“After I embarrassed them one too many times, they dispatched me to a first-class camp. To be honest, I enjoyed it and stopped missing home.”
“When did you learn you were adopted?”
“I was seventeen when they decided to divorce. Frank had several affairs and was drinking a lot. Anne Lee was fed up, left him, and remarried. When I complained that they abandoned me, that I had no home, Frank told me the truth. Very kindly. He said I was a young man now and didn’t need them. He’d pay for my college and graduate studies, or any business I wanted to start. I shouldn’t worry about money. I was their only heir with a lot of dough in my name. I was devastated, scared, and lonely. It took time to adjust.”
“No wonder you worried about Casey’s twins. I’m so sorry, Nick. But I think you misunderstood your parents’ motives. The lifestyle of a world-famous actress and a movie director is not appropriate for a little boy, whether he was adopted or biological. A good boarding school is a far better place for a kid. Wouldn’t you think so?”
“I never saw it this way.” Nick scowled and then stared into space. “But you may be right. They were too busy to raise a child and wouldn’t have done it differently if I was their biological son.” Bitterness faded from his voice and the lines on his forehead relaxed.
“I heard that Anne Lee Meyer was sick. What happened to her?”
“Alzheimer. Phase four. She won’t last long.” His sensuous lips stretched in a thin line, and he blinked several times. Had tears tickled his eyes? He sighed. “She’s in a nursing home in Naples, two hours away from here. I drive to see her every couple of weeks. I see her now more than when I was growing up.” He laughed, a sad self-deprecating laugh.
“And your dad?”
“After several strokes, he’s now in a wheelchair. He still lives in his lavish apartment in Manhattan. Several nurse aids come to help him. Mentally he’s quite alert and continues to do some consulting. I’ve often asked him to move to Florida but he likes the big city where he has a lot of friends and business partners.”
“How old is he?”
“Eighty-one. I visit several times a year.”
“You’re a good son, Nick.” Her own eyes moistened.
“I’m trying to repay what I owe them. After all, they saved me from the orphanage.” A muscle twitched at the base of his neck.
Was he still resenting them? She didn’t dare ask the question.
He played with the bottle of wine. “Want some? I finished that bottle all by myself.”
“Good. It was for you. I don’t drink.”
“I’m such a lousy guest. You invited me to a scrumptious dinner and introduced me to your neighbors to show me different apartments. And I ruined your evening with my depressing story.”
“On the contrary.” She chuckled and pointed at the empty platters. “It makes me very proud we both honored my cooking. And I appreciate your trust.”
A pang of guilt stabbed her soul. He’d shared the secret of his birth, and yet she couldn’t get herself to tell him about her medical problems.
It’s not the same. By confiding in her, he’d treated her as a real friend. If she confessed her sickness, she’d be addressing her boss, the director who’d have to put his patients’ welfare above personal friendship. And maybe fire her. Or relegate her to administrative chores.
She couldn’t tell him anything now. Besides, she was doing well as long as she didn’t forget to take her pill on time. After a meal. Right now.
“Can you help me clear the table?” She needed him busy for a few minutes while she took her medicine.
“Sure.”
While he carried the plates to the kitchen, she strolled to her bathroom, closed the door, and swallowed her pills. “Much better.” She checked her hair in the mirror and reapplied her lipstick.
When she ventured back to the kitchen, Nick had cleaned the platters and set the silver and china in her dishwasher.
“I didn’t mean for you to wash everything.”
“It’s the least I could do after you cooked for me and listened to my ranting.” He caught her shoulders and met her gaze. “Thank you, Madelyn, for letting me vent my frustration. I’ve buried it for so long.” He was too close, stealing her breath.
The flame burning in his eyes warmed her insides and scared her. He might kiss her very soon and she’d probably return his kiss with too much passion. And spoil their burgeoning friendship.
With a swift movement, she eased out of his grasp and smiled. “Hey that’s what friends are for.” A glance at the kitchen ceramic clock alerted her they had spent too much time together.
His gaze followed hers. “Ten thirty already. I need to go. Time flies in your company, Madelyn.” The words full of longing touched a sensitive chord.
“Why don’t I walk you downstairs? I’ll show you the rest of the building.” At least it was safer then kissing him and ending on the living room rug or even on her comfortable bed. She yanked her keys from the horseshoe key holder and rushed to the door.
“Good idea.” Disappointed crinkles formed around his mouth.
With a nervous finger, she pushed on the elevator button and waited, staring at the door. Nick’s warm breath fanned her nape and created unbearable yearning in her heart.
Please, don’t touch me. He didn’t. But she almost sighed in frustration.
Thank God the elevator stopped at her floor a minute later. “I’ll give you a quick tour of the gym, lounge, library, ping-pong room, and then we’ll go to the pool and the beach.”
“Isn’t it too late now?” His gaze held hers, speculating.
She understood his silent question. “There won’t be anybody around.” An uneasy chuckle escaped her. “We don’t need a chaperone, do we?”
A groan answered her, just as the elevator stopped at the lobby level. He followed her quietly. She accelerated her pace, eager to get it over with. Tonight was straining her nerves. Dr. Lu had advised her to avoid stress at work, but Nick generated a different kind with his special charm—a tension no one would think Dr. Ramsay could be susceptible to.
“Here is the gym.” She opened a door with her master key, switched on the lights, and turned them off less than thirty seconds later. “Next to it, are the men’s room and women’s room, and in this corner the ping-pong and pool tables.” She blabbered about various activity rooms without even stopping in front their doors. Nick didn’t protest.
“Up there is the pool.” She pointed to a set of stairs leading to a lit terrace.
“Can we see it?”
She stiffened. Why would he want to see the pool by night?
“You said you were going to show it to me.”
“Ah, yes. Of course.” She climbed up as fast as she could, not looking back, knowing he was there, one step behind her. With a sigh of relief she opened the door and gulped the fresh night air. “Here it is.” Her arms rose to encompass the area ahead of them. “The terrace, the pool, and beyond it the beach.” They strolled onto the pool patio.
“Beautiful.” He leaned over the rail and contemplated the beach. The ocean shimmered with thousands of stars under the moonlight and the sand projected the rays dropping from the sky in a golden band . “So romantic.”
Unfortunately.
“Let’s go back,” she said, eager to hide from temptation in the safety of her condo.
He turned to face her. “Madelyn, do I make you nervous?” His whisper hardly covered the hum of the surf.
A gasp lumped in her throat. She shook her head. “Why do you say that?” Her attempt at chuckling failed miserably.
“You can’t wait to run away.”
She frowned at him. “To be honest, I’d rather avoid this type of conversation.”
He raised his hands. “I’m trying to understand you.”
“Why?”
“Because you’re different. Special. I’ve never talked about my childhood to anyone. When I’m with a woman—”
“Please, spare me the
details. I heard about your womanizing.”
“And you believed every juicy detail, right?”
She bit her lip and considered him. He was so handsome. No wonder women threw themselves at his neck.
“How about now, after I confided in you?” His voice intensified. “Can you see why I can’t commit to a woman? Why I don’t want to have children I might neglect when I’m so dedicated to my work? When I practically live at the hospital?”
“I’m the same,” she whispered.
“I know. That’s why I trust you. That’s why I’m so attracted to you.” He reached and caressed her cheek. “Madelyn, would it be so bad if I kissed you?”
She inhaled and exhaled slowly. “Nick...”
“Don’t you want to try and kiss me?” He brought her against his chest.
“I want to, but—”
“But?” He added so close to her lips.
She jerked back. “Only kisses. Nothing more.”
He looked at her as if she sprouted a horn on each side of her nose. “Are you serious?” He stroked her hair with a gentle hand. “Only kisses...for how long?”
“For a very, very long time.” Stark fear gripped her. Good God, she had enough trouble with her health. How could she complicate her situation with a pointless attachment? “Nick, I can’t afford a relationship. Any type. No marriage, no commitment, no romance, no affair,” she muttered, panic rising.
“Wow.” He laughed and wrapped his arms around her waist. “Then only kisses...until you decide you want more.”
“I won’t change my mind.” She lifted a finger in warning.
“Absolutely nothing more than kisses. Like that.” He grabbed her hand, kissed her palm and slowly sucked on each finger. Her eyes dazed and reason deserted her. “You can trust me,” he added when he ended the seductive game on her fingers.
“I do.” She melted against him. His lips brushed her cheek, pressed on her closed eyelids, glided along her jaw, taking an eternity to skate over every spot of her face. For all his previous pushing, he wasn’t in a rush anymore.
Folding her arms about his neck, she tilted her head to do some kissing of her own. Especially on the dimples that creased his cheeks and the side of his lips that often curled with his charismatic grin. As if he was waiting for this signal he captured her lips, molded them with his and slid an eager tongue in her mouth.
A sigh escaped her. Now she knew how Nick’s kisses felt and why so many women wanted to date him. Elation filled her heart, immediately followed by angst. Nick Preston could never be hers.
Enjoy your moment, girl.
Her mind shut out all thoughts and concentrated on feeling. Nick’s tongue explored and patted, entwined with hers, careened, and waltzed around. She followed suit, tasted and tackled. Squeezed in his arms, she wanted the night to never end. A moan burst out of her.
Nick released her and buried his face in her hair. “I waited five years for that moment,” he murmured.
“Oh Nick.” She smiled and cupped his face. “I enjoyed it too.”
“Let’s go back.” He pulled away.
Her breath caught. “Go where?”
He laughed. “As much as I want to stay with you, I have to go home. And keep my promise. Kisses only. Remember?”
Her chuckle trembled. “Thank you, Nick.”
Hand in hand, they re-entered the building and strolled to the front lobby where a security guard sat behind a counter. She walked Nick to his car parked in the circle in front of the building entrance and he unlocked his BMW.
“Thanks for the dinner. And everything,” Nick added with a wink. “Have sweet dreams.”
“I definitely will.”
He bent, gave her a quick peck on the cheek, and slid in his seat while mumbling something. Had she heard correctly?
She frowned and then laughed as the words cold shower echoed in her ears.
Chapter Five
“You’re such a lovely little thing.” Madelyn held Baby Liana in her arms. “Yes, you’re so pretty and growing fast.” A week had passed since the tragic birth of the twins. Madelyn checked on them several times a day, during her rounds in the NICU and the on-term babies’ nursery. In addition, she made time to come and rock them.
Thank God, she hadn’t felt any tingling or numbness in her limbs. No absence seizure either. Her medicine was working great. Stress plummeted as her mood soared.
“Liana is already 6 lbs and 2 ounces. Celia is catching up at 6 lbs,” Sandra announced. “They should be moved to the well-babies nursery, but if I do that they’d have to be discharged after one or two days according to the insurance.”
“Where would they go, poor darlings?” Madelyn brushed Liana’s forehead with a gentle finger. The preemie opened her eyes. “Oh look at that. Big blue eyes, like cornflower. I wonder if her twin has the same.” Madelyn set the baby in her bassinette and picked up Celia. “Open your baby blues, sweetie.”
“No one had come yet from Child Protective Services,” the nurse explained. “But I heard CPS contacted the dad and had him sign a release for adoption. Apparently he was terrified to learn they were two, not one. At seventeen, he can’t take care of babies. His mother is sending him to college at the other end of the country.” Count on Sandra to be always a well of information.
“Soon these little dolls will have a good family.” Madelyn was more interested in her little patients than in their wimpy father.
“I heard there was a couple interested in Liana.”
“In Liana only?” Worry clenched Madelyn’s heart. “What about Celia? I hope they don’t plan to separate them.”
“CPS said they’d give priority to the parents who’d want to adopt both. But not too many people can afford to adopt two babies at once.”
“Oh no. Twins need each other.” She held Celia closer to her heart and gave her a peck on her hair. “Sandra, you mentioned you’d be interested. They’re so cute.” Madelyn threw her friend a look that should melt a tougher heart.
“I discussed it with my husband more times than I could count. Unfortunately, Chuck insists he wants his own flesh and blood children. Next week we have another appointment at the fertility clinic.”
“Not fair,” Madelyn mumbled against the baby’s hair as she sat in the rocking chair. “Sandra, please bring me Liana.” With the two babies tucked in her arms, she fidgeted so the twins could face each other. “Now, listen to me, you two. I want you to know and love each other. I promise I’ll talk to CPS. They can’t separate you,” she added without conviction. CPS didn’t condone interference in their business by zealous doctors.
“Maybe Dr. Preston can pull some ropes.” Sandra’s tone betrayed her concern and Madelyn had her own doubts. Nick had been very busy with his new responsibilities as Clinic Director and his move to the apartment he’d rented on the twenty-third floor of the Blue Lagoon high rise.
Things didn’t look rosy for the lovely bundles in her arms. “We won’t abandon you, sweethearts. Do your part and get bigger, and I’ll move heaven and earth to help you.”
“Hmm, what happened to the Don’t get too chummy with your patients they drilled in our heads during residency?” Nick’s baritone voice rang ominously behind her.
“Hi, Dr. Preston.” A little rattled by the boss’s presence, Sandra scampered out of the NICU while he slipped on the yellow sterile gown and gloves.
Madelyn spun her head. He stood at the door, arms crossed over his chest. One eyebrow arched. Darn if he didn’t look very directorial.
“We can’t abandon our patients when they’re still so weak.”
“Really? Our business is to keep them healthy. Not to organize their lives. There are others responsible for that.” A grin denied his scorn. “I wish I had a camera to take a picture. You look so beautiful with babies in your arms.” Then all humor faded from his face. “Madelyn, you’ll make a wonderful mother one day.”
She frowned and lowered her gaze to the babies. Wrapped in red and green Christma
ssy blankets, their light blue eyes shining, they looked at her as if she was the center of their universe.
Too late. I can’t have children now. She swallowed the lump in her throat and stiffened. “I told you once I don’t believe in relationship and commitment.”
“A woman according to my heart.” He considered her for a moment. “Yet the pose suits you.”
“Stop it, Nick.” His words needled her with regret and longing. She’d never realized she’d sacrificed so much for her career. Now it hurt. “As long as they are in the NICU, they are my responsibility. I’ll make sure they’re well taken care of.”
“I don’t doubt it. But I heard part of your conversation with Sandra. Don’t expect me to suggest anything to the CPS, or argue or plead with them. It’s not my job.” A scowl formed on his forehead.
“I understand.” Independence had been her motto since she’d joined college. She wasn’t used to asking for help from anyone and wouldn’t start now. “Maybe someone will adopt both. We can hope and pray.” And she wouldn’t allow Nick—as boss or friend—to smother her now.
“Madelyn, adoption is a very secretive procedure. No one will tell you anything. I’ve learned it firsthand.” A shadow obscured his usually charming face. Was he talking about his own situation?
“Have you tried to find your birth parents?” She regretted the question the second she blurted it out. Would he resent her curiosity? “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have asked.”
A one-sided smile curled his mouth “I keep no secrets from you.”
Oh God. She had plenty. Why couldn’t she get herself to confide in him?
Because he’d put his director’s hat on and used his authoritative tone to demand...who knows what.
“To answer your question, yes, I tried to find my birth parents. First I asked Dad about them. He got upset and said to drop the subject and stop being ungrateful. They were dead and I’d never find anything about them. Mom cried and said I was the most precious person in the world.”
“What about your certificate of adoption? You needed official papers to apply for college. Right?” Interested in spite of herself, she wanted to learn about the adoption procedure. If only to help the sweet things she carefully held in her arms.
Sweet and Sassy Baby Love Page 45
