The Greek Billionaire's Secret Baby (Contemporary Romance) by Michele Dunaway

discuss some important matters. We have to find a permanent place to live and make arrangements for the marriage ceremony. I also know you haven’t gotten out much. To remedy that, my secretary will be coming by today about noon to take you shopping. I’ve left you some spending money on the table.”
    And then he’d left.
    Lauren glanced at the ornate clock some designer had placed so it was one of the room’s focal points. The whole 1,785 square foot suite was indeed beautiful and grand, but even the twelve foot ceilings still stifled.
    With hardwood floors, crystal chandeliers, intricate millwork, and three non-functional marble fireplaces, the suite was certainly lovely, but when it came right down to it, it was nothing more than a cold and impersonal hotel room.
    She’d liked his apartment better. His family had always complained two thousand square feet was too small for a man of Alex’s stature, but with her potted plants and the mismatched dishtowels she’d bought, she’d made the apartment feel like home. Three minutes until noon. The doorbell buzzed.
    Lauren walked quickly across the marble floor of the foyer and, without even peering through the peephole, tossed the door open. A petite fifty-something woman appeared to bounce into the room.
    “Hello! You must be Lauren! I’m Clarice. Sorry not to have them phone my arrival, but everyone downstairs knows me so I came right up. I do have a key, but I didn’t want to startle you by using it. Are you ready to shop?”
    Was she? Lauren simply stood there. “I thought Susan was Alex’s secretary?”
    Clarice’s chin bobbed. “Oh, she retired seven and a half months ago and took off for the south of France . I worked for Alex’s father, and now I work for him. Anyway, I’ve commandeered the company limo for the entire afternoon and that means you and I are going to have some fun. I know all the best stores. I hear baby things and some new maternity clothes are exactly what we need.”
    “Yes.” Lauren retrieved the wad of bills Alex had left for her.
    Clarice waved dismissively. “Oh, put that away, dear. I know how generous Alex is, but there’s still no way he gave you enough cash for everything you need. I have three grandchildren and trust me, my daughters were on a budget and it was still horrible. I brought his charge cards. Shall we?”
    Five hours later, Lauren had to have assistance getting all the bags and boxes into the suite. As she tipped the bellman, Alex strode out of the suite’s study, a brandy snifter in his hand.
    He surveyed the scene and arched an eyebrow. “I see you’ve been successful.”
    “Very.” Lauren drew herself up. “Your secretary is quite the whirlwind and talks nonstop about how wonderful you are.”
    Alex actually smiled, the movement lighting up his face and making him seem, for at least that moment, much more human. “She’s able to handle more tasks at one time than I am. I’m always afraid someone will steal her away. I’m lucky she liked my father enough to take me on.”
    “What happened to Susan?”
    The smile vanished. “She retired.”
    “Rather sudden, wasn’t it?”
    “Some things are,” Alex replied. The words were curt and quick, indicating Alex’s wish to avoid discussing the matter. He took a long sip of the brandy. “Did you buy anything to wear to dinner?”
    “No. My clothes are fine I’m not going to be wearing them much longer, anyway.”
    Well, her outfits weren’t appropriate for fitting into Alex’s moneyed social circle, but her current wardrobe would have to do.
    “Besides, I didn’t know you would be here. I planned on ordering room service.”
    He frowned for a brief moment before his features relaxed. “I told you this morning we would have dinner together. However, we don’t need to go out. Room service will be fine. I’ll have them set the meal on the dining room table so we can eat together.”
    He strode over to the phone, and a few minutes later, after