gaze flickered to her hand, shaded and inscrutable, before slowly rising to meet hers. ‘You sure?’

She nodded. ‘I’ll see you soon.’

Indecision warred with stubbornness across his face as she squeezed his arm. ‘Go. I promise I won’t be long behind you.’

After a long moment, he covered her hand with his. ‘Ring me if you need someone to walk you out of here, okay?’

Smiling at his overprotectiveness, and feeling suitably warm and fuzzy because of it, she said, ‘Okay.’

‘I live in the Eureka Towers on Southbank. Apartment 8801. I’ll buzz you up when you get there. Take care.’

Dropping an all-too-brief kiss on her cheek, he sent her a half-salute and walked away, leaving her with the craziest urge to run after him.

CAMRYN stared at the elevator buttons in confusion.

‘This can’t be right,’ she thought, wondering if she should pop out to the doorman and ask him to re-buzz Blane and double-check.

According to the fancy engraved writing above the gold buttons there was only one apartment, 8801, on the entire eighty-eighth floor of the swanky Eureka Towers. Only one? Considering the building was ninety-two storeys, and the eighty-eighth was the highest anyone could access, she’d hazard a guess Blane lived in the penthouse.

A penthouse which covered a whole floor?

Shaking her head in disbelief, she hit the button for 8801 and backed against the rear of the elevator, finding small comfort in the feel of hard, cold, gold-plated steel panels at her back, while her startled reflection stared back at her from surrounding mirrored glass.

Either he made an absolute fortune out of building or he was house-sitting for someone. And if so, he certainly moved in higher circles than she did.

She vaguely remembered the publicity surrounding the Towers when it first opened, about it being the tallest residential tower in the world and a penthouse costing around seven million dollars. The figure alone made her feel faint, exacerbated by the nine-second ride to the eighty-eighth floor.

Blinking as the doors soundlessly slid open, she stepped out, pulling a small wheelie suitcase, and caught her breath at the pale-gold carpets embossed with cream swirls, the filigree around the down-lights and the incredibly detailed cornices.