The Love Child Read online

  Time to start searching for something as special and unique as the woman herself.

  * * *

  Isabeau was more than a little surprised by Trystan’s home.

  Sure, she’d seen photos and done her research about how he’d participated in the building of his house—both literally and financially. But there was peace here in this place that no photos or descriptions could capture.

  She could understand why he wouldn’t want to leave his private mountain retreat for the corporate grind.

  Knees curled to her chest, she sat on her bed, sinking into the depths of the mattress. Outlines and ideas for press opportunities formed a semicircle around her. A pen passed between her fingertips as she examined a document for a satellite radio show. Paige yawned from across the room. She sat stretched on the white carpet in the abbreviated living space between the bed and the oak-framed fireplace. The dog’s corresponding chuff drew Isabeau’s eye from fine print to the lazy yellow Lab, and then, once she saw her dog was just sleeping, she soaked in the view.

  The sun had already slipped behind the tree line, but her room seemed as dazzling as ever. Everything since she’d met Trystan felt like a dream. One she had to wake up from.

  Burying herself back in the documents, she shifted files to the wooden chest at the foot of her bed. Then she paused for a moment to examine media outlets from both television and podcast, and considered the events that would put him in the public eye, from a state fair to a private power broker dinner. Chewing her pen cap, she almost didn’t hear the door creak open.

  Instantly, the pen cap returned to a more normal, natural position on her thigh. Trystan.

  Somehow, even though he leaned in the door frame in muted light, her heart pounded heavy and fast. Awareness ricocheted through her system. She remembered all too well the closeness she’d felt with him before.

  Closeness she needed to forget and resist.

  Waving a paper in her hand, she said, “You have an interview at a Juneau news outlet next week. I’ve outlined a list of subjects that could come up so we can talk through your answers.”

  “I’ll tell them the truth.” His words, articulated as anticipated. The hard line.

  Shaking her head, Isabeau flashed a small, corrective smile. “A polished truth that steers clear of reporter traps. You’re an intelligent man. I believe you’ll enjoy the challenge.”

  “Was that a compliment?” He moved into the room, approaching her. Dark eyes inquisitive.

  “It’s the truth, told with polish.” Stacking the papers into a neat pile, she wished he wasn’t so appealing all the time. It would make staying on track so much easier.

  “Touché.” He took the papers and scanned them, shuffling through. “If you’ll email me the files, I’ll go through them and prep first thing in the morning. After that, I thought we could both use some relaxation, some settling-in time. Maybe it’ll give you more of those insights for crafting my image.”

  Too many insights into this compelling man could be trouble for her considering her level of attraction.

  What if she found out she liked him even more?

  “What did you have in mind?”

  A noncommittal shrug relaxed his shoulders as he sank into the leather armchair in the living space adjacent to the bed. “Your choice. Horseback riding? Kayaking? Dinner out, if that’s what you prefer?”

  How easy it felt to be near him. Even Paige liked him. Isabeau debated her choices for the outing.

  “Any chance we can kayak and whale watch in a way that won’t scare me to pieces?” Being with him made taking a risk easier.

  Maybe that was because he was the biggest risk of all.

  Damn. She was in deep with this man.

  He studied her with that steady look of his. “That can be arranged.”

  In the moment, in this moment, Isabeau felt her throat swell up a bit, seeming to stop air and words. His gaze lingered, and her skin heated in response. Though, if she were being honest, her own eyes searched him a moment too long, as well.

  Silence passed and electricity built, seeming to hum in the air.

  He angled closer. “Is everything satisfactory with your suite?”

  “It’s lovely.” She glanced around the room again, toying with a lock of her hair. “There’s everything I could want.”

  “I made sure there were snacks available. If you or Paige need something different, just let me know and I’ll arrange it.”

  “Thank you.” She chewed her bottom lip. “I know what happened between us at the wedding reception wasn’t planned and I hope it won’t make things awkward. We have to work together. So any outings we take together are all toward that goal.”

  “Heard and understood.” He nodded quickly.

  Her eyes narrowed. “No secret agenda?”

  “I am dedicated to doing my best for my family.”

  “That doesn’t sound like an answer.”

  “I realize things are tense. Let’s just say that I intend to do my job, and at the same time we should get to know each other better. Just in case.”

  Those last three words echoed in her skull. A reminder of why she needed to be professional and focus. If she was pregnant, she would need a successful business life more than ever.

  All she could do was nod before he stood up from the chair, a ripple of muscles beneath his cotton shirt. “I’ll see you in the morning.”

  * * *

  Afternoon sun high in the sky, Trystan sprawled in his kayak, his face tipped to the rays. Summer days stretched long here, and he soaked up as many hours as possible.

  The waters off the coast near Juneau weren’t as cold as other parts of the state, and he hadn’t slept much last night. This was a simple outing to share with Isabeau, one he hoped she would find as soul soothing as he did. A low-key way to ease closer to her, learn more about what made her tick.

  Because truth be told, every day with her made him ache all the more to have her in his bed. He had to wonder now why they couldn’t use this window of time where they didn’t know about a pregnancy to simply explore the attraction, see where it led them.

  He could sense she wasn’t ready to hear that suggestion yet, but he was a patient man. He had her here, now, out on the water on this awesome summer day, a picnic basket full of food waiting for them in his Range Rover parked on the shore.

  But that feast waiting for them held nothing to Isabeau’s perfectly curved figure accentuated by the formfitting wet suit, visible even with a life jacket. Despite the warmer waters right now, the wet suit was often a standard part of the kayaking experience in Alaska.

  Surveying her for a moment, he watched the way her nose scrunched as she paddled forward, gliding through the water. He had to give the dog credit too. She seemed to take everything in stride, unconcerned by the life jacket and the lack of land in her immediate vicinity. Not even flinching when a pair of wolves had sprinted along the tree line before disappearing into the forest.

  He paddled closer, one smooth stroke at a time, steering into the current. “You know everything about me and I know so little about you.” Other than just where to kiss her on her neck to make her sigh with pleasure.

  “You didn’t run a background check on me like most of my clients?” She paddled as well, her strokes not as efficient as his, but not bad for an amateur.

  With practice, she could fit right into this way of life.

  He winked. “I figured if the family hired you, you must be right for the job.”

  “That’s quite trusting of you.”

  “I have my strengths. They have theirs. But I suspect you’re dodging my question.” He eased his kayak closer to her, bumping the side to adjust the angle so she didn’t drift too far from shore.

  “There’s no massive secret. I grew up in Washington, the Seattle area. My parents...divorced...
when I was in elementary school. My mother worked hard to give me the best life possible.” She kept her eyes averted, her strokes growing more even the longer they were out on the water.

  “Your mother loved you.” He could hear it in her voice.

  “Yes, she did.” She blinked fast, her smile wobbling.

  “And your father?”

  Her smile thinned. “He decided working less meant he could pay less child support,” she said drily. “He went with that plan until he could figure out a way to leave without a trail.”

  “That’s wrong on so many levels.” He couldn’t imagine a world where he would walk out on his child. Even the thought of being a father had his mind spinning with the ways he would be there for Isabeau and their kid.

  If they had one.

  His gaze gravitated to her stomach, hidden by a life jacket. A stomach he’d stroked even when their impulsive connection hadn’t left much time for ditching clothes and seeing each other. That part, he regretted and hoped to rectify someday soon. The sooner the better.

  She paddled in long, even strokes, the sun glinting off her red hair gathered in a topknot. “My mother and I were better off without him, but it still makes me sad she had to work so hard for so long. She got remarried to a great guy who treats her well.”

  “And she still lives in Washington?”

  “She did...until she passed away a year ago—lung disease.”

  “I am so very sorry.” Squeezing her hand, he reminded himself of his sister’s advice about asking and listening. Learn as much as he could about this fascinating woman—not a hardship at all. “What brought you to Alaska?”

  “I wanted a fresh start. Turns out there are plenty of rugged, rich Alaskans in search of an image consultant.” She swept her paddle through the water. “Have you ever wanted to live somewhere else?”

  He scanned the bay, drinking in the banks filled with lush green grass, the shadow of a bird rippling on the water. Mountains far in the distance. Everything he needed right here. “Nope.”

  “I thought this time on the water was about getting to know each other better.”

  “Sorry.” He tipped his head back to watch the progress of the eagle soaring through the sky. “Longer answer? I love my home state. I love the land and feel strongly about protecting what we have.”

  A smile shone in her eyes. “That passion in your voice is exactly what you should bring to interviews.” She nodded in affirmation, her topknot listing to the side. “I hear you and Delaney Steele both played a large part in persuading Royce Miller to bring his innovations to Alaska Oil Barons, Inc.”

  “He just needed to know there were people in the family who genuinely cared about preservation and not just the cost-cutting measures in his pipeline upgrades.”

  “That’s what makes your two families strong, you know. None of you speak as one voice. You each have your own viewpoints and perspectives. No cookie-cutter types.”

  “I definitely will take that as a compliment.”

  “Why do you seem so surprised?”

  “I think of an image consultant as ironing out all the wrinkles in a personality.”

  “Not at all. Personality is what captures attention, and that is the ultimate goal. You just want the right kind of attention.”

  Conversation ceased as a whale crested the water in the distance. Even from here, the kayaks bobbed with the ripples from the massive creature. The beauty of whale watching never ceased to leave him in awe.

  But it was nothing in comparison to the beauty of Isabeau’s face right now.

  “How’s your bucket list going today?”

  A wide grin—a real one this time—danced across her face. “This is perfect. Thank you.”

  Her eyes sparkled. Her joy made his breath catch slightly. All he wanted to do was reach over to her kayak and kiss her. Slowly. Deeply. To linger in a way they hadn’t during their hasty coupling in the boathouse.

  But perhaps a better chance to linger with her would be during the picnic.

  Those thoughts were cut short as Paige barked once, twice, full out, calling to him as she pawed at Isabeau. Her eyes glazed over and she swayed. Her paddle fell from her hands, hitting the side of the kayak and then the water. Her lashes fluttered closed as dread filled his gut.

  Trystan paddled faster, closing the gap between them but all too aware of how far it was to shore.

  Six

  Isabeau had learned to live with diabetes as a teen. But her body’s lack of cooperation still frustrated her. Swaying, she forced her eyes open again. She gripped the sides of the kayak to keep herself from flipping as she sought to right the world wobbling in front of her woozy gaze.

  Dimly, she registered Paige barking an alert—usually she pawed, then whimpered. A bark meant Paige was moving on to the big guns since Isabeau hadn’t heeded the first levels of warning. She tried to focus, to form words.

  Words eluded her, but she saw Trystan paddling toward her with concern on his face. Help was on the way. She wasn’t alone. She simply had to hold on.

  What an alien feeling to have someone to lean on so she could experience life more fully without worrying about what-ifs with her health. She could boat and watch the whales. And while she was sad the outing was done, how awesome to have experienced it.

  With Trystan.

  Paige’s barking decreased to a whimper as Trystan drew closer, stroke by stroke. Her dog seemed to recognize his help.

  “Talk to me, Isabeau,” Trystan’s voice carried over the rippling water. “What can I do to help you?”

  His words cleared away more of the fog.

  “I’m okay. Just light-headed.” Her hand shaking, she reached into the waterproof box hooked to her kayak. “I’m eating a snack now. I’ll be fine.” She found a packet of almonds and popped a handful into her mouth, chewing slowly.

  He grunted. Trystan looped a rope through the hook on the front of her kayak and paddled out front. With powerful strokes, he headed for shore, pulling her boat after his. She kept popping almonds in her mouth, feeling her vision steady with each bite. She should feel guilty about him having to haul her back to shore, but he paddled so effortlessly, he didn’t seem at all fazed. Muscles rippled along his arms in the wet suit.

  Her mouth watered.

  She was definitely feeling better. “I’m sorry to have scared you,” she called out to him. “And I’m really sorry to have ruined our outing.”

  “I shouldn’t have pushed you to overdo it.” His words came out tight with self-recrimination.

  “I’m an adult. I know my limits and I came prepared.” She finished off the last almond and continued, “Everything’s fine. Paige did her job.”

  He grunted again. With a final sweep of the paddle, his kayak slid up onto the shore. He stepped out into the shallows, water lapping against his knees and hauled her kayak the rest of the way. He extended a hand and took her arm, bracing her as she swung her legs over the wide body of the boat and found her footing. They made their way to the rocky shoreline, Paige splashing alongside.

  He eased her to a sitting position and beached the kayaks while her dog shook the water off and settled by her feet.

  Trystan returned to kneel by her. “We should go home.”

  “I’m okay now.” She tried to stand but he kept a hand on her shoulder. “Truly, Trystan. I let myself get caught up in the moment and didn’t listen to Paige fast enough. Thank goodness she was insistent. Let me just check my A1C level to be sure.”

  She tunneled her hand into the waterproof bag and pulled out a small pouch and her cell phone. She noticed him wincing when she pricked the side of her finger and tested the blood. Funny how she didn’t even think about it, she was so used to living with the condition.

  Reading the results, she smiled in relief. “All’s good. I’ll just log it into the app on my phone,
then recheck later. Thank you for your help and for being concerned.”

  “Of course. I just wish I’d paid closer attention and noticed signs sooner—”

  “You couldn’t have known.” She braced a hand on his chest, the hard wall of muscle warm beneath her palm.

  Her fingers twitched with the urge to explore. His pupils widened with awareness as his eyes narrowed, lasering in on her.

  Her throat moved in a long swallow, and she couldn’t resist the need to lick her lips. His gaze flickered over her mouth, lingering.

  “Isabeau,” he said simply, his voice husky.

  She knew she should push him away. She’d promised herself she would keep him at arm’s length. And yet she ached for him, ached for his kiss, ached to find out if she’d imagined their explosive connection.

  Before she could finish the thought, she swayed toward him. Her eyes slid closed as their lips met and she melted into the sensation. The salty scent of him. The strength of his arms around her. The echo of the husky growl in his throat.

  Her fingers crawled up his chest to his cheek, bristly from an afternoon shadow. Everything about the kiss was more than she remembered. Maybe because they were in the bright sunlight that left a glow even behind her closed eyes. The wind rolling in off the water gave an expansive feeling to the moment, uncontained by walls. The taste of him was crisp and tangy, and it stirred a hunger that seared her veins with every throbbing heartbeat.

  And as she angled away from a kiss that had to end because taking it further was too dangerous, she couldn’t escape the truth.

  She’d just made a huge mistake.

  Because now she wanted him more than ever.

  * * *

  He couldn’t decide if kissing Isabeau had been a good idea or not. She’d clearly wanted him, and he’d been off balance from the scare of her nearly passing out in the kayak, and he vowed to do some internet research on diabetes once he was home.

  And he also vowed that one impulsive kiss would not derail his bigger goal of winning her into his bed.