The Baby Claim. CATHERINE GEORGE

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      ‘Your women?’ Joss repeated.

      ‘A figure of speech.’

      Her eyes narrowed suddenly. ‘Are you unattached, by the way?’

      ‘Yes,’ he said with emphasis. ‘Otherwise this wouldn’t be happening.’

      ‘Would you like some coffee?’ she said unevenly, very much aware that something was happening.

      ‘Is that a polite way of asking me to go?’

      Joss gave him a long, considering look. ‘No,’ she said quietly. ‘Not if you’d like to stay awhile.’

      ‘You know I would. And I don’t want any more coffee,’ he said deliberately. ‘Shall I tell you what I do want?’

      ‘No—please,’ said Joss swiftly. ‘Before Peter and I began to live together we’d been exclusive to each other for a fair time. I’m out of practice at this sort of thing.’

      ‘What “sort of thing” do you think this is?’ he asked, amused.

      ‘More to the point, what do you think it is?’

      ‘A simple desire to get to know you. How about you?’

      Joss thought about it, fairly sure that ‘simple’ was the last word to describe her guest. ‘I asked you here for a meal because I was depressed and angry, and you were kind and—’

      ‘A lot taller than you,’ he finished for her, and Joss laughed, suddenly more at ease.

      ‘You’re taller than most people!’

      ‘I’ve never had more cause to be thankful for it than right now,’ he assured her. ‘So, mysterious Eve, come and sit beside me and hold my hand.’

      ‘Ah, but if I give you my hand will you want more than that?’

      ‘Yes,’ he said bluntly. ‘I’m male, and normal. But where women are concerned I don’t take, Eve, only accept.’

      ‘In that case…’ Joss moved from her cushion to sit beside him on the sofa, discovering that the space left by his large frame was only just enough to accommodate her. ‘A tight fit,’ she said breathlessly.

      Adam shifted slightly to give her more room, and took her hand in his. ‘You were right,’ he said after a moment. ‘Just holding your hand isn’t enough. Go back to your cushion.’

      ‘Just how much else did you have in mind?’ Joss asked very bluntly.

      For answer Adam slid his arm round her. ‘Only this.’

      Joss laid her head against his shoulder, reassured, and the hard arm pulled her closer. It was new, and morale-boosting, to feel small and fragile in a man’s embrace. She leaned against him, feeling safe and protected, his warmth soothing the anger and hurt of Peter’s abrupt departure from her life.

      ‘Why the sigh?’ he asked.

      ‘I was thinking how strange it was to be here like this with a man I’d never met until a few hours ago.’

      ‘But you’re no longer afraid of me,’ he commented.

      ‘I wasn’t afraid of you,’ she said indignantly, turning her face up to his.

      He smiled down into her eyes. ‘Nervous, then?’

      ‘Yes.’ She smiled back.

      ‘Are you nervous now?’

      ‘No.’

      ‘So how do you feel?’

      ‘Comfortable.’

      His crack of laughter disarmed her completely. ‘Not very flattering.’

      ‘For me, tonight, it’s the most flattering compliment I could pay you,’ she said with feeling.

      He raised the hand he was holding to his lips, and kissed it. ‘If it’s any consolation, I think the absconding fiancé’s a complete idiot. But I’m grateful to him.’

      ‘Why?’

      ‘If he hadn’t left I wouldn’t be here.’

      ‘True.’ Joss yawned suddenly. ‘Sorry,’ she said with contrition. ‘I haven’t slept much lately.’

      Adam smoothed her head down against his shoulder again. ‘Relax,’ he whispered in her ear, and Joss closed her eyes, melting against him pliantly.

      She woke from a doze to find herself in Adam’s arms en route to her bedroom. He bent slightly to open the door, then laid her on the bed and stood looking down at her.

      ‘Goodnight, Eve,’ he whispered, and bent to kiss her cheek.

      Joss deliberately tilted her head so that the kiss landed squarely on her mouth, and suddenly the overwhelming need to feel whole and normal and desirable again obliterated caution. ‘Don’t go,’ she said unsteadily. ‘Don’t leave me. Just for tonight. Please?’

      Joss stared up in entreaty into the taut face, saw him close his eyes and clench his fists for an instant. Then he let out an unsteady breath, sat down on the bed and lifted her onto his lap, his forehead against hers.

      ‘This wasn’t meant to happen, Eve.’

      ‘Don’t you want me?’ she said desolately.

      ‘You know damn well I do!’ he growled.

      ‘Then show me.’

      He locked his arms round her, pressing light, tantalising kisses at the corners of her mouth, but the contact ignited heat which rose in them both so quickly he was soon kissing her with a hunger which showed beyond all doubt how much he wanted her. She kissed him back, exulting in the desire she could feel vibrating through his body as he pulled her hard against him. Their kisses grew wilder, open-mouthed, tongues caressing as his hands sought breasts which rose taut with invitation in response. His breath rasped in his broad chest as he pulled away slightly to shrug off his jacket and tear his tie loose. Joss burrowed her face against him, her seeking hands undoing shirt buttons to find smooth skin hot to the touch. Darts of fire shot through her as she felt him hard and ready beneath her thighs, then he stood her on her feet and Joss backed away from him, her eyes locked with his in the semi-darkness. Slowly she slid the dress down her body, deliberate in her intention to inflame. She stepped out of the pooled silk and lace, then bent slowly to detach black silk suspenders from sheer dark stockings, and in triumph heard the hiss of his breath before he seized her, his mouth hard on hers as he dispensed with their remaining garments. At last he lifted her high in his arms, his eyes blazing with such need she shivered in excitement, and hid her hot face against his throat as he laid her on the bed.

      ‘Are you sure?’ he said harshly, in the moment before the question was too late. Joss nodded vehemently and stretched up her arms, pulling him down to her, and he stretched his long body beside her and slid СКАЧАТЬ