Cassie was swamped by such a wave of relief that she had to clutch the edge of the desk to steady herself.
'You would make a good adversary in the boardroom, Cassie Palmer,' Dan admitted. 'But don't underestimate your opponent. You haven't won yet.'
Her chest tightened. She should have known that this wouldn't be the end of the matter. Dan was not a man willing to lose. In anything.
The possibility of his kidnapping Jason again crossed her mind. As melodramatic as such an event seemed, people did do dreadful things when desperate. Cassie had to stop the situation from deteriorating to that level.
'I'm prepared to be reasonable about access,' she offered tautly.
Dan's expression remained guarded. 'Oh? In what way? As friend, or father?'
Cassie bit her bottom lip. 'I...I don't think it's wise to tell him you're his father just yet.'
'And why not?' The black eyes glinted dangerously. 'He doesn't think I'm dead, does he?'
'No...'
'Well, what does he think? What have you told him about me?'
'I... Not much. I explained that I didn't want to marry his father as I was too young, and that you lived too far away to visit.'
'And he accepts that?'
She shrugged. 'Jason's only eight. Perhaps in time he'll want more.'
'Why do you object to my telling Jason I'm his father?'
'This isn't the city, Dan. People around here are shockable. And narrow-minded. Jason would be hurt by the gossip.'
'And you? Would you be hurt by the gossip?'
Cassie drew herself up straight. 'I'd survive.'
Dan's expression was hard to read. Was it admiration? Or derision... 'I've no doubt you would,' he mocked, answering the question for her.
'You won't tell him?' she swept on, chin still up.
His hesitation in answering made her stomach churn. 'I can't promise that, Cassie,' he finally admitted.
She almost stamped her foot. 'Damn you, Dan! Didn't you listen to what I said?'
'I do not live my life according to the opinions of others,' he snarled.
Her laugh was scornful. 'As well I know.'
'I don't blame you totally for wanting to turn the screw, Cassie,' he said in a low, deadly voice, 'but I'm warning you, don't keep doing it too long.'
She was about to speak, to challenge him, but common sense made her hold her tongue. Push him too far and who knew what he might do? At least he seemed to have dropped his ridiculous marriage proposal.
'What about tomorrow afternoon?' she asked, deliberately changing the subject. 'Do you still intend picking Jason up from school?'
'Yes.'
'You won't drive fast?'
'Of course not.'
'And he'll be safe in the helicopter?'
'For God's sake, Cassie!' Dan exploded. 'He's my son, too. I wouldn't dream of putting him at risk.'
Cassie believed him. Whatever else, Dan seemed to care about the boy. 'I...I'll tell him to wait for you at the bus-stop outside the school.
Do you know where the Riversbend primary school is?'
'I'll find it.'
'It's down a side-street. It ‑'
'I said I'd find it, Cassie. I've made my way successfully around the world several times. I don't need someone to hold my hand. Just you make sure you come personally to collect Jason, with your answer ready.'
'My answer? You mean...you still expect...?'
His expression was totally impassive. 'My proposal of marriage still stands, Cassie.'
'And if I say no?'
'I don't think you will, once you come to terms with the situation.'
Cassie gaped her astonishment.
'I'm sure you don't want Jason to be unhappy,' Dan went on, 'any more than I do.'
'How on earth can you ‑?'
'Do let me finish, my dear,' he cut in coldly.
She sighed her frustration, but let him continue.
'You say that telling Jason I'm his father just now is not in his best interests. I challenge that. I think Jason needs me. And he needs me now! Not in six months' or six years' time. How do you think he'll feel if and when you finally reveal the truth? Do you think he'll appreciate your reasons for delaying? Or that he'll believe you were only protecting him from gossip? There's bound to be gossip no matter when we tell him. Of course, the gossip would quickly die down, if you married me...'
'But I can't marry you!' Cassie exclaimed, her glare hiding her underlying panic. 'I won't!' My God, to be with him every day, to sleep with him every night...
Dan's returning glare held no compromise at all. 'Let me assure you, Cassie, I'm not going to go away. And I will eventually tell the boy the truth. It is his right, after all. I must admit, I don't envy your position when I do.'
'What...what do you mean?'
'I wouldn't like having to explain to Jason why you refused to marry his father, especially after I vow my undying love for you both!'
'You'd lie to him?' she husked.
His jaw clenched. 'About what?'
'You might love Jason, but you don't love me, Dan McKay. Don't you dare say that you do!'
He said nothing.
'Why are you doing this?' she threw at him. 'Why?'