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“I’m concerned about your visit the other day.Extremelyconcerned. At first, I thought you were just after money, and had I been correct, it would have ended there.”
Her features tightened. “I already admitted my mistake and apologized. Why don't you let it go?” The unspoken question hovered in the air.Why don't you let me go?
He didn’t hesitate. “Because of two excruciating factors, which lead me to believe you’re being less than honest. First, you dropped the story. I’m sorry, but I don’t believe you were planning to blackmail me only to have a bout with your conscience at the last minute. You’ve been a reporter for years. You must have encountered many situations in which a story warred with integrity. As I’ve gotten to know you, I’ve become more certain you are not a woman inclined to rash decisions.”
“You don’t really know me,” she protested.
“A problem I plan to rectify,” he replied smoothly. “Secondly, I need to know who told you about the fertility clinic.”
For a second, panic blazed in her eyes. He pressed on, “I know he didn’t reveal his identity, but e-mail can sometimes be traced. You said the price was reasonable. Maybe he's selling my secrets to every reporter in town. I need to access your computer to look for him and make sure my story won't appear in newspapers across the country." Aidan set his most stern gaze on Laura, the one that intimidated countless boardrooms.
His little siren breathed deeply. “I can't let you into my computer. It contains information on numerous sources, and I would lose my job, not to mention my integrity, if I allowed it. For what it's worth, he promised the information would be exclusive.” She hesitated. “I have to go. Goodnight, Mr. Bancroft.”
They arrived at the car, and in one fluid motion she unlocked the vehicle. Before she could get in, however, he leaned closer, crowding her, invading her space. Markinghisspace.
“Are you trying to intimidate me?” she whispered. “Because if you are, it’s not working.”
She was lying, and yet despite the affect she couldn’t hide, a challenge burned in her eyes. This woman was made of something far stronger than he anticipated. It made her all the more alluring, in ways that had nothing to do with his quest.
“Shall I prove it to you?”
He lifted an eyebrow as the beautiful woman lifted her chin, pushing intohisspace. Then…
She pressed her lips to his.
One second.He stayed still for only a second before he kissed her back. She tasted of vanilla and honey, as he massaged her lips, as she clutched him. Her breasts pressed into him, soft and sweet and generously curved. Her eyes fluttered as he brought her even nearer. He recognized when her mind turned hazy, her muscles liquid, as she surrendered to the kiss – and to him.
The kiss could've lasted forever, and yet he ended it, fighting the insatiable need that demanded so much more. His mind and body dueled for this woman who was lying to him, had all but blackmailed him, yet he could only think of getting closer to her, and not just physically. And he would, but slowly, subtlety.
He retreated, but not so far he couldn’t hear her rapid breathing, see the passion still lighting her eyes. “I will find your source and learn your motives. As I told you before, I will discover anything that relates to me. Understand?”
A spark of defiance flashed. “And I will protect my source until the end. Understand?”
Aidan smiled, welcoming the challenge. “I expected no less. You’re going to be covering my entire trip, correct?” At her wary nod, he stood taller. “Then I'll see you tomorrow. We have much to discuss.”
For a second dismay lit her eyes, like a cornered animal who realized escape was impossible. She guessed right. “Goodnight, Aidan,” she whispered.
He bowed his head. “Goodnight, Laura.” He closed the door and stood silent guard as she drove away. And as she disappeared into the night, he repeated his promise, “I will discover anything that relates to me.”
And that included her.
Chapter 4
Monday morning arrived heralded by flashes of lightning and crashes of thunder. Torrential rain pounded the roof as bullets of hail rattled the windows, echoing throughout the tiny apartment. Shifting, Laura burrowed deeper under the covers, cozy in the warm bed. She opened her eyes lazily, expecting to catch a glimpse of her daughter cuddled up next to her. Instead, the bed beside her lay surprisingly empty, the covers still upturned. This morning, the storm was her only companion.
She ignored the sudden desire for another companion, someone who would do far more than cuddling. Someone who would make up for the chaste way his seed had grown in her.
Laura forced her thoughts back to her daughter, frowning over the unusual absence. Jeanie always stayed next to her in the morning – it was a special ritual never to be missed. A loud clang came from the kitchen, and she went from half awakened state to complete alertness in an instant. Mommy radar sensed trouble.
With the swiftness only the mother of a too-clever-for-her-own-good four-year-old could possess, Laura leapt out of bed and raced toward the bedroom door. When she finally saw her daughter and her… artwork, she received confirmation she should’ve stayed in bed.
Evidence #1: The quivering bottom lip, the little blue eyes of guilt.
Evidence #2: The devastation that had once been her kitchen.
The kitchen wasn’t normally spotless – she was a single working mom after all – however, it stayed reasonably in order. Yet now a variety of substances painted the furniture and floor, the walls and the ceiling?! Flour. Eggs. Orange Juice. Something she didn’t evenrecognize. Only one thing could produce such a frightening result. A four-year-old had tried to cook.
“I’m sorry, Mommy.” Big blue eyes blinked in anguish. “I was just trying to make pancakes like you make for me.”
