He stepped away. “Fine. We’ll talk but I’m ready to return to the condo."
“Go ahead. Jamie and I will finish our walk. Fresh air is good for him, not like city air with fumes and garbage. I enjoy the exercise.”
“I can think of more enjoyable ways of exercising.”
“I’m sure you can but they aren’t on my agenda.”
“Tee, go,” Jamie yelled.
Following his appeal for speed Lauren moved at a trot. Unfortunately Tony kept pace. Lauren stopped at the pond. “No ducks today.” She pushed the stroller up the slight rise and into the garage.
“Why don’t you move your car so I can park in the garage?” Tony asked. “You’re not using the space. Weather report calls for rain.”
His request reminded her of the car that would never park here again. She blinked a tear away. She had no time for another sob fest. “Stay with Jamie.”
“Up. Up,” Jamie chanted.
Lauren wanted to laugh at the expression on Tony’s face.
“You can make the move later,” he said.
“How are you going to be his guardian if you won’t pick him up?” Her question snapped with the anger churning her gut. She pushed the stroller into the garage, freed Jamie and carried him inside.
Tony followed. “There will be a nanny for all that stuff.”
She turned and glared. A dozen comments formed and were discarded. Though her childhood had ended during her teens after her parents had died Lauren remembered how her parents had loved and cared for her. Because her sister had been a junior in college and hadn’t been able to keep her in the college dorm Lauren had ended in a group home. The rules there had been unfair and she had run.
Had Tony’s childhood been strict? She remembered Jim saying after their mother had died there had been caretakers for them.
She glared at Tony. “Hugging and kissing their children are what parents do.”
He shrugged. “I’m his uncle. Didn’t Jim mention we were raised by nannies?”
“He said very little to me about your childhood. Wasn’t my business.” Lauren removed her jacket and Jamie’s. She put him on the activity quilt. “Watch him and I’ll move my car.” She handed the baby his favorite toys. “He’ll be content. You won’t need to touch him.”
“Just a minute,” Tony said. “I want to make sure you don’t run.”
“And leave Jamie to your care. Never.” As she reached the door of the garage she pulled the keys from the hook. “I’ll be right back.” She escaped before he reached her. She pulled her car from the drive and into the space beside his low black car. Then she dashed inside.
“You can move yours now.” She rubbed her arm to erase the chill from being outside without a coat.
As he left she breathed in relief to have a few moments free from his oppressive presence. She sat on the floor and opened the cloth book Jamie loved. “Cat.” She pointed to the picture. While repeating the word a second time she ran a finger under the letters.
She heard the garage door close and stiffened. Jamie patted the book. She turned the page. “Dog.”
“Dog,” Jamie repeated.
Tony loomed over them. “Isn’t he a bit young for reading?”
She glanced up and saw the bulge beneath his zipper. Is that all he ever thinks about? “Jim and Carrie read to him every day. I’m following their routine.”
“You’re joking. I can’t imagine my brother doing anything except patting the boy’s head the way our father did.”
“His name is Jamie.” She turned her attention to her nephew and the book.
Her words and Jamie’s continued. Tony slouched on the couch with his legs crossed at the ankles. Lauren knew he watched her with the intensity of a lion waiting to pounce. What was he planning? Nothing good.
The mantle clock struck five times. Lauren rose and lifted Jamie. “Time for dinner, love. Ready to eat?”
“Eat. Eat,” he chanted.
“What about us?” Tony asked. “A bit early isn’t it?”
Lauren shrugged. “I skipped lunch. You can go out. There are some good restaurants in town. For me, I’ll heat some chicken and barley soup my landlady sent and grill a chicken and cheese sandwich.”
“I’ll join you. Since I’m staying for the weekend I’ll carry my things to the bedroom. Guess there’s only one bed.”
Determined not to permit him to stir the embers of anger into flames, she drew a deep breath. “You’re right. I’ll change the sheets after I feed Jamie.”
“Is there a reason? Evidence you want to hide?”
She fastened Jamie in the high chair. “You’re sick.”
“Ick. Ick,” Jamie chanted.
“That too.” She kissed his forehead.
Tony moved from the couch to a stool at the bar separating the kitchen from the rest of the main floor. She felt his stare as she moved. Great. Now she had a stalker.
“I’ve a proposition.” Tony rested his elbows on the marble surface.
She glanced at him and was nearly lured by his mesmerizing blue eyes. Then she recalled his nasty assumptions. “And that is?”
“Move to the city. Stay at my apartment and be the child’s nanny.”
She set a jar of baby food in the bubbling water. “And become your mistress?”
“Sounds like a plan.”
“Yours not mine. I have a life here.”
“I’m sure you do. I can take you places you’ve never been. Why not accept my offer?”
“And settle for being a nanny when I’m listed in the will as one of Jamie’s guardians?”
“A position you’ll lose if we go to court.”
“I’ve heard enough.” She pulled the jar from the pan and set it on the counter. She ran cold water over her stinging fingers. “Unless you plan to feed Jamie, I suggest you move. Better still. Take your car and return to the city.”
* * *
The chill in her voice puzzled Tony. He had proposed a plan to benefit them all. She wouldn’t need to ply her trade with anyone but him. The baby would have a nanny he liked.
Tony retreated to the couch so he could watch her and the boy. There had to be a way to seduce her into his arms for the weekend. This thought raised expectations and part of him throbbed with energy.
He drew a deep breath. Earlier his approach had been a bit crude unlike his usual smooth approach. Something about her raised an urgent need to possess. This evening he needed to slowly reel her in.
Lauren finished feeding the child and handed him what looked like a hard biscuit. She returned to the small kitchen and ladled soup from a deep plastic bowl into a pan.
“Are you eating here or going out?”
“Here.” He said.
She put two bowls, two plates and two mugs on the counter. After programming the coffeemaker she assembled two sandwiches with slices of chicken and Swiss cheese and placed them in the skillet. Once she flipped the pair she heated the soup, filled bowls with coffee, slid the sandwiches onto the plate and filled the bowls.
Tony carried his food to the dining room table and returned for hers. Lauren pulled the highchair to the end of the table and slid her plate to the side.
Tony wished she had taken the seat beside him the way he’d planned. A woman like her would respond to touch and he could convince her to spend the weekend in his arms. With this thought he slipped off a loafer and stretched until his foot caressed her leg.
She edged her chair back and attacked her food like a starving prisoner of war at a banquet.
“Be careful. You might choke.”
“You,” she snapped.
“Not my idea of fun. I’m not into choking games.”
“Neither am I. I wish you would take your innuendos and head to the city.”
“Not without the child.”
“His name is Jamie or James if you’re being formal.”
He could almost see sparks shooting from her hazel eyes. He looked forward to more intimate encounters. “I h
ear you.”
She gathered her dishes and carried them to the kitchen. She returned for his. The clock chimed six times. She wiped the baby’s face and hands. After popping a video into the player she sat on the couch with the baby on her lap.
Nothing he wanted to watch. Children sang and danced to silly songs. Tony went to the car for his bags.
Chapter Two
Tony carried his bag upstairs. He sat on the bed and uncovered one of the pillows. He sniffed. She had slept here. His suspicions kicked in. He uncovered the other pillow and smelled laundry detergent and fabric softener.
All right. He had been partially wrong. Weekends must be her date nights. He hung his clothes in the walk-in closet before returning to the first floor.
When the clock struck seven Lauren lifted the baby, a stack of books, her laptop and a bottle. She carried them to the stairs.
“Where are you going?” Tony asked.
“It’s time for Jamie’s bath.”
The baby chortled. “Ba. Ba.”
“So early.”
“Between seven thirty and eight is his bedtime.”
Tony smiled. He knew about tomorrow’s date but she didn’t know he’d cancelled.
As she walked upstairs he wondered when she would return. He turned on the TV and surfed the channels. Eight o’clock arrived. When she didn’t come downstairs his brow furrowed. What had gone wrong? The chance to confront her was passing. He wasn’t sure what to do.
At nine he heard the shower upstairs. Was she standing beneath the spray? He envisioned her naked body. She ran a soapy cloth over breasts he felt would fit perfectly into his hands. The cloth moved over her belly into the place where his throbbing erection wanted entrance.
Tony stood and started to the stairs. He could join her and claim what he wanted. The water stopped. He remained at the foot of the stairs. A door closed with a click. He retreated and slumped on the couch.
When the clock chimed twelve times he snapped off the TV and walked upstairs. Where was she sleeping? He peered into the master bedroom. Not there. Carefully he cracked the nursery door. In the dim glow from a night light he saw her wrapped in a blanket on an inflatable mattress in front of the crib. For an instant guilt stung like a horsefly. Her choice. She could be in bed with him and she wouldn’t be asleep. He entered the master bedroom, stripped and slid beneath the covers.
Baby’s crying woke him. What the hell. He jumped to his feet and looked around the moonlight revealed room. He was at his brother’s. Jim and Carrie had been interred this morning. Was something wrong with the child? He padded across the hall and opened the nursery door.
Lauren cradled the infant in her arms. She paced about the room. Tony gulped a breath. Her sleep shirt skimmed the top of her thighs allowing him glimpses of her blue panties. Those long legs remembered from years ago had tantalized him for weeks after his return from the wedding. He carefully closed the door and turned away. Now wasn’t the time to act on fantasies.
Back in the bedroom he stretched on the side of the bed where she had slept. Her aroma surrounded him. His cock hardened. He groaned, left the bed and slipped into the bathroom. He turned on the shower and stepped beneath the spray.
With one hand he grasped himself and pumped. A fantasy of Lauren began. He growled. His hand moved faster until he spilled.
“Lauren,” he whispered. “I want you and I will have you.”
He slumped against the shower wall until his breathing slowed. This was insane. He hadn’t jerked off since high school. There had never been a need. He dried and staggered off to bed. He groaned. He should have let her change the sheets.
* * *
The alarm sounded at six thirty. In her haste to shut off the annoying sound Lauren rolled over and knocked the clock across the room. The air mattress moved like gelatin. She scrambled after the warbling object and hit the button. As she got to her feet she rubbed her hip. Sleeping on the air mattress wasn’t as restful as a bed. She checked on Jamie. Fortunately the noise hadn’t roused him. She scurried to the bathroom and locked both doors.
As she washed her face with cold water she hoped Tony Carlin would take the hint and leave today. Then she could claim the bed. She grinned at her reflection.
Mr. Take Charge was in for a surprise. By taking the call from Ray yesterday and cancelling the sitter Tony would have an experience he wouldn’t forget. Thank heavens she had called to check. Ray would arrive at ten to rescue Jamie from his uncle’s inept care.
When she returned to the nursery, Jamie had rolled to his stomach. “Up, Tee, up.”
“Morning love.” She carried him to the changing table and dressed him for the day. With her books and laptop in one hand and her nephew in the other she stepped into the hall and nearly collided with a nude aroused Tony.
Lord, he was definitely well-endowed. Tingling sensations gathered in her core.
“Move,” he said.
“Sorry I forgot to unlock the door.” She let him slide past to enter the bathroom from the nursery side. She admired his taut butt and sighed. Not for you. Not this year or next. She continued downstairs.
After fastening Jamie in the highchair, she checked the fridge to make sure there were enough bottles for the day. A look on the shelves for jars of food made her groan. A trip to the grocery store on the way home from class was necessary. After starting coffee she jotted a list of needs and slipped the paper into her pocket. She mixed cereal and fruit for Jamie. Then she had to tell Tony to get downstairs and watch Jamie while she dressed for school.
“Why are you up so early?” Tony breathed the words against her nape.
Think of the devil and he appears. His arms circled her waist and his fingers stroked. She fought a surge of desire. “I’ve places to go.”
“Be more fun if you stayed here. I could make this a special day.” He cupped her breasts and growled. “I was right. They’re a perfect fit.” He pressed his lips to her neck.
“Enough. You’ll make me burn the toast.” The calmness of her voice surprised her. “Will an omelet and toast be enough for you?” She whipped eggs with a bit of milk and poured the mixture into a skillet.
Stay cool. There was nothing she could do about the way she reacted to him except ignore the sensations.
He dropped his hands. “I’ll be good while you’re cooking. An omelet sounds good. Now, tell me where you’re going.”
“I have classes from nine to four thirty.” She dropped shredded cheese and ham into the pan.
“Classes?”
“Yes. The sitter’s due at eight so I can give him a rundown of Jamie’s schedule.”
He groaned.
She choked back a laugh. She wouldn’t let him know she’d learned what he’d done. Would he confess?
“Sitter? Male?”
“Yes, Ray.” She flipped the omelet.
“Ray. Ray,” Jamie chanted.
“You can’t leave.”
The hint of panic in his voice brought a smile. “Why not?”
“I cancelled the sitter.”
“Why would you do that?”
He looked away. “I thought he was your date for this evening.”
“Assumed again. I see.” She pulled the skillet from the fire and divided the omelet. “Looks like you’re on duty. I can’t afford to miss another class.”
“In what?”
Massage therapy. Those words hovered on her tongue. Not a swift move. He would believe her and snatch Jamie away. With one hand she started to eat. The other grasped a pen.
“Occupational therapy.” She took a bite and jotted several notes about Jamie’s schedule.
“How long before you finish?”
“The rest of this semester and two more plus some summer classes. I’ll have a bachelor’s and a master’s.”
His expression was priceless. She bit her cheek to halt a gust of laughter.
He cut a piece of the omelet. “Could you call the sitter and explain that I really misunderstood.”
She finished the omelet. “I’m sure he has other plans.”
Like sleeping in. She scrawled a few more notes. “Here’s Jamie’s schedule.” She explained the items. “This afternoon he’ll sleep for several hours.” She took four jars from the cupboard. These two for lunch and the others for dinner.”
“You’re going to be gone that long?”
“I just discovered I need to shop for Jamie after class.” The panic in his voice nearly made her tell him Ray would arrive at ten. She changed her mind. Jamie would survive. The time with his nephew might change Tony’s mind about custody.
She dashed upstairs and quickly dressed. Downstairs she grabbed her books and kissed Jamie. “See you later, love. Be good for your uncle.”
“Cool. Cool.”
Tony caught her hand. “A kiss for me.”
“Don’t you ever give up?”
“Never. Be warned.”
She reached the door. “I’ll try to call around noon and see how you’re doing.” With this she left and ran through a misting rain to her car. As she fastened the seatbelt and started the car, a moment of guilt arose.
Should I tell him? No time. He’ll manage for two hours.
* * *
Tony stared at the closing door. He wanted to run after her and demand she stay to take care of the baby. He drew deep breaths and walked to where his nephew sat in the highchair.
Jamie. His name is Jamie. Lauren’s voice echoed in his head. A tear rolled down the little boy’s face.
“Tee’s at school. She’ll be back.” How much did the child…Jamie understand? Tony studied the chair. How did the thing work?
“Up. Up.” Jamie shouted.
Tony tried to move the tray. Nothing happened. He tried to lift his nephew but the child remained firmly attached. He bent and studied the contraption. Ah, a lever. He pressed the gadget, lifted the tray and unfastened the seatbelt. As he lifted Jamie, Tony caught a whiff making him choke. Holding the baby under his arms Tony carried him to the nursery where he found a table.
Now what? He held the boy on the table with one hand. Though Tony wanted to scream at Lauren he knew the fault was his. He’d assumed. He was an ass. He searched for supplies and found a side rail to keep the squirming infant from falling. Now he had two hands for the job.
Seducing the Attorney (At First Sight Book 5) Page 2
