“Not if I don’t want to.”
Raoul stepped into the hallway. At least he was following the rules and staying out of Brittany’s room…as far as she knew. Nicole wasn’t sure she trusted either of them right now.
“Brittany,” he said gently. “Nicole is helping us.”
Brittany didn’t look convinced. “You’re telling me what to do.”
“Yes. Mostly because you’re a minor and hey, this is still my house.”
“I don’t like all these rules.”
“You’re free to go home.”
Tears spilled down Brittany’s cheeks. “I thought you liked me.”
“Liking you has nothing to do with this situation. You’re pregnant. That means it’s time to grow up and part of that is having a rational adultlike conversation with your father.”
“He’s going to yell at me.”
“Something you deserve.”
Brittany turned to Raoul. “Make her stop being mean.”
Raoul looked helpless.
Nicole felt sorry for him. If they went through with the marriage, he was going to have a tough road dealing with Daddy’s little girl. Would having a child help Brittany grow up or would she be one of the drama-queen mothers, insisting on always being the center of the universe? If only they didn’t have to find out.
HAWK WAS WAITING in the backyard of his house, with the barbecue going and a bottle of white wine chilling on ice. Nicole pushed the gate open.
“Is it safe to enter?” she asked, crossing toward him.
“I invited
“I thought maybe it was a trap.”
He’d called about an hour ago and asked if she wanted to join him for dinner. She’d been surprised, but had accepted. If nothing else, they had a few things to talk about.
“No trap,” he said as he pulled her against him and kissed her.
Despite everything, she melted into his embrace, getting lost in the feel of his mouth against hers. Lips pressed as heat built. Passion ignited, making her both weak and impossibly strong. The fire between them promised to heal or at least allow them to forget for the moment.
It had never been like this for her before. The speed with which he turned her on. How much she wanted him, wanted them together.
She buried her fingers in his hair and let herself lean on him. His muscles were hard, as was his erection. He dropped his hands to her rear and squeezed.
Wanting escalated into something alive and undeniable. She forgot whatever she’d been planning to say and instead slipped her hands under his polo shirt so she could touch bare skin. He was strong and tempting and everything she’d ever wanted. Their breath mingled as his tongue stroked hers, arousing with every touch.
He released her long enough to turn off the barbecue, then nudge her toward the back door of the house. When they were inside, he grabbed the hem of her T-shirt and pulled it over her head. Even as they kissed and she sucked his lower lip, he unfastened her bra and tossed it away. Then he touched her curves and she was lost.
His hands were everywhere. On her breasts, her sides, her back. He shoved her jeans down and pushed his fingers between her legs. She was already hot and wet and surged against his touch.
He found her center immediately and began to rub it. Tension pulled at her muscles. They kissed over and over while he circled and brushed, then plunged his fingers inside of her. It wasn’t enough. It would never be enough, she thought frantically. She needed all of him.
Even as she pulsed her hips and felt herself getting closer, she reached between them and unfastened his jeans. He moved them both backward until she felt the back of the kitchen table against her thighs. He eased her onto the hard surface. She pushed off the rest of her clothes, slid back and parted her legs.
Hawk pushed down his jeans and briefs and thrust into her. She arched back, bracing herself with her arms. Her eyes fluttered closed.
He moved in and out of her, taking her higher and higher. One of his hands still rubbed her center, while the other played with her breasts. The room was silent except for the sound of their breathing and her gasps as she got closer and closer to her orgasm.
“Hawk,” she breathed and wrapped her legs around his hips. “Harder.”
She meant all of it. His touch, the way he filled her over and over again. Harder and faster, taking her until she had no choice but to get lost in a convulsion of pleasure and liquid release.
He followed immediately, groaning her name and shuddering. Then they were still.
After a couple of steadying breaths, she began to be aware of the fact that she was naked…on his kitchen table. She opened her eyes and found him watching her.
“You eat breakfast here,” she said.
He smiled. “I know.”
“You might want to clean it before tomorrow morning.”
He laughed and kissed her. “You’re amazing.”
“So I’ve heard. It’s been in all the papers. I’m thinking of getting cards printed up.”
He brushed her hair off her face. “Thank you.”
“For?”
“Everything.”
She sighed and knew she could do this with him forever. Not just the sex, but all of it. Looking into his eyes, being close, sharing. Her stomach growled.
He grinned. “Not eating much these days?”
“It’s been a little stressful.”
“How about salmon?”
“Sounds good.”
He stepped back and she slid to the floor. He helped her find her clothes, then opened the wine while she dressed. All he’d had to do was refasten his jeans and pull up the zipper. Men had it so easy. Not that she was complaining.
AFTER DINNER, Nicole curled up next to Hawk on the sofa.
“We should probably fight now,” she told him.
“Is that next on our list?”
“We have a lot to talk about.”
“Brittany.”
“Mostly.” She put her hand on his thigh. “Your daughter is spoiled and a little immature.”
“I know.”
That surprised her. “I thought you’d deny it.”
“I want to, but I can’t. I didn’t set out for her to be that way. Serena did a better job with balance than I did. Once she was gone, it was just Brittany and me. Sometimes I did what was easy rather than what was right.”
His admission was unexpected. “So you’re saying it’s all your fault?”
“Part of it is my fault. She’s not a bad kid.”
“I agree, but she’s used to getting her way and Raoul loves her enough to go along with what she says.” She risked the good mood and said, “I don’t think they should get married.”
“I agree, but once she turns eighteen, I can’t stop her from doing anything.”
Nicole wasn’t so sure. If Hawk got serious about being honest with Brittany, that might change things. Threatening Raoul wouldn’t work-he was too honorable.
“This is all a mess,” she said. “You’re going to have to take one of the puppies to help make up for putting me through this.”
“I’ll take the boy.”
“Of course. I’m not even surprised.”
She sat up and reached for the bottle of wine. As she moved, she caught sight of the porcelain rabbits on the coffee table and the aging silk flower arrangement. This was still Serena’s house and no amount of sex on the kitchen table was going to change that. Her ghost was a tangible presence everywhere. Was that on purpose?
