His Sugar Baby (24 page)

Despite the casual way he spoke, there was banked heat in his ice-blue eyes. Winter felt her body warming under his intense perusal. She dropped her own gaze, ostensibly so that she could get out her pocketbook and slip the gift card inside. “Okay, Michael. I’ll keep that in mind. Thank you.” She was actually a little surprised that, after their heated discussion, he had given the gift card to her. It was nice that he didn’t seem to be holding a grudge. His pleasant demeanor during dinner seemed to bear out her interpretation of his mood, and they had a good time together.

Afterward, Michael suggested that they take a walk in the nearby greenbelt before it got dark. “You’re wearing flats. Are they comfortable enough to walk in?’

Winter nodded. “I’d like to walk.” She hadn’t used the area’s hiking and biking trails for a long time. Before Chloe had gotten sick, she had often taken her to the park that adjoined the greenbelt.

They had driven separate vehicles to the restaurant. Winter followed Michael’s Porsche to the parking area. She drew the Lexus up in the neighboring parking slot. As she got out, she reached for the lightweight jacket lying on the passenger seat and slipped it on. The season was beginning to change. The first cold front had blown in, clearing out the overcast skies of the past week. The temperature had dropped several degrees while they had been in the restaurant, and it was actually chilly enough that Winter was glad of her hip-length jacket.

Michael was waiting for her. He smiled and caught her hand. Their hands clasped together, they set off at a leisurely pace under the large oak trees arching overhead. The gravel crunched under their feet.

Winter breathed in the crisp air. It was good to be outdoors. She had hardly gotten out of the apartment at all that week, except to take Chloe to the hospital for her routine checkup. That didn’t exactly count as a pleasure outing. However, Chloe couldn’t be out in public places around a lot of other people. There was too much risk of infectious cold germs or pollen or any of a hundred other things that wouldn’t be a hazard to anyone else.

The trail widened to a vantage point that overlooked a grassy clearing, where people congregated around a playground with a bright-yellow curlicue slide, climbing platforms, bridges and swings. Children clambered over the equipment, their shrill voices noisy.

Michael stopped. He set his back to a tree trunk and drew her into his arms. Slowly, he kissed her. Then he turned her around to settle against his chest, his arms wrapped around her and his cheek resting against her hair. She clasped her own hands over his where they spanned her waist. She could feel his warmth seeping through her clothes.

“I like being with you, Winter.” His voice was low and husky in her ear, and his breath teased her skin.

Winter smiled. She squeezed his hands in acknowledgement that she had heard him. “This is nice.” It was nice, she thought contentedly, to just stand like this together, quiet and comfortable together. At times their mutual passion had threatened to consume her. She was afraid sometimes that they would burn up and there would be nothing left of them. Then there were other times, like this, when they inhabited a little oasis of peace.

The children were bundled up in coats and hoodies, playing their games and running back and forth, shrill voices raised. A few adults lounged on park benches, some of them engaged in casual conversation. Their lack of activity was a counterpoint to the exuberant youngsters.

“I wonder where they get their energy,” she remarked. It was such a long time since she had watched kids playing. She had forgotten that it was normal for children to run and jump and scream with laughter. A pang of infinite regret gripped her heart. She had left Chloe comfortably settled with Vicky to watch over her until she got home, but she would have given anything in the world if Chloe could have been on that playground instead. It went without saying that Vicky would have none of the problems associated with an over-active child. She’d even settle for being told, when she walked in the door, that her daughter had torn up the apartment or refused to go to bed on time.

“I see some fathers over there. That’s good.” Michael’s voice rumbled in his chest behind her.

“Yes,” she agreed. She shifted in his embrace so that she could turn her head and look up at him. She was surprised by the somber expression on his face, and suddenly she wondered about his childhood and upbringing. “Was your father around for you?”

He shrugged. It was an easy lift of his shoulders. “Oh, yeah. He did the whole Little League and Boy Scout thing with me. He died of a heart attack a few years back.” A smile tugged at his lips. “He was a great guy. I was lucky to have him. Some kids aren’t that lucky.”

“You’re right. You were lucky.” Winter turned back around and leaned against him. Her ex-husband was only her daughter’s biological father. He had steadfastly refused to have any other role in Chloe’s life. He had even refused to try to help save her life. Cathy didn’t know whether she could ever forgive him for that.

There must have been some telling inflection in her voice because Michael’s arms tightened around her ribcage. “You’re thinking about your ex.”

“Yes.” Winter was surprised by his perception, just for a moment, but then she wondered why she should be. She had never considered Michael to be stupid. He was intelligent and passionate and engaged in his life and career. Of course he was aware of what was going on around him and with other people.

“Ironic. I was just thinking about a business associate. He has a family member who is going through a tough time because the father of her child abandoned them both.”

“I know exactly how they feel.” She tried to keep the bitterness out of her voice, but it was difficult. She sensed the shake of his head.

“I just don’t get how someone could turn their back on a kid. Or hurt one, either.”

* * * *

Michael felt her turn completely around in his embrace and looked down. She wore such a brilliant smile that he blinked. She lifted a hand to curve her fingers warm against his jaw. “You’re a very nice man, Michael.”

Michael was riveted by the tenderness in her clear hazel eyes and the softened look on her face. He was suddenly assaulted by unexpected emotions. Shame, deep shame, burrowed up through the layers of his cynicism. What was he doing? What the fuck was he doing with someone as decent as Winter Somerset? She should be spending her time and energy with someone who could give her love and security and a future, not wasting her time with someone like him. A man who paid for a companion and sex because he was too selfish and too wounded to share his life. Coldness pitted in his stomach.

He loosened his arms from about her and eased back a step. He returned her smile and kept his voice casual. “Come on. You’re getting cold. I’ll walk you back so that you can head home.”

Confusion clouded her expression. She searched his face. “Michael? Is there something wrong?”

He shook his head, retaining his smile. He took her arm and turned with her to start back in the direction they had come. “Nothing’s wrong. I just have a few things left to do tonight for work. Are you okay with that?”

“Of course I am! Sure. I just thought, assumed that—” She broke off, a tide of color rising in her face.

Michael deliberately threw his arm over her shoulders in the comfortable way that he had developed with her. He shot a teasing grin down at her, even though he felt something that had very little to do with amusement and a whole lot to do with ugliness from the past. “I know what you thought. I’m glad you think about it. About us, I mean. And I know that we haven’t been together in awhile. But sometimes, I just want to enjoy your company without getting hot and heavy. Sometimes I’d rather be with you, like this, instead.”

The faintest of smiles hovered over her mouth. She lowered her head, her hair swinging forward so that in the gathering dusk he couldn’t see her expression any longer. “That’s very nice.”

Michael tightened his lips. The coldness in his gut intensified, and he silently swore. That was the second time this evening that she had referred to him as being “nice!” He was a cold, unfeeling bastard. Everyone knew that. Even his business partner and best friend knew it. Darryl Harriman had known him for years, so he had to know him better than just about anyone else. So why the hell was Winter going on about his being
nice?

Michael fumed silently all of the way back to the parked vehicles. He was careful, though, not to allow his body language to give Winter any reason to guess anything was out of whack. He didn’t want to have to deflect questions that pried into his thoughts or emotions. Emotions weren’t to be trusted. He had learned that the hard way.

Michael kept his pace leisurely, when what he wanted to do was to stride quickly up the trail, leaving her behind. It was an effort to keep his muscles relaxed so that the contact of his arm over her shoulders was companionable. She tipped her head to rest on his shoulder as they walked, snuggling trustingly against his side. He gritted his teeth. For the second time since he had met her, Michael wanted to physically withdraw from her. But he didn’t, not until they reached the Lexus, when he gently extricated himself. Against his own volition, he brought up his folded knuckles to brush across one of her soft cheeks. “Goodnight, Winter.”

She was smiling again. Suddenly she swayed into him, catching him off guard, and pressed a swift kiss against his unsmiling mouth. Then she turned and got into the Lexus. He stood watching her drive out of sight before he slammed his palm against the top of his car. His hand smarted, but he ignored it. His thoughts spun furiously. He was going to have to break it off with Winter, after all. He didn’t want to do it. But to square it with his own unexpected surge of conscience, he was going to have to let her go.
You stupid son of a bitch!

* * * *

It was fully dark by the time that Cathy got home. When she let herself into the apartment, Vicky looked up from the magazine that she was reading. Vicky didn’t move from comfortably reclining on the sofa, but she cocked an eyebrow. “I thought you said you wouldn’t be back until late tonight.”

Cathy slowly smiled, remembering the nice evening. Warmth suffused her body. “I was wrong. We just went to dinner and then for a walk on the greenbelt. It was really, really nice. Michael was nice.”

Vicky snorted. “Do you hear yourself? You sound a whole lot like a woman in love.”

“I don’t either!” Cathy was so shocked by the suggestion that she couldn’t think of anything else to say. She just stared at her friend.
In love with Michael? That was crazy!
She wasn’t in love with Michael. She didn’t even know his last name.

“Yes, you do!” Vicky grinned at her. “By the way, Chloe told me about your new bracelet. She said that it was from your
boyfriend
, and that you said he was
really cute.”

“Oh.” Cathy felt herself flush. She fingered the strap of her purse. “Well, Michael just wanted—wanted to give me something.”

“He must think you’re really cute, too.” At whatever was in her expression, Vicky laughed again. “Face it, girl. You’re falling in love.”

Cathy shook her head. She ignored a forlorn flutter near her heart. She set her purse down on the table next to the sofa. “I don’t think it would be a good idea to even think that way, not about me and Michael.”

“Why not? Because of Chloe?”

Cathy didn’t answer as she shrugged out of her jacket. “How was Chloe?”

Vicky raised her brows, but when Cathy just looked pointedly at her, she let the subject drop. “She was fine. She hasn’t stirred even once since she fell asleep.” They talked a few minutes more before Vicky pulled on her coat, gathered her purse, and left.

After locking the front door, Cathy looked in on her sleeping daughter. She bent and lightly smoothed her fingers down Chloe’s baby-soft cheek. It was so good to have her little girl home at last. Cathy tiptoed out of the tiny bedroom, easing the door halfway closed.

The evening was still early, and she decided that it was a good time to take care of some of her bookkeeping. She booted up the computer so that she could do her bill pay online. She remembered the gift card that Michael had given her and retrieved it out of her purse. She knew that it would have a good balance on it, but when she called to find out what it was, she nearly dropped the phone. “Oh my God.” Cathy couldn’t believe it. If that was what that gorgeous necklace had cost…guilt swamped her. She couldn’t possibly accept such a large amount. It wasn’t right. She called Michael and explained her feelings.

“Winter, it’s a gift card. I gave it to you.” He wouldn’t listen to her protestation but firmly repeated that it was his gift to her and hung up.

Cathy closed the cell and frowned down at the gift card. Then she shifted her gaze thoughtfully to the stack of bills lying on her desk. She drew in her breath. “Okay, then.” She paid the bills that were due, using the American Express gift card and had a balance remaining. As she slid the gift card back into her wallet, she murmured, “I am going to have one hell of an income-tax bill.”

Chapter Nineteen

The days passed in gentle routine that was a balm to Cathy’s spirit. The mornings were spent with Chloe. After lunch, while Chloe napped, Cathy concentrated on work. When Chloe awakened, she spent more time with her daughter. Telecommuting was a godsend. Difficulties cropped up now and again, but overall, she was confident in the quality of her work. At times she did miss the personal interaction at the office, even if it had been layered with pity and other difficult emotions. The ever-present anxiety was tucked away in the corner of her mind. However, Cathy was sleeping more peacefully, and she felt better than she had in a long time. She could not recall a happier time.