Opposites Attract

Opposites Attract by

Kathryn Shay

Chapter One Jase McKay hadn't made many mistakes in his life. He couldn't afford to, given his background. But as he looked across the small chapel in Hyde Point, New York, where his friends Riley and Jillian Sullivan were renewing their vows, he was confronted with a reminder of the biggest blunder he'd ever committed. Molly Kimball, Jill's sister. Letting her go six weeks, three days and some odd hours ago had truly been the most foolish, destructive, hurtful thing he'd ever done. You didn't let her go, asshole. You booted her out of your life carelessly and callously. Because he'd been afraid of what she was doing to his orderly existence. Still, he hadn't realized the ramifications of leaving her — sleepless nights, an inability to enjoy the things in life he'd worked so hard to get, and utter misery every time he saw her, like now. He couldn't even think about what their abrupt split had done to her. He knew unquestionably that she'd loved him. Telling himself to stop with the pity party, he focused on the Sullivans. He was happy for them. God knew, they'd suffered over their own split a year ago. As Riley's divorce lawyer and best friend — they'd been college and law school roommates, too — Jase was privy to all of it. Amidst the flickering bayberry scented candles, he listened to their pledges to each other, on the sixth anniversary of their wedding. "Having lost you once," Riley said in a deep voice, husky with emotion, "I promise never to do anything again to make you leave me." Blond and pretty, Jillian wiped uncharacteristic tears from her eyes. Of course, she'd come back from their second honeymoon — two months in Paris — pregnant, so that was part of the reason for her sentimentality. "And I promise," she said softly, "to share myself with you. To let you in, no matter how hard it is." Jase remembered his own vows, his own wedding seven years ago. Mary Stevenson had been his savior, helping him to build the life he'd planned for himself; he'd loved her deeply. When she'd died in a

car crash, he'd wanted his own life to end with her. But he had a son, so he kept going for Tommy. And her parents, Thomas and Thea Stevenson, had been a godsend. They were then, and still were, the family Jase always wished he had. In time, the wounds of loss had healed. As if drawn by a magnet, his gaze settled back on Molly. Just the sight of her made him feel as raw as knuckles scraped on sandpaper. Her waist-length, curly hair the color of caramels shone in the candlelight; her deep chestnut eyes were misty with joy. And he could swear the scent of wildflowers that always surrounded her wafted over to him. Tonight, her voluptuous body was covered with a coppery brown dress, long and flowing like most of the clothes she chose. Hippie clothes, he'd teased once as he unbuttoned a fringed top with beads on it. She'd grinned. I know. I belong in the sixties. You got that right, lady. He winced at the memory. He'd teased her a lot, but there was always an edge to the words. He didn't like her clothes. He didn't like her whole lifestyle, and it had driven them apart. That and her absolute refusal to compromise. In truth, Molly couldn't accept him any more than he could accept her. Still, he'd been the one to end it. She'd wanted to work on their relationship.... Watch this movie with me. She held up Barefoot in the Park, an old film with Robert Redford and Jane Fonda. We're like them. Different as snow and sun. But we can make it, Jay, like they did. He'd watched the film and been completely insulted by the comparison of himself to the Redford character. I am not that inflexible...that stuffy.... Hell, they're so unmatched — why are they even together? Molly had just laughed and tumbled him into bed.... Well, they have this in common. Like us. Her words moved him. He'd brushed the hair off her flawless face. There's more to us than this, Mol. What is there, Jay? I love being with you. You make me feel things, see things so intensely. I love being with you, too. You...center me. It hadn't been enough, though, and after two months on a roller coaster of emotion, he'd broken it off, just before Jill and Riley came home. He'd had second thoughts in those dark days after he'd left Molly sobbing in her apartment. Abject misery had forced him to wonder if they could try harder to mesh their disparate lives. So he'd gone back to her place, two weeks after their split, to tell her he wasn't sure about what he'd done, he wanted to talk more, that he feared he'd made a terrible mistake. Logan Kane, her friend and goddamned protector, had answered the door in her apartment over the store she operated. The guy had growled when he saw Jase....

Get the hell out of here before I beat the shit out of you. I need to see Molly. You can't. Look, I know you care about her; so do I. Kane had let loose with inventive expletives, then grabbed Jase by the shirt and thrust him against a wall outside the apartment. She's sick, McKay. She's been vomiting and shaking and sobbing since you dropped your little bomb a few weeks ago. I'm considering a hospital, she's so overwrought. I swear to God, if you go near her now, I'll take you apart. And because Jase hadn't been sure then that he could give Molly what she needed, that they could make a life together, he'd left. In the weeks since, he'd missed her so much he ached with it. But when she'd recovered and seemed her old self again the few times they'd bumped into each other around town, he did stay away from her. It was the only decent thing he'd ever done for her. Now, though it was pretty colorless in Molly's absence, his life had gotten back on an even keel. Thomas Stevenson had even introduced him to a new attorney in town, Sarina Matthews, whom he was dating, who was here with him tonight. Molly looked up and caught Jase staring at her. She gave him a half smile that cut him off at the knees. There was no bitterness on her face. No indictment. Only forgiveness. And the wariness a doe has in her eyes when faced with a hunter's gun. Of course there was. Molly Kimball was well aware of the fact he could — almost had — destroyed her. But as Jase watched Molly, her smile turned into a small gasp and her hand slid to her waist. Her beautiful porcelain skin paled; she closed her eyes. And crumpled to the floor. *** Molly Kimball opened her eyes to find her sister bending over her, her brother-in-law with his hand on Jill's shoulder and Logan, her best friend, behind them. They were all in a stuffy little room that carried the faint scent of incense, and Molly was lying on a lumpy couch. Her head throbbed. "I'm sorry," she said, squeezing Jill's fingers. "I ruined your ceremony." "Oh, honey, it was over anyway, except for the kiss." She smiled, but her face was tense. "You're sick. You need a doctor, so we —" "No doctor." Her gaze sought Logan's. They hadn't planned on this coming out so soon. Damn. "I...I just didn't eat." "It's probably that vegetarian diet," Logan said, trying to help her out. Unlike Jase, he respected her preference to avoid red meat. Worriedly, Jill glanced over her shoulder. Molly tracked her gaze. Ian Chandler, an OB-GYN and friend of Riley's who'd been at the ceremony with his wife, stood in the doorway. He shifted uncomfortably. Well, why wouldn't he? After all, he knew what was really going on. Jill said, "We asked Ian to come in before he and Paige went to the restaurant. To see if you were all right."

Molly drew in a breath, trying to quell the nausea that came when she was upset. Ian cocked his head and didn't say anything. Logan circled around Jill to stand by the couch and picked up Molly's hand. A big man, with street-smart eyes, he said, "She's okay, Jill. She just needs some rest." As always, Jillian's lawyer instincts went on red alert. From the skeptical look on Riley's face, so did his. "What's going on, Molly? Why don't you want Ian to check you out?" Jill asked. Logan squeezed her fingers. He gave her an It's time, I guess look. Oh, hell, it probably was. She couldn't keep this a secret much longer anyway since she was at the beginning of her second trimester and was having trouble concealing her expanding waistline. Ian approached the couch. "Molly? What do you want me to do?" Poor Ian. "Nothing. It's okay. I haven't told them." "I gathered." He stepped back. "I'll just wait outside." After Ian left, she looked up at Jill. Her sister's face was pale with worry. It wasn't good for the baby. None of this was. For either baby. "Sit, Jill." Instead she leaned against her husband and went from pale to ashen. "Nothing's wrong with you, is it?" Molly's smile was bittersweet. "Nothing's wrong with me any more than with you, sis." Jill frowned. She didn't get it. But Riley did. "Holy hell, Molly. You're pregnant, too?" "Yep." Jill's gaze narrowed. "I don't..." She raised her hands, palms to the ceiling. "You aren't seeing anybody that I know of." And that, Molly thought, protectively placing her hand on her stomach, was part of the problem. It had killed her to hear it.... I want to keep this thing between us quiet, Mol. Just for a while. Why? Because of Tommy. He already likes you too much. If it doesn't work out, I don't want to get his hopes up. You want to sneak around? No, just be discreet. And you can still see my son. Just not too much...

She'd known then that Jase was ashamed of being with her. But she hadn't objected, hadn't called him on it, because she was so in love with him, she didn't want to lose him. And, she thought, foolishly, as he got to know her, he'd love her too — really love who she was and what kind of person she'd become. It had never happened. In fact, things had only worsened. You're kidding, right? You only eat, like, tofu and bean sprouts.... Don't you ever tell Tommy something like that is all right again.... Come on, Molly, I'll buy you some normal clothes.... To be fair, she'd been just as critical.... Do you know what red meat does to your arteries...? Hey, come on, Jase, live a little. Deep six the tie.... Let Tommy be a kid.... Logan sat down on the couch beside Molly. "It's my child, Jill." "Yours?" Jill shook her head. "You two said you were just friends." Using his often well-concealed charm — people said he looked like Pierce Brosnan, especially when the actor played James Bond — Logan gave her a boyish grin. "Well, things changed." "When?" Molly shrugged. "We got together when you were in Paris." "Like hell," she heard from the doorway. Everybody turned. And there he stood, Jase McKay, the love of her life, filling the doorway with those wide shoulders she used to nestle into, with his perfectly styled dark hair that she loved to mess up. And with his beautiful blue eyes, which now were flaming.

Chapter Two In the small anteroom of the chapel where the Sullivans had just renewed their vows, Molly's brother-in-law, Riley, stepped forward at the appearance of his best friend in the doorway. "Jase, what are you doing back here?" "And what do you mean, 'like hell' Molly got together with Logan while we were in Paris?" Jill asked. Bells chimed overhead as Jase's gaze fixed on Molly and never wavered. His piercing stare made her shiver. "I'd like to speak to Molly alone."

Panic clogged her throat, threatening to choke her. She and Logan had discussed this. She couldn't face Jase alone the first time. The hurt he'd caused her was still too fresh. Her gaze met Logan's. Subtly, he shook his head and stood up, like the natural-born protector he was. It was why, after all, he'd suggested this little ruse. "You won't be alone with Molly again, McKay." Jase drew in a breath. Squaring his shoulders, he strode into the room as close to the couch as he could manage, given Molly's watchdogs keeping guard. Immediately, his expensive cologne enveloped her. She remembered inhaling it on various parts of his body. "Do you want this to come out in front of everybody?" he asked her. His tone was low and intimate, betraying a closeness that even time apart hadn't dulled. Because it hurt to be reminded of what he'd so cavalierly given up, Molly let her temper spark. "The secrecy was your idea, Jay." He paled, but recovered quickly; he had an inner core, one she knew was honed from being the son of a laborer and working himself to the bone to go to Harvard and become a successful and respected lawyer. Too bad his need to keep overachieving drove an unbridgeable wedge between them. "Your choice then." He faced Logan. "There's no way you were sleeping with Molly when Jill and Riley were in Paris. She was in a relationship with me. And she sure as hell wasn't spending time in anybody else's bed. I know it in my gut." He stared down at her. "Why would you lie about something like this?" His voice caught on the last word. Because I'm afraid of you, Jase McKay. Afraid of you hurting me again. Afraid of you taking this baby away from me. Afraid of myself, that I'll change just to keep you... But instead of being honest with him, she sat up and then stood. Linking her arm with Logan's, she drew in a breath. "This isn't your baby, Jase. After you...left, Logan was there for me." She leaned into Logan as she uttered the bald lie. "He comforted me. This is definitely his baby and not yours." Jill and Riley were openmouthed, literally. They'd known nothing about her relationship with Jase. Nobody had. Logan's hands fisted. He knew too much. And Jase's jaw went taut with cold fury. "I don't believe you would have slept with somebody so soon after..."

He didn't finish. So she did. "So soon after what, Jase? After you dumped me because I wasn't good enough for you and your standing in the community? After you hurt me so badly I wanted to die?" She tried to keep her voice even, but it trembled with remembered pain. "Of course I'd turn to another man. A decent man, who wasn't ashamed of me." That zinged him. She saw real hurt darken his eyes to the color of midnight. It was because he had cared for her. Just not enough. "Now, I think we all have a party to go to." She started to brush by him.

Before anybody could react, he drew her close and put his cheek next to hers. It was a bit scratchy and so familiar it made her ache. So only she could hear, he whispered achingly, "Please, love, don't do this. I need to talk to you. I need to tell you —" Because she wanted to sink into him, because she wanted to be part of him, to let him in her body and in her soul, she murmured, "Don't, Jay," and stepped away. When he went to grab for her arm again, she shook him off and Logan stepped between them. "Do it again, pal, and I'll take you down. I'd like nothing better." As tall and muscular as Logan, Jase nonetheless stepped back. "Fine," he said, his gaze skimming the other man, then transferring to Jill and Riley. "I won't ruin your celebration." He zeroed in on Molly. "But it's not over, Molly. Not by a long shot."

*** Kane's Table was Hyde Point's most chic restaurant. Painted a forest green — Molly joked it matched its owner's eyes — with burgundy accents, the snazzy establishment was frequented by all of the town's elite. Many of them were here now. They were Riley's crowd. And Jase's. Logan came up to their table and sat down. She smiled at him. "The party's lovely. The food was delicious." His chef had outdone himself with prime rib, crab legs and a Caesar salad to die for. "You didn't eat much." He gave her a knowing look. "And you can't wait to crawl into bed." "God, I'm so tired." She placed her hand on her waist. "I can't believe I'm only a couple of months along." Her friend's smile was wistful. "Pregnancy takes over your life." She grabbed his hand. "How do you know that, Logan? Have you had experience with other pregnant women?" After two years, he was still an enigma to her. He'd told her once her acceptance of him without any disclosure on his part meant a lot to him. A little voice inside her nagged, But you couldn't do the same for Jase. She remembered something.... Molly, please, this is so not me. I'm not comfortable with it.... Come on, grouch. Loosen up. You're in grave danger of completely becoming the Robert Redford character in that movie.... "Yeah, I've had experience with pregnant women." Logan kissed her hand. "Want me to take you up to your apartment?" "No, actually. Jill's coming with me." She rolled her eyes. "Little sister wants answers." "What are you going to tell her?"

"The story we agreed on. If I tell her the truth, it'll cause problems with Riley." "I —" Logan's cell phone rang. "Sorry." He answered it. "Kane." Though he was stoic, Molly could tell by the way his jaw tightened he wasn't happy. "Can't somebody else do it?" A pause. "Okay. I'll be there." He clicked off. "Problems?" "I've got to go out of town for a while." His gaze flicked across the room where Jase was sitting with his in-laws, the Stevensons, and his date, a sophisticated young woman dressed in a Chanel suit. She was perfect for him. "I hate to leave you now, but it can't be helped." "It's okay." She nodded to the phone. "You can share that with me, you know." He shook his head, his face darkening. "You're safer not knowing." Molly saw Jill coming toward them. "Well, if you ever change your mind, I'm here." She stood up and kissed his cheek. "Ready to go?" Jill asked. "As ready as I'll ever be." She nodded to the back entrance. "Let's go that way. I don't want to say a lot of goodbyes." And she didn't want to risk facing Jase. Though she knew in her heart that would come soon enough.

*** "What the hell is going on?" Riley had cornered Jase in a private room off the main dining area where he'd gone to clear his head. Turning from the window, Jase stared over at his best friend. "You heard most of it." "What I heard was not consistent with the man I know like a brother." Jase looked back out as the September rain patted against the window. "Relationships are hard, Riley. You of all people should know that." "But you and Molly are so different. What could have brought you together?" He pictured her chestnut eyes sparking with humor and heard her sultry laugh that was more potent than a shot of good bourbon. "I was drawn to her vibrancy. She's so full of life. She liked my solidness. Opposites attract, I guess." He shrugged his shoulders. "And then, apparently, can't coexist." "Did you hurt her as badly as she said?" The memory ambushed him. He'd gone to her apartment to break it off. She'd rushed toward him, full of

her usual energy and gusto for life. Sometimes it had exhausted him.... Oh, Jase, I'm so glad you're here. Her honey-colored hair, secured in a ropelike braid, had bobbed with her excitement. I've got to tell you something. Something wonderful. I have to tell you something, too. She'd floated into the kitchen, fixing peppermint tea. Mine's better. I bet it is. At his grave tone, she'd come back out. What is it, Jay? I can't do this anymore. It's not working for me. It? You mean us? Yes. Her hand had gone to her waist and she'd looked as though she might be ill.... It hit him, now, in the dim room of the restaurant. "Oh, God." "What?" "The night I broke it off. She was bubbling around like she'd won the lottery." A vise gripped his chest. "She was going to tell me she was pregnant." "Jase, if you broke it off that long ago, how do you know the baby isn't Kane's?" The thought of the guy touching her made him livid. He remembered how she was in bed with him.... It's never been like this with anybody else, Jay. It hadn't for him, either. But he couldn't betray Mary's memory and tell Molly that. Instead, he tried to meld himself with her, steep himself in her, show her with his body what he couldn't say in words. "What are you going to do?" Riley asked him. "I don't know." "Maybe you should just stay away from her." Determined, Jase straightened. "Remember how you couldn't leave Jill alone? Even when you thought your differences were too great?" "Yeah." "It's the same for me." He pushed away from the wall and headed out of the room to go to Molly's apartment.

Chapter Three Once they were inside her apartment and Jill had fixed Molly some tea, they sat down on the couch, the slipcover of which was hand-painted. I'm afraid to sit on it. It looks like a drop cloth you used when you painted the walls. Molly had been hurt by Jase's comment. She'd spent hours on the coverlet. But she'd said the same kind of thing on one of the rare occasions she went to his house.... Jay, really, this looks like it came over from England on the Mayflower. She'd scanned the living room. This whole place lacks flare. It's my taste, sweetheart. His tone had said she'd hurt him, too. "All right," Jill told her. "Tell me what's going on." Molly sipped the lemony Earl Grey and watched her sister for a minute. They, too, were different as night and day. Jill had chosen to compete for her rigid and demanding parents' approval by doing everything right, whereas Molly had totally rebelled. Maybe if she'd been more like Jill, Jase would have loved her. "You know most of it." "What I know is that you and Jase shot sparks off each other every time you were together during my and Riley's divorce proceedings." "We hooked up at your going-away party." When Jill and Riley had reconciled, Jill still had two months on her leave of absence from their law firm. Surprising everybody, Riley had asked for a personal leave for the summer so he and Jill could go back to Paris where they'd honeymooned. The party had been a wonderful, celebratory send-off. She and Jase had been the last two left.... Think we can make a truce now? he'd said, his baby blues twinkling. I guess. She grinned. He grinned back. Reaching out, he skimmed a hand down her cheek causing her stomach to somersault. This would be a mistake, Jase. I know. Still they'd gone home together, and the lovemaking had been cataclysmic. Molly never would forget the shattering union, the almost mystical intimacy, as their bodies came together. Right from the first time, that bond had made them think they could gloss over their differences. Jill's sisterly instincts surfaced. "What happened?" She knew Riley and Jase were the best of friends and didn't want to affect that friendship. So she

purposely diluted the nightmare of what had happened. "We're polar opposites. He admitted the futility of the relationship before I was ready to end it." What an understatement. The pain had been bone deep. Sometimes, it still was. Oh, God, Logan. What am I going to do? I love him so much. Why couldn't I have compromised more? "I'm so sorry, Mol. I wish I'd been here." "Jill, I don't want you in the middle of all this." She reached out and took Molly's hand. Hers was cold. "Honey? Is the baby Jase's?" Here was the touchy part. Nobody else could ever know the truth. Though she hated lying to her sister, if Jase knew the baby was his, he'd want to be part of its life. Maybe even take the baby from her. Their views on child-rearing were worlds apart.... I don't think Tommy's ready for kindergarten. He won't be five until October. The Stevensons think he should go. So little Tommy had started school. Come here, sweetie. Want to read this book? Jase had intercepted Tommy. I don't think that's a good idea. I don't want him learning about those kinds of things. Molly looked at Jill. "She's Logan's baby." "She? You know you're having a girl?" "Yeah. Because of my age, I had an amniocentesis at fifteen weeks." And she'd cried when she'd found out Jase McKay was going to have a daughter. The doorbell chimed, the normally soft sound like a gunshot in the quiet apartment. Jill stiffened. "It's okay. I knew he'd come sometime. He won't let it go until we have this out privately." Jill and Molly rose. Saying a silent prayer for help, Molly crossed the Indian-print carpet and opened the door. Her heart twisted in her chest when she saw him standing in the archway. His face was as ravaged as the day he'd told her they were through. "Hello, Jay." "Mol." He swallowed hard, his throat working convulsively. "Can I come in?" "Yes." His shoulders were slumped as he entered the room. He didn't sit, just stuck his hands in his pockets and watched her. Her sister glared at him.

"Jilly? You need to leave." "Are you sure?" "Yes." She kissed Jill's cheek and ushered her out the door. When she turned around, Jase was staring at her. "You okay?" he asked. Looking away, she nodded. "I'm having some tea. It calms my stomach." "Have you been sick?" "No, not too bad. Tension makes me queasy." He said, "I'm sorry if I've made you tense." "Are you?" "Of course." She crossed to the couch, dropped down on the stuffed cushions and folded her shaky legs under her. Picking up her cup, she warmed her hands on it. "Then let all this go." He followed her and knelt down in front of her. Again, his nearness poleaxed her. His shoulders were so big and solid, his chest inviting her to cuddle. In a gesture that made her eyes sting, he reached out, cradled her stomach — where his daughter slept. "I can't let this go. You know that." "Logan Kane is the father of this child." "You wouldn't sleep with somebody else so soon." His tender gaze locked with hers. Gently, he pressed his hand into her. "I haven't been with anybody, either, since you and I were together." She didn't want to know this. "Maybe you haven't been with someone else because you weren't hurting so much that you didn't care if you died." His eyes turned bleak. "I was hurting that much." She never expected this. And it made her angry. She pushed his hand away, unbalancing him. Rising abruptly, she stalked to the other side of the room and rounded on him. "Don't tell me that, don't you dare tell me that. You broke my heart." He stood. "I broke my own, too." "I don't want to hear this." "I came back. Did your new boyfriend tell you that?" Molly, you need to know something, now that you're better. McKay came back. He said he wasn't sure about what he'd done. You were so sick I sent him away.

You did the right thing, Logan. He doesn't love me, and that's all that matters. "Yes, of course he told me. It doesn't matter." "Molly, there's a baby to consider now. We have to try again. Do better this time accepting each other's differences." "No." "I'm begging you." "No." His hands fisted at his sides. "And what if I don't accept this?" "I'm afraid you don't have any choice." "Don't I?" He crossed to her, and she backed up until she hit the wall. His forehead met hers, and he curled his hand at the back of her neck. Without her mind's consent, she leaned into him and her hand went to his nape. "I don't want to hurt you again, sweetheart. But I won't let you do this." Pulling back, he kissed her hair. "I made the biggest mistake of my life by walking away from you. I'm not going to do it again." With that he was gone.

*** Jase's words haunted Molly for days afterward. She worried constantly about what he'd do. While she was helping a customer, Nora Whitman, the former proprietor of Serenity House, who often frequented Natural Options, she found out. "Try this lotion, Nora. It's supposed to work miracles." "I will." Nora took the cream. "Thanks." A strange man entered the store and approached the counter. "Margaret Kimball?" "Yes?" He handed her an envelope. "This is a legal summons." "For what?" "I'm afraid I don't know. Sign here, please, for authentication of receipt." By rote, she scrawled her signature. He turned and left.

Molly ripped open the letter. She read the three lines quickly. And wavered on her feet. "Oh my God." Nora grasped her arm. "Molly, dear, are you all right?" All right? She was never going to be all right again.

Chapter Four "What do you mean she's gone?" Jase had walked into Jill's office three days after he'd gotten a judge friend of his to issue a paternity-test order, only to be told Molly had left town. Jill bridled. "My sister's left Hyde Point." She held up a paper. "Now, by ignoring this order, she's broken the law, thanks to you." His heartbeat speeded up. "Where is she?" "I don't know. She didn't tell me, so I won't be an accessory." Jill straightened. Her face was pale, and she looked thin and fragile. Riley was going to kill him for causing Jill grief. "Why the hell did you do this?" He raked a hand through his hair, feeling his stomach clamp into knots. "Look, I tried three times to talk to her again after that night in her apartment. She refused to even see me." In truth, he'd second-guessed his decision to get the order but he was petrified of losing her. And every day, he felt more and more like the insensitive lawyer husband from Barefoot in the Park. "So I decided to force her hand." Actually, he'd gone to Thomas for advice. Said he had a client who wanted proof of paternity from his estranged wife and asked what would be the best way to get it. "You are an absolute jerk, you know that?'" She tossed the paper on the floor. "God, I'm so worried about her." "I'm sorry, Jill. This isn't good for your baby." Tears clouded Jill's eyes. "Or Molly's baby. She's running around alone somewhere pregnant with no one to take care of her." The thought gutted him. "Maybe she's with Kane. I went to see him, but he's out of town." Though he hated that Molly would turn to another man, he'd rather that than she was alone. I've been alone all my life, Jay. You had Jill. Jill had her own demons to fight. Besides I left home when I was seventeen because I couldn't be what my parents wanted me to be. It hadn't hit him until later that that was one thing they'd had in common. Jase had left a negligent single mother when he was sixteen and graduated high school early to earn his own way in life.

"Logan went out of town the night of our party. No, Molly's alone." "What's going on in here?" Riley appeared at the door. He took one look at his wife and said, "Oh, God, Jilly, are you..." He strode over to her. "Honey, is it the baby?" Burrowing into him, she shook her head. "Molly's gone." She explained the situation to him. Riley turned to Jase. "Shit, Jase, what were you thinking?" "I want her back. She won't talk to me, let alone discuss the baby." "This is a hell of a way to do it." He cuddled Jill close. "Come on. I'm taking you home." Before Jase could apologize to his friend, the Sullivans left. He picked up the papers Jill let drop and sank onto her couch. He read the order. Hell, he could see why she'd run. Damn, he'd made another bad decision. He was sitting there thinking how he'd blown things when a secretary knocked on Jill's door. "Hey, Jase, is Jill here?" "No, Pam. Jill wasn't feeling well." Because of me. "Riley took her home." "Oh dear. Is she all right?" "Yeah, mostly tired." She held up a FedEx letter. "This just came for her. It says it's urgent." "Here, give it to me. I'll take it over to them." It was the least he could do. Pam handed him the letter and left. Idly he looked down. It was addressed to Jill. For some reason, he checked the return address. Holy shit. Well, at least he knew where Molly was. He ripped open the letter.

*** Paris was cool on this mid-September morning. Jase had flown all night, landed at Charles de Gaulle Airport at seven a.m., and gotten a cab. Amidst the honking and blaring of early-morning traffic, he'd been deposited at 16, rue Poulbot in the Montmartre section of the city by a taxi driver who didn't speak English. Jase had no idea how much he'd paid for the ride. He stared up at the narrow stone building, on the cobbled side street three blocks from Sacré-Coeur, where Jill had stayed with the two elderly shopkeepers when she'd fled here after her separation from Riley. Molly had come to this place because of Jill.... Jill, the note inside the FedEx envelope read. Don't panic. I'm safe in Paris, boarding with the lovely old couple you lived with. I'm sorry I didn't tell you about this, but I was trying to protect you. I can't stay in Hyde Point. I've been in touch with Logan, and he'll take care of the business when he gets back in town. I'll call soon. Don't worry, I'm fine....

God, Jase had driven Molly halfway around the world. What the hell was wrong with him? You know your problem, Jay? You think too much. You never live in the moment. He'd bristled. You want me to act like the guy in the end of that movie, don't you? Where he has an epiphany and takes his shoes off and walks barefoot in central park to show her he's changed. I just want you to be a little more spontaneous.... Well, this trip sure as hell was spontaneous. He'd talked to Nathan Hyde, the senior partner of the firm, and said it was an emergency and he needed to go out of town immediately. He'd been vague with the Stevensons, asking them to take Tommy. The hardest thing had been leaving his son.... "Where you going, Daddy?" "I have business in Paris." "Can I come?" "No, but I'll bring you back a surprise." He was hoping it would be Molly. Though they hadn't spent a lot of time together, Tommy really liked her and still asked about her often. Squaring his shoulders, Jase opened a street-level door and climbed the stairs to the second floor. The hallway was clean, and the wood banister carried the scent of furniture polish. Two apartments faced each other. He knocked on 2A. No answer. He checked his watch. Eight. She might still be sleeping. Pregnant women got tired. And he hadn't been there to tuck her into bed, to fix her tea, to rub her back when it hurt. Could he ever make up for all this? He knocked again. And again. Finally, the door squeaked open. At least she had a safety chain on it. "Oh, my God." "Molly." He could barely see her through the crack. "Hi, sweetheart." "Wh..." she cleared her throat. "What are you doing here?" Her voice was scratchy, as though she were well acquainted with Marlboros. "I came to see you." He rapped lightly on the wood. "Let me in, love." Leaning her head against the door, she whispered, "I can't do this. Not now." What did that mean? The door creaked open a slice, and he got a better look at her. Her face was flushed and sweaty, her dark eyes glazed. Fear struck him like lightning. Please, God, don't let her have come to Paris for an abortion. "Mol, let me in." She coughed. "Please, you're sick, aren't you?"

"Yes." She must have been really ill because she unlatched the door. And literally fell into his arms. He held on to her for a minute, then lifted her up to his chest. Kicking his bag inside, he closed the door and crossed to the couch. He lay her down on it and felt her face. It was warm. "Molly, baby, what happened? "I...caught some bug." He let out a relieved breath that his child was safe. "Have you seen a doctor?" She licked her lips. They were parched and cracked. Picking up a glass of water, he held it to her mouth. She sipped, than sank back on the pillow. "Uh-huh. The shopkeepers Jill knew took me to their doctor. He says there's a bug going around. I probably have it." "Did he give you any medicine?" "No, it's viral. It'll run its course." "What about something for the fever?" She gripped his arm. "He told me to take some ibuprofen, but I can't, Jay. It could hurt the baby." "Molly, you can't let a fever go." "It's not that high." It wasn't, only a hundred and one when he took it, but she had to be hurting. "You should take something." "No." Of course she wouldn't. The woman wouldn't even eat red meat. She'd be vigilant about this kid. Since he knew it was his, he wanted her to be. But she was clearly suffering. "How long has this gone on?" "I've been sick since yesterday." "All right. We'll give it today. If the fever doesn't break, I'm force-feeding you Tylenol." It didn't break by seven p.m. Jase was beside himself. He'd been bathing her with tepid water to lower her temperature, giving her liquids, which she miraculously kept down, but the fever hadn't broken. He came into the bedroom with the medicine. "You've got to take this, Mol. Now." Her eyes still cloudy, her hair damp around her face, she tried to lie. "I feel better." "No, sweetheart, you don't. Besides, I checked the Internet on my cell phone. Aspirin or some other analgesic won't necessarily hurt a fetus." "No drugs." "Mol. I won't take no for an answer. Your health is at stake." She grasped his hand surprisingly hard. "The health of your baby is at stake."

"You're not thinking clear —" He stopped. "My baby?" She sank back into the pillow. "Please, Jay, you can't want me to risk your daughter's welfare." Stunned, he just held her hand. "My daughter?" "Uh-huh. I had an amniocentesis." He laid his forehead against hers. "Oh, Molly." "Please, hold off on the medicine just a bit longer." "Okay." Drawing back, he stood. His legs were wobbly. "I'll get more water to bathe you." He kissed her head. "But only a few more hours." Unsteadily, he made his way to the tiny bathroom, like a man in a trance. He dropped down on the toilet seat, trying to gain control. He was going to have a daughter. Oh, God. He stayed there a minute, then stood. Fine. Now he knew for sure. Now he needed to plan for how he was going to make everything all right. One thing was for certain. No way on earth was he letting Molly or his daughter go.

Chapter Five Jase sidled up to Molly on the top level of the Arc de Triomphe, a rooflike setting with iron spindles around the perimeter. The structure had been commissioned by Napoleon as a monument to France's war veterans. Her and Jase's own private battle had been declared a truce. He'd nursed her through the flu — sans fever medicine — helped her bathe, cooked her vegetarian food and slept on the couch for two nights. Once she'd recovered, he'd begged to spend some time with her. No discussions, no decisions, just time for them both to heal and relax before any more of the war followed. "Here, let me show you." He pointed out over the sprawling metropolis. Since he'd studied international law in Paris at one point in his college career, he was well She shook her head, unable to tell him. At Sacré-Coeur Basilica, near where they were staying, he lit his own candle. "It's for us, Mol." Reverently he touched her stomach. "All three of us." The next night he bombarded her with romance — dinner on the sunset cruise down the Seine on a Bateaux Mouches boat. They were serenaded by French singers and a strolling violinist. Then, outside, they enjoyed the tour down the river, given in six languages, which highlighted the sights: a replica of the Statue of Liberty and a likeness of Charlemagne; houses of famous Frenchmen like Voltaire; landmarks such as the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre and Notre Dame, which were stunning lit up at night.

On the day before they were to go back to Hyde Point, they visited the Musée Rodin. They both loved the trailblazing Frenchman's sculptures — they combined progressive thinking and classical overtones. Molly was particularly impressed by the outdoor gallery. Twice-life-size statues surrounded them. You could actually touch The Thinker, have your picture taken with The Burghers of Calais. Inside, they came across the The Kiss, which had always been Molly's favorite statue. As she stared at the white marble depiction of the man and woman embracing, Molly's heart hurt. She wanted this with Jase again. Though they were so different, there was some kind of irrefutable bond between them. The statue echoed it. He came up behind her and settled his hands on her shoulders. "Beautiful, isn't it?" Molly nodded and turned to him. Since it was early in the morning, they were relatively alone in the museum. "Kiss me, Jase." He grinned and tugged her close. "Change your mind about no physical stuff, sweetheart?" Her eyes narrowed on him. "You knew what you were doing. Squiring me all over the most romantic city in the world." "Me? I just wanted you to see Paris." He smiled down at her. "But I accept the invitation." And right there in the main room of the Musée Rodin, Jase took Molly in his arms. His lips were soft at first. And gentle. As always, she melted into him. Then he turned hungry. His whole body went taut and his fingers gripped her tightly. She'd loved it when Jase lost control during sex. It seemed that it was the only time he really let go. Against his mouth, she whispered softly, "Take me home, Jay."

*** Making love was the same for Jase, but so, so different. Having lost her once, having thought he'd never have the right to touch her again, he cherished the chance to do so. He felt a spiritual reverence he'd never experienced before as he slid her out of the oversize sweater she wore; her skin was rose-petal soft everywhere and feeling it again made him suck in a breath. He tugged off her skirt, knelt to remove her boots and socks and eased off the scrap of lace at her middle. Molly never wore a bra. Even with pregnancy, her breasts were firm, though fuller. "Let's lay you down, sweetheart. I want to look my fill." He eased her onto the bed. Stretched her out fully. Placed her hands above her head. Though he was still dressed, he began his exploration. "Your features are so fine. Renoir should have used you as one of his models." He traced her eyebrows, her upturned nose, her lips; his fingers tingled with the softness he found there. Then he leaned over and kissed each feature. The earthy scent of the lotion she'd used that morning filled his senses. "I missed how you taste, Mol. So honeyed and sweet." A fierce possessiveness shot through him, for this woman who carried his child. He cradled her breasts, felt them plump in his hands.

She startled. "Oh." He drew away. "Hurt?" God, he couldn't remember anything about Mary's body and her pregnancy with Tommy. "No, just tender." She brought his hands back to her. "Don't stop — it feels good." Her eyelids closed as his fingers flexed on the warm, supple flesh. "I...pregnant women... I crave your touch, Jase." acquainted with the city. "Those are the six areas of the city. See how the streets are divided." They looked like the spokes of a bike, encircling the famous landmark. She couldn't help but lean back into him. As a soft wind lifted her hair, he secured the fall jacket he'd bought her at Printemps department store more closely around her. "It's breathtaking up here." He nuzzled her neck from behind. His mouth on her was familiar. Exciting. "Hmm. You're breathtaking." She giggled. "Paris is really going to your head." "You're going to my head. Like you always did." He tugged her around and she burrowed into him. The leather blazer he'd purchased on a side street near the Sorbonne was buttery smooth against her cheek. With his dark hair and dramatic blue eyes, he looked good in it and the black T-shirt and pleated pants he wore beneath it. No doubt about it, Jase McKay was cover-model attractive in what she called his Paris clothes. He held her close. She could feel his heart beat steadily under her ear. "Tired?" "No." She inhaled him. He wore a different cologne, one he'd gotten here. It was woodsy. "Where are we going next?" "The Musée d'Orsay." He grabbed her hand and held on tight as he went ahead of her down the narrow stone circular staircase they'd had to climb to get up here. Their feet clattered on the steps. The structure reminded her of a medieval castle. Outside, he hailed a cab, and they arrived at 62, rue de Lille in minutes. Molly gasped when she entered the cavernous, modern structure. Its first-floor entry filled with arches and glass and exhibits was a work of art itself. She perused the brochure and noted the impressionist collection the gallery housed. "Jay, you don't like this kind of art." "But you do." "All right. Only if we can go to the Louvre next." Though she'd never been to Paris before, Molly had read that museum housed mostly classical artifacts. "You're on, love." And so they oohed and aahed over Degas's The Dance Class and Van Gogh's Bedroom at Arles. Then they went to the Louvre, a stunning structure with a huge glass pyramid as its entrance, to see the Mona

Lisa and the Venus di Milo. By the time they got back to the apartment, she was dragging; when he tucked her into bed for a nap, she grabbed his hand and held it close to her heart. "You did this on purpose," she said sleepily. "What?" "Showed we could compromise." The backs of his fingers grazed his cheek. "Nah. I just want you to see the city." The next day they visited churches. Molly was awed by the apse and flying buttresses of Notre Dame Cathedral; inside, the hallowed atmosphere was redolent of incense and filled with the low murmur of Mass being chanted up front. Amidst the ancient statuary, humongous stained-glass windows and one of the biggest pipe organs in the world, she reverently lit a candle. He slid his arm around her and for a moment, he just watched the flame flicker. "What did you pray for?" he finally asked. His hand trailed lower, cradling her stomach. Gently, he leaned over and brushed his lips across her slightly rounded belly. "You're bigger here." "I'm almost four months pregnant." "With my baby." He'd sat up in time to see fear flash on her face. Well, it was nothing he didn't deserve. Still, it hurt. "Say it, Mol. When you're not sick and afraid. Say she's mine." He leaned over and whispered in her ear, "Say you want her to be mine, and nobody else's." "She's yours. I want her to be yours." His heart sank at the catch in her voice. There were tiny starlike tears in her eyes. "Oh, Mol." He kissed away the renegade drops when they ran down her cheeks. They were hot and salty against his lips. "It's okay. I promise. We'll work this out." He held her to his heart until she calmed. Then he looked down at her. "I need to be close to you. As close as a man can get to a woman." He stood and disposed of his own clothes. Gently, he drew her up and seated her on the bed with her feet touching the floor. Kneeling again, he kissed her, slowly losing his sense, which always happened with her. He never liked it, that loss of control, but tonight, in Paris, he let it happen freely and without restraint. He leaned over and suckled her breasts. She braced her arms behind her, threw back her head. He spread her legs, slid her to the edge of the mattress and cupped her. Her entire body flushed, and he could tell she was ready. He eased her down then, and covered her with his mouth. She came almost instantly. Little gasps. An "Oh, Jay." Then "Oh, yes...." Pregnancy had sensitized her to his touch, but he remembered how easily he could make her spiral even before. How at his mercy, physically, she'd always been.

Then again, so was he. At hers. As if to underscore his thought, she tugged him down onto the bed and helped him scoot over. The mattress gave under his weight; his frame was too big and his feet hung off the end. She came up on her knees and began her own exploration of him. She inhaled his scent, murmured, "I missed this so much. I missed you." He closed his eyes, let himself just feel. Her mouth was everywhere, tickling his chest...tonguing his nipples...nipping the inside of his thigh. By the time she got to the part of him that craved her touch the most, he practically ricocheted off the bed. But she didn't stop. She loved him fully, and completely, as she always had. And he gave himself over to it. Later, he entered her gently. His back was against the headboard and she straddled him. Her hair was thick and wound around his fingers as if to show him it had missed his touch, too. He tunneled through the glorious mane that had haunted his midnights. "I don't want to hurt the baby." "You won't." Her eyes were already starting to glaze. "I won't hurt you either, Mol. I promise." She raised her hands to his mouth; she had calluses on her fingers from digging in the garden she kept. "Shh. Not now. Just be a part of me again, Jay. I missed this more than I'd miss breathing if it was taken away from me." So he thrust, careful not to hurt her this way, vowing he wouldn't hurt her any other way, either. She gasped at his entry. Emotion clogged his throat as he filled her, felt her wet and hot, closing around him. They climaxed together, which they'd always done, easily, without effort. It was earth-shattering. It was holy. It was right. He told her so, hours later, after they napped and she was refreshed. "We have to talk, Mol." Snuggling into him, she pressed her body the full length of his. "I never liked conversations that started with that phrase." He kissed her head. Hugged her close. "I want claim to this baby."

Chapter Six Molly stared at the man seated next to her on the 747, which alternately hummed and roared as it flew them back to Hyde Point; he was a stranger, in so many ways. Today, in the suit and tie he'd worn to Paris, he looked so much like the Redford character from Barefoot in the Park that it made her heart clench. She wondered why they ever thought they could be together.... Last night, things had gone from bad to worse. She'd stiffened when Jase said he wanted claim to her baby. "Is that what this was all about?" she asked stiffly, a bone-chilling coldness replacing the warmth his body had given her. "No, this was all about you and me." She hadn't said anything, reeling from the phrase itself — he wanted claim — and all its ramifications.

Reaching over, he'd switched on a light. Gently he tipped her chin up. The slumberous sexual haze was gone from his eyes. "You don't trust me." "Why would I, Jase?" "Fair enough." He took in a deep breath. "I'll just have to earn back your trust." She swallowed hard. "You never had it. I don't know if I can ever give it to you." His hand slid down between them. Even after their sexual marathon, his touch made her shiver. He caressed her stomach. "Well, you're going to have to try. You're carrying my child and that changes things." He'd seemed surprised when she drew away, slid out of bed and rummaged for a robe. Probably because she was the ultimate nudist; it had always bothered him how she walked around naked. "What's wrong?" he asked. She tied the belt and went to stand by the window, looking out over Montmartre. Darkness had settled, but the streets were lit up and traffic beeped its way down the narrow cobbled roadways. "Do you realize what you said?" She cleared her throat. "Or rather, what you didn't say?" "Did I say something wrong? Mol, I'm just trying to make this right." She turned, holding back the tears. He was sitting up against the pillows amidst the light blue sheets, his dark hair sexily disheveled. "You said you wanted the baby, Jay. Not me. I'll ask you again. Is that what all this is about?" "How can you accuse me of that after what just happened between us?" "Because of what you left out of your little seduction." "Is it starting already? The bickering, the divisiveness?" She sighed. "I guess it is." She looked to the ceiling, studying the small crack in the plaster. "Maybe it's never going to work between us. Maybe we're just too different." With that, she'd turned and walked into the tiny bathroom. In minutes, he'd come to the door and pounded on it when he found it locked. "Open up, Molly." She'd been crying too hard to move. "Open up." Still she didn't. She sat on the toilet seat and sobbed. Until he said in an anguished voice, "Please." Slowly she'd unlocked the door. She sat back on the seat and he knelt in front of her. "I'm sorry." She just cried.

"I'm sorry you're crying, Mol. But I don't even know what I did. What I said." And that, she thought, was the problem. He was able to hurt her so easily and he didn't even know he was doing it. Having to explain it to him was like asking somebody to tell you he loved you. In the end, he'd coaxed her back to bed. Made empty promises. Touched her like she was spun glass and more precious to him than gold. Once again she'd capitulated....

*** "Molly?" Reaching out, he clasped her hand. His was big and warm, yet anything but safe. "I asked if you were all right." "I'm fine." "We're almost there." "Good." "I left my car at the airport." "Oh, well, I called Logan." "What?" "I called Logan about the store when we changed planes in New York. He's going to pick me up." "Why the hell did you do that?" She shrugged. "I don't know. Habit, I guess." He swore then. "I hate your relationship with that guy." She turned her face to the window. The glass was cold, like she felt inside. There were more surprises at the airport. Logan had Jill with him; she went to Molly and hugged her tightly. And Thomas Stevenson had brought Tommy to meet Jase. The child squealed and raced to his father; Jase scooped him up and held him tightly. Molly's hand went to her stomach. In so many ways, Jase was a good father. Tommy caught sight of Molly. "Molly, Molly." His five-year-old voice carried out over the airport din. She smiled. "Hey, Tommy Boy, how are you?" He scrambled down and ran to her, throwing himself at her when she knelt down. She cherished the feel of his chubby arms around her neck. "Jeez, Molly Golly, I missed you."

Over his shoulder she saw Thomas Stevenson slant a confused look at Jase. Molly felt his disapproval in the marrow of her bones. God, she thought she was done with letting people's views of her hurt. "I missed you, too," she told Tommy. He drew back and grasped a handful of hair. "Were you in Paris with Dad?" "I, um, I was there before your dad came. We met up." "Neat." He toyed with the long strands. "Can I come to the store again? I haven't been there in so long." He'd loved Natural Options, with its crystals and stones, its home-baked cookies and its astrology section. It also sported a children's area. I don't want him believing in that crap, Molly. It is not crap. Stones have psychological properties. Astrology is science. Dear Lord, the bad memories were coming back as soon as they set foot in this town. "You'll have to ask your dad." She stood and looked to Logan, a man she knew she could depend on. He came forward immediately. "Hi, honey." Leaning over, he kissed her cheek. "You okay?" he whispered. "Get me out of here, please." "That I can do." He drew back and took her hand. He smiled down at Tommy. "Jet lag is catching up, kid. I'm gonna take Molly home." She saw Jase stiffen. Thomas approached him. "I hope this was all right. After you called to let us know when you'd be in, Tommy begged to come to the airport." His gaze locked on Molly, Jase said tightly, "It's all right." Logan tugged on her hand, then abandoned that and slid his arm around her shoulder. "Let's go." "Goodbye, Jase," she murmured and allowed Logan to steer her to the exit. Once inside his car, she burst into tears.

*** In her bedroom, lit with jasmine-scented candles, Jase held Molly close as her breathing settled down, waiting for his own heart to slow. He hadn't expected to end up here, in bed with her, when he came to her place after work to apologize for upsetting her in Paris. He'd just wanted everything to be right between them. Once again, she'd forgiven him, and they'd made bittersweet, poignant love. "That was so good, love. When we're like this, I think nothing can go wrong."

"Me, too." "I missed you." He felt her smile against his chest. "It's only been three days since we got back from Paris." "Forever." He kissed her hair. "Are you hungry? I could fix you something." He glanced at his watch. "No, I have to go." "You're not staying for the evening?" "No, the Stevensons are having a party for Tommy's birthday." He felt her stiffen. "I see." "Your party yesterday for him was great. His buddies loved the pudding paint." Molly had invited Tommy's friends over to the store and in the children's area, had set up a big table where the kids could fingerpaint with chocolate pudding — and eat it as they played. They'd been a sight when Jase had swung by to pick them up. Even Jill, who'd come to help, had gotten into it. She and Molly were covered with the confection. "I'm glad they enjoyed it." "What's wrong?" "Nothing." She slid out of bed and threw on a print kimono he'd never seen before. "New bathrobe?" "Logan got it in Indonesia." "Oh, Logan. Of course." She ignored the sarcasm. He ignored the fact that she was growing closer to the guy every day. He was her safety net, in case Jase let her fall. God, sometimes it seemed they'd made no real progress since he followed her to Paris. She was still treating him as if he was going to betray her any day now. He didn't know what the hell she wanted from him. He'd made sure she got to spend time with Tommy. He invited her to lunch in town. They had plans to spend Friday night with Jill and Riley. "Tell me what's bothering you." She circled around. "I'm upset about not being invited to this party." "It's..." He didn't know what to say. "I didn't think you'd want to come. It's just..." "It's just family."

"Well, yes." Systematically she circled the room and blew out every candle. "Fine, I —" The phone rang and she reached for it. "Hello?" A smile. "No actually, I don't have plans." She laughed. "Sure. Just a sec." She covered the mouthpiece. "Will you be gone in twenty minutes?"

Chapter Seven Jase couldn't concentrate at work the next day. He kept seeing Molly in Kane's robe and pictured her out with him last night. Of course, it had been Kane on the phone. He'd wanted to take Molly to some new vegetarian restaurant that had just opened on Main Street, which just further illustrated their differences. Jase hated vegetarian food, and would never have picked the Grilled Asparagus for a date with Molly. But the thought of her out with another man, especially after their lovemaking, killed him. Because of that, and the tenuousness of their relationship, he hadn't slept well, haunted by the notion that he was losing her again. "Jase, good morning." Thomas stood in the entryway of his office. "Are you busy? "Still trying to catch up from my trip." "I'd like a word with you." His shoulders aching with fatigue, Jase sat back. "Sure, come on in." When Thomas was seated, Jase said, "Thanks again for Tommy's party last night." Though he'd been upset to see Sarina Matthews there — it apparently wasn't just family, which increased his guilt — the party had been a nice gesture. Adjusting his perfectly knotted tie, Thomas focused his keen gaze on Jase. "I'd like to know what's going on with you, Jase. With you and the Kimball woman." "Molly?" "I've been a lawyer a long time. I sense dynamics. This trip to Paris was because of her, right?" "Thomas, I'm not ready to get into this with you yet." "Well, let me say one thing." "All right." "That case you asked me about a few weeks ago? I've done some research on paternity suits. Custody doesn't always go to the woman anymore, particularly when the man is well-respected in town. In the case of a child, without the union of marriage, it's easy enough to prove paternity and get at least partial

custody, if not full custody." He leaned forward. "I also checked into Molly Kimball's background. I —" Jase heard a gasp in the doorway. Looking up, he saw Jill clutching the doorjamb. Her hand slid protectively to her stomach. Thomas turned around. "Oh, hello, Jillian. Jase and I were just discussing a case." Her gaze turned flinty. "Yes, I heard. If you'll excuse me." Goddamn it, Jase thought. What next? He sought out Molly's sister as soon as he could. She was behind closed doors with her husband. And they were yelling. He could hear them from the hall. "Stay out of it, honey." "No. I won't. Damn it, why doesn't she answer?" "Jilly, calm down." Knocking briefly, Jase let himself in the office. Riley was pacing and Jill was on the phone. They both looked up. "Well, if it isn't Benedict Arnold," Jill said. "Look, you misunderstood." "I misunderstood? You and Thomas weren't plotting how to take Molly's baby away?" Jill's piercing gaze was so frosty it chilled him. "No wonder she wouldn't tell you you were the father." He approached the desk. "I'm not planning anything. Thomas made some suggestions is all...." Even to his own ears his explanation sounded weak. "You're lying." She crossed to the closet in her office and drew out her coat. "Where are you going?" Riley asked. "To Molly's house. She needs to know what's going on." Jase stilled. "Please, don't do that. Things are already precarious enough between us." "And who the hell's fault is that?" "It's mine, I guess. I'm sorry I've hurt Molly. But I'm trying to make up for it. I'm trying to set this right." "You want the baby." "I want Molly, too." At her doubting look, he added forcefully, "I wasn't plotting to take the baby." Jill came over to him. Coat on, she rose up on tiptoes. "You damn well were. But I'll tell you this. I'll fight you legally. Molly will make a wonderful mother. I'll make sure she has the chance." His voice hiked up a notch and he emphasized each word. "I don't want to take the baby away from her."

"I don't believe you." Jill headed for the door. "In any case, I'm not the one to convince." "If you tell her what you overheard, she'll never believe anything I say." "You should have thought of that before." With that, Jill turned and walked out.

*** Jill walked into Logan's restaurant at noontime, ready to spit nails if her expression was any indication. Molly saw Riley hurrying in behind her, then Jase. She scowled and looked over the bar at Logan. Dressed casually in a green sweater that made his eyes glow like a cat's, he put down the glass he was drying and came around the bar to stand next to her. "Jill?" Molly cocked her head. "What's going on?" "There's something you need to know." Riley came up behind her. "Jilly, please. This is between her and Jase." Jase reached them. His face was lined with exhaustion and worry. He said, "At least let me tell her what you overheard." Briefly, Jill looked torn. Molly felt her stomach pitch. She knew in her heart this was going hurt. Bad. Riley grasped Jill's arm. "Honey, think if it was us. Wouldn't you want to work this out with me?" Leaning into him, she whispered, "You'd never do this to me." Jase turned to Molly. "If you care about me at all, let's go somewhere so I can clear this up." Don't do it, her mind warned. Let Jill tell you. But she faced Logan. He said, "Use my office," then grasped her arm. "I'll be right here if you need me." Molly led the way back to Logan's office. Like his apartment above the store, it was bare of any personal things. She reached the desk and leaned against it, folding her arms across her middle. Insufficient armor against the blow Jase was about to deliver. "Okay, what happened?" "Jill overheard a conversation between me and Thomas Stevenson this morning. She misunderstood what was going on." "What was going on?" "Thomas wanted to know what was between you and me. And he said that if I wanted him to, he could help me get partial or full custody of our baby." Molly's world dimmed. She grasped onto the desk for support. "Oh, my God."

"Sweetheart, this came totally from Thomas. I never instigated any of it. I'd never try to take our baby away from you." She recalled his words in Paris. I want claim to this baby. "How did Thomas know about the baby, if you weren't in on the plot?" "It's not a plot." He ran a hand through his dark hair and swore. Like a guilty man. "I consulted him about the paternity testing." "So you did tell him." "No, I said I had a case where paternity was at issue. He advised me." At her skeptical look, he added, "I never followed through on the paternity test order." "Not yet." "All right, Mol, I know this looks bad. But it isn't what it appears to be. I told Thomas he was way off base, and I'd never do this to you." If only she could believe him. Oh, God, her worst fear was materializing. "Look, I have a solution to all this. Let's just get married." "What?" "Let's get married. Then it will be a moot point." Lawyer jargon. "You mean merge, don't you, so you'll have legal claim as a father. Is that what Thomas advised you to do?" "I don't deserve that. I'm trying to compromise, to make this right for all of us." Her insides were cold. Numb. But her hands began to tremble. "Are you? Isn't there something missing from your oh-so-romantic proposal?" "What?" She bit her lip so she wouldn't cry. "I won't marry you, Jase. You never said you loved me." "Of course I love you. What do you think this whole thing has been about?" "Getting claim to a child you don't think I'm fit to raise." "Look, I know we have our differences. On life and child rearing. But I was wrong to keep you from Tommy. You're wonderful with him. We can compromise." She turned her back on him to block out the words that she'd longed for months to hear come out of his mouth. "No." The wall clock ticked loudly in the tense silence. He came up to her. She shrugged him off. He didn't step

back, so she reached over to the desk and picked up the phone, pressed a button and when Logan answered, said, "Could you come in here? I need you." Jase grasped her arms. Hoarsely, he said, "Mol, please. Don't do this." Like an avenging angel, Logan burst through the door. He jostled Jase out of the way to get to Molly. "Are you all right? Molly leaned into him. "Just make him go away." Logan straightened and faced Jase. "Get out of here, McKay. For good." Riley came up to Jase. "Come on, let's go." "Molly, please, don't do this." She didn't answer, only clutched Logan's arm. Finally, Jase turned and headed to the door, where he stopped and pivoted. "One last thing." His eyes were hollow. "You never said you loved me, either. That didn't make it any less true." And with that he was gone. Hopelessly, she buried her face in Logan's shirt. "God, Logan, he's going to take my baby." "No, he's not." He tipped her chin. "Look, I haven't said anything before because I thought you might work it out with McKay. But I'll say it now. Molly, I'm a powerful man. I have connections. Compared to me, the Stevensons are babes in the woods. Marry me, and I can keep them from ever touching you or the baby."

Chapter Eight "Molly, are you sure you want to do this?" Jill watched her in the mirror, as Molly stood adjusting the collar of the taupe-colored, calf-length wedding dress. Her heart was a leaden weight in her chest and it showed in the smudges beneath her eyes and the strain around her mouth. "Yes." She practically choked on the word. "I got another formal summons to have the paternity test." Which she'd discarded without reading. "That about clinches it, don't you think?" Her sister frowned. "I guess." She fussed with the flowers Molly wore in her hair, which swung loosely to her waist. The way Jase liked it best. "But I'm having second thoughts about Jase's motives. And Riley's convinced he wasn't trying to take the baby." "Riley is Jase's best friend." Jill grasped her shoulders. "He's been miserable all week at work. And I finally talked to him. He swears he wants you and the baby. He sounds so sincere, honey." Molly swallowed hard. "He came to see Logan, too, and said as much. I think even Logan's wavering." She sniffed back tears. "It's still too much to risk. He doesn't know about tonight, does he?"

"No, we promised you we wouldn't tell him. He's at our law firm shindig at the country club." "Probably with Sarina Matthews. Logan heard she'd been at Tommy's party." Apparently it hadn't been just family. That, and the fear that consumed her, was making her do this thing, which now seemed obscene. She faced Jill. "How do I look?" "Like you're on death row. Molly, you shouldn't marry a man you don't love." You never told me you loved me, either. That doesn't make it any less true. God, they were both so cautious. No wonder they couldn't make it work between them. "Logan's a dream come true for any woman." "Why does he want to do this? Did he ever say?" "Just that something happened to him a long time ago and he'd never marry because of it. And that with his lifestyle — being away so much — a love match wasn't going to cut it." She sighed. "I know in my heart he's an honorable man and, right now, his protection is what I need. I don't have much other choice." "We could fight Jase legally. You and me." She took in her sister's pale face. "You've been spending entirely too much time on my problems. And you've been at odds with Riley. It isn't good for you two. Now, let's go. I don't want to be late for my own wedding." As they headed out of the little chapel's anteroom — ironically where Jase had found out about the baby — the pangs of misgiving hit her like a physical blow. She saw Jase in Paris — bathing her face when she was sick, holding her hand down the Seine, driving into her with the force of a man who couldn't get enough of her. Oh, God, what if he did love her? What if she was making a huge mistake?

*** Staring into the mirror in the bedroom he'd shared with Mary, Jase finished doing up the bow tie of his tux. He looked good for near forty. He was going to have fun at the firm's party tonight. "Who the hell do you think you're fooling?" It had been one of the darkest weeks of his life. He thought he was miserable before, but now — because he really believed it was over between him and Molly — he was despondent. He hadn't contacted her personally. It was an unselfish act. Jill had said she was worried about all the stress on her sister, so he was leaving Molly alone for her health. And for his daughter's. He'd also rescinded the paternity test order. He'd had it delivered, along with another document, so she'd finally see he wasn't after the baby. There was nothing else he could do. "Daddy, this came for you." He glanced up to see Tommy in the doorway of his bedroom. "What is it?"

"A letter. It came after school. Nonny made me promise to give it to you. I forgot." "That's okay, champ. Hand it over." Jase took the letter and after Tommy left, he absently scanned the envelope. No return address. It appeared to be some kind of invitation. Tearing open the flap, he pulled out the sheet and read it. His brain whirled. His heart leaped. And anger surged through him. "Over my dead body," he mumbled and stalked to the door.

*** Logan looked like something out of GQ, dressed in a tux and with his longish hair trimmed. "Ready, honey?" he asked, taking Molly's hand. She put her hand in his and they started for the altar. Logan held on tight, though he did glance over his shoulder a couple of times. She stopped before they reached the minister and Jill and Riley. "Logan, if you're having second thoughts, we can —" "No, it's not that. It's..." "Stop right there, Kane." Molly turned around and froze; Jase loomed in the back of the chapel, big and beautiful in a raven tux and snowy white shirt, which set off his dark good looks. She heard Jill say, "Oh, Rie, you said you wouldn't interfere." "I didn't, honey. Honest." "Then who...?" With Jase bearing down the aisle, Logan said quietly, "Give me a minute." He stepped in front of Molly. "Hold on, McKay." "No way in hell." Confidence boomed from Jase's voice. Logan arched a brow. "I'm trained to kill. I can do it to you with a flick of my wrist." Oh, my God. Jase stood tall. "Well, that's what you'll have to do to keep me from Molly." Molly's jaw dropped as a real and rare smile dawned on Logan's face. "That's what I was waiting for, man." "What?" Molly muttered. "I don't understand." Logan glanced over his shoulder. "I'll be damned, Molly. He does love you." Drawing in a breath, Molly wavered. Jase pushed Logan out of the way and strode to her. Wordlessly,

he bent over and scooped her up, turned and headed down the aisle. Her arms circled his neck for balance...and out of relief. Her heart felt...lighter. "What are you doing?" "Keeping the woman I love from making a terrible mistake." "Jase, no, this isn't the answer." "Marrying a man you don't love because you're afraid of me sure as hell isn't." Holding her to his chest, he nudged open the door and hurried down the sidewalk to his car. "It's cool out, but the heater's on, so you'll be all right." He managed to get her in the car. She sat where she was until he circled around and slid inside. Raising his arm to the back of her seat, he faced her squarely and grasped onto her shoulder. "I don't understand why you'd do this, Mol. Yesterday, I sent you the paternity test rescission order along with a legal document forsaking all claim to the baby. You didn't have to marry Kane to escape me." "I —" She shrugged. "I didn't open it." Shaking his head, he turned to the wheel. "Women." He started to drive. "Jase, listen, we need to talk." "No, we're done talking. " "Where are we going?" "To a party." "What?" "You'll see." She did when they pulled up to Hyde Point Country Club, an imposing Tudor structure lit up for the night. "The firm's having a party. We're going inside." "Jase, I'm not dressed for this." "You're perfectly dressed." He leaned over and kissed her hard. "For what I have in mind." Before she could get out of the car, he was around the other side and leaned in and lifted her up again; then he carried her inside. Embarrassed, she hid her face in his jacket. But he didn't put her down; he stalked into the ballroom, where the party was under way, and headed straight for the band. A sixties song was just ending. At the makeshift stage, he set her on her feet, and took the mike. "Hi, everybody. I have an announcement to make." People, all in tuxes and gowns, turned to the stage. "This is Molly Kimball McKay." Molly grasped his arm. "We just got married. I wanted all my colleagues to know." Spontaneous clapping began. "Now, if you'll excuse us, we have a honeymoon to begin." Ignoring the applause, he picked her up again like a real bride and went out the way they entered. Soon, they were in the car. "Jase, please, talk to me."

"No, that's how we get into trouble. We're done talking. Actions speak louder than words." He started the car and drove toward downtown. "We're not married." A cocky grin complemented the devil in his eyes, making him look young. "Well, we're going to have to tie the knot, now. Or you'll embarrass me so badly I'll be forced to leave town. And my job. And all my friends." A small laugh escaped her. "This is so unlike you." He chuckled. "Yeah, and isn't it great?" His hand slid over and captured her knee. "But Mol, in some ways, I am like the lawyer in that movie, the Redford character. So, hang on...." "Jase, that's not important anymore. It's a stupid movie; those people aren't us." "Hush." They reached the center of town and pulled up to the park. He stopped the car and went for the door. "Jase, what are you doing?" "Watch." He slid his legs out, but didn't get up. Leaning over, he did something, then before she knew it, he was out of the car and on the grass. Without his shoes and socks. Just like in the movie. From the middle of the park, he faced the car. Arms spread out, he yelled at the top of his lungs, "I love you Molly Kimball. I am a stuffed shirt, but I'll change. I promise. Marry me!" Molly shook her head and leaped out of the car. She ran across the grass, and threw herself at him. "Oh, Jase. You don't have to do this. I've been wrong, too. I've been inflexible. I'm so sorry. I'll be better." His arms banded around her and he went still. He met her forehead with his. "Then you'll marry me?" "Yes, I will." "Why?" he asked hoarsely, his lips on her ear. Drawing back, she looked up at him. "Because I love you." "That's all we need. " He hugged her close. "We'll be fine, you, me, Tommy and our daughter." "I know." "Yeah, sweetheart..." he kissed her hard "...so do I."

The End