Slow Burn (A Madaris Family Novel)

by Jackson, Brenda

  He saw confusion light her gaze. “The Baineses? The congressman and the senator?”

  “Yes.”

  “I’ve told you that I consider the congressman a longtime family friend, so over the years I sort of considered him my godfather, although there was never an official christening or anything like that. Come to think of it, I always thought of Mrs. Baines the same way—as a godmother.”

  Slade lifted a brow. “You knew her?”

  Skye smiled. “Yes. I think she died when I was twelve, but before then I remember a lot about her. I especially remember how good she smelled and how nice she dressed. And I remember how kind she was to me. She spent a lot of time with me when I was small.”

  “Was she a friend of your mother’s?”

  Skye shook her head. “No,” she said bluntly, as if she could never imagine such a thing. “Dad was their private accountant and for some reason he did all his business with them on the weekends, at either his office or their home. He would always take me with him and the Baineses would be there. While Dad worked on the books, the Baineses entertained me.”

  “And why do you think they spent so much time with you?”

  She shrugged. She’d never thought of a reason before. “Mainly because they were nice people. And I also felt they were lonely people. I knew they had an older son who was always busy, so I figured they were lonely. I remember asking Dad why the Baineses liked to play with me and I think that’s what he said. They were lonely people. And even after Mrs. Baines got sick and died, Mr. Baines continued to come those weekends. Then I remember him getting elected as a congressman and not being around much anymore. But those times with the Baineses were special times with me because they did something my own parents basically never did.”

  “And what was that?”

  “They spent time with me. And it was time that wasn’t all serious and full of censure. It was doing fun stuff, like coloring in a huge coloring book, watching cartoons, and just talking.”

  A part of Slade was glad the Baineses had given her that. “Now what about their son, the senator?”

  Skye waved a dismissive hand. “Pleeze. The senator never gave me the time of day. Like I said, he was busy most of the time, so I rarely saw him. In fact, the first time we actually met was at my college graduation. He was there with his dad and he gave me the impression he was somewhere he didn’t want to be. And afterward, if our paths would cross he would give me a curt nod and nothing else.” Skye shook her head. “He’s one standoffish man.”

  With a lot to hide, Slade inwardly thought.

  “Slade? Why are you asking me about the Baineses?” she asked, tucking a twisted curl behind her ear.

  He took her hand in his. “In the midst of Alex’s investigation he discovered a number of things regarding the Baineses. First, were you aware that it was the Baineses who set up that trust fund for you? The one you’re to receive when you turn thirty.”

  Skye’s eyes widened in surprise. “No, I didn’t know that. Are you sure?”

  “Yes, I’m positive. And you probably didn’t know that it was Congressman Baines who arranged the private adoption between your biological mother and the Barclays twenty-six years ago, although we can find no record that your mother was aware of the Baineses’ involvement. She was never to know who adopted you.”

  Skye’s head began spinning. “I don’t understand. Why would they do that? How did he go about handling such a private arrangement?”

  Slade paused. “It’s my guess that he wanted to make sure he and his wife knew who adopted you and that you would be in arm’s reach of them.”

  Skye leaned forward toward him. “But why?”

  Slade paused again. “This is just a theory and not an absolute, but we have reason to believe Congressman Baines is your grandfather, Skye, and that your biological father is his son, the senator.”

  CHAPTER 26

  Skye pulled away from Slade and jumped to her feet. “No, that’s not possible,” she said adamantly. “I refuse to even consider that being a possibility.”

  “Think about it, Skye,” Slade said softly. “Considering everything I’ve told you, I think it is possible. Alex was also able to uncover the fact that your parents, the Barclays, received and have been receiving an annual allotment from the Baineses for your care.”

  She turned to him with tears misting her eyes. “If what you’re saying is true, then instead of being parents, they were paid caretakers and that’s all. They never were real parents.”

  “Skye, I’m not saying they didn’t care for you; all I’m saying is—”

  “You don’t have to say it, Slade. My history speaks for itself. I always felt a little softening over the years with my father, but with Mom I never felt that, and now I know why.”

  Slade caught her arm and pulled her down into his lap. He cradled her in his arms. “Listen, Skye, remember it’s only a theory. Alex is trying to fit more pieces of the puzzle together to determine if indeed what I’ve just told you is an absolute.”

  She inhaled deeply. “And if it is?”

  “Then we’re traveling to Maine to confront all the parties involved. I doubt the congressman knows what’s going on with Wayne.”

  Slade then told her how it was also uncovered that the congressman was the one who had arranged her future marriage with the grandson of his former business partner over sixteen years ago. “In the congressman’s defense,” Slade said, “I think he thought the two of you would make a good match, and since Wayne was only thirteen at the time the agreement was made, no one knew he would eventually grow up to be a jackass. He’s also a compulsive gambler, by the way. That’s one of the reasons he needs to get his hands on your trust fund.”

  “But he has one of his own,” Skye implored.

  “Yes,” Slade agreed. “But he intends to keep doing what he’s doing, and he’ll need all the money he can get to do so.”

  Skye didn’t say anything for a long moment. Then she asked, “What about my parents? What do they stand to gain if I marry Wayne?”

  Slade paused, almost too ashamed to say. “Once your marriage to Wayne becomes legal, they’ll receive a cash bonus of a million dollars.”

  “And Congressman Baines arranged for that?”

  “No. Actually, it was Wayne’s grandfather’s decision, so I can only assume he knew your true identity and it was his way of making sure your adoptive parents did what had to be done to assure the marriage took place.”

  Skye stared at him in stunned amazement, not wanting to believe what she was hearing. She again got quiet, and when she did speak, her voice was low, could barely be heard, when she said, “When will Alex know for sure if any of this is for real?”

  “In a few hours.”

  “And if they’re absolutes?”

  “Then we’re traveling to Augusta to have a talk with the congressman. I don’t think he knows what’s going on with Wayne or Senator Baines’s possible involvement. The way I figure it, the senator has a lot to lose right now if anyone were to get wind that he has an illegitimate daughter that he never acknowledged, especially one where a private adoption was established. With him staring a possible candidacy for Vice President in the face, the last thing he would want is any of his past deeds to surface, especially if those deeds call his character into question.”

  Skye stared at Slade. “So you think the senator is the one pushing Wayne into marrying me?”

  Slade shook his head. “I’m still not sure. Your parents are still suspects. All three of them have a lot to lose, but given political power, I think the senator has more to lose than anyone.”

  Skye nodded. “So, we won’t know anything else until Alex calls?”

  “Yes. But for now I’ve given you a lot to think about, haven’t I?”

  Skye sighed deeply. He most certainly had.

  Alex picked up the phone after shutting down his computer. He would make only one call, but he knew that word would reach the others. Time was of the essenc
e. They needed to be in Maine within the forty-eight hours to put an end to what Wayne Bigelow had started.

  “Yes, Alex?”

  “Notify the others. There are no longer theories, only absolutes. The senator is definitely Skye’s father. And if he’s the one involved with Bigelow, I have a feeling Congressman Baines has no idea what’s going on.”

  Clayton nodded. “Okay. I’ll inform the others.”

  Slade hung up the phone and swore softly before turning to Skye. The two of them had just finished watching a movie on television. “That was Clayton. Alex has determined there are no longer theories.”

  “So it’s true? The senator is my biological father?” she asked weakly.

  “Yes.” He held out his arms to her, and when she made a move, her steps faltered, so he quickly crossed the room and swooped her into his arms.

  “Remember what I told you? What we talked about earlier? That I will be with you and that no matter what type of life you might have had in the past, I promise you a future filled with all the love any one person can handle.”

  She held his gaze. “Yes, I remember,” she said softly.

  “And that we’re going to get through this and one day we’re going to look back and determine this is what made our love stronger than ever.”

  Skye inhaled, thinking that this beautiful man was nothing short of magnificent. And yes, she would get through this because she had him by her side. She had his love, and his love was making her stronger in ways she didn’t think were possible.

  “So what’s next?” she asked.

  There was a moment’s pause, then he said, “We have a plane to catch later this evening. Clayton is flying out earlier and will join us there. Justin is getting the Cessna ready, and because Bigelow expects you to arrive on a commercial airline, Clayton is booking you on Delta, just in case Bigelow decides to confirm you’re on your way to Maine.”

  She furrowed her brow at all the details. Slade and his family had practically thought of everything. “What happens when we get to Augusta?”

  He laid a hand over hers. “The first person we’ll touch bases with is Congressman Baines.”

  “Is anything wrong, Ned?”

  Nedwyn turned to glance over at the beautiful woman who was sitting on the sofa in his hotel room. They had arrived in Savannah a few hours ago, and not wanting to assume anything about their sleeping arrangements or to rush her into anything, he had gotten connecting hotel rooms. However, she had opened the connecting door and had left it open.

  “That was Jake. He wanted my personal opinion about former colleagues in the House and Senate.” There was more to it, but he wasn’t planning to go into any details at the moment. Both Slade and Vincent were her nephews, and Nedwyn and Jake had agreed to hold off mentioning anything to her until everything had been resolved. There was no need to upset her needlessly.

  Placing his cell phone on the desk, he walked over to where she sat and did something he’d always wanted to do. He reached out for her hand, and when she gave it to him he pulled her up into his arms and kissed her. With firm lips he moved them leisurely over hers, and when he felt her tremble in his arms he brought her closer to the fit of him. She parted her lips on a ragged sigh, and he swept his tongue into her mouth for the taste he knew awaited him there.

  He felt her arms when they wrapped around his shoulders at the same moment he deepened the kiss. Her tongue met his every stroke. Desire, hot and heavy, filled his entire being, poured through every vein, sparked every cell, and when she uttered a small moan deep in her throat, he felt a luscious heated sensation in the pit of his gut. This was nothing like the kiss they’d shared a few days ago when he’d visited her guest cottage at Whispering Pines. It was totally different, unique and so doggone delicious it was making his insides quiver.

  He pulled back slightly and whispered against her moist lips, “We can go out somewhere to eat or we can order in. Which do you prefer?”

  She didn’t say anything at first and then she whispered honestly, “At the moment, I want to do neither,” looking at him in a way that made all kinds of sensations shoot up his spine.

  He released a deep chuckle. “Okay, I take that to mean you aren’t hungry.”

  “Oh, I’m plenty hungry, Ned, but the food I’m craving is sexual in nature.”

  His heart skipped a beat with her words. It was then that he noticed what she was wearing. It wasn’t what she’d had on earlier and it definitely wasn’t anything you could wear out in public. It had to be the sexiest outfit he’d ever seen on a woman. He took a deep breath after forcing air into his lungs.

  “Y-you look gorgeous in this,” he said, taking a step back to allow his gaze to take in all of it, looking her up and down. Certain parts of it were sheer, leaving nothing to his imagination; then other parts teased him mercilessly. It was flesh tone with spaghetti straps that tied at the shoulders and a long flowing skirt that stopped at her toes. The outfit was made of thin, sheer material with a long split on both sides with satin bows.

  It was obvious from the cut of the outfit that she wasn’t wearing a bra or underpants, but he thought that in itself was a testimony to what a well-toned body she had and what fantastic shape she was in. He knew the gentlemanly thing to do would be to stop staring, but he couldn’t stop. Instead he reached out and touched the side slit at her waist and felt her body quiver. His body became that much more aroused in knowing his touch had done that to her.

  He then reached out and slid his hand beneath the V-neck of her bodice to rub his finger across the rigid tips of her breasts. “Tell me to stop, Diana,” he whispered hoarsely. “Tell me now because I won’t be responsible for my actions later. I might be a man looking sixty real close in the face, but I’d better warn you that at the moment I feel like I have the stamina of a twenty-year-old,” he said, smiling, as he slowly began releasing the buttons on his shirt. “And none of it is from a pill. It’s one hundred percent pure authentic male-produced testosterone.”

  Diana suddenly felt the nipples on her breasts harden even more when she whispered, “Oh my.”

  “No, Diana, it’s oh, yours,” he said, reaching out and pulling her closer to him when he had completely unbuttoned his shirt. He kissed her again and their tongues played a game as they mingled and lingered, seemingly not getting enough. He pulled his mouth back and began walking her backward toward the bed.

  “You’re sure about this, right?” he asked her.

  She smiled at him as he continued to walk her backward. “Just as sure as I am about loving you.”

  He met her sexy, confident smile. “And I love you, Diana Madaris. And tonight I’m going to show you how much. And I want to do this right. I want us to get an understanding now that this isn’t something just to pass the time away. I want us to be together forever. I want to marry you, Diana.”

  He reached inside the pocket of his pants and pulled out a small white box and flipped it open. Inside was a beautiful ring. “Will you marry me?”

  Diana had stopped walking. Her breath caught. She forced herself to believe this wasn’t a dream. She stared at the beautiful ring; then she lifted her head and searched his gaze. Emotions surged through her. Tears misted her eyes as she stared at him for several long seconds before asking softly, the same question he’d asked her moments ago. “Are you sure, Ned?”

  He smiled, didn’t hesitate as he reached out and took her hand and slid the ring onto her finger. “Just as sure as I am about loving you.”

  And then he lowered his head and kissed her again, with as much tenderness as he could, considering what state he was in. Every nerve in his body had sparked to life, every cell ignited.

  She broke off the kiss and reached out and began pulling the tail of his shirt from the waistband of his slacks before pushing it from his broad shoulders. She drew in a ragged breath when her hands went to the snap fastener of his slacks and eased it open before going to his zipper and slowly sliding it down.

  “I might as
well warn you that although you might have the stamina of a twenty-year-old, I feel like a virgin on her wedding night. I haven’t done this in quite a while, Ned.”

  “I heard it’s like riding a horse,” he teased huskily. “Once you’re back in the saddle it’ll come natural as to how you go about managing things.”

  She released a soft chuckle. “I hope you’re right.”

  She gazed up at him when she had the zipper down. The heat of his stare through hazel eyes sent sensations rumbling all through her as she watched him step back to take off his pants. She inhaled deeply. The man had an awesome body.

  “Now can I take off your outfit?” he asked.

  “Yes.”

  His large hands reached out, and in one click of the wrist he undid the ties at her shoulders, and the outfit shimmied down her body, leaving her totally bare. The deep look in his eyes caused her heart to pound furiously in her chest. “I want you. I’ve always wanted you. And I love you so very much,” he whispered. Tell me that you will marry me, Di. You’re already wearing my ring and I have no intention of taking it back. Make me a happy man and tell me.”

  She leaned close and kissed his lips. “I will become a happy woman as well, and yes, Ned, I will marry you, and I will live the rest of my life trying to make you happy.”

  He smiled. “And I will do likewise. And I don’t want a long engagement,” he said, advancing on her again, causing her to resume her walk backward.

  “How soon?”

  How about before we return home? If Felicia wants us to do it all over again, that’s fine. But I don’t want to leave here without making you Mrs. Nedwyn Lansing. If I can arrange things, will you marry me? Here in Savannah? Tomorrow?”

  Love and happiness flowed all through her. “Yes,” she agreed. “Tomorrow.”

  When they finally reached the bed, he gently lowered her onto it and then gathered her to him and kissed her. Diana tasted his hunger. She also tasted his passion, and as a sensual tension made its way through her entire body, she knew what she was about to share with Nedwyn was special. Their friendship had lasted a lifetime, and she believed their marriage would do the same.