Page 17 of Nick: His to Claim

“I amnotneglecting my kids. How dare you say that,” she demanded, furious to the point she was physically shaking. “Just who do you think you are?”

“I happen to be the father of the kid that’s picking up the slack around here. Jason is a teenager and very responsible, but he shouldn’t have to take on what he does just because his mother’s too stubborn to accept any help.”

“I said I don’t want or need your help, and furthermore?—”

“You may not want it, but you sure need it—that and a few other things I can think of,” he whispered darkly.

The heat that coursed through her so suddenly had nothing to do with fury. Several seconds passed while she struggled with the images his words provoked. Firelight, smooth glistening muscles, hot breath, sweet whispered sighs. Desire poured through her like sweet cream, reaching every part of her body. Sinking into the chair, she held her stomach as if in pain. God, she wanted him. If he was with her now instead of miles away,she’d let him take her on the hard dirty floor of the site trailer; hot and hard, fast and furious…

“Maggie?” he questioned softly. “Are you there?”

How he frightened her. His voice stroked her, weakened her, and terrified her. This man can get to me, she thought, really get to me. This lawyer in blue jeans and boots, with the rugged body and the bluest bedroom eyes, was going to make mincemeat out of her if she didn’t watch herself. He was going to get everything he wanted, and she was going to end up some kind of sickening, dependent whiner who could only mutter “yes, dear” and “of course not, dear” if she wasn’t careful. Maggie took a deep breath and spoke firmly into the phone. The voice that Nick heard however was soft and shaky.

“Look Nick, I’ve got to go. They need me outside. Take the kids to see the office, and I’ll be home as soon as I can.”

“That’s my Maggie, always on the run,” he responded almost sadly.

That’s right, Nick, she thought, and I’m going to keep right on running just as fast as I can.

“We’ll talk later, got to go.”

* * *

It was shortly after nine o’clock when Maggie pulled into the driveway. She’d kept the crew working until the light failed and then found some other things to keep her busy for a while. Finally, unable to put it off any longer, she’d headed for the pickup, absently noticing a car still parked on the site. As she pulled out, her headlights shone on the vehicle and she shivered, recognizing Jack Harley sitting in the driver’s seat. Gunning her engine she hurried out onto the road, watching in her rearview mirror as his lights came on and he pulled out behind her.

Maggie was certain he followed her for several miles, but she lost sight of him in the traffic. The sick feeling in the pit of her stomach persisted despite the way she tried to convince herself it was no big deal. After all it was a free country, and he could drive any road he wanted, but she still made a mental note to mention it to Mason tomorrow. Emotionally she just couldn’t handle another confrontation, and she sure wouldn’t give him an excuse to make good on his threat.

Pushing Jack to the back of her mind, Maggie let herself in the back door. Jason was doing his homework at the kitchen bar, and he looked up worriedly when she came in.

“Are you all right, Mom?” he inquired, his handsome face creased with concern. “You look upset about something.”

“I’m fine,” she lied smoothly, dropping a kiss on his cheek as she headed for the bathroom.

“Well, Nick said you weren’t yourself. He stayed until Caitie went to sleep and told me to call him if there were any problems.”

Maggie stopped and turned back to her son.

“I’m fine, Jason, just tired. Did you go see Nick’s place?” she asked, rotating her neck to relieve some of the strain and trying to appear less than interested.

Jason grinned.

“Yeah, it’s real nice… you know, classy. There’s an extra room where he’s going to put a TV, video games and stuff, maybe even a pool table. He said I could stop there on my way home from school. It’s only over on Maple, and if I wanted a ride home or something, he’d take me.”

Maggie sat down across from him, watching the expression on his face. It was very clear he thought a lot of Nick, admired him, and valued his opinion. Maggie hated to burst his bubble, but it sounded like Nick was making a lot of promises.

“Ya know what else he said?”

“What honey?”

“He said if I wanted to get into an after school sports club or something, just let him know what days and he’d come over here and stay with the brats.”

“Don’t refer to your brother and sister as brats, and how is he going to manage all that and run a law practice too?” she asked, trying not to let her anger show. This was just what she’d been afraid of. Jason was bound to be hurt and confused when Nick couldn’t follow through with all his promises.

“He told his secretary never to schedule an appointment after three o’clock. That way if I need him, he’d be able to help out. He said he would consider taking on a partner if he needed to, someone who can handle late afternoon stuff. And Mom, you should see his secretary. Her name is Monica, and she’s really hot.”

Maggie’s “it figures” went unnoticed.

“She was there putting books and stuff away, and I could tell she liked me. She has this curly blonde hair, and she doesn’t look much older than me, maybe eighteen or nineteen.”