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Braden woke me up with kisses early in the morning and then we made love – slowly, lazily and sensually. He insisted on taking me to work so we're currently still in bed, cuddling. He sits with his back to the headboard and I have my head on his lap while he plays with my hair.

''How so you didn't go to work early like you usually do?'' I ask him, gazing up at his eyes.

Braden shrugs, his fingers lazily brushing over the strands of my hair. I know he'll make them a mess, but I don't have the heart to tell him to stop. Besides, it feels good. Who cares how I'll look like after?

''A part of being your own boss is deciding when you'll go to work and when you'll come back.''

I lift my eyebrow at him. ''And you usually decide to go to work before 6 and coming back in the evening?'' I sass.

Braden's fingers stop brushing my hair and he looks at me, amused. ''Rory, baby, the work isn't done by itself. Especially when you run so many companies, hotels, restaurants and casinos.''

''Well, why do you have to own that much, then? It's not like you need any more money than you already have,'' I say with a voice that shows I clearly don't understand the conception of this.

Braden's silent for a moment and I see there's a small frown marking his face. He's thinking about my question. I roll my lips in my mouth and wait for his answer.

''I guess I like the power it gives me,'' he says after a few heartbeats of intense silence. ''I love winning, and being in this business means you win or lose a lot, depends on how well you do. And I can tell you I do very well in this business and I like what I'm doing. So for now, I don't see myself giving that up,'' he explains.

I listen to him greedily and when I sense this situation is getting too serious, I grin at him. ''Or in other words, you just really like bossing people around.''

Braden chuckles and he tugs at my hair lightly, not enough to make it hurt. ''Smart ass,'' he mouths at me.

I giggle in response.

''We should get up. We have to go soon.'' I pout at that, but before Braden could make any suggestion of staying here all day (which I'd probably totally take him up for), I stand up, bringing him up with me and we both go get ready.

Half an hour later, Braden's tying his tie and I'm watching him from the bathroom doorway, leaning on the door frame with my arms crossed in front of me, thinking how fine he looks. And without any great effort, which it makes me somehow mad, because why the hell do women have to spend so much time at making themselves presentable, while men look good without having to do anything? Where's the justice in that?

When he's done, he turns and catches me staring. He gives me a breathtaking smile across the room and my stomach does a somersault, my breath stuck in my throat. Jesus Christ.

Braden thrusts his hand in his hair, brushing it up and giving it a nice, messy look that looks sexy to hell. But a frown falls on his face when he looks on the nightstand and then around the room. He tries his pockets, but his frown doesn't disappear.

''Are you looking for something?'' I ask him, still not moving away from my position.

He opens the nightstand drawer. ''Yes, have you seen my –'' he trails off and falls silent, his body tensing up.

When he straightens up and turns around I see he's holding something in his hand. My eyes focus on it and I stand up straighter, my arms falling down.

Shit. Shit. Oh, shit.

It's the credit card he gave me last week and I so carelessly put it in the drawer.

I open my mouth to explain, just to say something, even though I don't know what I could even tell him, but he cuts me off.

''I seriously don't want to even hear what you have to say about this, Rory,'' he says, his voice hinting at how furious he is. His hand rakes through his hair in pure frustration. He's truly mad.

I bite down on my lip, not saying anything back because I don't want to piss him off any further.

''What do I have to do so you'll start taking the things I offer you, Rory? Do you want me to marry you so you'll legally own half of what's mine?'' he says, completely outraged.

My heart starts beating wildly in my chest at just hearing the word marriage coming from his lips, but what he said ... I shake my head at him and lean off the door frame. ''If that's the only reason you wish to marry me, don't even bother.'' I grab my coat, my purse and put on shoes and go straight past him. ''We're going to be late,'' I call out when I'm already near the front door.

I wordlessly go out and down the stairs, barely hearing Braden after me over the anger and hurt that spread over my body. I wait for Braden beside the car, tapping my foot impatiently on the floor.

Braden comes out and unlocks his car, but when I try to open the door, he's faster and he's in front of me, opening the door. I pause and look at him – straight in the eyes and hold our gazes, trying to find something on his face – anything, any emotion or any answer I'm looking for. But I only find serious eyes with clenched jaw staring back at me.

I close my eyes briefly, breaking our stare and then sit in the car, staring straight forward.

Braden comes in the car and after we sit some minutes in nothing but silence, he finally starts the car and drives away.

During the drive, I stare out of the window the whole time and I'm still as much as I can be, not even moving my hand or leg the whole drive there. I sense Braden's eyes burning into my head a few times, but I don't give him the satisfaction of looking back at him. I only press my lips together and look at the boring scenery outside without seeing anything.

As Braden parks, I slip out of the car before he can take his car keys out and head straight for the bar.

Braden calls my name, but I don't stop. I don't even turn around.

He comes after me and grips my arms, forcing me to look at him. ''Rory –'' he starts, but I cut him off.

''I don't have time for this right now, Braden,'' I say fiercely and take his surprise to tug my arm out of his grip and go inside the bar in a foul mood I can't shake off the entire day.

It doesn't help that his words occupy all my thoughts and the more I think about what he said, the more I feel the distaste in my mouth. Does he think he'll solve this if he marries me? Does he think that I'll let him boss me around, then? And forcing me to accept the things from him in that way? Well, he has another thing coming!

I'm sure people in the bar notice that there's a big, stormy cloud over my head and I'm actually happy that no one seems interested enough in a conversation.

My bad mood even deepens when I notice that polished woman coming in the bar that came last week, searching for Braden. This time, she's carrying a child with her.

She looks straight at me and a devious smile falls upon her lips. I get uncomfortable at watching all that glory coming towards me. She's wearing pants today with black high heels and a coat that looks so expensive I'm sure I couldn't afford in my lifetime.

''So you're back again,'' is the first thing she says when she comes to the counter.

My eyebrows raise at her. What does she mean by that? Does she know me? Was she back here when I wasn't working? ''Can I help you?'' I ask her politely, giving her my best fake smile I can.

''I think you can. I'm looking for Braden.'' She nods, adjusting the child on her arms, bringing my attention to him. The kid's looking at me with his big, warm brown eyes and with an adorable frown on his lips. He's truly cute and I give him a small smile which he cautiously returns.

I look back at the woman and I see she's glaring at me. I hold myself not to roll my eyes at her. ''Just a second,'' I tell her and take my phone off the counter I put on before.

I dial Braden's number and it doesn't escape my notice how the woman's eyes narrow at the phone I'm holding, probably wondering why I'm calling him from my personal phone. And I can barely hide my grin.

Braden answers on the second ring. ''Rory?'' his voice is cautious as if he's expecting some bad news.

And I have no doubt he didn't expect me really calling him to tell him I love him after our morning 'fight'. ''There's someone waiting for you at the bar,'' I tell him straight, not even bothering with the pleasantries of greeting him.

There's a pause. ''Who?''

I eye the woman. ''I don't know. A woman who's been looking for you twice when I was working now.''

Braden sighs deeply. ''I'll be right down.''

I end the call and report to the woman he'll come down soon. I also asked her if she wants to go sit down and order something, but she declined my offer, choosing to rather stand there and watch me like a hawk.

I don't know what problem does she have with me, but I don't think I like it – or her for that matter.

Braden comes from the back door in all his intimidating glory with his powerful suit and straight form just seconds after. I can't help but stop polishing the glass in my hands and just stare at him. His eyes search for me, but when he looks at the 'visitor', his step slightly falters and his face transforms in a pure shock and I can also read some disbelief.

I look at the woman who's looking at Braden with a smile on her lips and can't stop but wonder even more who is she and what is she to him. My curiosity gets so big I'm afraid I'll blurt something out of my big mouth so I press my lips tightly together and silently watch the encounter in front of me.

''Hello, Braden,'' that bimbo that's really starting to get on my nerves for apparently no reason at all greets Braden sweetly when he comes near us.

Braden puts one of his palms on the counter, standing with his side to it, facing the woman. He deeply stares at her for what seems like hours, his eyes are burning into her and it pleases me to notice that he's not happy to see her. ''Victoria,'' he nods.

The glass falls down from my hands and shatters on the floor before I can even realise I dropped it. The glass shattering is loud enough to take some attention, but my head is swirling around the one word – that one name that came from Braden's mouth.

Did he mean that Victoria? That model Victoria? That Victoria who was once his ex-fianceé? Who he once loved very much?

Victoria grins at him, showing him her perfect teeth and then she looks at the child she's carrying. ''Braden, meet your son, Chase.''

My eyes widen and bulge out so much I fear they'll come out of the sockets before the world swirls around me and my eyes close as the darkness consumes me.

The last thing I feel is the feeling of falling.

***

''Rory, baby, I swear if you don't open your eyes I'll take you to the doctor.''

A small frown falls on my lips and I grunt in response as I hear that familiar voice as I start coming back to my senses.

I feel so comfortable just laying wherever I am that I want to just fall asleep, but someone shakes me and I groan, turning my head away.

''Open your eyes, baby,'' comes Braden's voice again, this time lower and quieter and I feel his breath on my face.

When I do open my eyes open I see the ceiling first. A ceiling that's unknown to me. When I turn my head, I see Braden crouched down beside me and I'm laying on the couch. And as I look past Braden's shoulder, I see the reason I'm where I am, her ass perched against the desk, her ankles crossed as she aspects her nails, her face disinterested, hinting on boredom.

It doesn't take me much to figure out this is Braden's office. I sit up quickly but stop when the world around me swirls again. I put my palm on my forehead and close my eyes so the office will stop spinning around. ''Careful there,'' Braden says softly, being back by my side in seconds, his hands on me.

''Oh, good. Now that you're conscious again we can go back to the important things,'' comes Victoria's annoying voice, making me snap my eyes on her.

Braden's eyes close and he leans his forehead on my shoulder, his muscles tensing. He suddenly stands up and I notice his hands are balled into fists. He takes a few long steps so he's standing in front of Victoria, intimidating her form. But she doesn't let him intimidate her that easily.

''If you have any problems, Victoria, you can easily leave,'' Braden snaps at her with the voice so full of venom it sends chills down my body. ''You know where the door is. And no one's holding you back.''

Victoria uncrosses her legs and spreads them a bit. She puts her palm on Braden's jacket and then pulls on his tie, bringing him forward so their faces are only inches apart.

My eyes narrow and I react before I can think. I stand up quickly, ignoring the light nausea, and rush towards them, stepping in front of Braden, pushing him back so Victoria's hand can't reach him again. ''Touch him again and I'll break all your fingers and feed them to you, you little bitch!'' I scream at Victoria's face in pure rage.

I'm so mad my whole body is shaking and I can't even think straightly past the cloud of anger that settled in my head.

Victoria's mouth falls open in shock. I guess she didn't expect me to attack her like that.

She quickly masks her expression, sending me a sultry smile. I want to claw that smile out, but Braden's hands fall on my hips and he pulls me back to him so my back is touching his front. He kisses the top of my head and whispers, ''Calm down, precious.''

I'm breathing hard, my eyes never leave hers, but my body relaxes a bit in Braden's hold.

Victoria's perfect eyebrow raises slightly and she crosses her arms in front of her. ''I see you've got yourself a wild little thing, Braden,'' she comments and her voice indicates that this is meant in a pure sarcastic way. She's actually making fun out of me.

The thing is – I don't even care. She can make fun out of me all she wants, but at the end of the day I get to sleep next to Braden and with him, so who's the winner?

Not her pathetic self that's for sure.

''Mama.'' All our heads turn to the little boy that's sitting on the floor in the middle of Braden's office, staring at Victoria.

My body tenses up yet again and my heart starts beating wildly in my chest. My stomach tightens and a big lump forms in my throat, making me almost choke up.

Victoria grabs the little boy in her arms. ''Chase, wanna go to your daddy?'' Victoria asks him, pecking his cheek.

Braden's hold on my hips tightens that it almost starts to hurt and I wince, but he doesn't even notice. ''That's not my child, Victoria,'' Braden says so coldly and loudly, like he's so sure of it that takes me by a great surprise.

I can't just stop looking at the little boy and staring at all the similarities between Braden and him. Aside from the same hair and eye colour I seem to find none.

Victoria chuckles darkly. ''How can you be so sure, Braden? Do your calculations. Chase is going to be two next month.'' She shrugs and grins.

Braden lets out a dry laugh. ''Oh, that's rich. I don't believe you came here without any proof. You've been cheating on me a long time, Victoria, and you expect me that we conceived a child together? Please. Be serious.''

''You can do the paternity test if you don't believe me, babe,'' she says mockingly.

My mind gets clouded with anger again. ''He's not your babe!'' I bark at her. Braden's hands squeeze me in warning, but I ignore him. ''You have no right coming here. You made your choice when you went with another man behind his back. You have no right to come back now.''

Victoria's flaring eyes fall on mine and she looks up and down my body. I don't let her the satisfaction of letting her know that I feel self-conscious around her and that I feel like a complete shit comparing to her. ''Mind your own business,'' she snarls.

''Victoria, seriously, get the hell out. My patience with you is running very thin right now,'' Braden's cool voice comes behind my head and he tries to step in front of me, but I move to his side. He casts me a look that I don't have time to understand.

Victoria glances from me to Braden and then back to me. She finally shakes her head. ''Expect to hear from me very soon,'' she says, directing this to Braden who only rolls his eyes.

Braden goes behind her and he stops her at the front door. ''And Victoria? I'll never forgive you if he is truly my son and you didn't tell me until now.''

Victoria looks at him with a look that's clearly stating are you serious and for once I see a sense of fear on her face. It makes me oddly satisfied.

With one last look at me, she disappears from our sight, take most of the tension from the room with her. When Braden closes the door to his office I suddenly remember where I am.

''Shit,'' I curse loudly and Braden glares at me, but I ignore him. ''I need to go back to work.''

He looks at me as if I lost my find. ''Not so fast, Rory.'' He steps in front of the door so I can't go through.

I sigh. This is no time for him to be difficult. ''I'm fine, Braden. We're going to talk about this ... mess later.'' I wave my hand around.

''You fainted, Rory. You're not working today anymore,'' he says affirm, crossing his arms in front of his chest.

I go to him. ''Try to stop me.''

His eyebrows raise and his eyes shine with mischief. ''Is that a dare?'' he asks, dangerously low. His arm snakes around my waist, pulling me closer.

''Oh, not so fast, lover boy. I'm still pissed at you.'' I push against his chest and he lets me go, thankfully. But not without a scowl. ''Now let me out of here or I'm calling someone to get me,'' I warn him, serious as I can be. He's not going to hold me here and forbid me to work. I don't care what reasons he has or what I am to him.

He stares at me for some long seconds, before he finally steps away from the door, his shoulders drooping in defeat. ''I'm sorry about that shit of your ex showing here, but I think we both need some space to think about this clearly.''

A panic flares in Braden's eyes. ''What are you trying to say, Rory?'' he asks tightly, his muscles tensing under his suit.

My eyes lower on the ground as I inhale deeply. I close my eyes before I will myself to look at him. ''Nothing. We'll talk later.'' I say and go out of his office before I could change my mind.

I go to work with heavy heart and mind too occupied to be productive through the shift. It's just all too much to think abut and that bomb that was dropped on me – on both of us actually, stressed me out.

I wouldn't care that much about Victoria showing up alone, but that child ... God, what if he really is Braden's son? What if they conceived a child together?

What will happen with us, then? And the child I'm carrying?

I don't think I could watch Victoria in mine and Braden's life, but I doubt Braden's a man that wouldn't take care of his child. I'm only scared how it would turn out for Victoria and him, especially when he once loved her very deeply.

Although from what I saw today, his tastes in women are quite questionable. Sure, she's gorgeous – she's a model, but her personality ... Jesus, it's buried somewhere under the ground, that's how bad it is.

When I'm almost done with the shift, counting down the minutes, I get a delivery. I sigh as the enormous bouquet of pink roses are handed