The Mistresses Collection. Оливия Гейтс

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СКАЧАТЬ if she hadn’t existed before she and Zack had happened upon her. Hard to believe that no one was out looking. That she wasn’t missed. Trinity had always found comfort knowing that, for as long as she’d been able, her own mother had tried to find her.

      But, whatever this baby’s situation, for the time being at least, Bonnie was here, safe and warm. And if the price was sharing time with a man who stooped to any level to win and dominate, she’d see her way through.

      She wouldn’t mention what Kate had told her about his unscrupulous dealings with James Dirkins. It would only make her angry and she didn’t want to raise her voice and upset the baby. She’d like to give him the benefit of the doubt but didn’t Kate’s latest gossip surrounding Zack fit? Making Dirkins feel responsible for his son’s death for leverage…It made her sick to think about it.

      Zack was glaring at the screen. “Wonder what the paparazzi will dig up and spin when they get a hold of the story.”

      Trinity bristled. She was part of the paparazzi. Or that’s how he’d consider her, anyway.

      “Tell Ms. Cassidy the baby’s fine,” Trinity managed to mumble. “I’ll take care of her.”

      He frowned then slowly nodded.

      Brows knitted and a pulse beating in his cheek, Zack texted back. He’d never complained about the baby, or her, being here. After his initial gripe, he hadn’t said a word about Cruiser joining them, either; Zack had found his name on the tag buried beneath all that hair.

      But she’d noticed Zack repeatedly catching the time on his wristwatch. He’d peer out those windows, rocking back on his heels, scanning the scene as if willing the sun to break through and the snow to melt clean away. He was edgy. Feeling crowded. These confined conditions were obviously a challenge. A drag.

      For her own part…

      Trinity tucked the wrap under Bonnie’s chin.

      Well, she was feeling remarkably comfortable—with the baby at least. Whenever Zack was close, it was exactly the opposite. Her endorphin levels surged over the bar to a point where she felt giddy. Earlier today she’d toyed with the idea that he might have felt something similar when he was around her. But with her blinkers off, Trinity could see that last night’s kiss in front of the fire—this morning’s suggestion of the time out at the Bahamas—had meant nothing more to Zack than an opportunity to slough off some sexual tension and try his luck. His competitive male brain was programmed that way.

      And now they would be here together another night… .

      What would she do if he brought out the red wine and brandy and tried his charm on her again? Not that she wanted him to. But with the lights off and his magic switched on, the urges he brought out in her were difficult to deny. She could tell him she wasn’t interested.

      But what if he cut her off with a mind-robbing penetrating kiss? She might not approve of his character, but his seduction techniques were certainly a force. Was he the type who preferred sex fast and furious, or did he craft every move, absorb every touch…savor every sip? How would it feel to have Zack Harrison’s hips grinding above hers, his mouth and tongue and teeth on her neck as she exploded and came apart in his arms?

      Zack was at her side now, running a fingertip around the baby’s cheek. “She looks like she might go down again.”

      Coming back to reality, Trinity scolded herself. Concentrate. He asked about the baby.

      “I, eh, don’t think she’s ready yet.”

      “Why don’t you sit for a while then?”

      “She likes the movement.” The rocking.

      “Even if your arms fall off?”

      She tested him. “Care to take over?”

      He studied the baby but eventually his hand dropped away. “You’re the expert.”

      “Not where wearing people down are concerned.”

      He looked at her sideways. “Do you want to explain that comment?”

      “No.” She took a breath. “Except to say if we’re spending another night together, I’ll be sleeping in one room and you’ll be sleeping in another.”

      His smiling eyes dropped to her mouth. “I thought you liked camping out.”

      “What happened last night in front of the fire—” she walked back to the baby’s recliner “—it won’t happen again.”

      “No?”

      Her back to him, she confirmed, “No.”

      “And if I decide to wear you down?”

      His deep voice was at her ear, husky enough to send a wave of heat curling through her veins. In quick time, she tamped down the flame and turned to face him. But she hadn’t banked on just how close he’d be, his broad chest so near, the rugged angles of his face slanting over hers. At this range, his presence was phenomenal…larger than life.

      With his dark gaze penetrating hers, she fought to straighten her thoughts.

      “I’m the enemy, remember? Aren’t you afraid I’ll get too close and expose all your secrets?”

      His gaze turned hard then cold. “You’re welcome to them.”

      When he moved away, Trinity felt the adrenaline drain from her body. The sooner this time was over, the better. She just prayed the authorities found Bonnie’s mother soon.

      He crossed to stoke the fire while she continued to sway with the baby. After a few more minutes, feeling confident Bonnie was about to nod off, Trinity eased the baby down onto the freshly laundered blanket on the recliner and bit by bit straightened.

      When Bonnie shifted, Trinity thought she was merely getting comfortable. But then she moved again, blinked open her big blue eyes and, curious, Cruiser padded back from the fire to check. At the same time the baby gave a whimper, Trinity remembered her foster mother’s favorite saying: doesn’t hurt to let them cry.

      And cry and cry and cry.

      The short time Nora Earnshaw had looked after that baby so long ago was the best and worst time of Trinity’s childhood. Only young herself, Trinity had helped where she could, eager to fetch a diaper or a rattle if the baby got tired of her singing and stories of white unicorns with golden horns and wings. But bedtimes were strict. When 7:00 p.m. arrived and teeth were brushed, Trinity wasn’t allowed out of her room.

      Maybe the baby cried because he’d wanted a bottle, but Trinity had always thought he’d simply wanted someone to sing to him. Lots of times she’d come close to taking the risk and sneaking out, but to her shame she never had. Instead she’d lain stiff while hot tears slid from the corners of her eyes and she’d stared, sick to her stomach, into the everlasting shadows. Into the dark.

      Even now she wanted to cover her ears to the memories.

      Back firmly in the present, Trinity swooped to pick Bonnie up again. If she was spoiling her, too bad. She’d rather a child have too much than too little. Who could ever say they had too many СКАЧАТЬ