The Father of Her Son - By Kathleen Pickering Page 0,40

trusted him she wouldn’t be sleeping on these soft sheets in his masculine guest room right now, with Matt tucked soundly asleep in the next room.

So what was it that made her keep denying him?

Control. Could she learn to love a man and keep her hands on the wheel of her own future? She’d never seen it in her mother’s relationship. She didn’t want the disparity of power that existed between her parents. She saw Madeline Campbell adjust her life to accommodate Buzz. And Evan had attempted to manipulate her into accepting his plans.

It was so much easier to remain single than to take the chance and find out how she’d handle a man. The thought made her shudder. She had managed to desensitize her emotions around Campbell’s assault, so didn’t think she was hesitant about dating because of the rape. No, it was more because she had yet to see a relationship in which the woman’s needs were considered as important as her husband’s.

Only, there was a catch about the rape that kept her on guard. The reason was a little more involved than anyone might suspect. Kelly understood that the average man did not employ rape as a means of seducing a woman. She actually looked forward to being courted one day. Kelly’s problem stemmed from the fact that while Campbell was busy satisfying his own lust with her body, he had driven her to an orgasm. She had actually experienced the thrill of intercourse against her will. Campbell had not hesitated to point out that fact after he was through. It was his way of convincing himself, and her, that she’d enjoyed his assault as much as he had. He had accused her of seducing him and said her orgasm was proof that she got what she wanted.

Campbell’s accusation had compounded her shame. She could not convince herself that he was totally wrong. All the time he was on top of her, she hated him, yet succumbed to a sensation that had turned her pained whimpers into unbidden moans through her tears. She’d never quite tackled her guilt over that one.

She had experienced her first and only orgasm at the price of assault. Heaven and hell in one awful moment. So, if she were to become lovers with Evan and experience an orgasm under mutual attraction, would she lose herself to him completely? Fall in love and give over her power? Like her mother? Is that how relationships worked?

Not for her. She’d rather stay single.

Kelly fell into a fitful sleep clenching her jaw while tears stained her pillow.

CHAPTER NINE

JUST BEFORE SUNRISE, Evan’s town car pulled into the parking garage at the news station. He sat in the front with his driver. Matt sat between Kelly and Sarah, who had arrived at his penthouse early to deliver the very cool Urban Hero costume that Matt now wore. He held the black, pullover mask in his hand as if it was the most important item he’d ever possessed. Sarah had done her job well by finding the perfect costume. If she kept performing top-notch with such a great disposition, he’d be sure to give her a bonus with her raise come the holidays.

Kelly and Evan had decided that the best way to keep Matt anonymous was to drive directly to the news building and ensconce Matt in Evan’s office until showtime. Kelly would walk across the street to Neverland from the garage entrance behind the news building. It would give her enough lead time before any reporters spotted her and figured out where Matt was.

Kelly seemed more subdued than usual this morning. They hadn’t had a chance to talk, what with Sarah arriving so early and Matt bouncing around the penthouse like the silver ball in the pinball machine. Both Evan’s mother and Kelly’s brother were due to arrive after lunch. The group would meet up at the penthouse and plan their next strategy.

Evan was looking forward to meeting Father Michael Sullivan. No doubt he’d learn more about Kelly by watching her with her brother. He was also curious to see how territorial the good priest would be about his sister. And the dynamic with his mother would prove interesting, as well. He hadn’t said much to her about Kelly except that she was someone special to him. Knowing his mother’s well-meaning but conniving Irish nature, once she saw what Evan appreciated in Kelly, she’d be matchmaking for a winter wedding. The fun part would be watching Kelly stop