Page 23 of Texas Tycoon's Christmas Fiancée
“I’ll be happy to,” she said, thinking the visit had been easy and in some ways, it seemed right for Michael to be with his grandfather and for Eli Rafford to know his grandson.
“I’m delighted to meet his mother—which you are now and always will be.” He extended his hand and she shook it, feeling a firm grip and looking into dark brown eyes that hid everything as much as Nick’s.
Nick buckled Michael into the carrier and gathered the sack of toys while Eli handed an envelope to Grace. “Inside you’ll find the papers for the account I’ve opened. Everything is there, but if you have questions, feel free to call me. I have too much free time in my life now,” he said. He walked to the door with them and leaned forward to brush a kiss on the top of Michael’s head. He turned to Grace. “Thank you,” he said.
“I’ll see you again, Eli,” she said, certain she couldn’t possibly avoid it. Nick took her arm and they left.
In the car he glanced at her. “Thank you. That meant a lot to my father.”
“Did you know he had opened an account?”
“No, I didn’t, but I wasn’t in the least surprised. I know my dad. He’s manipulative and hell-bent on getting what he’s after. He wants to know Michael. It’s important to him and he thinks in terms of what he can do with money. This is his only grandson. He’ll shower Michael with gifts.”
“I feel as if I’m sinking in quicksand. The quicksand of the Raffords. I catered your party. I’ve spent an evening out with you, have gone to lunch with you, have met your father and let him meet Michael. It keeps growing, Nick, when I didn’t want any part of your family, frankly.”
“We’re not monsters.”
She noticed a muscle worked in his jaw. “No, you’re not, but you both are men accustomed to getting what you want.”
“Was it so bad today?” he asked.
“No, of course not, but I don’t want your father’s money.”
“Don’t turn it down. Take it. He doesn’t need it and you can do something for Michael with it. Don’t hang on to principles and grudges that would keep something good from Michael.”
“I suppose I’m thinking of Alicia, who was closer to me than my sisters.”
“Where are they?”
“Doreen works in Vegas and Tanya in Los Angeles. I haven’t seen them for several years.”
“While Bart and I went our separate ways, we were closer than that.”
“Had your brother been half as receptive as your father, so much heartache could have been avoided and Alicia would still be alive. I can’t keep from thinking about it.”
“And I can’t help what Bart did. Neither can my father. Bart was younger, had a different mother and, frankly, I always thought he was a spoiled brat about a lot of things. In ways we were close but we differed, too. And we looked nothing alike. I can’t get used to the baby’s resemblance to me. He shocks me every time I look at him. The whole world will think he’s mine.”
Nick drove to her apartment, carrying Michael inside. “He’s fallen asleep again,” Nick said, surprise in his voice.
“It was the car ride. He won’t sleep long because it’s past time for him to eat. I didn’t want to get out a bottle at your dad’s and stay to feed Michael.” She glanced at Nick. “Well, you did it, Nick. Now I’ve been to your dad’s and he’s met Michael and he’s definitely in Michael’s life.”
The minute she looked into Nick’s eyes, her knees became jelly. Desire was fire in depths of brown. Her mouth went dry and she felt breathless.
“You want to kiss as much as I do,” he whispered as he stepped forward and slipped his arm around her waist to draw her to him.
She stiffened, because she was crossing another line that she could never undo. And then she was lost to the moment. “Yes,” she whispered, winding an arm around his neck, gazing up at him. “Damn you, Nick, for coming into my life,” she added.
“I’m glad I did.” His mouth came down forcefully, parting her lips as his tongue went possessively into her mouth. Heat flashed like wildfire. She tightened her arm around his neck and kissed him in return, her tongue stroking his and fanning the flames.
He clasped her close against his hard length while his other hand tangled in her hair and removed her clip. Caution vanished, consumed by passion. She thrust her hips against him, moaning softly with pleasure.
“I’ve wanted this since I first saw you,” he whispered, and returned for more, kissing her deeply as he leaned over her and she clung to him.
His hand slid down her back. She wanted him more than ever.
The beat of her heart increased while her breathing became hoarse. Sensation blazed into a roaring inferno.
How long they kissed she didn’t know. When his hand slipped lower, down over her bottom, she had to call a halt. With effort she pulled away, opening her eyes as if drugged. She desired him with an intensity that she had never known before.
