Claimed: The Pregnant Heiress by Day Leclaire

jabbed a finger into his chest, allowing her anger free rein. “In order to be with me? Or in order to ask whether you could get an immediate paternity test?”
    He planted his fists on his hips and bowed his head for a moment before shooting her a straight look. “I have the right to know whether the baby is mine.”
    â€œOh, for…” She took a deep breath. Getting upset wasn’t good for her and it certainly wasn’t good for the baby. “I’m done with this conversation.”
    â€œNot a chance.” He glanced around the downtown district adjacent to the medical building and gestured toward Bistro by the Sea—or the Bistro as the locals referred to the small deli and coffee shop. “Come on. We can grab a couple coffees and talk there.”
    She didn’t bother to resist. They had to have this out at some point. Better someplace where they could conduct their conversation with enough privacy to speak frankly, but in a public setting so she could get up and walk away whenever she’d had enough of Chase’s frankness.
    He chose an outdoor table in the sun, one well out of the reach of the crisp northern breeze. Excusing himself, he went inside and returned a few minutes later with a large coffee for himself. Instead of another for her, he’d been considerate enough to purchase an herbal tea. Then he took a seat and regarded her thoughtfully.
    She decided to take the offensive. “How did you find out about my appointment?” she demanded.
    â€œI made a few phone calls to local obstetricians ‘confirming’your appointment until I hit the right doctor’s office. I had a feeling you weren’t going to include me and surprise, surprise, I was right. That didn’t change the fact that I wanted some answers and intended to get them.”
    â€œNo, you wanted to prove to me that if I don’t play this your way, you intend to take control of the situation.”
    â€œThat, too.”
    Her mouth compressed. “I gather you’re used to getting your own way.” Why that should surprise her, she couldn’t say. She’d grown up with a father who shared the exact same mindset.
    He shrugged. “What I’m used to and what I get aren’t always the same thing. These past few days should have shown that much, if nothing else. What I’d appreciate right now are some straight answers.”
    Emma sighed. “Chase, I don’t think I can be any clearer or more straightforward with you. The baby is yours. Despite what you’ve apparently heard, I don’t sleep around.”
    â€œRight.”
    His voice and expression said it all, screamed his disbelief, and she fought back the impulse to lash out. Damn Rafe Cameron and his assumptions. She didn’t doubt for a minute he’d influenced Chase with his unfounded assumptions about her. Nor could she totally blame him for believing anything and everything his brother might have said. Since she’d indulged in a one-night stand with Chase, why not with other men?
    â€œLook,” she said, hanging on to her patience by a thread. “I’m not sure why this is any of your business, but since there’s an outside chance you think it has some bearing on the health of our baby, I’m willing to tell you that I haven’t had sex with anyone other than you in two years. That’s when I broke up with the man I’d been seeing since my sophomore year in college. Before that, I slept with my high school boyfriend the summer after we graduated from high school. It ended when we both went off to different colleges.”
    â€œFair enough.”
    â€œAnd you?”
    He smiled at the pointed question. “I’m thirty-three, so I confess to having a few more relationships than that. The shortest was a one-night stand last November. The longest lasted three years and ended six months ago.”
    â€œWhat happened?” Emma couldn’t