by Lori Foster
She wanted only to live in peace, to be able to take care of herself and her son without fear of danger.
His hand was large and warm and again she noticed the roughness, which had never been there before. To buy herself some time, she said, “What have you been doing?” She turned his palm over and looked at it. “You have calluses.”
He blinked at her, then looked down at his hand. With a twisted grin, he said, “Chopping wood, if you can believe that.”
“It might be difficult.”
“I know. I’m not normally the physical type.”
She shook her head. “No, you’re in shape, always have been. But from a gym, not from physical labor.”
She continued to look at his hand and he raised it to her cheek, curling his fingers around her jaw and lifting so that her gaze met his. His eyes were bright, intent. “I’m glad you noticed, but it doesn’t matter. Will you try to forgive me?”
His voice had been so soft, so cajoling. She hated herself for wanting to believe in him again, for wanting so many ridiculous things. But she’d been so alone for so long now. Her mind scurried for some response, some way of making him back off.
“We could start over,” he said. “I’m different now, everything will be different. If I start to backslide and I disappoint you or Grayson, then you can toss me out.”
At her skeptical look, he made a cross on his chest. “I promise. The decision is yours. You’re right about my family, they wouldn’t make good relatives at this point for Grayson and they’d likely make your life a living hell.”
If Angel was right, they were already making her life hell—and determined that it get much worse. But she kept the words unsaid for now.
Derek smiled. “And since I plan to be involved, that means they’d make me miserable as well. They don’t need to know anything about Grayson, or about you for that matter. At least, not until you’re ready.”
As she opened her mouth, he interjected, “If you’re ever ready.”
She had no defense against his optimism, his good humor. It was beyond her to remain disgruntled when he was being all she’d ever hoped for—for Grayson’s sake. “All right.”
His grin was wide and sexy and suggestive. “Thank you. Damn, but you know how to keep a man on pins and needles. I hope this is the last time you test me, because my heart can’t take it.”
She snorted, not ready to believe his heart was involved. Then to her disbelieving eyes, he set the laundry basket between them and began folding baby blankets. Angel stared.
“Shocked you, have I? Well, good. God knows you’ve done me in enough times lately.” He lifted a small gown, struggled with it for a moment, then handed it to her. “I think I’ll leave the more complicated garments to you, and stick to the blankets and—” His voice trailed off as he lifted a pair of panties from the basket. They were pink and satiny and her blush was so hot, she knew her face had to be bright red. She snatched them from his hand.
“Not a single word out of you or you can go.”
“I’m mum.” He continued to fold, now in silence, but she could see his devilish smile.
He was so very different, so unlike the Derek she knew, the man she couldn’t forgive or ever care about, not with the way he’d turned on her. This Derek was considerate and warm and somehow, more of a man because of it. In the past, she’d been drawn to his confidence, his good looks and his sophistication. She’d been overwhelmed by his attention, so flattered she hadn’t been able to think straight. Then he’d abruptly discredited her in every way possible.
They worked in near silence, other than Derek humming, until all the laundry was done and put away. After Angel had placed her unmentionables in her dresser, leaving Derek to put up the baby’s things, she found him standing over Grayson’s crib, just watching the baby sleep. When she crept in to stand beside him, it somehow felt right to be there together, sharing the sheer joy of seeing the baby, hearing his soft breathing. When Grayson made a grumbling squeak in his sleep, Derek smiled, a small, proud smile that touched Angel’s heart and made her feel too warm and full inside. She turned around and walked out.
She’d barely reached the kitchen before she felt Derek’s hand heavy on her shoulder. Her pulse raced, her breathing quickened. Slowly he turned her, and he whispered, “Angel,” his tone low and husky and affected by some emotion she couldn’t name but understood. Even before she met his gaze, she knew he was going to kiss her. She tried to tell herself it was necessary, that she had to keep him interested to have his help, but she knew she was lying. She wanted his kiss.
And he didn’t disappoint her. This was no casual peck as he’d given her when he first arrived. No, this time his mouth devoured hers, without hesitation, hot and hungry, his tongue immediately sliding inside while his hands held her face and kept her close.
Just that, nothing more. He didn’t touch her anywhere else, didn’t put his arms around her or pull her body into full contact with his. She could feel his heat, crossing the inches that separated them, and she wanted to be closer. But lovemaking was new to her and she wasn’t sure how to initiate anything, or if she even wanted to.
Derek slanted his head, his breathing harsh in her ear, and a low groan came from deep in his throat. In the next instant, he pulled his mouth away and pushed her head to his shoulder. “This is crazy. I can’t believe how you affect me.”
Angel didn’t know what to say to that. Crazy? It surely felt odd, but in a wonderful, miraculous way. Her hands were caught between them and she could feel his heartbeat, fierce and fast. “Why is it different this time?” she asked aloud, and all the confusion she felt could be heard in her tone.
Derek laughed, then groaned and squeezed her tight, finally pulling their bodies close together. “Because it just is, because I’m different.”
He pushed her back so he could see her face and smiled at her. “I’d like to take you to lunch.”
The topic had changed so suddenly Angel was caught off guard. “I…I can’t go anywhere. Grayson…”
“We’ll take him with us.”
She shook her head, not even considering the possibility of them being seen in public together with the baby. “No, I already ate.” She pondered all that had happened, all he’d done so far, then suggested, “Why don’t you come here for dinner instead.” She felt ridiculous, making such an offer, extending the verbal olive branch. But they did need to get reacquainted; she needed to decide if and how much she could trust him. She drew a deep breath and plunged onward. “I can cook us something.”
He searched her face, and his continued silence made her wish she could withdraw her offer. Then he shook his head. “Damn, I’d like that. I swear I would. I can’t imagine a better way to spend my evening.”
“But?”
He released her and turned away. “My mother has this damn dinner planned.” He waved a hand, essaying his feelings on the affair. “My sister is getting married soon and it’s a sort of celebration dinner. All family is expected to attend.”
“I see.”
He ran a distracted hand over his face, then laughed. “I doubt you do. But at any rate, I appreciate the offer. Will you give me a rain check?”
“Yes, of course.”
He looked at her, into her, and she shivered. His hand came up to cup her cheek. “Aw, Angel, you do know how to drive a man crazy.”
She didn’t know what he meant by that, so she ignored it. “If you’re hungry now, I could make you a sandwich.”
Like a starving man, he grabbed up her offer. “Thank you. Anything is fine. And while I eat, will you tell me more about Grayson, about yourself?”
That seemed like an odd request. As she pulled lunch meat out of the refrigerator, she glanced at him curiously and said, “You know everything there is to know about me.”
“Not true. Tell me about the pregnancy, when you found out—”
Slowly, feeling as if she’d been doused in ice water, Angel turned back to him. She dropped a pack
age of cheese onto the table with a thunk. It was cheese he had bought, so she knew he must like it. “About the pregnancy. Now why would you want details on that?”
Wary now, he shrugged and said, “I’m just curious.”
“I see. Are you trying to verify that Grayson really is yours? Is that why you were so awful when I first called to tell you I was pregnant? You thought I was lying about you being the father?”
“Of course not!”
“You doubted me in your office. You had the nerve to ask me if I was certain.”
His face tightened, his mouth grim. “It was a legitimate question, Angel.” He faltered, looking tormented. “I just wasn’t expecting you to…”
“Legitimate? When you were the only man I’d ever been with?”
There was a heartbeat of silence. “Ever?” His eyebrows rose in incredulous disbelief.
She slapped down a knife on the table. “So you thought once you humiliated me, once you’d used me, I would just willingly jump in bed with another man? You thought I found my one experience with sex so titillating I had to race out for more, and since you weren’t available, I’d take any man who was?”
As she spoke, her voice rose almost to a shout, but it all came back on her, all the pain and mortification. She laughed, but it wasn’t a happy sound. Derek sat staring at her, his expression almost comically blank.
Well, he wasn’t used to hearing her yell. She’d always been meek and agreeable with him, so much so she’d made his objective pathetically easy. He’d overwhelmed her with his bigger-than-life persona, but not anymore. Now she’d changed, thanks to the way he’d screwed up her life. And he had changed as well.
“Believe me, Derek, you were the only one. And once with you was more than enough.”
It was her sneering tone, meant to show him her loathing, only it didn’t work.
She’d started to tremble and Derek was suddenly there, his arms around her, his lips against her temple. “Shh, baby, I’m sorry. So sorry.”
“Just go back to work, Derek. Leave me alone.”
“I can’t do that.” He leaned back, keeping her pelvis pressed to his, but putting space between their upper bodies. “You don’t want me to do that. For whatever reason, Angel, you contacted me.”
She opened her mouth, but she couldn’t think of a single thing to say.
“Shh. It’s all right. You don’t have to tell me now. I’ll wait until you’re ready.”
That he suspected her of having ulterior motives should have alarmed her, but she was just too tired to fight with him. And since she desperately needed his concession, she nodded, relief making her slump against him.
“I was an idiot in the office yesterday. Of course I know you haven’t been with anyone else. Sometimes men just say…stupid things.” He seemed to be floundering for the right words as his hands coasted up and down her back, soothing. “We won’t mention that again, okay?”
Reluctantly, she nodded.
“Good.” He stepped back, but rather than sit at the table again, he began compiling his own sandwich. “I do want to hear everything—no matter how insignificant—that’s happened to you since we’ve been apart.” He gave her a sharp, assessing glance. “I have a lot of catching up to do. All right?”
“Yes.” The distraction of simple conversation would help her regain her balance. She didn’t want to confide in him yet, not until she knew she could trust him with Grayson’s safety. “Yes, I’ll tell you…everything.”
He stayed longer than she would have guessed, and he asked more questions than she could answer. When Grayson awoke, Derek changed the baby, cuddled him for long moments, and when Grayson demanded to be fed, he finally took his leave. But he promised to come back the next day.
And though she was annoyed with herself, Angel already looked forward to his next visit.
CHAPTER FIVE
DINNER SEEMED TO LAST forever. All Dane wanted to do was go home and ponder Angel’s revelation. She’d been a virgin. God, he still felt stunned. And entirely too aroused.
From what she’d told him, she’d only been with Derek once, and that had been a disappointment.
Possessive heat filled him. She hadn’t really belonged to Derek, not the way a woman should, not the way she would belong to him. Guilt plagued him as he considered making her his own while knowing Derek had been her first and only. But with every minute that passed, he felt more determined to tie himself to her. There were numerous reasons, none of them overly honest, but still, they served his purpose.
He adored Grayson, already loving him as if he were his own. Dane had never thought to fit the bill of father—his chance had been lost to him so long ago. But it was precisely because his chance had been lost, and why, that he wanted to protect Grayson. Angel was right to fear his family; they would take over without giving her a single chance if he let them. But her fear also seemed exaggerated and somewhat pointless. Sooner or later they’d find out about the baby. It was inevitable.
He planned to be there when they did, to soothe her fears.
Angel also deserved his protection, and the luxury the Carter name could supply. Whatever else Derek had become, he’d still been a wealthy man. Grayson had a birthright that would pave much of his way in the world. Derek should have seen that Grayson received his due; for reasons of his own, he hadn’t, and Dane was determined to correct the oversight.
He also still believed Angel to be the most likely link in discovering what had happened to his brother. So far, nothing seemed to fit. Derek was capable of some pretty ruthless behavior, but the way he’d treated Angel seemed out of character even for him. Much of the cruelty had been deliberate and unnecessary. Why had Derek done it? And what was the real reason Angel had contacted him again, despite the damn past they shared? There were secrets there, things he had to discover, and that too, was a good reason to stay in touch with Miss Angel Morris.
The biggest reason of all, of course, was the chemistry between them. When he touched Angel, all his senses exploded like never before. And not even the memory of her and Derek’s past experiences could dampen her responses; it was driving him insane.
Damn his brother for complicating things so, for hurting her. And most of all for letting himself get killed. What had Derek been up to?
“Dane?”
Startled out of his ruminations, Dane looked up to see his mother frowning fiercely across the table at him. She did it well, he thought as he speared a bite of asparagus and chewed slowly. Her look was so forbidding that most people immediately apologized even before they knew what they’d done wrong. At sixty, she was still a slim, attractive woman with her light-brown hair stylishly twisted behind her head, and her brown eyes sharp with intelligence. She kept herself in top physical shape; her pride would tolerate no less.
Dane stifled a bored yawn. He’d quit playing his mother’s games long ago. “Did you want something, Mother?”
She pinched her mouth together at his lack of manners and deference due her. “Where in the world is your attention? You haven’t been following the conversation at all.”
Celia smiled toward him. “Do you have a big investigation that’s got you stumped, brother?”
He sent her a chiding glance. Celia had been teasing him about being a P.I. since he’d walked in the door. She’d had the gall to ask him if he carried a spy kit. His sister seemed different than he remembered, more lighthearted, more playful. He liked the changes.
To his surprise, Raymond blurted, “You aren’t still wondering about the Morris woman, are you?”
His mother straightened to attention, jumping on the topic like a dog on a meaty bone. She had plans for Dane, he knew. She’d sat him at the head of the table—a major concession for her, and an indication of what she expected from him in the future. She wouldn’t want any threats to her plans, and his interest in anyone or anything other than the company would certainly be considered a threat.
He hadn’t yet told her of his intentions, or r
ather lack thereof, toward the family and the company. He wanted everything settled first before he dropped his news on her.
“What’s this, Dane?” Her face was alarmingly pale, her eyes flashing. “What’s Raymond talking about?”
“Nothing of any import, Mother. I merely asked Raymond a few questions about Angel Morris. I was curious since Derek had been seeing the woman for a while.”
Celia turned quiet and gave her attention to her food. His mother wasn’t so reserved. Her hands fisted on the table, yet she managed to keep her tone calm. “He wasn’t seeing her, for heaven’s sake. He merely associated with her to ease the effort of the takeover. She was a secretary of sorts, no one important. Certainly no one important to Derek.”
Forcefully keeping his emotions in check, feigning a certain lack of interest, Dane asked, “Do you know what happened to her?”
His mother carefully laid aside her fork, then looked down her nose at him. She sat to his right, Celia and Raymond to his left.
“After she was terminated, you mean? Why would I care?” She made a rude sound of condescension. “You certainly didn’t expect us to employ the woman, did you, not after she gave away company secrets.”
Celia spoke up for the first time, her voice clipped, her expression stern. “I already told you, Mother, Derek stole that information from her.”
Dane felt as though he’d taken a punch on the chin. His mother made an outraged sound and Raymond sat watching them both, his expression somewhat satisfied. He stared at his sister and saw that two spots of bright color had bloomed on her cheeks. “What did you say?”
Celia gave her mother a lingering frown, then turned to face Dane. “Mother persists in making this woman out as a villain, even though I’ve told her repeatedly that it isn’t so. If anything, she was a victim, and we certainly should have employed her in an effort to make amends. Derek explained to me himself that Angel hadn’t volunteered the information to him. He rifled through her personal belongings until he found what he wanted.”