Stolen Seduction (40 page)

company. And completely blown away by the fact Nicole had put her personal feelings aside and

seemed to understand their father hadn’t pulled back just from her but from both of them, and only

because of Eleanor.

It was both Stella and Nicole’s strength Hailey was clinging to now as she faced her own insecurities. She’d half expected Nicole or Billy, or even Allie, to try to talk her out of leaving the Key West

PD for good. But none of them had. She and Nicole were working together to run Roarke Resorts.

She as CEO and Nicole as president of Operations. And when Hailey had announced she wanted

Billy heading security, no one had seemed surprised. But the kicker had come later, when not a single one of them—Stella included—had protested Hailey’s suggestion to convert RR from a private

company to a public one and open it to shareholders, even though that had never been part of her father’s vision.

Graham had told her once the reason she hadn’t excelled in law enforcement was because deep

down, it wasn’t her passion. Maybe he was right. Maybe this was what she was meant to be doing.

It felt right, just as donating all the artwork in her father’s storage bunker to Stella’s Gate House had

felt right, but she wished the ache she’d been carrying around in her chest the last month would ease

up and cut her a break.

“They already have enough details about Eleanor,” Allie said from the conference table, where she

was studying Hailey’s notes for the press conference. “And Bryan. And Paul.” She looked up. “The

only thing you might want to mention is Madeline’s role in all this. If she hadn’t called Graham to

warn him about Eleanor, things might have gone down very differently.”

Yeah, Hailey already knew that. If Graham hadn’t shown up in Jamaica to try to stop Eleanor, she

and Stella might be dead now. Pain stabbed at her, like it did whenever she thought of Graham, but

she breathed through it. And thanks to Stella—even though she’d been the one wronged in all of

this from the start—no one knew a thing about what Graham had done to earn Eleanor’s loyalty all

those years before.

Another reason Hailey was falling for her mother.

“Why don’t you all give Hailey and me a moment alone before the press conference,” Stella said,

eyeing Hailey at the counter across the room.

“Good lucks” were tossed Hailey’s way as everyone filed out of the administrative offices at the

Roarke Royal Floridian. It had been her father’s first hotel, where he’d met and fallen in love with

Stella. For some reason it seemed fitting to hold this press conference here, now.

When they were alone, Stella crossed to the minibar and pulled out a can of ginger ale. “Drink this.

It’ll help settle your stomach.”

Hailey took the offered can. “Thanks. It’s just nerves.”

Stella eased her hip against the counter. “For the record, I had horrible morning sickness with you.

Granted, mine didn’t start this early, but it used to wipe me out for the entire day. I’m afraid genetics are not your friend on this one.”

Hailey’s hand halted in the act of setting the can on the counter. “I…don’t know what you’re—”

A sad smile slid across Stella’s face. “You can’t keep dodging him, you know. You’re going to have

to face up to this and tell him.”

That ache she’d been fighting flittered across Hailey’s chest. Now she could add mind reader to her

mother’s list of skills. Not only was the woman a world-class painter, charitable philanthropist and

amazing wife, she also didn’t miss a thing.

“I’m not dodging him.”

“Hailey, he’s called every day for the last two weeks. And security at the RR building downtown

said you have a standing order not to let him past the elevators. I’d say that’s dodging him.” Her

voice softened. “I haven’t pushed you on this because you’ve been dealing with a lot, but you’re

miserable. And this has nothing to do with your father’s company or what happened in Jamaica. It

has to do with him, doesn’t it?”

Tears Hailey hated with a passion burned the backs of her eyes. Dammit, she’d only just found out

she was pregnant and the hormones were already doing a number on her. “He’s only persisting because he feels guilty over what happened. It’ll pass.”

“Honey, that’s not guilt. That’s a man who wants a second chance. Trust me, I’ve seen him.”

Hailey’s eyes slid sideways to glance at Stella, and in the silence between them, she asked the question she’d been grappling with for the last month. “What if he doesn’t deserve one?”

Stella rested a hand on Hailey’s arm. “Everyone deserves a second chance. Don’t harden your heart

so much you miss the good parts in life that are right in front of you. That’s what Eleanor did. It’s

what I was doing before I met Mark. It’s what your father did for way too long.” She ran her fingers

down Hailey’s cheek and smiled. “There’s way too much passion inside you to let life pass by like

that. Don’t waste the precious gift you were given.”

Stella’s words echoed through Hailey’s head as she made her way to the ballroom in the east wing

of the resort. Nicole had been right, the room was packed, but there were familiar faces as well. Billy and Nicole stood off to the side. From the corner of her eye, she caught Stella’s proud smile and

the way Mark slipped his arm around her waist in a protective move. She spotted Pete and Kat,

Rafe and Lisa, Allie and both her parents in the crowd, all there in support of her and this new chapter in her life.

Okay, so it wasn’t the traditional family she’d always dreamed of, but it was hers, and Stella had

been right about one thing: she wasn’t about to waste any of the gifts she’d been given.

When she was done with her statement outlining the changes to the company, she opened the floor

to questions. Most were, like she’d expected, centered on the scandal with Eleanor, but Hailey

dodged as many as she could, just like she’d practiced. And finally, realizing the crowd was getting

antsy for something juicy, she decided it was time to pack it in.

“I’ll take one last question.” She glanced around as hands shot into the air and voices shouted out,

then stopped cold when she heard a voice she knew all too well.

The reporters in the front of the room must have noticed her strange expression, because they turned

to look, and like the sea parting, they split down the center of the room to where Shane was standing in the back wearing jeans and a long-sleeved blue T-shirt stretched across his chest that read:

Sometimes a prayer is really all you need.

Just ask Tommy & Gina.

Her heart kicked up against her ribs. Her stomach fluttered. The stubble she’d gotten used to seeing

on his jaw was gone, his hair was shorter than she remembered, and he looked tan from this distance. But no matter how sexy he was, the only thing she could think about was how she’d felt on

that plane just before landing in Jamaica.

“I just have one question,” he said. “The Cubs don’t hold spring training down here. Are you sure

you still love this town?”

She caught the reference to her favorite Bon Jovi song, the one she had programmed into her phone,

and his teasing tone. And knew she was seconds away from a complete meltdown. Damn hormones.

She leaned into the microphone and sent him a withering look. “Thank you, everyone, for coming

out. But I’m afraid I don’t have time for any more questions after all. This press conference is now

over.”

Shane figured he’d broken at least three laws getting into this damn place. And thanks to that fence

Billy hadn’t warned him about, which he’d had to scale to avoid Joe Six-Pack the security guard,

his right knee was now lit up like a Christmas tree. All that, coupled with the fact Hailey had been

giving him the slip for two weeks, was enough to get him good and pissed. So there was no way she

was slinking away now.

He watched which door she headed for, and as the press was swarming, trying to get the rest of their

questions answered, he hit the back exit, looped around the property and used the key card he’d

swiped from the security office—thanks to Billy—to get into the main building.

It took about ten minutes, but just like he’d expected, the stairwell door opened and closed with a

snap, followed by Hailey’s deep intake of breath and slow release. Her shoes clicked as she moved

up the steps, then stopped abruptly when she turned and found him sitting on the second flight,

waiting for her.

The scent of lilacs surrounded him. And okay, yeah, that wasn’t happiness to see him, but he was

going to change that.

He rose slowly. “I’m really hoping that quick exit meant you just didn’t hear the question.”

Irritation coated her features. “How did you know I’d be here?”

“A little bird told me you haven’t been too hot on elevators lately.”

Her jaw clenched. “Nicole needs to keep her mouth shut.” She moved around him and reached for

the railing on the far side of the wide steps. “Excuse me, I’m busy.”

“Hold up, Hailey.” He turned to look after her. “I just want to talk. You can slow down for a couple

of minutes, can’t you?”

He thought he heard her mumble not for you, but ignored it when he saw her moving up the stairs

without even pausing. “I left CPD.”

That did it. She stopped. And a flicker of hope went off like a firework in his chest.

“Turned in my resignation and got a job doing investigative work for…this place I know. A lot less

stress. Better hours. And people aren’t dying to meet me.” When she didn’t laugh at his joke, he

scrubbed a hand through his newly cut hair and added, “You were right. About the job. It was eating

away at me. I didn’t realize how much until I left.”

“I’m glad I could help,” she said, not turning to look at him. “But I really have work to get back to.”

She started climbing again.

“How’s your shoulder?”

“Fine.”

He skipped steps quickly to get in front of her. She stopped and glared at him. “You’re in my way.”

“Look, I know you’re ticked at me, and you have every right to be. I was a jackass, and I don’t deserve a second chance, but…” It was now or never. “That’s what I want. It’s why I’m here. For a

chance to make things up to you.”

“Don’t, Maxwell.” She pushed past him.

He ignored her words, gently grabbed her good arm and turned her to face him, one step up at eye

level. “I know you love me,” he teased. “I heard you. And if you didn’t, you wouldn’t still be so

damn pissed. Just to show you how serious I am, I’ll let you kick my ass. Right here. I won’t even

try to fight back.”

Her expression didn’t change, not even when he smiled and moved a fraction of an inch closer.

“Come on, Roarke,” he whispered. “We both know that’s an offer you can’t refuse.”

“I’m pregnant.”

His smile wobbled. “What?”

“I’m pregnant. I found out a few days ago.” When his mouth fell open, she added, “I didn’t plan it,

if that’s what you’re thinking. Apparently antibiotics mess with birth control pills. I knew that…

know that…but I think it’s safe to say I was under a little bit of stress when James gave them to you

for me, and everyone knows stress also screws with birth control so, yeah…surprise.”

She didn’t look happy about this little surprise, and he couldn’t quite read her mood to tell if she

was serious or just trying to make him suffer, so he asked, “You’re pregnant? Really? When—”

She huffed and moved up two steps to put distance between them. “I was going to tell you when I

figured out what to say. I mean, it’s not like this isn’t a big shock to me, too, you know. I wasn’t

planning on having a kid right now, at least not until I found someone who really wanted to have

one with me. But I’ve already decided I’m keeping this baby, so don’t even think about trying to

talk me out of it. And I don’t need your help in this. I’m only telling you because you deserve to

know and…” Her brows snapped together. “Why are you smiling?”

He was, wasn’t he? Hot damn. Who would have ever predicted that?

Holy crap, he was going to be a father. And it didn’t scare the shit out of him. Not one bit.

His grin widened. “Because you’re pregnant. That’s just…wow.” He glanced at her flat belly, hidden behind tailored slacks and a red blouse that showcased her curves and lean figure. “You do realize twins run in my family, don’t you?”

“What?” She gave her head a shake, held up a finger and pointed at him with a fire in her eyes he’d

missed the last few weeks. “That’s not funny. And besides, I already looked it up. Genetics only

matter if it runs on the mother’s side. Which it doesn’t, thank God.”

“Tell that to my father. And his uncle. And his father, too, while you’re at it.”

The color drained from her face. “That’s just…mean.”

He moved up the stairs toward her, knowing he was grinning like a fool, but not even caring.

“You’re going to have to marry me, you know. I was planning on letting you get used to the whole

dating thing before I brought it up, but we don’t have enough time for that now.”

She scrambled backward up the steps to get away from him. “I’m not marrying you.”

“Sure you are. I’m Irish Catholic. My mother will freak if we have these babies without a wedding.”

Her kiss-me lips parted in a sexy little “oh.” She hit the top step, stumbled and caught herself before

he could. “You’re not even a practicing Catholic. And stop saying babies. There’s only one baby.”

“Sex, babies, marriage. That’s the way the Maxwells have been doing it for years.”

“You don’t even want kids,” she sputtered as her back hit the stairwell wall.