Page 2 of Nick: His to Claim

“Nick,” she began, twisting her hands in agitation. “About New Year’s Eve—that was a mistake, and?—”

Nick spun her around to face him before she could finish.

“No, Maggie, that wasn’t a mistake. As a matter of fact, it was the first thing we’ve done right in fifteen years. I won’t let you get away with denying it. You wanted me too.”

Memories of that night flooded Maggie’s senses, threatening to weaken her resolve. For some reason, Nick had more power over her now than he had back then. Toughen up, lady, before you blow it, she told herself. Before it was just you, now your whole family is at stake.

“We had some fun together, Nick, but that doesn’t mean?—”

“Fun!Fun?Is that what you call it?” he asked in amazement. “Maggie, we made love; but you can call it anything that’ll make you feel better about it,” he drawled sarcastically.

Fire flamed in Maggie’s face. Her hand shot up with surprising strength to slap him, but he caught it sharply and used it to pull her against him. His arm swung back behind her effectively pinning her against his tall frame.

“Listen, Nick?—”

“No, you listen. It seems to me you’ve made all the decisions here, and while I won’t hold the past against you, from now on Jason has a motheranda father. I won’t be shut out any longer. Do I make myself clear?” he ground down at her, blue eyes blazing.

Maggie struggled to get out of his grasp and failed.

“You don’t have any right to tell me how it’s going to be,” she snapped, flinging her head back. “I’ve done just fine without you.”

“That’s where you’re wrong, honey; I do have rights. I’m a lawyer, a very tough, successful lawyer. Don’t let these clothes fool you. I’m just as comfortable in a three piece suit, and I’ll haul your ass into court so fast your head will spin.”

“For what?” she demanded, really feeling threatened now.

“Blood tests, DNA matching, whatever it takes to prove Jason is mine. There’s not a court in this country that will deny me. I didn’t abandon my son. I was denied him, and I’ll do whatever I have to do to make it right.”

Maggie could feel the rage in Nick even if his words were deceptively soft. Panic kept her silent, pure panic, but a surge of adrenalin followed right on its heels. The woman Nick held suddenly became a wildcat, hands and feet flying. Before he could get a better hold she delivered a sharp smack to the side of his head, and it was all he could do to block another one.

“Don’t you dare threaten me,” she screamed furiously as she delivered a kick with her steel-toed boots that barely missed.

“Settle down,” he commanded sharply, amazed at the strength of her diminutive form. Nick was well over six feet tall, and while he was incredibly strong for someone whose job wasn’t exactly physically demanding, Maggie was small and quick.

“Stop it, Maggie,” he thundered, just about at the end of his patience.

The tone of his voice succeeded in halting her for a moment but not long enough for Nick to get a grip on his bundle of fury.

“Maggie,” he panted, yelping when her foot finally did connect with his shin. “Damn it woman,” he warned. “Stop it right now, or I swear I’ll blister you right here in front of God and everybody!”

“Go ahead,” she screamed in outrage, “and I’ll have you arrested Mr. Hot Shot Lawyer!”

“Ah, but I have bail money,” he grunted when he finally managed to get her into a position where she couldn’t do any more damage—her back to his chest, arms pinned, and one long leg wrapped around both of hers. “I’m sure the boys down at the station would love to take a few pictures of that delectable behind of yours. Maybe I’d even have to come down and match up my hand to the prints I’m going to leave there,” he told her, grinning as he kissed the top of her head. “Go ahead and have me arrested sweetheart, but don’t plan on sitting down for a month.”

Maggie’s eyes were shut as she tried to catch her breath. Unable to move a muscle, the clearing of a throat made her eyes snap open.

“Jesus,” she moaned under her breath.

“You want me to get the boss man, Maggie?” Charlie Brooks asked, twisting his hat in his hands, not sure how to handle the situation. Maggie was her own woman. She didn’t like interference, but all the same, if it had been anyone but the boss’s brother, Charlie would have jumped in first and asked questions later.

“Thanks, Charlie, that won’t be necessary,” Mason’s deep voice boomed from behind Nick. “I’m right here.”

Mason Kord surveyed the scene before him without betraying a single thought. Eye to eye with his older brother, a silent communication passed between them, and his big shoulders relaxed.

“Let her go, Nick,” he ordered softly, patting his brother on the back in understanding. “I can’t begin to comprehend what’s going on here, but you cannot come on my job site and assault my foreman, who also happens to be a very good friend.”

Surprisingly, Nick released her, nodding to Mason.

Maggie jumped away and stumbled. Mason’s arm shot out to catch her, sliding consolingly around her shoulders.