Practicing Parenthood

by Cara Lockwood

  Before she could finish, Collin got a handful of tissues and wet them under the tap, then scrubbed the chair leg—only to have the whole wad disintegrate in his hands. Madison giggled again.

  “I meant a towel. Let me help you.”

  “I don’t need help.” Collin stood and tossed the wet tissues. He went back to the kitchen sink, but Madison was already there with a damp sponge. Before he could do anything else, she knelt down by the chair and began mopping off the pieces of tissue.

  “See? Not so bad.”

  “You don’t need to help. I already told you that.”

  He gazed down at her, at her beautiful dark eyes and the cleavage he could see down the V-neck of her cotton top. Despite his annoyance with Teddy, he felt a surge of attraction. Why did she look so damn ravishing all the time? With her on her knees and him standing... All kinds of dirty thoughts raced through his mind. Oh, what he wanted to do to her. With her. For her. All he wanted to do was lie down with her, cuddle her in his arms, and...not think about the puppy anymore.

  “What’s wrong?” she asked, pausing mid-wipe.

  “You’re just so...damn beautiful.” The truth felt good. She seemed surprised, as if no one had ever told her things like that before. But he couldn’t believe that. He saw the way other men looked at her, the way their eyes followed her around the courtroom.

  “I don’t have any makeup on.”

  “You don’t need any.” Her cheeks looked rosy, her lips eminently kissable.

  Madison self-consciously tucked a stray piece of hair behind one ear. “You’re just saying that.” She stood, swaying awkwardly on her feet. She might be brilliant in the courtroom, but she couldn’t take a compliment to save her life—at least when it came to her appearance. “Besides, I thought that seeing me...that morning...with no makeup was one of the reasons you... Well, you didn’t call.” She squeezed the sponge in her hand and didn’t meet his eyes.

  He felt his gut twist a little. How could she not know the effect she had on him? He guessed he’d bluffed too successfully when he’d acted uninterested before. That was his fault. He’d definitely been interested. She had no idea how hard he’d had to fight not to call her, to ignore her texts. He’d done it through sheer force of will.

  “No. You are gorgeous. With makeup or without.” Collin crossed the kitchen to stand in front of her. “Do you remember the first time we met?”

  “The Addison case,” she said, still not quite meeting his eyes. Did she remember it, too?

  He nodded. “That’s right. It was a case of identity theft. You walked in wearing those sexy heels—the black ones with the strap across the foot? And that burgundy suit. It fit you like a second skin. You looked completely businesslike, but you were...breathtaking. Honestly, you walked into that courtroom and time just stopped for me.”

  Madison laughed a little. “You can’t be serious.”

  “I can. And I am. It’s no joke.”

  Madison studied him warily, as if waiting for him to admit he was kidding. But nothing about this admission was fake.

  “You remember what I wore that day?” she asked him, sounding incredulous.

  “Of course. I remember everything you did and said, every time we were ever in court together.” That was just fact. Madison was not only gorgeous she was whip-smart. Any man who ever met her would know she was the marrying kind. The kind to make a life with. And now, he could, free and clear, and she needed to see that he was sincere about his offer.

  “No, you don’t.” Madison jabbed her hip with one fist.

  “Quiz me.”

  Madison raised an eyebrow in challenge as she flung the sponge in the sink. “The Johnson case.”

  “Gray suit. White shirt. Might have switched to just skirt and shirt by day three.”

  Madison studied him, as if unsure herself about what she’d worn. “How about Abbott?”

  “Black pencil skirt. Pink blouse.”

  Collin moved closer to Madison. She didn’t flee.

  “Chambers?” she asked him.

  “Was that the money launderer?”

  She nodded.

  “Red blouse. Black pants. Black boots.”

  Madison’s mouth dropped. “You do remember almost every outfit. How is that...”

  “Because I liked looking at you.” Collin grinned as he moved closer to Madison, so now they were both leaning against the kitchen sink.

  “So you mentally cataloged my wardrobe?” Madison seemed genuinely shocked.

  “I appreciate beauty in my environment.”

  “What did I wear yesterday, then?”

  Collin squinted. “Cutoff jean shorts. White tank.”

  “Day before that?”

  He could feel the electricity zipping between them. They had chemistry. He knew it existed, but he’d never experienced it on this level. Being near Madison felt like taking a drug he couldn’t get enough of; somehow his senses were always overloaded by her scent, her touch, the way she flipped her dark hair off her shoulder.

  “Pink flowered sundress.” He moved a little closer. Now he could smell the scent of her shampoo, the hint of jasmine.

  “And the day before that?”

  Collin stood so close she had to crane her neck to meet his gaze. “The day before that,” he said, “you were naked in my bed.”

  She didn’t move. He wanted her naked in his bed again. He reached out and put his hand on the small of her back, and then he lowered his head and kissed her, his tongue searching for hers as she melted into him. He felt every curve of her body, his own body coming alive as she wrapped her fingers around the back of his neck. He lifted her up onto the counter, and she devoured his mouth.

  Distantly, he heard a scratching on the patio door.

  Madison broke free of their kiss.

  “It’s Teddy,” she breathed. “Should we...”

  “He’s fine where he is,” Collin growled, picking Madison up and carrying her to the couch. He couldn’t wait any longer. Two days without this was already far too long. The dog could stay on the porch forever if he could keep tasting Madison. He just couldn’t get enough of her.

  He pushed up the hem of her dress, feeling the soft skin of her upper thighs. He tugged off her thin cotton panties and then stepped out of his shorts. He dove inside her, hungry, greedy, eager to be where he knew he belonged. She arched her back as he took her on the couch, pushing against him in a way that nearly made him lose his resolve. He’d make her come first, and then he’d finish. He wanted to see the joy on her face.

  He started placing kisses down the side of her neck and she moaned in pleasure. Oh, but he loved this woman. He wanted her to be his—now and always. She breathed heavily beneath him, moaning again, and he could feel her need growing, her want, as he moved faster.

  “Collin,” she murmured, his name like an aphrodisiac on her tongue.

  Oh, how he wanted to hear that again and again. She clutched at his back, fingernails digging into his shoulders as if she feared she’d fly away from him in that moment. He went deeper, harder.

  “Yes, that’s it. Come for me,” he murmured in her ear. She cried out in pleasure, tightening against him, riding wave after wave of ecstasy. He felt alive, every nerve ending in his body satisfied as she tumbled into oblivion, her face reflecting pure wonder.

  “Oh,” she cried. “Oh, Collin. I... I love you.”

  The word hit him like a ton of bricks.

  Did she say she loved him?

  “What did you...” But she grabbed his neck and pulled him down, kissing him so hard he nearly lost his breath. Then she wrapped his legs around him and her motion became too much to resist. He came with a shout, unable to contain himself any longer.

  “Maddie, I love you, too,” he said in her hair.

  “I didn’t mean to say that,” she murmured,
still breathing heavily.

  “But you did, so now I’ve said it, too.”

  He lay unmoving on top of her, their breathing and their heartbeats the only sounds until Teddy scraped one paw against the screen door.

  “That dog,” grumbled Collin, pushing himself up on his elbows. He glared at the puppy barking in front of the screen, pressing his snout against it.

  “He wants to come in.”

  “I don’t want to get up.”

  “Well, I’ll let him in, then.” Madison pushed at him but he wasn’t about to budge.

  “Who says I’m done with you?” Collin pulled her closer to him. Madison giggled and then tickled him between the ribs. He shouted and rolled off her. She walked to the patio door and let in the little mood-wrecker. Teddy skipped in, happy to be inside. He trotted over to the coffee table and sniffed a leg.

  “I hope you’re worth it,” Collin told the dog. “Lucky for you, I’m in a pretty good mood right now, thanks to your mama.”

  “Well, considering you just lost our bet, you might have to rethink that,” Madison said.

  “What do you mean?” Collin stood and yanked on his shorts.

  “I helped you. You accepted my help. I win.”

  Collin realized she was right, but he didn’t like it. “Oh, come here, you,” he said as he chased her around the living room. She squealed and took off running, and Teddy thought it was the best game of his life. He joined in, happily romping after both of them.

  The doorbell rang.

  Collin stopped, feeling suddenly tense. But then he figured, Jimmy Reese wouldn’t ring the doorbell. Madison stopped, too, and bent down to pick up Teddy.

  Collin was careful to look through the side window before opening the front door. He saw Yvana there on the stoop, as well as two burly guys in polo shirts. The plainclothes cops. That was some timing, he thought. Five minutes earlier and it might’ve been awkward.

  He swung the door open.

  “Hey, Collin,” Yvana said. “These lovely gentlemen are here to see you.” She glanced back and forth between them, clearly not sure she approved.

  “Thanks, Yvana,” Collin said, as Yvana nodded and headed back to her golf cart. “Come on in, guys.”

  CHAPTER SIXTEEN

  MADISON WATCHED THE plainclothes cops set their suitcases inside the foyer.

  “I’m Mark Hernandez,” said the bald, heavy-set one in his mid-forties. He was tall, a little soft in the middle, with a receding hairline, but his handshake had a vice-like grip.

  “Hi, Mark,” Madison said. She remembered him from when he’d given testimony in court. During the Jimmy Reese case, actually. He’d been the investigating detective, the one who’d interviewed the ex-girlfriend Reese had abused, the woman who’d testified about his many connections to white hate groups.

  “This is my partner, Steve Hillard.” Mark nodded to the taller, broader and blonder Steve, who seemed to be a man of few words; he just gave her a quick nod as he set the suitcase down in the foyer.

  Madison bit her lower lip, the Jimmy-threat was suddenly far too real now that she had two off-duty police officers as bodyguards. She was happy to have them there, but wished they didn’t need to be.

  “We’re just here as a precaution,” Mark said, as if reading her mind. “Don’t you worry, because he probably won’t even make it this far. Cons like him, they let hate blind them. They make mistakes.”

  Madison hugged Teddy closer to her chest, and Collin stepped over and put a protective arm around her shoulders. She leaned into him. Teddy whined softly and then nestled his head into the crook of Madison’s elbow. The dog seemed to automatically sense her moods; he was trying to comfort her by pressing his wet nose into her arm.

  “I hope so,” Madison said.

  “I’ve been on the force for fifteen years, so I know what I’m talking about.” Mark had warm brown eyes and a fatherly disposition that made Madison feel reassured. He looked like a man who could get things done. “So, this is your house or your uncle’s?”

  Collin explained the current living situation, and Mark and Steve then went about canvasing the perimeters of both Collin’s rental and Uncle Rashad’s house. Madison continued to hug Teddy to her chest, even as the little dog whined and kicked his legs, eager to get down and trot after the new bodyguards.

  “Teddy, they’ve got a job to do, so you let them be,” Madison whispered. “They’re here to work.” The puppy snuggled against her.

  “Have you notified any officials on the island?” Mark asked them, while his partner checked all the doors and windows, looking for weak spots. “About Reese?”

  “The club manager, Yvana, has his picture, and so do the ferry captains,” Madison said. “We’ve also sent out notices to the full-time residents to be on the lookout.”

  “Yeah, a scumbag like Jimmy with a big Nazi neck tattoo would stick out around here,” Collin added.

  Mark nodded. “We heard he called you.” He studied Madison.

  “Yes. I don’t know where he got my personal cell number, but he did.”

  Even though Mark kept a solid poker face, Madison was sure he didn’t like that bit of information. Madison didn’t, either. If he had her phone number, he might have other information.

  “And...” Mark cleared his throat. “It’s none of my business, but...” He looked uncomfortable as he glanced from Madison to Collin. “But you want to tell me why the prosecutor and the defense attorney on this case happen to be vacationing together?”

  Madison felt her face go beet red.

  “She’s my fiancée,” Collin announced, putting his arm around her again.

  Madison didn’t protest the word. Fiancée sure sounded better than “We had a drunken one-night stand and I knocked her up! Congratulate us. We’re going to be parents!”

  Mark eyed them both, clearly understanding that there was more to this story than either was telling, but decided to let it go. Madison hugged Teddy to her chest, almost like a shield.

  “How long have you...”

  “Since the Jimmy Reese case, actually,” Collin said easily. They both realized how short a time that was. Once again, Madison felt her face flame. Two months, and they were already engaged? What else could that be but a pregnancy? Yet, Mark didn’t let on that he’d put the pieces together.

  He nodded slowly. “Does Jimmy know?”

  Collin and Madison looked at each other. “No,” she said. “I mean, I don’t think so.”

  “I’m just saying, if that crazy man thought you two had a thing going, it would fuel his conspiracy theories.” Mark folded his bulky arms across his chest. “He’d figure you two worked together to set him up. Not that he needed anybody’s help. That maniac did enough damage all on his own.”

  Madison felt a shiver run down her spine. She hadn’t thought of it that way before, but if he did know...he’d be even angrier with her than he already was. He’d hate her more, if that was possible. She remembered his dead-eyed stare. Collin put his arm protectively around her, giving her shoulders a squeeze.

  “He can think what he wants,” Collin said, “but he’s got twenty years to serve, and I intend to see that he serves his sentence in full.” Madison loved the look in his eyes, determined and stoic. A man not to be messed with.

  “Me, too.” Mark nodded at Collin, and a promise seemed to pass silently between the two men. They were equally committed to seeing Jimmy back behind bars. He glanced up at the staircase. “I think it’s best if you stay in the rental for now, and Steve and I will take Mr. Reddy’s house.”

  “Keep us informed when you come and go. Here are both our numbers,” Mark said, giving Collin a business card. “We have your numbers from the prosecutor’s office, so we think we’re good. Do these look right?”

  He showed Collin his phone with numbers programmed in. Madison recognized h
ers right away and nodded. “Yvana gave us keys to your place as well as ours. Otherwise, we’ll try not to infringe on your vacation too much.”

  “Thanks,” Collin said. The officer retreated with his silent partner, Steve, to the porch. Madison watched out the window as they descended the stairs and then went to her uncle’s house. The lights came on inside and she sighed.

  “You’ll be safer with them staying next door,” Collin said, as if sensing her hesitation.

  “I know, but...” Madison put Teddy down and he sniffed the floor where the officers had been standing. “But I guess having them here makes it harder to forget that Jimmy’s coming.”

  “He probably won’t even make it this far,” Collin said. “Remember what Mark said? They’re just here as a precaution. That’s all. He could’ve been at the beach, whatever beach, for any number of reasons. We can’t assume he knows your uncle has a house here or that you’d be in it.”

  “True,” Madison agreed, although she still felt the knot of fear tightening in her stomach. Teddy licked her hand. She reached down and patted his head with her free hand. “I just want this over. I want him to be caught.”

  Collin pulled her and Teddy into his arms. “I know. Me, too,” he whispered in her ear, and then hugged her tightly to him, a gesture that felt warm and protective all at once. Madison leaned into him, grateful for the contact, even as Teddy whined between them, stuck in the middle of a group hug. Suddenly, she felt tears spring to her eyes. Crying? Again? God, she hated these pregnancy hormones.

  She sniffed and pulled away from him, wiping at her eyes.

  “Are you crying?” he asked.

  “No,” she lied.

  “Are you okay?”

  “Yes. It’s just...the pregnancy,” she said with a sigh.

  Collin shook his head and laughed. “You’re allowed to feel things, you know.”

  “Am I?”

  “You keep everything so tightly wrapped up. So contained. It’s okay to let loose once in a while.” Collin caressed her chin with one finger.

  “Says Mr. Control-Freak-Prosecutor.”

  “I’m not a control freak,” Collin exclaimed. And Madison just threw her head back and laughed as she gave his arm a playful shove.