Billionaire's Unwanted Black Twin Babies Page 7

  An incredulous laugh escaped her lips as she stretched and turned over on her back. Somehow, everything felt brighter now. How could she have been so afraid of this happening, for as long as months and years? She’d kept in the dark while watching Max live his trendsetter billionaire lifestyle. Now it was time to bring Max out of the dark about…

  Indiana shot up into a sitting position as she realized Max was not with her in bed. Indiana frowned and looked around his bedroom, studying it properly for the first time. It was just as warm and inviting as Max’s personality. It was also pristine, and Indiana smiled to think Max was just as neat a person as she was. The room would almost looked unused or unlived in if not for the small items of his that were dotted around.

  Indiana wanted to say she still felt able to keep herself aloof from Max, but it was going to get harder the more time they spent together.

  And if things went as she expected, they’d be seeing more of each other from now on. It was something that could no longer be delayed or avoided.

  Since she couldn’t sight her clothes, Indiana swiftly rose from bed and headed for one of the doors in the room. Sure enough, it was the closet, which was a whole dressing room the size of her living room. Indiana wasn’t sure how Max would feel about her borrowing one of his shirts, but it wasn’t like she could go naked looking for him. She picked a blue and white check button down that reached to her knees.

  Indiana was trying to bring some tidiness to her full, curly hair when she began to hear voices. One was Max, while the other sounded like a female’s. Indiana left the dressing room and moved to the bedroom door. She pressed her ear against it and tried to make out what was happening on the other side.

  “Max, I said I was sorry,” said the woman with him, her voice articulate and elegant even in plea. “It was just too sudden. I can’t do this, baby. I’ll need some more time.”

  Baby? Who was this woman? Indiana’s ear pressed closer to the door as her head buzzed with questions.

  “I’m not sure what you’re trying to suggest, but my answer is no,” said Max. “Don’t push me, Bianca.”

  There was no mistaking the clipped, unemotional edge in the tone Max used. Indiana almost felt sorry for the woman, even as she tried to place her name. Bianca who?

  “So what happens to the engagement ring? You never did ask for it back,” Bianca said in a rigid voice, even though hurt laced her words.

  Words which made Indiana start suddenly in alarm, causing her to jar the door handle, which resounded in the air and brought on absolute silence.

  “Oh God,” Bianca huffed after a strained moment. “You have someone with you. That’s fine, Max. I don’t really care about your women. I only care that we make perfect sense together. We’re both so alike, and that’s the problem, but I know I can fix it. Just tell me we can…”

  Indiana didn’t wait to hear more and backed away from the door. She felt sickened.

  It was like the past happening all over again. Max hadn’t changed. He never would. Indiana had been so sure she knew everything about his life, so how could she have missed the fact he’d been engaged?

  Indiana’s mind flashed back to the very first time they’d met. The crazy attraction, the heat in just one glance from him. Indiana hadn’t trusted the feeling–why should she? It had been too delicious to be true. And just like last night had been too amazing to be real, Indiana was faced with the fact that Max was just too different from her.

  Things like principles, steadfastness and simple human courtesy were just not part of his makeup. To think she’d started to picture them sharing a part in the twins’ lives.

  The door flew open, and Max walked into the room. Indiana turned to face him with her expression schooled and asked for her clothes.

  “Indiana, we need to talk.”

  “No. I need my clothes. Just let me get dressed and get the hell out of here. Out of your life.”

  “She’s gone, I promise. I know what you may have overheard, but if you just listen, you’ll understand everything.”

  “Understand what? That you’re just the same Max as three years ago, who couldn’t even wait for me to come back from my India trip to hook up with someone new?”

  “Someone new? Indiana, you were the one who left, remember?”

  “I know I left, but I always meant to come back! But then nothing we shared even mattered, did it? That’s why you had a girl in your bedroom that morning I showed up to see you when I got back.”

  Max froze. “What? You saw a girl in my bedroom?”

  “Yes. A very naked blonde beneath your sheets, and she didn’t look happy at all to see me and even screamed at me, wondering what I was doing in her boyfriend’s bedroom. Your clothes and hers were all over the floor. You moved on really fast, I must say. Just like you moved on from your engagement that you never told me about. Didn’t I even deserve to know you were planning to get married to someone?”

  “First off, I never planned on getting married to anyone.”

  “Oh, and why is that not a surprise?” Indiana asked with sarcasm while throwing up her arms.

  “We’ll get to all of that, but first, about that day you came…I never knew, Indiana. But it all makes perfect sense now. That’s the day you left the keys to the apartment, right?”

  Indiana breathed deeply, trying to stay calm enough to continue. “Yes. Once I left the bedroom before your crazy lover bit my head off, I went downstairs and dropped the keys on the counter. I knew there was nothing to keep us together and wasn’t waiting around for you to tell me you didn’t want me anymore.”

  Max threw his head back while shoving his hand roughly through his fingers. Then he swore harshly. “I didn’t even notice the keys until maybe weeks later. I then figured out you may have let yourself in when I was out and dropped them. I took that as a sign that you were back and that you’d called it quits.”

  He sighed angrily but went on with more composure, “So I rushed over to your parents’ house, but you wouldn’t see me. You changed your numbers, blocked me from your emails, and made sure I was out of reach. All I could do was call Drew on the phone, and all he told me was that you were in hospital. I didn’t know what to think, but no one gave me anything and just asked me to stay away. A few days later, I had to leave finally for LA to start my internship. But I still kept calling in the hopes that I could reach you, but it was one roadblock after another.”

  “Well, what did you expect? That I’d take you back after you cheated on me?” cried Indiana.

  “Nothing happened with that girl, Indiana! Yes, I took her home with me, but I was drunk stupid and didn’t even touch her. I woke up the next morning and found her naked beside me. I didn’t even wait for her to explain anything and just told her to leave before I got back. I got dressed, and I was out in under a minute.”

  “And I’m supposed to believe you.” Indiana huffed. “You must think I’m blind and crazy.”

  “I told you I loved you.”

  Indiana missed a beat as Max spoke in that husky tone, and she forgot to even breathe as he stood there and stared at her.

  “I’ve never said those words to anyone, Indiana. Never fallen so deep for someone that for a whole year while you kept me at arm’s length, I was just happy getting to be close to you,” he said thickly.

  “I wouldn’t throw that away for a cheap lay, and I realized that right on time. I was angry at you, and I did go out with the guys and picked up some girl, but nothing happened,” Max added, moving forward to take hold of her shoulders gently. “Later, I found out she happened to be an ex of a friend of mine and wanted to pay him back by sleeping with me. Afterwards, they actually made up and even got married last year. On their wedding day, she thanked me for bringing her to her senses by not sleeping with her while we were both drunk. I wish she’d told me that you showed up, though. I’m sorry you had to go through that.”

  Indiana let out another deep sigh. What did it all even matter?

  She’
d come back into his life so that he wouldn’t miss out on his kids. But did he even deserve to be around them with how he’d changed?

  “I don’t want to hear anymore,” she said sadly but firmly. “I should have never let last night happen. This was a mistake.”

  “I’ll give you more time if that’s what you want,” Max said.

  Indiana wasn’t about to argue with him, all her energy drained. She was glad when Max didn’t push and instead brought her clothes, which he’d thoughtfully washed and ironed. His chivalrous gestures only made her feel angrier, knowing it was probably just Max being so good at charming his way into your soft spot. He was the type who could serve you breakfast in bed, be at your beck and call, but would still keep you up at night wondering if he was with someone else while you turned your back.

  One thing she was glad about was that her brother Drew had never found out she’d dated Max and as such never even suspected he could be the father of the twins. Indiana felt guilty for deceiving her brother. In the past two years, he’d gone into the military, which had always been his dream after college. He’d made it into the Special Ops, and she didn’t even know which country he was stationed. She only knew he was on a top secret mission and wouldn’t be home for months. He hadn’t seen the kids since they were babies.

  Indiana was tired of all these confrontations with Max. She needed a break, and possibly a memory eraser. She couldn’t keep her world rotating around Max and how he made her feel. What’s done is done, she decided. The past was in the past, and she couldn’t go back or change it.

  Indiana had thought the weight she’d carried for so long would finally get lifted. But from the look of things, she’d only made her situation worse. Why did it feel like she was getting her heart shattered a second time?

  ***

  Yoga was big business in New York City, and Indiana felt lucky to have opened her studio three months ago when she’d first moved there. She was in talks with a financial consultant for investors to open a sauna and spa alongside, and even a health food store. She’d made sure to get a place with enough space for her plans, and she was glad she had so much to look forward to.

  Indiana focused on providing a dynamic style of classes in her studio, and so far she’d been attracting the best of clients. Launching the studio, named Twin Lotus, had not been an easy feat, but like everything she faced, Indiana took the project head on. All she needed was more funding to handle the expansions she’d set out to turn the place into a high end, sumptuous yoga fitness center.

  People entering her studio were welcomed by a calming scene, and Indiana and her staff members were dressed in super-comfy pants in a pretty and spacious setting. That morning, she had a meditation class for a private group of ten. Afterwards was a workshop for a team of business exec types as part of their corporate wellness program.

  Once it ended, the participants made use of the showers and dressing rooms to change. Indiana also changed into a fresh outfit consisting of a white buttoned shirt tucked into a pencil black leather skirt for a meeting she had in a few minutes.

  She was met midway by one of the execs she'd done the yoga classes with, Jamie Newton. This was his second workshop, and in fact, he’d been the one who’d provided the referral from his company for Indiana’s studio to be used.

  “I’d like to thank you again for putting in a good word for Twin Lotus at your firm,” she said to him, her smile warm.

  “It went splendidly, so there’s no need to thank me–not when everyone enjoyed it so much,” said the dark-haired Adonis who was at least six-feet and with a body more suited to an Olympic swimmer than someone who spent a lot of time behind the desk.

  He’d first attended her studio as a private client and then set up the workshop involving his company where he was CEO. He had the looks, money and charm to attract any discerning female, though Indiana viewed him only as a client, even though he was single and just a few years older.

  “In fact, I’m sure I can motivate them into holding another workshop next month,” Jamie said. “If you’re interested, we could discuss further on how to ensure Twin Lotus handles our workshops from now on. I plan for this to be a regular affair, as my company is focusing more on health management.”

  “Yoga is certainly an innovative practice for promoting employee–and employer–wellness,” Indiana said in agreement.

  “Just one of my health incentives, for which I don’t mind spending top money. Happy workers, happy business like I always say,” Jamie joked, flashing those pearly whites that would make a normal woman swoon away. “So shall I fix our discussion for dinner tonight?”

  Indiana blinked, unsure how to respond. She’d been out of the dating game so long, she couldn’t be sure if she was being hit on or not. What if she took things the wrong way and ended up with her foot in her mouth? She couldn’t risk offending one of her biggest clients, especially considering hers was a new business. But…

  “Miss Hart won’t be available for tonight unfortunately,” said a familiar male voice just over her shoulder.

  Indiana looked around in confusion to see Max walking up to them with casual strides. What on earth?

  Jamie’s normally agreeable expression gave way to a frown. “And why not?”

  “Because she’s having dinner with me,” Max drawled. “You shouldn’t bother trying to reschedule either. Because Miss Hart plans on being booked for a long, long time. I’ll see to that myself.”

  “Who is this, Indiana?” Jamie asked, turning to her as his scowl deepened.

  Indiana could barely get her lips to work. “I…”

  “I’m her newest financial partner. Max Stafford.” Max smoothly turned to Indiana, adding, “You must not have received word from your assistant. She’s arranged for us to finally meet and have talks regarding the extension projects for Twin Lotus.”

  Chapter Eight

  Jamie did a double take. “You’re Max Stafford? Now this is an awesome surprise. I’ve been trying to make an appointment for months for a collaborative contract in terms of your new TV series. I’m Jamie Newton, by the way.”

  Both men shook hands, even as Max kept his sardonic smile. “I’ve received word of your interest in getting your production company involved. I just never expected we’d be butting heads over who takes this delightful lady to dinner tonight.”

  Jamie looked from Indiana to Max and seemed to catch the undertones between them. The speechless Indiana sank into further embarrassment as Jamie apologized stiffly, saying there was no cause at all to butt heads.

  “Jamie, it’s not what you–” Indiana began but then felt Max rest a hand on her shoulder and squeeze gently, silencing her. She shot a glare at him, but he only cocked his head with a smile.

  “I’ll have my secretary call you about any plans for future workshops–as I would like to keep up our, ah…business ties, Ms. Hart,” Jamie said with a slight bob of his head before he made a dignified exit.

  Max had a look of triumph on his face, while Indiana slowly gathered her senses. She hadn’t seen Max in a week and had been so sure he planned to let things cool off between them just like she did. So why was he here causing trouble?

  “I can tell you’re fuming, but shouldn’t we take this somewhere out of the public eye? I’m not exactly unknown, and besides, this is your place of work.”

  “Yes, I work here, Max, so I don’t understand why you’d come here and...and strong-arm my client when all he wanted was a business dinner!” she fumed.

  Max settled his blazing gaze on her face. “If you think that, then you’re being much too naïve. No one wants just a ‘business dinner,’ especially not with the way he looked at you.”

  “Since you claimed to want the same thing too–a business dinner with me–then I guess you’ll know better about whatever I’m being naïve about, according to you. Just what are you trying to pull here, Max? How do you know about the extension project?”

  Just then, before Max could respond, Indiana’
s assistant Priscilla came rushing over.

  “Ms. Hart, I’ve been waiting for you back in your office. I got a call from Jasper Niall, and he said that dinner tonight would be okay for the talks. You did say I should keep your schedule open for whenever they could make time, so I said yes.”

  Priscilla finally noticed Max, and her eyes seemed to widen questioningly before she said to her boss, "Oh. I see you caught up with your afternoon appointment. But..."

  Indiana hastily thanked her and waved her away. “We’ll talk later, Priscilla.”

  Indiana spun on Max again, caught his enigmatic smile, and finally let her brain connect the dots. “Let me guess, Jasper Niall is some kind of figurehead, while you’re actually the investor planning on working with me on the extension project for the studio?”

  “I knew I’d fallen for a smart girl,” Max teased, tapping his temple. “You got it, Indiana. Actually, Jasper is my manager, and he gets to see to matters I choose not to handle in person. That is, until I see fit to make myself known.”

  Indiana shook her head at him disbelievingly. “When I cut ties between us, I meant it. The last thing I’d want is to do business with you. I’ll find some other investor.”

  She stalked to her office, fully intending that their conversation was over. But Max wasn’t having it, judging by the fact he’d followed her, walking past Priscilla who sat behind her desk with an even more wide-eyed expression. He shut Indiana’s office door after him, but not without a rakish smile and a wink at the staring Priscilla.

  Then he turned and was able to duck just in time as Indiana sent a book sailing right at his head.

  It crashed against the far wall and fell to the floor with a “thump.” Indiana let out a growl of annoyance at her poor aim.

  “Whoa! I’ll understand if you want to teach me some sense, woman, but not by knocking me out with it!” scolded Max. “Whatever happened to the Indiana that was all Zen, ever the soothing character?”