What he appreciated most though was what she was doing for his daughter. She loved Precious. He heard it in her voice and saw it in her eyes each time she interacted with her. What man wouldn’t be drawn to a woman who was that devoted his child?
Erik turned from the window and walked into the direction of the bathroom. He knew full well that it was much more than Michelle’s devotion to his daughter that endeared her to him.
Each time he delivered a baby, he imagined it was his child he’d taken from Michelle’s womb. He wanted to make lots of babies with her. He wanted to watch them suckle at her breasts and hear them call her Mommy. He wanted to see the love in her eyes as she tucked them into bed and kissed them good night. But he was a long way from bringing those fantasies to life.
He stared at his reflection in the bathroom mirror, last night’s conversation with his mother fueling his thoughts. Cassie wanted him to fall in love and marry again. That knowledge should relieve his guilt, but sadly it produced the opposite affect. If he’d known Cassie believed some psychic’s premonition that she would die young, he would not have fought with her so often, and especially not that night. He would have waited until morning as she’d asked.#p#分页标题#e#
But morning never came. He was stuck in that night, that moment when he heard the unforgettable thud of the car colliding with her body. He would give anything to take back the last unkind words he’d thrown at her, but he couldn’t. Ever.
He would carry that load of guilt and stupidity for the rest of his life.
Knowing that, how could he ever expect to be happily in love again?
CHAPTER NINE
Michelle was trying not to grin too widely as she descended the stairs. Anybody looking at her might think she’d hit the jackpot and was trying hard to keep it a secret. In her opinion, the joy that flooded her heart at the moment far outweighed the value of any million-dollar jackpot.
Last night, while she and Precious were watching Ratatouille in the family room, Erik had surprisingly walked in, plodded down on the sectional, planted his bare feet on the ottoman and dove into the bowl of popcorn she and Precious were sharing.
Except for the initial “Hi, Daddy,” from Precious, who immediately snuggled up next to him, nobody said anything, yet it felt like a thousand conversations were going on around them. Michelle had never seen Ratatouille before and had honestly been enjoying the movie. After Erik joined them, she found her gaze wandering off to his masculine physique silhouetted against the sofa and wondering what it would feel like to snuggle up to his other side, lay her cheek against his chest, and listen to the beating of his heart beneath her ears.
It was at one of those precarious moments that he turned his head and gazed at her, sending a spark of eroticism bursting through the air. From then on, Michelle had kept her eyes on the television even though she’d lost her ability to follow the story line.
When the movie ended, they’d gone to the kitchen for lemonade and some homemade bread pudding. Afterwards, Precious had demanded that they both tuck her into bed. Michelle had gently declined as the situation had begun to feel too much like a family affair. Her love for the little girl and her strong feelings for her employer were getting way out of control. She had to pull back on her reins. But it was not easy saying no to Precious, and the little girl’s persistence finally won out.
Except for one little glitch in the form of a phone call while they were putting away the dishes, she had to say that spending quality time with Erik and Precious last night was the most amazing experience she’d ever had. It was the kind of family she wanted one day.
By the time she and Erik left Precious’ room, an intense sexual tension had developed between them. Neither said a word as they stood in the hallway outside her bedroom. She remembered the smoldering flame in Erik’s eyes and the unsteady rise and fall of his chest as his gaze roved hungrily up and down her scantily clad body.
She’d never been more conscious of his virile appeal, and had hoped he’d drag her down the hall to his bed and make sweet, slow love to her all night long. But he didn’t.
He’d groaned, raked his fingers through his brown curls and said, “Go to bed, Michelle. Just go to bed,” before strolling down the hall in the direction of the master suite.
Their little arrangement had become complicated beyond reason, Michelle thought as she walked through the dining room. Something had to give. It was unrealistic to think that either one of them could resist this kind of temptation for five years while living under the same roof.
“Good morning, Mrs. Hayes,” Michelle said as she sauntered into the kitchen. “Wait, a minute.” She frowned as her eyes took in the slices of bread, turkey, cheese, tomatoes, and lettuce on the counter. “What are you doing here? This is your day off. Don't tell me you’re getting senile in your old age,” she added with a ripple of mirth.#p#分页标题#e#