Michelle had been wondering the same thing since Erik called and asked her to pick up Precious. He’d said he was in the middle of something important. “He’s at home.”#p#分页标题#e#
“Goody. It makes me sad when he goes away. Did your daddy go away when you were a little girl, Michelle?”
“Yes.” And I wish he’d stayed the hell away.
“Did it make you sad?”
She slowed down as she approached a four-way stop. “No, I had Uncle Robert to play with me.”
“I wish I had a little brother or a sister to play with me. Then I won’t be so sad when Daddy goes away. But you play with me, and I’m not so sad anymore, but I still miss my daddy, and my mommy, too.”
As Michelle eased up off the brakes and proceeded across the intersection, her heart ached for the child whose world had been turned upside down by the loss of her mother. Even though she was trying as hard as she could to fill the maternal void, no matter how close they got, Michelle knew she could never replace Cassie in Precious’ life.
“I’m happy Daddy’s home. Are you, Michelle?”
“Yes.” She was both happy and nervous. Telling Erik about her father was not something she was looking forward to. All week long, she’d been rehearsing the speech she should have given last Saturday after their dinner guests left.
She was all prepped to confess that night, but while she was putting Precious to bed, Erik was called to the hospital. She was asleep when he got home and then he left early the next morning. She’d planned to tell him over coffee this morning, but he never came down, and had asked Mrs. Hayes to bring breakfast to his room for him and Precious. He was still there when she left to take Precious to school and then go on to Manchester.
The only communication she’d had with him all day was when he interrupted her meeting to ask that she pick up Precious from school. He was unusually vague, seemingly cool with her. He was almost as aloof as the day they met.
Something had happened in D.C. She was certain of it. She’d been living with this man for more than two months. He had a routine. This was the first time it had changed. No running, no lingering over the paper and early morning coffee.
A lot had happened since Boston, she realized. Danielle’s death and the conference had kept him preoccupied. But now that he had time to reflect, she wondered if he were having second thoughts about his impulsive behavior in marrying her, making love to her. Did he feel he’d betrayed Cassie’s memory by remarrying before her case was solved? She had no idea what was going on in his head, and it was making her crazy.
“Why’s Mommy’s car out?” Precious asked as Michelle came up the driveway and parked behind the fire red Porsche that had been garaged for probably over two years.
As Precious bolted out of the car, Michelle watched Erik deposit an armful of clothes into the trunk of the Porsche. He slammed it shut and turned around just as his daughter threw herself at him.
“How’s my baby girl?” he asked hugging her to his chest and planting kisses on her face.
Michelle wished his love for her could be as open and wholesome as it was for his daughter. Her mind burned with the memory of being held against that strong naked body, the thrill of his mouth on hers and on every other crevice of her body. Her blood soared as she recalled the raw passion that had consumed them. Her whole body ached for his touch again.
Over his daughter’s shoulder, Erik met Michelle’s gaze as she leaned against the hood of the Jaguar. The longing he saw in her beautiful black eyes stirred a primal need deep within his own soul. He’d missed her something fiercely while he was in D.C. He’d dreamed about her every night and thought about her all day, so much that he’d been unable to concentrate on the brilliant and informative lectures going on around him.#p#分页标题#e#
Then yesterday, he’d finally cornered Clayton and demanded answers. It wasn’t even close to what he’d expected, but it had, nevertheless, left him wondering if he’d ever be able to trust, much less love another woman again. He even thought of annulling his secret marriage and letting Michelle go.
God, he still couldn’t believe what Cassie had done. How she’d deceived him for five long years, just because of something some stupid psychic had told her. If she’d only trusted him. So full were his anger and sadness, he’d no will, no energy to get out of bed this morning. He hadn’t wanted to see Michelle. He hadn’t wanted to see anyone. He’d just wanted his head and the world to stop spinning. He’d felt as lost and hopeless as the morning after Cassie’s death.