Whatever the Price

“What if I’ve become the man you want? The man you deserve?”

Charlotte sat up in the chaise, swung her feet to the warm concrete and looked at her husband, all deliciously spread out on the other chair. “If that happens, I’ll be the first to fight to secure this marriage. But you’re putting a lot on yourself to fix years of problems in a few months. I don’t want you to think I wouldn’t help out with Lily. Is that what you’re afraid of?”

In a flash, he was on his feet, wrapping his strong hands around her arms and pulling her up and against him. “You think I’m worried about making sure I get my weekends and holidays with Lily? I want my wife. My. Wife. I wanted you before Lily came onto the scene. And damn if I’m not taking back what I want.”

Dear Reader,

Is there anything sexier than a big, powerful man cuddling with a baby?

Whatever the Price is about the broken marriage of Anthony Price and the love of his life, Charlotte. As a hotshot director in Hollywood, Anthony is oblivious to the fact that he’s pushed his wife behind his career … that is, until she walks out on him.

And that’s when things get really interesting. I knew it would take a lot to bring a man like Anthony to his knees, so I decided to be kind and give him not one, but two babies. He does like a challenge, after all. :)

You met Anthony in Caught in the Spotlight, and I couldn’t wait to get to his story. I knew this man was going to fight for his marriage and the woman who made his heart whole. I envisioned him showing his wife all the reasons they fell in love to begin with. And with his type A personality, he would give up all his fame and career goals in order to keep her.

So get cozy as you travel down this rocky path with Anthony, because he is out to win over his wife’s heart once again … Whatever the Price.

Happy reading,

Jules

National bestselling author JULES BENNETT’s love of storytelling started when she would get in trouble as a child and would tell her parents her imaginary friends were to blame. Since then, her vivid imagination has taken her down a path she’d only dreamed of. And after twelve years of owning and working in salons, she hung up her shears to write full-time.

Jules doesn’t just write Happily Ever After, she lives it. Married to her high school sweetheart, Jules and her hubby have two little girls who keep them smiling. She loves to hear from readers! Contact her at authorjules@gmail.com, visit her website, www.julesbennett.com where you can sign up for her newsletter, or send her a letter at PO Box 396, Minford, OH 45653, USA. You can also follow her on Twitter and join her Facebook Fan Page.

Whatever

the Price

Jules Bennett

www.millsandboon.co.uk

To the people who sacrificed to always make my life better, my mom and dad.

Love you both more than words could ever say.

One

Her eyes darted from her soon-to-be ex-husband down to the sleeping baby in his arms.

“Anthony?”

Charlotte Price stared at her estranged husband—the one man she loved with every fiber of her being, the one man she was now looking to divorce. But what he held in his arms pulled her attention even more.

Not a what … a who.

A hotshot Hollywood director, Anthony Price didn’t look too comfortable with the bundle wrapped in a pink, silky blanket, a swirl of black hair dotting the top of her head.

And speaking of hair, Anthony’s stood on end. The top three buttons of his royal-blue dress shirt were undone, and was that … oh, yeah, that was spit-up. The milky-white substance spread across the top of one broad shoulder, and she’d bet it had traveled down his back, as well. If she weren’t so shocked she’d laugh at the irony of this entire situation.

Her husband holding a child. She’d always wanted to have a child with him … but he’d never been ready.

“Rachel’s daughter,” he said in a gravelly voice.

Rachel. Anthony’s sister who had suddenly died in a car crash less than a week ago, leaving behind an eight-month-old little girl.

An ache spread through her as she eyed the precious child, and Charlotte opened the door to her best friend’s apartment just a bit wider. “Bring her in and lay her down.”

Charlotte showed him through the apartment she’d been staying in while her friend was off traveling, taking her dream vacation. Charlotte had packed only her most favorite clothes and other essentials, unsure of when she’d have a place of her own. She was getting the alone time she needed to think things through. But she kept coming to the same conclusion as far as her marriage was concerned.

Their life together was over. No matter how hard she tried, no matter how much she wanted Anthony to love her the way she deserved, it just wasn’t meant to be.

And now that he was here, she couldn’t help but wonder why he’d come to her. Did she dare hope he wanted to work things out now? Was he willing to try the therapist she’d suggested?

She’d moved out in June, and now nearly three months of awkward calls, not to mention the one time a month ago he’d come for a visit to talk and they’d foolishly ended up in bed, was about to come to an abrupt halt. Communication had always been a major issue in the nine years of their marriage. The sex, however, had never been a problem because most of the times they were alone, they were naked.

But talking was inevitable—over more than just his surprise bundle. She had an appointment on Friday to file for divorce.

“I’m afraid to lay her down. She cried all the way here,” Anthony told her, panic lacing his voice. “I gave her a bottle and she threw up all over me, then cried some more. A three-hour car ride and she didn’t fall asleep until about ten minutes ago.”

More than comfortable with babies of all ages, Charlotte gently slid her hands between her husband’s hard body and the soft bundle. With care she laid the baby down in an oversized armchair, tucking her back against the cushion so she couldn’t move too much. Then Charlotte grabbed a velvety throw pillow and laid it beside the baby so she wouldn’t roll off.

With questions mounting in her mind, Charlotte motioned for Anthony to step into the kitchen, where she could still keep an eye on the child over the wide granite bar that separated the two rooms.

“What is going on, Anthony?” she demanded in a harsh whisper as soon as he came to stand beside her.

“You have to help with Lily.”

Help with Lily?

“Oh, Anthony. Oh, God.” A sense of what he meant enveloped her and left her just a bit more crushed. He wasn’t here because he loved her and wanted her back—he wasn’t even here for sex. He was here because he couldn’t take care of the baby alone. Ironic that he wanted her to play family now, when for so long he had used his career as a crutch not to have children.

She knew she needed to keep her distance. For so long she’d let him pull her back into a troubled marriage with suave words and material things in hopes that his attention would soon follow—only to be left heartbroken again. Obviously, their ideas of love landed on two opposite ends of the spectrum. The saddest part, though, is that she knew he loved her in his own way. He just loved making the next big blockbuster more.

But Anthony had come to her, seeking her help, and that said a lot. The man had never been vulnerable, never needed anything or anyone, and he’d never opened up or talked with her about his feelings. If he wasn’t in work mode, they were naked. And she didn’t know why it had taken her this long to realize that even though she loved him, she deserved better.

“I’m the next of kin,” he told her, throat thick with emotion. “We’re the only family she has left, Charlie.”

The nickname he’d given her when they were dating in college had lost the charm it once held. She peeked into the living room at the baby just before his words registered. “Wait. What do you mean we are the only family?”

“We were named in the will as the guardians in case of Rachel’s … death. Because she was artificially inseminated, there’s no father to contest this.”

Charlotte leaned against the island in the small kitchen. A baby, a husband, had always been her dream, but that was before she’d decided to end her marriage, before the maleficent tabloids and her husband destroyed her dreams and crushed her spirits. Before she’d become pregnant last year when he was away on location, filming, then miscarried that child and suffered the heartache alone. A child she’d never even told him about.

“We can’t raise that baby, Anthony.” She leveled her gaze at him, praying she could remain strong when all her dreams were finally within her reach. “We’re separated.”

“So you keep reminding me every time I call,” he muttered. “Look, I’m just as scared, but we have no choice. Rachel was the only sister I knew growing up. Surely you understand.”

Oh, no. She would not be swayed by him reminding her of the heartache she’d suffered when she’d lost her twin sister at the tender age of ten.

“It’s not that I don’t understand. You know I do.” She steeled herself. “But some things just aren’t possible, Anthony.”

Questions whirled around in her mind. She didn’t know where to start, what to do next. This couldn’t be happening. Forget that she needed distance if she wanted to make any attempt at a normal life without the hurt of seeing Anthony every day. Forget that she still loved this man but couldn’t live knowing she didn’t rank above the next major motion picture. How could she move on if she was forced into being an instant parent?

The one thing she’d wished for their entire marriage was a baby. Be careful what you wish for.

Charlotte ran a hand through her hair, nerves getting the best of her. “Did you know we were listed as guardians? Didn’t she ask you? You never mentioned anything like this to me.”

Anthony shook his head. “I didn’t know. We discussed years ago if either of us ever had children, we’d put the other down as guardian in the will, but I never heard a word about it since Lily was born. Children’s Services can contest the will, but they don’t really have a leg to stand on, considering I’m family. My background check was clean and they’re overwhelmed with so many other cases. Basically, she’s ours now. Or she will be after the court hearing in ninety days.”

The ache in Charlotte’s heart deepened with the way he mentioned Lily as his own. She would’ve given him that gift at any time, but his dreams and career had always taken precedence.

“What do you want me to do, Anthony?” She tilted her chin, hands on her hips, shoving the hurt and loss aside. “You can’t expect me to take up playing house with you again. It won’t work.”

“We have no choice,” he told her, glancing over to see Lily. He dropped his voice when she stirred. “The will stipulates that we are the guardians and we are listed as a married couple. The court will finalize this guardianship in ninety days. Give me ninety days. That’s all I’m asking. Don’t give them a reason to take her from me. Then we can decide what’s best. Who knows, we may be able to work this out between us.”

Charlotte didn’t like being manipulated, and she certainly didn’t like being forced to stick close to the man who had shattered their marriage yet still turned her on with just a glance from those sultry gray eyes.

How could she live like that? And three months? Might as well be three years. The heartache in the end would be the same.

Actually, what she hated the most was how he so willingly dropped everything for this new family when he’d never done so for her. And it wasn’t just Lily. He’d been spending more and more time lately with his biological mother.

A Hollywood actress, Olivia Dane had given Anthony up nearly forty years ago in a secret adoption. Olivia had gone on to birth two more children, one of them being Anthony’s nemesis, Bronson Dane.

Charlotte had barely caught her breath from being shunted aside for his new family and now he was adding another layer to her hurt. Dangling this promise of a family in front of her as if they would all live happily ever after. Considering her upbringing and the tragic death of her sister, she knew better.

“This won’t work, Anthony,” she repeated, fear gripping her heart. “I can’t live with you again, not for any amount of time. I’m trying to move forward and I can’t do that if I’m getting pulled back into the life that left me shattered.”

She hadn’t meant to voice her thoughts out loud, but now she had, she wasn’t sorry. He needed to know what he’d done to her, how his actions and selfishness had chiseled away their marriage slowly, but most definitely surely. A bit of relief swept over her now at finally telling him how she felt. Not that her declaration would change anything. No matter her physical attraction, she had to guard her heart.

“I know you’re hurt, and I’m not trying to make this harder on you, but Lily needs a woman in her life,” he pleaded. “I need my wife. I’ve called the designer and she turned one of the spare rooms into a nursery when I went up to San Jose to get Lily yesterday. She should be finishing up today. She put three people on the project and since the room only needed furniture changed and some paint, we should be good to go once we get home.”

Charlotte sighed and glanced at the precious bundle who had no idea of the turmoil her life was in. Charlotte’s heart was not ready for another beating, but she knew what she needed to do for the welfare of this innocent child. Security for Lily had to take precedence over anything else. Especially over her jumbled feelings for her husband.

“Fine. You have ninety days.” Charlotte looked her husband dead in the eye—those same eyes that she’d fallen in love with. She’d hold off on speaking with her attorney until the guardianship was legal. “Lily’s needs must come first. But I’m not moving back into our bedroom. I’ll take the spare room on the other side of her.”

Anthony clenched his jaw. “You’re not going to even try with me during this time? Why not share our room? Let me show you I can be the husband you want me to be.”

“You had nine years of marriage, Anthony. You can’t decide to try now just because I’m convenient.” Charlotte lifted her chin and crossed her arms over her chest to prevent hurt from seeping back in. “And you can’t expect me to jump back into your bed. I’m moving back in for Lily and only Lily.”

Anthony studied Charlotte and her defensive, defiant stance. She was going to make this hard, but that’s nothing less than he deserved. After all the years she’d stood by him, even when he’d pushed her needs aside, he deserved all the anger and hatred she threw at him. That didn’t stop him from wanting her, though.

But she was moving back in, so he’d take that small victory and work with it. Soon, he vowed, she’d be back in their master bedroom, where she belonged. No matter the distance or hurt between them, Anthony couldn’t deny the way his wife turned him on with just a glance or a smile.

Too bad sex couldn’t fix all the problems in a marriage. They’d been hot for each other from day one when they’d met at a college party. Even though they hadn’t married until many years later, the passion never fizzled. Obviously, considering he’d come to talk to her a month ago and they never got around to having a conversation.

Anthony swallowed the lump of guilt for being the driving wedge in their separation. There was no denying that, but having his wife walk out was one hell of a wake-up call. He had a feeling she’d contacted her lawyer, but he didn’t know for sure. All he could hope for was to show her he was ready to be the man he needed to be in order to keep her where she belonged. By his side.

“I understand,” he told her. “But that doesn’t mean I won’t stop fighting for you and this family we’ve been given.”

Charlotte’s sad smile made his chest tighten. “This changes nothing, Anthony. And now you’re ready to step up for this child, it breaks my heart even more because I wanted for so long to have a baby with you. So I’m staying for Lily. Not you.”

Anthony knew his wife had a breaking point, and he knew in these upcoming ninety days he’d probably reach it. “We need to at least put up a united front until we can see where to go from here. And I don’t think ninety days is too much to ask. Give me a chance, too, Charlie. I need you, and Lily’s just had her mother taken from her and needs that motherly bond.”

Anthony tamped down the hurt of losing his sister. He couldn’t fall apart. Not now when his life was at stake and Lily needed him to be strong. The stable ground he’d stood on for so long was crumbling beneath him and he’d be damned if he wouldn’t fight with everything he had.

He could mourn for his sister later, in private. Right now he needed to get his family back on track. Lily may be an unexpected issue, but she was also a blessing and a silver lining. He’d almost lost Charlotte to his selfishness and now that he was given another chance, he planned on winning her back.

God help them all. Babies certainly weren’t his strong suit and since he was being honest with himself, babies terrified him.

Charlotte’s eyes misted. “I can’t replace her mother. No one can.”

“I’m not asking you to replace her,” Anthony replied, stepping forward and taking Charlotte’s hands in his. “I’m asking you to love her and care for her. I’m asking you to just keep an open mind as far as we are concerned. I never wanted to lose you, Charlotte. Never.”

Charlotte’s lids fluttered, sending one lone tear sliding down her porcelain skin. She looked back up into his eyes, determination overriding the sadness. “I’m only moving in under certain conditions.”

Conditions he could live with. Conditions he could break through—and get her back where he wanted her. In his bed, their bed, and in his life forever.

“Name them.”

She stepped back, breaking their brief contact. “I won’t sleep in your bed. Ever.”

That one was too easy. He knew just how to manipulate her when it came to seduction. Knew where to touch, what to say. Best not to mention that and just let her think things were in her control—as any good husband would. Too bad he’d learned that lesson so late.

“Okay. What else?”

“This is only temporary until we can work on a custody arrangement. Once the ninety days is up and the court approves the guardianship, our lawyers will draw up a mutually agreeable plan.”

So she had talked to her attorney. No matter. Three months was plenty of time for him to win her back. “Fine.”

“This baby and our living arrangement changes nothing between you and me. Lily has to be top priority now. Are we clear?”

His eyes roamed over her body, a mental image of her curled beside him in their bed making him smile as he leveled her gaze.

“Crystal.”

Two

“Welcome back, Mrs. Price.”

Charlotte cringed, but smiled at Monique, the maid who’d been with them for nearly five years. “I’m not actually back, but thanks.”

Monique nodded with a grin and continued her cleaning regimen in the formal living room. The very room where Charlotte had hosted numerous parties for the hardworking employees of the Children’s Hospital. Those parties always took place when Anthony was out of town. Supporting the hospital filled a huge void in her life, her heart.

At the start of Anthony’s career, she’d been so proud of his work, his talent, and she’d attended every premiere and awards ceremony, no matter how small. But when his dreams became his sole focus and she became nearly invisible in their marriage, Charlotte resigned herself to the fact that her dreams were never going to come true. So she’d started staying behind the scenes and throwing herself into her volunteer work at the Children’s Hospital.

Charlotte pulled a sleeping Lily tighter against her chest, refusing to be drawn back into a world she needed to say goodbye to. Every room held so many memories—both good and bad. The past several years played over in her head like a silent movie.

Hating all the emotions swirling around over being home, Charlotte focused on the sweet-smelling baby in her arms and moved forward into her home.

No, she couldn’t think of this place as home, not if she wanted to hold on to the small hope that she would be fine in her new life without Anthony once all this was over. But how could she move forward if she still considered this her home? She’d never make it through the next few months if she didn’t keep the mind-set that this was temporary, only until the court approved the guardianship and they could work out a custody arrangement. She knew he wanted to try to salvage their relationship, but she highly doubted he’d be able to put forth the effort a strong marriage required. He certainly hadn’t done so before, so why should this be any different?

Charlotte sighed, taking in the beautiful, open foyer with curved staircase and marble pillars separating the living area. Just this morning she’d been house-sitting in her best friend’s condo, evaluating how she could move on fast and far without the pain following. But now she was back and the pain sliced even more deeply.

“I’ll have your stuff put into the room with the balcony overlooking the pool, as you requested,” Anthony told her as he led her upstairs.

Charlotte moved up the grand staircase that she’d loved since they’d moved in. A large, crystal chandelier descended from swirling artwork on the high ceiling, sending a kaleidoscope of colors all over the marble floor in the center of the staircase.

“I’m surprised you agreed so easily to my being in a separate room,” she told him as they reached the landing.

He took her elbow, turning her to face him. Those mesmerizing eyes bore into hers, making her heart skip a beat. “While I respect your wishes, I should warn you. I won’t stop trying to win you back. I’ll never give up.”

Fear washed over her. Not fear of him. Fear of herself and what would come in their time together. How could she resist him on a physical level? She’d never been able to, and it had been a month since she’d touched him—a rare occurrence for them.

But she had to have some willpower, some self-control in order to make Lily’s life strong and stable.

Stable was something she deserved, too. But the welfare of the baby came first. And hopefully, if she could focus solely on the innocent baby, maybe she wouldn’t have to deal with how just one look, one brief touch from Anthony still had her tingling inside.

Charlotte moved down the wide hallway, breaking free of Anthony’s strong grasp. She walked into the room where the designer had quickly transformed a guest room into a nursery. The pale pink walls made the new white furniture and crisp eyelet curtains pop with a fresh, calming ambience. A lump of sorrow consumed her. This was the room she’d always hoped would be a nursery for their child. The size was perfect and the crib by the window would let in the morning sun, welcoming any child to a new day.

It was one year ago she’d miscarried, and holding on to Lily brought all of those painful memories to the surface.

Charlotte stared down at the baby as tears gathered in her eyes. The thought that Rachel would never see Lily take her first steps, never see her off to school or marry one day really hit home. Charlotte had wanted all those things and more with the baby she’d lost. But fate had brought her and Lily together for a reason.