Page 8 of Nick: His to Claim

“Maggie, you are a woman. Have you been working so long in your steel-toed boots, that you’ve forgotten that? And I’ll tell you one more thing, you can wear your jeans, stuff your hair under a hard hat, and boss that crew like MacArthur, but every man there is more than aware that you’re a woman.”

“There’s nothing wrong with a woman doing my job. I happen to be very good at it.”

“I’m not saying that,” Nick argued, trying to keep his cool in the face of her tirade. “You should be able to do any type of work you want regardless of your sex, but Maggie you’re running.”

“And here I thought you were a lawyer. You didn’t tell me you were also a psychiatrist,” she shot back sarcastically.

“It doesn’t take a genius to figure it out, honey. You’ve been running scared ever since New Year’s, avoiding me like the plague, or I wouldn’t have had to track you down at work. What are you afraid of Maggie? Why can’t you admit that it’s tough going it alone? You have needs just like?—”

“I do not need anything. For your information I’m doing just fine, or I was until you started?—”

“Started what, Maggie? Started making you remember there are other things in life besides work and kids? Started making you feel again?”

“You make me feel all right, make me feel like wringing your neck.”

Nick laughed. “Well, I guess that’s a start. You won’t do it, Maggie,” he whispered softly, “and do you want to know why?”

“No, but I’m sure you’re dying to tell me.”

“Because you’re afraid to touch me,” he told her, his voice deep and heavy.

Maggie’s stomach muscles contracted. Her throat closed as she tried to draw breath.

“Afraid if you do, I’ll put my arms around you and?—”

“Nick,” she choked out, her heart beating rapidly against her ribs. “I’ve got to go. I hear Caitie crying, she must be having a nightmare.” There, she’d lied three times in one day. What was happening to her?

“All right, Maggie. I get the message. Go take care of the munchkin. I’ll see you Saturday.”

“I have plans for Saturday.”

“Change them.”

“I can’t. Saturday is the only day I have to get things done around here.”

“Fine, have it your way, but I’m picking up the kids like I promised. I want time with Jason, and I wouldn’t hurt Todd and Caitie by leaving them out. Have them ready.”

“Nick, I don’t think this is a good idea.”

“I don’t either, but it’s the best option I have right now. Don’t push me,” he sighed. “You’re treading on very thin ice.”

“All right, they can go, but you better enjoy it because Monday morning I’m calling my own lawyer,” she informed him, trying to keep her voice steady. “This has to be blackmail or something.”

“What this is, Maggie, is a reasonable man trying like hell to keep from spanking some sense into a totally unreasonable woman,” he shot back almost growling into the phone. “And in case you’re wondering, even I’m not sure how much longer I can continue being reasonable.”

Maggie shivered, whether from fear or desire she wasn’t sure.

She had been Rebecca’s maid of honor the day she married Mason, and it was a day she’d never forget. Maggie had stood before the alter, trembling while Mason had instructed his bride-to-be on the proper response to the question ‘Do you promise to love, honor, and obey?’ Absolutely mortified at what was taking place, a part of her was a little jealous and wondering what it would be like to have the love of that kind of man. Someone strong and confident who would love and care for you, even if you were acting like an idiot. Someone to help and guide you, who would hold you accountable, yet be a strong supporter and a tender place to rest your head when the world became just too damn much.

“Maggie?” Nick’s rough voice pulled her back to the present with a jolt.

“I heard you, Saturday, but don’t get used to it,” she told him trying to keep the quiver out of her voice. “I have to go. Goodnight.”

While not afraid of Nick, he had definitely given her something to think about. Not that she wanted to. Her heart was beating way too fast, and she couldn’t stop the butterflies in her tummy. Crawling into bed, she made a mental note to herself. Don’t talk to Nick at night and then expect to be able to sleep! First thing Monday morning, she would be calling her lawyer to see just how good a case Nick had. She had berated herself as a hopeless fool all those years ago when she’d secreted away the letters she had sent Nick. All of them had been returned unopened. Now she was hoping they might be of some use.

* * *

Nick paced the apartment alternately cursing and groaning in frustration. Let her call her lawyer. Maybe it would help convince her that she didn’t have a prayer of keeping Jason from him. His jeans rode low on his slim hips, and his bare feet made no sound on the thick carpet. He’d fallen asleep on the couch, and Maggie’s phone call caught him off guard. That woman was driving him crazy. It was a good thing she had those kids, because if it had been only her, he’d be beating down her door right now.