has already told me she can cover the party for you because itâs a small one with a client youâve had before.â
âYou just go barreling ahead to get what you want,â she said.
âYou werenât discontented Saturday night. Youâve gone with me twice now and youâre in no worse situation for spending time with me, so whatâs the harm in accepting? Especially when it shows that you want to accept.â
She laughed. âYou donât give up, do you?â
âNot with you, because you want to go with me. Howâs seven tonight?â He leaned closer. âWeâll make it a short, earlyevening and do whatever youâd like to do. If I promise again no discussion about Michael and my dad, howâs that? Now a yes,â he said.
âYes, against wisdom and caution.â
âWe have unfinished business.â
âYou promisedââ she started to say.
âIâm not referring to Michael or Dad,â he said.
Their waiter approached and Nick released her hand, watching her while green salads were placed in front of them.
Through lunch, Nick flirted and charmed and she forgot the problems for moments at a time until she would realize how much she responded to Nick. Each hour spent with him made her want to be with him even more. In spite of knowing that, she craved the excitement he brought into her life. Women could not resist him and in too many ways, she was no different from the others. She had capitulated easily to his dinner offer. She couldnât believe their time together meant anything to him except a means to get Michael. For her it was one more unforgettable evening instead of a few quiet hours playing with Michael and then spending the remaining time going over books for work. Just once more and then a firm, unyielding refusal. Could she really stick to that plan when Nick turned on the charm?
âI would like to talk about Michael now , though.â Nick reached across the table to grip her hand again and her heart skipped a beat. His hand was warm, enveloping hers, causing havoc with her nerves.
âThere really isnât anything to get to. My feelings havenât changed.â
âListen to me,â Nick urged quietly. âYouâve been logical, not too emotional over this issue. Just come meet my dad and let him see and hold his grandson.â Dark brown eyes boredinto her while his thumb ran back and forth over her wrist, creating distracting flutters.
âHow simple you make it sound,â she said, her voice breathless, almost a whisper.
âItâs harmless, Grace. My father is very ill. His heart is in bad shape and heâs getting more frail. At least let him meet Michael and hold his grandson. Is that too much to ask?â
She withdrew her hand from Nickâs. âYou make it sound so easy, yet I always remember Alicia and her wishes.â
âAlicia dealt with Bart. Thatâs a whole different issue. Donât punish my father for stupid, cruel things my brother did.â
âYour father could have stepped in.â
âAt the time my father knew nothing about Bartâs rejection. Christmas is approachingâthe season of giving. Itâs going to be damn bleak for my father. Bring the baby over and meet my dad and let him satisfy himself just seeing Michael. Iâm not asking to take Michael or change his name or anything else right now. Just let Dad see him and hold him. Give him this, Grace.â
She looked away, torn by Nickâs plea and aware that she couldnât be that selfish over Michael, yet fearing the Raffordsâ power and Nickâs ulterior motives. She thought about Michael and how much he resembled Nick. Once Eli Rafford saw the baby, he would never want to let him go because of that resemblance. To Eli, Michael would be Nick all over again. She was certain the remarkable resemblance would make a difference in Eliâs
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