by Kristi Gold
“She wants me to teach her how to play the piano.”
“Absolutely out of the question.”
“Why?”
“She’s too young.” Too much like her mother.
Kristina’s gaze didn’t waver. “On the contrary, she’s exactly the right age. I taught her a few notes this afternoon and she picked them up right away. She has a gift.”
Exactly like her mother, Drew thought. If he consented to the lessons, he would be forcing Kristina further into his daughter’s life, into his life. If he didn’t, he might be denying Amanda a chance to hone that gift, exactly what he’d done to Talia. “I’ll think about that, too.” And he would, seriously, but not now. Not with Kristina looking at him expectantly, kindness in her eyes, not judgment, regardless of how he’d treated her.
She sent him a hesitant smile. “All I’m asking, all that Amanda’s asking, is for you to give her a chance to learn.”
Drew took another moment to study Kristina, an insightful, remarkable woman whose beauty radiated from the inside out. A woman who didn’t back down when it came to something she believed in, and she obviously believed in Amanda.
She was nothing like Talia, and maybe that was what he found so appealing. Talia had been self-absorbed, sophisticated, young. Kristina was unselfish, untainted, wise.
Drew couldn’t seem to stop the need to take her in his arms, hold her, thank her for considering his daughter’s well-being. But he did stop it, with a lot of effort.
His earlier reaction when he’d discovered Kristina at the piano only served to remind him that he had too much emotional baggage for a woman as inherently good as Kristina Simmons to handle. She didn’t deserve his problems, his inability to commit. He didn’t deserve someone like her.
On that thought, he turned away. He had to leave Kristina before he did something really inadvisable, like kiss her from gratitude, from a desire that didn’t make any sense. He couldn’t do that and still maintain his emotional bearings.
“Where are you going?” she called after him in that raspy voice of hers, the one responsible for the sudden spear of heat launching through him.
“I’m going to apologize to Amanda.”
And after that, he planned to retire to his study and try to retrieve those blasted e-mails. While he was at it, he might as well make a list of demands. Contrived demands he would present to Kristina that would make her think twice about getting seriously involved with him. Maybe then she would get out of his life, if not out of his head.
“What are you doing?”
Kristina pivoted from the stove and met Drew’s steady gaze. She turned down the heat under the burner, but the room was still very warm, thanks to Drew’s presence.
Leaning back against the counter, she said, “I thought I’d make some dinner for us. I assumed you’d probably be too tired to go out.”
He rubbed a hand over his nape and stared at the floor. “I hope you aren’t making too much. Amanda will be eating at the party.”
Some of the weight lifted from Kristina’s heart. Father and daughter had apparently made amends this afternoon. “Then you’re going to let her go?”
“Yeah. And she talked me into letting her spend the night. She has a knack for doing that kind of thing.”
Kristina couldn’t hold back the smile. “She’ll have a wonderful time, Drew.”
“I guess so,” he said, followed by a long sigh.
“She’ll be fine. Remember, it’s just a slumber party, not her first date.”
Drew groaned. “Did you have to remind me of that?”
“Sorry, but life goes on whether we want it to or not. Children grow up.”
“Too fast.” Drew strolled to the stove and lifted the lid on the pan. “What are you making?”
“German potato salad.”
He raised an eyebrow after closing the lid. “German, huh?”
“Yes, my grandmother’s recipe. I come from good German stock on my father’s side.” And inherited a solid German build from her father’s mother, although Kristina could swear there was some Amazon thrown in somewhere.
“Do you see your family often?” Drew asked.
Kristina shook her head. “Not in a while. My father passed away a few years back. My mother and I don’t talk that often.”
Drew frowned. “Problems?”
“No, not really. She’s very busy taking care of my sister Carina’s two children.” Dear Carina, whose body naturally repelled fat.
“I can’t imagine not staying in touch with your family.”
No, he probably couldn’t, Kristina thought, considering how close he was to his own family. But he probably hadn’t endured constant criticism of things he had no power over, like his natural build. Kristina had. Her mother had meant well, and she hadn’t been exactly cruel, but their conversations had always been the same.
Kristina, honey, are you watching your weight? Kristina, I found a new diet you might want to try. Kristina, how do you expect to find a boyfriend unless you take care of yourself?
In other words, how would Kristina ever get a man unless she starved herself?
Kristina had tried to diet in the past, but she wasn’t genetically inclined to be small, so she had finally resigned herself to the fact that she would simply have to learn to live with her body type. Unfortunately, her mother never had.
Kristina stirred the potatoes with a vengeance, with the force of resurrected resentment. “I still call her now and then when I have the opportunity.”
“Feel free to call while you’re here,” Drew said, then added, “Sunday would be best. Cheaper rates.”
Cheaper rates? Odd, Kristina thought, considering Drew was anything but destitute. “Okay. Thank you.”
Drew surveyed the stove again. “What else are we having?”
At the moment, Kristina was having a strong urge to hug him since he looked so great. “I found a couple of steaks in the freezer. I have them ready for the broiler.”
“I want mine medium rare.”
“So do I, so that’s not a problem.”
Something else they had in common. This was going better than she’d expected, with the exception of the piano incident. She certainly understood his reticence in that respect. From now on she would tread lightly when it came to his personal space, at least until they knew each other better.
He leaned a hip against the counter and faced her. “I’m surprised you found anything to prepare. My housekeeper only comes in two days a week and she has her hands full with her regular duties, so I haven’t restocked in a while. And Amanda’s nanny wasn’t much of a shopper beyond frozen dinners and pizza.”
“I can do some shopping tomorrow afternoon. I’ll take Amanda with me.”
He shrugged. “Fine by me. She’ll probably enjoy that.”
“Which reminds me,” Kristina said. “Your grandfather told me you’re without a nanny at the moment.”
“Yeah. I’ll contact the agency first thing Monday morning. Meanwhile, my grandmother will keep an eye on Mandy.”
“Is that really necessary since I’m here?”
His smile appeared, only halfway, but at least it was a smile. “I don’t know. Is it?”
“I don’t mind looking after Amanda, at least until school starts. And even then, I’ll be off work in time to pick her up.”
“Work?”
“Yes. My new job at the Montessori school about twenty minutes from here. Remember?”
He hesitated as if carefully choosing his response, then stated sternly, “I prefer my wife not work outside the home.”
“But that’s not what you said in the—”
“E-mail, I know. I changed my mind.”
“Just like that?”
“Yeah. Is there a problem?”
Oh, yes. A big problem. “I love my job, Drew.” She loved being with children who didn’t pass judgment on her because of her size. “I’m not one to sit at home doing nothing.”
“Believe me,
you’ll have plenty to do.”
“Such as?”
He inched a little closer. “Laundry. I like my shirts ironed with nice creases.”
“What, no cleaners around here?”
“Yes, but they don’t do them the way I like. I’m very particular.”
Obviously he’d never heard of permanent press. But gosh, he smelled great, looked gorgeous. That alone was worth ironing a dozen or so shirts, at least until she could find a suitable dry cleaner. “No problem. I like to iron. Getting those creases just right makes me feel like I’ve really accomplished something.” She couldn’t contain her sarcasm.
“And the house. It’s big. Lots of upkeep.”
“I thought you said you have a housekeeper.”
He paused as if considering that for a moment. “Yeah, right now. But I’ll probably fire her after our wedding. Save a little money.”
From the looks of the house, she assumed he probably had a fortune to spare. Funny, she wouldn’t have pegged Drew as a penny-pincher, but that frugality could explain his obvious wealth. Not a bad trait, Kristina decided, since she’d been brought up to be conservative in her spending. “Shall I do the lawn, too?” she teased.
“No, I have a service. You wouldn’t have enough time to do the lawn. But then again—” he rubbed a hand over his jaw “—you maybe could work that in. I’ll have to think on it.”
Was this some kind of a joke? A test? Kristina couldn’t tell from the noncommittal expression on Drew’s face. She suspected he wasn’t serious, so she’d play along for now. “I can handle a mower. I used to shred pasture to earn extra money when I was in high school.”
He suddenly looked thoughtful, as if really considering having her mow and prune. “The lawn’s not that big, so you could probably handle it. And we can’t forget my social life. Lots of parties. The Connellys love to give parties.”
Oh, joy. “I suppose that means we’ll be entertaining.”
“Of course.”
“Anything else?” As if that wasn’t enough.
“Yeah. The most important thing.”
Hopefully this didn’t entail working on his car, although, thanks to her dad, the mechanic, she’d learned to change oil and tires. Not that she dared mention that to Drew. “What important thing?”
He slid closer until she could count every dark lash framing his crystal-blue eyes, every whisker blanketing his evening-shadowed jaw. “Kids. Lots of ’em. My mother had eight, so I think that’s a good number to start with.”
To start with? “You didn’t mention that to me.”
“I didn’t say anything in the e-mail because I didn’t want to scare you off.”
He was doing a pretty darned good job of it now. But Kristina refused to be that easily intimidated. After all, the process of making babies with Drew wasn’t an unpleasant prospect. Not in the least. Still, she hoped to convince him that moderation might be favorable to having a litter, if this worked out between them.
She patted her hips and watched his eyes follow the movement. “That’s why I have these. I’m sure I’ll have no trouble accommodating lots of babies.”
And I hope you’ll be able to take off the excess weight when the time comes, Kristina. Darn her mother.
“Then, eight kids it is,” Drew said with a victorious smile.
Kristina had the sneaking suspicion that she might have gravely misjudged Drew Connelly, and not in a good way. But she firmly believed that people had the capacity for change, and that included Slave Driver Drew. At least he hadn’t mentioned putting her on a diet. That would have had her heading out the door in record time.
“So let me get this straight,” she said. “If we decide to get married, I’m to do all the household chores, entertain, have at least eight babies and do the lawn?”
His smile cracked wide open. “Okay, you can forget about the lawn.”
She laid a dramatic hand across her chest, relieved to realize that he probably was teasing her. “I am so glad. I don’t think that would be a very pretty sight, me pushing a lawn mower barefoot and pregnant.”
“It’s a riding mower.” He reached out and stroked his knuckles down her cheek. “I’d want to get started right away.”
“On the lawn?”
“On getting you pregnant.”
Her breath hitched hard in her chest. “You don’t mean tonight, do you?”
His grin was wicked and incredibly sexy. “Now, that’s a thought.”
A long silence passed between them as he cupped her cheek and rubbed one calloused thumb back and forth over her jaw. He inclined his head and surveyed her face, centering his gaze on her lips. Then slowly, slowly, he lowered his head….
“Daddy! Kristina!”
They both stepped back and turned simultaneously toward the kitchen entrance just as Amanda came running in, a little purple suitcase clutched in her hand.
Thank heavens for the interruption, Kristina thought. Otherwise she might have found herself in the middle of conception in the kitchen. Not a good thing for a six-year-old to witness, not to mention she wasn’t ready for that to happen yet, no matter how persuasive Drew could be. Not until she knew for a fact that he did care for her. That there really could be a future for them both. That he wasn’t really serious in his demands.
“Are you ready, big girl?” Kristina asked with a grin that matched Amanda’s.
She nodded her head with a jerk. “Yes, ma’am.”
“Did you pack your toothbrush?”
Amanda patted the case. “In here. And my pajamas and two shirts and some jeans and my bear, Bubba.”
Drew ruffled Amanda’s hair. “Sounds like you’re ready, sweetheart, so let’s get going or we’ll be late.”
“Dinner should be ready by the time you get back,” Kristina told Drew.
He checked the clock on the oven. “Good. I like to eat at six-thirty on the dot.”
Kristina might have saluted had Amanda not held out her arms and said, “Goodbye kiss, Kristina.”
Kristina crouched down, kissed the little girl’s cheek and accepted one in return. “Have fun, okay?”
Amanda pulled back, her eyes shining with excitement. “I will. You make sure Daddy isn’t lonely, okay?”
Oh, heavens. “I’ll see what I can do.”
“Where’s my kiss?”
Kristina glanced up to see Drew holding out his arms to his daughter. Amanda pointed to her lips. “Right on the smacker, Big Daddy.”
Drew pulled Amanda up into his strong arms and sent noisy kisses all over her face until he had her giggling without mercy. Kristina looked on, thinking there was something inherently good about a man who loved his daughter so very much, even a demanding man.
Sliding her back to her feet, Drew took Amanda’s hand. “Is that enough kisses for now, sweetheart?”
“Uh-huh. You have to save some for later.”
“You bet.”
Amanda looked at Drew, then at Kristina, then back at Drew. “You have to save some kisses for Kristina, too, Daddy.”
Kristina’s pulse skittered when Drew pinned her in place with eyes that darkened to a deep blue. “You’re right, Mandy. I’ll have to save some kisses for Kristina.”
Four
“Well, darn.”
Drew wondered what had Kristina suddenly so discouraged, since he hadn’t been able to discourage her in the least. At dinner she’d been as cordial as ever and had kept the topic focused on Amanda, not once mentioning his list of demands. Not that he’d meant any of them. He hadn’t meant to almost kiss her, either. He’d really wanted to, though. He still did. But he wouldn’t. Not yet.
“What’s wrong?” he asked as he joined her on the sofa and slid his mug of coffee onto the table before them.
She folded the newspaper in neat creases and tossed it next to his cup. “Wrestling’s not on tonight. They’re showing some kind of documentary on the history of beer. I guess we’ll have to find something else to do.”
Drew cou
ld think of several things to do with Kristina, including a few of his own wrestling moves, but he figured none would be considered acceptable to her.
“We could watch a movie,” he offered. A cartoon, he decided, because if he brought out a film that was the least bit suggestive, he might make good on his conception suggestion. Not that he wanted more kids. Mandy was all he would ever need. Still, he wouldn’t mind rehearsing with Kristina, and he had to get that out of his head immediately before he took her down for the count on the sofa.
At the moment, Kristina wasn’t helping his predicament at all. She’d changed into an oversize pale yellow T-shirt and black leggings, a relatively innocuous outfit, but Drew wasn’t feeling the least bit innocent tonight.
She faced him and tucked one leg beneath her, her arm draped over the back of the couch. “You know, we could forgo the TV altogether and talk.”
Talk? The woman was amazing. After what he’d said to her earlier, he was surprised she was speaking to him at all. But nothing he’d done or said to this point had seemed to faze her. Neither did the fact that the T-shirt she wore slipped off her shoulders, giving Drew a nice glimpse of tanned bare skin. He sure as hell couldn’t claim that wasn’t affecting him. And right now he wasn’t sure he could carry on a decent conversation when he was having some pretty indecent thoughts. But he’d better try.
“What do you want to talk about?” he asked, fighting the urge to let his gaze linger on her breasts outlined by the thin fabric.
She gave him a bare-shouldered shrug. “Things we didn’t cover in the e-mails, I guess.”
He’d definitely have to guess about that, especially after discovering Lilly had learned a lot during his absence, including how to use the delete button. He hadn’t found even one of the e-mails, so again he was jumping into rough waters, totally blind. “What haven’t we covered?”
She tilted her head, one dark brow raised in a question mark. “What were you like in high school?”
“Very serious.”
“About what?”
