“I May Never Forgive You For This,”

Michelle muttered as she peeked through her sister’s living room curtain.

Striding up Brooke and Jared’s walkway was none other than Nick Kempner, dressed in black tie and accompanied by his daughter, obviously Michelle’s charge for the evening. She adored Kelsey and didn’t mind one bit baby-sitting the little girl. However, she did mind the fact that she would have to face the girl’s father, especially since he looked like a young version of James Bond with his tanned face contrasting with the tuxedo shirt, his dark hair primed to perfection. At the moment, the doctor was definitely shaking and stirring her belly.

Brooke opened the door while Michelle hung back. She moved just far enough that she could still see Nick, but Nick couldn’t see her. Enough distance to allow her the opportunity to get a good look at him without him knowing it.

And what a view it was.

Dear Reader,

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Start with our MAN OF THE MONTH, The Playboy Sheikh, the latest SONS OF THE DESERT love story by bestselling author Alexandra Sellers. Also thrilling is the second title in our yearlong continuity series DYNASTIES: THE CONNELLYS. In Maternally Yours by Kathie DeNosky, a pleasure-seeking tycoon falls for a soon-to-be mom.

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A single-dad surgeon meets his match in Dr. Desirable, the second book of Kristi Gold’s MARRYING AN M.D. miniseries. And Kate Little’s Tall, Dark & Cranky is an enchanting contemporary version of Beauty and the Beast.

Indulge yourself with all six of these exhilarating love stories from Silhouette Desire!

Enjoy!

Joan Marlow Golan

Senior Editor, Silhouette Desire

Dr. Desirable
Kristi Gold

KRISTI GOLD

began her romance-writing career at the tender age of twelve, when she and her sister spun romantic yarns involving a childhood friend and a popular talk-show host. Since that time, she’s given up celebrity heroes for her favorite types of men, doctors and cowboys, as her husband is both. An avid sports fan, she attends football and baseball games in her spare time. She resides on a small ranch in central Texas with her three children and retired neurosurgeon husband, along with various livestock ranging from Texas longhorn cattle to spoiled yet talented equines. At one time she competed in regional and national Appaloosa horse shows as a nonpro, but she gave up riding for writing and turned the “reins” over to her youngest daughter. She attributes much of her success to her sister, Kim, who encouraged her in her writing, even during the tough times. When she’s not in her office writing her current book, she’s dreaming about it. Readers may contact Kristi at P.O. Box 11292, Robinson, TX 76116.

To Belinda,

for all those Wednesday-night brainstorming sessions in a barn apartment, fighting the dust, deadlines and, at times, insecurity. But most of all, for being there from the beginning.

Contents

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Chapter Eight

Chapter Nine

Chapter Ten

Chapter Eleven

Epilogue

One

She had a face designed by angels and a body that could incite a riot.

Unfortunately for Dr. Nick Kempner, Michelle Lewis held him in very low esteem, thanks to that little incident a few months ago at her sister’s wedding.

Nick still didn’t understand why she had taken such offense at being called a princess. After all, she had looked like royalty in that bridesmaid’s dress. And considering she’d called him a toad in a tux, he should be the offended party. Of course, his ex-wife had probably called him worse.

Today Michelle Lewis, in the role of San Antonio Memorial’s public relations guru, still looked like a cross between sin and sainthood. She also looked none too pleased to see Nick when he entered the meeting a little late. Okay, so he was more than a little late. Considering Michelle was the only remaining occupant in the hospital conference room, he’d obviously missed the luncheon assembly altogether.

Michelle offered Nick only a cursory glance when he leaned back against the conference table and watched her. She continued to gather her things without so much as a polite “get the hell out of Dodge, Doc.”

Feeling like an errant kid, Nick waited for her acknowledgment of his presence. When that failed to come, he gave up and gave in. “So what did I miss?”

“The whole meeting. It ended about five minutes ago.”

Nick shrugged. “Sorry I’m late. My nine-o’clock surgery took longer than planned.”

Michelle shoved her laptop computer into its case resting on the table. Only then did she give him her full attention. “Since this is the second meeting in a row that you’ve missed, maybe you should reconsider serving on the committee if it puts a strain on your schedule.”

He brought out his best grin. “Maybe we could hold the meetings in the O.R. You could do your presentation while I do a total hip replacement.”

The beginnings of a smile curled the corners of her mouth but it didn’t form enough to reveal her arresting dimples. “Interesting suggestion. However, most of the physicians manage to work around the monthly meetings without resorting to such drastic measures.”

“Well, Ms. Lewis, I guess I’m not like most docs around here. I like to put the patient’s needs first. I’m kind of funny that way when it comes to my medical practice.” He’d be glad to give her what she needed, anytime, anyplace, even now.

Not a good idea to make that offer, Nick decided, when she folded her arms beneath her breasts and pinned him in place with her intense indigo eyes. “I admit that’s an admirable quality, Doctor. But we need all the input from physicians we can get in order to make a successful go of this ad campaign.”

Time for a dose of diplomacy. “And how is the campaign going?”

“Very well, thank you. Today we discussed the new pediatric unit’s assets and how we’ll utilize them in advertisement.”

The only assets Nick cared about at the moment were Michelle’s. The red sleeveless turtleneck traveled all the way up her slender throat but didn’t conceal the outline of her full breasts. The fitted black knit skirt hit her midcalf yet revealed a nice glimpse of leg through the slits up both sides. Her long dark hair gleamed like the polished walnut table behind him, making him itch to test its texture. Those were the kind of assets he could definitely appreciate.

But Nick realized that he wouldn’t get anywhere with Michelle Lewis by ogling her, so he pulled his gaze back to her face and his mind back on business. “Exactly what are the ads going to feature? The new pediatric ICU?”

She took out a pair of glasses from the pocket of a jacket draped over a chair and slipped them on, as if that might make her look more qualified. It sure as heck didn’t make her look any less enticing. “Actually we’re going to spotlight the new family room.”

“The family room? Are you sure that makes sense?”

She looked annoyed. Beautiful, but annoyed. “It makes perfect sense. We want parents to know that they have a place to relax when their child is ill. Besides, the majority of people take high-tech equipment for granted. Dr. Rainey pointed that out during the meeting.”

Nick figured Al Rainey was trying to score points with Michelle. Or more than likely just score. That made Nick more than mad. The guy was a class-A jerk, especially when it came to attractive women. Someone needed to remind him that he was married, and often. “No offense, but Al Rainey is a plastic surgeon.” And a mediocre one at that. “Face-lifts are his forte, not ad campaigns.”

“Actually the idea was mine.”

Well, hell, he’d really done it now. “Oh, yeah?”

Michelle frowned. “Yeah. And quite frankly, Dr. Rainey’s been very cooperative and insightful. As a matter of fact, he always comes early to the meetings.”

Nick chose to ignore the dig at his tardiness, but he couldn’t disregard her defense of a known hospital lecher. “Rumor has it that Rainey comes early in all his endeavors.”

Michelle cleared her throat and blushed like the devil. “Well, he is the chair of the committee and he agrees that we should focus on the family room.”

He’d lay money that Al had his focus on Michelle.

Nick couldn’t get a handle on his sudden jealousy. He also couldn’t resist pushing some of Michelle’s buttons, just like she’d pushed some of his at the wedding. Like she was pushing some now. Hot buttons. “I personally believe that if we’re going to be taken seriously here at Memorial, we should center on quality health care. That is, if my opinion matters, since it takes me a lot longer than Rainey to arrive when it comes to certain undertakings.”

Michelle slipped off the glasses and tapped one armature against her chin, looking calm and collected. But the blush was still apparent on her cheeks. “Of course your opinion is valued, Doctor. And I promise the new equipment will be mentioned in the ad copy. Will that satisfy you?”

The only thing that would satisfy him at the moment would be to kiss that sassy look off her face. “Yeah, that pleases me right nice, Ms. Lewis.”

Her smile finally made an appearance, revealing her damnable dimples, heralding victory. “I’m so glad you’re pleased, Dr. Kempner. Anything else I can do for you?”

Oh, yeah, he could think of several things, and none were proper.

Batting the thoughts away like a persistent fly, he gave her a little salute. “Nope, that’s all.” He answered her smile with one of his own. “For starters.”

Of all the confounded cocky doctors, Nick Kempner was at the top of Michelle’s list. And a long list it was.

No doubt about it, the man had an uncanny knack for getting her hackles up. It had all started the first day they’d officially met at Brooke and Jared’s wedding. Out of respect for her brother-in-law and sister, she’d tolerated him then. Out of respect for her job, she’d tolerated him today. Not that he wasn’t really nice to look at.

But she wasn’t one to kowtow to men unless absolutely necessary. She imagined that plenty of women would perform back flips for Nick Kempner, or anything else he requested. All he probably had to do was flash his pearly whites and nail them with those mocha-colored eyes and Whamo! They were immediately transformed into mindless sheep searching for a slick shepherd.

Not Michelle. She’d had her fill of silver-tongued healers with lovin’ on their minds, some sporting a marriage license along with an M.D., as well as a penchant for hiding the truth. Of course, Nick Kempner was unattached. Not that it mattered, considering his reputation with the ladies. Nor did it matter that he was Brooke’s husband’s best friend, or that Brooke had strongly hinted that Michelle should get to know him better. That was one rocky road Michelle intended to avoid, regardless of her sibling’s less-than-subtle matchmaking attempts. And Nick Kempner’s overt charisma.

Michelle strode toward the elevators, trailing behind the stream of medical staff returning to their jobs from lunch. At least the meeting had gone well. After the meeting was another thing altogether, thanks to Nick Kempner.

“Hey, Ms. Lewis, wait up.”

Good Lord, was he following her?

She turned to face the recent burr in her bottom but continued to walk backward. “More concerns, Dr. Kempner?”

“Nope. No more concerns.” He gave her a lingering once-over and an optimum grin. A smile designed to liquefy joints. And darned if it didn’t.

Feeling as exposed as if she were wearing a half-undone hospital gown, Michelle clutched the computer’s case to her chest. “Then what else can I do for you?”

“I just want another minute of your time.”

They came to a stop in front of the elevators, and she had to look up at him. She’d reached five-ten during her sophomore year in high school, so looking up at a man wasn’t a common occurrence.

“Your ride’s here, Michelle,” Dr. Rainey called out, his hand battling the insistent elevator doors.

“Go ahead,” she said. “I’ll catch the next one.”

Rainey’s smile wasn’t nearly as effective as the patent Kempner grin. “Okay. If you’re sure.”

“I’m sure.” She brought her attention back to Nick and impatiently tapped her foot. “Yes?”

“He just beats all now, don’t he?” Nick drawled.

“Why, Dr. Kempner, with that accent, one might think your moniker should be Billy Bob.”

“Guess my roots are showing.”

“Roots?”

“Born-and-bred Texan.”

She sent a pointed look at his feet. Cross trainers, not cowhide. Big cross trainers. Big feet. She met his steady gaze. “Oh, those kind of roots.”

“Yeah. Not to be mistaken for Rainey’s roots. The guy really needs to restock on hair dye.”

Michelle tried not to smile but couldn’t quite get a grip on her grin. “You really don’t like him much, do you?”

“Ah, now, does it show?”

“Just a bit.” She leaned back against the wall separating the two elevators, the sudden awkward silence broken only by the operator paging someone on staff. “I really have to get back, so if you can just tell me what you need.” Boy, was that leaving herself wide open for all sorts of possibilities.

He zeroed in on her eyes. She wanted to look away, but couldn’t. “I owe you an apology for questioning your expertise. And a belated one for my faux pas at Brooke and Jared’s wedding.”

Apology? She certainly didn’t expect that. “Apology accepted, Dr. Kempner. Okay?”

He cocked one shoulder against the wall and faced her. He smelled good, looked even better. “It’s Nick, and it’s not okay. I got a bit out of hand.”

Her reaction to him was getting out of hand. Way out of hand. Her pulse jumped like a cat on a hot grill. She’d been annoyed by his failure to make the meeting on time, and now she was annoyed at herself for finding him attractive. Would she ever learn? “Let’s call a truce.”

“Good idea. After all, we’re in this together.”

Now why did that sound so darned intimate? “Yes, I guess you’re right.”

He pointed at her chest. “Do you need any help with that?”

“Beg pardon?”

“Your computer.”

She glanced down. Like a fool, she’d forgotten she had the thing in a choke hold. “I can manage.”

Michelle pushed away from the wall, shoved the case’s strap over her shoulder and thumbed the elevator’s down button. She turned to find him standing not more than a foot away. Really, really close. So close she could run her hand along the ridge of his strong jaw, trace the outline of his lips, the cleft in his chin…

Thankfully the elevator doors sighed open, providing her with a much-needed escape. She backed into the car while Nick Kempner just stood there with hands hidden in the pockets of his starched lab coat, an insolent lock of dark hair falling over his forehead, the V-neck of his blue scrubs revealing a pleasant glimpse of dark chest hair.

He tipped an imaginary hat. “You have a good day now, Ms. Lewis.”

Shifting the strap to the other shoulder, she punched the Open Door button. “Don’t you want to go down with me?”

His grin made another appearance, slow as sunrise, and just as bright. “Oh, yeah, that sounds real tempting. But I’m needed up on the med-surg floor for a consult. Maybe later?”

Michelle presumed her face resembled a hothouse tomato. And she’d mistakenly thought her foot was too big to fit in her mouth. Her hand dropped from the button, the doors slowly closed and her last image of Nick Kempner branded her brain—his hand raised in a wave, his smile full of mischief, his dark eyes drilling holes in her well-honed reserve.

Of all the seductive, sexy surgeons, Dr. Nick Kempner was now at the top of Michelle’s list. And a small list it was.

The hot August sun beat a large swath across the backyard barbecue, indicating the extreme Texas summer was far from over. A trickle of sweat streamed down Michelle’s chest, pooling where the bathing suit top ended below her breasts. She swiped a hand over her forehead, pushing away the damp, rebellious hairs that wouldn’t fit into her ponytail. Idiot fringe, her mother called them. Fitting, considering what an idiot she’d been to let Nick Kempner get to her. He was still getting to her, even after two days. Still invading her thoughts, and sometimes her dreams.

She scanned the crowd of partygoers positioned in random groups spread across Jared and Brooke’s manicured lawn. Nick wasn’t here, as far as she could tell, although she’d been told he was invited. Maybe he was engaged in immoral combat in the pool house with a gullible nurse. That thought annoyingly irritated Michelle.

She sank back in the padded lawn chair and considered returning to the pool. But the pool was now crowded with a stew of kids too thick to stir. Nope, she’d just sit here sipping her lemonade and think about work.

She thought about Nick Kempner instead. Someone should bring her the discarded baseball bat so she could pound him out of her brain. Plenty of docs around to save her from a subdural hematoma.

Her brother-in-law moved forward from one block of people, clutching her sister’s hand. Michelle tamped down the wistful feelings when she noted the way Jared looked at Brooke, as if she were goddess of the universe. Brooke used to look at Michelle that way, with sibling adoration, as though big sister Michelle had scattered the stars. Not anymore.

But what could she expect? Brooke had her own life with Jared. Michelle’s job and seeing to her parents’ needs didn’t allow her much time to spend with Brooke. They were both adults now, living adult lives, not giggling kids practically attached at the hip. Brooke didn’t really need Michelle as much anymore. As it should be.

Then why did Michelle suddenly feel like a fallen hero?

Jared strolled to the redwood picnic table, hopped onto the bottom bench and let go a loud whistle. “Listen up, folks. We have an announcement to make.”

Michelle rose from her seat, securing the beach towel around her waist as she moved forward with the rest of the crowd. Jared sent Brooke another adoring look before turning back to the curious audience.

“As you all know,” he began, “I’ve been on leave since my accident. With the help of my beautiful and talented physical therapist wife, I’m finally ready to go back to surgery.”

Applause rang out. Michelle sought Brooke’s gaze and gave her a thumbs-up. Brooke responded with a radiant grin before giving her smile back to Jared.

Jared reached behind him and tapped his beer bottle on the table to garner the murmuring masses’ attention. “Although that’s good news, I’ve got even better news. During the course of my wife’s expert therapy, something else happened.”

Holding out his hand to Brooke, Jared helped her up to join him on the bench. They wrapped their arms around each other’s waists, forming a cocoon of contentment. Michelle sighed.

“Do you want to tell them, babe?” he asked Brooke.

Brooke nodded, looking more than a little misty. She had a certain glow about her, something Michelle had failed to notice until now. She could almost guess what was about to come, but the thought was unfathomable. Brooke would have told her something so important. Something so life altering.

“We’re going to have a baby,” Brooke said with a laugh.

Michelle stood stunned as Jared drew Brooke into a lingering kiss. Hurt shot straight through her heart, keen as a butcher knife, twice as painful. Why hadn’t Brooke told her first? Why had her sister—the closest person in her life—waited until now to make an announcement that should have been made in private to her family first?

Deep down, Michelle recognized she should be happy for Brooke and Jared. She should be doing back handsprings across the yard and cheering with the rest of the folk, including her mother who was hugging Brooke and crying, and her dad now doling out pats on Jared’s back. But she couldn’t.

Her fear and hurt wouldn’t let her. Hurt because Brooke hadn’t told her the news first. Fear for her sister’s health: the asthma that had plagued Brooke for so many years couldn’t be good for a pregnancy.

Michelle teetered on the brink of losing it. She hated crying. Hated that she even felt a need to cry. How much more selfish could she be?

She had to get away while she still could. Escape before all that hurt and self-admonishment came out on a rush of bitter tears. Turning on her bare feet, she slipped past the milling crowd and into the double patio doors, thankful she was alone. Thankful, for once, that her mother was occupied with Brooke and not playing chief cook and bottle washer.

Inside the ample kitchen a current of emotion swamped Michelle like a swollen river. So did the tears.

She allowed them only a moment before she started cleaning away the remnants of lunch like a mad maid on a ticking time clock. Like her mother. She scraped the paper plates clean into the disposal then threw them in the trash bin. She dumped liquid from myriad cups before tossing them into the overflowing sink. She picked up a plastic fork that had slipped from her hands and hurled it like a missile across the room where it landed near the dinette.

Slowly she walked to the table, grasped the back of one chair and knelt to pick up the utensil. She paused to swipe at her face damp with tears of frustration.

A pair of sandaled feet came into view. Two bare, tanned legs dusted by dark masculine hair shot upward from the feet, thighs slightly exposed before being covered by blue swim trunks. Two equally well-defined, bronzed arms dangled at the sides of the trunks, attached to an all-male torso covered by a white tank top. As Michelle visually progressed past the strong column of his throat and on up to his brown eyes, she knew she was truly in dire straits.

It was him.

Of all the people to join her pity party, Nick Kempner would have been the last to receive an invitation.

She stood with the fork clutched in one palm, the other hand still braced on the chair. His trademark grin faltered when he met her gaze, and Michelle wished she could just dissolve into the puddles of pool water on the floor.

She was an emotional wreck, and he had the nerve to look sympathetic. Why, oh, why, hadn’t she left an hour ago? What had she done to deserve Nick Kempner’s compassion? And how in the heck was she going to explain?

Michelle didn’t need to explain why she’d been crying, but Nick shored up for an explanation, anyway.

“You’re here,” she said, shattering his expectations.

“Yep, I’m here.” He tugged a napkin from the stack set out on the end of the dining room table and handed it to her.

She hesitantly took it and dabbed at her eyes. “You probably think I’ve totally lost it.”

No, but she was obviously distressed, and he wanted to know why. “Care to talk about it?”

She flipped the napkin clutched in her hand. “It’s nothing, really. Just the usual hormones. I’m feeling a little testy at the moment.”

He pointed to the towel slung low on her hips. “Do you have a weapon tucked away in there?”

At least that earned him a smile from her. “No, just this.” She held up the plastic fork she’d been retrieving from the floor when he’d walked into the room.

He grinned. “I guess I should be grateful.”

She set the fork aside and asked, “Did you hear the news?”

“Nope. Just got here. What news?”

“Brooke’s pregnant.” She didn’t sound happy.

Nick curled his hand on the back of the chair and leaned into it. “Well I’ll be damned.” He didn’t dare tell her that Jared had informed him yesterday about the baby. Obviously, Michelle hadn’t been afforded that courtesy.

He understood all too well how unexpected news could shake a person up. Case in point, Bridget’s classic divorce-paper delivery at his office, the first he’d known about it. A lie. He’d known it was inevitable. He just hadn’t wanted to deal with the possibility.

Yeah, he could relate to Michelle’s anguish.

Michelle sniffed again. “Pretty incredible, huh?”

“Yeah. Pretty incredible. Do you want to sit down?”

He pulled back the chair from the table. Without a word she collapsed in it like a punctured balloon.

Taking the chair beside her, he scraped his mind trying to come up with something appropriate, something halfway consoling to say. He couldn’t think of one damn thing.

Nick allowed her some silence and wondered if he should leave. Maybe she wanted to be alone. Maybe she needed to be held. He could do that, although with her wearing a bikini and a fresh set of tears, that probably wouldn’t be a good idea. The tears affected him more than her lack of clothing at the moment. He hated to see a woman cry, and he figured a strong woman like Michelle Lewis didn’t take emotional outbursts lightly. Neither did he. But he wasn’t too good with comfort, at least not the kind she needed. Medicine had taught him that. Bridget had reminded him of that more times than he could shake a stick at.

The patio door slid open, and Jeanie Lewis, Brooke and Michelle’s mother, stepped in with Nick’s four-year-old daughter, Kelsey, braced on one hip. During those times Nick and Kelsey had joined the Grangers and Lewises for dinner the past few months, Kelsey had adopted Jeanie as a surrogate grandmother. Unfortunately for Nick, Michelle had never made it to those get-togethers, probably in avoidance of facing him after the wedding fiasco.

“Here he is, Kelsey,” Jeanie said, then sent him a mother’s smile. “She’s been looking all over for you. Jared said you might be in here.”

His daughter’s eyes, much like his own, lit up with pure kid joy. “Look, Daddy. I’m gonna swim with Auntie Jeanie.” She held out her arms, both wrapped in lemon-yellow floaties.

“You bet, punkin.”

Nick stood, and Michelle turned in her chair to face her mother and Kelsey. Her smile was sincere. “That’s a good-looking swimsuit, sweetie.”

Kelsey looked down and rubbed a hand over the pink-and-green ruffled top. “Daddy got it.”

“Really?” Michelle rose and turned her pretty face to Nick. “Daddy has really good taste.”

Nick couldn’t deny that. He more than appreciated Michelle’s shiny blue number. He would appreciate it more if he could see the whole thing, but the bottom half was covered by the blasted towel. That would be easy to remedy with one flick of a finger at the loose knot.

He tried to dislodge thoughts of Michelle’s bikini from his mind since his child was present. Not to mention Michelle’s mother, who, he’d just bet, wouldn’t take too kindly to him ogling her daughter.

Nick took Kelsey’s hand into his, still fascinated by her perfect fingers, as he had been since the day she was born. “This is Michelle, kiddo.”

Taking Kelsey’s free hand, Michelle gave it a gentle shake. “It’s nice to meet you, Kelsey. Are you having fun?”

Kelsey nodded with a definitive jerk of her head, sending her chestnut curls into a dance. Then she leaned over and cupped Michelle’s cheek, taking Nick by surprise. Normally she was guarded with strangers, yet she seemed totally captivated by Michelle. He could relate to that.

“You’re pretty,” Kelsey said, surveying Michelle’s face with open worship. The force of Michelle’s responding, dimpled smile sent Nick’s whole body reeling. The way she placed her hand over Kelsey’s made him value this soft side of Michelle Lewis that much more.

“Not as pretty as you, sweetie,” Michelle said. “You look like your daddy.”

“Yeah. Like daddy.”

Jeanie Lewis placed a kiss on Kelsey’s face, leaving a pink lip imprint on her cheek. “This one’s a doll, Nick.” She looked over Kelsey’s head right at Michelle. “Shelly, are you all right?”

Michelle averted her eyes. “I’m fine, Mom.”

“I think she’s had too much sun,” Nick said. “I’m making her sit awhile before she goes back out.”

“Good idea. She’s probably exhausted. She works much too hard.” Jeanie continued to study Michelle as if trying to read her thoughts. “Isn’t that some news about Brooke, Shelly? I didn’t know what to say, especially with Brooke’s asthma. But I guess it will all work out.” She didn’t sound too confident.

Kelsey squirmed in Jeanie’s arms. “I wanna go now.”

Nick bussed his daughter under the chin, for once glad the four-year-old had a limited attention span. “Anyone ever tell you patience is a virtue, kiddo?”

Jeanie slid Kelsey to her feet and took her hand. “I’ll watch her, Nick. I need to get in some practice with a grandchild on the way.” She patted her bobbed, silver hair and sent him a sunny smile that seemed strained. “You and Michelle have a nice visit.”

“Thanks, Mrs. Lewis. I’ll be out in a minute.” He crouched down and framed Kelsey’s sweet face in his palms. “You be a good girl.” After popping a kiss on her chubby cheek, he straightened.

Kelsey sent Michelle a demure wave. “’Bye, Shelly.”

Michelle’s smile returned. “’Bye, Kelsey.”

After Jeanie led his fidgeting daughter out the door, Nick faced Michelle again. She wrapped her arms low around her tanned midriff, but not before he caught a partial glimpse of her navel. Man, he’d give up his vacation to see the rest of it and all points below. Silently scolding himself for his wicked thoughts, he dragged his eyes back to her face.

“Your daughter’s beautiful, Dr. Kempner.”

So are you, he wanted to say. Instead he settled for, “I can only take half the credit. She is a great kid, though.”

Michelle dropped her gaze to the floor. “Thanks for the explanation you handed my mother. I didn’t want to upset her.”

“No problem.” He shifted his weight from one leg to the other. “She seems a little worried about Brooke.”

Michelle finally raised her eyes to his. “She is. And with good cause.”

“The asthma?”

“Yes. But as she said, I’m sure it will all work out.”

Michelle didn’t sound at all confident. Nick couldn’t blame her. Although OB wasn’t his thing, he suspected maintaining a pregnant asthmatic could have its challenges. But Brooke and Jared had overcome a lot of stumbling blocks to reach this milestone, and he figured this was only one more to overcome. At least they had each other to lean on.

A nagging heaviness settled on Nick’s chest like an uninvited, long-lost cousin. He ignored it, choosing instead to focus on Michelle, now working her bottom lip with her teeth—a full bottom lip he could definitely enjoy kissing.

“Well, I guess I’m heading home now,” she announced, cutting into his questionable thoughts.

He didn’t want her to go, for many reasons. “Hey, I just got here. The party’s only begun to get interesting.”

She slicked a hand over her scalp and tightened her ponytail. “I can only imagine. But that’s all I’ll be able to do since I need to get some work done.”

“On a Sunday afternoon?”

“I brought some stuff home with me. Until this campaign’s over, I’m not going to have much time to slack off.”

“Are you sure? I make a mean margarita.” He topped off the offer with a grin.

She tightened the towel at her waist and crossed her arms over her chest. “That sounds tempting, but I’ll have to pass.”

He wanted badly to smooth the worry from her face. Make her stay. “So they call you Shelly, huh?”

A slight blush tinged her cheeks. “Heavens, yes. Luckily no one calls me that at the hospital. Makes me feel like I’m Kelsey’s age.”

“Okay, so I’ll just call you Michelle. And you can call me Nick.” She would call him much worse if she knew the path his thoughts were taking. He couldn’t seem to pull his eyes away from her face, had an even harder time keeping them away from her body, where he took a subtle mental inventory. The perfectly carved collarbone, the scoop of the bikini top that revealed ample cleavage, the slender torso, all painted a fascinating portrait of a fascinating woman.

“Well, Nick, I really do need to go. I’m so sleepy that if I stay, I’ll probably have to find a bed.”

If she stayed, he’d help her find one. And join her.

Releasing an exaggerated sigh to keep from groaning, he said, “Okay. But don’t work too hard. Life is short. I’ve learned that lesson the hard way.”

She reached for a canvas bag hanging on the back of a chair and slipped it over her slender shoulder. “How so?”

Man, that could take hours to explain. He wasn’t up to baring his soul completely, so he’d give her an abbreviated version of the whole sorry story his life had been. “I missed out on a lot when Kelsey was a baby because of my work. And now I only get to see her every other weekend, so I guess you could say I’m still missing out.”

“That’s a shame, Nick.” She sounded as if she meant it. As if she understood how badly he hated the part-time dad thing.

“Yeah, but that’s just the way it is.”

Michelle clutched the bag to her chest. At least now Nick could concentrate better on the conversation. “Can you ask for more time with her during the week?”

He had asked. About a thousand times. He was even willing to cut out of the office early. But Bridget wouldn’t budge. She didn’t want Kelsey exposed to “his women,” as if he really had a revolving door in his two-bedroom apartment. Not that he hadn’t indulged a time or two in female companionship. But it hadn’t been that often, although the hospital scuttlebutt would say otherwise.

“Maybe someday my ex will allow me some extra time,” he said. “After the battle scars start to fade.”

“Tough divorce?”

“The toughest.”

“It will all work out,” she said wistfully.

Nick wasn’t sure if Michelle spoke of his life or her own. She might appear confident on the exterior, but her vulnerabilities were showing. Not that she’d meant for him to see them. And damned if he didn’t like what he saw. All of it. All of her. And he intended to see more.

Two

Nick had been waiting all afternoon to give Jared Granger a hefty dose of his own medicine and to ask him a few questions about Michelle Lewis.

“So how does it feel knowing you’re going to be a dad, Granger? Knowing you’re going to be responsible for this person for at least twenty years, worrying if you’re screwing up—”

“Shut up, Kempner.”

Jared made the warning through a proud-as-a-peacock grin while they stood near the barbecue pit as the party began to wind down.

Nick could identify with that smile. He’d worn exactly the same one when Bridget had told him she was pregnant five years ago, a time when he’d still held on to the hope that the marriage might survive since they would have a child to consider. Man, had he been wrong.

“Actually, I’m happy for you and Brooke,” Nick said. “There’s nothing like it in the world, being a dad.” Even a part-time one, he thought as he watched Kelsey splashing around in the pool with Brooke’s mom. Not that he didn’t crave more time with his daughter.

Jared held up a beer for a toast. “Except maybe for finding the right woman to have that baby with.”

Nick clicked his bottle against Jared’s, experiencing a little sting of envy. “Yeah, looks like you got lucky the first time.” If only he could say the same for himself.

Surveying the last of the guests, Nick was disappointed to find that Michelle had left after all. When he’d departed the kitchen to give her some space, he’d hoped she would change her mind. She certainly was changing his about her.

“So what do you know about Brooke’s sister?” he asked, probably at his own detriment.

Jared’s grin deepened, confirming Nick’s concern. “Why? Are you still interested?”

Think fast, Kempner. “I talked to her in the kitchen a while ago. She was pretty upset over Brooke not telling her about the baby.”

Jared’s smile dropped out of sight. “I was afraid of that. But they’ll work it out. They’re pretty close.”

“Yeah? They don’t seem that much alike.”

“In some ways they are. Michelle’s pretty devoted to her career and her family. When she’s not working, she’s at her parents’ house making sure they’re okay.”

“So she doesn’t date?”

“You are interested, aren’t you?”

He’d been caught with his mind in the proverbial cookie jar. So much for being subtle. “Let’s just say I’m mildly curious.”

Jared let go a sharp laugh. “I’d wager you’re mildly lustful. Michelle’s a looker, all right. Seems to me she’s anything but receptive to men right now.”

“Yeah, why’s that?”

Jared looked over his shoulder, probably visually patrolling for Brooke, then lowered his voice. “Brooke told me she’s been fairly unlucky with relationships. She had one that went pretty sour a couple of years back.”

“Haven’t we all.”

“To my way of thinking, after your argument with her at our wedding, that makes your odds slim to none.”

Obviously, they had drawn more attention during their confrontation than Nick had first believed. “It wasn’t an argument exactly.” More like casual warfare. “We just don’t see eye to eye on certain things.”

“Let me guess. You asked her for a date and she refused.”

“Nope. I just told her she looked like a princess in her bridesmaid’s dress, and then she said if I thought she believed in that old fairy tale about kissing a toad, I had another think coming even if I did fit the bill, at which time I made a comparison to her and the ice sculpture. That was about it.”

Jared chuckled. “That was enough.”

“Yeah, maybe, but I was just trying to be nice.”

“You were trying to hit on her.”

“Not exactly true.” Close, but not exactly.

Jared sent a wave in Brooke’s direction and gave her a look that revealed a man too smitten for his own good. He finally turned his attention back to Nick. “Let me tell you something else about Michelle Lewis. She’s a beautiful woman who probably fights off a dozen come-ons a week. Maybe even a day. If you want to win her over, you’re going to have to rethink your usual ‘Hi, I’m Nick, I want you.’”

“That’s a low blow, Granger. I have more class than that.”

Nick immediately recalled Al Rainey’s obvious lust for Michelle and realized Jared was probably right about men hitting on her frequently and without regard to restraint. God knew that was old Al in a nutshell. And yes, Nick wasn’t always subtle. But he was good at picking up signals, and he knew when to back off.

Nick felt the overwhelming need to defend himself, probably because he had spent much of his time in recent days on guard where his ex and her accusations about other women were concerned. “First of all I’m not really looking for anything heavy. Secondly, I’m not the playboy everyone makes me out to be. And last, who needs the grief of a woman who’s not the least bit interested in men at the moment?”

“You do. You thrive on challenge. You live for it.” Jared nailed him with a serious glare. “But I’ll warn you. Michelle is a really nice woman beneath that all-business exterior. Basically your average girl-next-door type.”

If Michelle Lewis was a girl next door, then Nick was Albert Einstein. “Are you saying I’m not her type?”

“I’m saying that if you do anything to hurt her, you’ll have to answer to Brooke, and believe me, you don’t want to deal with her.”

Nick realized all too well the potency of sisterly ties. He was the baby in a family with three female siblings. He’d barely survived all that womanly camaraderie. Not to mention the lack of bathroom space. “Okay. If I decide I might want to give Michelle Lewis a shot, I’ll proceed with caution.”

“I’m not betting on that horse.”

Jared knew him all too well. Yeah, he did thrive on challenge, but was Michelle Lewis worth the trouble? Whatever did transpire between them, he would definitely make sure he wasn’t the one to get burned.

But somehow Nick knew that when he was around Michelle Lewis, he was already standing too close to the fire.

As it was now nearing lunchtime, Michelle decided to take a break from her work and make the call she’d needed to make since yesterday. She needed to apologize to Brooke for her harried departure from the party. She also needed answers as to why Brooke hadn’t told her sooner about the baby. Maybe something was wrong aside from Brooke’s asthma. Something Brooke hadn’t told her yet. That prospect frightened her. She couldn’t stand the thought of something happening to her little sister.

“Hey. You got a minute?”

Michelle’s grip tightened on the phone at the sound of that voice—a voice belonging to a doctor she had thought about much too often in the past twenty-four hours. She couldn’t seem to get him out of her head. She certainly didn’t need him in her office, invading her space at work and worming his way back into her stubborn psyche.

Michelle dropped the phone onto its cradle and stared up at Nick Kempner’s disarming smile. She glanced at the door he had managed to close behind him without her noticing. She was trapped in a small room with a man who emitted sensuality like a nuclear-powered aphrodisiac.

On the heels of his surprise appearance, she was amazed she found her voice. “Good afternoon, Dr. Kempner. What brings you to the administrative offices?”

Without an invitation he pulled back the chair in front of her desk and sat, one leg crossed over the other as if he planned to settle in for a while. “I have a question for you.”

The doctor looked much too good in his tailored white shirt and conservative blue tie, his shiny brown hair as slick as his smile. Not that he hadn’t looked great in swim trunks.

Get a grip, Michelle. “Okay. What is it?”

His grin expanded. “Just say yes.”

“Yes to—”

“Good. I’ll pick you up at seven.”

The man was incorrigible. And sexier than any man had a right to be. “Tonight?” That wasn’t at all what she’d intended to say. And she darned sure didn’t mean to say it with such enthusiasm.

“No. Saturday night. I figured since we’re both attending the fund-raising gala, we might as well go together. Unless you already have a date.”

“I’m not going.”

His dark brows drew down over his equally dark eyes. “What do you mean you’re not going? This thing’s supposed to raise money for your pet project.”

Exactly what Michelle’s assistant had said when she’d asked her to fill in at the gala. “Actually, I’m going to the reception with the benefactors that afternoon. But I’m not going to the dance that night.”

“Care to tell me why?”

No, she didn’t, at least not the whole truth—that a few years back she’d met a doctor at a similar event who, little had she known at the time, belonged to someone else. “Large crowds aren’t exactly my cup of tea.”

“Mine, either. But I’m required to put in an appearance. I assumed you would be, too.”

“Not this time. I need to continue working on finalizing the ad layouts. Besides, no one will even miss me.”

“I will.”

Darn him. And darn her renegade smile that picked that exact moment to come out of hiding. She willed it away. “I appreciate that, Dr. Kempner, but I’m afraid you’ll have to find someone else to escort.”

“What if I don’t want to escort anyone else?”

She stacked some papers that didn’t need stacking, in avoidance of his tempting eyes. “There are probably, say, four single male doctors in this hospital and about ten times as many unattached women. That makes the odds in your favor. So I’m sure you can find someone who would more than appreciate your company.”

“And you don’t?” He slumped lower in the chair. “Man, you really know how to hurt a guy.”

In all honesty she did appreciate his company. More than she should. Not that she would ever make that confession, especially to him. “Let’s just say I’m not looking for companionship at the moment.”

She glanced up and met his intense stare. “What are you looking for, Michelle?”

Not the kind of trouble he was offering. She didn’t have time to date, and with her lousy track record with gorgeous doctors who were much too compelling for their own good, she didn’t have the desire, either. “Success in my work and taking care of my family, first and foremost.”

He leaned forward, giving Michelle a lethal dose of his cologne and a good look at his serious expression. “That won’t keep you warm at night.”

“I manage okay.”

“I’m sure you do. Or at least you think you do. But take it from me, after a while burying yourself in your work won’t give you the satisfaction you need. And your family can only offer you so much comfort.”

“And what satisfaction are you referring to?” Did she really just ask such a thing?

His smile made another grandstand appearance. “The kind that makes you really feel alive, and believe me, you won’t find that in ad layouts or Sunday dinners.”

Michelle abruptly stood, looking for an escape from his truths. Looking for a way out from underneath all the heat the man was generating in her turncoat body. “Well, right now I have a lot of satisfying work to do, so I’ll see you out on my way to the copy room.”

She grabbed up the papers that didn’t need copying and quickly moved from behind her desk, but the doctor was much quicker.

He stood by the door, one hand braced on the facing, the other hidden away in his trouser pocket. She grasped the doorknob, but before she could turn it, he said, “There’s one more thing I need to say.”

She dropped her hand from the knob and faced him with the papers clutched against her chest. “What?”

“Speaking as a doctor, you need to get some rest. You look tired.”

A nice way of putting she looked like pond scum. “Your advice is duly noted.”

He took his hand from his pocket and traced a path underneath her eyes with one sturdy fingertip. “Dark smudges. Looks like you’re not getting much sleep.”

She probably wouldn’t sleep tonight, either. But work wouldn’t be standing in her way. He would. Right now an invigorating stream of warmth flowed from where his fingertip had been all the way down to places that weren’t tired at all. In fact, they were totally alert and making themselves known.

Fumbling in her blazer pocket, she withdrew her glasses and slipped them on. “Now you don’t have to look at them.”

“I’m serious, Michelle.” If his expression was any indication, he was.

“Okay. I’ll take a nap. Would that appease you, Doctor?”

“It’s a start. And I wish you would call me Nick.”

She had once, a poor move on her part. First names denoted intimacy, and she couldn’t afford to have that with someone so terribly hard to resist. “Since we’re in the office, I think it’s best we maintain a professional relationship.”

He grinned. “So you’re saying you’ll call me Nick when we’re not in the office?”

“I’m saying…actually…” She was rambling like an idiot, all because of him. “Don’t you have something to fix? Maybe a broken leg or two or three?”

He dropped his hand from the door and checked his watch. “Yeah. As a matter of fact, I’m late for my next surgery.”

“Don’t let me keep you from your work.”

His smoldering smile returned. “You already have, but it was well worth the lost time.” He bent closer and whispered, “That’s the kind of satisfaction I’ve learned to appreciate.”

Michelle stared at the ringing telephone sitting on the end table next to her favorite lounge chair. She needed to answer but hesitated. For some reason she worried that maybe Nick Kempner was calling. If so, she worried more that she might find herself agreeing to something she had no business agreeing to, namely going with him to the gala. He had shaken her up today like an out-of-control blender. She’d barely been able to concentrate on her work.

Why couldn’t she get him off her mind? Because he had more magnetism than a televangelist, that’s why. But it wasn’t just his charisma. Beneath that magnetic facade, she sensed true caring. She’d seen it at Brooke’s when he’d offered her consolation and again another glimpse of it in her office today when he’d voiced his concern about her health. And he was so gentle with his daughter. But that wasn’t quite enough to persuade her to give in to his charms. She had done that once with another charmer; she didn’t intend to do it again.

On the fourth ring she finally answered.

“Hey, sis, where’d you go yesterday in such a hurry?”

The call Michelle would have made herself had it not been for Nick Kempner’s untimely appearance.

Michelle gripped the phone with all the hurt she had felt since the backyard barbecue. “I needed to get out of there.”

“Was it that bad?”

Not all of it. Nick crept into her thoughts like some panther on the prowl. She willed him to disappear, at least for the time being. “Actually, it was okay. I just had some work to do at home.”

“You’re mad at me for not telling you about the baby, aren’t you?”

The remorse in Brooke’s tone helped to ease Michelle’s hurt, but it didn’t completely go away.

“I’m disappointed, Brooke. I hated learning about the baby as if I’m some casual acquaintance. Why didn’t you say something sooner?”

“I tried to tell you last Friday evening, but you were still at work. I even left a message on your cell phone voice mail for you to call. I never heard from you. And then you came late to the party and there just wasn’t enough time or the opportunity.”

All valid reasons, Michelle decided. Valid reasons for Brooke not telling her this past weekend. “True, I haven’t checked my private voice mail in a couple of days. But why didn’t you tell me after you found out?”

“Because I knew you’d be worried about me. You know how you get when it comes to my health, especially with the asthma. I wanted to make sure enough time had passed so you’d know that everything’s fine.”

Michelle couldn’t deny that she was concerned. More than concerned. “Of course I’m going to worry. You’re my baby sister. But you have to know how happy I am for you and Jared.”

“I do know that, and please understand I never meant to hurt you, Shelly. This was just something Jared and I agreed upon, waiting until I was at least in my second trimester.”

Second trimester? “When is this baby due?”

“October twenty-ninth.”

Michelle did a mental countdown. “You’re beginning your third trimester, Brooke. How is that possible? You’re barely showing.”

“Mom told me she didn’t show until the later months so I guess I’ve inherited that from her. But I really can’t believe you didn’t notice my, shall we say, blossoming figure.”

With Michelle’s recent work schedule and her visits with her parents, she hadn’t been around Brooke all that much in recent months to notice. Besides, Michelle had a knack for being oblivious to certain things. “Well, I did notice you’re looking a bit more healthy than normal, and that you’re wearing baggier clothes, but I thought that went along with being happily married.”

Brooke laughed. “Heavens, I hope not. I hope it’s the pregnancy that’s necessitated a Wide Load sign across my butt, not my marriage.”

Michelle joined in the laughter for a few moments before her concern for Brooke’s health again kicked in. “What about the asthma?”

“I’m doing fine with that. My doctor’s watching it closely. I’m getting by without much medication. We’ll just hope for the best.”

Brooke, always the optimist. Michelle wished she could be as sanguine, but she had witnessed Brooke’s asthma when it had been at its worst. So many times Michelle had wished she could take it all away from her sister. She still did, but that wasn’t possible, then or now. She would simply offer all her support to Brooke and pray everything turned out okay.

“Okay, Brookie, I guess you and Jared know what you’re doing. Obviously you do, or you wouldn’t be pregnant.”

“Cut it out, Shelly. You’re making me blush.”

“Yeah, right. What would make you blush would blister a metal wash pot.”

“True. After living with Jared, I think I’m about all blushed out.”

Michelle experienced a tug of envy. What would it be like to have a man love you as completely as Jared loved Brooke? What would it be like to have a child with that man?

Nick Kempner hopped into Michelle’s brain once again like an annoying grasshopper. Or a frog. Why did she keep thinking about him? Men like Nick and commitment were not necessarily synonymous. Not that she wanted a commitment anytime soon. Or at least that wasn’t what she’d planned—

“Are you still there, Shelly?”

“Yeah, still here.”

“Mom said you were talking to Nick at the party.”

Michelle cringed, thinking she had somehow blurted out his name unconsciously. “Why on earth did you bring that up?”

“Jared told me he’s really interested in you.”

Interested in rattling her proverbial chain, Michelle thought. She had definitely been prisoner to his espresso eyes and high-voltage grin that afternoon. But only for a moment. Okay, a few moments. “Is there a point to this, Brooke?”

“Nick’s a decent guy, Shelly. A great dad, too. You might want to give him a chance.”

“I’ve got enough going on with mom and dad, my job—”

“Admit it. You’re afraid to get too close to anyone.”

And with good reason, Michelle decided. “Don’t you dare try your hand at matchmaking again. If you recall, you did that already and it was a disaster.”

“You’re not going to let me forget that, are you? I didn’t know Brett was married when I introduced you two.”

“Neither did he. At least he didn’t act like it.” And neither had Michelle until it had been too late. Until she had invested a lot of time and emotions in a relationship that could never be.

“Point taken,” Brooke said. “But does one bad experience have to spoil everything? Take me, for instance. If I hadn’t opened myself up again, I wouldn’t be married to Jared now. You were the one who encouraged me to go for it. I honestly believe there’s someone out there for you, too. Someone who’s your type and can make you happy.”

Michelle couldn’t find it in her heart to believe it. “Maybe I don’t have a type, Brooke.”

Brooke sighed. “Maybe you’re not looking in the right place.”

Michelle was basically tired of looking. Besides, her current celibate lifestyle held certain advantages, the least of which was not having to sort through the man pile to find that gem of a guy. She doubted he existed, at least for her.

“I don’t want anything serious, Brooke.”

“Who says you have to consider anything serious? What about living for the moment? Why don’t you try Nick out, see where it goes?”

“I can’t have just a fling.” Michelle didn’t relish the thought of keeping emotions totally out of it. It seemed to work for men—Brett included, and more than likely Nick—but she wasn’t sure it would ever work for her.

“Admit it,” Brooke said, “you’re scared to have fun, and you know that Nick Kempner would probably be lots of fun.”

Michelle was scared to get involved at the risk of getting her heart trampled. “Nick Kempner’s as fast as a race-car driver and he would probably lose me in the first turn.”

“I honestly believe you could hold your own with him.”

Oh, brother, or sister in this case. “Enough, Brooke.”

Brooke released a sigh of defeat. “Okay, I’ll lay off. I need to get to bed, anyway. Jared’s waiting for me.”

“That doesn’t sound conducive to rest.”

“Maybe not, but what a way to lose sleep. The man is insatiable. But then, so am I. Pregnancy does crazy things to a woman’s hormones, let me tell you.”

This time Michelle’s face burned. “I don’t want all the torrid details, so go to bed.”

“One more thing. Did you change your mind about going to the gala?”

First Nick, now Brooke. “I’m not in the mood for dancing.”

“Then do you mind baby-sitting at our house? We’re planning to go with a few friends, and we could use someone to stay with the kids. We can have everyone meet over here, since our place is bigger than your apartment.”

What a relief that Brooke hadn’t lit into another lecture on how Michelle needed to get out more. “How many are you expecting to be there?”

The way Brooke paused to clear her throat, Michelle expected an army of feisty two-year-olds. Instead Brooke said, “Only one right now, but there could be more. It will give you some practice playing aunt.”

Michelle didn’t need any practice. Five years Brooke’s senior, she’d diapered and changed Brooke, cared for her like the “little mother” for as long as she could remember. Still, she did love kids and wouldn’t mind spending her Saturday evening with a few. Much less complicated than spending time trying to second-guess a man. “Okay. Sounds like fun. I’ll be over around six.”

“Great. You’re the best.”

“And don’t you forget it,” Michelle teased.

“I gather I’m forgiven for not telling you about the baby.”

“Of course. I’ll always forgive you no matter what you do.”

Three

“Brooke Lewis Granger, I may never forgive you for this,” Michelle muttered as she peeked through her sister’s living room curtain.

Striding up Brooke and Jared’s walkway was none other than Nick Kempner, dressed in black tie and accompanied by his daughter, obviously Michelle’s charge for the evening. She adored Kelsey and didn’t mind one bit baby-sitting the little girl. However, she did mind the fact that she would have to face the girl’s father, especially since he looked like a young version of James Bond with his tanned face contrasting the white tuxedo shirt, his dark hair primed to perfection. At the moment the doctor was definitely shaking and stirring her belly.

Kelsey stood by his side, jerking his arm up and down like an old-fashioned well pump handle. Without regard for his neatly combed hair and perfectly pressed tuxedo, he grabbed her up and hoisted her onto his shoulders. She patted his head as if to say, Good boy.

Michelle backed away from the window and paced the room, letting go a string of mild curses aimed at her sister’s continued secrecy.

When the doorbell rang, Michelle simply stared at the entrance. It rang once again but before she spurred herself into action, Brooke appeared wearing a robe.

“Are you going to get it, Shelly?”

“Are you going to explain why you didn’t tell me I was sitting for Nick Kempner’s daughter?”

Brooke had the gall to play innocent. “You didn’t ask.”

“Where are the rest of the kids?”

Brooke’s gaze slid away. “Uh, actually, everyone else has sitters, so it’s just Kelsey. Nick was the only one in a bind.”

Nick wasn’t the only one, Michelle thought. Nowhere to run, nowhere to hide. And she got the distinct feeling this was another one of Brooke’s subtle attempts at more matchmaking.

Without further comment Brooke opened the door to allow Nick entry while Michelle hung back right behind the opening to the den. She moved inside the room to where she could still see Nick, but Nick couldn’t see her. Enough distance to allow her the opportunity to get a good look at him without him knowing it. And what a view it was.

Whomever he’d decided to escort tonight, she was one lucky girl. Michelle battled the sudden jealousy, knowing she had no right to feel that way. After all, she had turned Nick down.

Kelsey rushed in like a tempest and grabbed Brooke around the knees.

“Whoa, Cisco,” Nick said. “Be careful with Aunt Brooke. She’s going to have a baby, remember?”

Kelsey looked up at her dad and stuck out a defiant chin. “I’m Kelsey not Cisco.”

Nick reached down and ruffled her curls. “I don’t care if your name is mud, you still need to be careful.”

With an awe-filled expression, Kelsey stood on tiptoes and patted Brooke’s belly. “Hi, baby!”

Smiling, Brooke said, “Baby says hi to you, too.”

“I don’t hear baby,” Kelsey stated with a four-year-old’s certainty.

Nick grabbed Kelsey back up into his arms. “Only mommies can hear babies when they’re still in their tummies.”

“And daddies, too,” Michelle added, deciding she might as well join in and get it over with.

Nick glanced from Kelsey to Michelle, shock splashed all over his gorgeous face. “Michelle? What are you doing here?” He slowly lowered Kelsey to her feet. “Did you change your mind about the gala?”

She looked down at her ragged cutoffs and sloppy T-shirt. “Yeah, right. This is the latest in evening wear. Chic grunge. Do you like it?”

He gave her a lingering once-over and a slow-burn smile. “Works for me.”

She should have known better than to ask his opinion. “Actually, I have a date with your daughter this evening.”

Brooke took the opportunity to announce, “I’ll go see if Jared’s ready. And they say women take too long in the bathroom.” She scurried around the corner in record time to make her escape.

“You’re the baby-sitter?” The shock had returned to Nick’s face and resounded in his tone.

Obviously, Michelle wasn’t the only one left in the dark. “Yes, I’m the sitter. And if you’re worried about that, I can give you references.”

“I don’t need any references. I trust you. I just thought you had work to do.”

“I do, but it can wait until after Kelsey goes to bed, in case you’re worried I’ll neglect her for my layouts.” She knelt at Kelsey’s level and pointed to her left toward the sofa table sitting in the middle of the den. “There’s some fresh-baked cookies over there, Kelsey. You can have one if Daddy says it’s okay.”

Kelsey stared up at Nick. “’Kay, Daddy?”

“Sure. But save some for me.”

“’Kay.” Kelsey headed toward the treat, leaving Nick and Michelle alone to face off.

“Maybe I should change my plans,” he said after a few moments of silence.

“Then you don’t trust me.”

“I’m not saying that. I just thought it might be nice to have a visit. Me, you and Kelsey.” He heavily emphasized the “me” and “you” part.

“Why? And waste a good tuxedo rental?”

“I own it.”

He would. “Oh. But I’m sure your presence will be greatly missed,” she added, trying to discourage him from making good on his suggestion. She didn’t trust herself to be alone with him, even with his child present. Children eventually went to sleep. Unfortunately, her unwelcome attraction to him might not.

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