High-Society Secret Baby - Maxine Sullivan Page 0,50

the oven timer started beeping.

She jumped up, her cheeks growing hot. “That’s the peach pie.” Twirling away, she hoped he would reach out, pull her into his arms and kiss her, then say, “Hurry back,” only he didn’t.

And then she heard his cell phone ring, and out of the corner of her eye she saw him getting to his feet. “Can you bring my dessert to the study? I have some overseas calls to make.” He didn’t wait for her to reply as he strode to the door.

She hurried toward the other door, which led to the kitchen. After she turned off the timer, she stood and wondered what had just happened. Was he having second thoughts about getting too close? One minute he’d looked like he wanted to ravish her, and the next he had detached himself like she hadn’t mattered.

And that hurt.

It hurt even more because she loved him.

Giving herself time before she faced him again, she cleaned up, then carried a tray with a piece of the pie and coffee to the study. He was on the telephone and gestured for her to come in while he continued talking. She didn’t hang around. She left the tray and went to check on Nicole.

After that she wasn’t sure what to do. It was Saturday night and her husband was working and her daughter was sleeping and she was alone. She could watch some television, but that would only give her too much time to think.

Then she remembered her book. She should have finished it by now, but so much had been happening all week that it had left little time for herself. She decided to go sit in the atrium to read among the flowers and plants.

An hour later she looked up and saw Dominic standing a few feet away, holding a small plate with a piece of pie on it. Had he come to join her? Her heart started to race.

“You didn’t eat your pie?” he said, carrying the plate over and putting it down on the small table beside her.

The pie was for her?

How sweet.

“I wasn’t that hungry before,” she said, then saw that his sharp eyes missed nothing. He knew why she’d lost her appetite earlier. That he’d shut her out and that had upset her.

He glanced around the atrium. “So this is where you like to hide out?”

“Yes, it’s nice and relaxing in here.” She closed her book. “Did you want me for something in particular?”

His eyes gave a tiny flicker. “No. I just didn’t know where you were, that’s all.”

Her heart tilted, but not for long, as a tinge of suspicion filled her. “You thought I’d left the house.”

He stiffened. “No. It wasn’t that at all. I was…worried about you.”

“You were?” That surprised her.

“I just wanted to make sure you were fine.”

Tenderness ribboned through her. “Thanks,” she murmured, perhaps understanding more than he did that he was being protective again. He couldn’t help it. It was in his nature.

“I’d better let you get back to your book,” he said, seduction clearly not on his mind. “I’ll be in the gym, doing a workout, if you need me for anything.”

Her pulse started to race. She did need him for something. Yet she didn’t quite know how to tell him she wanted to make love to him. It would make her sound rather…desperate. Or too much in love with him.

“Do you work out often?” she asked, trying to concentrate on the conversation, not his well-toned body.

He looked surprised by the question. “Usually once or twice a week, or sometimes Adam and I play racquetball. The last couple of weeks have been pretty hectic.”

She realized he hadn’t had any time to himself lately. It had to be hard on him. He must have stresses that needed more than a sexual release.

“I’m really sorry about all this, Dominic. You should be out having a good time on a Saturday night, not stuck at home with me.”

His eyes narrowed. “What are you saying? That you want me to go out tonight?” His mouth flattened. “Why?”

“No, I’m not saying that.” She wrinkled her nose. “It’s just, well, you’re home tonight because of me and Nicole. We’ve messed up your life so much. I feel bad about it.”

The tension seemed to seep out of him, and an odd softness swept over his face. “I’m not missing out on anything,” he said huskily. Then before she knew it, he leaned forward, held her head still and kissed her. It was quick