Total pages in book: 69
Estimated words: 64406 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 322(@200wpm)___ 258(@250wpm)___ 215(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 64406 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 322(@200wpm)___ 258(@250wpm)___ 215(@300wpm)
He nodded. “Died by suicide. We already had Serenity, but even with a nanny, there were still five kids. Nick and Jade were only two at the time. Eventually, they had the triplets, then five years later, Layla was born—she was an oops baby too,” he said with an endearing grin.
Winter smiled at the revelation. “I guess they’ll understand about us then.”
“Oh, they already do and they’re excited. And looking forward to meeting you.”
She didn’t reply to that. Instead, she placed her hand on her belly protectively. “So then what happened?” she asked him.
“Well, eventually, Dad hired Maggie, our housekeeper, but not for years, so we all grew up quickly. I helped around the house, and I learned to cook. As the oldest, Asher stepped up, taking on the role of herding us all when Dad was at work.”
“I had no idea how complicated your childhood was,” she murmured. Not even after interviewing him and writing what she thought was an in-depth piece on him and his partners.
Given what she was now learning about Harrison and his family, she realized he’d only revealed superficial information to her in her interview.
So much for being a crack reporter, she thought wryly. “And to think, I spent a month with you.” She heard the accusation in her tone. “Why did you hold all this back?”
He shrugged. “I told you the facts you could read anywhere. The rest? I didn’t want to tell Winter, the reporter.” He cleared his throat. “I’m more comfortable admitting things to Winter, the woman.” His voice turned gruff, and her traitorous body responded to both his words and his deep tone.
And when he turned their clasped hands over and drew circles on her skin, awareness oozed through her veins like liquid desire. But the need he inspired didn’t stop her mind from working. Harrison Dare was very good at hiding the important parts of himself. He was an actor, and she’d do well to remember that.
Still… “I’m glad you’re confiding in me. I like getting to know you. It will make co-parenting easier. And there’s no reason to tell me the things you say tonight are off the record,” she said wryly.
He chuckled. “I know that, or I wouldn’t have been honest. I trust you, Winter. I did this summer, too. But I didn’t want personal information out there for public consumption. There are things even a celebrity needs to keep private.”
Something she understood even better now that her biggest secret had been shared with the world. “I get it.” The conversation had her thinking of her sister. “I only thought I understood when naked photos of Nikki were taken and posted on the internet but now I really understand how utterly violated she must have felt.”
He nodded. “Being in the public eye sucks sometimes.”
And now she’d be raising a child of someone the press would constantly go after. Just one more thing to worry about. But at least she’d have Harrison’s help with protecting their child.
Suddenly she remembered the senator and how this might affect him.
“Harrison… the senator.”
“What about him?” Harrison asked.
She swallowed hard. “He was named in that article about us. I was so frazzled I forgot to check in with him. I’m sure the press is all over him, too.” And though she didn’t owe him anything, how could she not feel bad that her personal situation had probably added to the man’s already shaky public image?
Harrison’s phone buzzed, and he glanced at the table where the screen flashed. “It’s a message from my father,” Harrison said.
She pointed to the phone. “Why don’t you talk to him, and I’ll call my… father.” Calling anyone that still sounded so strange to her ears.
He braced his hands on her shoulders. “Remember something, okay?”
His gorgeous eyes met hers. “What?”
“We’re in this together,” he said.
He really liked that word, she mused. Unfortunately, she liked it too. A little too much.
* * *
After hanging up with his dad and stepmom, Harrison heard Winter’s voice coming from the family room. She was obviously still on the phone with her biological father. Giving her privacy, Harrison remained in his room and walked to the window, looking at the sun-filled sky and the cityscape below. The view was one of the reasons he’d chosen this building and looking out at the city gave him peace. Not as much as the ocean at the Hamptons home he’d purchased when he realized his siblings were going to spend more of their time out east than here in Manhattan. And K-Talent’s main offices were here, too.
Winter’s voice traveled to him again, and he hoped she was getting as much support from her parent as Harrison received from his family. Given the little Nikki and Derek had gotten growing up, Harrison was concerned, but at least the senator was trying to build a relationship with his daughter.