Passionate Bid by Tierney O’Malley Page A

Doctor Ravenwood, but as her dad. And when she”s old enough, I will tell her the truth about us. She can then decide for herself if she wants me in her life or not. Those are my conditions. I”ll give you the money in exchange of my two weeks with Sam, Joanie.”
    “For a doctor, you sound so stupid.”
    “And if you”re not stupid like you said you are, you”ll accept my condition.
    Listen, Joanie, I am not asking to split the week with Sam. Two weeks with her and occasional cards every year will be my only connection with her. I just want her to know I exist.” He chose not to press the issue of his seeing Sam more often at this point in time. And don’t get me started on Georgiana. I’m kissing my chance with her goodbye.
    “Two weeks. What should I tell her when you”re gone? „Oh, your dad is not coming back, bug. He just wanted two weeks with you.” Her papa is gone forever and you will be gone after your dream two weeks with her is over. Have you any idea of the impact of your stupid selfishness is on her? What is she going to tell her friends? That she had her dad with her for two weeks? I had a husband for merely a day. You don”t know what it was like, Julian. You can”t just play with people”s lives. This isn”t a game.”
    Julian pinched the bridge of his nose. Fuck. He”d thought his meeting with her would be easy. He underestimated her. She was right about the repercussions of his selfish idea, but she was being unreasonable, too. Why couldn”t she just sign the papers and talk about how he could help raise Sam. Vindictive, beautiful wench. He didn”t think she”d be one.
    Just let her sign the papers, cut her a check, then leave. Simple. Walk away. Take your freedom. And you might get lucky. Georgina will come back to you, Julian. Don’t be a moron.
    But what about Sam? Yes, his demand of two weeks with Sam would probably hurt her, but not having him in her life would hurt her even more. She was already a product of a broken home. As it was, they would have a long distance relationship, but she”d have a dad around. No, disappearing from her life was out of the question. He met Joanie”s stare. “My condition still stands. Two weeks for a hundred thousand dollars.”
    A loud crack of thunder boomed he swore he felt the whole house shake.
    Sam”s ear piercing scream followed.
    Damn it. Taking two steps at a time, he beat Joanie to Sam”s room. Sam was already off her bed.
    “Hey, love. Thunder scared you again, huh?” Julian asked.
    “Uh-huh.”
    “Don”t you worry, I am here now. Wanna go back to bed. I”ll lay down with you.”
    “Okay. Promise you won”t leave.”
    “I promise, love. I won”t leave.”
    Hugging Sam tight against his chest, he lowered himself on the bed. The single bed dipped from his weight. Sam snuggled up against him. Her little rump pressed against his stomach. She said something but he caught only the words butterfly, purple dragon and butter.
    Julian pressed his nose at the back of Sam”s hair and inhaled her scent.
    Something inexplicable wrapped around him, like a blanket that made him snuggle tighter with Sam and caused heaviness in his chest.
    When he saw the ring, wave after wave of shock slapped him. The revelation actually stunned him. He couldn”t react. No, he didn”t know how to react. How does one act when he learned he fathered a beautiful child?
    He slid his hand beneath Sam”s and looked at how tiny they were compared to his. They were soft with dimples instead of knuckles showing. He rubbed the chubby part. At that moment, he knew he would fight for his rights as her father. If what I feel right now is love, then yes, I love my little girl.
    God, how could he love Sam when he barely knew her?
    “Yes. I love you, baby.” He kissed the back of her head, trying to fight the emotions that were locked in his chest, but now finally out and assaulting him.
    What had he done and what was he going to do? Two weeks with Sam. What a fucked