Playing With Fire

PLAYING WITH FIRE An Ellora’s Cave Publication, March 2004 Ellora’s Cave Publishing, Inc. PO Box 787 Hudson, OH 44236-0787 ISBN MS Reader (LIT) ISBN # 1-84360-866-9 Other available formats (no ISBNs are assigned): Adobe (PDF), Rocketbook (RB), Mobipocket (PRC) & HTML PLAYING WITH FIRE © 2004 MARILYN LEE ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. This book may not be reproduced in whole or in part without permission. This book is a work of fiction and any resemblance to persons, living or dead, or places, events or locales is purely coincidental. They are productions of the authors’ imagination and used fictitiously. Edited by Martha Punches. Cover art by Scott Carpenter.

PLAYING WITH FIRE Marilyn Lee

Marilyn Lee

Chapter One Adam Hayden shifted in his mahogany leather chair. The sunlight streaming in through the Venetian blinds at the window behind him cast a pleasing glow over the room. The glow extended to the face of the woman staring sternly at him from the other side of his desk. Not that she needed any help. Thick, luxurious, dark hair was pulled back from a perfect heart-shaped face, emphasizing her classic bone structure and clear, flawless, honey-kissed brown skin. Her eyes were a dark, rich, liquid brown, her lips, like the rest of her body, were enticingly full. She had the kind of body a man could really make love to and lose himself in her enveloping warmth. Why had he never noticed the allure of an attractive, full-figured woman who exuded confidence and sheer sexuality? With looks like hers she should be in some photographer’s office in center city Philadelphia, posing for the cover of an upscale women’s magazine. Not storming into his well-ordered life in the middle of a hectic, May afternoon, throwing him behind schedule and sending his libido into active overdrive. Looking at her, he felt his cock stirring. But what the hell. He couldn’t afford to lose his perspective with her. Still, under different circumstances, this well-endowed, long-legged, voluptuous woman with the large, luscious looking breasts would certainly have been welcome in his office, his social life, and into his bed anytime. But not today. Today, he glowered back at her. “Lady, just who do you think you are to tell my daughter that she doesn’t have to marry the father of her baby?” He watched as she took several deep breaths, as if schooling herself not to lose her temper before she spoke. “You’re mistaken, Mr. Hayden, if you think I had anything to do with Dana’s decision. She made it by herself, after a lot of soul-searching. You should be very proud of her. It wasn’t an easy decision to make, but she’s determined to be a good, single mother and get a college education. My colleagues and I at the Women’s Alliance will do all we can to help her, but she needs your support too.” “Help her?! You call telling her it’s okay to be an unwed mother at her age helping her?” He glanced at the picture of Dana on the upper right-hand corner of his desk. A smiling, sweet-faced girl with long, dark hair, and dark eyes and a beautiful mocha complexion smiled at him from the frame. She looked far too young and innocent to become an unwed mother. “What makes you think my daughter needs help from you or your organization?” He watched her brown eyes narrow. “Hmm. Let me think. Maybe it was the fact that she came into the center two months ago seeking guidance. And that’s all I gave

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her,” she said in a voice cool enough to freeze the waters of the Delaware River in midAugust. “I’ve seen her several times since then and I’ve been impressed with her resolve each time. In addition to offering her all the resources at the center, I’d like to be her friend.” “Her friend?” Adam made no effort to hide his annoyance. “Lady, in case you haven’t noticed Dana is only seventeen. And you want to be her friend? How old are you?” “I never thought age had anything to do with friendship, but I’m twenty-nine. How old are you, Mr. Hayden?” she asked coolly with a confidence he would have admired under different circumstances. Now, he checked the impulse to order the woman out of his office. Maybe he could use her obvious influence on Dana to his own advantage. In any case, telling her to stay out of his life, his office, and his business wouldn’t change Dana’s mind. As much as he hated the idea, he couldn’t afford to antagonize this woman, not yet anyway. Unfortunately, annoyance wasn’t the only emotion she generated in him. He had to fight to keep his gaze from lingering on her breasts. The effort took a toll on him and when he spoke, his voice came out low and husky. “I’m thirty-eight,” he said slowly, shifting mental gears. “And I love slow dancing with friends. If you’d like to come dancing with me sometime, I know a place where we could slow dance the night away to R & B, Miss Harrison. Or do you prefer Ms?” She treated him to a frigid stare. “For the record, I have no interest in your personal life, Mr. Hayden.” Shannon congratulated herself for keeping a straight face even as her stomach did flip-flops. She wet her lips and glanced at him from under her lowered lids. He was the most physically beautiful man she had ever seen in person and yet the slight hint of laughter lines bracketing his sensual looking mouth suggested character. His eyes had undeniable depths to them. Depth of experience or was it pain? His dark, well cut suit emphasized his magnificent physique. But then he would look good in cut-off jeans and an old, sleeveless pullover. Why hadn’t she paid more attention when Dana had talked about him? She found herself wanting very much to know if this tall, sexy man with those intense blue eyes in a pale, handsome face and silky looking hair had a special woman in his life. Or was he up for grabs? The thought of ‘grabbing’ him sent a rush of heat to her cheeks. Not that it mattered, she scolded herself. Personal involvement was, after all, out of the question. “And no, I would not like to go dancing with you, Mr. Hayden,” she added for emphasis, though it was more for her own benefit than his. She forced herself to meet his gaze head on as he made a slow, insolent, suggestive inspection of her. She knew men generally found her breasts rather arresting and tended to find her legs deserving of long, appreciative stares. Did he find her half as attractive as she found him?

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“Are you sure about that?” he asked softly. “I am positive, Mr. Hayden.” He shrugged. “Ah, well, you can’t blame a man for trying.” Shannon decided it was time she reminded them both why she was there. Otherwise, it would be too tempting to surrender to the urge to flirt openly with him. “It’s Mrs. Harrison, Mr. Hayden.” “Mrs.?” He blinked in surprise. Apparently, he hadn’t noticed the simple gold band on the third finger of her left hand. “Yes, Mrs.,” she said smoothly, enjoying the subdued look on his face. Letting him think she was still married might help keep their discussion on a professional basis. “Now, if we could get back to the reason you agreed to see me this afternoon?” She glanced at the gold watch on her wrist without actually seeing the time. “I do have other appointments.” “Do you? Then I suggest you get started on them because you’ve wasted your time and mine coming here, Mrs. Harrison,” he said sharply. “Dana is going to get married before her baby is born. So I can’t imagine what you thought you and I had to discuss.” She stared at him in surprise. “You think there’s nothing to discuss? Aren’t you the least bit disturbed by the fact that she does not love this guy you insist she marry?” “She loved him enough to let him get her pregnant!” His thoughtless comment overshadowed the pain she heard in his voice. She frowned. “Sex is not love!” And just where had he been while Dana was having sex? Probably slow dancing with some slender beauty at his R & B joint. Anger and indignation tightened her belly. How could he feel that way when Dana was bending over backwards not to disappoint him? “You mean you’d rather Dana was involved in a miserable marriage than be a single, happy mother?” she demanded, making no effort to conceal the censure in her voice. “Surely, I’m not understanding you correctly, Mr. Hayden.” He took a deep, almost painful breath and then exploded to his feet. “Frankly, Mrs. Harrison, I don’t give one little damn what you do or do not understand. About anything.” He moved swiftly across the room to open his office door. “Now if you will excuse me, I too have other appointments that I intend to keep.” She remained seated. He was sadly mistaken if he thought she could be so easily dismissed. Dana was counting on her to at least get him to discuss her refusal to marry. And that’s what she intended to do—using any means necessary. The thinly veiled look of interest in his eyes earlier, when he’d assumed she was single, let her know she had just such a means at her disposal. Assuming he liked fullfigured women. And assuming she dared to try it. And why shouldn’t she? Full-figured was not synonymous with unattractive. A woman could be both. She could be both. She lifted her chin slightly. She was both. The plan, taking shape in her mind, was risky and about as unprofessional as she

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could get, but if it kept Dana from the agony of a bad marriage, so be it. She settled herself firmly in her seat and crossed one leg over the other. As she did, the skirt of her calf-length dress fell away, revealing her thighs. They were large and what her mother liked to call healthy. She was pleased at the way his blue gaze was immediately drawn to her legs. “Surely your appointments can’t be nearly as important as discussing your only child’s happiness, Mr. Hayden,” she said, allowing her voice to soften into a warm purr. But he didn’t seem impressed—at least not by her attempt to sound seductive. This was not to say he was entirely unmoved. The clinging muscles in his jaw assured her of that. Still, his reaction fell short of her hopes. He swore angrily, closed his office door with a decided bang, and turned to face her. “What did you just say to me?” His voice was dangerously low, his eyes cool. She uncrossed her legs, pushed her skirt down, and scrambled to her feet. Her heart beat uncomfortably fast as he stormed across the room to scowl directly down into her face. Her eyes widened as she looked up at his six foot plus frame. It had been a long time since she’d seen such a stunning pair of shoulders or such a wide chest. He was big and totally masculine. And his cologne enchanted her. She didn’t want to be swayed, but the sheer masculinity of him, overpowered and inflamed her senses. She took several deep breaths. She needed to think clearly, which meant keeping her thoughts off of his physically exciting attributes. But he was so sexy that was impossible. Still, she had to at least try. “Mr. Hayden, I think—” she began, her voice unsteady. “I really don’t care what you think about anything, you insolent witch!” He cut her off ruthlessly. “How dare you imply that I’m not concerned about Dana’s happiness? You have no idea how I feel about my only child. For two cents, I’d shake you until your legs buckle.” Stunned by the heat and force of his unexpected verbal attack, she backed away from him until she felt his big oak desk against the back of her legs. She’d clearly chosen her words unwisely. Her best move now would be to cut her losses and try again when they’d both had time to cool down. “I didn’t mean to imply any such thing,” she began in her best let’s-be-reasonable voice. “You’ve clearly misunderstood my intensions…” She gazed into his stormy blue eyes and ground to a brief halt. She pressed her lips together and regrouped. “Maybe we can talk again when you’re feeling more reasonable.” “Are you saying that I’m being unreasonable now?” A quick glance at his face convinced her that she’d goofed in a big way. His voice was testy, his eyes cold. Clearly, he was not in the mood to be seduced. A woman with half the sense she was born with would apologize and leave—quickly—and resume the battle another day. But she’d never been a quitter. And she was almost sure that if she 7

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kept her head, she might still be able to prevail. She smiled slowly, ignoring the inner voice that warned playing at seduction with him was dangerous. “What I’m saying…asking, is that you give me a little more time to explain. That’s all. Surely, that’s not too much to ask.” He gave her a long, measured look, his eyes narrowing with a glint she didn’t like. For a moment she panicked, wondering if he’d guessed at her intentions. Once he spoke, she decided she was being paranoid, because he gave no indication that he sensed her plan. “I’m listening,” he said grudgingly. She glanced at his chiseled features, spreading her hands in a placating manner. He remained silent, staring at her. She sighed and slowly closed the distance between them. She put a hand on the shoulder of his dark suit before lifting her face to his. “There’s really no need for any unpleasantness between us. We both have Dana’s best interests at heart. So I’m sure we can be…friends,” she said slowly, feeling her way. Before she could decide how much further she should go, he snatched the choice from her. His big hands came out whipcord fast, latching onto her arms. Catching and holding her gaze, he slowly reeled her in until she was nestled within the circle of his arms against his body. She caught her breath as a flood of desire swept through her. His body stirred in response to hers. She clung to his arms to steady herself. She could feel all the hard muscles of his thighs pressing intimately against her—almost into her. She bit her lip, closing her eyes briefly. She felt the unmistakable bulge of his cock hardening against her. Oh, Lord! It had been too long since she’d been with a man, she realized, as she began to burn with an ache that incinerated common sense. She had never felt such an overwhelming need for a man—not even Jack, in the early days of their marriage, had made her feel this weakness in the legs. This painful longing to feel him inside her. She wanted Adam Hayden. Now. All other considerations gone, she pressed against the beguiling bulge in his pants. Breathing deeply, she lifted her head to stare up at him, letting him see the desire in her eyes. He caught his breath as he stared down at her, slowly, sensuously grinding his cock against her. She shuddered with desire. What was he thinking? Did he like her thick, dark hair up or would he prefer it down so he could run his fingers and lips through it as he slowly sank into her? Was it the thought of kissing her trembling, parted lips that had started the tell-tale stirring in his groin, a stirring she could not resist pressing ever closer to? Whatever attracted him, he wrapped his arms around her pliant body and held her so close that she couldn’t help but feel the affect she had on him. It made her feel giddy, sexy, and needy. The grinding of her lower body into his elicited a soft groan from him. “So you want to be my friend too?” he asked, his voice soft and husky with unmistakable masculine need. His teeth tugged gently at one of her earlobes, sending a 8

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tingle of desire right down to her toes. He pressed her back against his desk, his tongue making an exploration of the delicate channels of her ear and the sensitive skin under her jaw line. “Oh, yes,” she gasped, almost mindless with desire. “I want to be your friend!” And his lover. “You smell so good,” he whispered, brushing his lips against the rapid tattoo of the pulse in her neck. “Oh God, I want you!” His satin lips sent her passions soaring. If he didn’t make love to her soon, she would explode. She arched her neck and raised a hand to stroke her fingers through his short, dark hair. It felt soft and silky. She brushed his crisp linen shirt with the palm of her other hand, savoring the delight of feeling the hard muscles of his chest. He made a soft sound deep in his throat and closed his hand over the one on his chest. Their gazes met and locked and she couldn’t look away from him. She didn’t want to look away. She wanted him to see her desire and her surrender in her gaze. As they looked into each other’s eyes, her breath constricted. She felt as if they were connected in some elemental way that went beyond their sexual desire for each other. Losing herself in his gaze, she felt almost as if she had found her soul mate and she wanted to give herself completely to him. She knew he shared fully in her desire because she could feel him pulsing against her. His fingers interlaced with hers. She gasped, knowing she was within minutes of having him make love to her. She stroked her free hand against his hair again. As she did, the sunlight coming in through the blinds glinted off her wedding ring. He stared at it in silence, stiffened, swore violently, and moved away from her so suddenly that without the support of his arms, she lost her balance. She fell backwards across his desk in an ignominious heap. She righted herself slowly. The hands that smoothed down her clothes trembled noticeably and uncontrollably. Why had he withdrawn so abruptly when they were both burning to make love? What had she done to turn him away? Her pride wouldn’t allow her to ask why he’d rejected her. Several moments passed before she could make herself look at him. By then, he stood by the door with his hands stuffed into his trouser pockets, looking as if she was the last person he wanted to share a room with—forget make love to. “Was there anything else you wanted to say to me before you left, Mrs. Harrison?” He made no effort to hide the contempt in his voice as he spoke. Her feelings shocked her. Why should being rejected by a man she didn’t know or like, leave her with a throbbing ache that left her feeling so raw? She bent to pick up her shoulder bag and briefcase before moving across the room to the door he held open. Part of her wanted to cower under the force of his cool, condemning gaze, but she made herself look directly into his eyes. “I think you’ve made yourself perfectly clear. So all that’s left is for me to thank you for your time, Mr. Hayden.” 9

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“I wish I could say it’s been a pleasure,” he told her coldly. “It wasn’t fun and games for me either, but perhaps now you can at least understand how easy it is to go too far with a man you don’t love,” she answered angrily. “Or even like, come to that. Maybe this…fiasco will help you to be more empathetic toward Dana.” The frigid look in his eyes hit her like an arctic blast. “Understand this, Mrs. Harrison, Dana is my concern and responsibility. I want you to stay away from her. I think you’ve already done enough damage and I wouldn’t want your loose morals to further corrupt her.” She recoiled as if he’d struck her. “Loose morals?!” “You heard me. Loose morals,” he repeated. Her face burned with heat, her heart with a combination of pain and rage. “Who do you think you’re talking to? You miserable, ill-mannered brute! You have no right to talk to me that way! You don’t know anything about me or my morals!” “I know all I need or want to know, Mrs. Harrison.” “You…oh, get out of my way!” She shoved angrily against his shoulder in an attempt to push past him. He reached out and hauled her body close against his. Clamping his hands on her waist, he stared down at her. She stiffened. He was still hard and she had to fight against the impulse to rotate her hips so she could feel every inch of his arousal. But she had no intensions of giving him another chance to call her loose. “Take your hands off of me!” To her surprise, he released her immediately. She turned and hurried out of the office before she could give into the urge to slap him across his hateful face. Shaken, Adam closed the door behind her and went back to his desk. He realized his legs were unsteady and sank onto his chair. He stared down at the preliminary plans for the New York project he’d been reviewing when she arrived. After a moment, he pushed the blueprints away and leaned back in his chair, flexing his shoulders, breathing slowly and deeply. His cock felt painfully hard. Damn but he had wanted her. But that was impossible. He shuddered. He’d come as close as he ever wanted to come to trying to seduce a married woman. If the sunlight glittering off her ring hadn’t brought him back to his senses, he wasn’t sure how far he’d have gone. He shook his head. Now that wasn’t quite true. He knew exactly how far he’d wanted to go. He wouldn’t have stopped until he was lying on top of her with his cock thrust deep into her pussy and his mouth crushed over her lips. There was no doubt he would have given her one of the hardest, hungriest fucks of her life if not for that damned ring. To make matters worse, instead of being thankful for his lucky escape, he was

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annoyed he hadn’t had a chance to bed her. He frowned, realizing he’d wanted more than just a sleazy, mid afternoon fuck. Even as she’d infuriated him, he’d been aware of a need to be gentle and tender with her. He had wanted to make love to her as much as he’d wanted to fuck her. He trembled with desire as he thought of how sweet her pouty lips would have tasted under his mouth. Thoughts of holding her big, full breasts in his hands, made him ache with unfulfilled desire. No one had made him feel this delicious and risky combination since Janet. He was really losing it. He had to restrict his interest in Shannon Harrison to the extent that she could help him with Dana. Dana. His sweet, little girl. He ran a hand along the back of his neck. Part of him felt like crying as he thought about her experiencing some of what his own mother had gone through. The other part wanted to break the neck of the boy responsible for her pregnancy. His wife and Dana’s mother, Janet, had been his high school sweetheart and the love of his life. He’d expected to raise several children with her, share all the joys and sorrows of life with her, and finally to grow old with her. Instead, she had died of breast cancer when Dana was only three-years-old, leaving a painful emptiness in his life that had never been filled. He swallowed, trying to dislodge some of the guilt threatening to choke him. Despite his best efforts, he had failed Dana. He’d done his best to raise Dana by himself. He knew he’d made mistakes, but he’d always been careful to make sure Dana knew how much he loved and cherished her. He’d tried to be more than her father. He’d tried to be her friend. And he and Dana had always been able to talk about anything…until now. Now, when Dana faced the most important decision of her life, he had to go through Shannon Harrison to reach her. How that galled him. Still, he supposed he’d have to apologize to the woman. The thought left a bad taste in his mouth until he realized that apologizing would afford him the perfect opportunity to see her again. Who knew? Maybe the next time they met he’d make a better impression. He frowned. What was he thinking? She’d still be married. All the wishing in the world wouldn’t change that. He could not allow himself to develop a personal or sexual interest in her. She was off limits. So said his mind. Other parts of him had other ideas. With his cock aching and his balls feeling as if they were ready to burst, he decided there was a time for everything. And maybe this was a time to shove his morals aside and just live for the moment. If she didn’t let the fact that she was married stand in the way of what she wanted, why should he? After all, he wasn’t married. When he had been, he’d never been tempted to be unfaithful to Janet. And it wasn’t as if he planned to take her away from her husband. He just wanted a few afternoons to romance her. He frowned. Of course that would mean dodging her husband. The thought held little appeal, but he needed to do this for Dana’s benefit, he assured himself. He’d take her out a couple of times…send her flowers and candy. He’d call her just to hear her sexy voice. And maybe he’d make 11

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slow love to her, adoring her as she deserved to be adored. He planned to discover and caress all her curves, nooks, and delicious crannies. Her big, but delightfully proportioned body would undoubtedly give him hours of ecstasy he would long remember. Hopefully, that’s all it would take to get her to see his point of view. He was convinced once he had her support, Dana would stop being stubborn and realize that she had to get married. He flicked the intercom on his desk. “Sara, get me the phone number to the Women’s Alliance over on Fourth Street, please.” “Is there anyone in particular you want, Adam?” “Yes. No. Just get me the number, will you please?” There was a frigid little pause before Sara replied in a clipped voice. “Just a moment.” He closed his eyes. Just what he wanted-another woman furious with him. “I’m sorry, Sara. I’m having a bad afternoon.” “It’s all right, Adam,” she said, her voice warming. Now if only he could appease Shannon Harrison as easily.

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Chapter Two Shannon kept a tight rein on her feelings as she rode the elevator from Adam Hayden’s office to the street. It wasn’t easy. She seethed with sexual frustration and fury that he had dared imply she was easy. If it was one thing she was not, it was easy. Damn him for making her feel so…blasted needy. Once outside in the warm afternoon sunshine, however, she allowed herself the luxury of a few sniffles, before she determinedly fought back the desire to have a good long cry. When she’d finally gotten over Jack’s desertion, she’d vowed never to cry over another man. She rubbed at her burning eyes. What was there to cry about? What did it manner what Adam Hayden thought of her? Slipping on her sunglasses, she walked quickly down the busy street. So he had decided that he wasn’t interested in her after working her up to a feverish pitch. So what? It didn’t change anything. It just meant that helping Dana was going to prove more difficult than she’d anticipated. She hadn’t given up when Jack had left her penniless, and she wouldn’t give up now. Dana had too much at stake for her to surrender. She had to admit that trying to seduce Adam Hayden in his own office had been a big mistake. She tightened her lips. The next time, she’d be strictly personal. Her heart fluttered traitorously at the thought of seeing him again. Oh, hell. Who was she kidding? The only thing she could guarantee is that next time, she’d be more selective in her seduction tactics and locations. And there would be a next time. She knew it wasn’t right, and she was asking for trouble, but part of her knew that she wouldn’t be happy until she’d gazed up into Adam Hayden’s passion-filled blue eyes again and savored the taste and feel of his lips as he made love to her. Made love to her? Boy, was she delusional. The man had rejected her seduction attempts. He despised her. So why torture herself with impossible fantasies? The five block walk back to work gave her a chance to notice the occasional doubletakes and appreciative stares thrown her way. If Adam Hayden wasn’t interested, there were other men who were. The social service agency’s satellite office where she worked was housed in a small, two-story building. She looked around with a certain amount of pride as she entered. The small office occupied the entire second floor above a florist shop. She and her partner, Paula Davis, had taken the sterile looking rooms and gave them a homey look. They had spent an entire weekend working to paint the walls a soft, pale blue, the woodwork an eggshell-white. They had spent their own money on blue and white lace curtains. Plants and pictures donated by area businesswomen completed the look to give their work space a serene look that seemed to soothe their clients.

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The only other sizable room on the floor had been converted into a small dormitory with six beds and two shower stalls. The dormitory temporarily sheltered women who had left bad relationships and had nowhere else to go. Shannon looked around the small office and couldn’t help comparing it to Adam Hayden’s large, plush office. This office might not have been furnished by an interior decorator, but it was her home away from home. She put her bag and briefcase on the chair by her small, cluttered desk and sat down. “Back already?” Paula looked up from her desk, located directly opposite’s Shannon in the small room. “How did it go?” She blew out a deep breath. “Not good. I can see why Dana wanted help. Her father is impossible.” Paula cast her a long look. “What’s the matter? Didn’t you bat your big baby browns at him? Or was he impervious to those gorgeous eyes of yours?” She briefly allowed her thoughts to dwell on him. She suppressed a shudder. Even now, as she remembered the feel of his body against hers, a tingling sensation warmed her whole body—especially her face. To cover her confusion at the lustful thoughts she couldn’t seem to keep at bay, she pulled her appointment book from her briefcase and started to flip through it. “Really, Paula, sometimes you’re impossible. I went there to reason with him, not charm him.” “Is that why you’re looking so flustered? Because he wasn’t charmed?” Giving up the pretense of looking over her appointments, she gave Paula an agitated look. “If I am flustered, and I’m not saying I am, but if I am, it’s because Adam Hayden is the most head-strong, arrogant, unreasonable, close-minded, dictatorial, idiotic man I’ve ever had the misfortune to meet!” Paula nodded solemnly. “Yeah, but does he have any bad points?” As she laughed, some of the tension she’d felt since leaving Adam Hayden’s office drained away. But the desire remained. She shrugged. “Okay, I guess I was pouring it on a little thick, but not by much.” “I’ll have a crack at him, if you like,” Paula offered. Her reason for not immediately accepting Paula’s offer had nothing to do with the dormant sensual fire Adam Hayden had ignited in her…or so she assured herself. “Thanks, Paula, but I wouldn’t wish him on my worst enemy.” “Inquiring minds want to know why not?” She bit back an audible sigh. She should have known Paula would keep at her until she had the whole story. It was one of her lesser endearing qualities. “I don’t want to break the bond that Dana and I have started to develop by letting her down,” she began. Then, satisfied that was a plausible explanation, she went on, “Besides, I’m not going to let that father of hers have the satisfaction of thinking he got the best of me.” “Oh?” Paula tossed her long blonde hair over a shoulder and widened her green eyes. “Wow. I guess I misunderstood.”

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She knew that look. She sighed. “How so?” Paula shrugged. “Maybe it’s just me, but I thought the idea was to help Dana, not start a contest of wills with her father. Am I right or am I right?” While she was trying to formulate an answer that wouldn’t reveal her interest in Adam Hayden, Paula shot another question at her. “So what’s he like to look at?” She shrugged, trying to look nonchalant. “He’s all right, if you like arrogant, rude men with intense blue eyes.” “Blue eyes?” She nodded. “Hmm.” Paula gave her a speculative look. “So he’s all right if you like rude men with intense blue eyes, but of course you don’t?” “No, I do not!” “Blue eyes,” she said again. “I hadn’t realized her father was white.” She hesitated. His skin was pale, his eyes blue, his hair straight, his features definitely not those of a black man. In every way that mattered, he looked white. And yet Dana had said he was not. “He’s not…or so Dana insists.” “Not that it matters.” Paula’s eyes narrowed. “You know,” she said slowly, “if I didn’t know you were sworn off men, I’d think this Adam Hayden had turned your head and set that semi-frozen heart of yours thawing.” She was saved from having to rattle off an impromptu reply when the buzzer on her phone sounded. She gratefully lifted the phone to her ear. “Good afternoon. Women’s Alliance.” A brief pause ensued, then a voice asked, “Mrs. Harrison?” The deep vibrant voice sent a tingle through her. Although they had never spoken on the phone, she immediately recognized his cool, assured tones. “This is Adam Hayden.” She checked the urge to release a sigh of annoyance. How dare he call! “Yes?” She was proud of how cool and impersonal she sounded. “What can I do for you?” “I called to apologize for my behavior this afternoon. Since it was inexcusable, I won’t offer any excuse.” “And?” she urged when he remained silent. “There has to be more coming.” A little prostration. A little bootlicking. Then, maybe, just maybe, she’d consider accepting his so-called apology. “No. That’s it,” he said, an edge in his voice. “End of apology.” Her heart raced at his audacity. Where did he think a half-baked apology like that would get him? She would have asked the question aloud, if not for Paula’s inquisitive presence. Lord, but he was arrogant! “You know, as apologies go, yours is pretty sad.” “Yeah, I know,” he said dryly. “That and a few coins might actually buy me a short local phone call.”

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She bit her lip in an effort to hold onto her temper. The man really was impossible. “Look—” “So. What do you say?” he asked quickly, cutting her off. “Apology accepted?” She bit her lip, torn between her promise to Dana and her wounded pride. The man had questioned her morals and practically called her a tramp. Her, a woman who’d only had one lover—her husband! “No woman in her right mind could possibly turn down such a polished, well thought out, well executed apology,” she was amazed to hear herself say coolly. “Yeah,” he said, sounding amused. “That’s what I was counting on.” Oh, you were, were you? she thought angrily. Well, don’t count your blasted chickens just yet, Mr. Adam Hayden. “Now that you’ve forgiven me, we need to start over. When can we meet again? How about dinner on Monday?” Not so fast, buster. She hadn’t said anything about forgiving him. Besides, the next time they met, she was determined to be in complete and unshakable control. Dinner was too much like a date to suit her current tastes. “Sorry. Can’t make that. I’ll have to check my schedule and get back to you.” “I see. Well, you have my number.” “Yes, I do,” she said coolly. “Goodbye.” Breaking the connection, she hung up before he could say anything else. She reached for her appointment book, being very careful not to look at Paula. Not that it did any good. She could feel Paula’s gaze on her. “So what did he want?” She flipped through the book without looking up. “Hmm? What? What did who want?” “That was Adam Hayden,” Paula said confidently. Sighing, she looked up. “What a nosy parker you are.” “Yes, I are, aren’t I?” Paula agreed sweetly. “So what did he want?” “Nothing much.” “Oh, come on. He must have had some reason for calling.” She shook her head in resignation. Why did she bother trying to keep secrets from Paula? Besides, if she couldn’t talk to her best friend, who could she talk to? “He sort of apologized.” “Only sort of? Did you accept his sort of apology?” “Sort of.” “And what else?” “If you must know—” “Oh, you know it, girl.” She laughed. She and Paula had been through too much together for her to really mind Paula’s inquisitiveness. “Okay. He wants to meet and talk about Dana.” 16

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Paula didn’t seem surprised. “So your big baby browns did knock him dead after all. He just had a delayed reaction.” Her laughter was a combination of annoyance and amusement. “That’s not what I said, Paula. He wants to talk about his daughter’s future, not start a relationship with me.” “Sorry about that, are you?” Paula’s gaze probed her agitated face. “So are you interested in something more?” “No, I am not!” she denied hotly, all traces of amusement vanishing. Paula’s perceptiveness could sometimes be down right irritating. “I have no personal interest in Adam Hayden.” “So why are your eyes sparkling like hundred watt bulbs? I swear you could light up a room with your radiance. Come on, Shannon. Level with me.” There was no way she could admit her interest in Adam Hayden without Paula pulling her off the case. “Paula! You—” “I know. I know.” Paula held up her hands, palms out, signaling her surrender. “I’m impossible. But I just don’t want to see you get tangled up in something you can’t handle.” “I can handle this, Paula.” “Are you sure about that?” Before Shannon could respond, her phone rang again. Grateful for another timely interruption, she eagerly reached for it. “Women’s Alliance. Shannon Harrison speaking. How may I help you?” “Shannon, this is Dana. Did you meet with Dad? What did he say? How did it go?” “Well, it didn’t go as well as I’d hoped,” she admitted slowly. “But don’t get discouraged. I’m sure your father will come around and accept your choice in time.” “You wouldn’t say that if you knew my dad,” Dana said darkly. But how she wanted to know him. She frowned, disturbed by her wayward thoughts. She tried to make her voice sound more certain than she felt. “But I know me. I won’t give up. I promise. It may not be easy, but we’ll get through this, Dana.” Dana didn’t seem convinced. “Dad can be awfully stubborn.” “So can I. So don’t worry. We’ll work this out somehow.” “I don’t see how. He has this thing about sex outside of marriage.” “What thing?” “He’s against it.” Then he was a hypocrite. Nothing would convince her that a man as attractive as Adam Hayden didn’t have a lover. Maybe more than one. The thought of him with a succession of beautiful women didn’t sit well with her. She shrugged away the feeling. “Well, he’s entitled to his opinion and you’re entitled to do what’s right for you. But we will somehow work this out.”

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“How?” Shannon sighed, shaking her head. “I don’t know yet. I need a little time to come up with a plan.” “I know. Come spend the weekend with me and we’ll plot strategy.” “Spend the weekend with you? At your father’s house? I’m not sure that’s a good idea.” “Why not? It’s my house too. But you don’t have to worry. I told you Dad’s an architect, right? Well, his firm is designing several buildings in New York and that’s where he’s spending the weekend. We’ll have the house all to ourselves.” As a rule she kept her relationship with the women who came to the center friendly, but impersonal. She’d found that keeping a certain distance allowed her to be a more effective advocate. There was no valid reason for allowing her interest in Dana to go beyond the professional. She compressed her lips. Except that Adam Hayden’s relentless insistence that Dana marry the father of her baby brought back unpleasant, very personal memories. Like her father, Adam Hayden, seemed to care more for appearances than he did for his daughter’s happiness. Still, like her own father, she supposed Adam Hayden loved Dana…after a fashion. “Okay, I’ll come,” she said, ignoring Paula’s disapproving stare. She glanced at her watch. “I have a four-thirty appointment. If nothing unexpected happens, I’ll see you around six-thirty, seven o’clock. Oh, wait. You’re all the way out in Chestnut Hill. Better make that seven-thirty.” “Great! I’ll order pizza and see you when you get here.” “I suppose you know what you’re doing,” Paula said as she put down the phone. She nodded. “If you’d met her father, you’d know why she needs so much support. He’s—” “Impossible. Yeah.” Paula nodded slowly. “I know. You told me. Several times.” She seemed puzzled as she studied Shannon’s face. “I’ve never seen you like this.” She resisted the urge to look away. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.” Paula shook her head. “Are you sure you haven’t gotten in too deeply already? This guy’s really rattled your cage, hasn’t he? Why? He must be one heck of a stud to unnerve you like this. Tell me. What is it about him that gets to you? His old-fashioned attitudes about pregnancy and marriage? His blue eyes? Or the rest of the body that goes with those eyes? What does he look like? You never said.” Paula was testing her. If she even suspected what had happened in his office, she’d use her position as senior counselor to pull Shannon off the case. “His looks aren’t important.” Paula gave her a long, intensive stare. “Hmm. That good looking, huh?” She shrugged. “I just wasn’t prepared to find him so…obstinate. I don’t understand how he can love her so much and still insist that she marry a guy she doesn’t love.” 18

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Paula shook her head. “Look. Just because you don’t agree with his position doesn’t mean he’s wrong, you know. He is her father. I think we can assume that he has her best interests at heart.” She arched a brow. “So you’re saying what? That he’s right? Just because he’s her father? That makes what he’s trying to do okay?” “I’m just saying that maybe he thinks love will come with marriage.” “Just how likely is that, Paula?” she demanded, trying to keep her voice cool. “I don’t know,” Paula admitted, “and neither do you. But it’s probably not outside of the realm of possibility. After all, she did care enough about the father of her baby to sleep with him.” “I cannot believe you just said that. You know how vulnerable girls her age are. They’re susceptible to sweet-talking males. You sound like her father! Hell! You sound like my father!” Paula shook her head slowly. “I know this hits home for you, Shannon. And I know I don’t have to remind you to keep your professional distance, but—” “But you’re going to anyway?” “I think I have to. There’s only so much you can do for her. Just do it and move on.” She pointed at the stack of file folders on Shannon’s desk. “Dana Hayden is just one person whose situation is unpleasant at most.” She held up a qualifying finger. “Unpleasant, Shannon. There are other women who need help whose situations are more pressing.” She nodded shortly. “I don’t have to be reminded that there are other women who are rightfully fearful for their lives. But Dana’s problems are just as real and desperate to her.” “I’m sure they are, but we can’t afford to expend too much time and scarce resources on her. After all, she lives in a big, expensive house in Chestnut Hill. For all his faults, her father will make sure she and her baby are well taken care of financially.” “Financial security isn’t everything.” “No, it isn’t. But it’s a hell of a lot more than most of our clients have.” She sighed. Paula had an annoying habit of putting things in their proper perspective when it was least wanted. She nodded grudgingly and picked up the phone. She punched out a familiar number. She had a client that had left an abusive husband and was in need of an access card to buy food, and was having a hard time getting one. “County Office of Assistance,” the voice on the other end announced. “Good afternoon. This is Shannon Harrison from the Women’s Alliance. May I speak to…” She glanced quickly at her appointment book for the client’s caseworker’s name. “Dave Diamond?” “Hold on a moment.” Several moments later, she heard a deep voice. “Dave Diamond.” 19

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“Good afternoon, Mr. Diamond. This is Shannon Harrison,” she began. “I am from—” “I know who you are.” He cut her off. “I’m rather busy, so cut to the chase.” She rolled her eyes. God save her from rude, short-tempered men. “Certainly,” she said pleasantly and began her pitch. Five minutes later, she had managed to get him to agree to meet with her and her client if they could be in his office by four o’clock that afternoon. Paula shook her head in admiration. “You know, girl, it’s always a joy to behold you at work on a man.” Shannon picked up her briefcase and handbag and rose. “I have no idea what you mean. Right now, I have to get over to Betty Jules’ apartment and hope she’s there.” At the door, she turned to look at Paula. “Keep your toes crossed for me.” “You don’t need any crossed toes,” Paula said firmly. “Just lay out the facts of the case professionally before him. And if all else fails, hike up that skirt, show a little leg, and bat those big, baby browns at him.” Fat lot of good that tactic had done with Adam Hayden. But Paula didn’t know that, so she forced a laugh and hurried from the office. If she had anything at all to do with it, Betty Jules would have that card by the end of the day.

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Chapter Three Three hours later, Shannon headed home to the Fairmount section of the city. She had an apartment in an old converted eye hospital across from the local community college. She had moved there after the accident that had changed her life so drastically. The centerpiece of her apartment was the large living room with the high ceiling, large fireplace, and the beautiful spiral staircase leading up to the spacious bedroom with its bathroom with the special Jacuzzi tub. It was in front of the fireplace with its rich mahogany mantel that she had posed nude for a painting that Paula had convinced her would help restore her selfconfidence. Skeptical at first, she had soon decided Paula was right. Although she was generally shy about her body, there was something undeniably therapeutic about shedding one’s clothes and lying naked in front of an artist who could appreciate what he called her inner beauty. As she packed her suitcase for the weekend, she glanced at the wall opposite her bed where the picture hung. The artist, Patrick had made a present of it to her after he’d had it in his traveling show for a year and they had become friends. They often went to parties and fundraisers for abused women together. She felt comfortable with him and enjoyed his company. Even though they had no romantic interest in each other, it was a boost to her ego to show up with a tall, handsome, blue-eyed, blond Adonis accompanying her. She smiled at a picture of her and Patrick. It held a place of honor on her mantel, right next to one of her and Paula. As she left her apartment, she decided she would call him on Monday to see if he wanted to do lunch or dinner soon. He’d been touring the country with an exhibition for the last two months and she missed him.

***** On the train to New York, Adam quickly gave up the pretense of working. He put his briefcase away, turned off his overhead light, stretched out in his seat, and sat thinking of Shannon Harrison. He liked to think that he was not ruled by his sexual passions, but he had thought of little except Shannon Harrison since she had waltzed into his office that afternoon. He squirmed in his seat, feeling his desire stirring as he recalled how good she had felt in his arms.

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Damn, but he wanted her. He narrowed his gaze and hardened his heart. Come hell or high water, he was going to have her. He would get through the weekend in New York, then he would turn his attention to getting her into his bed and on his side. Then Dana would come around. He tried to quiet his conscience by telling himself he was going to seduce her for a good cause. To his annoyance, he found that reasoning didn’t work.

***** As Shannon parked her car in the driveway of the big Tudor-style house, the front door opened and Dana stood there, frowning fiercely. “Where have you been? The pizza’s gone cold!” After fighting her way through two major traffic jams, Shannon was not in the mood for an attitude from Dana. She got out of her car, took her suitcase from the passenger side of her car, and walked up the drive to the front door. She arched a smile. “I’m glad to see you too.” Dana made a face and surprised her by taking the suitcase from her hand. “Well, come on in then.” She placed the suitcase by the front door. “This is home.” Shannon looked around. White, textured walls interspaced with dark beams gave the huge foyer an aged look she found intriguing. To one side of the door stood a suit of armor. Beyond the foyer, she caught a glimpse of an even more breath-catching sight. Tall beams steeply angled to the ceiling and an upper balcony overhung by a long mural drew her eyes upwards to diamond-shaped leaded windows. The flagstone floor led into a great room dominated by a large fireplace. It was furnished with leather chairs and sofas and decorative lamps. Tasteful African masks and sculptures dotted the room. Shannon stood still, basking in her surroundings. The combination of Tudor and African motif was stunning. “Wow!” Dana nodded. “Yeah, we get that a lot. This place is a bit much, isn’t it?” She turned to face Dana. “It’s wonderful!” Dana shrugged. “Dad’s clients and guests seem to think so. I call this room our showroom. Dad’s really into this room.” “I can see why.” “I doubt it. He’s really into showing how black he is. You have no need to proclaim you’re black to everyone who’ll listen as he does.” She stared at Dana, arching a brow. Dana shrugged. “Oh, don’t look at me like that. I’m feeling lousy tonight and I don’t see why he can’t just accept himself for who and what he is. He can feel as black as he likes. He can’t escape the fact that he looks white.” 22

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She titled her head to one side. “Does that bother you?” Dana looked surprised. “No! To me, he’s just my dad, but it bothers him.” She shrugged. “Anyway, Dad and I don’t actually live in this room.” She nodded towards the back of the house. “We’ve got a really great family room in back. You know with a TV, computer, stereo, and video games. Now that’s where we live. Come on. I’m starving. Let’s eat.” She led the way down a hall along the side of the room. Several doors dotted the long hallway. Dana opened one door revealing a large, modern kitchen with an island and chairs in the center and stainless steel appliances along several walls. She thankfully sat at the island while Dana warmed the pizza, fries, and chicken wings she’d ordered. They laughed and talked about clothes as they ate. Then they went to Dana’s room and discussed several plans for bringing Adam Hayden to his senses before parting for the night. As she drifted to sleep, Shannon promised herself an hour or so of doing absolutely nothing but lazing in the sun on the following day.

***** Shannon made herself comfortable on the blue-cushioned, chaise lounge by the big in-ground pool. Its sparkling depths were temping, but she was feeling too lazy for a swim at the moment. The afternoon sun shone down on her and she smiled, savoring its warmth. What she wanted was to take off her bikini and soak up the full benefits of the day. She glanced around. The backyard of Adam Hayden’s home was impressive. Beautifully maintained shrubs, flowers, and delicate figurines, combined to create a romantic aura. The center of the large yard was the glistening blue jewel of the pool. At the far end of the yard, a small waterfall tinkled sweetly. A high, chain link fence with dark, wood-like slats laced through it provided complete privacy. There was really no reason why she shouldn’t indulge herself. She unfastened her peach colored bra and eased it and her bottoms off. She tossed them as far away as she could. Now that was much better. She sighed, stretching contentedly. Lazing on a comfortable chair in the sun with the entire afternoon and evening with no commitments ahead of her. This was the life. At night with the moon shining down and the stars out, this backyard must be spectacular and romantic. She studied the canopied love seats on either side of the pool. A sudden, vivid picture of herself resting her head on Adam’s shoulder as he held her close intruded in on her consciousness. The thought jolted her into a sitting position. Sitting in the moonlight with him indeed! She was tired, silly, and in need of a nap. She should have gone inside half an hour earlier with Dana. She shook her head. She was enjoying the sensation of dozing with the afternoon sun too much to give it up. It wasn’t often that she got a chance to sunbathe in the nude 23

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without fear of being seen. But there was no fear of that in Adam Hayden’s remote, beautiful backyard. Sighing contentedly, she eased her body back against the lounger, closed her eyes, and allowed herself to think about Adam as she began to doze. She’d barely had time to fall asleep when she was abruptly roused by an unexpected, deep, male voice calling out. “Dana! Honey, I came home early so we could have a talk.” She bolted upright and fought back panic as she looked wildly around for something to cover her nakedness. What could she have been thinking of leaving her clothes inside and then toss her bikini out of reach? She spotted a towel across the terrace near the edge of the pool. She sprang to her feet and had nearly covered the distance when she heard the terrace doors open behind her. “Dana I— What the—?” She snatched the towel up and hastily wrapped it around herself before turning to confront Adam Hayden, painfully aware that it left far too much of her body exposed. The towel ended just above her rounded rump. The tops of her breasts and her legs and thighs were on display. She saw a combination of surprise, anger, and what she thought might be pleasure and admiration on his face as he gazed at her. But the latter expressions were gone so quickly that she couldn’t be sure they’d ever been there. She reacted to the anger. “What are you doing here?” she demanded. “I might have known you’d show up when you’re least wanted.” “Last time I looked, I lived here,” he drawled. “Now suppose you tell me what you’re doing here? I distinctly remember telling you to stay away from my daughter. And yet here you are.” His gaze flicked briefly over her body. “Naked.” So he had caught a glimpse of her nude body. What had he thought of her heavy breasts and thick thighs? A wave of embarrassment washed over her, but she shook it off. She had nothing of which to be ashamed. Okay, so she wasn’t a tiny size six. So what? She hadn’t intended to be seen nude by him and she wasn’t going to apologize. If he didn’t like what he saw, he could damn well look away. She lifted her chin and met his gaze. “And I distinctly remember telling you that I would help Dana in any way I could. She called me yesterday and asked me to spend the weekend with her. So here I am.” “So here you are. Even though you knew I wouldn’t approve? Just what I need. A so-called counselor teaching my daughter the sordid art of deception.” “The sordid art of deception?!” “I think you heard me correctly.” Counting slowly to ten didn’t stop her from lashing out at him. “For your information, I am fully trained and licensed by the state to do what I do.” One finely defined brow arched. “You’re licensed to teach young girls how to practice deception with their parents?”

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She sucked in an angry breath. “That’s not what I meant and you know it.” “Do I?” he challenged. “I assure you, I do my job very well. You have no idea how much work is involved in my job. How—” “Nor do I care to know. I suggest you get off your soapbox, put on some clothes, and go find someone in need of help and offer them your questionable services, Mrs. Harrison. Because neither you nor your help is wanted or needed here. I can take care of my own daughter without any help from you.” He was sadly mistaken if he thought she could be dismissed so easily as someone beneath his contempt. She tightened her lips. She’d had enough of his holier than thou attitude. Her morals were no more deficient than his. And it was time he admitted that. Eyes glinting, she deliberately allowed the towel to drop to her feet. She watched with pounding heart and narrowed gaze. His eyes widened and he wet his lips as he drank in what Jack, in the early days of their marriage, had called the lush lines and curves of her body. She glanced down and saw the outline of his cock along one leg. Nice. Very nice. Lord, but she wanted to feel him inside her. She wet her own lips, then realizing that Dana might come out of the house at any moment, she snatched the towel up, wrapped it around her body, and slowly crossed to the terrace doors. As she neared him, a streak of devilment sparked through her. She paused briefly in front of him and opened the towel, giving him a full view of her body. He swore softly under his breath and stretched out a hand, his blue eyes filled with passion. “Oh, no you don’t. You wouldn’t want to get corrupted by my loose morals now, would you?” she asked coolly. Without waiting for a response from him, she walked inside, and ran up the side staircase to her room. Once there, she locked the door and stood trembling against it. Oh Lord, she must have lost her mind! She pushed herself away from the door and grabbed her case. She had to get out of there. Now.

***** Adam stood by the pool, full of frustrated desire and nearly hyperventilating. The desire to follow her and pull her into his arms and ravish her was difficult to overcome. He had actually turned and headed for the door when reality set in. Okay, so she had taunted him and didn’t seem to care about her husband. He readily admitted that he had not behaved very well and he felt like a heel, but better that than he should forget that she was married and go after her, rip that towel off her, pull her large, luscious body into his arms, and plunge his aching cock into her pussy. At the moment, that was his chief desire in life…to get her in his arms and in his bed. He frowned. Or more correctly, to get his cock inside her. He had been too long without sex, and damn, but 25

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he needed a woman.

***** Paula had just come back from lunch when the buzzer on Shannon’s desk sounded on Monday afternoon. She rubbed her throbbing temples before answering it. After her aborted weekend with Dana Hayden, she’d spent an exhausting morning trying to locate a safe haven for a woman who’d finally promised to leave her abusive husband if Shannon could provide a safe place for her and her two children. So far Shannon hadn’t had any luck and there wasn’t any space in the dorm. And Patrick had called to tell her his tour had been extended and he would be out of the state for at least another six weeks. Just when she could have used his charming company to boost her ego. “Shannon Harrison,” she said into the phone, making an effort to sound eager to help. Sometimes, the demands of the job were a bit much with the endless stream of battered women who needed help and the limited resources available to offer that help. Every time she helped one woman, there were two or three others to take her place. “Mrs. Harrison. This is Adam Hayden.” Shannon was annoyed that her voice quivered when she began to speak. “Yes? What can I do for you?” “You can accept my apology for my behavior on Saturday. As Dana so rightly pointed out, I should have respected the fact that you were her guest and treated you accordingly. I was way out of line asking you to leave.” The warm glow that had started to spread through her, grew cold. He was apologizing to appease Dana. “You better believe you were, buster, but it doesn’t matter in the least,” she said coolly. “No?” She narrowed her eyes at the faint note of disbelief she heard in his voice. “No,” she repeated firmly. “Why should it?” “Nevertheless, I’d be obliged if you’d allow me to finish, Mrs. Harrison,” he insisted. She snorted. “Much I’d care about obliging you, but please…please continue with your oh so handsome apology,” she muttered curtly and was hardily annoyed when he laughed, although, she had to admit that she rather liked the deep warm sound of his laughter. “My dear Mrs. Harrison, you’re not making this very easy,” he complained without any real heat in his voice. “You say that as if there’s some reason why I’d want to make things easy for you. If there is, I’m not aware of it.” “Simple. I am trying to eat crow. Believe me, it’s not a pretty sight.”

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The picture his words conjured up was so absurd that she couldn’t suppress her laughter. She let it have free rein and felt better. She heard him suck in his breath. “What a sweet sound,” he said softly, almost as if he were intrigued. A flash of warmth suffused her at the sincerity behind his words. After a moment he continued in his normal voice. “If I were you I’d allow me to grovel and get it over with. You can laugh about it with your friends later.” “I’m all ears,” she admitted, breathlessly. “Good. I’m afraid I allowed my temper to overrule my common sense, not to mention good manners. My only excuse is the fact that I’m still trying to come to terms with Dana’s pregnancy. As you probably know, Dana is an honor student and I had such high hopes for her. And now they’re all trashed.” “I do understand,” she said slowly. “Good.” He sounded relieved. “So when can we meet again?” To say that she was eager to see him again would be an understatement, but she couldn’t let that need govern how she proceeded. Besides, her behavior hadn’t exactly been above reproach. Every time she thought of how she’d shamelessly exposed her body to him, she burned with a combination of shame and excitement. And that really wouldn’t do. “I’m rather busy. I’ll have to check my schedule and get back to you.” “I guess I deserve that.” “Yes, I guess you do.” He paused and she half-expected him to point out that she really didn’t have much room to talk. His failure to do so both surprised and pleased her. “Fine. Call me?” She was intrigued by the knowledge that he’d be waiting for a call from her that she might or might not make. “Maybe. Right now, I have to go. Bye.” “So what does he want now?” Paula asked the moment she hung up the phone. She sighed. She wished Paula and her husband Rob would start a family so Paula would have something besides Shannon’s lack of a love life to occupy her. “He wants to set up a meeting.” “That much I figured out on my own. What about the rest?” Taking a deep breath, she told Paula about the weekend. “He wanted to apologize too.” Paula’s eyes narrowed and she looked annoyed. “I hope this apology was more heartfelt than the other one.” “Well, it wasn’t really. He only said he was sorry to please Dana. He couldn’t give one little, gray kitty about my feelings.” “Feelings? What feelings? Shannon, you’re not supposed to have any feelings for him.”

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“I don’t have any,” she lied quickly, unable to admit, even to Paula, how affected she’d been by Adam Hayden’s hostility. There was no possibility of admitting her own unprofessional conduct. “Not the kind you’re talking about.” Paula studied her face. “I hope not because you know that just won’t wash.” “Yes,” she said wearily. “Then please tell me why you’re so moody and snappish…and short-tempered. I’ll bet your headache’s gone now that he’s called, hasn’t it?” She realized with a sinking feeling that Paula was right. Her headache was gone— at least the one caused by tension. Despite her protestations, Adam Hayden was just the kind of man she could easily fall for if she wasn’t very careful. And Shannon had a feeling that if she continued to see him it wouldn’t be long before it would be too late for her to be careful. “Paula, I can handle this.” She spoke carefully. She nodded at the desk full of folders on Paula’s desk. “I appreciate your interest. I know it’s motivated by real concern for me, but it’s misplaced. I can help Dana without getting involved with her father. So please, don’t keep going there.” Paula threw up her hands. “Okay. Fine. But I am right here if you need me.” “I know.” She smiled. “Thanks, but I can handle this.”

***** Shannon told herself that the last thing she would ever do was go back to the Hayden house again. Yet when Dana called her on Wednesday to invite her to spend the weekend there, she didn’t immediately refuse. “That’s not a good idea, Dana.” “Why? Because my dad was a jerk last week?” “I’m tough. I can take a lot, but I do not like being thrown out of a house where I’ve been invited, but am not welcome. He’s not going to do that to me again.” “Didn’t he apologize? He promised me he’d call you.” So she had been right. He’d only called to please Dana. “Oh, he did.” “And said he was sorry. Right?” “Yes.” “Well, Dad usually doesn’t say anything he doesn’t mean. If he said he was sorry, then he is. Besides, this time he doesn’t mind. He said you’re welcome to spend the weekend here.” “Now that I find a little difficult to believe.” “I’m being straight with you. Look, I’m calling from his office. He’s right here. Ask him yourself.” Before Shannon could object, she heard Adam Hayden’s deep voice in her ear.

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“Dana tells me you think you’re not welcome to spend the weekend with us.” “I wonder where I could have gotten such an idea,” she said coolly. “That’s a dead issue, Mrs. Harrison,” he said just as coolly. “I don’t intend to keep apologizing for the same thing. You can accept my apology or not. It’s your choice.” She shook her head in disbelief. Paula wasn’t in the office, so there was no reason for her to hold back. “Let’s understand something, Mr. Hayden. Your apology means less than nothing to me. Okay? Nothing. Nada. Zip.” “Fine. Come or don’t come. I don’t care one way or the other, but Dana does. And I thought that you wanted to help her, but if getting even with me is more important to you, go right ahead and knock yourself out trying.” She bit her lip and clenched her free hand into a fist. She was not going to allow him the satisfaction of knowing how easily he got under her skin. But he was right about one thing, helping Dana was her first concern. “Thank you for your gracious invitation, Mr. Hayden. I accept,” she said and hung up before she could tell him what she really thought of him.

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Chapter Four “You’re doing what?!” Shannon glanced wearily at Paula as she finished packing her briefcase on Friday evening in preparation for leaving the office for the weekend. “I’m spending the weekend with Dana Hayden,” she said calmly. “Why?” “Both she and her father asked me to. It’ll be a good chance for me to talk to Adam Hayden while he’s relaxed and more willing to see reason.” “What makes you think he’ll be in the mood to see anything other than those gorgeous brown eyes of yours?” Paula grinned. She rolled her eyes. “Girl, you never give up, do you?” “No. Not on the people I care about.” Smiling widely, Shannon rose. “I will say that you are good for the old ego. What’s on tap with you for the weekend?” Paula grin widened. “Rob and I are going to spend a nice, sexy weekend in our big bed under the mirrored ceiling, making hot, passionate love. And if we have time, we might even manage to eat and sleep a little.” She laughed. “And I get to spend the weekend with a bad-tempered father who wants to blame me for his daughter’s behavior.” She made a face. “Want to switch?” “In your dreams, girl.” She shouldered her briefcase and picked up her shoulder bag. “I didn’t think so. Oh, well, can’t blame me for asking. I’m going home to put on my armor. Wish me luck.” Paula’s smile disappeared. “You don’t expect him to be rude again, do you?” “No. Well, at least, not anymore than usual. Anyway, l’ll see you on Monday.” “Hopefully in one piece,” Paula called after her. “I’ll handle him without breaking a sweat,” she called back, with what she knew was false bravado.

***** Shannon had changed from the chic, two-piece suit she’d worn to the office into a silk sweat suit for the long drive to the Hayden house that evening. She was on her way out of her apartment when her phone rang. Her answering machine was on and she 30

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was eager to hit the road. She continued across the room as her message ended. “Shannon, this is Carolyn Williams! Oh, Shannon, where are you? I need to talk to you.” She dropped her small suitcase, and ran across the room to snatch up the phone. “Carolyn? What’s wrong?” “Oh, Shannon! I know I shouldn’t call you at home unless it’s an emergency, but—” So it wasn’t an emergency. She relaxed her tensed shoulders. Carolyn was one of her active spousal abuse clients. She had been working with Carolyn for months with no discernable results. Carolyn couldn’t seem to make the break from her husband. “No. No. It’s all right.” She sank down into the Queen Anne chair near the phone. “What’s wrong?” she asked again, willing herself to remain calm. “Are you all right?” “Yes.” “He hasn’t hit you again. Has he?” “No. He just…hollered and screamed at me because I burned dinner. Then he just stormed out. Right now I’m feeling a little…unappreciated.” She released a long, slow breath. “Level with me, Carolyn. Has he been attending his anger management classes?” The pause that followed was distressingly long. She sighed. “Carolyn?” “He said he has.” “Do you believe him?” “He’s not a bad person, Shannon.” Yeah and pigs can fly. “Carolyn, he has to attend those classes. They’re mandatory, not voluntary. If he’s not attending—” “Stop right there, Shannon! I’m not looking to get him in anymore trouble. I shouldn’t have called you. I have to go!” She sighed. She’d pushed too far. “Okay.” She took a deep, calming breath. “You have my number. Beep me if you need me.” “Thanks, but I won’t. Goodbye,” she said and hung up. Shannon sat still for several moments, wondering if there had been something else in Carolyn’s voice. Maybe she should call her back or even drive to Carolyn’s house to make sure she was all right. In the end, she decided Carolyn was right. As long as Carolyn wasn’t worried, it would hold until Monday. This weekend was going to be devoted totally to helping Dana soften up her father.

***** Shannon lay for several minutes admiring the big and airy bedroom with the green 31

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and white color scheme. It was the same room she’d had the last time she’d been in Adam Hayden’s house. But this time she was welcome. Finally, yawning and stretching, she slid out of the queen-sized bed and walked over to the big bay window. She looked down onto the pool. The early morning sun danced off the water in tempting ripples. As she showered, she decided she’d have a swim after breakfast. Fifteen minutes later, she quietly made her way down the stairs, stopping to admire the paintings that hung along the wide staircase. Scenes of Philadelphia life from the busy downtown, to the waterfront at Penn’s Landing were skillfully depicted. The kitchen was a large, white room with custom-made oak cabinets, white Formica tops, soft track lighting, pretty pink curtains at the windows, and Adam Hayden at the small dining counter in the middle of the room. Shannon took a deep, steadying breath as her eyes were drawn to his bare, muscled torso. His skin was smooth and pale with a barely perceptible hint of bronze. His shoulders were broad as she’d sensed they were when she was in his arms in his office. His chest was hairless. His body was like a piece of exquisitely, chiseled sculpture: perfect in every way. Her breath caught in her throat and she couldn’t look away from him. Even when she saw the silent question in his blue eyes. Why was she staring? Wasn’t it obvious to him how much she wanted him? “I-I-I’m sorry,” she stammered, still, unable to force her gaze away from him. He smiled slowly and rose. “For what?” Didn’t the man have any faults? Wasn’t it enough that he had a handsome face and a breathtakingly gorgeous body? Did his smile have to make her heart beat like it was going to burst through her chest? “I didn’t mean to…disturb you, Mr. Hayden,” she said in a wooden voice that she hoped masked her wayward thoughts. “I’m not in the least disturbed.” He smiled again, allowing his gaze to flick over her body before returning to center on her heated face. He motioned to the seat opposite him. “Have a seat.” He might not be disturbed, but she most definitely was. Still, she sat in the chair he indicated. Her heart thumped wildly as he slowly moved away from her to resume his seat. “I didn’t know you’d be down yet.” She didn’t want him to think she had come down early just to see him. He glanced over her head to the clock on the kitchen wall. “It’s nearly nine o’clock. Did you think I’d sleep all day like Dana?” he asked. “No, of course not. In fact, Dana told me all about you as we drove up here last night.” “Really? I’m flattered that you were interested enough to listen. At least I think I 32

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am. What did she tell you?” “Oh, not much. Just that you joined your father’s moderately successful architectural firm at twenty-one, and took over as CEO when he retired ten years later, and then turned it into a very successful corporation.” Remembering Dana’s exuberance when discussing him, she smiled. “She’s very proud of you. She thinks you’re pretty special.” Although he smiled, he didn’t seem completely convinced. “Really? Well you’d never know it from the way she talks to me. In any case, if you’d like some coffee, the cups are behind you on the counter.” “Thank you.” She got a cup of coffee, all the while wracking her brain for some tidbit of conversation that would be safe and witty. She wanted something to make him flash that breathtaking smile at her again. She came up blank. It was so much easier dealing with men when she did it on behalf of one of her clients. In those situations, she would latch on—a gale force wind unable to shake her loose. “If you’re hungry, there are eggs and bacon on the grille,” he said and drained his coffee cup. “No, thank you,” she said quickly, reseating herself with her coffee. She wasn’t going to give him a chance to joke about her appetite. She ignored the rumblings of her stomach and smiled in his direction without meeting his gaze. “Not hungry?” She sipped at the hot coffee. “I rarely have breakfast.” “Why not? Surely you’re not worried about your figure?” So much for expecting him to behave like a slightly civilized adult. “A little,” she admitted slowly. There was no point in denying it. After all, he could see that she could stand to lose some weight. “There’s no need.” His blue eyes swept over her face before moving more slowly over her body. His gaze lingered on her breasts her face burned. “Not all men like flatchested, bean poles, you know.” “And are you one of those men who don’t?” she asked. “We have all weekend for you to discover that for yourself,” he told her softly. His eyes caught and held her gaze for several timeless moments, during which time she felt as if she were pinned to her seat and stripped of her clothes—leaving her naked and exposed to his suddenly sizzling hot gaze. Just as she was about to disgrace herself by admitting that she was looking forward to seeing as much of him as possible, he rose. “Well, most of the weekend, anyway,” he amended. “I have to put in a few hours at the office today.” She had a hard time hiding her disappointment. “Do you always work on Saturday?” “No, and I wish I didn’t have to today, but my firm is working on an important project that requires us all to burn a little of the midnight and weekend oil. I’d better

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shower and head to the office.” She nodded, her gaze still locked on him. He sighed and moved around the island and to the door. She couldn’t stop herself from turning to watch him. He paused at the door and turned to find her watching him. She flushed, but didn’t look away. She couldn’t. He took a deep breath, raked a hand through his hair, and shrugged. “Why don’t you join me?” “Join you? At work?” She laughed. “I wouldn’t be much help. I never could draw.” “No. In my bedroom or the shower. Dana will sleep for a while yet.” She swallowed slowly, trying to steady her thumping heart. She couldn’t think of anything she’d like more than to join him in bed or the shower. But that was really out of the question. Wasn’t it? Her mind said yes. Her treacherous body screamed a resounding no. As she hesitated, fighting her inner yearning, he closed the distance between them and took her hand in his. His touch sent fire all through her. She trembled and pressed her body against his. The almost immediate hardening of his cock was gratifying and exciting. She felt icy heat everywhere their bodies touched. But this was crazy. She could not do this. “I…we can’t do this.” She forced the words out and prayed he would accept them and move away…or she would be lost. “Of course we can,” he countered. He bent his head slowly, giving her ample time to object. Instead, she pressed closer, lifting her head in silent surrender. His lips, warm and surprisingly sweet brushed against hers in a series of quick, teasing kisses. Before she could fully respond, he lifted his head. But she wanted and needed more. She curled her fingers in his dark hair, pressed her parted lips up against his, and rubbed her breasts suggestively against his chest. He slid one hand down her back to her butt. She tensed. She was sure he was used to beautiful women who looked and were shaped like models with tight, petite butts. Apparently he liked the shape of her behind because he kissed her hungrily and cupped his other palm over her butt. A wave of heat and lust crushed over her. Abandoning herself, she shuddered against him. Still kissing her, he slipped his right hand between their bodies. Moments later, he unzipped her slacks and slid his fingers under her panties. He paused, lifting his lips away from hers. Allowing her eyes to flutter open, she gazed up at him, seeing the question in his blue gaze. She hesitated. She had never thought of dating a man who wasn’t black and finding herself in such an intimate position with a pair of blue eyes staring down at her, gave her momentary pause. She knew from Dana that he considered himself black, but he looked white. But the deciding factor was Dana’s presence in the house. She shook her head and

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drew away from him. He released her slowly, his gaze full of regret. “I’d better hit the shower. Alone?” She nodded, averting her gaze. He sighed and touched her cheek with a gentle finger. “Then I’ll see you later.”

***** Shannon and Dana were relaxing in the living room when Adam arrived home just after three o’clock that afternoon. The moment the front door opened, Dana shot up from her seat. “It’s Dad!” She pulled Shannon to her feet, and practically dragged her into the hall to meet him. He had loosened his tie and he looked tired as he bent to kiss Dana. “Hello, baby.” Dana slipped her arms around his waist and laid her head briefly against his chest. “How was your day, Dad?” “Lousy, thanks.” He hugged her briefly before moving across the hall to stop next to Shannon, who was immediately aware of a tingling sensation that intensified when he smiled down at her. “Well, well. If it isn’t Mrs. Harrison in glorious, living color.” Recalling how close she’d come to surrendering to him that morning, she flashed him a brief, uncertain smile. “And how are you this afternoon, Mrs. Harrison?” “I’m fine, Mr. Hayden. How was your day?” “Oh, surely it’s time for Adam and Shannon,” he said suddenly, his eyes lingering on her lips. Remembering his kisses that morning, heat rushed to her cheeks. She shook her head silently. She had to keep as much distance between them as possible, otherwise, there would be no hope of regaining any semblance of professionalism. Then she wouldn’t be much use to Dana. “Actually, I don’t agree.” “No? Well, suit yourself, Mrs. Harrison.” He shrugged, turned, and sprinted up the staircase. She stood staring after him. His lower body was nicely muscled. She knew that from the way his pant legs clung to the back of his thighs and calves. And he had a set of buns that wouldn’t quit. “Nice set of buns, huh?” A sudden rush of blood stained her cheeks as she became aware of Dana watching her. “Well, we’d better go make sure dinner is okay,” she said briskly and walked down the hall toward the dining room where the meal she and Dana had prepared was on warming trays. “He’s very good looking, isn’t he?” Dana asked several minutes later as she stood

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by watching while Shannon set the table. She glanced up to find Dana smirking at her. “Yes,” she said shortly, since there was no point in denying the obvious. “I thought so.” “You thought what?” They both turned. Adam stood in the door. He’d changed into a pair of white shorts and a short-sleeved shirt, open at the neck to reveal a tantalizing view of his chest. “That it was time you joined us so we can sit down to dinner,” Dana said smoothly. “We’re starving.” “Good. So am I.” His smile included them both. “Something smells good, so let’s eat.” Shannon was surprised when he pulled out chairs for both her and Dana before taking his seat at the head of the table. “Thank you,” she murmured. “You’re welcome, ma’am.” He turned to look at Dana. “How was your day, sweetie?” “Oh, you know, Dad,” Dana said, seemingly bored. “The same old nothing. Shannon and I just spent the whole day by the pool.” Adam lifted his fork and took a mouthful of the lemon chicken. Shannon watched him, her own fork almost forgotten, as she waited for his reaction. “Surely not all day.” He swallowed with obvious enjoyment. “This isn’t from a frozen package or a can.” Shannon smiled with satisfaction and took a mouthful of her own food. It had been a long time since a man expressed appreciation for her culinary efforts. During the meal, they discussed everything from football to the multiplicity of romance novels. “I wouldn’t have thought you read romances,” Shannon remarked, surprised by his knowledge. “I don’t,” he admitted, “but Dana does, and she likes to talk about them. So I scan them. I try to keep up with her interests.” Despite herself, Shannon was impressed. She couldn’t think of many men who would take such an extensive interest in their daughters. “That was great,” Adam told her warmly as they had coffee out by the pool after dinner. “Thank you.” She smiled, hoping her pleasure at the compliment wasn’t as obvious as it seemed to her sensitive ears. “And just what makes you think she cooked it?” Dana demanded. “How do you know I didn’t?” He smiled indulgently at her. “Oh, come on, sweetie. We both know you couldn’t 36

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boil water if your life depended on it.” “Yeah, well, whatever.” Dana watched them for a moment before getting to her feet. “I think I’ll go listen to my CDs while you two spend the evening grinning foolishly at each other.” Dana’s petulant voice reminded Shannon that she was there to lend Dana moral support—not to fall for her father. She rose quickly. “I’ll come with you.” Dana shrugged. “Suit yourself.” “Thanks,” she dryly. “I will.” “Hold up a second.” Adam put out a hand to stop her as she started after Dana. “Join me back here in an hour for a swim?” She tingled, but didn’t react visibly to his fingers on her bare arm. “Thanks, but I don’t think that’s a good idea.” He smiled slowly up at her, a cajoling look in those intensive blue eyes of his. “Oh come on. Just a few laps.” “No. Really.” “Why not?” His fingers slid over her flesh, sending a stab of desire through her. “It’s great exercise and a wonderful way to relieve tension. You look tense.” She was tense with the effort of trying not to surrender to her growing desire for him. Under the beguiling force of his smile, she felt her resolve soften and dissipate. She would be cautious another time. Besides, she assured herself piously, a swim might soften him up. “I can see the wheels practically turning in your head. Don’t waste time scheming. Just join me?” “I am not scheming!” He widened his eyes in a vain effort to look surprised. “Of course you’re not. Did I say scheming?” “You most certainly did.” He grinned up at her. “A slip of the tongue. Join me?” She nodded. “Okay.”

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Chapter Five “You’re going to the pool to swim with him, aren’t you?” With her hand on the door of Dana’s bedroom, Shannon glanced over her shoulder at Dana, who was sprawled on her stomach on the bed. “Yes, unless you want me to stay here with you?” “No. You can go. I can see you can’t wait to be with him.” “That’s not true,” she denied. “Then why are you going?” “Because I have to take every opportunity to talk to him about you.” Dana looked skeptical. “You expect me to believe that’s why you’re going back out to the pool? For me?” “Yes,” she said shortly. Was her face as hot as it felt? “That’s why I’m here again. To help you.” If she repeated it enough, maybe she’d start to believe it herself. Dana rolled her eyes. “Yeah. Right.” “Look—” Dana turned onto her back. “Whatever.” Shannon pressed her lips together, nodded curtly and went to change. She slipped into a modest mauve swimsuit with an overlapping skirt that fit quite nicely over her rounded bottom while making the most of her legs.

***** Adam sighed in relief when Shannon emerged from the house. He tread water and smiled up at her. “Hi. Come on in.” She stood at the edge of the pool, looking uncertain. “Ah, you know, this is probably not a good idea.” He studied her. She wore a terry cloth wrap that was closed primly over her large breasts and tied securely at her ample waist. He suspected she’d worn the rather ugly robe in an attempt to hide her considerable attractions. In which case he knew she’d be disappointed to know that it wasn’t in the least effective. She looked absolutely exquisite in the moonlight. He smiled up at her again. “It’s a great idea. Come on in. The water’s fine and I’m waiting.” He watched as she slowly shed the terry cloth. She seemed unaware of the pleasing 38

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picture she made in her modest one piece blue suit as she dived gracefully into the pool. But he was very aware of it and her. They swam in silence. Adam was very conscious of Shannon’s graceful movements beside him in the water. Her limbs were long and supple looking, her strokes powerful. He couldn’t stop thinking of that too brief glimpse he’d had of her naked body the last time she was there. Or of that morning in the kitchen when he suspected he had come rather close to seducing her into his bed. After several leisurely laps, she climbed out of the pool. He quickly followed. Shaking the water from his hair, he sank down onto the chaise next to her, draped a towel around his shoulders, and lay watching her while she dried her long dark hair that had started to unravel from the careless braid she’d worn it in during their swim. She looked at him. “You’re staring.” “Hmm.” He nodded. “You have such beautiful hair. The kind a man likes to run his fingers through. Bury his lips…his whole face in.” He watched a sweet, enchanting smile light up her pretty face. “Thank you,” she said quietly. “Tell me about yourself,” he invited, his eyes never leaving her face. She looked uncomfortable at the invitation. “There’s nothing much to tell. My life story is really very dull. You don’t want to hear it. It would put you to sleep.” “Tell me about yourself,” he repeated. Despite himself, she intrigued him. Although he had no intentions of falling in with her plans for his daughter, he admired her tenacity on Dana’s behalf. And he wanted to know about her. “It’s only fair. You know all about me.” “No. Not really.” For a moment, she seemed about to shake her head. Watching her, he wondered what she wanted to know about him that she didn’t. Whatever it was, he was in the mood to tell her. “What would you like to know about me, Mrs. Harrison?” She shrugged. “I was just wondering, you know, about your parents.” “They’re both dead. They died in a car crash four years ago.” “Oh. I’m so sorry.” “Is that what you wanted to know?” “No,” she admitted. “Your eyes…they’re blue and your skin is…white.” “Yes.” He smiled, amused. “I notice that every time I look in the mirror.” She studied him. “Why?” He shrugged. “Does it matter why?” “No, but it’s not everyday you see a…black man with such pale skin and blue eyes. In fact, you don’t look very black.” His smile vanished. “Well, I am.” “I’m just curious.” 39

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He stifled an angry sigh. He’d been dealing with feeling black and looking white every since he could remember. And damn, but defending his blackness got old real fast. He should tell her to mind her own damned business. Instead, he realized her opinion of him mattered far more than it should. So what the hell. If she wanted to know his family secrets, he’d tell her. “My biological father is white.” “Is? You said is as if he were still alive.” “Last time I checked he was.” “But you said your parents were killed in a car crash.” “They were. My father…my real father, my mother’s husband, is dead.” “Oookay. You want to tell me what you mean?” “There was another man before Dan Hayden. My mother was one of the most beautiful women you’d ever want to meet. She was a twenty-two year old virgin when she met and fell in love with my biological father. He was thirty at the time and married. Which should have meant something, but didn’t stop him from falling for her. They had a hot, brief affair that ended when he found out she was pregnant with me. “That’s when she found out he was married. Although he pretended to care about her, he had no intentions of leaving his wife and even less interest in being a father to a bi-racial child. So my mother broke off the affair she would never have started in the first place if she’d known he was married. “She was seven months pregnant when she met my father, Dan Hayden. They told me they took one look at each other and knew they were meant to be together. They were married two weeks after they met. Dan Hayden was my father in every way that counted. He was good to my mother and treated me as if I were his natural son. He took me fishing and camping. He taught me how to ride a bike, how to build a tree house, and how to slide safely into home. “He kept track of my friends and insisted I always do the right thing. And when I thought I was old enough to join a gang and get into trouble, he spoke softly but carried a very big stick.” He smiled, remembering his father. “Dad wouldn’t argue with me like Mom would. He’d just show up wherever I was hanging out, grab me by the back of my neck, and take me forcibly home. If any of my homeboys tried to stop him, he’d show he knew how to use that big stick of his. “He always stood by me and never gave up on me, matter how badly I behaved.” “You loved him.” “Of course I did. He was my dad.” “And your biological father?” His jaw clenched. “What about him?” “Did you ever meet him?” “Yes. When I graduated first in my class in high school, he decided that maybe having a black son wasn’t so bad. He came to the graduation, wanting to play the proud papa. He even brought his wife.” 40

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“And?” “And what?” He shrugged. “He and his wife never had any children so it seemed he wanted to know me after all…when I was seventeen-years-old. When I already had the best father any boy could want in Dan Hayden.” “What did you say to him? How did you feel?” “I didn’t feel anything except resentment that he was there. My parents had always been honest with me. I knew Dan Hayden wasn’t my natural father. But he always loved me like he was and took the very best care of me and Mom. How did I feel when he showed up? I resented having to share my day with a man who, aside from sending support checks, had ignored me my entire life. But thanks to Dan Hayden, I never missed having him around. I let him know he wasn’t welcome. He took his wife and left.” A pained expression settled on her face. “And you never saw him again? How sad.” He arched a brow. “Don’t romanticize it. I saw him again when I graduated from college second in my class. He was divorced by then and wanted to be a part of my life even more. But what use he thought I’d have for him, is beyond me.” “Do you still hate him?” He stared at her. “Hate? I never said I hated him.” Her constant, probing questions made him feel as if he were getting a going over from a shrink. Strangely enough, he found that he didn’t mind. He spoke slowly, carefully weighing his words and his feelings. “He did support me financially and paid my college tuition. But he wanted something from me that I couldn’t give him. He’s not my father. He will never be my father. My dad is dead.” “So you broke all ties with him?” His lips twitched. “Stop jumping to conclusions. I still see him occasionally.” Her eyes widened. “You do?” “Yes. He’s Dana’s only living, biological grandfather. They met at my parents’ funeral and they’ve developed a bond.” “How do you feel about that?” He shrugged. “Dana wants to see him and he wants to see her. Who am I to try and stop them?” “You keep saying him. What’s his name?” “Adam Cannon.” “You’re named after him.” “No! I’m not. My maternal grandfather was called Adam, too. I’m named after him.” “I see.” “Does any of this bother you, Mrs. Harrison?” “Does any of what bother me?”

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“Are you bothered by black men with blues in general and me in particular?” “I’ve never given it any thought.” She spoke so quickly he knew she wasn’t being truthful. Before he could challenge her, she spoke again. “You’ve told me about your past. What about now? What do you do for fun?” “Fun?” He hadn’t had any fun since Dana had dropped her bombshell on him. He knew what he wanted to do for fun. Fuck her. But he could hardly admit that…at least not in such crude terms. “I bowl, fish, and run to relieve stress. Now. Enough about me. I want to know about you.” “What do you want to know?” “Everything. I want to know about your parents, your childhood, your adolescence, your college years, your love life. What hobbies you enjoy. Tell me everything. But start with your husband.” She moistened her lips. “My husband?” After all he’d shared with her, her attempt to be coy annoyed him. He stabbed a forefinger in the direction of her left hand. “Yes,” he said. “Your husband, Mrs. Harrison. You know. The poor sap you’re married to.” She gave him a guilty look. “Oh. Him.” She parted her lips and he held up a finger, shaking his head. “Never mind. I don’t know why I asked about him because, at the moment, he’s the last person I want to talk about.” He sighed. “What I really want is to go upstairs to my room. You can tell me about him there…after we make love.” “We…oh God…we can’t.” He’d had enough of her teasing him with her eyes and big beautiful body. “The hell we can’t.” He rose and walked over to her lounger. He reached down, took her hands in his and lifted her to her feet. “Let’s go to bed,” he said. To his surprise, she walked with him into the house. He set the alarm, turned out all but the hall lights, and led her upstairs, her hand clasped firmly in his. In his bedroom, he leaned against the locked door. He knew that in the morning he was going to be sorry he had slept with a married woman. But just then he was so hungry for her didn’t care. He needed her tonight. He’d make amends in the morning. “Take your suit off for me,” he ordered softly. For several moments, she stood as if frozen, staring at him with her dark, beautiful eyes wide, her full lips parted. Then she slowly began to tug at her suit. He watched in silence, his mouth going dry and his cock hardening as she pushed the straps of the suit off her shoulders revealing her breasts. Damn, but they were big and full. When she paused with the straps just below her lovely breasts, he sucked in a breath. They had wide, dark areoles that he longed to suck. “Don’t stop now. Please.”

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She rewet her lips and pushed the suit further down, past her rounded stomach. She hesitated, an uncertain look in her eyes and he realized she needed some reassurances about her body. “Don’t tease me. Let me see all of your lovely body,” he urged, his voice low and brusque with desire. She closed her eyes and pushed the suit over her hips, down her thighs until she finally stepped out of it. She stood before him naked and stunningly sensual…breathtakingly beautiful. He had never had a large woman as a lover and he was surprised that her big behind and rounded stomach aroused rather than turned him off. Just looking at her brought his cock to rigid attention. About to step out of his briefs, he halted, deciding she would feel less shy if he kept his cock covered for the moment. He turned off the light and crossed the room to her. He gently touched her face and she trembled. “It’s all right. I’ll be gentle.” He whispered the words against her warm, sweet lips. She sucked in a breath, parting her mouth under his. Just for a moment he stiffened, recalling that she belonged to another man. He told himself it wasn’t too late to stop before it went too far. He had actually begun to pull away when she reached down and cupped a hand over his cock. A surge of desire sliced through him. He gathered her in his arms and devoured her mouth. Still trembling, she clutched him to her, returning his kisses with a passion that swept aside his ability to care about right or wrong. He had a beautiful woman in his arms. He knew what came next. As they exchanged hungry kisses, he caressed her, delighting in the feel of her large, sexy body. Moaning softly against his lips, she slipped her hand inside his briefs. It had been so long since he’d been with a woman, he nearly came. He had to control himself. He was not going to embarrass himself by coming before he had made sure she was satisfied. He broke the kiss and drew away from her. “Let’s make love.” Taking her hand, he led her to the bed. With a shy smile, she stretched out on her back, parting her legs. He stood by the bed, looking down at her. Her breasts sagged, her hips were wide, her legs large. Although he didn’t have a clear view of her pussy, it beckoned to him, nestled amongst a crown of curly dark hair. Damn but there was nothing as sensual and arousing as a naked, dark-skinned woman. God forgive him, but he had to have her. Ignoring his conscience that told him he could still stop, he joined her on the bed. She turned to face him, seeking for and finding his mouth. The moment her lips touched his, he was lost in a vortex of passion. Everywhere their bodies touched, he felt

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heat. Within moments, he was on fire with the need to thrust deep into her. Fearing he wouldn’t last long once he was inside her, he steeled himself, trying to make sure she would be ready to come with him. He rolled her on to her back, sliding his body on top of hers. Almost immediately, he extended his arms beside her body so that they bore the brunt of his weight. “No. Let me feel your weight,” she whispered. “Lie on top of me. Crush your chest against my breasts. Crush me.” Oh, damn, a woman who welcomed his weight. He bent his head and kissed her lips slowly, savoring the taste and texture of her mouth and tongue. The feel of her breasts under his chest made him achingly hard. To have her want him on top of her was an incredible turn on. She slipped her arms around him, returning his kisses with a hunger that sent heat and passion through him. He inserted two fingers into her which were surrounded by a wall of warm moisture. She was ready for him. He rolled off of her long enough to sheath himself in a condom, then he slide back on top of her, settling between her suddenly trembling legs. Heart thumping, he pressed his cock against her entrance. She moaned softly, parting her large, lovely legs. Oh, damn! He kissed her slowly, taking care to caress her and rub against her pussy before he pushed forward. The head of his cock sank into her, causing one of the most incredible sensations he’d ever experienced. He took a brief moment to enjoy being inside her and then shot his hips forward. The rest of his cock plunged into her and he closed his eyes and lay unmoving on her, savoring the delight of being fully buried in the warm, moist heat of her pussy. God, she felt good. He slipped his arms around her, crashed his lips down on hers, and began to fuck her. She moaned softly against his lips, lifting her hips and grinding her behind from side to side. She clutched at his ass, encouraging him to plunder her willing pussy. Heart pounding and cock steel hard, he did, repeatedly thrusting into the paradise that was her quivering pussy. She was tight and hot, and her vagina clung to his shaft as if it had been made just for the sole purpose of giving him the most intense physical and emotional pleasure. And all before he’d even come. Sex with her was beyond sweet. She held him with her arms and legs, eagerly sucked at his tongue, and greedily encouraged and accepted him tunneling into her deep, wonderful depths. She moaned and shuddered with a lust and passion that not only matched his but kept his desire for her spiraling out of control. Heat, desire, and passion built quickly, threatening to overwhelm him and explode into the most intense climax of his life. He clutched her tightly, thrusting wildly into her, his entire world centered around her and the absolute paradise of fucking her sweet, tight pussy. “Oooh, my God!” she moaned suddenly and shattered under him. “Ooooh, God, yeees! Yeees! Yeees, Adam!” 44

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Finally, he could stop trying to hold back his climax. Burying his face against her neck, he thrust into her with short, rapid strokes, exploding as he bottomed out in her. His release was so intense, he collapsed on top of her, feeling weak, but wonderfully happy. Moaning softly, she stroked her hands down his back, and kissed his lips, cradling him close as he shook in her arms. “It’s all right,” she whispered to him. “It’s all right, Adam. That was so…delicious.” “Delicious doesn’t begin to describe what we just shared,” he countered, and reluctantly rolled off of her and onto his side. She pressed her body against his back, reaching around to fondle him. He fell asleep with her lips pressed against his back and her soft fingers circling his cock. Damn what a beautiful, sexy, passionate woman who made him unafraid to fall in love again.

***** He woke from an uneasy sleep a little over an hour later, his conscience bothering him. For the first time in his life, he had knowingly slept with another man’s woman. Which made him his damned father’s son. In the moonlight room, he saw that she lay on her side, not touching him, but enchanting him even in her sleep. Just knowing how close she was made his cock stir. But damn if he’d fuck her again. Cursing his inability to control his lusts for another man’s woman, he slid out of the bed. He walked over to the window and stared out, shaking his head. He could not believe what he had done. He had slept with a married woman. Even now he wanted to go back to bed, wake her, and sink his cock back into her wonderful pussy. “Adam?” Her voice startled him. He turned to look at her. The moonlight didn’t extend to the bed so he couldn’t see her face, but he could see her sitting up in the bed. “What’s wrong?” “What’s wrong? Am I the only one bothered by what just happened?” She was silent for several moments. When she spoke, her voice was low and uncertain. “Didn’t you enjoy it?” He raked a hand through his hair. “I think you can safely assumed I enjoyed it. That’s not the point.” “Then what is?” That must be some rotten marriage that she felt no guilt for cheating on her husband. “Tell me about your husband,” he said. “What kind of man is he that he doesn’t mind your spending your weekends away from him. Or maybe you don’t let his disapproval stop you?” “He probably would disapprove…if I were still married to him. But I’m not.” 45

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“What?” “Oh, I see what this is about. You think I’m married.” “What?! Are you telling me you’re not?” “Yes, I am because I’m not.” “You’re not married?” After all the time he’d spent agonizing over wanting a married woman and now she was telling him she wasn’t married? He moved across the room and turned on the bedside lamps. She immediately snatched the sheet up to cover her breasts. “Since when, Shannon? The last time you were here?” She sighed, wet her lips, and looked at him. “I wasn’t married when I came to your office.” “What the hell!” He clenched his right hand into a fist. “Is that what you just said? That you are not married? Did I hear you correctly? You’re not married?” She took one look at his face and scrambled to her feet, wrapping the bed sheet around her body sarong style. She backed away from him. “You know this raging bull act of yours is getting real old real fast. So please, let’s not go there again.” “Don’t you tell me where to go.” He reached out and grabbed her by the arms. “You know, you are totally amazing.” “Somehow that doesn’t sound like a compliment.” “It’s not. You are wearing a wedding band and you told me it was Mrs. and not Ms.” He took several deep breaths to keep from shaking her until her teeth chattered. “So where is your damned husband?” He resisted her efforts to pull away from him and tightened his grip on her arms. “I told you I don’t have one. We’re divorced.” She tried again to shake his hands off. “Now will you please take your big paws off of me?!” He released her and stepped away from her before the urge to shake her became too strong to resist. “I’ll tell you what, Mrs. Harrison. I’m going to take a shower. Do us both a favor. Don’t be here when I return.” “You want me to go back to my room?” “I want you out of this house.” She seemed stunned. “Am I understanding you correctly? Are you throwing me out? Again?” “In a word, yes.” “In the middle of the night?” “Yes,” he said coldly. “So you’re the fuck and then toss a girl out on her behind type?” “You have a big behind. It can stand the toss.”

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He watched the wounded look in her eyes and knew he had gone too far. Knowing she was self-conscious about her weight, his remark was unforgivable. But he was angry and hurt and wanted to hurt her for making him face an ugly truth he’d rather not have known about himself. “I didn’t mean that,” he said. No matter how angry he was, he couldn’t allow her to leave thinking he had a problem with her weight. She shook her head. “Never mind my weight. I hoped…I thought…you’d be happy to find that I’m not married.” He glared down at her. “Well, you thought wrong, Mrs. Harrison.” “No, I didn’t.” “Yes, you did because I couldn’t care less about your marital status. I can’t imagine why you thought I might.” “I don’t believe you,” she said angrily. “That’s your problem, Mrs. Harrison.” “Are you saying you’re not interested even a little?” “Which part of that are you having difficulty understanding?” “Fine,” she snapped back. “Because I’m not interested in you either.” He watched with a tight feeling in his chest as she snatched up her clothes, and giving him a defiant look, slowly dressed in front of him. When she was finished, she rolled the sheet into a ball and tossed it angrily at him. He batted the sheet away and they stared at each other. Her eyes filled with moisture and her lips trembled. He felt an annoying urge to take her in his arms and protect her from dickheads who fucked her and then acted like an idiot like him. When he remained silent, she quickly left the room. He fought back the urge to follow her and say he was sorry. This time she was the one who should apologize for telling deliberate lies that had kept him at arms length when he wanted so badly to be close to her. And no matter how great the sex, he wasn’t interested in a woman who could lie so easily and repeatedly to him. So why did he feel so miserable at the thought of what they might have shared had she not lied to him?

***** Ten minutes after leaving Adam’s bedroom, Shannon was dismayed when Dana showed up in her bedroom door as she tossed her clothes into her overnight bag. She gave Dana a weary look. Lord, she hoped Dana hadn’t seen her come from Adam’s bedroom at this time of the morning. “Dana, what are you doing up?” “I couldn’t sleep. I got up to get a glass of milk and saw your bedroom light on. You and Dad had another fight, didn’t you?”

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She sighed. “I think it’s best if I go home.” Dana gave a furious shake of her head. “You don’t have to go.” Shannon lifted her suitcase from the floor. “Yes, I do.” “But he promised he’d behave himself,” Dana wailed, like a young child. “Just stay long enough for me to make him apologize.” “I don’t want you to make him do anything, Dana. And even if he got down on his knees and begged me to stay, I wouldn’t. It was a big mistake coming here.” She tried to tell herself she regretted sleeping with him, but she didn’t. She tried desperately to cling to a feeling of outrage at his behavior. “He promised he wouldn’t make you go away. You see now why I need help? He’s impossible!” “But you love him.” Dana blinked at her. “So? What’s that got to do with anything? He’s my dad.” She walked across the room to touch Dana’s cheek. “We’ll have other chances to soften him up. Now, it’s a long drive back to the city so I have to get started.” She squeezed Dana’s hand with her free one. “Okay?” “But…you won’t come again.” “I’m going, Dana, but it doesn’t change anything between you and me. I’ll still do everything I can to help you. Okay?” “Okay, but Shannon, he doesn’t really mean anything. It’s just that it’s sometimes difficult for him to relate to women.” “Why?” Dana shrugged. “How should I know why? Come on! Don’t go. He’ll be sorry in the morning.” “Maybe so, but I’m not going to stay around to see it. Now I really have to get started. I’ll talk to you tomorrow. Okay?” “Okay,” Dana said and moved away from the door. “Just don’t be too angry with him?” That was easier said than done, she realized as she made the long drive back to the city. There was no reason why she should be made to pay for the emotional baggage Adam Hayden carried as a result of his lack of a relationship with his biological father. Halfway through the drive home, she was already wondering if Dana hadn’t been right. Maybe she should have at least waited until morning. It had started to rain and the roads were slick and treacherous. And it was Adam Hayden’s fault she was on them. The normal hour long drive, took an hour and a half. Her nerves felt frayed by the time she finally got home. She kicked off her shoes in the living room, dropped her weekend case near the door, stripped off everything except her underwear, and fell across her bed.

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It was times like this she longed for a pet. Maybe a dog or a cat that she could cuddle with and whose fur she could sob into until she fell asleep. Damn Adam Hayden.

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Chapter Six An insistent ringing of a phone dragged Shannon from an exhausted sleep early on Monday morning. By the time she reached around to answer it, her answering machine had kicked in. “Hi, this is Shannon. I’m not available at the moment, but please leave a message after the beep and I’ll get back to you ASAP.” “You stay away from my wife, lady! Stay the hell away from her! It’s your fault she’s hurt now. You hear me? It’s your damned fault. You happy, bitch?” Shannon bolted into a sitting position and snatched up the phone. “Who is this?!” “This is Billy Williams! You’d better stop trying to put foolish ideas into my wife’s head or you’ll be sorry.” Her heart thumped with anxiety. “Don’t you dare try to threaten me! I am not afraid of a coward like you!” “Well, you should be! I don’t only have your phone number, but I know where you live, bitch!” A wave of fear washed over her. This man had beaten a woman he supposedly loved. What would he do to her if he decided to set his sights on her? She shook her head, dismissing the fear. “Guess what, you coward? I know where you live too! And I can take care of myself. So don’t waste your breath trying to frighten me because it will not work. Now where is Carolyn? What have you done to her this time?” Her response was greeted with silence. The big bully probably wasn’t used to women who stood up to him. “She’s in the hospital thanks to your damned meddling in our business!” “In the hospital? What—” she broke off as he slammed his receiver down. Sleep immediately forgotten, Shannon rolled out of bed, took a quick shower, and was dressed in a pair of jeans and an oversized shirt in a matter of minutes. Less than an hour later, she walked into the hospital. The young woman lying in the bed nearest to the door started talking the moment Shannon entered the hospital room. “Shannon! What are you doing here?” She put out a hand and gently touched Carolyn William’s bruised face before pushing her blonde hair back from her face. “Why didn’t you call me, Carolyn?” Carolyn twisted her swollen lips into a crooked smile. “There wasn’t any reason to. I’m okay, Shannon. Really I am. So don’t make a big deal out of this.” Carolyn glanced at the other occupant in the room, an older woman who made no

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bones about listening to their conversation. Shannon gave the woman a brief, impersonal smile and pulled at the long white curtain separating their beds until Carolyn’s bed was blocked from the woman’s view. “Where is he?” Shannon asked, using slow measured tones. No purpose would be served by allowing Carolyn to see that she was furious that she’d stayed with her husband until he’d hurt her and was afraid of what he’d yet do if she went back. “Home, I guess. He’s picking me up when I’m released.” “You’re going home with him after this? Carolyn, you can’t be serious.” “Oh, Shannon, don’t look at me like that! He really didn’t mean to hurt me. And I’m not hurt…well…not much. I mean if I were really hurt, they wouldn’t be releasing me today, would they? And we had a talk on the way to the hospital. It was all really my fault. If I’d just…well, tried a little harder to—” Shannon pressed her lips tightly together. “Carolyn! How can you say that? This is not your fault! You don’t deserve to be treated this way. There are laws and resources to protect you.” She took one of Carolyn’s hands between both of hers. “Please let me set them in motion to help you.” Carolyn pulled her hand from Shannon’s and averted her face away. “What is it with you, anyway, Shannon? Who do you think you are? What makes you think you have all the answers? That you know what’s best for me and my man?” “I didn’t say that,” Shannon said as patiently as she could manage. “Then don’t act like it! Can’t you understand? I don’t need protection from my own husband.” “Carolyn, please, just listen to me for a moment.” “No! I’m not listening to you ever again. I know that sounds mean and ungrateful and I don’t mean it to be that way, but that’s the way it is. So thanks for coming, but I’m a little tired now. I mean it. Please, just go.” Shannon walked from the room, feeling as if she’d had the wind knocked out of her for the second time in two days. First Adam Hayden tossed her out of his house, after having sex with her, and now Carolyn told her to get lost. And for what? Just because she wanted to help them. Just maybe this social work wasn’t all it was cut out to be. Maybe it was time she looked around for a job that wasn’t so rough on her emotions.

***** Paula looked up when Shannon arrived for work later that morning. “You look like you’ve been kicked around,” Paula said. “What gives?” Struggling out of her suit jacket, she told Paula about her early morning call and trip to the hospital. “You did the best you could. You can’t make anyone take your help or feel 51

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responsible if they don’t.” She sighed, rubbing the back of her neck. “Listening to her make excuses for her husband made me realize that if Jack hadn’t been so turned off by the thought of my face being scarred permanently, I might still be with him.” Paula got up from her desk and sat in the chair by Shannon’s. She put her hand over Shannon’s clenched fist on the desk. “No, you wouldn’t. You’re much stronger than you give yourself credit for being.” Thinking of her behavior with Adam, she shook her head. “No, I’m not. If you hadn’t come to me in the hospital and gave me hope and made me realize I had something to contribute, I’d be as without hope and have as little self-esteem as she does.” “No, you wouldn’t because you knew Jack had no right to mistreat you and you didn’t try to protect him by taking the blame for his actions.” Paula studied her face for a long moment. “But this isn’t just about Carolyn Williams, or even Jack, is it?” She shook her head and told Paula about her last meeting with Adam. Of course she couldn’t tell her about sleeping with him. “Why did you let him think you and Jack were still married?” Paula asked. She shrugged. Looking back it didn’t make much sense, but at the time it had. “It just seemed like a good idea at the time.” “Okay.” Paula nodded. “I can buy that. It seemed like a good idea when you first met him. Why didn’t you tell him the truth later?” “What was I supposed to say, ‘oh, excuse me, but I misled you into thinking I was married because I didn’t want to get too close to you? No hard feelings, okay?’” “Why not?” Paula challenged. “If I were as interested in him as you obviously are, I’d go to him and explain myself.” “Who says I’m interested in him?” she asked bleakly. “You did.” She stiffened. “When?” “Every time you come back here looking beat down to the ground because he’s been unkind to you. And it seems that’s all he ever is.” She shook her head. True he hadn’t always been considerate of her feelings, but when he had made love to her, he had made her feel as if her feelings did matter to him. And she knew under all the unhappiness she sensed in his past, that he was a good man. “Oh, Shay! Be careful.” Shannon ran a hand through her hair, letting it fall forward to cover her hot cheeks. “I will…” If it wasn’t already too late. She recalled how wantonly she’d responded to his lovemaking and flushed. Oh, God, he must think her easy.

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***** Shannon was alone in the office when the mail was delivered two days later. She thumbed through a collection of bills and junk mail until she saw her name on a long white envelope with the words, Hayden & Associates, P C imprinted in the upper right hand corner. Her hands trembled as she carefully opened the envelope to read the short handwritten note inside. My dear Mrs. Harrison, I don’t know if eating crow is as effective the second time around, but here goes. If you’ll have dinner with me on Friday, we can find out together. Pick you up at six o’clock at the center? Adam Hayden. His dear Mrs. Harrison indeed. He’d done nothing but insult her since the moment they met. She’d be a fool to go anywhere with him. And if it was one thing she wasn’t, it was a fool. She punched out the phone number to his office determined to tell him just that. “Good afternoon, Hayden & Associates,” a pleasant voice announced in her ear. “This is Shannon Harrison, is Mr. Hayden available?” “Mr. Hayden’s in a meeting, but he asked me to interrupt if you called. Will you hold, please?” She experienced a momentary intoxication at the woman’s response. He clearly wanted to talk to her. But did she need to talk to him? “No. That won’t be necessary. Would you please just tell him that…” “Yes?” “That I…” “It’ll only take a moment to get him on the line, Mrs. Harrison,” the woman said quietly. “No. Thanks. If you would just please ask him to pick me up at six-thirty tomorrow night,” she was horrified to hear herself say. “I’ll give him the message.” “Thanks,” she said and hung up.

***** “Shannon! Oh, Shannon! I have to talk to you!” Dana cried the moment Shannon answered the phone at the center the next afternoon. “I’m listening, Dana.” “Not on the phone. In person and soon.” “Ah…sure.” She mentally ran through her list of things she needed to do on the following day. Laundry, grocery shopping, housework. “How about a late breakfast or

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early lunch tomorrow?” “Tomorrow? I can’t wait that long. I have my car back. Let’s have dinner.” “Dinner? You don’t mean tonight?” “Oh, please, Shannon. I’m feeling so desperate. I have to talk to you. Now. Tonight. There’s no one else.” Shannon bit back the urge to suggest that Dana talk to one of her friends. A fine advocate she was. If Dana needed to talk to her, she would just have to put her selfish desire to spend the evening with Adam on hold. “You don’t have a date or anything, do you?” Dana asked when Shannon didn’t respond immediately. She bit her lip. “What time would you like to meet?” “Meet you at five o’clock at Downy’s on the Pier?” “Five it is,” she said trying to sound enthusiastic. “Thanks. You have no idea how much this means to me.” But she knew how much it meant to her. She called Adam’s office only to be told he wasn’t there. “Please tell him that my plans have changed and I won’t be able to have dinner with him tonight after all,” she told his secretary. “Will you be needing him to return your call?” “No, thanks,” she said, fully expecting that he would call anyway.

***** Adam’s jaw clenched angrily. He read the message his secretary had handed him again. Ms. Harrison’s plans have changed and she will not be able to make dinner tonight. She said there was no need to call her. He crumbled the message pad in his fist and tossed it into the trash can by his desk. So she was unwilling to forgive him and probably had a date with another man. He raked a hand through his hair. The thought of her with another man sent a ball of rage clutching at his stomach. He had tried, but found it impossible to banish thoughts of her for more than an hour or so at a time. He wanted to apologize and make things right with her. Clearly, she did not share his desire to explore the possibility of a real relationship. Fine. She didn’t want to see him again? Fine. She wasn’t the only damned fish in the sea. It was time he found himself a woman he could get serious about who would help him forget Shannon Harrison.

*****

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The interior of Downy’s was lit entirely by small gaslight lamps and candlelight. Shannon watched Dana pick at her dinner and wished that she shared the intimate dinner with Adam instead of his daughter. It took all of her patience not to rush Dana through dinner on the off chance that she’d be able to see Adam later that night. “Mike and I had lunch today,” Dana finally said. “And you told him you were pregnant?” “Yes. He was sort of pleased at the idea of being a father. He thinks he can take care of me. He asked me to marry him.” She reached across the table to squeeze Dana’s clenched fist. “Oh, honey that’s wonderful news! Have you set a date yet?” “Shannon!” Dana jerked her hand away. “You’re as bad as my dad. I thought you understood. I’m not going to marry Mike. Even if I were inclined too, our marriage would mean his having to give up college full-time for a full-time job. Besides, I know it might sound foolish, but I want to marry for love. I thought I loved him, but I don’t love him.” “No it doesn’t sound foolish,” she said quietly. Dana’s dark eyes suddenly swam with tears. “He doesn’t understand, Shannon. He said we had to do what was best for the baby.” Dana balled a hand into a fist and hit it against the table. “I do want to do what’s best for my baby. I’ve already started to eat a lot more vegetables and I’m trying to give up sodas for milk and fruit juices. I’m doing everything I should to make sure my baby will be healthy. But is it so wrong to think that I matter too?” “Oh, no, honey. Of course not. You do matter.” “Then why doesn’t anyone understand? Mike says he’ll keep asking me until I say yes. But I don’t want to say yes. I’m not proud to be an unwed mother, but I really think it’s the best thing for me and the baby.” Shannon squeezed her hand. “I do understand and I will support you in whatever choice you make.” Dana sucked in a breath. “This is all so…so hard. I really don’t remember my mother. Dad tried so hard to make sure I stayed a virgin until I married. He always talked to me about the things boys said and how I should resist them. I hate to see the look of disappointment in his eyes when he looks at me. Am I doing the right thing in turning Mike down?” “Honey, that’s a decision you’ll have to make for yourself, but I can tell you that if you allow yourself to be pushed into a marriage you don’t want, you’ll be making a big mistake.” Dana glared at her suddenly. “Yeah. Like you’d know.” “As a matter I fact, I do know. I have a father too, you know. One I tried very hard not to disappoint.” “What do you know about the father you love trying to force you to do something

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you know is not right for you?” “I know a lot more about it than I want to.” Dana looked surprised. “How?” Did she really want to expose wounds that were not fully healed? She decided it was necessary. “I met Jack Harrison when I was seventeen. He was four years older than me and so handsome I felt like I was going to swoon every time he looked at me. He had a job, and my father, who hated every guy I’d ever liked, approved of him. I thought I was so in love with him.” “What happened to change your mind?” “We stopped to neck on a quiet little road on the way back from my senior prom. When I’d had enough and wanted to go, his car wouldn’t start. So we spent the night on that road.” “You let him get freaky with you.” She sighed. Like everyone else, Dana jumped to that conclusion. “Things did get a little heated, but he stopped when I insisted he did. But when we got home the next day, my father said I didn’t look virginal anymore. So he pressured us into getting married a month later just in case I got pregnant.” “So? Why was that so bad? You said you loved him.” “Oh, I thought I did, but I soon discovered that there was a big difference between the infatuation I felt for him and real love. Jack and I had only been married for six months before I made the mistake of telling him that I didn’t love him. I was foolish enough to think that he’d want to know the truth.” Dana sat forward, an intense look in her eyes. “So what happened?” “He became verbally abusive. I wanted to leave him, but my father said as long as Jack provided for me and didn’t beat me I had nothing about which to complain. And of course, as usual, my mother backed him up,” she said bitterly. “What happened?” “Four years ago Jack and I were driving on I-95. He was angry because I’d told him that when I graduated from college I wasn’t going back to Wheeling. We’re both from West Virginia. He took his eyes off the road and…he lost control of the car and we crashed into a guard rail. When I woke up in the hospital with my face all bandaged, I was told that Jack had gone back to Wheeling.” “You mean he just left while you were unconscious?” Shannon shrugged. “Looks are very important to Jack and he was afraid that I was going to be scarred for life.” She glanced down at herself. “Besides, he hadn’t been very happy with my weight. He said I was beginning to look like The Goodyear Blimp. Charming, huh?” “You don’t look like a blimp!” Dana said heatedly. “And you’re not scarred at all.” “I had plastic surgery to repair most of the damage to my face. But I do have a scar here.” She touched the thin scar that ran along her lower left jaw. 56

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“But it’s almost invisible. His kicking you to the curb like that must have hurt you.” “Actually, I was relieved. Our marriage was torture…and I wanted out. Still…the way he ended it hurt a little.” “Have you dated anyone since then?” “Yes.” If you counted Patrick. “Yeah?” Dana looked skeptical. “Anyone special? Any lovers?” When it came to love, she was rather old-fashioned. First came love, then commitment and marriage, and finally the physical act of making love. Or at least that’s the way it had been until she’d thrown herself at Adam Hayden and been roundly rejected. She held up her hands to signal that she wanted Dana to stop. “Let’s not lose sight of the fact that we came here to talk about you, not me. I told you my story so you’d see that I am speaking from experience, not so you could get into my personal life.” Even as she spoke, she felt like a fraud. She’d already gone too far with Dana…not to mention Adam. “I’ll bet you wouldn’t mind Dad getting into your personal life and your personal pants.” Shannon sat back in her seat, her lips parting in amazement and anger. “We’ve talked about all we need to tonight.” She glanced around and signaled the waiter. “I’m outta here.” “Oh, all right!” Dana sounded like a petulant child. “I’m sorry. Maybe I was out of line.” “Maybe?” She shook her head in dismay. “There’s no maybe about it.” “Okay. I was out of line, but—” “But nothing! I’ve heard enough from you for one night.” She rose. “Let’s go.”

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Chapter Seven It was just after nine when Shannon got home. She rewound the tape on her answering machine, kicked off her heels, and sank down into the most comfortable chair in her cream and dusky rose colored living room to listen to her messages. There was one from Paula inviting her over for lunch on Sunday. The only other message was from Carolyn Williams. She assured Shannon, in a bright and cheerful voice that sounded sincere, that she was fine. Maybe seeing Carolyn lying bruised in the hospital bed had brought her husband back to his senses. Maybe that husband of hers had decided to seek some help. Maybe there was such a thing as living happily ever after. “Yeah,” she muttered out loud. “And maybe the answering machine somehow ate Adam’s message while saving the other two.” There. She’d admitted it. She was disappointed that he hadn’t called to arrange another date. Picking up her shoes, she turned off the living room light and went into her bedroom. There she stripped down to her bra and panties and went to bed. She lay staring up at the ceiling for at least ten minutes. Then she reached for the phone. She knew she’d made a mistake the moment he spoke. “Hello.” “Adam, this is Shannon—” “I know who it is.” His voice was as cold as dry ice. “Did you want to speak to Dana?” Salvage your pride, she thought firmly. Tell him you’re looking for Dana. He needn’t know how much you want to just hear his voice. But she’d never been much good at deception. “No,” she admitted. “I wanted to talk to you.” “I can’t imagine what you think you have to say that I’d want to hear.” She winced. She should just hang up before she made a complete fool of herself. But she knew it was already too late to worry about that. “Didn’t you get my message telling you that I couldn’t make dinner?” “Oh, I got your message all right.” She shook her head helplessly. “Then what is your problem?” She heard him catch his breath. When he spoke again, his voice was hard and angry. “That should be obvious, you faithless witch.” She took a deep, ragged breath. “What did you call me?” “I think you heard what I said.” There wasn’t a trace of remorse in his voice. “I could not have heard you right.” “Oh, I think you did.” 58

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“I’m sure I didn’t because I have not done a single thing to justify your talking to me this way.” “You mean aside from standing me up so you could go out with another man, don’t you?” So he was jealous because he thought she’d been with another man. She felt a huge smile turning up her lips. “Oh, Adam—” she began happily. “It’s okay. Let me explain what happened.” “Don’t you Adam me,” he ground out through clenched teeth. “I am not in the mood to be lied to by you again.” She clenched her fist. And she wasn’t about to accept verbal abuse from him. “All right. If you must know, I was with Bill,” she heard herself saying coldly. “Who the hell is Bill?!” Good question. She didn’t know anyone by that name. “Who is he?” he demanded. “Is he the husband you led me to believe you no longer have?” “It doesn’t matter who he is. All you need to know about him is that, unlike you, he knows how to treat a woman. Maybe I’ll introduce you two sometime. You could learn a lot from him.” “You little—” “Later for you, Adam!” she snapped. Her eyes filled with tears as she slammed down her receiver. Turning her face into her pillow, she closed her eyes. She detested him. No. Detest wasn’t a strong enough word. She hated him with the proverbial passion. Yet, it wasn’t hate that kept her awake late into the night. It was the remembrance of his arms around her, his lips branding sweet, hot kisses on hers, his cock thrusting her to an explosive and overwhelming orgasm.

***** Shannon stepped into the afternoon sunshine and blinked rapidly. She slipped on her sunglasses. There. That was definitely better. Now she could bluff her way through the rest of the day without everyone she met knowing how lousy she felt. “I was beginning to think you didn’t take lunch like the rest of us, Mrs. Harrison.” She whirled around to find Adam Hayden leaning against the wall of the florist shop. She fought back the first rush of pleasure she felt and stared coolly at him. “What are you doing here?” “Waiting for you, of course.” He smiled and her treacherous heart did a couple of happy flip-flops against her ribs. He glanced up at the second floor of the building. “I didn’t come up because I didn’t want to interrupt your day.” 59

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“Well, aside from wasting your time and mine, that’s exactly what you’re doing, Mr. Hayden.” She threw him a cold look and started away. “Hey, wait a minute. Please.” Against her better judgment, she turned to face him. “What?” He pushed himself away from the building and brought his right hand from behind his back. He extended a bouquet of red roses. “To know whether you’ve already been put on your guard against remorseful men bearing gifts.” She shook her head, and took several steps away from him. He needn’t think she would be so easily appeased this time. “No thank you,” she said as coolly as she could. “Now if you’ll excuse me, I have a busy afternoon ahead of me.” His smile faltered and he looked away from her for several moments before he brought his blue gaze back to her face. “Please. I really am sorry.” She stared at him. “Is that it? Fine.” She nodded several times in rapid succession. “Fine. You are sorry. Great.” She turned her face skyward and yelled. “If anybody’s interested, he’s sorry—again!” She brought her gaze back to his with difficulty. “Now if there’s nothing else you want to say to me, I have to go, Mr. Hayden.” “There is something else,” he said quickly as she started to turn away. “Please.” “Well, I do not want to hear it.” “Please. Just give me a few moments.” “No. No. And no. Why won’t you leave me alone?” “I would!” he snapped and then in a softer, gentler voice, “I would, if I could. But I can’t.” That caught her attention. “What’s that supposed to mean? What is it that you want from me?” “First, I want and need to apologize. Honestly and sincerely. Then I’d just like to talk.” He held the roses out to her again. “Please. Forgive me and talk to me.” “I’m supposed to listen to you after the things you said to me Friday night?” “Forget Friday night.” His arrogance left her almost breathless. “Forget Friday night?” “Yes.” “And I guess I should forget that you tossed me out of your house in the middle of the night…on my big behind?” He raked a hand through his hair and looked at her. She saw what she believed was real remorse in his gaze. “After how we both felt when we made love, you must know that I didn’t mean that. They were unkind and ungallant, but you know they weren’t heart felt. I just. . .I find it so difficult to think rationally around you. “ “What didn’t you mean? To toss me out or that my behind is big?” “Oh, it’s big all right.” 60

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Her face burned and she longed to slap him. “But big is good. A large ass is much more appealing to a big guy like me than a small, tiny one. If there was anything about your lovely body that turned me off, would I be here now begging for forgiveness?” Despite herself, she softened. “So where were we? Oh, yeah. You were about to forgive me.” She made an effort to retain her level of anger. “Just like that? After the things you said to me? You called me a—” He held up a hand to silence her. “I know what I said and if it’ll make any difference to you, I’ll readily admit that I’m a dickhead who needs to learn to control his temper. I know what I said was hurtful and I’m sorry, Shannon.” “You sounded pretty certain when you said them. And you did toss me out on my large behind.” “I didn’t think you’d really go.” “Well, I did and you made no effort to stop me.” “I was angry.” She tossed her head. “You’re always angry! You should know that I’m getting tired of being served the business end of your very short temper.” He raked a hand through his hair. “I know and I am working on it. A few months earlier, I wouldn’t even have apologized. Please bear with me. I am sorry. I was furious when you broke our date and…I got a little—” Then at the incredulous look on her face, “Okay, I got a lot crazy. But I really am sorry.” She knew she was being a soft touch, but this time when he held the roses out to her, she took them. “I had a good reason for canceling on you, Adam.” “I don’t consider going out with another man a good reason, but it doesn’t matter.” She saw the muscles in his jaw tighten and knew it did matter to him. Yet he’d come anyway. And that did count for something with her. “What do you want?” she asked again. “Isn’t it obvious?” She arched a brow. “I suppose you’re going to tell me you just want to apologize.” He shook his head, a slight smile tugging at his lips. “Well, that and I want to kiss you…on your full, luscious lips and all over your beautiful body. I want to take you somewhere with a big bed, sink my aching cock balls deep into your sweet, addictive pussy, and make love to you until you come all over my cock,” he said in a low, suggestive voice. “Oh God!” she whispered softly. Her nipples hardened and she went damp thinking of his thick, hard cock sliding into her. “But if that’s too much, I’ll settle for a platonic lunch.” Shannon’s whole “beautiful body” felt as if it was on fire, but she met his warm

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gaze head on. “I’ve brought my lunch.” She held up a small brown bag. “But thanks anyway for asking.” He took her arm and pulled her gently away from the entrance of the building. “Watching your weight again? I told you not to bother.” “This may come as a surprise to you, but I don’t live my life to please you. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have to go.” “My dear Mrs. Harrison, I’d rather you came with me willingly, but I am quite prepared to pick you up and carry you off forcibly,” he threatened softly. She glanced down at herself. “I wouldn’t advise you to try it unless you’re aiming to get one heck of a hernia.” He laughed. “It just might be worth it. Look, I really want you to have lunch with me.” She ignored her pride that urged her to refuse. Pride couldn’t make her heart beat faster or her breath catch in her voice the way Adam’s presence did. “Okay. I’ll come, but—” He pressed a long, firm finger against her lips. “But nothing. Let’s not play anymore games. Come because you want to be with me. And don’t make excuses.” Shannon, in the midst of giving thanks for her sunglasses that hide her expression, was nonplused when he suddenly plucked them from her face. Ignoring her indignant protests, he put the sunglasses into his jacket pocket and easily warded off her attempts to retrieve them. She gave up after a moment and they stood staring at each other. His gaze was all at once deliciously cool and alternatively hot. She couldn’t look away from him. She could have happily drowned in his blue gaze. Apparently, she got her message across because suddenly he stroked his big hands down her hair in long, slow strokes. He touched her cheek, then pressed a finger against the corner of her mouth. “Sweet, tempting, Shannon, forgive me?” he begged softly. “Yes,” she whispered. His smile made her heart thump. “Do you have any idea how much I want to kiss you and lose myself in your bottomless golden eyes?” How caressing and tender his voice was. How warm and close he was. Too warm and close to resist. She lifted her face to his. “So who’s stopping you?” He sighed softly and bent to take the lips she offered as a gift in a soft, sweet kiss that barely parted her lips but set her whole body on fire. Shannon, unaccustomed to kissing in broad daylight in the middle of the street, tossed her inhibitions to the winds. His lips were warm and insistent, and sweeter than she’d ever imagined a man’s could be. The feel and taste of his mouth created a need in her that she had tried very hard to ignore and deny since he’d tossed her out of his house. Now she let herself go, responding impulsively to him, returning his kisses and making no efforts to hide her desire from him. 62

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By the time he lifted his mouth from hers, she clung to him, her entire body shaking. “Oh, Adam!” she whispered, reluctantly allowing her arms to fall away from his neck. “That’s enough of that,” he said, his voice husky. “My nervous system can’t bear anymore strain today.” He ran a finger down her hot face, gently cupping her cheek in his palm. “Let’s go somewhere to eat. Somewhere with lots of people.” She stared up at him, her breathing uneven. “I…I don’t think we should. I mean…” “Of course we should.” He slipped his arm through hers and walked her down the street, pausing long enough to drop her cheese sandwich and apple in the nearest trash can. “I thought we’d have lunch at Danny’s,” he said of a small diner two blocks down. “They have great sandwiches and salads, and excellent soups. Over lunch you can tell me all about your husband and Bill.” She gave him a blank stare. “But I don’t know any…look, before we go any further, I was with Dana Friday night,” she said, determined to have no more half-truths or misunderstandings between them. “And I’ve already told you Jack’s my ex-husband.” He stopped so abruptly that Shannon nearly lost her balance. “So you weren’t with another man.” “No, I was not.” “Fine. But I still want to know who Bill is.” She sighed, praying that he would hold onto his temper. “There isn’t any Bill. I wanted to tell you about Dana, but you didn’t give me a chance. You just started saying those awful things to me. So I…I invented him to shut you up.” “You invented him?” He stared down at her for a long moment with an enigmatic look on his face. Then he shrugged, reclaimed her arm, and started walking again. “I’m really in no position to cast stones. I behaved badly and hurt you and I regret that.” There were still things they needed to work out between them. But he’d made several steps in the right direction. He’d sought her out, bought her roses, shown enough interest in her to mind her seeing another man, apologized several times, and more importantly his kisses had been full of passionate longing. That was enough to start with. She smiled again and slipped her hand down his arm, until her hand brushed his. A warm feeling spread through her as his fingers locked with hers. “It’s all right.” “It is? You mean you…” “Forgive you? Yes.” He squeezed her fingers and lifted them to his mouth for a quick kiss across her knuckles. “Thank you, but I want more from you than forgiveness.” She took a deep breath, gazed up into his eyes and decided, pride was overrated. “I want to give you more than that,” she admitted. His blue eyes darkened. “Now?” She nodded, unable to think of anything except how much she wanted him to make 63

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love to her again. “Now.” “You’re sure?” She swallowed. “Don’t you want to?” “You know I do. I just don’t want to make any more mistakes with you.” “I want this too, Adam. Are you going to make me beg?” “No. I just want to make you happy.” “Then take me to bed. That’s enough to start. We’ll move on from there.” Twenty minutes later, they stood naked in each other arms in the middle of a hotel room, trading hungry, passionate kisses. She was wet and he was hard after just a few minutes of foreplay. He took her hand and led her over to the bed. She lay on her back with her legs parted and bent. “You are so beautiful.” She extended a hand to him. “And hungry for you. Come make love to me.” He crawled between her thighs. He smiled at her. “Paradise.” She smiled, stroking her fingers along his cheek. “Already? You haven’t even got inside me yet.” “Just lying on top of you is sweet beyond words,” he countered, staring down into her eyes. “Yeah? Well, I sure hope you plan to do more than lie on top of me, Adam,” she teased. He laughed, brushing his lips against hers. “Don’t worry, honey. I plan to do a whole lot more than that…starting now.” He lifted his body off hers and began kissing his way from her stomach down to her pussy. “Oh,” she said in a small, surprised voice, parting her legs to give him greater access to her pussy. Parting the outer lips of her pussy, he licked and nibbled at her, making her gush. He lifted his head and looked up at her, sensuously licking her juices from his lips. “Delicious, but I want more,” he whispered, burying his face and tongue inside her. “Oooh! Oh, Adam!” she moaned, jolts of heat and desire shooting through her as he began eating her. Although he had insisted she perform oral sex on him, Jack had never returned the favor. She was experiencing a man’s mouth and tongue in and on her pussy for the very first time and it was totally and utterly incredible. The feelings and sensations coursing through her made her toes curl and her heart swell with warmth and gratitude that Adam took the time to satisfy her in this unselfish manner. Her ability to think was soon swept away as the level of her desire built and began to spiral out of control until she came, crying out and clutching his head against her shuddering body. He held her hips still and kept his mouth close to her pussy as she 64

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climaxed. That small contact created a sense of his fully sharing in her orgasm, which increased and prolonged her pleasure. Finally, as the last timbre left her body, his tongue and mouth moved softly against her flesh. He gently nibbled at her outer lips and pressed a long, almost adoring kiss again her pussy, sending a fresh rush of moisture through her. Then he rolled on a condom, rose over her, settling between her thighs with his hard cock pressing against her entrance. She opened her eyes and lifted her hands to hold his hips. “Please,” she begged softly. “Now. Take me.” Although she was now lubricated, he eased into her with a gentleness and thoughtfulness that brought tears to her eyes. Halfway inside her, he paused, raining soft kisses against her lips and neck. She lifted her hips and tugged urgently at his hips. “Adam…please.” He settled his lips over hers and leisurely pushed forward until the rest of his hard cock took full possession of her willing pussy. With him fully seated deeper inside her than Jack had ever been, she felt as if he had speared her and branded her as his private possession. She moaned softly and tightened herself around his cock. “Adam.” He made love to her slowly, tenderly caressing her body and softly kissing her lips. He filled her ears with sweet, nonsensical words that she didn’t really hear with her ears, but felt with her heart and soul. He made love to more than just her body. He made love to the inner person that Jack had hurt and deserted. She had never felt so completely cherished as she did with him while he was moving so deliciously inside her. She had never known sex could be so powerful…so all encompassing…so liberating and yet so enslaving. She clung to him, wanting to keep him inside her and a part of her forever. She moved her hips and body in time with his thrusts, making him fight hard to withdraw even an inch of his cock from her body on the upstroke, and eagerly accepting him back inside her with each downward return home. This time her climax was so powerful it threatened to shatter her. She loved that he took the time to hold and kiss her softly as she moaned her way through her orgasm before he settled against her, and began thrusting rapidly and deeply into her. Forcing herself up from the layers of bliss surrounding her, she held him. She loved that he groaned out her name as he began coming. “Shannon…oh, God, Shannon!” His cock shot deep in her with the force of a powerful jackhammer as he came. She loved that she had made him lose total control and wished that he was actually ejaculating into her pussy instead of a condom. That would make for a totally exciting and shared experience. When he collapsed on top of her, she held him and they exchanged a long, tender kiss that brought fresh tears to her eyes. He rolled over onto his back and held her, whispering softly to her in a soothing 65

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voice that touched her deeply. She longed to fall asleep in his arms, but knew she mustn’t. She pressed her face against his damp shoulder, longing to burrow in his arms and stay with him forever. “I have to shower and get back to work,” she finally murmured. His arms tightened around her. He brushed his lips against her cheek. “Not yet.” “Yes. I have people depending on me. I can’t let them down.” He sighed and inclined his head. “If you have to go, you have to go. But first give me another kiss.” She lifted her head and he kissed her deeply, pressing his tongue into her mouth and gently stroking his hands down her back and butt. She allowed herself a few precious moments to savor his kiss before she drew back and pushed against his shoulder. “I’d better get dressed.” He rose and followed her into the bathroom. Although she longed to make love with him again, she couldn’t. She pressed a hand against his shoulder. “Out! I have to get dressed!” He moved behind her and rubbed his groin against her and she sucked in a breath. He was semi-hard and she felt herself growing damp again. But she shook her head. “Adam!” “Okay. I’ll let you shower alone.” He dropped a kiss on the back of her neck and left her alone. As she showered and dressed, she could still taste his lips. She wiped the back of her hand across her mouth, but it didn’t help. She felt as if the sweetness of his mouth was permanently burned against hers. She hugged the memory of his tenderness close to her as she faced the rest of the obstacles of her day.

***** “I guess I don’t have to ask where your mind is.” Adam looked up from the thriller he was reading as Dana came into the family room. “What are you talking about?” She sank onto the mahogany carpet at his feet. “About Shannon. You two did make up, didn’t you?” He lay his book face down on the table near his elbow and arched a brow at her. “You’re imagining things, Dana.” She smirked up at him. “I don’t think so, Dad. You’ve been one miserable bear since you threw her out of the house last Saturday.” “I did not throw her out,” he said coolly. “We had a difference of opinion and she left on her own.” “Sure she did. After you suggested strongly she leave-in the middle of the night.” 66

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He felt the blood rushing up the back of his neck at the memory of how badly he’d behaved. Dana was right. He had thrown her out. And yet, she had forgiven him. More, she had given him a taste of sexual and emotional paradise he had not experienced since Janet’s death so long ago. “I behaved badly,” he admitted. “Yes, you did, but since your mood has improved so much since last night, I know you’ve been with her.” “Dana,” he said in a warning voice. “And,” she went on, just as if he hadn’t spoken, “that was Shelly on the phone just now. She wanted to know why you didn’t show up for your lunch date with her this afternoon.” It took real effort to keep his face expressionless. He’d been so intent on seeing Shannon and undoing the damage he’d done to any possible relationship with her that he’d completely forgotten his standing lunch date with Shelly Danvers. He had known Shelly for six years. They shared some common interests, like jazz and westerns, but they hadn’t been lovers for over a year. In addition, she didn’t occupy his thoughts day and night—like Shannon Harrison did. If he hadn’t grown so used to having her around to ward off the not so subtle advances of other women, he would have stopped seeing her a long time ago. Now he knew he’d have to do it before Shannon found out about Shelly and misunderstood. “Dad? Hello? You in there?” He became aware that Dana was waving her hand in front of his face. He pushed her hand away. “I have no idea what you’re muttering about.” “Are you denying that you were with Shannon when you should have been with Shelly this afternoon?” “I’m not denying anything. I don’t have to. I don’t owe you or anyone else a blow by blow account of how I spent my day,” he told her without heat. “Get that straight, little girl.” She gave his leg a none-to-gentle pinch. “Oh, lighten up, Dad. I know you and Shannon have a thing for each other. That’s why you are always so incredibly rude to her. Everytime I invite her here, you find a reason to throw her out. And yet she keeps coming back.” “Never mind us,” he said shortly. “Have you given any more thought to marrying?” “Dad! Please! I know how you feel, but you have to consider what I want and need too.” He narrowed his gaze. “Is that what Shannon Harrison told you?” “It’s what I told her. She doesn’t try to make my decisions for me, Dad. She knows I can do that without any help.” He dismissed her argument with a wave of his hand. “Don’t try to give me a guilt trip because it won’t work, Dana. I’m your father. It’s my job to try to steer you down 67

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the right path.” She gave him a pleading look that tore at his heart. “Dad, I love you, but I’m old enough to do my own steering now.” “Yeah? Well, no matter how old you get, you will always be my little girl. And I will always try to steer you in what I think is the right direction.” Tears sprang to her eyes. “I know you will, Dad, and I love you for it. Sometimes I’ll follow your direction. Sometimes I won’t, but I will always love you. Is that enough, Dad?” He knew if he didn’t back off, he would be in danger of alienating her. Like it or not, he had to accept the fact that she was going to be a mother and would have to begin making important decisions on her own. He nodded, cupping a hand over the back of her head. “Yes.” She sighed, then arched a brow, a knowing smile on her pretty face, a gleam in her eyes. “So…you and Shannon had a good time today?” He wondered uneasily if she suspected just how he and Shannon had spent part of their afternoon. “Don’t go there, Dana,” he said in a no nonsense voice.

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Chapter Eight Grinning Dana pressed her face against his leg. “Would you mind if I invited Shannon over for the weekend?” His heart raced at the thought of having her in his house again, but he tried not to show it. He gave his leg a gentle shake and she lifted her head to look at him. “Silly brat!” he said affectionately. “Since when have any of your friends been unwelcome in our home?” Dana sprung gracefully to her feet and walked toward the door. “Oh, never.” She turned to grimace at him from the doorway. “Unless, of course, you count Shannon.” “Dana.” “Okay. You don’t want to talk about her.” She nibbled at her lip. “Grandpa called today.” He tensed. “Really?” “He wants us to have dinner with him soon.” “Us? As in you, him, and me?” She grinned. “Yes. That us. Will you come, Dad?” He shook his head. “No.” “Please, Dad? For me?” “Having dinner with him is not my idea of fun.” “I know, but it’s something he wants and—” “Dana, you both should know by now that his wants are not a concern of mine. I know why you’re so fond of him—because he’s telling you it’s okay to be an unwed mother. He would think that. He has no morals. Look how he treated your grandmother.” Her brows knitted. “Dad, he made some mistakes, but he did support you financially.” Fury whipped through him, but he attempted to keep his expression from showing it. “That’s the very least he could have done—the very least. I needed a father who did more than just toss money at me and think that was enough. It wasn’t.” “I understand that, Dad. I do and so does he. He made some bad choices when he was younger. Grandma forgave him. Why can’t you?” He tightened his lips. “Dana, I am not in the mood to defend my lack of feelings for him. You like him? Fine. I don’t.” “But Dad, he’s your father. Just as you are mine.”

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That stung. “Dan Hayden was my father in every way that mattered. Adam Cannon was just a sperm donor. I hope I’ve been more than that to you.” “Oh, Daddy!” She rushed across the room and flung her arms around his neck, kissing his face. “Don’t go there. You know you’re the best dad ever and I just love you to bits!” He kissed her cheek. “But?” “No buts, Dad.” She drew back to look at him. “I just wish you didn’t hate him. He wants so badly to make amends. Every time he talks about how he wasn’t there for you, his eyes fill with tears. He loves you so much, Dad.” “I don’t love him, Dana. He needs to accept that and move on.” “How can he move on when you’re his only child…just as I’m yours. He needs you, Daddy. Please have dinner with us?” He drew her back into his arms and held her. “I will think about it, Dana, but don’t get your hopes up because I don’t expect anything to change.” She looked up at him. “Just think about it. That’s all I ask.” “And will you think about getting married?” “Yes, but like you, I don’t expect anything to change, Dad. Neither should you.” She kissed his cheeks and rose. “See you later.” After she left the room, he sat, his book forgotten, his thoughts on Shannon. To his surprise, he didn’t just sit thinking about their lovemaking that afternoon, but he found himself wanting to romance her…send her flowers…cherish her…protect her. He raked a hand through his hair. If she didn’t feel the same way, he was going to be in big time trouble. He reached for his cordless phone and ordered a bouquet of red roses and a box of chocolates to be sent to Shannon.

***** Shannon was just dozing off on Wednesday night when the phone rang. Groaning, she rolled over onto her back and looked at the clock as she reached for the phone. Nearly eleven p.m. The one night she went to bed early, she had to be disturbed. “This had better be important,” she said sleepily. “I’m sorry. I didn’t expect you to be asleep so soon.” All traces of sleep vanished at the sound of the deep voice on the other end of the phone. “Adam! Is something wrong?” “No. I won’t keep you long. I just wondered if you’d talked to Dana lately.” Her delight at his unexpected called began to diminish. “Yes. I spoke to her today. Why?”

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“Just wondering if she invited you to spend this weekend with us.” “No. She didn’t.” “Are you free?” “I don’t think so,” she said, ignoring the almost overpowering urge to shout yes, yes, yes! Although she longed to see him, he had made no attempt to contact her. The flowers and candy had been a nice surprise, but she’d hoped he would follow them up with an invitation to dinner. He hadn’t and she didn’t want to end up hurt because she felt far more for him than he felt for her. “I have plans. Besides you’d probably end up throwing me out again and I’ve been there and done that already.” She tried to keep her voice light and slightly teasing. “That will not happen again. I give you my word and that’s not something I give lightly. We’re having a dinner guest Friday I thought you’d like to meet.” “Who?” “Dana’s grandfather.” “Your biological father?” “Yes.” She heard the tension in his voice and knew this was an opportunity she couldn’t pass up. He sound like he needed support and she wanted to be there for him. “I’ll rearrange my schedule. I’d love to meet the man responsible for those gorgeous blue eyes of yours.” “Is that the only reason you’re coming?” She smiled. “It’s the only one I’m going to admit to tonight.” “Are you…alone, tonight, Shannon?” “Are you?” “No.” She sucked in a hurt breath. “Oh, Adam!” “No,” he said quickly. “I didn’t mean that. I only meant, Dana’s here too,” he said, sounding amused. She closed her eyes briefly, laughing. “Very funny.” “I wish you were here too.” That soft voiced admission warmed her. She smiled. “It’s late and I have an early date tomorrow.” He sighed. “Okay. Dream of me, sweet Shannon.” Which was probably what she would do. But what she said was, “Not likely, buster.” “No? Well, maybe I’ll dream of you.” She smiled. “You do that, Adam.”

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***** “Is it just me or are you more than a little nuts where the Hayden family is concerned?” Paula asked, as she and Shannon shared dinner together the next night. “I mean that is the only reason you’d possibly agree to spend another weekend with them.” Shannon shrugged. “I know that’s how it must seem, but I think I should meet her grandfather.” “Why? Because her father asked you to?” She lowered her gaze and took a mouthful of broiled shrimp. “Because I think her father’s refusal to accept her choice is tied up somehow with his lack of a real relationship with his own father. Maybe if I meet him, I’ll be able to help them all.” Paula shook her head. “I suppose it’s useless to point out to you again that Dana Hayden isn’t our only client.” A graphic picture of Carolyn Williams’ battered face flashed into her mind. “I know, but this is on my time.” “And you’re hooked on both of them?” That was a mild way of putting what she felt when she was with Adam Hayden. She reached across her dinning room table and refilled Paula’s glass with lemonade. “Could we maybe talk about something else?” “Like?” “Like how are you and Rob coming on the baby-making front?” Paula grinned. “Since you ask, we plan to spend another long, lazy weekend becoming intimately reacquainted with each other.” She winked. “That man has an absolute talent in the bedroom that is legendary and unrivaled.” She laughed, squeezing Paula’s hand. “Oh, you wicked woman you.” “I am wicked, aren’t I? But Rob likes me that way.” Shannon nodded. “Yeah. So do I.” “Well, if nothing else, you have excellent taste,” Paula said and they both laughed.

***** Shannon wasn’t sure what to expect when she arrived at the Hayden house on Friday night. One look at Adam’s face when he opened the door and she knew his father was already there. She squeezed his hand and smiled at him. “Hi.” He lifted her hand to his mouth and kissed her palm. She could hear Dana’s laughter and a deeper voice coming from the living room. “He’s here?” 72

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He nodded and stood staring silently at her. She leaned into him and kissed his cheek. “So am I.” Offering him comfort and assurance felt right and natural. He smiled and leaned down to kiss her on the corner of her mouth. “Thank you.” She slipped her fingers through his. “No need. I didn’t just come for Dana.” She paused, knowing she was about to cross yet another line she shouldn’t. “I came for you too, Adam.” She watched his Adam’s apple bob up and down and knew he was moved, although he remained silent. But she could feel his gratitude and…possibly more. Heart thumping, she smiled at him again. “Come meet Dana’s grandfather.” They walked to the living room, hand in hand, only unclasping their hands by silent, mutual consent before they entered the room. Dana cuddled on a big plush sofa against a tall, handsome man, who gently lifted her aside and rose to face them. He was tall and broad-shouldered like his son. His eyes were blue and his thick blond hair liberally sprinkled with gray. Looking into his still strikingly handsome face, it was clear he was Adam’s natural father. Except for Adam’s dark rather than fair hair, he was a mirror image of his father. She glanced at Adam. One day he would be an attractive seventy year old who looked closer to fifty-something like this man. The elder Adam stepped forward. “You must be the charming Shannon I’ve heard so many good things about. I’m delighted to meet you, my dear.” She smiled, extending her hand. “I’m delighted to meet you, Mr. Cannon.” “Please call me, Adam.” “Okay. Adam.” She hadn’t expected to enjoy herself that night, but she did. Adam Cannon went out of his way to charm her and despite Adam’s silent presence, she was indeed charmed. She could easily understand why Adam’s mother had fallen in love with him and why Dana was so fond of him. She was genuinely sorry when he rose at eleven o’clock. “It’s late, Granddad.” Dana held his right hand in hers. “Spend the night and go home tomorrow.” Shannon watched Adam Cannon glance at his son. She turned to Adam, almost willing him to add his voice to Dana’s. Instead, he stared silently at his father, who bent to kiss Dana’s cheek. “I like night driving. I’ll be fine. Don’t worry.”

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Dana shook her head and turned to look up at her father. “Dad?” There was a pleading quality in her voice that Shannon knew Adam would have a problem ignoring. She watched him turn to look at his father again. He didn’t smile and there was no warmth in his voice. “Stay-if you like.” Adam Cannon’s smile and tone held all the warmth and grace his son’s lacked. “Thanks, Adam, I appreciate it, but I really can’t stay.” He shrugged. “Suit yourself.” “Adam…son—” Adam shook his head and drew away from the hand the older man extended to him. “I’m not your son—” He gripped Adam’s arm and held him still. “Yes, you are my son. I want….Adam, I know I was never your father when I had the chance and when you and your mother needed me most. And I know now you won’t let me be. I wouldn’t want to come between your memories of Dan Hayden. I know he gave you all the things I should have, but didn’t. But I need to be a part of your life. In some small way. Any way. Please let me in, son.” Shannon watched as Adam closed his eyes and leaned back against the wall next to the front door where they all stood. “I can’t give you what you want. So please…just let me be.” “I can wait,” the older man said. “I know this isn’t easy for you, son. I can wait as long as it takes.” When Adam didn’t respond, he reached out and squeezed his son’s shoulder before he left. Dana looked at Shannon before nodding toward her father, who hadn’t moved. Shannon nodded, pleased that Dana thought she should be the one to stay and comfort Adam. Still, she waited until Dana had disappeared up the staircase before she pressed her body against Adam’s, linking her fingers with his. “Hey.” He opened his eyes and looked down at her. She saw a combination of anger and pain in his gaze. She leaned up and kissed him gently. “Adam?” He squeezed her fingers and pressed his mouth down against hers, sending tremors of desire all through her body. “I don’t want to talk about him,” he said into her lips, slipping his arms around her waist. “I just want to be with you. To touch you. Love you.” “No,” she said softly, pulling back. As much as she wanted him, she wasn’t going to sleep with him just to ease his pain. He had issues he needed to resolve. Sleeping with her wouldn’t help. “That’s not why I came.” He nodded and slipped an arm around her shoulders. “Okay, no lovemaking.” He stared down at her. “I suppose you’re firm on that front?” Not nearly as firm as she should be, but she nodded anyway. “Very firm.”

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He sighed. “Okay, then just talk to me?” “As long as you need me to, Adam.” He hugged her against his warm body and she trembled with need. The desire to give in washed over her with the force of a gale wind, but she resisted.

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Chapter Nine Adam glanced across the living room. Shannon sat with his best friend, Steve Laser on a sofa. His gaze narrowed. After avoiding being alone with him all day, she had readily allowed Steve to monopolize her after dinner. Where had the understanding woman of the night before gone? She had lain in his arms on that same sofa, encouraging him to talk about his life. When he fell silent, she had encouraged him to continue by pressing sweet kisses against his hungry mouth. Now she sat beguiling his best friend. “Well, Dad, you see how it’s done?” Dana taunted softly in his ear. He reluctantly turned to look up at Dana who stood behind his recliner, grinning wickedly. “What?” She nodded her head in the direction of the sofa. “If you don’t watch out, Dad, Uncle Steve will take Shannon from you. I’ll bet you’d never catch him throwing her out of his house.” He shot to his feet. “Come with me.” It annoyed him that neither Steve nor Shannon looked up as he and Dana stepped out onto the patio. The moment the patio doors were closed, he rounded on Dana. “Now what makes you think I’m interested in Shannon Harrison?” “Oh, I don’t know. Maybe it was the way you haven’t taken your eyes off her or Uncle Steve since the moment they sat down together. Or maybe it—” “Or maybe it’s your overactive imagination running rampant again.” He tipped her chin up so that he was looking directly down into her eyes. “Fess up, Dad. You like her—a lot. And don’t take my head off just because Uncle Steve knows how to push her buttons and you don’t. I mean if you’d just stop and—” “That’s enough out of you!” He struggled to keep a tight rein on his temper. “If I can’t tell you how to run your life, what makes you think you can tell me how to run mine?” She blinked at him. “Come on, Dad. I only meant—” “Not another word, Dana. I’m serious.” “Sorry, Dad.” She gave him a hurt look before running around the side of the house and out of his line of vision. He leaned back against the house wall. He closed his eyes wearily. He shouldn’t have snapped at Dana for telling the truth. Shannon was the one who deserved his wrath. After he’d shared so much of himself with her, she was in his house, using those deep, brown eyes of hers to charm his best friend.

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Well, he’d had enough. She’d allowed Steve to monopolize her long enough. He pushed himself away from the wall, pulled the doors opened, and stormed into the room. Steve was alone in the room. “Where’s Shannon?” he demanded. Steve rose. “Dana went tearing pass a moment ago. She went after her. What happened out there, Adam?” “I did something I should have done a long time ago,” he said defensively. “I put my foot down.” A frown marred Steve’s dark face. “Obviously, but did you have to put it down so hard?” “Don’t start, Steve,” he warned. “I didn’t invite you to dinner so you could tell me how to handle my daughter or monopolize Shannon.” “Oh. So that’s it. You’re jealous because Shannon and I like each other so you pick on Dana? Way to go, sport.” “That’s not the way it was at all!” “No? That’s how it looks from here.” Probably because that’s how it was. He blew out a breath. Steve was right. He owed Dana an apology. He sighed. “I’d better go find her and apologize.”

***** Shannon sat on the window seat of Dana’s bedroom, watching as Dana removed her make up. “You want to talk?” “About what?” “Why you left without saying good night? Why you’re almost in tears? Are you feeling okay?” She was surprised when Dana turned and glared at her. “Oh, sorry if your concern for me tore you from Uncle Steve’s side.” She sighed inwardly and counted slowly to ten. What a moody pair the Haydens were. “Steve is very attractive,” she said, ignoring Dana’s outburst. The hostile look vanished from Dana’s eyes and she looked dismayed. “You mean you really do like him?” “Yes. He’s funny, charming, and sweet. Is there some reason why I shouldn’t like him?” “Yes! No! Well, he is kind of good looking, but don’t you think Dad’s much better looking?” She smiled. “Was that a yes or a no?” she teased. “Should I or shouldn’t I like 77

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Steve?” Dana shrugged. “Would you like me to set up a date with him?” Her smile vanished. “No, I would not! I wasn’t asking for help in getting a date.” “But I’ll bet you wouldn’t mind my help getting one with Dad. It’s obvious he toasts your oats.” She felt the hot, betraying color flood her face. “I don’t know what you mean.” “Oh, of course you do,” Dana contradicted her. “But I think you should know that my Dad likes his women beautiful and very sophisticated and kind of slender, as you’ll see when you meet Shelly, his lady love.” She felt as if she’d had the breath knocked out of her. She’d gotten the idea last night, that she herself might be Adam’s lady love. He certainly hadn’t seemed to mind her weight resting against him. So who was this Shelly? She’d ask Adam the first chance she got. In the meantime, she was not in the mood for another of Dana’s outbursts that only served to prove she was her father’s daughter. She got slowly to her feet, trying to control her temper. “And I suppose I’m not his type?” Dana shrugged. “Judge for yourself. Look in the mirror.” Shannon took a deep, steadying breath before she exploded. “Well, know this once and for all: I am not interested in your oh so handsome father! So don’t waste your time trying to warn me off. I know this must come as a shock to you, but there are women who aren’t dying for a chance to…to roll in the hay with your miserable excuse for a father! Some women like their men one hundred percent black!” Dismayed by her outburst, she shot Dana a stricken look, ran across the room, and flung open the door. And got another shock. Adam stood on the other side of the door, his hand raised to knock. He stared at her with a wounded look in his blue eyes. “So I’m not black enough for you?” He’d obviously heard every awful word she’d said. But just then she didn’t care. “Get out of my way!” she said rudely. He didn’t budge. “Answer me,” he said in a cold, steely voice that sent a chill through her. “My white skin bothers you?” She pushed against his shoulders. “Oh, Adam! Just get out of my way! Please.” “I don’t care what I look like on the outside, inside is what counts and I am black there!” The pain she heard in his voice filled her with remorse for the harm her thoughtless words had clearly caused. She’d made a first class mess of everything. “Please,” she whispered, her eyes filling with tears. “Just let me go.” He stepped aside and she ran down the hall to her bedroom, tears of shame and remorse spilling down her cheeks. As she fled she heard Dana’s tearful voice. “Daddy, don’t look like that! She didn’t mean it! I know she didn’t, Daddy!”

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***** Shannon turned in the darkened bedroom to look at the bedside clock. 1:13 a.m. She’d spent the last two hours wondering how she could possibly convince Adam to forgive her. She knew how sensitive he was about his parentage, which made her unkind remark all the more reprehensive. He would never forgive her. She pressed a fist against her mouth, stifling a sob. Oh God, but she had made one of the biggest mistakes of her life and she couldn’t sleep or decide what to do to make things right with Adam. She was leaving in the morning, but for now she was a wreck. She tossed on the bed. She had to do something…anything. Maybe a swim would tire her sufficiently so that she could sleep. She donned her bathing suit and went down the hall to the stairs, and out to the pool. She swam the length of the pool several times before turning and floating on her back, her eyes open as she admired the beauty of the night. A full moon lit up the warm night sky. The air was fragrant with the sweet scent of freshly cut grass and flowers. It was on just such a night that men proposed. But she was being silly again. There wasn’t anyone lining up to propose to her. And even if there were, she wouldn’t accept. One bad marriage was quite enough, thank you very much. So why couldn’t she stop wondering what being married to Adam would be like? He had been so tender and so trusting when they had lain on the sofa the night before. Briefly closing her eyes, she relived part of the previous night. Lying in his arms exchanging soft, sweet kisses and warm caresses had touched her deeply. She shivered, recalling the touch of his lips brushing against her ear, his big hands fondling her. He had managed to make her feel cherished and adored. . . almost loved. He had seemed so in need of compassion and warmth. When she’d cradled him in her arms, she loved the way he’d immediately pressed his face against her breasts. They had fallen asleep in each other’s arms . . . and she’d been so happy and hopeful. Maybe he’d only been thinking of sex, but she’d been thinking love and yes— marriage. And now she had blown it all because she’d lost her temper. After the way she’d behaved, he probably wouldn’t even want sex with her. Turning onto her stomach, she swam to the side of the pool and gasped. “Oh!” Adam leaned over the side of the pool, offering her a hand. Surprised, she trod water and stared at him. “Where did you… When did you come out?” The muscles in his chest and upper arms rippled as he reached down and lifted her out of the pool. She wasn’t ready to face him. She wanted to run inside, but her legs felt weak. A shiver passed through her as his eyes moved deliberately over her scantily clad body. “I was here when you came out,” he said softly, his blue gaze meeting hers. “Why didn’t you let me know?” she asked, unnerved by his steady regard.

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“Because I decided to enjoy the sights in silence.” As he spoke, his eyes again slid over her body, settling on her breasts. “Very nice sights, too.” He wore a pair of briefs that left very little to her imagination. But she already knew he had a beautiful body, broad in the shoulders, narrow at the hips, and long-legged. To her horror, her gaze settled against the side of his leg where she could see his cock swelling. Heat hit her loins with the force of a blowtorch and she went damp. “Besides, I couldn’t sleep. No doubt that probably has something to do with being so damned white and—” “Oh, Adam, please!” She pressed her fingers against his mouth. “Please, please, I was just so hurt and angry when Dana said I wasn’t chic or pretty enough or slender enough for you. I…I just wanted to…hurt her. I didn’t mean it. Please believe me.” He stared down at her. “All my life, Shannon, I’ve had to try to live in two different worlds. Do you know what a struggle that’s been for me? Too white for my black roots and too black for my white roots. Even Dana’s had to deal with being teased because of the color of my skin. It isn’t easy. Still we’ve both learned to cope. The last thing I expected was to have you direct such a painful blow at me. I can’t change the color of my skin or eyes or the texture of my hair. I wish—” The pain in his voice sent tears welling in her eyes. “Adam, please, please. I just wanted to hurt her like she was hurting me.” “Those were Dana’s ill-chosen words spoken in anger. Not mine. I don’t feel that way about you. I would have thought you knew me well enough by now to know that I don’t have a problem speaking my mind.” “I know that, but you mean you don’t—” “I mean just what I said, Shannon. No more, no less. There’s nothing written between the lines for you to ferret out. Did you really think your size bothered me when we made love?” Her face burned, but she didn’t look away from him. She owed him that much. “No,” she admitted. “But I wasn’t feeling very rational at the thought of you with another woman.” She extended a trembling hand. “I’m so sorry, Adam.” He took her left hand in his, kissed her fingers, and tugged gently on her hand, drawing her toward him. He tipped up her chin with his free hand and stared down into her eyes. “I am what I am, Shannon. Don’t ever mention the color of my skin again.” “I won’t,” she promised. “Just…please forgive me, Adam.” He took her in his arms and held her close. He trembled against her and she realized how deeply she had hurt him. Last night, when he had been angry and confused, she had held him and encouraged him to talk to make him feel better. Tonight, she knew he would need more than gentle kisses and whispered encouragement. She needed and wanted more too. She stroked her fingers through his hair. “Make love to me?” she asked.

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To her surprise, he drew away. “You think that’s going to make everything between us better?” Oh God, he wasn’t going to forgive her. “Won’t it help?” “No!” He raked a hand through his hair. “You think you can say I’m too white for you one moment and expect me to jump into bed with you the next as if I’m some damned dickhead? To hell with you, Shannon!” He swung away from her. She did the only thing she could. She ran after him, catching his hand. “Adam! Please. Wait.” He turned to face her and she was horrified to see what looked like moisture in his blue eyes. God forgive her, she really had hurt him. She slipped her arms around him and held him. “I’m sorry,” she gasped. When he didn’t respond, she took his hand and led him over to one of the chaise loungers. She sat on the side and tugged at his hand. After a moment of resistance, he sat beside her. She leaned over and kissed his cheek, stroking her hand down his bare chest. “Make love to me, Adam. Please.” “No.” She turned his head and they stared at each other. “I’m far from perfect,” she whispered, brushing her lips against his. “I know what I said what unforgivable, but I need you to forgive me.” She moved her hand down his chest to his groin. She cupped her fingers over his cock and thrilled to its stirring. He didn’t return her kiss or move against her fingers. She sighed. If they were going to sleep together that night as a first step in his forgiving her, she was going to have to seduce him. She pushed against his shoulders until he lay back against the lounger. Then heart pounding, she stood up and slowly removed her swimsuit. She kept her gaze on his groin as she did. He was not yet fully aroused. Moving over to the lounger, she kneeled beside him and pressed her mouth against his swimming briefs. He began to swell. If nothing else, he still wanted her physically. That wasn’t nearly enough for the long haul, but it was sufficient for the present. Pressing her face against his groin, she eased a hand inside his briefs, cupping his genitals. His balls were heavy and tight and his cock lengthened and hardened at a satisfying rate as she fondled and caressed him. When he was sufficiently aroused, she drew his briefs off his body and settled between his legs with her mouth inches away from his cock. She lay for a moment, inhaling the heady aroma of him before she cupped one hand around his balls, the other around the base of his cock, and took him into her mouth. He leaked pre-cum and she eagerly sucked him, basking in the delight of that first taste of his seed. His dick felt like hot, thick silk in her mouth. A wave of tenderness and a desire to please him and chase away his pain crashed over her. Closing her eyes, she

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settled down and began contentedly sucking and licking at his cock with a hunger that tightened her stomach muscles and made her even wetter. He groaned, bringing his hands up to rest on the back of her head. “Suck me. Oh, baby, suck my cock,” he begged, thrusting his hips rapidly up so that his shaft shot in and out of her mouth with a steady pressure that quickly built to the point of release for him. “Oh, Shannon, baby, suck me harder. Take me deeper into your mouth. That’s it, baby! Take it all the way inside.” His balls tightened and his body tensed. She suspected he was only seconds away from his release and a feeling of ecstasy grabbed at her. She was about to make him come and the knowledge was heady and arousing. Feeling her own passions rising, she reached down one hand to finger her wet pussy as she sucked and pumped at his cock. He shuddered and groaned and she knew he was about to come. She briefly considered pulling away before he came, but quickly discarded the idea. She wanted to feel and taste his seed. When he gasped, stiffened, and then began shooting his seed, she kept her mouth wrapped around his cock, determined to swallow every drop of his seed. His hand on the back of her head, kept her face buried against his groin. As she savored his seed, the coarse hair of his groin teased her lips and tickled her nose. Oh, God. So very sweet. It seemed an eternity before he collapsed back against the lounger and removed his hand from the back of her head. She allowed him to slip from her mouth and sat back on her knees next to the lounger. He opened his eyes and looked at her. “Oh God, Shannon! That was incredible.” Her face flushed with pleasure. “You enjoyed it?” “Oh God, yes!” Her gaze went to his cock. She was pleased to find it still semi-erect. Heart thumping, she rose and straddled his hips on the lounger, placing his shaft at the entrance of her pussy. Closing her eyes in anticipation of the delights to come, she moved her hips. His hands suddenly shot out and he gripped her hips, halting her forward motion before his cock could enter her. She looked down at him and their gazes met. “What’s wrong?” “Without a condom?” She wet her lips. She of all people knew the implications of sex without taking the proper precautions and protections. But this was her way of showing him how much she trusted him and how badly she wanted a real relationship with him. “Yes,” she whispered. Still, he hesitated. “Shannon—” “I want you and your seed inside me, Adam. Please.” “Oh, damn. We’ll both regret this in the morning.” 82

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“But not tonight,” she countered. “Tonight I’m going to delight in being filled with your cock and your seed, Adam. Don’t deny me. Please.” He slid his hands from her hips around to cup her butt and closing her eyes, she pressed forward, sinking down until his cock was buried balls deep in her pussy. “Oh,” she gasped, lay her body down until her breasts brushed his chest, and moaned and gasped as he began to fuck her. She fucked herself back at him, eagerly inviting him to plunder her pussy again and again. His kisses were intense; his big hands urgent as they cupped and caressed her body, demanding and getting her complete surrender. She shivered helplessly as he pressed moist, heated kisses along her neck, shoulders, and full, heavy breasts. All the while he thrust up into her with a heady passion that sent her hips twitching down, forcing soft, inarticulate sounds of pleasure from her. “You’re beautiful,” he whispered. “So beautiful. Open your eyes and look at me.” Her eyes fluttered open and she found him staring down at her, his eyes glittering like blue ice. “I love every inch of your beautiful body.” He pressed a hot kiss against her breasts. “You’re luscious, and so sweet. God, Shannon, making love to you is the most incredible thing in the world.” He kissed her mouth with a tenderness that brought tears to her eyes. Her senses swirled. In a matter of moments, their heated fuck turned into a gentle, but passionate lovemaking that captured her heart. “Adam…oh, Adam!” “It’s all right, baby. I have you. You’re mine.” Her world consisted of nothing but him. There was only Adam. Her Adam. Her lover. The man she loved, holding her, filling her aching body and satisfying all her emotional wants and needs. Such delicious sensations thundered through her body that she felt as if she would never feel anything but happy again. She lost track of how many times his powerful, rhythmic strokes into her body drove her over the edge of pure pleasure and left her gasping and clinging to him, sobbing out his name before he finally followed her over the edge. She was practically purring with contentment when the last shudder of desire had subsided. She reluctantly climbed off his cock. Turning on her side, she curled her body against his, abruptly aware of the cool night air against her naked skin. He kissed her damp forehead, cupping his hands over her behind. “You’re cold.” She was, but was loathed to leave the comfort of his arms. He kissed her again and got to his feet. Moments later, he draped her terry cloth robe over her body before he lifted her to her feet. “Are you all right?” She slipped her arms around his neck and smiled up at him. “I’ve never been better. I feel absolutely, deliciously, gloriously happy.” She rained several kisses along his shoulder and neck. “How are you?” His smile was warm and intimate. “Me? I’m feeling hungry again.”

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A delicious tightness gripped the pit of her stomach at the thought of making love to him again. “Then let me feed you.” “Oh, baby!” He bent his head and kissed her lightly, then glanced up at the windows of the house overlooking the pool—some of which belonged to Dana. “But not out here again. Your room or mine?” “Yours,” she said without hesitation. She liked the idea of being made love to in his bedroom. “I want to fall asleep in your bed with you buried deep inside me.” “Your wish is my command, sweet, beautiful, sexy Shannon,” he said, after a slight hesitation. She wondered if she’d been too brazen, but she didn’t get much chance to worry about it—he bent to retrieve their swimming suits and hurried her into the house. They made love once more before she held him as he fell asleep with his head against her breasts. An hour later, he woke her and they made love again, this time with her lying on her stomach as he thrust into her from the rear. It was beyond wonderful as her clit brushed against the bed every time he stroked his cock deep into her receptive pussy. They came so close together, she felt as if they were sharing their individual orgasms. They collapsed into each other’s arms and fell into an exhausted, but contented sleep.

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Chapter Ten Shannon was surprised to find Dana waiting in the kitchen when she went down to start coffee the next morning. “I guess I was kind of mean last night.” Dana shrugged. “I was angry with Dad, and I took it out on you.” Shannon hid a smile. Like her father, she wasn’t much on apologizing. Like her father, Shannon couldn’t resist her. “Dana, I am so sorry for the things I said about your father. They were unforgivable.” Dana made a self-depreciating face. “I shouldn’t have provoked you.” “Whatever the provocation, I had no right to say those things about your father.” Dana shrugged. “Whatever.” “Okay, so let’s forget last night.” Dana nodded. “Fine.” Adam joined them fifteen minutes later just as Shannon finished making orange juice. He kissed Dana’s check and turned a warm, intimate smile on her. “Good morning, Shannon.” She did her best not to blush as she remembered the long, sensuous night spent in his arms shuddering in passion as he groaned out her name, filling her with his seed again and again. She dismissed thoughts of their night together. “‘Morning.” Dana watched for a moment before giving them a suspicious look. “Shannon and Adam, huh? I guess some of us had a pretty good night, huh?” Shannon’s heartbeat quickened. Had Dana looked out her window and seen them? Or was she just fishing? While she was trying to decide how to respond the phone rang. “I’ll get it!” Dana sprang to her feet and spoke quietly into the phone before putting the caller on hold. “I’ll take it in the living room.” Adam went to stand behind Shannon’s chair as Dana left the room. She suddenly felt shy, a little ashamed, as she remembered her wanton behavior the previous night. He had said no and she had stripped them both naked and then climbed on his cock for all the world as if she had a right to be there whenever she liked. What did he think of her when she continued to get into bed with him at every opportunity? “I want to talk to you.” “What about?” she asked slowly. “About nothing…anything…everything.” She wet her lips. “Adam…do you regret last night?” “No.” He frowned. “Oh Shannon, please don’t tell me you do!” 85

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“No…I don’t…I just…don’t know where it leaves us. I mean it was incredible and amazing, but where does it leave us?” “Where do you want it to leave us?” “I don’t know,” she hedged. Somehow she couldn’t bring herself to admit how she felt to him. He lifted a hand and touched her hair, which she wore in a loose topknot. “Let it down,” he urged softly. “It’s too much bother when it’s hot. I don’t like the feel of it against my neck.” “I like the feel of it against any part of me. Let it down,” he said again. She had a memory from the night before of him groaning into her hair as he filled her with his seed and blushed. He cupped a palm over her cheek and brushed his lips against hers. “Blushing after all we’ve shared? God, you’re sweet.” She averted her gaze and removed the pins and shook her hair out, combing her fingers through it in a vain effort to tidy it. She drew away from him. “There. Satisfied? Now I look an awful mess.” “You look good enough to eat. And I find that I’m starving again.” He bent his head and brushed his mouth lightly against her slightly parted lips. “Feed me?” She closed her eyes and lifted her arms to encircle his neck, her lips parting under his. She eagerly accepted the sweet, nibbling kisses he pressed against her willing lips before he lifted his head and moved back to his seat. She stared at him, pleading with her eyes for him to come back and really kiss her. “Adam?” He refused with a small shake of his head. “This is not the time or the place, but I find it difficult to think clearly around you. Especially after last night.” She smiled uncertainly at him. “Is that good or bad?” “What do you think?” he asked cryptically. Dana’s return forestalled any response she might have made, which was just as well since she had no idea how to reply. She loved him. She might even have admitted it to him the night before in the heat of passion, but he did not love her. Did he want her? With a voracious appetite that had taken her breath away. But did he love her? Surely he would have said so if he did. “What happened to your hair?” Dana asked. “You look a complete wreck.” Stifling a sigh, she glanced at Adam. He smiled reassuringly at her. “You take my breath away,” he told her. One glance at Dana’s face and she knew a storm was just over the horizon, ready to explode out of control with the least provocation. When Dana left the room to take another call, Adam pressed a quick kiss against her mouth. “I have to go. I’ll see you later, honey.”

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She longed to ask him where he was going and why, but she didn’t feel comfortable enough with their relationship yet. She didn’t even know if they had one. Did one lustful night together constitute a relationship? Or was it just cheap sex with no commitment expected or given? The smoldering look in his eyes as he left her gave her hope that she was more to him than just an easy lay. She and Dana spent the morning by the pool. “I hope Dad doesn’t bring her home for lunch,” Dana said into the silence. “I like it when it’s just the three of us.” “Bring who?” But part of her knew that Dana was talking about the woman she’d called Adam’s lady friend. “Shelly. He’s gone to see her.” She rolled onto her stomach and pressed her face into the cushions on the lounger. She felt sick at the thought that Adam might now be with another woman, touching and loving her as he’d done with her the night before. “Did he…tell you he was going to see her?” “No.” “Then how do you know he did?” “No one else could get Dad away from you. You know if you wanted to, you could take him from her.” She thought she’d already done that. She took a deep breath and tried to compose her features into a nonchalant mask before she looked at Dana. “I’m not here to discuss my personal life, Dana. Please try to remember that.” Dana shrugged. “Oh, I know that whatever is going on between you and Dad is none of my business, but—” “I don’t recall saying that anything was going on between us.” Even as she spoke, she felt like a hypocrite. “I saw the way you two were looking at each other. Something’s going on all right. But I just thought you should know about Shelly,” Dana went on, ignoring her interruption. “I mean she’s been his lady for a long time now. I just thought you should know you’ve got competition.” “Thanks for the concern, but I can take care of myself.” Dana didn’t seem convinced. “Yeah? Well, maybe. Dad’s a great guy, but I just want you to be careful.” She was already more in love with Adam than she’d ever thought possible. She couldn’t change that, but she was not going to allow him to use her. For her own peace of mind, she needed to go home before he returned. Once she saw him again, she was afraid her resolve wouldn’t hold up against his charm and her overwhelming desire for him.

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She was saying good-bye to Dana in the foyer when he came in late that afternoon. He hugged Dana briefly before smiling warmly at Shannon. “Good. I’m glad I caught you before you left.” Good, hell. Damn him if he thought he could come to her straight from another woman’s arms. Ignoring him, she kissed Dana’s cheek. “We’ll talk,” she said and went out the door without speaking to, or looking at him. She had the car key in the door of her late model sedan when he caught up with her. “That was a hell of a welcome. Especially after last night.” She tossed her overnight bag onto the passenger seat before she turned to face him. “If you want a warmer one, go back where you came from.” He studied her expressionless face for several moments. “Are you going to tell me what’s wrong or do I have to play twenty questions?” She stared silently at him. He sighed. “What’s wrong?” “Nothing’s wrong.” She glanced at her watch. “I really should be going. It’s a long drive back to the city.” She threw him a quick glance. “Good-bye.” He put a hand on the car door to stop her. When she turned towards him, he put his other arm out and she found herself trapped within the circle of his arms. She felt his warm breath on her cheek and trembled. “Adam, please don’t. I’m not in the mood.” “Why are you running away?” His warm lips brushed against hers. “I was hoping to get back in time to take you to dinner.” “Back from where, Adam? Who were you with?” He stiffened against her and looked up to see the surprised look on his face. “Who was I with? Well, if you want to be technical, I guess I was with Sara.” She groaned and pressed her face against his chest, thumping a clenched fist against his shoulder. How many women did she have to compete with? “Who is Sara?” He tipped up her chin and stared down at her. “My secretary. I was working.” “Working? You mean you…but I thought…” “You thought what?” His fingers tightened on her chin. “Or should I ask, who did you think I was with?” She shrugged. “I was wrong so it doesn’t matter.” “It mattered enough to send you rushing away,” he countered. “So don’t tell me it doesn’t matter.” She shook her head. She wasn’t about to admit that she’d been in the grip of the green-eyed monster for the first time in her life. “It doesn’t matter,” she insisted. He cupped a hand against her cheek and looked down into her eyes. “It matters. You need to know that I don’t hop in and out of relationships. Nor do I make love lightly. There are no women in my life that you need to be concerned about.”

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She stared up into his eyes. She wanted…needed to believe him. “None? Are you sure?” “What kind of question is that? Of course, I’m sure! Are there any men in your life I need to know about?” “No!” “Your husband?” “Ex-husband,” she reminded him. “Oh yes, ex.” He bent his head and kissed her slowly on her lips. “That’s a relief because for me there’s just you, honey. No one else.” “Then who’s Shelly?” He sighed. “Dana’s been running off at the mouth.” “Never mind that. Who is she?” “She and I used to see each other.” “Exclusively?” He nodded. “I only have exclusive relationships.” “You were lovers?” He nodded again, looking annoyed, but she had no intentions of allowing his annoyance to sidetrack her. “And it’s over?” “Our physical relationship was over long before I met you.” “If you don’t make love lightly, why aren’t you married to her? I hear you’ve been with her for a long time.” His gaze narrowed until his eyes were mere icy blue slits. Just for a moment, it didn’t seem as if he would answer, but he did. “I’ve never been comfortable sleeping indefinitely with a woman without a commitment.” “What does that mean?” His lips tightened. “I’d rather not talk about this.” “And I’d rather you did,” she insisted. “Fine, but just bear in mind that this all happened before I even knew you were alive.” She considered that statement a sure sign that she wasn’t going to like what was coming. “And?” “And I asked her to marry me about eighteen months ago.” “You mean you’re engaged to her?!” “No, I am not engaged to her! For crying out loud, Shannon, will you let me finish before you jump to conclusions?” He waited until she nodded grudgingly before he continued. “She said no. She wasn’t interested in marriage and I’m not interested in a strictly sexual relationship.”

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So she only had to sleep with him for two or three years before he’d want to commit to her. Great. “Is she…important to you?” “If she were, I wouldn’t have been with you last night or now.” He rubbed the ball of his thumb against her bottom lip. “I have never wanted or needed two women at the same time. You’re the one woman I want, Shannon. The only one.” It was enough—for now. She smiled and touched his cheek. “Is that dinner invitation still open?” “Do birds fly?” he asked softly. They drove to the city and had dinner at Downy’s. Afterwards, they went dancing. As he held her close, Shannon could feel how much he wanted her. It felt almost as much as she needed him. She slipped her arms around his neck and looked up at him. “Would you like to come to my apartment for coffee?” “I would love to have coffee and anything else you’d care to give me,” he murmured. He followed her to her apartment, parking his car right behind hers. They met on the pavement, and he took her hand in his, lifting it to his lips. “You’ll be the only woman in my life for as long as you want to be.” “Right now, I’m more interested in having you be the only man in my bed,” she said audaciously. “Does the thought hold any appeal?” “Oh, God, yes.” Inside her apartment, he stopped abruptly in front of the mantel, staring at the picture of her with Patrick. He turned to look at her. “Is that your husband?” “No. It’s Patrick.” “Who the hell is Patrick?” She slipped her arm through his and looked up at him. “Just a friend, Adam. You are the only man I’ve ever slept with besides my ex. Patrick is a dear friend, but that’s all.” He surprised her by nodding. “So okay.” He smiled. “Who wants to get fucked?” She pulled away from him, narrowing her gaze. “Not me,” she said and dashed across the room towards the stairs. Laughing, he followed her and chased her up to the bedroom. Once there, she smiled up at him. “I want to undress you.” He grinned. “Ooooh, baby. I wish you would.” “But first…me.” She undressed herself rather quickly, enjoying his reaction as he watched her. His breathing quickened and his nostrils flared as she stood before him naked, confident in the knowledge that he found her attractive. “Oh, baby, you are so beautiful.” She curtsied. “Glad you approve. Now it’s your turn.” She sashayed over to him and kissing his lips lightly, she untied his tie. She tossed it aside and pushed his jacket

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over his shoulders and down his arms. She dropped down to her knees and unlaced his shoes. She removed them and his socks. Leaning into his body so that her lips lightly brushed against his groin, as she straightened, she rose. Standing erect again, she began to undo his shirt. Although he had an undershirt on, she kissed her way down his chest as she continued unbuttoning his shirt. When she drew his shirt from his body, she slipped it on, leaving it open. Just having his shirt on but exposing her body, made her feel sexy. She pivoted in front of him. “So? What do you think? Like what you see?” “Oh, baby, yeah! Don’t keep me waiting.” Liking the hint of desperation in his voice, she pulled off his undershirt. That left him standing before her in his suit pants with a noticeable and growing bulge. A bulge she meant to take inside her body shortly. She cupped her palms over his cheeks, lifted herself on her toes, and kissed him slowly, but hungrily, savoring the knowledge that she was in control of when they began making love in earnest. As they kissed, he slipped his arms around her. Although she loved knowing he was hungry for her, she wanted to control the pace. After several deep, open mouthed kisses, she gasped and drew away from him. When he made a move to draw her back into his arms, she lightly slapped his hands away, and danced away from him. “Shannon. Baby, come on,” he pleaded. “I need you.” “Patience, Adam.” “Patience is not in my vocabulary at the moment, baby.” He pointed to his groin. He looked like he was fully aroused. And she was sufficiently wet. So maybe she’d teased him long enough. She walked back to him. Looking up into his eyes, she reached down and unzipped his pants. Her fingers closed around his cock. He was hard. Patience was definitely overrated. She opened his pants. She pushed them down his legs. He stepped out of his pants and arched a brow at her. His briefs swelled from his cock. She wet her lips and knew she had to have him. She drew his briefs off and his cock broke free and hit against his stomach. He took her into his arms and began covering her face and neck with warm, moist kisses, while his hands cupped and kneaded her breasts. “Oh, Adam, you make me feel so good,” she whispered, taking his hand and leading him to the bed Nearly to the bed, he paused and stared up at her portrait. “Oh God, baby, you’re so beautiful,” he whispered in hushed tones, almost as if he’d never seen her nude body. She smiled shyly at him. “I’m glad you like it, Adam.” He turned to look at her. “Who painted it?” “Patrick.” 91

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“Patrick? The guy you said was just your friend? You took your clothes off for him?” She sighed. “Adam, how else could he paint me nude? And he’s an artist. Posing for that picture helped me regain my confidence.” She touched his chest. “Don’t make an issue where there need not be any.” “You still see him?” “Do you still see your friend Shelly?” “She didn’t paint me nude.” “But she got to make love to you for years, which is more than ever happened between Patrick and me. He’s just a friend, Adam.” He shrugged, sighing. “Okay. I’m sorry. It’s been so long since I’ve been so interested in a woman…I’ve almost forgotten how to behave.” She stretched up to kiss his mouth. “You have no need to be jealous of any man, Adam. Now, let’s go to bed and make love.” Pushing back the covers, they sprawled on the bed on their sides, their naked bodies pressed close. He rubbed against her and a feeling of delight thundered through her. What touched her was that she felt a sense of belonging with him that she had never felt with any other man. And it was heady. “Oh, Adam, you feel so good.” “I’m going to make you feel even better,” he told her as he buried his face between her breasts. “So much better.” “I want to make you feel good, too,” she told him, reaching between their bodies to stroke his hard, hot flesh. She smiled with satisfaction at the small, strangled groans her touch evoked. “What was that? I didn’t quite catch that,” she said in a teasing voice. “Do you like that?” “Oh, baby! That feels so incredible…don’t stop.” She laughed and sucked on his ear. “I want all of you inside me…no condom,” she told him. He lifted his head and looked at her. “Shannon, as much as I love making love to you that way…Dana is seventeen. I’m not exactly looking to start fatherhood all over again.” She wet her lips. “You don’t want any more children?” He hesitated and she knew he was trying to decide how to respond. She shook her head. “Tell me the truth, Adam, not what you think I want to hear.” “The thought of being a father of a baby younger than my grandchild isn’t something I would be willing to try for, but I can’t say I’d regret it, if you didn’t.” How could she regret bearing the child of the only man she’d ever loved? She stroked her fingers through his hair. “I would never regret having your baby, Adam.” “But is that what you want?”

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“Yes,” she admitted. Even if he didn’t want to marry her, she wanted his baby. “Then I’ll do my best to get you pregnant,” he whispered. He rolled her onto her back. Rising above her, he slipped into her slick, heated body. She shivered and sighed. She didn’t think she’d ever get over the complete and unadulterated joy of feeling him slowly filling her to the point of bursting with his hard, throbbing cock. “Ah, oh, yes,” she gasped as his hot lips settled on one of her aching breasts. “Adam. Oh yes. Adam.” She slipped her fingers into his hair and held him close. “Adam. Adam. My Adam!” He lifted his head to gaze down into her eyes. “Yes,” he said, his voice husky. “I am yours, sweet Shannon. Only yours. Don’t ever doubt it. And I intend to fuck you all night, baby.” She trembled as his hands brushed against her breasts on their way to cupping her butt. “And you…” He lifted her hips to meet the downward thrust of his, sending another series of delicious thrills along her nerve endings. “You are mine.” She wrapped her arms and legs around him and undulated her body in time with his, savoring the delight of his cock buried so deep and deliciously inside her aching pussy. “Forever,” she promised, and they made love with complete and utter abandon. “Oh Adam! Forever!”

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Chapter Eleven Adam was surprised to find Dana in the living room when he got home several hours later. It had been hard to leave Shannon, but he hadn’t wanted Dana to spend the night alone. He threw his jacket and tie across the love seat and went to sit beside her on the sofa. “What are you doing up, honey?” She shifted to lean against him. She sighed contentedly when he put his arms around her and pulled her closer. “I just got up a little while ago. I couldn’t sleep. Are you and Shannon going to see each other again?” “Why do you ask?” She shrugged. “No reason. Well…you won’t hurt her, will you?” She half-turned to look up at him. “She’s had a rough time of it, Dad. Her husband abused her.” “What do you mean he abused her?” He was overwhelmed by a wave of anger at the thought of Shannon’s husband hitting her. He lifted Dana away from him and got to his feet. “He…hit her?” He walked over to the French windows and stared onto the patio, his hands clenched into fists. “Where is he now?” “Oh, Dad, don’t go nuts on me. It was verbal, but he really hurt her, so you mustn’t.” He turned to face her. “Why should you imagine I want to hurt her, Dana?” “I know you don’t want to hurt her, but she likes you…a lot…and you’re still seeing Shelly.” “And how would you know I’m still seeing Shelly?” “Well, that’s where you were all day, wasn’t it?” “As a matter of fact, I wasn’t with her, Dana. But I suppose that’s what you told Shannon?” He asked quietly and watched the guilty look cross her face. “You mean you weren’t with Shelly?” “No, Dana, I was working.” “I’m sorry! I was afraid you’d hurt her, so I thought she should know about Shelly. Please don’t be angry.” He held his arms open and she rushed into them. He hugged her close and kissed her cheek. “I’m more annoyed than angry. And disappointed that you think I’d hurt her. I thought you knew that I try very hard to be fair and honest in any relationship I have.” She pressed against him for a moment before looking up at him. “I know, but she’s not tough like Shelly. Are you sleeping with her?”

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He stared down at her, trying to read the expression in her dark eyes. How could he have been irresponsible enough to make love to Shannon where Dana could see them? Had she seen them? He couldn’t tell from her expression. “Why do you ask?” he asked neutrally. “Because I want to know if you’re in love with her.” “That’s my business.” He released her. He wasn’t ready to examine his feelings for Shannon too closely. “Mine and Shannon’s, and I want you to stay out of this.” “I will, Daddy. Only don’t hurt her.” “I won’t.”

***** “You look great. Your weekend must have gone well,” Paula said on Monday morning as Shannon settled in at her desk. She nodded, not quite meeting her gaze. “Yes.” Paula nodded. “Good, so you’re ready to move on then?” She looked up. “Move on? What do you mean?” “You said everything went well. By that, I thought you meant Adam Hayden had finally decided to be reasonable.” What would Paula say if she admitted that she hadn’t even tried to talk to Adam about Dana? Her sole concern had been for her budding relationship with Adam. She was now convinced that it was an honest relationship that given time could and would blossom into love on his part. She shrugged. “He’s her father. Naturally he wants what’s best for her.” Paula stared at her. “Excuse me? Are we talking about the same rude, impossible Adam Hayden?” “Come on, Paula. He’s not so bad.” “He’s not? Since when? Since you’ve fallen in love with him?” Paula asked gently. She bit her lip. “I know it sounds bad.” “And…does he love you, too?” She hesitated. When they made love, he was alternatively passionate and tender, but he’d said nothing about loving her. “He… I don’t know.” “Are you happy?” She smiled. “Oh, yes, Paula. I…yes.” Paula grinned. “Good! I’m delighted for you, Shay. Has Dana decided what she wants to do?”

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The question made her uncomfortable all over again. “She hasn’t changed her mind.” “Then she and her father have come to an understanding?” “No, not exactly.” “Then maybe you shouldn’t see them in your professional capacity. I’d be happy to try and intervene between them in the other matter.” She shook her head. “I can handle it, Paula.” “Are you sure, Shay?” She surveyed Shannon’s heated face. “You really think it’s a good idea trying to intercede for her while sleeping with her father?” She dropped her gaze and stared blankly down at her desk. “I didn’t say—” “I know you didn’t say you’d slept with him, but I’ve suspected for some time that you’ve been sleeping with him. And you practically floated in the door looking like a woman who’d been very thoroughly loved. Sleeping with him is not a good thing, Shay.” She raised her head. “It’s not sleazy, Paula. I love him. Please don’t take me off the case. I can do this.” “You’re sure?” She wasn’t, but she nodded anyway. Although she looked worried, Paula nodded. “Okay, end of discussion.”

***** The phone rang as Shannon walked into her apartment two nights later. She dropped her briefcase and shoulder bag on the table by the door, kicked off her shoes, and hurried across the floor to answer it. If she were lucky, it might be Adam. Although he had sent her flowers and a box of her favorite chocolates, she hadn’t seen him since Sunday and she was missing him. “Hello,” she said. “Oh, Shannon! Thank God, I caught you!” Dana cried out. Shannon’s heartbeat quickened at the note of alarm in Dana’s voice. “Dana! “Dana, what is it?” “It’s Dad. You have to come.” “Adam?” Her legs shook so badly she sank down on the nearest chair. “Dana, what’s happened?! Is he all right?” “No! He’s in the hospital!” “Oh, my God!” She tried to hold onto some semblance of sanity as her fear spiraled out of control. “Dana, what happened to your father?” “You mean to Dad? Nothing. What are you talking about?”

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“You said he was in the hospital.” “Not Dad—Granddad.” She closed her eyes and took several deep, relieved breaths. “Start from the beginning.” “Granddad was in a car accident last night.” “How is he?” “He’s in and out of a coma. He might die!” Dana wailed. “Oh, Dana! I’m so sorry! What can I do to help?” “You have to help me with Dad.” “Help you how? Does he know about his father?” “Yes. But he’s at his office, pretending that he doesn’t care. But he does. I know he does. I saw the look in his eyes when I told him. I’m at the hospital with Granddad now. Dad won’t forgive himself if he doesn’t come and Granddad dies.” She had a feeling Dana was right. “What can I do to help?” “You can go to his office and make him come here to see Granddad.” “Dana, I know you’re upset, but you must realize that I can’t make your father do something he doesn’t want to. He has to make his own—” “Oh yes you can!” Dana screamed angrily. “You just have to tell him you won’t sleep with him again, unless he comes. And he’ll come.” Her grip on the phone tightened. Oh no, she didn’t. Before she could lose her temper, Dana went on, “If Granddad dies and Dad doesn’t come…you make him come, Shannon!” Dana slammed the phone down in her ear without giving her a chance to respond. So Dana had seen them—not that she had time to worry about that now. Adam needed her. And so did Dana. She would have to do what she could to help. She reached for the phone and dialed Adam’s private number. He answered the phone on the fifth ring. “Hello.” His voice was low and brusque, not smooth and cool as usual. “Hi.” “Shannon…hello.” She could hear the tension in his voice. “How are you, Adam?” “I’m…okay. You?” “I was fine until Dana called me. She told me your fa-Adam is in the hospital. I’m going there to see him. Would you come with me?” He was silent for so long that she thought he wasn’t going to answer. “No.” “Why not?” “I don’t wish him any harm, but…I don’t feel any need to go see him.” The strain in his voice, however, told a different story.

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“No? Well, I do. I like him because he seems warm and charming…and he’s your biological father. I’m going to see him.” “Fine, Shannon, you go see him.” “Please come with me?” “Shannon, stay out of this. I don’t need you and Dana trying to tell me what I need to do.” “Please? It would mean so much to her.” “There’s not much I wouldn’t do to please her, but I’m not going to do this.” “Then come for me, Adam. Please. For me? Because I ask you to?” The silence was longer this time. Finally, she heard him sigh-a low, tired sound that made her long to take him in her arms and comfort him. “Okay, fine, I’ll go. For Dana.” But not for her? She swallowed painfully. “Oh, okay.” “And for you, Shannon,” he added softly. “There’s not much I wouldn’t do for you either.” She sighed in relief. “Thank you,” she said quietly. “I’ll meet you there in half an hour?” “I didn’t say I’d go tonight—” “Please, Adam. Dana said he might not make it. Tomorrow might be too late.” “Dana’s exaggerating. She usually does.” “What if she isn’t? Let’s go tonight. Okay?” “Okay, fine, have it your damn way, Shannon!” “Thank you.” He hung up without answering. She sat for a moment longer, wondering if she had done the right thing. Then she slipped her shoes back on, grabbed her bag, and hurried from her apartment. There would be plenty of time for regrets later-when and if they became necessary. Adam was already in the hospital lobby when she arrived twenty-minutes later. There was a haunted look in his eyes. She walked over to him and gripped one of his hands. “Hi.” He stared down at her. “This is not a good idea.” “Yes, it is.” She nodded toward the visitor’s desk. “Come on.” She released his hand and walked over to the desk. After a moment he joined her. “We’re here to see Adam Cannon,” he told the woman at the desk. “One n or two in that last name?” the woman asked as she began typing the name into her computer. “Two.” She looked up at him. “His visitor’s are restricted to family. You are?”

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He stiffened. He was silent for so long that she reached out and squeezed his hand by way of encouragement. “I’m… He’s…my father.” The woman stared at him, as if she would challenge his assertion. Adam’s cold stare seemed to discourage her. She shrugged and handed him two passes. “Room 1630.” At the door of the room, Adam took several deep breaths, opened the door, and entered. Dana sat at Adam Cannon’s bedside, holding his hand. She turned. Her tearstreaked face lit up when she saw them. “Oh, Daddy! You came!” She gently put her grandfather’s hand on the bed and ran to throw herself into Adam’s arms. “Oh, baby, I’m sorry. I should have come sooner.” She clung to him. “It doesn’t matter, Daddy, you’re here now. That’s all that matters.” Shannon walked past them and went to look down at Adam’s father. His eyes were closed, his breathing slow and uneven. There were several bruises and cuts on his swollen face. There seemed to be tubes everywhere. She suddenly became aware that Adam stood next to her. She moved a little to one side, giving him a better view of his father. She saw the muscles in his jaw clenching. “I talked to the doctor just before you got here, Dad,” Dana said. “He says Granddad has a fairly good chance after all. Isn’t that great?” Shannon glanced quickly at Adam, expecting him to use Dana’s statement as an excuse to turn around and leave, but he continued standing at the bedside. She felt a tap on her shoulder and turned to face Dana. “I’ve been here since this morning,” she said slowly. “I’m really tired, but I didn’t like to leave Granddad alone. I’m going home. You’ll stay with Dad?” She nodded. “Drive carefully. In about an hour, I’ll call to make sure you got home safely.” Dana rolled her eyes. “Get real, Shannon. Just because Dad is jumping your bones doesn’t make you my mother,” she hissed and walked away. Shannon sighed, shaking her head. That girl was definitely her father’s daughter. She turned back to find Adam hadn’t moved. She went to the bed and took the older man’s hand in hers before looking at Adam. “Adam?” She extended her free hand to him. “Why don’t you hold his hand? I think it would mean a lot to him.” She expected him to refuse and was surprised when he silently moved forward and took his father’s limp hand between both of his. She gently pushed the chair Dana had been sitting in against the back of his legs and he sat down. She pressed a hand on his shoulder. “Can I get you anything?” He shook his head, sighed softly, and turned to look up at her. “He looks so…helpless.”

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She ached for the anguish she saw in his eyes. She squeezed his shoulder. “But he’s going to be all right, Adam.” He glanced back down at his father and shook his head. “He doesn’t look like it.” “Dana said the doctor said he’ll be okay.” “What if he isn’t? What if he dies thinking I hated him? I don’t love him. I’m not even sure if I like him, but I don’t hate him.” “Oh, Adam!” She pressed her cheek against his shoulder and slipped an arm around him. “I think he knows that you don’t really hate him. And he’s not going to die so you’ll get a chance to tell him yourself.”

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Chapter Twelve The sound of low voices woke Shannon. She opened her eyes, sat up in one of the two chairs in the room, and smiled at the sight that greeted her. Adam still sat at his father’s bedside. He was no longer holding the hand of an inanimate man—Adam Cannon was awake and speaking to him in a weak, tired voice. “No, Adam. I do have to tell you what happened between me and your mother.” “No. I’ve learned a lot lately and I know how sometimes men who try to live a decent life can go astray and do things they later regret.” She suspected he was thinking of his own behavior with her when he had made love to her at a time he’d thought she was married. If it had helped him make peace with his father, she supposed it had been for a good cause. But right now, she thought Adam and his father needed to be alone. It looked like Adam and his father had laid the foundation for a better relationship. With a little time and privacy, she had a feeling, they just might work out their problems. Adam Cannon turned his head to look at her. “Shannon.” He held a hand out to her. “Thank you for coming.” She crossed the room and took his hand. She brushed her lips against the back of his hand. “I am so glad to see you. How are you feeling?” He gave her a weak grin. “I’ve been better.” He glanced at Adam. “But when I woke and found Adam at my bedside…I’d go through the accident all over again.” When he raised his gaze again, tears glistened in his eyes. “Just for that one special moment in my life.” She kissed his cheek, then dropped a kiss against Adam’s hair. “I’m going to get myself a cup of coffee.” “Thank you,” he said softly, proving to Shannon that she had done the right thing by insisting he come. “You’re welcome,” she said quietly and kissed him again.

***** Shannon stood in front of the mirror, the blue, calf-length dress held in front of her. She frowned. Though she liked the dress, she wanted to look her best tonight. She wanted to look sleek and sexy enough to make Adam let out a wolf whistle when they met again in his living room in just under an hour.

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She heard a light tap on the bedroom door and turned from the mirror. “Come in,” she called, laying the dress carefully across the bed. The door opened and Dana entered the bedroom in Adam’s house that she was fast coming to think of as hers. “Oh, nice dress. Planning to wear it for Dad tonight?” She nodded slowly, uncertain of Dana’s mood. “Planning to knock Dad off his feet and then spend the night in his bed?” That had been the general idea, but she wasn’t about to admit it to Dana. “Ah, is there something wrong?” “Wrong? Oh, no. I mean it’s just pretty clear that you couldn’t care less about me or my problem.” She recoiled as if Dana had hit her. “Dana! That’s not true! You know it isn’t.” “Do I?” Dana challenged. “You’re obviously more interested in sleeping with him than you are in helping me.” She deserved Dana’s angry words. “Oh, Dana, I—” She sank down onto the end of the bed. “We never meant to… You’re right, I have allowed myself to be distracted.” “Oh, I know most women get the hots when they meet my dad, but you were supposed to be helping me, not falling for him.” “I know.” “Then what are you going to do?” Dana patted her stomach, which, in the last two weeks, had begun to swell noticeably. “I mean I can’t wait forever.” “I’ll talk to him tonight.” Dana stared at her for a moment before shrugging. “Oh, I mean I have nothing against your enjoying yourself with him. I’m even spending the weekend with a friend so you two can have the house to yourselves. But when I get back, I need to know you’ve made him see reason. Okay?” “I can’t make him see anything, Dana.” “You made him come to the hospital.” She shook her head. “No. He came because he loved you and knew in his heart it was the right night to do. He would have eventually come without my intervention.” “Maybe…maybe not.” “I’ll promise to talk to him about your decision, Dana. That’s all I can promise.” Dana stared at her. “You really don’t know, do you?” “Know what?” “How he feels about you. If you tell him it has to be this way, he’ll agree…because he wants to spend the night in your bed.” She flushed. “Dana—”

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“Oh, what’s the use pretending? I’m going to be a mother. I know the facts of life and I know you two are sleeping together and I don’t care…as long as you don’t forget my problem. Okay?” Dana’s words shamed her. She averted her gaze. Dana surprised her by squeezing her hand. “Oh, come on. I didn’t mean to embarrass you. I’m glad you’re sleeping with him. You’re good for him. Ever since I can remember he’s been sad. Grandma used to say he loved my mom too much and couldn’t get over losing her. For the first time in my life, he’s not sad. I want you two to be together…just don’t forget I have a problem. Okay?” Sometimes Dana could be so childlike. Sometimes she seemed wise beyond her years. She nodded. “Okay.” Dana turned at the door, a devilish look in her eyes. “Take it from me, Shannon, make sure he uses protection or your father will be making you get married again.” With that outrageous remark, Dana waltzed out of the room, laughing so hard, she was nearly in tears. Shannon sank down at the vanity and stared at her reflection. “Put in your place at last.” She took a deep breath. “See that you stay there.”

***** Later that night, Adam frowned. Shannon sat across the table from him. She looked so beautiful in the glow from the restaurant’s dim light. But, the evening wasn’t going as he’d envisioned. Far from being delighted to see him, Shannon seemed to be uneasy in his company. “Are you going to tell me what’s bothering you?” She took a deep breath before speaking. “Dana and I had a talk earlier today.” He pushed his plate away. “Let me guess what about. Her not marrying? As I told you on the day we met—” “Adam, please.” She reached across the table to touch his hand. “We do have to talk about what Dana is determined to do.” He withdrew his hand. “Shannon, you need to understand that what I feel for you has nothing to do with what I want for Dana. She’s my only child and I want her to be happily married to the father of her child.” She sighed. “But Adam, what if she isn’t happy married to him?” She touched his hand again. “I don’t know if you know it, but my marriage was very unhappy. Dana told me that you and her mother were very happy. So you have no idea what it’s like to be involved in a miserable marriage. I know you want Dana to be happy. As you were with her mother…as you and I could be together.”

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He felt a stirring at her admission. Dare he hope her feelings for him ran as deep as his own for her? He smiled and covered her hand with his. “Shannon…let’s talk about us. I want to—” She shook her head and pulled her hand free. “Oh, Adam! You have no idea how much I’d like to do that, but I can’t let Dana down. Please…just listen for a moment?” He caught her hand in his and pressed it against his lips. “Okay, I’m listening.” She threw him a grateful look. “Dana loves and adores you. She very much wants to please you, so if you pressure her enough, she’ll probably marry Mike. But what happens if she should meet a man she loves…like I love you…and she’s tied to him?” He felt a big foolish grin spread across his face at her admission. Hot damn, she loved him! “My dear—” “No, Adam,” she said quickly. “Let me finish, please.” He nodded impatiently. All he wanted was to take her in his arms and kiss her until she was breathless. “Then be quick about it, brown eyes.” “If you knew how much I love you, you couldn’t bare to even think of asking Dana to marry someone who didn’t make her feel the same way. She wants to marry a man who makes everything else unimportant except having his love. I know that feeling real well, Adam.” Her voice dropped to a whisper. “Do you?” He had never expected to be happy like this again-to feel this all-consuming need, passion, and tenderness for another woman. He reached across the table and took both of her trembling hands into his. “Yes,” he admitted. “That’s how I feel about you, my dear Mrs. Harrison.” He lifted her hands to his lips and pressed a kiss into the palm of each hand. “I love you, too.” Her eyes filled with tears. “Oh, Adam, don’t talk like that! We have to be sensible. Dana—” “All right already!” He threw up his hands in defeat. “So Dana won’t be getting married until she’s met someone who drives her as nutty as you do me. Satisfied?” She laughed happily. “Oh, Adam! Do you mean it?!” “Yes, I do. Now, my dear, brown-eyed, Mrs. Harrison, there’s the small matter of your husband.” “But I haven’t got a husband!” she reminded him irritably. “You know that.” He grinned into her angry face. “Would you like one?” She gasped. “Would I…? Oh, Adam! Oh, Adam, are you asking me… What are you saying?” He grinned. “So tell me. How does Shannon Harrison Hayden sound?” “Oh, Adam!” She flew out of her seat and flung herself into his open arms. “Adam!” He grinned into her sparkling eyes. “What does that mean? Will you or won’t you marry me, brown eyes?”

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“It sounds like the best thing I’ve ever heard.” “Good. So then…you’ll marry me?” “Yes! Yes, I will very definitely marry you!” “Good. Now let’s go home and work on that baby you want,” he said. She nodded, her eyes shining with tears. He signaled the waiter, and took care of the bill. An hour later, they slowly swayed to soft jazz in his living room. With his arms cradling her and his lips brushing against her forehead, she felt as if she finally had everything she’d ever wanted from life. They danced for a long time before going up to bed. He undressed her without haste, kissing every part of her body with a warm, tender passion that she felt down to her toes. And when he slid into her, filling her completely, she knew she would forever love him. They made love slowly and passionately, pledging their love and devotion to each other without words. He filled her with his seed, which she gladly accepted. She fell asleep knowing that for the first time in her life she was unconditionally loved—just as she was, with no need to worry about her weight or the remaining scar on her face. Knowing Adam loved her, definitely made love better the second time. The End

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About the author: Marilyn Lee lives, works, and writes on the East Coast. In addition to thoroughly enjoying writing erotic romances, she enjoys roller-skating, spending time with her large, extended family, and rooting for all her hometown sports teams. Her other interests include collecting Doc Savage pulp novels from the thirties and forties and collecting Marvel comics from the seventies and eighties (particularly Thor and The Avengers). Her favorite TV shows are forensic shows, westerns (Gunsmoke and Have Gun, Will Travel are particular favors), mysteries (love the old Charlie Chan mysteries. All time favorite mystery movie is probably Dead, Again), and nearly every vampire movie or television show ever made (Forever Knight and Count Yorga, Vampire are favors). She thoroughly enjoys hearing from readers. Marilyn welcomes mail from readers. You can write to her c/o Ellora’s Cave Publishing at P.O. Box 787, Hudson, Ohio 44236-0787.

Also by Marilyn Lee: Bloodlust (anthology Things That Go Bump In The Night) Bloodlust 2: The Taming of Serge Dumont Bloodlust 3: Forbidden Desires Bloodlust 4: Nocturnal Heat Branded Breathless In Black Carnal Confessions Full Bodied Charmer Moonlight Desires Pleasure Quest Return to Voltar Road To Rapture Shifting Faces The Fall of Troy The Talisman

Discover for yourself why readers can’t get enough of the multiple award-winning publisher Ellora’s Cave. Whether you prefer e-books or paperbacks, be sure to visit EC on the web at www.ellorascave.com for an erotic reading experience that will leave you breathless.

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