Babysitting a Billionaire 3 : Taking Control(57)

"Jessica, this is my step mama, Judith McCabe, my sister, Tamara, and"-he paused, a smile flickering at the corners of his mouth-"Penny, Declan's ex-fiancé."

Jess had been studying Declan's mother, now her gaze flashed to the younger woman, and she pursed her lips. "I hear you dumped him. Good move."

Logan choked back a laugh, but Penny merely smiled serenely.

"Ms. Bauer." Declan's mother stepped forward and held out her hand.

She so didn't need this right now. Why hadn't she made some sort of excuse and run away and avoided the whole fiasco?

Because she couldn't resist one last look at him.

Where the hell was he anyway?

She realized Declan's mother had been standing arm outstretched for long seconds and she reached out and shook it briefly. What was she supposed to say-nice to meet you?




 

 

It wasn't. This woman was responsible for what Declan was today. And as far as Jess was concerned, she'd done a crap job.

"It's wonderful to meet you," Declan's mother said graciously. "I do hope we'll be seeing a lot more of you in the future."

She'd been staring at the black door; now she turned back, a frown drawing her brows together. "You do?"

"I'd like to think past differences can be forgotten and we can all move on. Be friends. I'm glad I've had this opportunity to welcome you to the family."

Had she stepped into some weird alternate universe?

"I'm not sure what Declan has told you, Mrs. McCabe, but I assure you I have no intention of becoming a member of your family."

"Call me Judith," the woman said. "And I'm sure Declan will clear up any misunderstandings you may have." She reached out and rested a hand on Jess's arm. Jess stared at it through narrowed eyes. She didn't want to call her Judith. She didn't want to call her anything. After tonight, she had no intention of being within talking distance to this woman again.

She wondered just how much Declan's mother knew of their "misunderstandings." And how the hell had a woman like this gotten mixed up with Rory McCabe?

And how the hell dare she welcome Jess to the family as though it was a possibility.

It wasn't. She could never be part of this.

Even if she wanted to.

Which she didn't.

And in that moment, she hated Judith McCabe for even suggesting the idea. For putting it in her mind.

Beside her, Logan leaned in close and whispered in her ear. "You look like you want to shoot her right now."

She cast him a sideways glance. "Maybe. And I do have a gun." She forced a bright smile on her face. "Well, it was very nice to meet you all, but I'm working tonight, and now I really have to go and check the place out for bad guys."

She didn't wait for anyone to say anything else, just whirled around and stalked off across the room.

Welcome her to the family? Was the woman crazy?

"Never going to happen," she muttered.

"What's never going to happen?" an amused voice said from behind her. She glanced around, to find Logan still close by. As she opened her mouth to answer him, the black door opened and this time Declan stepped out.

"Holy shit."

Chapter Thirteen

For a moment the room faded, the sounds of the music and voices muting.

Tall, dark, and dangerous. This was the bad-boy Declan she'd only ever dreamed about.

Beside her Logan lowered his head. "You like?" he murmured. "You know, it's the general opinion in the family that this vast improvement in Declan's appearance is all for you." 

"Really?" But she wasn't paying attention, every cell focused on Declan. From his sexily tousled midnight hair, to the dark stubble that shadowed his jawline, and lower …  She swallowed. The business suit was a distant memory, replaced by black leather pants that hugged his hips and long legs, and a black T-shirt that stretched across his broad chest. Heat washed through her, settling low down in her belly.

She didn't like to think she was so shallow as to be effected by a mere change of clothes but …  "Holy shit," she said again.

Besides, it wasn't so much that he'd changed his appearance, but the "why" behind it. What he was trying to convey? That maybe he could change? Maybe they both could.

Dark glasses covered his eyes, but he took them off and stared straight at her, his gaze catching and holding hers, and a flame shot between them.

For long seconds they stared at each other, and she couldn't look away.

She was a self-deluding idiot. If she left Declan now, she'd regret it from the moment she turned away. And probably for the rest of her life.

Could she face her fears, overcome them?

"I'll leave you two lovebirds alone," Logan said, but she hardly heard the words.