by Robyn Grady
He flipped her onto her back and growled, “My turn to take charge.”
Blood on fire, he eased inside, but only the barest amount. Nibbling her earlobe, he moved, repositioned and tried again.
His curious smile nuzzled into her neck. “Relax. This is fun, remember?”
Her thighs loosened their clamp outside of his.
“I’m relaxed.”
Her answer sounded sincere enough. To be fair, she was narrow through the hips, a very slender build. Rubbers were sometimes restrictive. Hell, perhaps unconsciously she was still a little nervous.
It wasn’t possible that…hell, she couldn’t be…
He drew back slightly and smiled into her eyes. “This is going to sound completely crazy, but please tell me this isn’t your first time.”
“I’ve been with men before.” She pressed her lips together. “Just not this far.”
A virgin?
After the initial shock, he gathered himself. In this day and age, with her looks and worldly experience—not to mention the way she’d rolled on that condom—not likely.
He chuckled. “You’re pulling my leg.” His smile wavered. “Aren’t you?”
“I’ve had relationships. A few times I came close to going all the way, but I always pulled back. It never felt right. But this feels right.” She slid a fingertip over his bottom lip. “Very right.”
He looked at her for a long, disbelieving moment then exhaled hard. “Well, this is an unexpected turn of events.”
“Does it make a difference?”
He lifted his brows. “Not in a bad way, believe me.”
Her fingertip trailed around his jaw, down his neck. “Then what are we waiting for?”
He smiled. What, indeed?
Running a hand down her side, he offered up his thoughts to a higher plane and maneuvered again. In time, the rhythm increased, the way became smoother and the friction built from shooting sparks to leaping white-blue flames. When she pulled down on his ears to kiss him again, a bone-melting inferno rushed through his body and the pent-up passion of twelve years exploded and broke free.
She cried out when he drove in to the hilt. Then every muscle in her body seemed to clench and she cried out in a different way. Through a haze of physical intensity and a shuddering soul-lifting release, he felt her spasm around him and knew she’d climaxed, too.
Heartbeat booming, Gage dropped his head near her ear and almost uttered the words—the ones he never said. But in time, he swallowed them back down. He’d finally made love to the only woman who’d ever mattered to him. He’d be content with that.
Afterward he held her nestled in one arm, her head resting against his chest, her hand curled beneath her chin.
She looked up at him, her eyelids heavy, her expression dreamy and satisfied. “Will you be here in the morning when I wake up?”
He thought of the fax and the pieces of the Dubai deal that had already hit ground zero. So much money on the line. Years of work at stake. He needed to fly over there. He was a complete fool if he didn’t. And yet…
Hell’s fire, he couldn’t leave her. Not now, after that manipulative message from Leeann. He’d given his word. This time he would stay.
He bundled her closer and dropped a kiss on her brow. “I’ll be here.”
But thirty minutes later, when she’d fallen asleep, he eased away and quietly moved into the main living room. If he wasn’t going to Dubai, Nick sure as hell had to.
After ripping out a fax sheet, he grabbed a pen. About to write, he frowned, tossed the Bic and moved back into the bedroom to dig around in his trouser pocket. When he stood over his desk again, the gold pen in his hand, part of the tension and uncertainty eased from his body.
The fax was almost through when a movement caught his eye. Jenna stood in the bedroom doorway, dressed again in that shirt, one arm stretched lazily above her as she yawned.
Her voice was a sleepy sexy drawl. “Are you coming back to bed?”
The fax beeped. Finished.
Exhaling, he set down his pen and joined her. He gathered the hem of that shirt and dragged it over her head in one fluid motion. “There’s a rule I insist you abide by while you’re living in my home. No men’s shirts.”
She half frowned, half smiled. “But I don’t wear negligees to bed.”
Or panties.
He shut the door. “Perfect.”
Nine
A week later, Jenna gazed unseeing—barely feeling—past the passenger window of Gage’s black Maserati.
The powerful V8 engine hummed around her as, concentrating, Gage navigated the curves and dips of the northbound road. After a recent spring shower, the rural scenery looked lush and fresh. The midmorning sun scattered tiny diamonds across the trees and threw a pail of iridescent green over the gently rolling hills.
Under different circumstances she’d have enjoyed the experience—a leisurely drive with a handsome billionaire, who also happened to be an incredible lover and her husband of three days, no less.
Her engagement ring and matching diamond wedding band shone up from her clasped hands, their brilliance smudged through a blur of tears.
Was she kidding herself? Had marrying Gage really helped her chances of claiming Meg?
Gage reached to squeeze her hand. “Tired? It’s been a busy few days. Hours of travel,” he flicked over a warm smile, “with a wedding thrown in.”
Despite her request that they marry in Australia, as a safeguard Gage had also lodged the necessary paperwork in New Zealand. With documents in order, they’d flown into Wellington, then on to Mt. Ruapehu. The chateau was a combination of early twentieth century elegance and secluded romantic retreat. In a grand room, decorated with fountains of fragrant lilies and pink satin bows, they’d said their vows, Summer and Nick smiling on.
No one would have guessed they weren’t in love. When he’d said I do, even she had believed it—a bittersweet sensation that Jenna tried not to dwell upon. Just as she’d tried not to think about Meg every minute of every day.
Not happening. Even now that heavy, helpless feeling pressed down, crushing her, squeezing the air from her lungs. If only she knew when and how this would end. If only she knew when she would hold her Meg—Amy’s baby—again.
Gage seemed to read her mind. “Lance hopes to hear back next week about the petition he lodged for us yesterday with the Family Court.”
He’d reassured her of this six times already. Gage’s lawyer had filed their petition as a married couple, stating that—given Leeann’s intention to leave the country and the age of the child—their case was urgent. Plans were advancing as quickly as possible. Leeann was now fully aware of their objectives. But…
Jenna gazed out the window again. “I just wish Leeann would stop playing her games and let me see her.”
An image of Meg’s rosebud mouth and big blue eyes was a constant in her mind. She’d heard enough excuses. She was at a point where she wanted to knock down Leeann’s door and demand to see her niece. Not wise, but oh-so-tempting.
A few minutes later, Gage turned onto a narrower road. But hadn’t she seen a letterbox at the corner? Jenna glanced back over her shoulder. And what was the story with that mile-long brick and iron fence?
She frowned. “This is someone’s driveway.” A very long driveway at that.
Listening to a blues CD, he tapped a thumb on the steering wheel. “Actually, it’s our driveway.”
Jenna blinked several times. “Ours?”
“This property is our country retreat,” he explained. “Yours, mine and Meg’s.”
Jenna’s jaw unhinged as his words sank in and a sprawling ranch-style home came into view. Timber and dark brick, a triple garage, colorful casual gardens and—
Her breath caught then she closed her eyes tight and dropped her head.
He was trying to keep her hopes up, and have an appropriate address for the judge—acreage where a child could run free and play, rather than a multistory penthouse
in the central business district. But seeing an extravagant swing set was too much to bear. Would Meg ever use that bright blue slide, or climb through that candy-red cubby house?
Would Jenna ever become her mother?
The car pulled up on the circular drive directly outside the front door.
She let out a long breath. “I know you’re trying to be kind…”
“I’m merely being prepared,” he replied, easing out of the car.
Preparing for a dream to come true. Well, the biggest part of her dream anyway—gaining guardianship of Meg. She’d always known Gage wasn’t a permanent part of the equation. And she could accept that—even after sharing his bed.
Really, she could.
He helped her out and onto the crushed pebble drive. His mouth hooked up at one side. “Want to have a look around?”
He looked better than incredible in that chambray shirt and pair of deep blue jeans. Although his chest was broader and the fine lines branching from his eyes confirmed he was older, the memories flooded back. Once, when he’d worn jeans every day, she’d fantasized about them owning a home together. She’d envisaged a child as well…maybe two. She’d been so in love with him then.
Her chest lurched.
Don’t think about that.
As they walked off, Gage wrapped his arm around her waist. “Looks like we have visitors.”
Jenna caught sight of another vehicle, parked on the other side of the garages.
Gage was a mystery in many ways, but he could also be thoughtful. He must have asked Nick and Summer out for the day. Summer had been so supportive in New Zealand and had phoned nearly every day since. The company of that lovely couple could be just what the doctor ordered.
But when two people appeared from around the corner, Jenna’s smile slipped and the blood from her head funneled straight down to her toes.
Their visitors weren’t Summer and Nick.
Gage’s question came in a husky murmur at her ear. “Aren’t you going to say hello?”
Dazed, she gaped at him. His expression was warmer than she’d ever seen it and his gray eyes…they were dancing!
Tina—Meg’s nanny—stopped before them, the baby, in a soft pink and white dress and booties, asleep in her arms. The tiny matching bonnet had slipped and sat slightly crooked on her crown.
“She should be waking soon.” Tina smiled down at Meg, who seemed so much bigger since the last time Jenna had seen her. “Maybe we could go inside. It’s starting to get hot out here.”
While Jenna struggled with rising tears of joy, and a clashing jumble of emotions—How long do I have her? How hard will it be to give her back?—Gage gestured toward the house. “Were you waiting long, Tina? I didn’t think we were late.”
Jenna’s mind hiccupped and caught up. Had Gage arranged this meeting behind Leeann’s back? Perhaps he’d bribed Tina to come all the way out here. Which didn’t seem to make her a very trustworthy person to leave in charge of a young child.
Gage swung open the door and they stepped into a living room that was…ordinary. Timber and tapestry furniture that looked homey rather than imposing. A stone fireplace built into the far tongue-and-groove wall. A quaint grandfather clock stood ticking in one corner. Scattered rugs on the flagstone floor…a vase of daisies on the table…
She loved it!
Gage curled a knuckle around her cheek. “I think you should hold your niece.”
Jenna nodded fiercely, but as soon as Tina laid a sleeping Meg in her aunt’s arms, the thrill of this huge surprise twirled around and hit Jenna high in the stomach.
Her throat felt so thick, she couldn’t swallow. Only smile.
“She’s so beautiful.”
Gage stood close beside her, looking down, too. That knuckle touched Meg’s cheek. Her little mouth pouted and sucked in and out, as if she were having a dream about dinner.
Gage grunted—a satisfied sound. “She certainly is cute.”
“She is, indeed. And now I’ll leave you both alone to enjoy her.”
Tina’s words snapped Jenna back. Alone? “Where are you going?”
Amy had been gone almost a month. What if Meg didn’t recognize her face and cried? The very thought ripped the heart from Jenna’s chest, but how could she deny the possibility? She’d rather be in pain herself than see Meg upset.
Gage walked down a hallway. “There’s a sunroom down here, Tina, with magazines and cable. An Internet connection too, if you’re interested.”
Jenna’s locked muscles relaxed. Meg’s nanny wouldn’t be too far away then.
Tina tapped the tote bag slung over her shoulder. “I have a book, thank you.” She stepped closer to Jenna. “She’ll most likely be uncertain when she wakes to find a…” Her brow pinched. “A different face.”
She had only confirmed what Jenna already knew. Leeann, and Tina, had become the people the baby knew and relied upon now.
Jenna gazed down at Meg, so warm and snug in her arms. She nodded. “If she gets upset, I’ll have Gage get you.”
Tina’s smile was appreciative. “Her bag with a written routine is in the front seat of the car.”
“I’ll get that,” Gage offered, returning from having opened a door at the end of that hall. “Make yourself comfortable, Tina. There’s a kitchenette in there, too.”
Tina had no sooner closed the door behind her than Meg began to stir. Jenna’s knees went weak. Please don’t cry, little girl. Please remember me.
But she settled back to sleep again, curling toward Jenna’s breast.
“Surprised?”
Jenna suppressed a laugh. “That’s a huge understatement. How did you arrange it?” Her gut pitched. “What will Leeann say?”
“Leeann knows. I contacted her when we arrived back from New Zealand and told her how eager I was to discuss Darley Realty, that I should still be able to make the date we’d arranged for the meeting, but could we get in a nice long visit with Meg beforehand.”
Jenna could barely believe her ears. He didn’t pull any punches. “And she said yes?”
“Meg is ours until tomorrow lunchtime. It’s in writing, so Leeann can’t change her story later.”
“And Tina?”
His lips twitched. “I have a feeling Tina will enjoy the break—not from Meg but from Leeann. She’s staying overnight, too. There’s a guest bedroom in that wing.”
Slowly waking, Meg stretched an arm and squeaked. Jenna’s body tensed. “I’ve never looked after a baby before.”
He chuckled. “Better get used to it.”
As the baby moved against Jenna, a sensation of real hope seeped through her. “You really think we have a chance?”
His expression hardened almost imperceptibly. “I normally get what I want, Jenna. I want this for you.”
Her eyes misted over; she wanted to ask what else he wanted. But she was scared of the reply. Scared he wouldn’t confirm that his needs for the future included them.
Meg blew a bubble and dragged open her eyes. Her lashes swept down again, her flawless brow pinched, then she blinked her eyes fully open.
Jenna held her breath and gently murmured, “Hello, sweetie.”
Meg’s gaze grew more intense, the corners of her mouth quaked, then she blinked twice more and slowly, slowly smiled.
Jenna choked on a teary laugh.
Gage whispered beside her. “I’m hungry when I wake up. Should we feed her now?”
Jenna carefully sloped the baby up in her arm as Meg seemed to focus more on her. In fact, wouldn’t take her eyes off her. “Let’s get her bag. Tina mentioned a routine.” Guilt knotted in her stomach. “I should have done more research on infants. I just hadn’t expected…”
She took in Meg again and relaxed a notch as the warm stir of instinct seemed to take over. “I think a diaper change would be a good idea.”
With long strides, Gage headed for the door. “Diapers coming up.”
Five minutes later they were in the nursery, Meg on the changin
g table, Gage handing over the wipes. He hung further back than Jenna thought entirely necessary.
She hid a grin. “Powder, please.”
Meg blew more bubbles, clenched her tiny fist and kicked her heels.
Gage’s expression, by contrast, was intense. He rummaged around the baby bag then slapped the powder bottle in Jenna’s open palm. “Powder.”
Her grin became a laugh. “This isn’t an operation.”
“Coulda fooled me.” Gage gingerly tied the plastic bag that contained the soiled diaper.
Jenna applied the powder then set the new diaper under the baby’s bottom. She fixed the tabs, grateful for this day, for Gage’s help and his resilience.
She stole a quick glance at him. “I’m proud of you.”
He grunted. “Me? Why?”
“I don’t know a lot of men who’d be brave enough to tackle that right off the bat.” She eyed the diaper bag.
He cocked a brow and held the bag up by one tie. “To be fair to the rest of my gender, it does take courage.”
His lopsided grin wrapped around her heart—and squeezed. This exchange was feeling way too comfortable. Too dangerous. Save that heart of yours, Jenna, and don’t get used to it.
She slipped Meg’s bloomers back on then eased her up into her arms. Oh, it felt so good!
She faced Gage. “Want to have a nurse?”
Gage’s easy smile shifted enough for a frown line to form between his brows. He ran a hand over Meg’s crown. “This is your time. I’m here to assist.”
Jenna didn’t let her hurt show. After all, what did she expect? If—correction, when—the guardianship situation was settled and she and Meg were together without any doubt of separation, Gage would get on with his life. He’d made it clear he didn’t want the full-time commitment that went with kids. So it was better that he was wise enough not to get too close now.
Meg grabbed Jenna’s finger, her beautiful face glowing as if she truly knew her auntie. Or perhaps it was the memory of her wonderful mother’s face that Meg was reacting to.
Jenna bit her inside cheek.
No tears today. This was “happy” time.
“Why don’t we get a blanket and sit under a tree,” Gage suggested. “She might enjoy the scenery. I read somewhere that babies like colors.”
