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Actually, yes Sheher family watched every penny, but she’d never had any doubt they loved one another

"Were they happy at all? Ever?"

He shrugged "Mo I thinkwife so everyone could see what great taste in women he had They ‘oohed’ and ‘aahed’ that he could afford her To this day, she’s very expensive looking"

"None of that is happiness," she pointed out

"I’m well aware of that" He took her hand in his

"So they weren’t affectionate?"

"The ‘affection’ reement If my father wanted "

"So basically, he bought her?"

Jason paused, then nodded "I suppose, but she wanted it that way He didn’t object"

That explained why he spent ridiculous amounts of money on her and why he didn’t believe in love Why he’d been trying to buy his way into filling her ith his children He only understood what he’d seen

"That’s not the way ive me if I don’t believe you" He sent her a brittle s her lip, Gia vacillated Tell hio to her father’s party The family would learn her secret…and there would be trouble Besides, if she introduced Jason to everyone and they didn’t stay married, she’d shock her parents and break their hearts Her s, but they were still Catholic They didn’t believe in divorce

On the other hand, no one had ever shown Jason real love Maybe he needed her farreasons to stay with him because she wanted to so badly

She needed ti for "

He said nothing, just led her through the ue sense that he was disappointed Or …

It didn’t take too long before Gia found a nice pair of wool-lined leather gloves and a striking plaid scarf for her father She protested their expense andpennies in Neiht the restrooift for her father Marco Angelotti was his father-in-law, even if the man didn’t know it Besides, Jason had an ulteriorin hand, he waited for Gia at the end of the hallway outside the restrooms She came out with fresh lipstick and a s toward oods store Dad likes to browse that--" She peered at the bag in his hand "What did you buy?"

"The items you think your father will enjoy And don’t say a word He’s important to you, so he’s important to ether "It’s not There’s no way I can afford those, so he’ll know they didn’t cos off and say you got a great deal" He shrugged "Of course, you could always tell hihter and son-in-law"

"I’ they’ll want to know is if you love their little girl If you can’t say yes and "

If they had a drop of practical blood in their veins, they’d realize he could provide for her and any children they had in great style They ht not be thrilled that he’d joined the fah not to object

"Leave that to " He took her by the elbow

Gia tensed, and Jason had no doubt she was flustered Ti her that love was just another four-letter word She mattered to him They could enjoy one another and build a solid foundation on which to raise children And he’d spend everyit

"Come withthat looked well-made and stylish with a hint of sexy

"Where are we going?"

"Indulge lanced at his watch "An hour or two You don’t have to be at the pediatrician’s office for a while"

She frowned, still agitated about her dad’s gift "All right"

He grinned and led her to a rack of sexy black skirts that would hug her ass in the best possible way

"Can I help you?" a verysaleswo," Gia answered

"Yes," he contradicted "My ants to try this skirt on" He spotted a shiainst her skin "And that I’d like to see soe appropriate"

"Of course"

"She also needs lingerie and shoes" He rattled off her sizes

Gia gaped at him "Jason!"

He patted her hand "Don’t worry We have ti to hear a dalare should tell her that

"Will your wife need a purse or two? Any jewelry or cos the purses with the outfits to the dressing rooether, I’d appreciate that Also, we’re going to need this block of dressing rooms to ourselves My wife is very private, and I respect her modesty"

"Of course" The woman bowed her pale head deferentially "I’ll call so you requested"

"Excellent" He grabbed Gia’s hand "We’ll wait for you inside"

Theup her potential coainst the far wall

As soon as they walked into the partitioned area and saw that they were alone, she stopped and gaped at him "Are you crazy? I don’t need all that I certainly can’t affor--"

"Stop Right There" He glowered "I asked you to indulge ht you wanted ed "Considersubject ever"