by Lisa Jackson
“Slow down,” he said, his lips brushing her breasts, his breath caressing her nipple. “We’ve got all night.”
It sounded so good. She cradled his head against her breast as he removed the rest of her clothes. She reveled in his touch and her heart pounded as his fingers grazed her nipple before he lowered his mouth and teased her with his lips and tongue. His hands sculpted her back, holding her firmly to him, making her feel the length of his hardness pressed deep against her abdomen.
His hands worked magic as they explored her, touching her in intimate places, causing her heart to beat as rapidly as the wings of a hummingbird. Lovingly he caressed her, moving with a slow steady hand that only increased when her body requested a faster tempo.
The room seemed to spin, the heat within her coiled, whirling so quickly that she closed her eyes. But still the candlelight was there, in bright vibrant colors that exploded behind her eyelids and caused her body to quake in violent convulsions that ripped a primeval sound from her throat. “Hayden,” she cried in that foreign voice.
“I’m right here,” he assured her as she clung to him. He let her body slow, and only when her breathing was even and her eyelids fluttered open, did he kiss her again. “Okay, love, now it’s my turn,” he said.
She reached for him, but he picked her up and carried her outside where the cold air brought goose bumps to her flesh. “Are you crazy? What’re you doing?” she cried as he set her into the hot tub and followed after her. “It’s freezing out here.”
“Not in the water.”
“But—”
He kissed her and cut off further protests, and there in the steamy water, with snowflakes sticking to their hair, he gently prodded her knees apart and claimed her for his own.
* * *
LATER, WRAPPED ONLY in a bath sheet, she dialed her home, accessed her answering machine code and discovered no messages, so she hung up feeling less irresponsible. Hayden came up behind her, stripped away the bath towel and forced her back to the bed.
The night passed quickly in a haze of lovemaking and glasses of champagne. They fell asleep sometime before dawn and when she finally awoke, the sun was high in the sky, glistening off six inches of fresh snow. Hayden stood by the window, dressed only in his shorts, staring at the trees. When he heard her stir, he turned and spying her sprawled upon the bed, grinned mischievously.
“This is the way I’d like to wake up every morning.”
Her traitorous heart skipped a beat, but she ignored it and stretched lazily.
Hayden’s gaze moved to her breasts, covered only by the sheets, and he stifled a groan. “We’ll never get out of here if you don’t quit that.”
“Quit what?” she taunted, and he swore under his breath.
“You little tease.”
“Me?” she asked innocently, and he crossed the few feet and threw himself over the bed.
“Yes, you.”
She laughed as he pinned her beneath the covers and kissed her.
“You are the most exciting, impulsive and impossible woman ever to set foot on this earth.”
“May I take that as a compliment?”
“Take it any way you like.” He kissed her gently, then propped his head up with one hand. “If you don’t get up, you’re in for serious trouble, lady.”
She knew that. But she didn’t want this bliss to end. She stroked his beard-roughened cheek with her hand and touched the tiny scar that sliced through one of his brows. “What’s this from?” she asked, and watched as his smile faded.
“Compliments of my old man.”
“But how?”
“We had a disagreement. He couldn’t get through to me with words, so he used his fist. Not here...but he hit me so hard I fell and cut myself on the stair rail. I think I was fifteen.”
Her stomach squeezed in pain. “What was the fight about?”
He snorted. “I can’t even remember.” He was stretched out on the top of the sheet and she saw the other scars on his body, neatly stitched gashes on his legs.
“And these?”
He glanced down when her finger touched one of the bluish marks. “From the accident,” he said coldly.
“The what?”
“In the boat. With Wynona.”
“Oh.” She drew back her hand, but he threaded his fingers through hers and sighed.
“It’s okay. That all happened a long time ago. Now, you’d better get up. I’d love to spend the rest of the weekend here, but unfortunately duty calls.”
“The mill?”
“The mill,” he replied grimly, as he reached for his slacks. “But before we go back, we should eat breakfast. Steak, eggs, pancakes—the works.”
She shook her head. “How about coffee and a piece of toast?”
“Whatever your heart desires,” he said, kissing her lightly on the forehead before throwing back the covers and exposing her naked form. With a sardonic smile, he kicked off his slacks again. “On second thought...”
* * *
BY THE TIME they returned to Gold Creek, the sun was low in the sky. Nadine thought about the work stretched out before her; she had promised Elizabeth new merchandise. Two of the jackets were complete, the third was almost done, but she only had about a dozen pairs of earrings finished. Then there was some Christmas shopping and planning the traditional meal for her father, the boys and Ben. And Hayden? Was that possible?
Hayden folded his hand over hers. “You could come spend the rest of the weekend at my house.”
The offer was tempting. “I don’t think so. I’ve got a lot of work to do—”
He placed his hand on her knee, and his gaze slid in her direction. “Won’t it keep overnight? I’ll build a fire and we’ll have eggnog and you can help me with my tree. Remember, I’m still an amateur at this.”
“You’re twisting my arm.”
“I’ll bring you back early in the morning, I promise.”
“I’ve heard that one before,” she said with a chuckle. “This time I’m going to hold you to it.”
They stopped by Nadine’s place, where she gave Hershel fresh food and water, checked the mail and the phone messages, grabbed a small suitcase with a change of clothes and her makeup, and then they were on their way. In Gold Creek they purchased a Christmas tree, a stand and some decorations along with a few supplies and groceries.
Darkness had settled on the lake as they pulled into the drive of Hayden’s house. Through the tall trees, the lights of the house winked brightly.
“That’s odd,” Hayden said, his hands tightening over the wheel as they rounded the final bend and the headlights of his rig washed over the shiny finish of a white Jaguar. “Damn it all to hell,” he ground out as he stood on the brakes and the Jeep slid to a stop.
“Who’s here?” Nadine asked, uneasiness tightening into a hard ball in the pit of her stomach.
“Wynona,” he ground out, stepping down from the Jeep.
Nadine froze. Wynona Galveston was here? Through the locked gates and inside the locked house? As if she had her own key?
Hayden was striding furiously up the front walk when the door burst open, and Wynona, her supple body framed by interior lights, appeared.
“Thank God you’re here,” she said, smiling brightly. Her blond hair caught in the moonlight as she ran from the front door and threw herself into Hayden’s arms.
Nadine held back a small cry. Her insides shriveled and she felt the urge to run, to get as far away from Hayden as possible. But she kept her wits about her and took a deep breath. His relationship with Wynona might not be what it seemed.
Gathering her courage, Nadine found the door handle of the Jeep and slowly let herself out. The air was cold, blowing off the lake in wintry gusts. A thin layer of clouds partially obscured the moon, but she could see clearly as Hayden slowly peeled Wynona’s arms from around his neck.
“...but you have to help me,” Wynona was saying, tears frozen in her eyes.
“I don’t have to
do a damned thing.”
“You owe me.”
“I told you before I owe you nothing.” His voice was harsh and callous. Nadine felt bitter and betrayed.
“How can you be so cruel?” Wynona demanded, sobbing openly. “If it weren’t for you—”
“Don’t start this.”
“You nearly killed me,” she cried, tears running freely from her eyes.
Nadine’s stomach turned sour. She shouldn’t listen to this. Yet she couldn’t turn away.
“I didn’t—”
Wynona’s fury unleashed. “The accident was your fault, Hayden. It was your fault I nearly died, and damn it all to hell, it was your fault I lost the baby!”
Chapter Twelve
A BABY?
Nadine’s knees nearly gave out. Hayden and Wynona had created an unborn baby who had died in the boating accident? Oh, God, what was she doing here? Pain seared her soul. She’d believed him, she’d loved him, she’d given herself to him; and Hayden hadn’t even thought enough of her to tell her the truth. “How can you be so cruel?” Wynona broke into hysterical sobs, and Nadine felt as if she’d been hit in the stomach by an iron fist. She leaned against a tall pine for support and wished she’d never become involved with him again, never heard Wynona’s pathetic pleas. Her stomach roiled to think she’d imagined she’d loved him—a man who had— Oh, God, little by little she was dying inside.
Hayden swore loudly. “Damn it, Wynona, don’t you think you’ve got your facts twisted a bit?”
“You were there, Hayden. And you abandoned me. For some cheap little small-town whore—ouch!”
Stricken, Nadine glanced up and saw Hayden grab Wynona by the shoulders and give her an angry shake. “Don’t you ever talk about her—”
“Oh, Christ, don’t tell me you’re still in love with her!” Wynona’s eyes narrowed, and the tears seemed to melt away. As Nadine drew closer, Wynona’s gaze collided with hers and she sucked in her breath. “Well, I’ll be,” she whispered, shaking her head. “You still have your little redheaded piece of—”
“Stop it!” He shook her again.
Wynona’s eyes were frigid and her lip curled. “Just like your old man, aren’t you, Hayden? One woman was never enough for him and it looks like you’re just the same.”
He dropped her as if touching her skin had scorched his fingers. “Get out, Wynona.”
Rubbing her arms, she said, “You haven’t seen the last of me. You and your father owe me. Big-time. Promises were made. Nothing’s changed just because he died.”
“Like hell. I’m in charge now.”
“And you’re trying to cut me off!”
“Take it up with Bradworth. Maybe you can strike a private deal with him.”
She tried to slap him, but he was too quick. He caught her wrist in his hand and shoved her back. “Don’t be stupid, Wynona.”
“You bastard! You sick, filthy bastard!”
“Flattery will get you nowhere,” he said, and she yanked her hand away. Throwing a scathing glance at Nadine, she strode into the house, grabbed her purse and fur coat, and with the mink waving behind her like a sleek banner, she stormed to her car.
She threw the Jaguar into reverse, backed into a tree and smashed her taillight. Metal crunched and glass splintered. Wynona shoved the car into Drive and roared away, tires spitting gravel, one red taillight winking brightly through the trees.
Nadine was shaking so badly, she could barely move. She thought she might throw up as the pieces of Hayden’s past fit together into an ugly, painful puzzle.
“What do they say about a woman scorned?” Hayden asked.
Nadine couldn’t answer. Her mouth was dry as cotton, her guts twisted and the pain in her bruised heart wouldn’t go away. “I think I should leave,” she said, tears threatening her eyes.
“Because of what Wynona said?”
She nodded, and the first drops of rain started to fall from the sky, touching her cheeks and splashing on the ground. “There was a baby?” she whispered, her fists clenched so tightly, her fingernails dug into her palms. She prayed that she misunderstood, but the hardening of Hayden’s jaw, the tightening of his mouth at its corners only confirmed the worst of her fears. The bottom of Nadine’s world seemed to fall out from under her.
“Yes, there was a baby, but it wasn’t mine.”
“Hayden, don’t lie—”
“I’m not, damn it!” He grabbed her and dragged her wooden body close to his. “You have to believe me.”
“But you never said a word,” she cried, her trust in him unraveling as quickly as an old seam in an antique dress. How could she have trusted him, made love to him, given her heart to him when she knew so little about him?
“There are reasons.”
“Reasons? What reasons? You didn’t want me to know because then I wouldn’t be so easily seduced, is that it? Or were you trying to make yourself look better in my eyes?” Icy rain was falling heavily now, trickling in the gutters and pooling on the walks. Frigid drops drizzled down Nadine’s face and throat.
“Of course not!”
“Then why?”
His jaw worked and he closed his eyes. “The baby was my father’s.”
Nadine gasped, and her insides churned as wildly as the storm-tossed lake. “Your father’s?” She couldn’t believe it. Wouldn’t. “But you were engaged to her. Come on, Hayden, you don’t really expect me to believe that—”
“That my father would seduce a woman half his age? That she would be flattered by his attention since she couldn’t have mine? That Wynona Galveston was more interested in Monroe money than she was in me or my dad?” he asked, shoving his wet hair from his face. “Which part is so unbelievable?”
“It never came out that she was pregnant. In all the press about the accident. Never once—”
“Her father is a doctor. He hushed it up. It was part of the deal he made with my dad... Oh, hell, it’s complicated. Come inside before we’re both soaked. You may as well know the whole sordid story.”
“I don’t think I should—”
He held her hand in his and looked into her eyes with such pain and torment, she couldn’t say no. “I must be crazy. I should just walk away from all this.”
“No, you shouldn’t.” His thumb rubbed gently across the back of her hand. “Just hear me out.”
Telling herself she was a fool of the highest order, Nadine helped him unpack the car. Her insides were knotted, and she told herself she was only prolonging the agony by watching him start a fire. “We’ll eat first,” he said, and she didn’t argue. She wasn’t sure that she wanted to hear all of the details of his affair—or his father’s—with another woman, but knew that if there was any chance of a future for them, she had to.
She heated clam chowder and warmed the bread. They ate in the den, in front of the crackling flames, sipping wine and trying to ignore the tension that seemed to mount with each slow tick of the grandfather clock.
“I never loved her,” Hayden admitted, setting his empty bowl on the coffee table.
“You don’t have to—”
“She was handpicked by my mother. From the right family. Her father was a doctor and her mother had inherited ‘old money.’ She was pretty and smart and my mother thought she’d make the perfect match. Her parents, too, were thrilled at the prospect. Even Wynona bought into the plan. But I wasn’t about to be bullied into marrying someone I didn’t really care about. Oh, I liked her. A lot. What was there not to like?
“What I didn’t know, and my parents didn’t realize, was that most of Wynona’s inheritance didn’t exist. Her father had sizable debts that he’d incurred while going to school and he had a little problem at the racetrack. He liked to bet on the ponies. The family still had money, of course, but not the kind of wealth my mother expected. Most of what was left of the Galveston fortune would be passed on to their son, Wynona’s brother, Gerard. So, I was the perfect catch.
“Remember the Mercedes I left
in the sawmill lot the day I met you?” She nodded and he said, “Well, it was an engagement present from my father. To Wynona and me. Only, there was no engagement. So I didn’t accept the gift and my old man was furious.”
Nadine remembered the day as vividly as if it had occurred just last week. Meeting Hayden had changed her life forever. She stared at him now, his features solemn in the firelight, his eyes lifeless. “When I wasn’t interested in her, Wynona was desperate and then...my father stepped in. I don’t really know when they started their affair. I’ve told myself that it had to have happened after I’d told her I wouldn’t marry her, but I’m not so sure. She was pregnant. Oh, hell!” He stood and walked to the fireplace, adding a small log and watching the flames devour the mossy oak.
“I didn’t know about their affair at first, nor did my mom. Dad had always had a thing for women, younger beautiful women, and Mom had always turned her head. She would rather suffer his infidelity than divorce him and admit that she couldn’t hold her man. How she put up with him, I’ll never know. Remember I told you that my mom and I stayed at the lodge in the mountains? Well, she took me there once when she walked out on dad after learning that he was involved with his secretary. But, as always, she went back to him.”
Nadine felt as if she’d been led down a private stairway and into a dark room where she didn’t belong. “I don’t think I want to know the rest—”
“I want you to. While my mom was trying to patch things up with Wynona and me, my dad was already taking her to his bed.”
“And she got pregnant.”
“Right. Then all hell broke loose.” He stared at Nadine, saw the doubts in her eyes and took her hand between his two larger palms. “Believe me, Nadine, I never slept with her. The baby couldn’t have been mine.”
“There was no mention of a baby in the paper.”
“Lots of things were left out,” he said flatly. “As I said, her old man was a doctor and made sure that no one learned that she was pregnant. Oh, a few medical people knew, but they kept their mouths shut.”
“Oh, God, Hayden. This is too much,” she said, shaking her head. “Even if the baby wasn’t yours—”