Encouraged, Maggie found her voice. “What do you suggest?”
“We take things at a pace you’re comfortable with—date, dinner, a movie—and give ourselves a chance to see how it works.”
The perfect answer. And yet...
“Okay, what have you done with Bad Boy?”
His grin held just enough wickedness to reassure her. And more than enough to heat her blood all over again. The man was lethal!
“You’re sure that’s what you want?”
Maggie should have known better than to tweak the tiger’s tail. The flames leaping in his ice-blue eyes almost singed her.
“Let’s be clear.” His voice was low and deep, pulsing with primal heat. “I want to make love to you. Everywhere. Every way possible. Until we both can’t move.”
Moisture pooled deep within her. Her nipples tightened beneath her blouse.
“But I’m prepared to wait until you’re ready.”
Her body was ready now. Past ready. Her mind wouldn’t let her tell him that.
“Um...all right.” Her voice was husky and she stumbled over her words. “We’ll date. Until...”
“Good.” His interruption was a relief. “The Cats head out on a road trip to Toronto, Ottawa and Buffalo tomorrow, so we can’t get together until the weekend. How about dinner Sunday night?”
“That would be lovely.”
Jake leaned forward, a predatory gleam in his blue eyes. He captured her chin, tilting her face toward him, then brushed his thumb across her lower lip. “Do you kiss on a first date?”
* * *
MAGGIE WOKE WITH a smile, cocooned in a warm, happy glow.
She snuggled deeper in bed as she relived every glorious moment of Jake’s kisses.
Who’d have thought she’d be dating again?
A giggle escaped. Dating a bad-boy hockey player, no less.
Her heart gave a nervous kick, but she reminded herself that while Jake might appear to be a bad boy on the surface, he was a good man inside. He’d showed her that in so many ways. Not least, his reaction to her second thoughts last night.
She wasn’t fool enough to think everything would be plain sailing for them. There was too much baggage on both sides. But her doubts had been quieted enough to give it a try.
Glancing across at her alarm clock, Maggie allowed herself two more minutes to revel in feelings of contentment before she had to get up. This time, though, her thoughts drifted toward anticipation of Sunday night’s date.
The phone rang, its strident chirp interrupting her delicious daydream.
Without thinking, she answered. “Hello?”
“I’m sorry to call so early, Maggie, but we need to talk.”
Her solicitor’s voice shattered the peace and joy of the morning. There was only one reason Samantha would call instead of emailing.
Lee wanted something.
Emily.
CHAPTER TWELVE
I WON’T LET LEE get his hands on Emily.
Maggie’s chest squeezed so tightly, she could hardly breathe.
“What does he want?” she forced out finally. “Is he arguing about how much he pays in child support again?” The question was hopeful, rather than with any conviction.
“You know I wouldn’t bother you with that.” Samantha’s tone was apologetic. “He complains about what he pays you, or rather Emily, every month.”
After an initial settlement, Lee paid only child support. Maggie would rather not have taken a penny from him, but she’d wanted to ensure her daughter’s future was financially secure. She had the money paid into a separate account, in trust for Emily.
“So what does he want?” She wished she could sound nonchalant, but that was impossible. She dreaded what her ex might be demanding.
“Lee’s getting remarried. His fiancée, Patty, is the woman he’s been going out with for the past few months.”
“Okay.” Maggie waited for the other shoe to drop.
It landed like a grenade.
“He wants Emily to come back to England.”
Panic wrenched Maggie’s stomach. She wanted to scream her refusal, but her lips were numb. To grab Emily and run, but her limbs were frozen.
The sound of her daughter moving around in the room next door broke through the wall of ice that encased Maggie. “She can’t. He agreed, in writing, that we could come to the U.S. for twelve months.”
“He’s still entitled to see Emily three times a year.”
“But he hasn’t seen her since before the divorce. Why would he change his mind now?”
“I suspect this is Patty’s idea. Renewing contact with Emily will show everyone he’s changed. She’s been gushing to the gossip media about how they want to start a family.”