Read Online Hot & Bothered by Susan Andersen - Free Book Online

saw fit; she was obviously an excellent mother.
    He, on the other hand, knew bugger-all about being a father.
    But much as the idea appealed to him, he knew he wasn’t going to do it. Not yet at any rate. Gert had the office running with the precision of a German-made engine, and he’d caught up on all of the cases requiring his attention in Denver. Then, too, he still had a number of people to contact here.
    Besides—his jaw stiffened—there wasn’t a female born who could make him tuck tail and run. Not some little bit of a thing less than three feet tall and not her leggy mother, either.
    Tori probably hadn’t meant it as such, but she’d issued him a challenge. She’d all but accused him of being too chickenshit to get to know his daughter. And, fine, he’dadmit it—that was exactly how he’d behaved. Didn’t mean he couldn’t do better, though.
    It might take a little time for him to gird his loins. But John Miglionni didn’t run from any challenge.

CHAPTER FIVE
    â€œH ERE, SWEETHEART .” V ICTORIA stooped to untuck a narrow ruffle that had bunched beneath the strap of Esme’s backpack. Glancing into her daughter’s dark eyes, she smiled at the excitement shining there. She smoothed the hem of the little retro flower-power tank top over Esme’s cotton shorts, then brushed back a stray tendril of baby-fine hair that had escaped the little girl’s fat braids. “Do you have everything you need?”
    â€œUh-huh.” Esme fidgeted away from her mother’s fussing fingers. “I’m tidy, Mummy,” she said impatiently. “When’s Rebecca gonna be here? I been waiting for ever. ”
    â€œOr at least five minutes, anyhow.” Victoria struggled to keep her amusement to herself. She heard footsteps coming up the steps of the portico and patted Esme’s arm. “There. That’s probably Rebecca and her mum now.”
    Instead of the expected knock, however, the big mahogany door simply opened, bringing a wash of sunlight into the house. Then the door clicked closed and there stood John. A fierce scowl marred his brow, but the instant he saw Tori and Esme in the foyer, it disappeared. His eyes were slow to lose their storminess and remained watchful, but the glower was immediately replaced by a courteous curve of his lips.
    The insincerity of that smile irritated Victoria no end.Good Lord, he seemed more like a soldier to her now than he had six years ago when he’d still actually been one. Back then, at least, he’d never hesitated to exhibit emotion, and his expression had always been open. These days she couldn’t tell what he was thinking.
    â€œHullo, Mr. Miglondoanni!”
    Victoria’s heart clutched at the bright expectancy in her daughter’s face as she stared up all unknowing at the man who’d fathered her. But she managed to say calmly, “It’s Miglionni, sweetie.”
    â€œIt’s a mouthful either way, especially when the mouth trying to pronounce it belongs to such a dainty little thing.” He smiled down at Esme, and this time genuine humor warmed his eyes. “Instead of trying to wrap your lips around all those syllables, why don’t you just call me—” with a quick glance at Victoria, he cleared his throat “—John. That would probably be simplest.”
    â€œâ€™Kay.”
    He dropped to a crouch in front of her and reached out long, tanned fingers to the braided and bespeckled doll that peeked over Esme’s shoulder from her backpack. “Who is this? Your sister?”
    â€œNo, silly. That’s my American Girl doll. Her name is Molly Mack-’n-tire.”
    â€œShe’s very cute.” He hesitated, clearing his throat again as patent uncertainty dimmed the usual lady-killer wattage of his charm. “Nearly as cute as you,” he added and gave her a small, crooked grin so diffidently sweet it made