by Lori Foster
She shook her head. “I shouldn’t. I didn’t bring any pajamas or my toothbrush or any—”
“I have a silly pair of Mickey Mouse pajamas Kate bought for me one year as a joke. You can use those. And I have an extra toothbrush.”
“You do? Should I ask why?”
Grinning, he came to his feet. “I’d rather you didn’t.”
Olivia frowned at him, and he decided he liked her small show of jealousy, even if he knew she would deny suffering such an emotion.
Being careful not to wake him, he lifted Shawn and returned him to his blanket. “Come on. You can help me pitch a tent.”
Her frown left, and to his relief, she joined in wholeheartedly. It took them a half hour to get the tent assembled. They shoved all the furniture back so the tent sat in the middle of the room. Olivia lit a fire in the fireplace while Tony searched through his kitchen for marshmallows and cocoa. Shawn woke up and began fussing, and though Olivia wanted to help, she was hopeless at changing a diaper. Tony laughed at her efforts, then showed her the proper way to do it. Her intent fascination through the routine process had him grinning long after the job was done.
He knew she wanted to give Shawn his bottle, but she held back, pretending a great interest in the silly, rather long-winded story Maggie was telling her about a cartoon character on her favorite preschool show. Tony watched her surreptitiously, and a plan began to form.
Maybe, because of all she’d been through as a child, Olivia only thought she didn’t want a family. Maybe he could convince her otherwise. As soon as the idea hit, he felt a sick sort of trepidation. Like any man, the thought of rejection was repugnant to him. And he knew he was being overly emotional about the whole thing, but this particular situation was one to inspire romantic notions. Being alone with a woman, acting as a family to three children, left his need for his own family with a sharpened edge.
But his original plan was much more realistic, and much easier to plan around. He knew he could love a child, that he could be a good father. He had the example of his own father, not to mention his brother and brother-in-law to go by. But a wife…that was a chancy matter. Could he really count on Olivia to restructure her life to fit a family into her busy schedule?
He decided what he needed was more time—time to watch her with the children, to be with her. He’d take her to the office tomorrow and show her the expansion plans beginning with the new Northwestern Crown. He’d planned to do that anyway, to judge her reaction to the site for her new lingerie shop.
In the meantime…
He went over to her, not really giving her a choice, and put Shawn in her lap. She opened her dark eyes wide and stared at him, looking hopeful, and a bit unsure of herself. Then he handed her the bottle of formula, and watched as Shawn began to fuss, and Olivia looked from him to the baby and back again.
“I think he’s hungry, honey. Would you mind?”
“You want me to feed him?”
“Just keep the bottle up so he doesn’t suck air, and keep a napkin under his chin because he tends to make a mess of it.”
Looking as if she’d just been handed the world, Olivia carefully situated bottle and baby, then managed to listen as Maggie picked up where she’d been interrupted.
His heart seemed to swell, watching Olivia struggle with the baby. And more and more, he found himself wondering if keeping only the baby wouldn’t mean giving up the better half of the deal.
CHAPTER SIX
AFTER SEVERAL STORIES and whispered giggles, Maggie and Luke finally fell asleep. It was way past their usual bedtime, but it had proven very difficult to get the kids to settle down. The combination of worrying about their mother, being in different surroundings and their general excitement, had all conspired to keep them wide-awake.
Tony had arranged everyone in a row, with Luke first, then himself, then Maggie, then Olivia. He would have preferred to have her right next to him, but he didn’t trust himself, and he wasn’t into self-torture. Now, at nearly midnight, Tony turned his head to look at Olivia, and even in the dim interior of the tent, he could see that her eyes were open. He reached across Maggie, who was taking up more room than one little three-year-old girl should, and slid one finger down Olivia’s arm. Her eyes slanted in his direction, and she smiled. “They’re asleep?”
He answered in the same hushed tone. “I do believe so.”
“I’ve never slept on the floor before.”
He grinned, then tugged on the sleeve of the pajamas she wore until she gave him her hand. “A lot of new experiences today, huh?”
When she bit her lip, he suppressed a laugh and said, “I was talking about wearing Micky Mouse pajamas. And giving a baby a bottle. And camping out in the family room with a three-year-old snoring next to you.”
Olivia flashed her own grin. “And here I thought you meant something entirely different.”
“Are you enjoying yourself?”
Turning on her side to face him, she laced her fingers with his, and they allowed their arms to rest over Maggie. The little girl sighed in her sleep. “You know, I believe I am having fun. I’d always thought of you as a stuffy businessman, and here you are, an adventurer.”
“Me, stuffy? You’re the one who eats, drinks and sleeps business.”
She gave him another cheeky grin. “I learned from you.”
“Ah, so it’s my fault you’re so ruthless?” His grin belied any insult.
“I’m serious. I’ve always respected you very much. Everyone does. When I negotiated my first shop in your hotels, I’d already read everything I could find on you. And there was plenty. You’re considered a golden boy, you know. You took a mediocre hotel chain and turned it around to one of the fastest growing, most recognizable names in the industry. You gave new meaning to the name Austin Crown.”
It was unbelievable the amount of pride he felt hearing her sing his praises. Of course he’d heard it before, but it meant more coming from Olivia. And he decided he liked this, liked talking quietly in the dark, getting to know her better, letting her know him. He seldom volunteered information about himself, but now, it seemed the most natural thing in the world.
“When my father died, I knew I had to do something to distract myself. It wasn’t an easy time, and he’d been a really fantastic father—the best. He’d taught me what I needed to know in the industry, but like John, he refused to neglect his family to devote the time necessary to make the business what it is today. Sometimes I wonder if he’d lived, exactly where I’d be right now.”
She answered with absolute conviction. “You’d have had your own business. You’re a very driven, success-oriented man. I’ll bet you were an overachiever in school, too, weren’t you?”
He laughed quietly, knowing she’d pegged him. “I suppose. And it’s not that I regret the life I’ve led. But there could have been so much more.” He knew she understood when she squeezed his hand.
“And there will be. Now. You’ll have your own family, Tony, just wait. You’ve still got plenty of time to do anything you want to do. You’re young and intelligent and very handsome, and—”
It disturbed him, having her talk about his life with her being no part of it. Though that had been his original plan, and could still work out to be the best solution, he instinctively balked at the thought of losing her. Interrupting her to halt the words, he teased, “Very handsome, hmm?”
“Quit fishing for compliments. You know what you look like. Why not be honest about it?”
The glow from the fireplace barely penetrated the thick canvas of the tent, leaving the outline of Olivia’s body a mere shadow beneath her blanket. But her eyes, so wide and sweet, were as discernible as her slight smile. “That’s one of the things I like about you, Olivia. You believe in honesty. You’re outspoken and truthful to a fault. I don’t have to guess at your motives.”
He felt her sudden stillness, the way she seemed to withdraw emotionally. She didn’t say anything, though the tension was thick, and the
n she was trying to pull away. “We better get some sleep. As I told you, I didn’t rest much last night.”
He didn’t understand the way her mood had abruptly altered, but he decided he wouldn’t allow her to pull completely away from him. Rather than question her when she seemed so anxious, he merely replied to her statement. Holding tight to her fingers, he whispered, “I’m sorry you’re tired, but I’m glad I didn’t suffer alone.” She had nothing to say to that, so he added, “Good night, sweetheart. If you need anything during the night, let me know.”
Pillowing her head on her arm, she closed her eyes and very deliberately shut him out.
But she didn’t take her hand away. And then he heard her whisper, “Good night, Tony.”
*
IT WAS VERY early when Olivia felt a puff of moist breath against her cheek. She opened one eye and jerked in startled surprise before she recognized the faint outline of Maggie’s face in the dim interior of the tent. “What is it?”
Maggie’s nose touched her cheek and she realized the child was trying to see her clearly. “Livvy, I gotta pee.”
“Oh.” For a second, Olivia drew a blank. She glanced at Tony to see that Luke was practically lying on top of him, draped sideways over his chest. They’d put Shawn to sleep outside the tent, surrounded by the cushions off the couch so no one would accidentally get up in the night and step on him. Twice, she had heard him fuss, but both times Tony had quietly slipped from the tent to prepare the baby’s bottle.
Olivia didn’t want to wake him again for something so minor, but she honestly had no idea how to deal with Maggie’s request. “Do you, uh…know how to go to the potty by yourself?”
She could barely see the bobbing of Maggie’s head. “But you come wif me.”
“Oh.” Olivia was beginning to feel like an idiot. Of course the little girl wouldn’t want to go on her own. The house was dark and unfamiliar. “Okay. But let’s be quiet so we don’t wake anyone up.”
They crawled out of the tent, and Maggie caught at the hem of the Mickey Mouse pajama top, then held her arms in the air. “Carry me.”
Since Maggie wasn’t really asking, but insisting, Olivia lifted her sturdy little body and groped her way down the hall. The fluorescent bathroom light was bright and made them both squint. Olivia watched Maggie struggle with her nightgown, then she asked, “Do you…um, need any help?”
Shaking her head, Maggie said, “Stay wif me.”
“Right. I won’t go anywhere.”
Maggie grinned at her, and Olivia felt rather complimented that her company had been required for such a female outing. Hadn’t she seen plenty of women visit the “ladies’ room” in groups? It was practically a tradition, and Maggie had just given her a part of it. She leaned against the wall and waited, and when Maggie had finished and again said, “Carry me,” Olivia didn’t hesitate. In fact, she found she liked having the small warm body clinging to her, trusting her.
They entered the tent without making a sound, but no sooner had she settled Maggie than she heard Tony say, “You have all the natural instincts, Olivia.”
This time, the reference to something that could never be didn’t bother her. In fact, she felt a reluctant grin and realized she felt good. Damn good. “Go to sleep, Tony.”
“Yeah,” Maggie said. “Go sleep, Tony.” And within seconds, the tent was again filled with soft snoring.
*
TONY’S MOTHER SHOWED up at eight-thirty with a bag of doughnuts and the news that Lisa was feeling much improved, except for a great deal of lingering exhaustion. The penicillin had done its magic and she was more than anxious to see her children again.
“I’m going to take them to the hospital to visit her this morning,” Sue said, “and they’re hopeful she can come home this afternoon, after the doctor makes his rounds and checks her over.”
“Isn’t that rushing it a bit?” Tony asked. They were sitting at the dining-room table while Maggie and Luke gobbled doughnuts in the kitchen. Sue held Shawn, and every so often she’d make faces at him and babble in baby talk or nibble on his ears or feet. Tony glanced at Olivia and saw she was fascinated by his mother’s behavior. In his family, no one felt the least hesitation in playing with a child—and acting like a fool in the process.
“She seemed to be doing okay to me, but of course, I’m not a doctor.” Sue smiled at Olivia. “You know how it is with mothers. They can’t bear to be away from their kids. Why, if they try to keep her another day while she’s complaining and begging to leave, she’s liable to make herself sick with worry. She’s afraid the kids are terrorizing Tony. Of course, she didn’t know he had you here to help him.”
The sound of suggestion in his mother’s tone couldn’t have been missed by a deaf man. Tony glanced at Olivia again, but she was only smiling. He felt…proud, dammit. Proud of the way Olivia had greeted his mother, her natural grace and composure. Being caught in your lover’s house by your lover’s mother wasn’t something Olivia was used to. But she’d handled the situation remarkably well.
Dressed in casual khaki slacks with a sharp pleat and a black pullover sweater, she didn’t look like a woman who had spent the night on the floor. She’d been up and dressed when he opened his eyes, and that had annoyed him. Usually the idea of facing a woman in the morning was an unpleasant prospect, but with Olivia, he’d wanted to see her sleeping in his house. He’d wanted to make her coffee and awaken her with a kiss. Instead she was the one who had prepared the coffee, and all traces of peaceful rest had been washed from her big brown eyes before he’d even crawled from the tent. She was again the composed, elegant lady he’d come to know through business, and while he appreciated the picture she made, he wanted to see that softer, more accessible side of her more often.
Olivia laughed at his mother’s comments, and Tony could only stare, wanting her again. Always wanting her. The woman didn’t have to do more than walk toward him and he got hard.
“Tony did all the work, Sue. I’m afraid I haven’t had much experience with children. But please, tell Lisa that the kids were adorable. I very much enjoyed myself.”
It was at that moment Maggie appeared at Olivia’s side. Her face and hands were sticky with doughnut glaze, and without missing a beat, Olivia picked up a napkin and began wiping off the worst of it. Maggie grinned and said, “Carry me, Livvy.”
Olivia bent down to scoop Maggie into her lap. “And where are we going?”
“Potty.”
Turning to Sue, she said, “Excuse me just a moment.”
She’d done that so naturally, without any hesitation at all, Tony knew he was making progress. Toward what end, he wasn’t certain, but he took great satisfaction from the progress just the same.
He didn’t realize he was smiling as he watched her leave the room until his mother nudged him with her foot. “She’s a natural.”
He laughed. “I told her the same thing last night.”
Sue made a big production of rearranging Shawn’s blanket. “It’s worked out nice that she was here yesterday when John came by.”
“I could have managed on my own.”
“You’ve never had all three kids overnight before.”
“True. But we’d have muddled through. Actually Shawn was the easiest to look after. He still sleeps most of the day away.” It was apparent his small talk hadn’t distracted his mother one iota. She had that look about her that gave him pause and let him know she was set on a course.
“So…what was Olivia doing here?”
Never let it be said that his mother couldn’t use subtlety when it was required. “Women have been in my house before.”
“It’s been a while, though. And Olivia, unless I miss my guess, isn’t just another woman.”
Their relationship was too complicated by far to explain to his mother. Especially since he didn’t understand it himself. He decided to nip her curiosity and parental meddling in the bud, at least until he could sort out his own feelings. “Olivia is more into bu
siness than I am. She wants to get ahead, not stay at home.”
“So? Plenty of women work these days and tend a family, too. And you’re not exactly helpless. I think between the two of you…”
“Mom, you’re way ahead of yourself. Olivia is very clear on the fact she doesn’t want a husband or family. She told me that herself. She would be totally unsuitable as a wife, so stop trying to plot against me.”
Sue glanced up at the doorway, then cleared her throat. Olivia stood there, her face pink with embarrassment and a stricken look in her eyes. Tony wanted to curse; he wanted to stand up and hold her close and swear he hadn’t meant what he’d just said. But there was his mother to consider, and besides, he didn’t know how much of what he’d said might be true.
Olivia took the problem out of his hands by forcing a smile, then retaking her seat. “I’m afraid he’s right, Sue. I’m not marriage material. This is the closest I’ve ever come to playing house, and I’m not at all certain I was successful. Which is okay. I’m a businesswoman, with not a domestic bone in my body.” She laughed, but Tony knew her laughs now, and this one wasn’t genuine. “I’m not cut out for this sort of thing. But after watching Tony last night, I’m convinced he is. He should have a few children of his own.”
His mother agreed, then made deliberate small talk, but the tension in the air refused to dissipate. Once again Olivia was invited for Thanksgiving dinner, but the invitation was left open. And when the children were done eating and had their teeth brushed, Sue bustled them toward the door.
Giving Tony a listen-to-your-mother look, she said, “Try to talk Olivia into coming for Thanksgiving.” Then to Olivia, “It’s very casual and relaxed. With all the kids, it couldn’t be any other way. But now that I know the children don’t bother you—”
Maggie spoke up and said, “We don’t bother, Livvy. She likes us.”
Olivia patted her head and smiled. “Of course I do.”