Nothing Less Than Love Read Free Page B

leaving for college. Gwyneth
had concealed her secret from everyone except Marcus, and she knew
she’d have to reveal her pregnancy if she announced she was
quitting school. She’d given her goodbyes to Ethel, the tea shop
owner, who’d been teary-eyed when she left. The sweet lady had also
pressed an envelope into her hands. “What’s this?’ she’d asked.
She’d already received her final wages.
     
    “It’s for the baby,” Ethel said
kindly. When Gwyneth’s eyes widened in shock, she continued. “I can
tell, honey. I’ve had six children myself. You’ve got the
glow.”
     
    Which was true, Gwyneth mused. Her
hair was shinier and fuller, and her face was glowingly clear. The
morning sickness still assailed her from time to time, but that was
fading and she felt wonderful.
     
    Gwyneth was lost in thought, filling
her suitcase, when Marcus knocked and entered. “I wish you weren’t
going,” he said, sounding sulky. It was the same tone he’d used the
first day they’d been sent to their respective private schools at
the age of eight. “It’s not fair.”
     
    Gwyneth laughed. “You sound just like
you did when you were eight. Do you remember...?” They reminisced
for a while and were both half-reclining on the bed when they
finished. “Well, I’ve got to finish packing,” Gwyneth said with a
sigh. “My plane leaves in two hours.”
     
    “You could stay,” Marcus burst out.
“Marry me, and you don’t have to leave. I’ll take care of you
and—”
     
    “How generous,” said Jordan, leaning
against the doorjamb. Then he turned his hot gaze on Gwyneth. “But
I’m sure Gwyneth has many other men panting after her, Marcus. Wait
a few years and grow up some before you try to handle
her.”
     
    Marcus’s face flushed, and Gwyneth
knew he was going to explode. “Marcus I think you’d better leave
now. I need to finish packing and get on my way.”
     
    Marcus shot a look at Jordan then at
her resolved face and headed to the door.
     
    Jordan’s arm blocked his
exit. “Just a moment, brother. You still haven’t heard her answer.”
He turned savagely to Gwyneth. “I want to hear you tell him
no, Gwenny ,” he
said mockingly, calling her by the pet name Lilly used for
her.
     
    Eyes narrowing, Gwyneth whispered.
“No.”
     
    Satisfied, Jordan dropped his arm and
Marcus stalked out after saying a goodbye to Gwyneth. “If you need
anything—or change your mind—call me.”
     
    Gwyneth turned her back to Jordan and
resumed her packing. She was taking a lot more with her than she’d
brought because she didn’t think she would ever be back. “If you’ll
excuse me, I must finish this.”
     
    “Look at me.” His tone was
arctic.
     
    She moved her head and forced her gaze
up. “I want you to stay away from Marcus and this house. And from
now on, I’ll be approving any requests you have for money,” he
added harshly.
     
    She merely shrugged and resumed her
packing. She almost felt sorry for him. He would be so disappointed
to be denied the opportunity to deny her requests, because she
would never ask him for anything.
     
    “ You’re a cold little bitch.
Do you imagine I’ll relent and let you bleed Dad or Mom dry again?”
When she refused to answer, Jordan moved to her side. Without a
word, he pulled her into his arms and pressed his mouth against
hers. Gwyneth remained unresponsive as long as she could before
surrendering. As soon as she relaxed, Jordan stepped away from her.
She watched numbly as he left her room without looking
back.
     
    ♥♥♥
     
    Gwyneth bade farewell to everyone
before Beth drove her to the airport. Gwyneth boarded, intending to
never come back. Not knowing what was going on in her niece’s life,
Beth was sad to see her leave but not unduly worried. She retrieved
her Honda from the parking garage and drove the forty minutes to
her lover’s quiet estate. He grew grapes for wine, and he was
Lilly’s brother. At that moment, neither fact weighed