Passionate Bid by Tierney O’Malley

difference of turning your back again tomorrow as soon as you settle with my condition?”
    “There”s a fucking difference. When I left, I thought I was only leaving you.”
    “And you would have stuck around if you knew I was pregnant?” Julian didn”t know the answer her question. As far as he knew, when he left he didn”t want to be saddled with Joanie. But Sam was different. She was his.
    “Joanie, I”m not giving up Sam.”
    “Julian, I will not sign your papers.”
    Toe-to-toe, he stood facing her. All these years, he thought she was one timid little nerd. He was wrong. “Don”t be difficult. I don”t mind sending you alimony or child support, but I”d mind if you cut my connection with Sam. She”s my daughter.”
    “Don”t be stupid. Give me the money and I”ll sign your papers, Julian. Go back to your life. A life of a bachelor. No wife. No kid. Don”t look back. If you”re truly concerned, don”t worry, we”ll be fine. So, what”s your answer?”
    “Your condition is absurd.”
    “Whoever you”re marrying next would think otherwise.” Joanie was right. With him free from any obligations, his life would be less complicated. He”d live like a single man. If he agreed with Joanie”s condition, chances were, he wouldn”t see Sam again. Sam would grow up not knowing him.
    And if Joanie remarried, her husband would raise Sam.
    Freedom, the very thing that he had in mind when he left Manhattan. Inside his pocket, he rubbed the ring. He leveled his gaze with Joanie.
    Unfuckingbelievable. They”d had a daughter together.
    Joanie was surprised at his sudden visit and mad at his audacity to claim Sam. That was understandable considering he”d been gone from their lives for years. Joanie had the right to think him a cad, but he could prove he could be a good dad.
    Dad. Good God, he was a dad. The idea was overwhelming and…damn, uplifting.
    It was true when he said he wouldn”t give up Sam. From the first time he laid his eyes on the child, he felt his connection with her. And the way Sam wrapped her chubby arms around him, he was sure the child felt the same way toward him. They both felt the invisible connection.
    “Okay.”
    “Okay what?” Joanie asked.
    “I agree with your condition.”
    “But what?” Joanie”s brow arched high.
    With only a half a foot distance from her, he could see how thick and long her lashes were. Now that he was truly looking at her, he noticed the unusual shade of her eyes—mossy green. Earlier, the color resembled the evergreen cedar trees. Must be the result of lighting. And her lips, they were naturally pink and lipstick free.
    On their wedding day, he remembered kissing her on the cheek instead of her lips. He wondered if he”d kiss her the night he took her virginity.
    “But?” Joanie repeated.
    “Huh? Yeah, I have my own condition.”
    Joanie straightened her posture and licked her lips. Obviously, she didn”t like him throwing demands back at her. She began chewing her lower lip. The simple action sent heated blood down his cock. What the fuck was wrong with him? He hadn”t had sex since Georgina left him. It had been a month. That must be it. He was just fucking horny.
    “If your condition is within the bounds of reason, I”ll accept it.” He smiled at her mimicking his words. “Touché.”
    “What”s your condition?”
    “I”ll stay here until Sam”s birthday.”
    “But her birthday is not for two weeks.”
    “Exactly. I want Sam to get to know me, her real dad.”
    “Why? You won”t be part of her life. So what”s the point?”
    “You”re right. I won”t be here to play the part because that”s your condition.
    I will stay as far away as possible from the both of you. But I will send her cards, birthday money, and graduation money. I”ll even purchase her first car. For her college, I will set up a trust fund. I will talk to her online and we”ll see each other on the webcam. While growing up, I want her to know me, not as