Home > Her Indecent Proposal (The Bad Boy Billionaires #10)(31)

Her Indecent Proposal (The Bad Boy Billionaires #10)(31)
Author: Judy Angelo

‘Was’ was right.  It was almost nine o’clock at night so the birthday was almost gone.  Only three hours left for it to be part of her past.  “It was all right,” she said, trying to sound enthusiastic but failing miserably.

“Did you get the flowers I sent you?”

“I did.  They’re…beautiful.”  That part was the truth.  They’d arrived at her office early that morning and she’d taken them home with her.  She was staring at them right now as they sat on top of the chest of drawers, a kaleidoscope of startlingly brilliant colors against the almond-white of the room.  “Thank you.”

“I wish I could have been there to celebrate with you but there was no way I could miss this conference.”  His tone was apologetic.  “I’m the keynote speaker.”

“I know and I wouldn’t have you miss it just to be here on my birthday.  There’ll be other birthdays.”  She meant what she said.  To be totally honest, she was glad Sloane wasn’t at home to see her mope.  His presence would have been an additional strain on her because, even now, she would have to be faking cheerfulness so he wouldn’t feel bad for her.  Being alone, at least she could sulk in peace.

“I’ll make it up to you,” he promised.  “As soon as I get back we’ll plan a getaway.  Do you want to do the Caribbean again?  We could try St. Kitts.  I hear the  diving's great in Basseterre.”

“Yeah, that sounds great.  We can talk about it when you get back.”  That didn’t sound quite as enthusiastic as she’d hoped but, depressed as she was, it was the best she could do.

There was a pause on the phone line and when Sloane finally spoke his voice sounded strained.  “Melanie, are you sure you’re all right?  You don’t sound like yourself.”

“I’m perfectly fine,” she said, forcing into her tone as much liveliness as she could muster.  “I’m just tired, that’s all.  It’s been a long day.”  She gave a satisfied sigh.  It was fake, of course, and only for Sloane’s benefit.  “So how’s London, anyway?  Did you get a chance to check out the city?”

“London is London,” he said drily.  “It's like my second home.  Wonderful city, but after you’ve been here a few dozen times you basically know the place so well you stop getting excited .  I'm more like an expat than a visitor.  Quite a bit of rain here, though, and kind of chilly for August."

“Aaw, that’s too bad,” she sympathized.  “When you get back I promise I’ll warm you up real good.  In fact,” she said, letting a naughty inflection slip into her voice, “just think about me and you in a variety of brand new positions.  That should warm you up while you’re standing in front of your audience.”

That made him laugh.  “Bad girl.  Now that you’ve planted the picture in my mind you know I won’t be able to think of anything else.”

“That’s the whole idea.”  This time she was laughing along with him and her mirth was real.

Sadly, by the time Sloane hung up and she’d lain back down among the pillows, the sadness returned.  Within minutes silent tears were sliding down her cheeks.  She didn’t even bother to wipe them away.  She just lay there, staring through the tears at the now blurry ball of color on top of the chest of drawers.

But when the horrible lump in her throat climbed up and up until she could no longer hold it in she turned her face into the pillows, clutched them to her, and sobbed out her grief and pain.

Nothing had worked.  Not sex, not the vitamins and stress pills the doctor had prescribed, not the artificial insemination.  She'd done intrauterine insemination, twice, with zero success.  Now she felt like there was no more hope.

And on top of her despair was the overwhelming feeling of guilt.  She’d promised Sloane a baby, demanded it of him, and he’d put his trust in her and married her.  And she’d failed.

It just wasn’t fair.  She’d wanted this so bad and worked so hard, to no avail.  But mostly, she came to realize, it wasn’t fair to Sloane.

Under these circumstances there was only one thing to do.  She was going to give Sloane a chance at life, a chance to find someone who could give him the family he deserved.

Before Sloane got back from London, she was going to leave.

CHAPTER 19

“Honey, I’m home.”  Sloane had a smile on his face as he flicked on the light in the foyer and dumped his suitcase and briefcase on the floor.  The flight from London had been long and dreary – that, after a delay of over two hours due to bad weather – but he was finally home.

“Melanie, where are you?” he called out as he headed for the stairs.  It was late but not that late.  He hadn’t expected her to be in bed before ten.  Then again, she’d probably had a long day at the office and decided to turn in early.  When he’d called earlier that day she’d sounded distant, almost as if she didn’t have time to talk.  He hadn’t pressed, knowing he’d probably caught her in the middle of a business meeting but now that he was home he was eager to see her, hold her, make mad love to her.

And he had every intention of holding her to her promise.  Making love in all kinds of new and crazy positions?  As tired as he was, he was still willing and ready to try them all.

He bounded up the stairs then strode toward the master bedroom.  The door was slightly ajar and he could see that there was no light inside.  Strange.  Melanie usually left the bedside lamp on until he got home.

Gently, he opened the door wider and was on his way toward the bed when what he saw in the shadowy room made him freeze.  The bed was still made up and there was no-one in it.

Where the hell was Melanie?

Immediately, he turned and walked back to the door where he flicked on the light.  And that was when he saw the plain white sheet of paper lying in the middle of the bed.

A sudden feeling of dread fell over him in a thick, grey cloud – something was seriously wrong.  He went over to the bed and picked up the paper.

“Dear Sloane, I’ve made a very painful decision but one which is for the best,” it said.  “Our relationship is just not working and it’s time for me to move on.  This is hard for me to say, especially since we’ve been through so much together, but it’s better to say it now rather than continue to live a lie.  I can’t be with you anymore.  I’ve found someone else…”

   
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