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[ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ] She sighed. She knew what Rafe felt for Dom was love and an intense pride in his newfound son. Rafe may have lied to her about his reasons for marrying her, deceived her 147 with his smooth talk, but he could not fake the look of pride on his face nor the joy lighting his eyes as he watched Dom at play or in sleep. Dani was hanging up the dishtowel on the rack above the sink when the objects of her thoughts strolled into the kitchen. Dom, all dressed warm and dry in a heavy one piece green sleeper was help high, held lovingly in his fathers strong arms. She couldn t help but laugh at Rafe s sodden clothing. If you had wanted to take a bath yourself, you could have removed your clothes first, you know? If I had been warned that Dominic liked to play submarine and initiate tidal waves, I certainly would have dressed to fit the occasion. But I enjoyed every dripping minute of it! Isn t that right, my son? Dom showed his agreement with a sleepy smile, revealing small even white teeth. His head dipped to rest on Rafe s shoulder as his small arms circled around his papa s neck. The sight of Dom so at ease in Rafe s arms, his complete acceptance of this stranger made Dani want to cry. Her chest was so tight she could hardly breath. But what did she expect? She d had Dom all to herself for the past year with no thought of ever sharing him. Especially with Rafe. Now he was here. Now, she had to face the reality. But it still hurt to see Dom so accepting& and so quickly. Feeling sicker by the minute, this cold was not helping the situation. And her blasted cold was getting worse, causing her to over react, to harbor fears that may not hold any validity in their future. Keeping this in mind, she pasted a smile on her face to hide the turmoil of emotions swamping her since Rafe s unexpected appearance. Lovingly she rubbed Dom s back. I think it s about time one little boy was in bed. It s past his normal bedtime already. I ll see you tomorrow, Dom. Papa loves you. Rafe pressed a gentle kiss to Dom s forehead before reluctantly handing him over to Dani. 148 Autumn McCullah A grim faced Rafe was standing by the sofa when Dani returned to the living room. As I said last night, we have to talk, Dani. Well, here we go, she groaned inwardly as she sat on the far end of the sofa as far away from him as she could. Look, Rafe, I can see how much Dom has come to mean to you in just a few hours. And I know how important for him that your relationship be permitted to grow. This was more difficult than expected. She had to find the right words so he wouldn t feel she was attempting to keep him out of the picture. But at the same time, she didn t want to encourage his constant interference into their lives. I want you to feel free to visit as often as you like. Dom should know his father, have a masculine influence in his life. But I would like us to be able to work up a schedule of some sort so our lives won t be upset by unexpected visits. No. That didn t sound right. But once the words were out of her mouth, she couldn t retrieve them. Rafe s dark eyes pinned her to the sofa. You can be sure I want to see my son, Dani. I want to be there to see him grow into a man, to be a shoulder to lean on, to see that he has a stable, loving home. No! Oh my God! He wants to take Dom from me, she thought in panic. She could hardly breath; the pain of not being with Dom everyday was unbearable. Dani sat frozen after her one word outburst. She stared at her hands in her lap. Felt the sofa shift as Rafe s much heavier weight settled next to her. She felt his hard muscled thigh pressing against hers, memories of those long powerful legs tangled with hers in their big bed soared out from behind her carefully erected mental barrier. She would not think of that, not now. Not ever again! Dani, there is something else that I want, need, just as badly. And that, little one is my wife. Our son needs a mother and a father. How can I possibly take proper care of the two of you if you remain here? Your place is with me, in my home. Our home, Dani. 149 Quick as lighting a match, her fear turned to anger. Now she knew to what lengths he would go, what sacrifices he would make to ensure Dom would be raised in New Mexico. Surely even he must realize that two people with no love between them could not possibly create the loving, proper atmosphere to raise a happy, well-adjusted child! Dani jumped to her feet, crossing the room to put distance between them. For her sake and Dom s she had to keep a clear head. She was no longer a young, naive love- struck girl. No, now she knew the score where Rafe de Corba was concerned. She wouldn t be tricked with smiles or loving words of family and togetherness. Dani controlled her future and her son s. There was no place for Rafe, except as a visiting father. Visiting in her home. Not living in his. Anger and fever combined in her eyes to emit shining shards of blue. There is no way you will ever get me to return to New Mexico with you, Rafe. Surely you must see that too much as happened between us? There is no way we could pick up the threads of our marriage, if that s what you want to call it. I call it a lie, from beginning to end. I m not saying we wouldn t have some obstacles to overcome, but we have a good foundation for a chance at working out any problems, he growled. Damn, but he didn t want to talk. He wanted to haul her into his arms and make love to her. He wanted to make her see how much he had missed her and how much regretted his callous behavior. Foundation? What are you talking about? Our marriage was based on a lie, Rafe. What kind of a foundation is that to build on? She knew he was referring to their sexual compatibility. The mere thought made her stomach tense in memory of those long nights, her softer, whiter body tangled with his much larger, harder male form in that big bed, all her senses soaring with each touch of his hands and mouth. Don t think about that now. He doesn t love you, and never did. You learned a hard lesson before 150 Autumn McCullah you left his home. And don't ever forget it, Dani admonished herself mentally. Little one, listen to me. Rafe s long legs reached her in a few strides. He reached out to caress her slight shoulders, his touch igniting shivers of delight by his masculine touch. Those hands had touched every part of [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ] |