"It's not fair," she said. "It's just not fair, and I won't let them do it."

"And just how do you plan to stop them?"

Colby slumped back down in her seat knowing she didn't have a clue. "I don't know, but I'm going to call James immediately. He'll think of something."

"It's too late. The wheels are already in motion. There's nothing he can do."

Colby frowned. "How can you say that? It's his company."

"Not for long. Anytime a company goes public with stock options something like this can happen. Especially if the company is doing well financially. And according to this," Sterling said, spreading out a financial report on the table in front of them, "Wingate Cosmetics is doing rather well. Your brother should be proud of what he's accomplished."

Colby appreciated his compliment of her brother's hard work. "It wasn't easy for him. He works hard and long hours," she said softly, thinking back to how his marriage had nearly suffered because of it.

Then she looked at Sterling for a long, taut moment before speaking again. "I would like to know how you got this?" she asked, indicating the financial statement spread out on the table.

"The financial position of any company is a matter of public record."

"Are you saying James should have antic.i.p.ated this takeover attempt by Morton Industries?"

"No," he said calmly. "It appears Morton Industries' planned acquisition of Wingate Cosmetics was a calculated move on their part. I believe their reasons for wanting it are both business and personal. Your brother didn't leave on the best of terms. He was their top chemist and had created quite a number of successful products for them. Homer Morton took it as an act of betrayal when he left to form his own company."

Colby lifted a brow as she sat curled up in the chair. "And just how do you know all of that?"

A tiny corner of his mouth lifted in a smile. "I have ways of finding out anything I want to know."

She stood and began pacing the room. After a while, she turned toward Sterling. "And you're absolutely sure about all of this?"

Sterling eased out of his seat and came to stand before her. "It's all there in the report. I suggest you read it for yourself. So far, Morton Industries has acquired the minimum amount of outstanding stock they need before filing with the SEC. Since it appears they'll be doing a filing relatively soon, I can only a.s.sume their plan is to start going after a vast quant.i.ty of shares of Wingate's stock available on the open market. All Morton needs is enough stock to give them control of your brother's company."

Colby turned and walked to the window. She stood there stunned for several minutes and felt moisture gathering in her eyes. This couldn't be happening, she thought. She closed her eyes briefly, hoping that when she reopened them, the events of today would have been a dream. She wanted to open her eyes and find herself back in Virginia, in her cla.s.sroom taking care of her rowdy third-grade bunch. But when she reopened her eyes, that was not the case.

Sterling sat down and watched Colby. He knew she was upset. The anger and hurt had been obvious in her expression before she had walked over to the window. And he was perceptive enough to know she was crying. For some reason that bothered him, and he was surprised by the protective feelings she'd awakened in him. They were feelings he wasn't used to. He wanted to go to her and comfort her.

In one swift movement he stood and walked over to where she was standing. Turning her to face him, he gathered her into his arms, enfolding her in the firmness of his form to absorb her trembling body.

"Your brother means a lot to you, doesn't he?" he asked her softly.

She nodded, then tearfully told him why James meant so much to her and the sacrifices he had made throughout his life for her.

"Shhh, Colby," Sterling whispered in her ear. "Maybe there is a way you can help your brother."

Colby's body was stiff and unyielding for a moment, before she drew in a deep, unsteady breath. She raised tear-stained eyes to him. "How?" she asked brokenly.

"Come sit down with me and we'll talk about it."

Colby allowed him to lead her to the sofa and sit her down close to him.

"If you'll agree to have my baby, I'll provide your brother with whatever financial backing he needs to keep his company. And I'll do whatever endors.e.m.e.nts are needed to ensure the success of his newest creation."

Colby stiffened and pulled herself out of the comfort of his arms. She glanced up at him. "You just don't get it, do you? There's no way I could carry a baby inside of me for nine months and then turn it over to you, relinquishing my ties to it. I'm an elementary school teacher, Sterling. That means I love kids. I couldn't just give away my child."

Sterling's features hardened. "Not even to help your brother?"

Colby swallowed. "James wouldn't want me to give away my child to help him."

"No, I'm sure he wouldn't," Sterling said. His voice was like a soft caress as he continued. "A few minutes ago, you mentioned all the sacrifices he's made over the years for you, Colby. What real sacrifices have you made for him?"

Colby rose from the sofa to face him, her expression pleading for understanding. "But you're asking me to give up a baby, something that will be a part of me, my own flesh and blood."

Sterling stood. "Yes. That's exactly what I'm asking you."

"But a baby needs its mother."

His jaw hardened. "You can't convince me of that. I didn't need mine."

Colby lifted a brow. From his remark she could only a.s.sume his mother was not around while he was growing up, and for whatever reason, it had left him bitter. "You may not have had a mother around, Sterling, but you can't convince me you didn't need one."

She watched him move to the window and gaze out. After a few brief minutes he slowly turned back to her, giving her a long, hard look. "It's important you understand that if you decide to go along with me on this, once I get custody of my child, you'll never be a part of its life again. I will be its only parent."

"But you constantly travel all over the world. You'll never get an award for being a stay-at-home family man. What kind of life can you offer a child? When will you have the time to spend with it?"

"My child will be the most important thing in my life, and it's the quality of time and not the quant.i.ty of time that makes a difference. I will be both father and mother to my child."

Colby swallowed. What could she say? He was convinced a mother's love wasn't necessary. "What if the woman decides after the baby is born that she wants to keep it?"

"I'll have the contract to back me up," Sterling answered. "I've taken extra precautions to make sure it's not contestable."

Colby then asked the question that had nagged her since leaving Edward Stewart's office. Sterling Hamilton was known to be a man whose name was constantly linked to some of the most beautiful women in the world. He was the man both People People and and Entertainment Entertainment magazines referred to as one of the country's most eligible bachelors, as well as an extraordinarily gifted actor. The media thoroughly enjoyed keeping the public informed of his bad-boy lifestyle. It was often rumored nothing in a skirt was safe from him, especially if that skirt-wearing female caught his eye. From everything she'd read about him, he preferred a certain type of woman-tall women with long legs and pencil-thin bodies. She had none of those faculties. magazines referred to as one of the country's most eligible bachelors, as well as an extraordinarily gifted actor. The media thoroughly enjoyed keeping the public informed of his bad-boy lifestyle. It was often rumored nothing in a skirt was safe from him, especially if that skirt-wearing female caught his eye. From everything she'd read about him, he preferred a certain type of woman-tall women with long legs and pencil-thin bodies. She had none of those faculties.

"Why me, Sterling? Why was I the one chosen?"

He stared at her a few minutes before speaking. "I found the information on you very interesting. Foremost were the facts that according to the medical information I obtained, I don't have to worry about you giving me anything other than a baby, and you don't have any gynecological problems, so there shouldn't be any difficulty with you getting pregnant."

"And what about you?" Colby snapped, angry that he had invaded her privacy by obtaining information about her. "Maybe you should be concerned about just what you you might give me. You're the one with the widely acclaimed global s.e.x life. And what if there's a problem with you?" Colby asked, lifting her chin belligerently. "What makes you so sure you can get someone pregnant?" might give me. You're the one with the widely acclaimed global s.e.x life. And what if there's a problem with you?" Colby asked, lifting her chin belligerently. "What makes you so sure you can get someone pregnant?"

An amused look glinted in Sterling's eyes. "The tabloids like to sell those sleazy papers, and the media likes to keep America's ears buzzing. You're too intelligent for me to stand here and deny every intimate detail you've heard about me, so I won't. But I will say most of what you've read is not true. Although I do date a number of women, I don't believe in taking unnecessary risks. I love life too much not to be selective and cautious. It's plain suicidal these days not to. And at the risk of sounding boastful, getting you pregnant won't be a problem. However, to address your concerns, according to a recent physical I had, my sperm count was more than adequate to accomplish what I need to do."

Colby blushed furiously. Then she asked her next question. "What about you and Diamond Swain? At one time the two of you acted like you were joined at the hip. Why can't she give birth to your child?"

He was silent for so long that for a while Colby didn't think he would answer her question. When he finally did, his tone was serious, and the look in his eyes held no signs of humor. "Diamond Swain is very special to me but not in the way the media has claimed. She and I are very good friends and that's all you need to know."

"That's not all I need to know. If you plan on sleeping with the both of us then-"

"I wouldn't do that, and I refuse to discuss Diamond any further."

Colby's anger increased. She wondered just what his relationship was with the woman who was the leading lady in most of his movies. According to Cynthia, at one time rumors had circulated that the two of them were even married.

She looked at him and his gaze held hers. His expression was unreadable. She knew he was waiting for her to make some kind of flippant comment about what he'd just said. But she had no intention of making his day. Her eyes narrowed at him but she said nothing.

"What's the matter, Colby? Suddenly at a loss for words?"

When she didn't reply, he shrugged indifferently. "Now where were we? Ah, yes, I was explaining how you were chosen. Another thing that impressed me about you was that you're an extraordinarily bright young woman. You graduated from high school at the age of sixteen."

"There was nothing bright about that," she said quietly. "James was taking cla.s.ses at night at the college and didn't want to leave me home alone so he took me with him. I discovered I could get credit for a lot of my required high school cla.s.ses if I took similar cla.s.ses at the continuing education center located on campus, so I did. In the end, I had taken enough hours to waive my senior year of high school. I was able to graduate a year early."

Sterling nodded as he listened carefully to her explanation. "You also completed four years of college in three years and still managed to graduate valedictorian of your cla.s.s. You also got your master's degree in half the usual time."

Colby shrugged. "So what of it? I merely took cla.s.ses year round and studied hard."

Sterling again nodded. Unlike a lot of women he knew, she wasn't one who liked to toot her own horn. "Lastly, according to my information, you're not seriously involved with anyone and haven't been for some time. All those things are important to me."

His gaze suddenly became serious. "If you decide to go along with what I proposed to do, no one is to know of our agreement. The only person who'll know our marriage isn't one made in heaven is Edward. You're to tell no one, not even your brother. We'll do everything within our power to convince everyone we're in love. Because of who I am, our relationship will become news. The media is always fishing for a story. It's very important that we put on a good show."

"Why? From what I've read, you've never cared one way or the other what the media has thought. Why are you doing so now? Besides, even if I went along with what you're suggesting, James would never believe it. He knows me too well and knows I'm not serious about anyone-especially not serious enough to rush into marriage."

"The reason I'll be courting the media is because I don't want my child growing up with the circ.u.mstances surrounding his birth an issue. Neither do I want there to be any speculation about why you and I got married. As far as your brother is concerned, it'll be up to you to convince him our marriage is a match made in heaven," Sterling said calmly.

Colby got out of her seat and began pacing again. Moments later she turned to Sterling. "I can't do it."

He came from the window to stand before her. "Yes, you can. You love your brother too much to let him lose everything he's worked hard for. You will make the ultimate sacrifice to help him."

"James would turn the company over to Morton Industries on a silver platter before he'd let me do what you're suggesting."

"Are you willing to let him do that? I really don't think you are."

Colby's head began spinning. Things were moving too fast. "I need time to think."

Sterling shrugged. "I wish I could tell you to take all the time you need, but I can't. I want your decision as soon as possible, preferably in the morning over breakfast. If you decide to go along with this, you should make plans to stay in California a few more days so Edward can modify the contract."

He pointed to the papers he had left on the sofa. "I'm leaving those for you to take a look at. Maybe then you'll understand the seriousness of the possibility of your brother losing his company."

He eyed Colby closely, seeing her look of anger and frustration. "Giving up your child won't be the end of the world. No doubt you'll remarry one day and have other children."

Colby didn't make a reply to his statement. What was the need? He actually believed what he was saying. How could anyone think one child could possibly replace another?

She took a deep breath. "I'll give you my decision in the morning. How can I reach you?"

"Didn't you know?" he asked as his mouth curved in a lazy grin. "I'm in the adjoining suite." He walked over to the connecting door. "Although I have a home in Malibu, I prefer staying at this hotel whenever I'm in town and have important business to take care of."

His smile widened. "And you are important business. I'll see in the morning, Colby."

She watched as the door closed behind him. Then she walked to the door and locked it. Feeling monumentally drained, Colby went over to the sofa, curled up in the corner and began reading the doc.u.ments Sterling had left. A few hours later, she was still curled on the sofa. The impact of everything was seeping through her mind and her heart.

Then she went into the bedroom and began getting ready for bed. She drifted off to sleep still uncertain as to what she would do.

Chapter 4.

Colby dragged herself out of bed the next morning after having endured a sleepless night. The report Sterling had left clearly indicated Morton Industries was strategically planning a hostile takeover attempt of Wingate Cosmetics. And with Cynthia's at-risk pregnancy, a potential loss of the company was the last thing that her brother needed to deal with.

She felt the need for a hot shower to relax her. After checking to make sure the lock on the connecting door was still securely in place, she went into the bathroom.

During her shower she decided to go downstairs to the dining room for something to eat. Sterling had indicated he wanted the two of them to get together for breakfast, but he was the last person she wanted to see. Hopefully, he was still in his room sleeping.

Moving quickly, she got dressed in record time. Grabbing her purse, she was about to leave the room when there was a knock at her door.

"Please don't let it be him," she said under her breath. She slowly walked to the door. "Yes?"

"Ms. Wingate, it's Edward Stewart."

A quick glance through the peephole confirmed Mr. Stewart's ident.i.ty. She was relieved it wasn't Sterling, but curious as to why his attorney would be paying her a visit before eight in the morning. She opened the door with a quizzical expression on her face.

"Mr. Stewart, this is a surprise. I hadn't expected to-"

"Ever see me again," he interrupted. He managed a smile as he looked at her. "I can understand your surprise but it's no greater than my own."

Colby raised a brow, but before she could respond, Edward Stewart continued. "Sterling had an unexpected appointment this morning. He called and asked me to be your escort to breakfast."

Colby couldn't help but grin at something so absurd. "My escort?"

Edward Stewart nodded and grinned back. "Yes, and it appears I'm just in time. You were about to leave."

She shook her head. "I don't need an escort, and I don't know why Mr. Hamilton would think I would."

"Neither do I, but let's just humor him, shall we?"

Colby frowned. "I'm in no mood to humor Sterling Hamilton. The man is despicable."

Edward Stewart's laugher was not what Colby had expected. She allowed time for his amus.e.m.e.nt to subside before asking, "Did I say something funny?"

A rueful smile touched his lips. "I apologize for my outburst, Ms. Wingate, but you're so unlike the women who're usually around Sterling. I find your candidness refreshing. I don't know too many women who think Sterling Hamilton is despicable. Most of them think he's the best thing since the banana split."

Colby raised her eyes toward the ceiling. She knew that, unfortunately, Cynthia was one of those women. "Then that explains why Sterling and I can't get along."

At Edward Stewart's confused expression she added, "I'm allergic to bananas."

Colby shook her head when the man burst out laughing again. To her way of thinking, it didn't take much to amuse him.

"My dear, you must must join me for breakfast. If you don't do it to humor Sterling then do it to humor me. I'd love your company." join me for breakfast. If you don't do it to humor Sterling then do it to humor me. I'd love your company."

Colby hesitated for a second then said, "In that case, it will be my pleasure."

Moments later they entered the hotel's elegant dining room and were given a table near a window with a scenic view of Sunset Boulevard. After Colby accepted the menu from the waiter, she looked out the window and was amazed at the number of Mercedeses and Jaguars that went by.