Tony stood at the foot of the stairs. What had just happened here? He
would have taken her like an animal in rut. The moment she stepped into his
arms and cried an urgency to claim her had driven every thought but possession.
Not his style. Slow seduction with
every move orchestrated brought great rewards. His body throbbed with desire
and frustration. He wanted her beneath him while he pounded his way to
completion.
Whoa! What had brought on these
thoughts? He didn’t know her. He didn’t like her. There’d been a single meeting
four years ago at Jim’s and Carrie’s wedding. Granted Lauren had changed, at
least in appearance. Still he wondered if a runaway rebellious teen changed
into a solid citizen. Not likely.
Sure her blonde hair no longer had blue and green streaks and didn’t flow
to her waist. The nose and lip rings were gone and she didn’t wear skirts so
tight and short little was left to the imagination. The first time they’d met
she’d dressed like the hooker he believed she was. He’d been sorely tempted.
Still was. He had to fight this
insane attraction. Why had Jim allowed her to be named as one of his son’s
guardians? From all he’d seen she seemed to have a rapport with the boy he
didn’t have. Babies had never been his thing. But he couldn’t permit Lauren to
have custody of the child. Not with the lifestyle he believed she followed.
On Wednesday and Thursday evenings he’d called the condo. Both times the
phone had been answered by a person claiming to be the sitter. When he’d asked
when Lauren would return, the answer was late. He definitely knew what that
meant especially when the sitter refused to give him Lauren’s location.
The opening notes of Beethoven’s Fifth sounded. He pulled the phone from
his pocket. “Mark…You heard the message. Thanks…I wish I could…Matt or Jules
can take my place…Tell them the teacher and the shopkeeper are hot…Good
luck…Call me when you return.” He laughed. “I’ll be playing Daddy…Not sugar…To
my nephew…Ciao.”
He broke the connection and sank on the couch. He would miss his best
friend’s wedding but leaving here before his right to the baby’s custody was
established wouldn’t do. He groaned. Visions of the hot babes he’d met the last
time he’d stayed at the inn in Vermont
danced in his thoughts. While he was stuck here instead of scoring with one or
both women Matt would enjoy the pair. That was an event to regret.
No sense thinking about what might have been. He called the number of the
agency he hoped would provide an instant nanny. The second one was in place the
happier he would be. The moment the news about the accident and the deaths had
reached him, the search for a nanny had begun.
"Tony Carlin calling for Mrs. Bunche.”
A moment later the pleasant voice greeted him. “Mr. Carlin, I’m sorry
there’s been no action taken on your request. You haven’t visited the agency to
complete the paperwork so I can finalize the choices.”
“Why can’t I do this over the phone and through emails?”
“Agency policy. If you can stop by the office on Monday at one we can
complete your application and I can arrange interviews with our current
available candidates.”
“One PM, I’ll be there.”
“Just to warn you. Since the nanny will be a live-in she must have her
own room, one separate from the child. Most of our employees insist on either
Saturday or Sunday off plus one other day during the week.”
The moment she stopped talking he hung up. He had no choice except to
accept the agency’s demands. How soon would the boy be ready for nursery
school? When that day arrived the nanny would only be needed for evenings and
nights. He found paper on the counter and made a to-do list. There was another
option. He could let Lauren share custody.
He nodded. She could have the kid every weekend. A frown tightened his
forehead. Was that a good idea? Might put
a spike in her ability to earn a living. He leaned against the back of the
sofa. Perhaps another arrangement was
possible. Like the one she had fled from moments before.
Laughter reached him. Lauren appeared with the infant in her arms. She
dropped a blanket on the deep blue carpet and crouched to straighten the cloth.
She added toys and rattles.
“Watch him while I start laundry.” She ducked upstairs and returned with
a basket. She entered the area near the door into the garage.
“We need to talk,” he said.
She peered around the wall. “I know.”
“I’ll be staying for the weekend. Since I must be at the office Monday
morning I’ll leave Sunday evening. You should plan to move out of here by next
weekend. I want to sell the condo and put the money in the bank for the boy.”
The look on her face puzzled him. She stepped toward the couch. “I don’t
live here. I’ve stayed because it’s important for Jamie to be in familiar
surroundings. I’ll ask my landlady if she minds having a baby in the apartment.
I can move his crib and dresser there.”
“Wrong. I’m taking the boy to the city. I’ve arranged for a nanny.”
“Jamie. His name is Jamie.” She strode forward. “Did you forget we have
joint custody? I refuse to allow my nephew to be in a dark cell with a strange
woman so you can forget he exists.”
Tony clamped his lips together and sought an answer. He didn’t trust her.
He knew what she was. “I refuse to allow you to drag a different man into his
life every night.”
“What are you talking about?”
“I know how you earn a living. If you’re hurting for cash I’ll pay you
for tonight and tomorrow night.”
“Excuse me.” She fisted her hands on her hips. “You know nothing. You’re
making assumptions and that makes you an ass.” The words shot like bullets.
The baby cried. Lauren scooped him into her arms and held him close.
“Mama. Dada.”
“No love, not today. Just Auntie.”
His sobs slowed. “Tee.” He buried his head against her shoulder.
Tony stared at his hands. He didn’t understand her anger. Couldn’t she
admit the truth? Guilt for making the infant cry swamped him. “We’ll discuss
this later.”
“Just remember I want what’s best for Jamie. If I must I’ll fight you.”
“I want the same for the child. If you fight I’ll win and you’ll be
exposed.”
“His name is Jamie.” She whirled and walked away. Her black slacks fit
perfectly showing her narrow waist and delectable rear. His cock surged to
attention. He rose and then sank back. He wouldn’t chase her and prolong the
argument. He gulped deep breaths. No way would she win the battle over custody.
He would have sole charge of the baby and he would have her body where he
wanted it.
The phone rang. He grabbed the receiver on the first ring. A man spoke.
“See you tomorrow at eight.”
“There’s no need.” Tony hung up and chuckled. He would handle the
situation when she learned she had no date. But the lady wouldn’t be
disappointed.
*
* *
