Lucky 7 Bad Boys Contemporary Romance Boxed Set

by Pineiro, Charity

  He watched her arrange the pillows in a line on the floor and then lie down on her side next to them, bending her top arm and leg over their soft bulk. It was as close to being on her stomach as a more-than-seven-months-pregnant woman could manage. She turned her head and looked up at him, smiling. Her eyes sparkled in the dim light, and his heart almost broke.

  This was his Fire Eyes. The woman he'd gladly lie down with and spend the rest of his life loving. How could this woman and that other woman—the one who'd heartlessly abandoned him and thought about doing the same to their child—be one and the same?

  Sadly, he returned her smile, then followed Linda's instructions and took his place behind her. His head shot up at the teacher's next word.

  Massage.

  He was expected to give Rini a back rub. He felt his wits slip precariously. It had been bad enough running his hands over her stomach. But at least he'd had the baby to concentrate on. Now there would be nothing but Rini under his hands.

  This was not at all what he'd expected from a childbirth class. He remembered countless TV sitcoms depicting the crazy antics of hyperventilating expectant couples.

  Linda effectively quashed that image, firmly declaring that Bradley moms did not breathe, they relaxed. She next instructed everyone to visualize the cresting waves of a beautiful ocean and to imagine the waves as contractions. The moms were supposed to float over the pain on a visual cushion of conscious relaxation. Yeah, right. His own role in that process would be to watch for and alert Rini to signs of tension, to massage her aching muscles in between contractions and to whisper loving words of encouragement when she didn't think she could go on.

  Sounded simple enough. Until he laid his hands on her, and drew a long, shuddering sigh from deep inside her. Aw, hell. How could a red-blooded man possibly resist a reaction like that to his touch? It brought to mind the time she'd had an even more potent reaction to him—the first time he'd thrust himself deep inside her. The memory of her sweet physical disintegration coursed through his blood and heated him as nothing else could have.

  He gently brushed her hair over her shoulder and leaned into his sensual task. While Linda timed simulated contractions, Rini visualized relaxing through them. In-between, Cole's hands found the sensitive muscles in her back and sides, and his mouth murmured words meant to soothe and reassure. Words that, in his present mood, quickly took on a sensual edge.

  Her body warmed under his hands, and a light flush settled on her cheeks. Rather than slow, her heartbeat picked up, the pulse in her graceful neck throbbing erratically. He felt her body arch imperceptibly under his fingers, and a breathless sound came from her throat. Her eyes flew open for a second and she frowned, no doubt reminding herself to concentrate on the exercise.

  He took it as a delicious challenge to break down her resolve not to surrender to the spell of his fingers. It didn't take long to melt her resistance into soft moans of pleasure.

  God, he wanted her.

  Chapter Eight

  Rini couldn't bring herself to look at Cole during the ride back home. Her body was on fire. Her mind was horrified. How could she have let this happen? Honest to God, she'd tried to resist him. She'd done everything possible to ignore his sensual caresses, to concentrate on imaginary contractions. But he'd seemed to know exactly where and how to touch her to make her completely forget it was just an exercise.

  Every nerve ending still hummed. She glanced down at her breasts—their peaks tight knots of longing at the vivid memory of how good his hands felt on her—wishing those hands would touch her there again. Her body shivered in frustration.

  "Cold?" Cole glanced over at her from behind the wheel, his gaze guarded. "I can turn up the heat."

  She nearly choked. No argument there. "No. I'm plenty warm enough, thanks." But she was just plain dreaming if she thought he had any interest in her beyond the physical. His carefully neutral expression spoke volumes.

  She sighed. It was just as well. Any attraction to Cole was undoubtedly just her heart grasping at a last, desperate straw—hoping there was some way she could have this baby without sacrificing both her and her son's futures in the process. But her future wasn't going to be with Cole, and she knew it.

  Even if she did believe his story about the women at the powwow, she still didn't want a man who didn't even pretend to love her holding her happiness in his hands. But right now she wasn't totally convinced she didn't want him holding her body in them.

  He pulled into the driveway. She struggled out of the car, its low-slung lines reminiscent of the bottomless easy chair in Alexa's living room. Gratefully, Rini accepted his helping hand when he came around.

  "I'll bring in the pillows."

  "Thanks." She put a hand to her back and stretched her spine. She had to admit, Cole's massage had felt heavenly even on a purely therapeutic level. Her muscles felt more relaxed now than they had in ages. "And thanks for the back rub. It was wonderful."

  His grin was suddenly wicked. "My pleasure."

  Fumbling for the keys in her purse, she felt her cheeks grow warm.

  He hoisted the giant bag of pillows and followed her to the staircase leading up to her garage apartment. "I'll take them upstairs for you."

  She hesitated, glancing up the steps. She wasn't sure she wanted Cole up there, even for a moment. The image of him standing in her private space, perhaps wandering around, touching her personal things...well, it was just too intimate. Once that image was branded into her brain, it would be impossible to get rid of.

  "Key?"

  On the other hand, the thought of hauling the huge bag of pillows up those stairs didn't appeal to her, either. Reluctantly, she handed him her keys and trailed after him, hanging well back. She just wouldn't go in. That way she wouldn't see him in there. Yeah, that would work.

  When she made it to the open door at the top of the landing, she couldn't help herself. She peeked in. He was inside the one-room apartment, leaning casually against her bedpost and looking hopelessly sexy in his simple white T-shirt, his thumbs stuck in the pockets of his snug jeans. His gaze sought out her hands as they unconsciously supported her lower back, kneading the muscles with her fingertips.

  He jerked his chin at her. "You having back problems?"

  Instinctively, she yanked her hands away from her back. "Um. Yeah. Just a little. Something to do with being pregnant, the doctor tells me." She smiled wryly.

  His answering smile was warm. Almost sultry. He stretched out a hand to her. "Come here. I'll finish the massage. We hardly got started before it was time to go."

  She took a step back, bumping into a baluster. "I don't think…" Immediately, she regretted her choice of words. She half expected him to murmur "Don't think. Just feel"—the fateful words that had started this whole thing nearly eight months ago. "That wouldn't be a very good idea."

  He pushed off the bedpost and came toward her, then halted. His eyes darkened to black, reflecting some inner struggle. Suddenly, his expression changed, falling back into the studied neutral it had been in the car. "No. I don't suppose it would."

  She bit back a stab of disappointment, telling herself this was the way she wanted it. The way it had to be. "Thank you for coming tonight."

  He touched the front of his T-shirt in that seeking gesture he occasionally made. "I enjoyed the class," he said. "Not what I expected, that's for sure."

  "I'm sorry about Valerie and Liz."

  "Don't worry about it. I think I won them over by the end of class."

  Looking away, she ran her hand along the stair railing. "They weren't the only ones," she said softly.

  He narrowed his gaze on her, and she could feel the wariness in it, but he remained silent. His eyes fell to the baby in her belly. He stepped closer and reached a tentative hand toward her cheek, but pulled it back before he touched her. "I want to help you any way I can. I'll pay for—"

  She shook her head. "No. I'll manage."

  Sighing, he drew her into the room, into hi
s arms. "I don't want you to just manage." He tipped up her chin to look into her eyes. "I want to help. This is my baby, too, Rini."

  Their lips met before she realized he was going to kiss her. His mouth was soft and warm and gently persuasive. She found herself melting into his embrace, reveling in the strength and comfort she felt there. If only she could let her guard down and allow herself to lean on him.

  He angled his mouth over hers, easing her head to his shoulder as he kissed her. His body snugged up to the side of her stomach, enveloping her in his heat.

  Even as her traitorous body surrendered, her mind protested. Why was he doing this?

  Could it be...perhaps he…? His hand moved over her breast and she shivered at his sensual touch.

  No! This was still madness. She had made this same mistake—letting herself be swept away by the sheer virility of this man—one too many times. Kissing him would solve nothing. As tempting as it was, getting physically involved with Colton Lonetree would just be inviting trouble.

  She couldn't do this to herself again.

  "Cole, stop," she whispered. She needed time to think.

  "Oh, baby, I want you so much." He covered her mouth with his once again, murmuring, "Please don't tell me no."

  Suddenly, footsteps pounded to the top of the stairs and Alexa's voice sang out, "Rini, do you want to— Oops."

  In a haze of desire and confusion, Rini sought the source of the disturbance and saw Alexa halt in the doorway. She glanced uncertainly at Cole.

  "I was just leaving," he mumbled, and before Rini knew what was happening, he'd dropped her arms and moved stiffly past Alexa onto the landing. He gave her a rueful look. "Rini, call me. We need to talk."

  Coming slowly to her senses, she shook her head. "No. I don't think so."

  He halted. "What are you saying?"

  "It would be better if we didn't see each other again until after the baby's born." Better to have a clean break and be done with it. "I'll be pretty busy until then."

  He frowned, his expression stormy. "I don't agree, Rini," he said firmly. "I'm going to call."

  With that he was down the stairs faster than she could catch her breath.

  Alexa's voice broke into her disconcertion. "Sorry, Rin."

  A lump caught in Rini's throat. "Don't be. I think you just saved me from myself." Unconsciously, she lifted a finger to her lips and touched them. Realizing what she was doing, she jerked her hand away.

  Unconditional love and understanding shone in her sister's eyes. "Forget him. You don't need him, Rin."

  "I'm just so afraid." Afraid of what was happening to her life. More afraid of the tempestuous feelings surfacing in her for the man who was the cause of it all.

  "I know, hon."

  "I don't think I can do this."

  "You can do it. You have me, Sis. And Brad and Kenny. You'll always have us."

  Rini went into her sister's arms, wishing like hell they were Cole's instead. Hating herself for wishing for thee impossible.

  "I love you, Al."

  "I love you, too, Rin."

  * * *

  "So what are you going to do?"

  Cole paced in front of Tanya, who sat in his living room armchair watching him wear tracks in his already threadbare rug. He clamped his teeth together, trying in vain not to drown in the deluge of guilt and frustration that flooded over him.

  "I don't know, T. But she has no real way to support herself after she has the baby, and she can't finish school if she's taking care of him all day. What kind of a jerk would I be if I didn't help her out?"

  "What brought all this on?"

  "Guilt." He let out a humorless laugh. "Fine. I kissed her."

  "Well, no wonder she's not speaking to you."

  "Very funny, T." He stopped pacing and jammed his hands in his pockets. He looked plaintively at his cousin. "I want my son, Tanya. I don't want to lose him because I messed up and pushed myself on her."

  She put out her hand and grasped his arm. "I'm certain Rini won't keep you from seeing him once he's born."

  "How can you be so damned sure?"

  "Your parental rights."

  "Yeah, okay. But I want to see her now."

  Tanya's brow lifted. "Why?"

  He scowled. "Hell if I know."

  "Does this mean you're giving her another chance?"

  "Another chance for what?" His stomach clenched involuntarily. "To run off and abandon me again?"

  "She hardly abandoned you at the powwow, Cole. You'd barely met." His cousin jetted out a breath. "It always comes back to that same old fear, doesn't it?"

  He tried to shake off the familiar, automatic physical reaction snaking its way around his guts. "Yes, it does," he said belligerently. "And for a damn good reason."

  "You know, not all women are like your ex-wife Lindsay, and your biological mother. Maybe Rini's different."

  He shook his head. "She's already proved she isn't."

  "And probably regrets it. Give her a chance, Cole."

  He let his worst fears percolate to the surface of his mind. "That's the whole point. If I give her another chance, and even if she agrees, how long will it take before she regrets taking it? A week? A month? A year?"

  "Surely, she wouldn't. She knows the baby needs a father—"

  He threw his hands up. "And what if she decides she doesn't want me as the father? She could go back to that David character. After all, she was with him for ages. I was only worth a single night—"

  "Oh, for crying out loud, Cole—"

  "What would happen to my parental rights then, eh?"

  Tanya let out an exasperated breath. "How the hell should I know? You're the frikkin' lawyer!"

  "Bullshit. You run that Center, and you know very well what would happen." He scowled, playing out the scenario. "Some rich white guy...even if he didn't have a leg to stand on, he could make it impossible for me to see my son."

  "Oh, boy, you really are going off the deep end now. The woman has already acknowledged you're the baby's father! What more do you need?"

  Crossing to the window, he looked out, leaning his hands on the cold wooden frame. Outside, the bleak January sky threatened rain. His lawn needed the rain, he thought absently. Too bad it wasn't as simple to figure out what Colton Lonetree needed.

  First and foremost, he needed to know that access to his baby son was safe and secure. Permanently.

  But what about his heart? What would he do with this blinding need for a woman of whom he was so uncertain? This burning, passionate need for a lover who had already shown herself fully capable of leaving him without a goodbye or a second thought.

  Tonight at the childbirth class they had felt so good together. Were Tanya and Renegade both right? Did Rini deserve another chance? Was it possible they could make it work?

  So, why wouldn't she take his calls?

  Lord spare him from women who were as fickle as a California winter.

  Turning, he looked at his cousin, who was watching his inner struggle from across the room. "What more do I need? I need to be sure, nuyukssum."

  "That's not always possible, my cousin."

  He swallowed, making up his mind. He'd undoubtedly regret it—and curse the day the idea had ever come to him. "There is one way."

  "And what would that be?"

  "A prenuptial agreement."

  Tanya snorted. "Don't be silly. A prenuptial agreement implies nuptials."

  Cole straightened. "Yeah. I guess it does."

  Tanya jumped up, her eyes like teacups. "Cole! Are you serious?" Letting out a whoop, she ran to him and grabbed his hands, swinging him around in a circle. "I knew it! I knew you were meant for each other! But what happened to Doubting Cole?" She held up both her hands. "No, don't answer. I don't want to know. You won't regret this decision, you'll see."

  He grinned reluctantly, her exuberance contagious. "Trust me, I'm already regretting it."

  But the truth was, for the first time in nearly eight months, he
looked forward to facing his future.

  Now if he could just convince Rini to share it.

  * * *

  Cole stared morosely at the telephone on his desk. Marriage proposal by proxy was not exactly his idea of romance, but Rini didn't leave him much choice.

  He'd phoned. He'd tried repeatedly to see her. But Alexa and Brad had screened her calls, and had seen to it that he never got past the front door.

  Flowers hadn't worked, either. He'd sent a huge bouquet of yellow roses. He'd tried a single white bud the next day, and old damask and baby's breath the day after that. Each time, the card was left unopened in the empty box and sent back with the delivery person. Every day for over a week he'd sent flowers and a card with the simple inscription, "Marry me." She still hadn't opened one.

  Well, at least she'd kept the flowers. That gave him some small reason to hope. But how the hell was he supposed to propose to the damned woman if he could never get her attention? Scowling, he picked up the phone. After dialing Henderson's number, he heard Pam's voice announcing he'd reached the offices of Linder, Adams, and Henderson.

  Cole hung up. No. They'd already had a rocky start, and this would only make things worse. Surely, there must be a way he could get her alone for two minutes to pop the question in person.

  He'd have to catch her when she was away from the house.

  He thought for a moment, then picked up the phone again and dialed.

  * * *

  Taking a seat under the window, Cole patted his jacket pocket, checking the small square box for the hundredth time in less than an hour. In his fist he clutched the stem of a lone fragrant gardenia—a last-minute inspiration.

  Willing himself to relax, he leaned his head back against the hard wall of Dr. Morris's examination room and ran his fingers down the smooth silk of his tie, calming himself with its soothing texture. The next fifteen minutes were likely to test him as no jury had ever done. He'd managed to gain the good doctor's help in his scheme by confessing what he planned to do, and by paying an extra hour's worth of her fee for uninterrupted use of the room. Dr. Morris never claimed to be a romantic.