His for the Taking - By Ann Major Page 0,47

Cole speak.

“What time’s your all-important fundraiser?”

“Seven,” she said, her voice low, tense and sullen.

“What time does Noah get out of his camp?”

“That’s none—”

“What time?” His tone was harsh and deliberately calculated to intimidate her.

“Four. But I’m going to leave him in aftercare until nearly six because I’ve got a lot of work…”

“I want to meet him—before the fundraiser—so change your plans,” Cole said. “You’re going to pick him up at four and bring him to the house. I’ll be waiting for you there.”

“That would mean I’d have to leave the office at three-thirty.”

“Then do it.”

She met his eyes, intending to argue, but his face appeared to be carved in stone. “I have a meeting with a board member at three,” she said.

“I suggest you show him my check. Then tell him there’ll be more, a whole lot more, tonight at the fundraiser, but only if you keep me happy.”

“I’m not letting you take over—”

“I’m not sure you have a choice,” he said smoothly. “I can assure you that if you make me happy, you’ll have the most successful fundraiser in My Sister’s House’s history, which you’ve indicated is crucial this year. Then you’ll be able to keep your position for as long as you wish. But if you continue to fight me, not only will you risk losing your precious job, you could end up in an expensive custody battle that you might not win.”

She flinched.

“So, back to this afternoon,” he continued pleasantly. “If you’re smart, and I think you are, you’ll tell your board member I’m demanding another meeting with you after four. If you take off early, I promise you, my generosity will more than make up for those lost two hours in your office.”

I mustn’t let him do this to me! But for the life of her she couldn’t figure out a way to stop him.

“I…I’ll never marry you after this,” she whispered defiantly.

“That’s a battle for another day…or night,” he said, smiling. “One I don’t intend to lose.”

Ignoring the way she tensed, he held up his hand and signaled the waiter for the check.

Thirteen

“Oh, man!” Noah shouted from the backseat of her car.

Filled with dread at the thought of Cole waiting for them at her house, Maddie took her eyes off the silver, tanklike SUV ahead of her to study Noah in her rearview mirror. His black head was lowered as he concentrated fiercely on the game he was playing on her cell phone. Glancing back at the SUV, she turned on the radio so she wouldn’t dwell on Cole.

Five minutes later, when she turned onto their street, Noah let out a war whoop. “Cops! Oh, boy!” he shouted. “How come they’re at our house? Hey, and there’s Tristan!”

Tristan, who had carrot-red hair and Harry Potter glasses, was their new next-door neighbor and Noah’s new best friend.

When she jerked the wheel toward the curb, Cole and Tristan, who’d obviously had time to bond, rushed toward them.

“Who’s that?” Noah demanded as he eyed Cole suspiciously.

Standing tall beneath the flickering shade and brilliance of her huge oaks, Cole’s carved features resembled those of a pagan god, harsh and ruthless but dangerously compelling.

“Just an old friend,” she whispered in panic.

His hard eyes on Noah, Cole’s large, tanned hands were clenched as he waited for them to get out.

She stared past him to the uniformed officers on her porch with false bravado. “What’s going on here?”

“There’s been a break-in. According to the police, there have been several in your neighborhood. Whoever did it broke a back window.”

Just what she needed, she thought wearily as Cole knelt to Noah’s level.

“Maybe when the officers finish, you and your friend Tristan here can help me board up the window,” Cole said.

“To keep the bad guys out?” Noah said, beaming up at Cole with immense excitement.

“Yes.”

“Cool,” Noah said.

“I’m Cole. What’s your name?”

“Noah. This is Tristan.”

“I already met Tristan. In fact, he and I are planning to play some football later.”

“Cool! Can I play, too?”

“You’d better believe it!”

“Cool!”

Introductions over, Noah and Tristan dashed up to the porch to watch the police do their work.

Cole stood up. “Good thing I was here to deal with the cops. You look exhausted. How can I help?”

She felt exhausted, both mentally and physically.

“I have the fundraiser to get through, as you well know,” she said. “Not to mention whatever ordeal you intend to put me through tonight. Now on top of all that—a break-in.”

“All I want is to marry you and take care of you and our son. That