Читать книгу From Playboy to Papa! / Tempting the Texas Tycoon: From Playboy to Papa! / Tempting the Texas Tycoon - Leanne Banks - Страница 11

Nicole helped Joel get settled into his seat beside the window. Her little boy was bursting with excitement at the prospect of his first flight, his gaze glued to the view from the sky as they took off. Sinking into her own butter-soft leather seat of Rafe’s private luxury jet, Nicole accepted the juice and coffee offered by the staff and felt her muscles soften.

For the moment, both men in her life were occupied—Rafe with work, Joel with the window. Luxury surrounded her. The sensation wasn’t entirely new. She’d been raised in luxury, but learned to live without since she’d gone to college. Independence from her father had been far more important to her than all the things his money could buy. She would need to make sure she didn’t grow accustomed to the ease Rafe’s wealth provided because she knew that ultimately she wouldn’t be staying.

She offered Joel some orange juice, but he was too distracted by the flight to drink.

“Nicole,” Rafe said in a low voice, drawing her attention to him. “Come here for a minute,” he said pointing to the seat next to his.

She moved reluctantly, as if she were approaching a predatory animal. Like a panther, Rafe might be beautiful on the outside, but on the inside, she knew he could be ruthless.

“As soon as we touch down, a car will pick us up to take us to our new home. Then—”

“Your yacht?” she asked.

“No, I told my assistant to find a house for us. If we don’t like it, we can choose something else,” he said. “Feel free to call her with any questions when I’m not available. I’ll give you her contact info. I’ve arranged to have some of my staff from the yacht transfer to the house for convenience’s sake. The chef can prepare anything—from sushi to gourmet French and Italian food.”

“But can he make a grilled-cheese sandwich?” she couldn’t resist asking.

He paused a half beat and shot her a ghost of a smile. “Very good,” he said. “We can work on the legal transfer of his guardianship in the next couple of—”

She felt her heart plunge to her feet. “Excuse me? Legal transfer?” She balled her fingers into tight fists.

He nodded as he studied her. “Of course,” he said. “It has to be done sometime. There’s no need to wait. I’m Joel’s father. I will have custody.”

She swallowed over the lump in her throat. “My understanding is that the court may want to appoint someone to aid in the transition,” she said.

“That will be you,” he said. “It would be stupid for it to be anyone else. You know Joel best. There’s no need to traumatize him.”

She felt a sliver of relief. “Okay. There will also be visits from social services.”

Irritation crossed his features. “It’s just a formality.”

“They’ll want to make sure you’re a fit parent.”

He narrowed his eyes. “My personal experience with social services is that they are too overworked to spend much time on cases where a biological parent is able and willing to care for his child.”

She lifted her finger to her lips when he raised his voice and glanced over her shoulder to check on Joel. His little face was still pressed against the window. “I didn’t make the rules.”

“I’m his biological father. That should be more than enough.”

“Technically, you’re still an unproven quantity when it comes to parenting. Social services will want to make sure you’re taking care of him properly.”

She could tell he was offended that anyone would dare question his right to parent Joel. He scowled. “I don’t expect any interference.”

While Rafe talked on his cell phone, the chauffeur drove the limo down a driveway lined with palm trees and bougainvillea to a large mansion with white columns on either side of the front door. It was huge even compared with the standards of Nicole’s upbringing.

As the limo pulled to a stop, Rafe turned off his cell phone. His gaze met hers and she felt an odd sensation in her stomach. Hunger, it had to be hunger.

A half smile lifted his lips. “So, what do you think of it?” he asked, lifting one of his hands in the direction of the house. “It has a pool, tennis courts, several whirlpools, big backyard for Joel…”

“Is this where you live?” Joel asked, his eyes rounded.

“Where we live,” Rafe corrected.

The chauffeur opened the door to help Nicole out of the car. Rafe slid his hand to her back, and ushered her up the steps. Nicole felt a rush of discordant feelings. Could Joel be happy in this huge mansion? How would she ever be able to leave him here? “It’s definitely different than our home in Atlanta.”

“I wanted a place when you and Joel would be comfortable.”

She felt a trickle of relief that he’d included her in the offhand explanation, but knew she couldn’t count on that. “There will have to be strict rules about the pool,” she said, her mind moving to safety concerns. “Perhaps even some kind of alarm system. I wouldn’t be able to live with myself if anything happened to him,” she said.

“Good point,” he said. “I’ll get Maddie to take care of that right away.”

“Maddie?”

“My assistant. Here she is,” he said, as a lovely young woman with short, sexy blond hair walked out the front door of the house toward them. She wore business capris, a stylish tank and blouse, and heels. She emanated an air of confidence.

“Hi, I’m Maddie. You must be Nicole,” she said, extending her hand. “Your resemblance to your sister is incredible. The hair color and the clothes are different, but—”

“Did you know her?” Nicole asked.

“I was working part-time for Rafe when they were involved. And little Joel is a doll,” she added. “Spitting image of Rafe.”

Joel’s hand tightened around hers. “With Tabitha’s eyes,” Nicole felt compelled to add.

“Maddie, do you mind giving Nicole the tour while I make a few calls?” Rafe asked.

Maddie gave Rafe a blinding smile. “Not at all. I live to serve.”

Nicole wondered if there was something more than business between the two, then reminded herself that it shouldn’t matter to her.

Rafe slid his hand down Nicole’s arm, short-circuiting her thoughts.

“I’ll see you later.”

Nicole resisted the urge to rub away the effect of his touch, forcing her attention to the house.

Maddie led her and Joel into the house through a foyer with a cool marble floor. They strolled through a kitchen, dining room, two downstairs dens, a library/game room with pool table, a master bedroom downstairs, and housekeeper’s quarters. A patio and large pool stood just outside the back door. Beyond that, tennis courts and a large grassy yard.

“You must always have an adult with you before you go into the pool,” Nicole said to Joel, bending down on her knee and looking into his eyes. “Always.”

“What if you’re not here?” he asked, his gaze straying to the tempting blue water.

“Then you wait until I am here,” she said. “Promise me.”

He met her gaze. “I promise.”

Nicole brushed a kiss on his soft cheek. “Good boy.”

“There will be other people who can swim with—”

“When he’s older,” Nicole said, cutting off the cute, pert woman. “Sometimes you don’t have second chances when it comes to safety.”

Maddie shot her a slightly piqued expression. “There’s more upstairs,” Maddie muttered.

Maddie led the way past several more bedrooms and baths, along with a playroom where Joel immediately began exploring the many new toys. Even though the mansion needed more furniture before it would feel like a home, Nicole couldn’t help being impressed with how much decorating progress had already been made.

“How did you do this so quickly?” Nicole asked.

Maddie laughed. “Rafe and I have been together so long. He can give me a few sentences,” she said and snapped her fingers, “and I know exactly what he wants.”

Nicole felt the little stab of a question again about their relationship. “Where will I sleep?”

“I thought I’d put you near Joel in this wing. Rafe will take the other wing.”

“I don’t think I saw that.”

Maddie hesitated a half beat. “Oh, I guess I forgot. There’s a master bedroom on each floor. The master on this floor is all the way down the hall and to the left. It includes a gym because Rafe is very big on working out. Now about the nanny—”

“Nanny,” Nicole repeated, frowning. “I’m here—Joel won’t need a nanny.”

Maddie hesitated again. “Perhaps not in the traditional sense. But you may find you’ll need someone to take care of the driving and to give you breaks. I’ve already set up a meeting for Joel at a preschool based on what Rafe described to me.”

“I’ll need to visit before a final decision is made.”

“Of course,” Maddie said, but something about her voice bothered Nicole. She gave a smile that didn’t quite reach her eyes. “It really is remarkable how similar the two of you looked. I almost feel as if I’m looking at a ghost.”

“We were identical twins with very different personalities.”

Maddie nodded. “Rafe and Tabitha were like oil and water. I knew it wasn’t going to work from the beginning. Rafe doesn’t need a pampered heiress. He needs more of an independent type.”

Nicole felt a rush of protectiveness for her sister. “Tabitha may not have been perfect, but no one is. If it weren’t for Tabitha, we wouldn’t have Joel.”

Impatience flashed through Maddie’s eyes and her lips tightened. “You’re right. Without Tabitha, there would be no Joel,” she said, her tone laced with irritation. “Now tomorrow, I’ll be sending over three na—” She broke off and corrected herself. “Three candidates to assist you with Joel. Choose which one you like best and then perhaps you can visit the preschool in the afternoon. I would have sent the assistants today, but Rafe insisted you and Joel needed a chance to relax.” Maddie led the way down the stairs then pressed her card into Nicole’s hand. “I know you’re only staying here temporarily, but Rafe and I want to make sure you’re as comfortable as possible. In his position he can get terribly busy, so if you need anything at all, please feel free to call me.”

The proprietary tone in Maddie’s voice rose again. It grated on Nicole, although she couldn’t say why. “Thank you. Hopefully Joel and I will be able to manage on our own.”

“Okay. I’ll just have a word with Rafe before I leave. Good-bye now,” Maddie said and turned away.

Nicole walked to the kitchen to get a bottle of water and surveyed the contents of the refrigerator. Hearing footsteps behind her, she turned to find Rafe looking at her.

“Hungry?” he asked. “We have a housekeeper and chef. I’m sure they can whip up whatever you like.”

“I was just looking to see what I could fix for Joel tonight.”

He shook his head and closed the refrigerator door. “You’re not preparing meals. You’re supposed to help Joel adjust.”

“That’s part of making him adjust,” she said. “I always cook at home.”

“Tell the chef the time you want dinner and what you want. Would you like to take a shower, spend some time in the Jacuzzi?”

“I might have time for that. I’m not sure when I’ll be able to pry Joel out of the playroom. He’s fascinated by all the new toys. You need to be careful about spoiling him.”

“I know, but I’ve got four years to make up for. Plus, I want him to be comfortable here.”

“But will you be?” she asked. “Won’t you miss living on the sea?”

“I’ll be there every day.” He shrugged. “Maybe I can take the three of us out for a weekend if I ever get caught up. Maddie gave you the rundown on the applicants for the nanny position, right?”

“Yes, and I told her that since I’ll be here, Joel won’t need a nanny.”

He shook his head. “You’ve had to do this by yourself for a long time. You may not want to admit it, but I’m sure there have been times when being a single parent has been overwhelming. I want you to have all the help you need.”

“Thank you,” she said, still a little irked by the idea. “About Maddie,” she said.

“She’s amazing, isn’t she? Most efficient woman I’ve ever met,” he said.

She opened her mouth to ask the question that burned inside her, then thought better of it. “Very efficient.”

“Take some time to relax.” He nodded and put his hand on her arm. “You and I can talk more after dinner.”

After Nicole finally got Joel settled in for the night, she wandered downstairs to join Rafe on the patio. He stood, staring into the distance, appearing lost in thought. She didn’t know what to make of him. His strength appealed to her at the same time that it frightened her. Was he the kind of man to use his strength against those weaker than him?

She hesitated joining him, but he must have sensed her presence because he turned around. “Hi. Have a seat. I bet you’re tired.”

“Not too much,” she said and sat down.

He pointed to the two glasses of wine on the table. “Have some wine.”

“Thank you. It’s been a long day.”

He sat beside her. “Tomorrow will be easier.”

Taking a sip of the red wine, she was not at all sure she agreed with him. “This is just the first day in a whole new world.”

“It will be much easier for both you and Joel now. You won’t have to worry about financial matters. You’ll have assistance whenever you need it. I have to tell you I’m still surprised that you and Joel didn’t live with your father.”

Her stomach clenched. “My father can be controlling. With him it’s his way or the highway. I’ve found it’s better for me to go my own way.”

“What about Tabitha?” he asked.

“Tabitha had a different relationship with our father. She was able to walk a fine line of charm with him and most of the time, it worked.”

“When it didn’t?” he asked.

“It wasn’t pleasant,” she said.

“Are you saying—”

“I’d rather not discuss my father, if you don’t mind,” she said and fought against that trapped feeling she so strongly associated with her father. She didn’t have to discuss him, she reminded herself and rose.

“Let’s walk,” he said, superseding her desire to leave. He stood and took a sip of red wine, then led the way into the landscaped backyard, lit with soft floodlights and trees wrapped in minilights.

“It’s beautiful,” she said, the sound of crickets calming her.

“Nice,” he agreed, shoving his hands into his pockets. “I’m used to the sound of the water lapping against the boat, the gentle movement of the yacht, the smell of salt air.”

She glanced at him. “You sound like you’re homesick.”

“Maybe a little,” he said. “The sea is cleansing. The rhythm of the waves is soothing. Even though I conduct business on my yacht, I can turn it all off if I want and just enjoy the ocean. No crowds, no rush. Instant getaway from it all.”

Nicole couldn’t help thinking how Tabitha had always wanted to be in the middle of the party. “How in the world did you ever get involved with my sister?” she couldn’t help asking.

He chuckled again. “You have to admit she was a head snapper, seductive when she found something she wanted, charming.”

She nodded reluctantly. “She was charming. But you seem deeper, smarter. How could you have fallen for her?”

“I was younger. She was everything I wasn’t. Privileged. Pedigreed. Classy. I was a foster kid from the poor part of Philadelphia. She was a dream come true.”

“And she was beautiful, wild and sexy,” Nicole said.

“She was beautiful and alluring. Wild at times. Sexy, but not really sexual.”

“Really?” Nicole said, unable to contain her curiosity, even though she knew this was a taboo topic. “I always got the impression she was a man-eater.”

“Not in a sexual way,” he said. “She was actually perfunctory about sex. Hot before, but not so much during.”

Nicole gaped at him. She’d always thought that Tabitha made men crazy with her sexuality.

“You seem surprised,” he said, his expression amused.

“I never knew—” She broke off. “I just heard what she said about herself and what other people said about her.”

Meeting her gaze, he nodded. “I’ve learned that some women are hotter when they’re teasing than when they deliver.” He looked at her as if he wanted to find out if she fit into the first or second category.

Surprised at the rush of heat that suffused her, she took a quick, calming breath. “Tabitha talked about being a master of the tease.”

“She was,” he said. “That seemed to be all she wanted out of it. There’s more to pleasure than teasing.”

His dark gaze felt as if he penetrated all the way to her soul. She was acutely aware of the contrast between his masculinity and her femininity. The night seemed to close around them and curiosity trickled through her. It had been a long time since she’d felt curious about a man, since she’d felt desire. Why now? Why with him?

She should back away. Right this second, she told herself, but her feet may as well have been lead weights. She held her breath as he stepped closer and lifted his hand, rubbing his fingers over a strand of her hair. “Soft,” he said. “You could be a crazy-making contradiction.”

Her heart hammering in her chest, she swallowed. “What do you mean?”

“Soft hair, soft skin, a voice that reminds me of good brandy. All that softness and a titanium backbone.”

She couldn’t help laughing at the wry tone when he’d described her backbone. “Ah, you’re just used to being surrounded by yes men and yes women. The great Rafe Medici has spoken, so that’s the way it goes.”

“Ah, you think I’m great,” he said and his lips lifted in a sensual smile that sent ripples all the way down her body.

“I’m sure you can find crowds of people who will tell you how great you are. You don’t need another one,” she said, wishing she could pull back, but his fingers on her hair kept her captive. Or was it the way he looked at her that prevented her from moving away.

“Sometimes one is more compelling than a crowd,” he said and gently tugged her hair, drawing her closer to him.

“I’ve been curious about that mouth of yours since the first time I saw it, since the first time you blew me off. I’m betting you’re a little curious about me. I think it’s time we took care of our curiosity,” he said in a such a low voice that she couldn’t turn away.

He lowered his head and she should have backed away, should have at least turned her cheek or dipped her head, but she didn’t. Although she would die before she confessed it, she was curious about Rafe Medici. Too curious.

It was just a kiss. Just one, she thought. Then never again. His mouth pressed against hers and she immediately felt dizzy. Closing her eyes, she inhaled the scent of his cologne, the promise of strength from his chest just inches from hers. The sensation of his mouth was both firm and sensually soft as he rubbed against her lips as if he was determined to savor her.

She instinctively parted her lips and he gave a low groan of sexy encouragement. Nicole felt a ripple of awareness in her most sensitive places. Yet, he only touched her lips.

Her heart rate picked up and a burgeoning need swelled inside her. More. She wanted to slide her breasts against him. She wanted to feel his arms around her. She wanted.

She could sense that he wanted more, too. He slid his tongue over the seam of her lips and she opened for him, giving in to her curiosity, in to the delicious, decadent sensations he generated in her.

He plunged his tongue deeper, as if tasting weren’t enough. He wanted to devour. Her mind began to spin and she reached for his shoulders, trying to stabilize herself, but he slid his arms around her and drew her flush against the front of his hard body.

She felt his arousal and the craving inside her tightened like an overstretched rubber band. Breathless, but loath to pull away from him, she returned his kiss with a passion that surprised her.

Seconds later, he pulled back slightly, lifting his head. His eyes glittered with potent arousal. His nostrils flared slightly as he caught his own breath.

“I don’t think one kiss is going to take care of our curiosity.”