Part 4 (1/2)

Sterling's deep inner self had fought long and hard against the idea of bringing Colby Wingate into his life. But in the end, his mind had won.

As he entered his room, he thought of all the reasons the situation between them wouldn't work. First and foremost was the fact that she was totally against what he planned to do. Yesterday, she had told him in no uncertain terms just what she'd thought of his proposal.

He couldn't help but remember their meeting in Edward's office. She had reminded him of an eager child, so full of vibrancy and excitement, it had nearly taken his breath away. At least she'd been that way until she had discovered the reason she'd been summoned to California. When he had disclosed to her the real reason, her entire att.i.tude had changed.

He'd seen the switch in the intensity of her expression. The sparkle in her dark eyes had disappeared immediately, and the look on her face had told him, before she'd said anything, that she wanted no part of what he considered a perfect proposition.

Deciding to find a woman who would agree to have his child had not been a fly-by-night decision, nor had it been done on a whim. He had given a lot of thought to what he was about to do. He had reached a point in his life where he wanted to take on the responsibility of another person. More than anything, he was looking forward to raising a child-his child. He wanted to watch his child grow and be nurtured by his love, just like he'd been loved as a child. The desire to embark upon fatherhood had pulled at him for some time, and now he felt the time was right. And he would accomplish his goal with or without Colby Wingate.

But for some reason, he wanted it to be with her.

Sterling shook his head, suddenly feeling totally disgusted with himself for his lack of control and his uncharacteristic feeling of vulnerability. His mood darkened at the thought. He clenched his jaw. It wasn't like him to let any woman consume his every thought or get under his skin like Colby was doing. There was no excuse for it. He had seen firsthand what such a thing could do to a man. His past was littered with memories of the actions of a heartless and selfish woman. The only thing that would ever exist between him and Colby Wingate was a business deal, if she chose to go along with it. The arrangement, as far as he was concerned, was to be simple. For a set amount of money and his agreement to help her brother's company, she would give him a child and then disappear from their lives. That was the way he wanted it and that was the way he would get it.

For a little while, he had allowed himself to be taken in by a pair of beautiful dark eyes that were more overpowering than anything he knew.

But not anymore. Not ever again.

Chapter 5.

Colby wasn't sure exactly what she expected when she stretched her body, opened her eyes and became fully awake from her nap. But it definitely wasn't the rugged and virile sight of Sterling Hamilton sitting in a chair next to her bed like it was the most natural place for him to be.

She had to grudgingly admit he was the best-looking man she had ever seen. He was far more handsome than any man had a right to be.

Dressed in designer jeans and a pullover s.h.i.+rt that fully outlined a pair of masculine shoulders, his long legs were stretched out in front of him and crossed at the ankles. He held her eyes just long enough to make her squirm before directing his gaze to the locked connecting door. ”You locked me out.”

Colby ran her hands over her still sleepy eyes. Had he actually thought she wouldn't lock him out? She wondered if women locking their doors against him was another first. Apparently so if his expression was any indication.

”Obviously it didn't do any good, since you're in my room,” she informed him, sitting up. She pulled her short, skimpy robe together, not liking it one bit that he was in her room. And she had no idea how long he'd been there. ”How did you get in here?”

Sterling slowly scanned her appearance. Even just waking up from a nap with tousled hair and very little makeup, she was still a breathtaking sight. Her dark eyes were compelling as ever, and her scent-it was so arousing, so seductive, so...

He clenched his jaw, not liking the way his thoughts were going. He forced his attention away from her and toward the main door. ”I used that door. I have keys to both rooms.”

His reply gave Colby pause and she realized this man was used to doing whatever he pleased. ”What are you doing in here, Sterling? You have no right to be here.”

He gave her a long, hard look. ”I distinctly remember having this same conversation with you yesterday. I thought I clearly explained my rights to you.”

”Don't you believe in knocking?” she asked as her eyes coolly met his.

”No. It's a bad habit of mine.”

”One you definitely need to work on.”

”Only if you insist,” he replied politely.

”I do.”

”All right.”

Colby raised a brow at the quickness of his response. She had not thought he would agree with her. ”Why?”

”Why what?”

”Why are you being so agreeable?”

”I can be a number of things when given the chance.”

Colby ignored the implications in his soft, hoa.r.s.e voice. ”Well, how about being a good guy and leaving me alone to get dressed.”

A smile tugged at the corners of Sterling's mouth. He pulled himself out of the chair to stand. ”Go ahead and get dressed. Don't let me stop you.”

She glared at him. ”But you are stopping me. I have no intention of getting dressed while you're in here.”

”In that case, I'll leave since we have some urgent business to discuss. The sooner we can get it out of the way, the better. Join me for lunch in my suite in half an hour.”

Before Colby could give him the third degree for ordering her around, she heard the bedroom door close.

Colby downed the last of her iced tea under Sterling's penetrating stare. Although she didn't want to admit it, she thought that even his slas.h.i.+ng black eyebrows couldn't downplay his dark beautiful eyes. And his beard made him appear even more handsome. ”Thanks for lunch. It was delicious. I didn't think I'd be able to eat all of it since I had such a big breakfast,” she said quickly, struggling to control the sudden attraction she'd felt for him.

”Did you enjoy having breakfast with Edward?”

”Yes. He seems to be a nice guy.”

”He is. I've known him all of my life. He was a very good friend of my father's.”

”Yes, he mentioned that,” Colby replied. After Sterling poured some more tea into her gla.s.s, she asked, ”Why did you send him here?”

”Who?”

”Mr. Stewart.”

Sterling simply shrugged before replying. ”You needed an escort.”

Colby chuckled, ”I didn't need an escort.”

”I believed otherwise.”

She sighed. She was in no mood to argue with him. ”Suit yourself.”

He smiled. ”I did.”

Colby became angry with herself when she felt momentarily mesmerized by his smile, feeling an instant attraction again. ”Thanks again for lunch. Now if you'll excuse me, I-”

”What's your decision, Colby?”