Bargaining for Baby

by Robyn Grady

  Knowing that they were here to support such a great cause alleviated some of the guilt she felt at leaving Beau for a few hours.

  Charlie Pelzer and Jack discussed the position Japan currently played in the Australian wool export market while Maddy happily sipped her champagne and enjoyed the lively atmosphere. She didn’t dislike the quiet of the outback, per se. There was something undeniably peaceful about it. But this buzz felt like home.

  When Charlie spotted another friend, he bowed off and Jack ushered her over to a long stretch of white clothed tables, upon which rested numerous prizes to be auctioned. Maddy’s heartbeat fluttered as she inspected the nearby bidding sheets.

  “I love silent auctions.”

  Jack gave an obliging shrug. “Then we’ll have to do some real damage.”

  Holidays, boats, paintings, gym equipment. Maddy pulled up at a bizarre display. “Five cartons of beer?” Small glass bottles of the premium Aussie XXXX label.

  Jack had signed many sheets. Now he swept a flourishing signature on this sheet, too, along with a ridiculous amount. Had the champagne gone to his head?

  But his look said not to worry. “It’s a tradition. A bit of fun.”

  The master of ceremonies called for guests to be seated. Maddy soaked up the conversation with their dinner companions, which included a criminal lawyer and a geologist recently returned from areas surrounding Uluru, or Ayers Rock as it was still known to many.

  Guests continued bidding until the lot was officially closed and the highest bidder announced. The room erupted with applause when Jack was awarded the five cartons of beer. He also scored a painting by a well-respected indigenous artist. After a dessert of strawberry and passion fruit-topped Pavlova, the lights dimmed more and the music lilted into a familiar dreamy tune.

  Jack pushed out his chair and offered his hand. “You like dancing, I presume.”

  Arching a bow, she accepted his hand. “I can hold my own.”

  But when he gathered her close on the dance floor beneath the slow spinning lights, it was clear who the expert was. Once his strong warm hand was wrapped around hers, he rested them both against his lapel while his other hand lightly pressed on the sensitive small of her back. As he began to lead, Maddy breathed in his delicious woodsy scent and, trying not to sigh, happily followed. She was so relaxed after the champagne and conversation at the table that she instinctively went to rest her cheek against the shoulder of his jacket.

  His breath stirring her upswept hair, the magic of his body as he held her close and moved…it all felt strangely surreal. As if every one of her feel-good hormones had been released and her brain had no room for anything other than wondering how she could possibly get closer to Jack’s unique brand of hard heat.

  In time she pulled herself back.

  Dangerous. They were in a room full of people who were clearly interested in the relationship between widower Jack Prescott and this new woman. To give them more to talk about wouldn’t do, particularly given at least one of them knew her father. She didn’t want it getting back that she was romantically involved or Drew Tyler could assume that romance was her reason for requesting those few extra days away. Still…

  Jack’s chest felt so safe and his hand around hers felt so right. If she didn’t want to stir any pots, her own included, it might be time to change the tone. A subject came to mind that had lain between them these past days. Now seemed the right moment to clear the air—as well as make her point clear.

  “I hope you didn’t think I overreacted the other day when I heard about the creek.”

  His step faltered almost imperceptibly before he continued to slow dance her around in a tight circle among other couples on the floor.

  “I assure you,” he said. “There’s nothing to worry about.”

  Maddy chewed her lip. His wife and child both had died. She didn’t know the specifics because Cait was reluctant to discuss it further. The last thing she wanted was to sound thoughtless, but the bottom line was that Beau’s well-being had to be her main concern.

  “I was only trying to point out that drowning can happen in a creek as easily as a suburban pool. Obviously nothing could be done to border off a creek,” she rationalized. “As long as a good eye’s kept on him at all times, I’m sure you’re right. There’ll be nothing to worry about.” She couldn’t help but add, “It’s just that kids are known to wander off.”

  Which brought to mind a movie she’d seen long ago where a little boy had been lost in a desert. His lips cracked, blinded from scorpion venom, he’d wandered around, close to death, for days.

  Feeling as if ants were crawling over her skin, she shuddered, then quizzed Jack.

  “Does Australia have scorpions?” She had the biggest feeling it did. “I know we have snakes.” Some of the deadliest in the world.

  “Yes, we have snakes,” he confirmed. “Scorpions, too, but in the bush we’re down on murders and police car chases and high on helping each other out.”

  She took in his wry expression and let out that breath. Yes, she should keep things in perspective. Growing up in the country wasn’t necessarily a bad thing, or more hazardous than being raised in a city. She needed to keep telling herself that Beau would be happy in his new home after she had left and slipped back into her own life. This is what Dahlia had wanted for him…even if she hadn’t wanted it for herself.

  “You look beautiful in that gown,” Jack murmured against the shell of her ear, clearly wanting to move on from that subject, too. “Everyone in the room thinks so.”

  Her heart swelled so much she didn’t know if her ribs could contain it. Usually she was gracious in accepting compliments, but everything about Jack affected her more deeply. As her cheeks heated, she offered silent thanks for the muted lighting. She felt like a sixteen-year-old at her first dance with the boy every girl wanted to date.

  Trying to make light of it, she shrugged.

  “The color’s quite striking.”

  “That’s what I thought about your eyes when we first met.”

  A simmering kernel of want began to pulse in her core and she fell deeper into his mesmerizing eyes. He was so sexy, so handsome. Fatally hypnotic. With every passing minute, Sydney seemed farther and farther away.

  With his thumb circling low on her back, he nodded at a point above her head. “Notice all the fairy lights.”

  She nodded. They gave the room an incredibly romantic feel, although that was more likely due to her dance partner’s smoldering attention.

  “Over there—” he tipped his head “—they’ve made a replica of the Southern Cross.”

  Arcing around, she took in the five larger lights which were patterned to reflect the star formation that was synonymous with Australian skies. She noticed some hazy, larger lights that seemed to hover upon the horizon of the room. “What formation are those meant to be?”

  “You’ve heard of Min Min lights?”

  She grinned. “Sure.” The strange appearance of those lights in the outback was legendary.

  He cocked a brow. “But did you know that Min Min light sightings are more prevalent in this district than any other?”

  Her blood pressure spiked. In the fast-track world where she lived, Maddy didn’t admit it often but she believed that not everything could be explained by science.

  “Min Min lights were part of Aboriginal folklore long before modern day sightings made them famous,” Jack said. “Experts agree the mysterious lights that show themselves to travelers at night aren’t imagination. They appear in the distance, sometimes hazy, sometimes brilliant enough to light up objects around them. When you think you’re getting closer, they can disappear only to reappear at your back, speeding up behind you, or at the side, seeming to watch.”

  Maddy involuntarily swallowed then tried to shake her dark fascination off.

  “You’re trying to scare me.”

  He chuckled and squeezed her hand. “Don’t worry about them. I’m here.”

  Her bl
ood flowed like hot syrup through her veins. But she straightened her shoulders and cast a casual glance around. Had anyone heard their conversation? Could anyone see her blush?

  He tilted her face back toward him. “And I plan to keep you as close as possible all night.”

  Her breasts tingled and swelled, and she couldn’t quite catch her breath. He was openly seducing her—here, amid hundreds of people. And the longer she drank him in, the more light-headed she became.

  Giddy from the dance, from the music and from his charm, she dragged her gaze away.

  “I…I don’t know…”

  His polished shoes stopped moving. With a firm hold of her hand, he headed for a set of glass doors and didn’t stop until they stood on an otherwise vacant balcony surrounded by a dark velvet dome which held all the stars in the sky.

  He faced her and his big palms sculpted over her shoulders, winging them slightly in as he held her still with a penetrating gaze.

  “The last thing I want,” he said in an earnest tone, “is for you to go through with something you’re not entirely comfortable with.” His intense hooded gaze lowered to her mouth. “So if you’re uncomfortable—” he purposefully, slowly angled his head and his lips grazed hers “—even a little—” his lips brushed again and the hold on her shoulders tightened “—I can always stop.”

  Maddy’s nerve endings shorted out. She couldn’t get enough air. Her heart was smashing so madly against her ribs that surely he must have heard the wild thumping.

  She’d made the decision to come tonight. She couldn’t go back and yet she didn’t know if she had the strength—the courage—to go forward. She felt small, unremarkable, like she had the day she walked into that woolshed. Jack was a thousand times more than any man she’d known. And despite the confident act, she was just Maddy.

  And Maddy was less than perfect.

  But when he drew her close and his mouth slanted possessively over hers, the trillion stars in the sky joined with the stars in her head. Sensations, glorious and absolute, spiraled through her, around her, and she dissolved then surrendered.

  Her acceptance and commitment was complete. There would be no turning back. Now the only question seemed to be…

  Would she ever want to stop?

  He and Maddy arrived at their suite twenty minutes later.

  During the cab ride, he’d held her hand in the back seat while she’d chatted on about how much she’d enjoyed the evening. Despite succumbing to him on the balcony—assuring him with the honesty of her caress of how she felt—she was nervous, and he wondered…

  She was a city girl, mid-twenties, and worldly with it. He’d assumed she was practiced where men were concerned. Was it possible she was a virgin? He did know that she looked incredible in that gown, particularly with her pale silky hair loosely swept up off her neck. Sensuous flowing fabric and glittering gems were her territory. She shone so brightly, she might have stepped off a New York runway. He’d had trouble keeping up with the conversation at the table, he’d been so bewitched by her grace and her beauty, and he didn’t give a damn who’d known it.

  Tara Anderson had appreciated glamour to a degree but she’d preferred breeches. He could identify. He was no stranger to tuxedoes but nothing topped the comfort of a pair of jeans and worn-in boots. Escorting Maddy tonight in that spectacular designer dress, however, had him revisiting that long held truth. He’d happily don a stiff collar if it meant having Maddy on his arm.

  But, he had to remember, this wasn’t an ongoing thing.

  Inside the suite, she moved to the center of the expansive living room and rotated to face him. With her hands clasped high at her waist, the hem of her gown floated out and settled again around her slim ankles.

  “Do you usually stay here for the gala weekend?”

  “Always.”

  Although not in this room. He hadn’t been to Clancy in three years. Hadn’t been anywhere much at all. When he wasn’t at Leadeebrook, he felt irritable. Out of sorts. Home was the only place that seemed to give him any reprieve from the constant rumble of regret that tagged him.

  Rubbing his jaw, Jack crossed to the wet bar.

  Did no good to let his mind wander in that direction. He’d loved his wife and where she was now, he was certain that she knew it. Long and hard he’d thought over his feelings for Madison Tyler. Hell, he’d over-analyzed them into the ground.

  But he was happy with his decision. He wanted her here with him tonight. He only regretted that their time alone would be so brief. No use thinking about her next visit though—if there was one. Women of Maddy’s caliber didn’t stay free for long.

  From the overhead rack he retrieved wine glasses.

  Maddy’s gesture caught his attention.

  “You go ahead,” she said. “But I’m fine.”

  He slid the glasses aside. He didn’t want any more to drink. What he wanted was Maddy raveled up in his arms. He wanted to enjoy that heady, high altitude buzz she consistently whipped up inside him.

  He wanted to feel her body, naked, beneath his.

  Every minute they spent on small talk was one more precious minute wasted.

  Intent, he moved toward her, tugging his bow tie free. When Maddy’s eyes widened and her bodice rose on a silent breath, his step hesitated. What the devil was she afraid of? That he’d throw her down and take what he wanted? He didn’t operate that way. If she’d only relax he’d be more than willing to show her.

  He was an arm’s length away when she spun on her heel to face the view of the town lights visible beyond the wall-to-wall window.

  “I wonder if we’ll see any Min Min lights tonight,” she said. “You said they bob up around these parts all the time.”

  Jack rubbed the back of his neck. More than instinct said she wanted to be here. The way she’d danced with him, clung to him, wasn’t manufactured. Yet something kept touching on her brakes. He’d assured her every way he could. With words, with affection.

  Flicking back his jacket, Jack set his hands low on his hips. There were two ways to handle this…slow and ultra steady, or cut to the chase and let this push and pull game be decided upon once and for all.

  He wound around to block her view before he folded his hands over hers. Bringing her cool knuckles to his lips, he warmed them with a heartfelt vow.

  “Whatever you’re worried about, believe me, Maddy, you don’t need to be.”

  He meant that promise to the depths of his soul. He wouldn’t hurt her for the world. He never wanted to cause harm to anyone again, consciously or otherwise.

  She rolled her teeth over her bottom lip and Jack frowned. After coming this far he wondered if she might tell him now that she’d been wrong. That she didn’t want to be with him as much as he wanted to be with her.

  When she sucked in a breath and finally nodded, relieved, Jack smiled and nodded, too. At the same time, his glance dropped to her lips. Lips he’d remember forever.

  His gut kicked with a familiar pleasant tug. This was right. She was right. Beyond ready, he lowered his head and claimed her.

  Heat rose up his thighs, igniting a trail of flash fires over his skin. The urge to probe deeper, savor more, was alarmingly powerful, near impossible to resist. They were alone. His blood was booming. In his mind she was already writhing beneath him.

  Kissing her still, his hands ironed up the curves of her waist. When he reached the bodice of her gown, his fingers encased her sides while each thumb stroked the underside of her breasts. As the kiss grew in intensity, his thumbs circled higher. While she whimpered in her throat and leaned in, he clenched every muscle to stop from satisfying the primal urge to pry those red cups apart.

  Instead his mouth reluctantly left hers.

  Her eyes were closed, her breathing labored. Her fingers dug into his biceps for support. The delectable burn smoldering below his belt expanded. These past days—watching her, wanting her—had been a bittersweet torture.

  Angling, he scooped her off those dainty s
ilver heels and up into the cradle of his jacketed arms. Her lashes fluttered open and his chest grew as she peered up at him with large, dewy eyes. Beyond a set of opened interior double doors, the master bed was in full view. The covers were turned down as he’d instructed. He’d find protection in the bedside drawer. With every cord in his body wound tight, he delivered her into the bedroom.

  The room was dark, its open glass slider doors inviting in a cool breeze. Standing in shadows, he was vaguely aware of the moon’s silver claw hanging in the sky, the night song of cicadas and a faint rustling of leaves. He set her on her feet, released his dinner shirt’s top buttons and then stepped forward to find the zipper at her back. His hot gaze fused with hers, he eased the zipper down.

  He felt her slight tremble as he edged one gossamer light sleeve off a slender shoulder then encouraged the next. The gown fell over her curves and landed in an airy puddle at her feet. Hungry, but patient, he soaked up the ethereal vision of her porcelain frame…her high full breasts, scanty red panties, long milky legs ending with sexy spiked heels. He inhaled to the bottom of his lungs then his gaze went to her hair.

  “Let it down.”

  She hesitated only a heartbeat before reaching with both hands to release the pins. Her hair cascaded but she didn’t shake out the kinks. Rather she looked to him as if waiting for his next move…or approval.

  Stepping into the space separating them, he skimmed both sets of fingers up the column of her warm slender neck, carrying the hair high enough to leave ample access. Then he lowered his mouth to her throat and flicked her fast-beating pulse with the tip of his tongue.

  She sighed and melted enough that he had to grip her upper arms to save her from slipping. With patience disintegrating, he carefully backed her up.

  As she lowered to sit on the side of the bed, he studied her unwittingly erotic form. With his gaze slipping down the hair shimmering over one shoulder, he shucked back his shoulders and began to undress. Jacket first, shirt, and the rest. Then he knelt at her feet and slipped off her shoes.