The clock on the dashboard read ten thirty when Blake pulled the truck up in front of his house.

Delaney got out and opened the door to get Ben from the back seat where they’d moved the car seat after she had agreed to come back with them.

“I’ll get him,” Blake said.

Delaney nodded and reached for one of the suitcases.

“Leave those there. I’ll come back for them,” Blake told her as he lifted his sleeping son out of the car seat.

“I can get them.”

“Let’s not get started. I’m sure we’ll find plenty to disagree about over the next two weeks. Just take the keys and open the door so I can get Ben inside.” He jangled the keys from his fingers.

Delaney tried not to feel deflated as she preceded him up the porch steps. If Blake expected them to be at each other’s throats all the time, his animosity toward her might be even deeper than she’d thought.

Blake carried Ben upstairs and then went back outside for the luggage.

“If you want to follow me up,” he said when he came back in, “I’ll show you which room you’ll be in.”

“Where’s Ben’s room?” she asked after Blake showed her where she’d be staying.

“Right across the hall from yours, which as you already know is right next to mine.”

He set the suitcases by the side of the bed. Delaney stood just inside the doorway, what should have been a safe distance, but not far enough away that she didn’t feel every part of him in her blood. The room could have been twenty times bigger, and he still would have filled it with his presence.

“I use the bathroom connected to my room. You and Ben can use the one at the end of the hall.”

She nodded.

He strolled toward her. “Use the dresser and closet if you want; they’re empty.” 

Delaney held her breath until he passed by and walked out the door, leaving her alone in the room.

She’d only been asleep a couple of hours when she woke with a start. Delaney listened, not sure if she’d heard something. She got out of bed and walked to the door, opening it and looking out into the hall.

If Ben had awakened during the night in a strange place, he might have been frightened and roamed out of his room. He wouldn’t know where she was. She heard soft cries coming from across the hall.

“Ben,” she whispered when she peeked into the room. Benjamin was tossing in his sleep. Delaney could tell from his restless whimpers that he was having a bad dream. She hurried across the floor and sat down beside him.

“There, little one.”  She stroked his head.  He quieted for a minute but then became agitated again. As she reached out to calm him once more, Ben screamed and came up off the bed into her arms.

A SCREAM penetrated Blake’s dreams as if coming from far away. Delaney was in his arms, soft, warm and loving. Now she was screaming, but something was wrong. It didn’t sound like her; it sounded like—

“Ben,” the name broke from his mouth as he tumbled out of the bed.

Blake grabbed his jeans from the chair beside the bed and struggled to pull them up as he tripped toward the door. He’d probably have to start sleeping in boxers now that his young son would be living there.

He ran out of his room and cut around the corner into Ben’s, coming to an abrupt halt as his eyes anxiously sought out his son.

“Shhh, it’s okay, love. It’s okay.” Delaney sat on the bed rocking Benjamin in her lap. She held his head against her breast, cooing soft reassurances to him. “It was only a bad dream, hush now,” she soothed.

Blake’s chest tightened at the sight. Delaney’s hair tumbled around the two of them like a silk blanket reflected in the moonlight that cast muted light across the bed. Ben cuddled against her as if she were his safety net. Delaney stroked the small head in a continuous motion intended to allay the boy’s fear.

The scene made Blake long for things that could never be. He took a step toward them, feeling like an outsider. Delaney looked up, his movement drawing her attention.

“He had a bad dream,” she said softly. “It frightened him.”

Blake nodded, feeling uncertain whether he should take over or not. He thought he should be the one comforting Ben, but his son might not be willing to leave Delaney’s arms.

Ben looked up as Blake neared the bed.

“I’m sorry I waked you.” Blake saw the uncertainty in the boy’s eyes. Delaney had confirmed Blake’s belief that Connie had lied to Benjamin about him. He could see now that some of the fears Connie had instilled in the boy might be hard to overcome.

“You don’t have to be sorry,” he told Ben. He would win his son over with love and patience. He’d build a strong bond between the two of them that no one could destroy.

“Are you mad ‘cause I screamded?”

“No, Ben, I’m not mad.” Blake shook his head and sat down next to Delaney. “You can wake me any time you’re frightened. I won’t get angry. That’s what daddies are for.”

Blake wanted to reach out and touch Ben. He wanted to wrap his arm around Delaney and pull them both against his heart. He wasn’t sure if either would welcome the gesture.

“Are you still afraid?” Blake asked.

“I had a scary dream.”

“I know. Do you want to tell me about it?”

Ben’s small mouth worked in uncertainty. He looked at Delaney then back to Blake.

“A bad man was getting me.” Ben’s lower lip trembled. “Laney got hurt and the mean man taked me. Laney was crying.”

Blake hoped the bad man in the dream didn’t turn out to be him. He waited, telling himself he couldn’t get upset if it did.

“You was running and yelling ‘cause you didn’t know where we was. I screamded so you’d find me and Laney.”

Blake’s breath caught in his chest. He wasn’t the bad man. Thank God, he wasn’t the bad man.

He reached out to lift Ben from Delaney’s lap. She let Ben go, nodding to the boy when his eyes shot to hers.

Blake settled Ben against his chest.

“I’m sorry you had a bad dream. It’s over now and no one’s going to hurt you or take you away. I won’t let them.”

Blake looked at Delaney over Ben’s head. Their eyes held for a few seconds, longer than what felt comfortable considering how shaky he felt.

“You can go back to your room,” he told her. “I’ll take over from here.”

She started to say something then closed her mouth.

“Okay.” She reached out and ran a hand over Ben’s hair. “I’ll see you in the morning, sport.”

“No,” Ben objected. He grabbed hold of Delaney’s hand.

“Ben,” Blake said as he leaned down to his son. “Delaney’s going back to sleep now. I’ll stay with you until you feel better.”

“No.” Ben shook his head. “I want Laney to stay with me.”

“Ben, it’s all right.” Delaney tried to comfort him. “Your daddy will be here.”

“I want you to stay,” Ben insisted.

Delaney cast Blake a helpless look. She probably didn’t want to turn Ben down but was afraid Blake would balk if she asked if it was okay.

He sighed. He supposed it wouldn’t hurt to let her stay with Ben for one night, just until the boy got used to being here. Ben trusted her and felt more comfortable with her. That’s just the way it was for now.

“If you don’t mind,” Blake put it back to her. As much as he wanted his son’s trust, he realized it would be something he’d have to earn.

“I don’t mind.”

“Then I guess we should all try to get some sleep now.” Blake laid Ben back on the bed then stood up, giving the space back to Delaney.

Blake took a couple of steps backward. “I’ll see you both in the morning.” He told himself he shouldn’t feel hurt by Ben’s reluctance, and then turned to leave the room.

“No,” Ben called.

Blake looked back at his son. The boy looked at him with wide pleading eyes. What was wrong now?

“What is it, Ben?”

“You too,” Ben said, “I want you to stay too.”

Blake’s eyes shot to Delaney’s. Delaney’s eyes shot to his.

Blake gave a nervous laugh.  “Son, that’s not—Delaney’s going to stay with you.”

Ben pouted and said softly, “You too.”

Blake relished Ben’s turnabout, but he couldn’t spend the night in the same bed as Delaney. He’d already determined the only way he’d be able to survive the next two weeks would be to stay as far away from her as possible.

“Right here, Daddy.” Ben patted the place on the other side of him.

Blake drew a long breath. Oh, what the hell. The boy would be between them. It wasn’t as if anything was going to happen. And it was the first time Ben had reached out to him.

“Okay, if you really want me to stay.”

Ben scooted toward Delaney to make more room. Blake looked down at his blue jeans, walked around the footboard, and climbed in beside his son.

“Goodnight, Ben.” Blake turned his head to look at the boy snuggled close to Delaney’s side. He wondered what she’d do if he rolled over and wrapped his arm around both of them. He looked at her face. Her eyes were closed, but she had a faint smile on her lips.

BLAKE WOKE early the next morning with a finger in his ear. If he wasn’t mistaken, there was also a very soft feminine form molded against his right side. He opened one eye and looked down. Benjamin lay on top of Blake’s chest. His son was responsible for the finger in the ear.

He reached up to reposition the probing finger then wrapped his left arm over Ben’s back. His right arm had found its way under Delaney’s waist sometime during the night where it now lay curled in content possession.

He closed the eye and enjoyed the sensations a few minutes before attempting to wake them.

“Delaney,” he whispered, when the pleasant feelings became a little more comfortable than he could allow. He gave her a gentle shake.

She burrowed closer, making Blake wish things were different.

“Delaney,” he said, and shook a little harder, “wake up.”

Ben started to roll to the side. Blake caught him. Delaney mumbled a few incoherent syllables then began to stretch.

She stiffened. Her head shot up, and she stared at him with horrified eyes. Her expression couldn’t have been a clearer defense for innocence.

“Oh, oh.” she scooted away, releasing his arm and removing herself from the bed.

“You should really learn how to control yourself, Delaney.” He grinned, unable to resist baiting her.

Delaney’s blush heightened. “I didn’t,” she started to defend herself. “Oh forget it,” she said with obvious frustration. “I don’t know why I even try explaining things to you.”

“No need to explain. It’s obvious you can’t keep your hands off me,” he teased, enjoying her discomfort. “I’ll just have to be careful not to let you get me alone.”

He wasn’t planning on acting on the lust she inspired in him, but if they had to spend a couple of weeks together, he might as well enjoy these occasional moments when he could relax his guard. They would be few and far between, and she looked so damn cute when she got all flustered that he couldn’t help but try to push her buttons.

She threw him a glaring look that narrowed into warning green slivers just before she spun around and headed for the door. “I’m going to see what I can make for breakfast.”

Nothing like a little provocation to get her in a fighting mood, Blake thought. He’d keep that in mind.

ON MONDAY Ben stayed with Delaney while Blake went to work. Tuesday he took Ben with him for the day. Delaney didn’t know how interesting it would be for Ben to visit job sites, but Blake said he thought the boy might enjoy seeing what his dad did for a living.

Delaney dumped the onions she had just chopped into the pot of chili she was making for supper. Blake hadn’t asked her to make meals as part of their agreement. It just seemed a natural thing for her to do, and he hadn’t said anything to discourage her.

She took the dough she’d set to rise and punched it down. Turning it out onto a floured board, she started to make dinner rolls.

The wall of windows at the rear of the kitchen afforded an unobstructed view to the cove that backed up to the property. She watched several geese fly low over the water and land with the precision of a highly trained air squadron.

A small sailboat rocked against a floating dock. Ben told her that Blake promised to teach him how to sail in the spring.

Delaney glanced at the clock. They should be back soon. She wondered how their day had gone.

Aside from her father, Ben had never had a stable male figure in his life. That would change now. After some initial hesitation, Benjamin had begun to accept Blake. There were times when she’d catch Ben watching Blake and then mimic some gesture as if trying to emulate his father.

She didn’t know if Blake was aware of it. His own desire to win Ben over was so strong it twisted Delaney’s heart. Sometimes he stood to the side, watching her and Ben as if wanting nothing more than to join them, but holding back.

There was no doubt in her mind father and son had begun to form a bond, tentative and delicate though it might be. It both warmed and saddened her. Blake wouldn’t need her help with Benjamin much longer.

“Laney, look,” Ben cried as he burst through the kitchen door. “Look what Daddy buyed me!” He almost tripped as he ran across the room, threatening to drop the squirming puppy wrapped in his arms.

“A puppy!” Delaney fell to her knees, “Oh, look how cute you are.”

Ben held the puppy up for her to see, and the wiggling bundle of tan gave her a face wash.

Ben giggled. “He likes to lick faces,” he told her with a grin.

“So I see.” She laughed and scratched the little motion machine on the head. “Does your new little friend have a name yet?”

“Hunter, he’s a Chep-ska-peke retrie…retrie.” He looked at Blake.

“A Chesapeake Bay Retriever,” Blake said, smiling at his son.

“I’ve never heard of them.”

“They’re popular Bay dogs,” Blake told her, “and they’re very loyal and trustworthy.”

Delaney nodded. “Oh. Why did you name him Hunter?” she asked Ben.

“’Cause they hunt ducks.”

Delaney looked quickly to Blake. She’d never been a big fan of hunting. It wasn’t something she would have encouraged Ben to do, but she wouldn’t be the one making those decisions anymore.

“They’re good at retrieving birds from the water. A lot of duck hunters like them.”  Blake frowned when she continued to look at him. “Don’t worry, Delaney, we’re not going to start eliminating the neighborhood waterfowl.”

At that moment Hunter broke free from Ben’s hold and tried to jump up on Delaney’s legs. Ben giggled, and Blake and Delaney joined in as they watched the puppy stumble and roll over its own feet in an effort to win their undivided attention.

When Hunter started circling and sniffing around Delaney’s knees, Blake suggested Ben take the puppy into the backyard. Ben bounded out the back door with Hunter hot on his feet.

“He’ll love you forever now.” Delaney stood up and brushed off her slacks.

“I’m not trying to buy Ben’s love,” Blake responded stiffly.

“I wasn’t saying that. I only meant he seems very happy with the puppy. I didn’t mean—”

“Forget it.”

Delaney bit her lip. It seemed any time they were alone they started to argue. She didn’t know how to talk to him, how to begin to break down the barriers. So far, he’d crushed every attempt she’d made.

“I’m sorry, Blake, but no, I don’t want to forget it. You’re intent on turning everything I say or do into a confrontation.”

He shoved his hands in his pockets, bracing his legs apart as if taking up a battle stance, and getting ready to do exactly what she’d just said he did.

“I’m sorry for what Connie did to you. I’m sorry that my concern for Ben added to that wrong. But I’ve tried to make it up to you.” She put her hands on her hips to match his warrior stance. “I’ve apologized, tried to explain, but you’re not interested. Fine, I can’t force you to forgive me, but I’ll be damned if I let you punish me for Connie’s sins as well.”

“You kept Ben from me.”

“Yes, but I also came here to discover the truth knowing it might mean losing him.”

“So you say. For all I know, if Harry hadn’t found out Ben was living with you, you might have decided to go back to New York without ever telling me. You weren’t expecting that I might have wanted my son and hired someone to find him.”

“Right again, Blake. You don’t have any idea what my intentions were. How could you when you’re not willing to consider anything I say.” If he really knew the truth, he’d know she couldn’t have kept Ben from him.

Telling Blake how much she loved him would only give him more power to hurt her, something he already knew how to do with acute precision.

“The truth speaks for itself.” Blake still didn’t want to hear what she might say. “How about the fact that you withheld telling me about Ben even after you got to know me? Then you climbed into my bed thinking you could manipulate me with sexual favors. I’m not sure what I did to make you think I was such a loser.”

She felt some of the fight go out of her. This was old territory, disturbingly sensitive territory she was unwilling to discuss with him, not when he wasn’t able to hear the real reason she’d given herself to him. He wouldn’t believe her.

“You’re wrong,” she said simply.

“Really,” he said.  “Convince me.”

Delaney searched his face for a small crack in the armor. His eyes were less cold but just as probing. What did he want from her?

“It doesn’t really matter now, does it? What was supposed to be is.” She swallowed as she met the amber gaze that held such power over her. “Ben is with his father, where he belongs. You have your son. I’ve seen enough the last few days to know you and Ben will get along fine. You’ll be a wonderful father. Everyone gets what they want.”

She walked away from him. “I’m going to check on Ben.”

“What about you,” he called after her, “what do you get?”

Delaney hesitated at the back door. I get the memories, she thought. She pushed open the screen and walked outside without answering him.

THE NEXT evening Blake, Ben, and Delaney had dinner with Mary at the inn. When Blake had stopped by on Monday afternoon to check on the job, Mary insisted he bring Ben over for her to meet, ASAP.

If his neighbor wondered why Delaney never told any of them about Benjamin or her relationship with Connie, Mary was keeping quiet on the matter. He hadn’t given her a lot of detail, just that Ben had been living with Delaney in New York and that one of the reasons she’d come to Glebe Point was to locate the boy’s father.

“Is that for all of us to share?” Blake teased when Mary set an enormous piece of apple pie topped with two scoops of ice cream in front of Benjamin.

Mary waved a hand in the air to dismiss him. “Ben’s a growing boy,” she said with a wink for his son.

Blake met Delaney’s gaze across the table and grinned. “She’s going to spoil him, just watch and see.”

“I can already see it,” Delaney confirmed, then turned her attention back to Ben.

Delaney had seemed uncomfortable when they first arrived for dinner, but she’d relaxed a little since. She was probably worried about what he’d told Mary. Even though Delaney’s deception ate at him, he hadn’t been able to say anything against her to Mary.

Watching Delaney across the table, the tender way she looked at Benjamin, made it hard to believe that behind that sweet expression and those adorable dimples was the same woman who betrayed him.

“I gots a puppy,” his son told Mary. “Him’s Hunter. My daddy gots him for me.”

“That’s wonderful, Ben. You’ll have to bring Hunter over the next time you come for a visit.” Mary brought more pie to the table for Blake and Delaney.

The sound of jangling bells from the other room announced that someone had just come in the front door. Blake glanced over his shoulder and saw a tall blond man walk into the kitchen.

“Is this a private party?” the new arrival asked.

“Come in, Ed.” Mary motioned with a hand toward the table. “Have you eaten? We were just having dessert, but there are plenty of leftovers if you’d like me to fix you a plate.”

“That’d be great. I’ve been scouring the area all day, and I’m starved.” Ed glanced around the table.

“Ed’s a guest,” Mary explained. “He flew in from Los Angeles yesterday. You’ll never guess what he’s doing here.” She looked at Blake and Delaney expectantly as if waiting to see if they could guess.

“Looking for a movie site,” she offered before they had a chance to respond. “Can you believe it, a movie in one of our little towns?”

“If I can work it out,” the blond said, and reached for Blake’s hand. “Ed Cole.”

“Blake Morrison. I’m Mary’s neighbor.”

Cole looked at Delaney. She leaned forward and extended her hand across the table.

“I’m Delaney Brannigan. I was staying in the guest cottage here until a couple of days ago. You’re in for some real pampering in case you haven’t already figured that out.”

“Then you’re not—” The guy looked at Blake then back to Delaney, “his wife?”

“No, I’m from New York.” Delaney fidgeted in her chair. Blake wondered if the suggestion she might be married to him embarrassed her. It bothered him that even though they were through, she would be offended by the idea.

He frowned. Cole’s eyes were licking over Delaney as if she were an ice cream cone. Blake grabbed up his water, leaned his head back, and threw the contents down his throat.

The blond shifted his gaze for a moment to Benjamin.

“Yours?” Cole asked.

“My son, Ben.”

“Howdy, Ben,” Cole said, before glancing back at Blake. “Looks just like you.”

“I gots a new dog named Hunter,” Ben informed the man. “My daddy getted him for me. He’s a Cepskapeke retrieber.” He looked at Blake as if checking for confirmation he’d gotten it right.

Blake nodded. “Close enough, son.”

“That’s great, kid.” The guy returned his attention to Delaney.

“So are you here for another stay at the Inn?” The blond bastard gave her a grin that tempted Blake to introduce his fist to the man’s face.

Delaney cleared her throat.

“No,” Blake answered for her, correcting Cole’s hopeful assumption. “She’s staying with me now.”

If Delaney wasn’t aware of the man’s interest, Blake certainly was, and if the guy was thinking he could mix a little pleasure with business while he was in Glebe Point, well, that would happen only if this small town boy was six feet under.

“Benjamin was in New York with Delaney for a while. She came back to Maryland to help Blake get him situated here.” For some reason Blake couldn’t understand, Mary decided to offer an explanation. “Delaney’s the boy’s aunt, you see,” she added from across the kitchen.

Blake ground his back teeth. His neighbor wasn’t helping matters any. He’d already pegged this guy as a smooth operator, and if he thought he had a clear field to Delaney, he’d move in for the kill.

Cole grinned. “Then it’s only a temporary arrangement.”

“Yes,” Delaney said with a nod, “it’s temporary. I’ll be here for another week and a half then I’m going back to New York.”

“Since we’re both out-of-towners, maybe we could get together and share takes on the area.”

“Oh well, I don’t know.” Delaney glanced at Blake through thick lashes.

“You might be able to give me some insights for the movie we’re looking to do.”

“If you want insights, you should talk to some of the locals. As much as I like it here, I’m afraid I wouldn’t be able to do the area justice.”

“I’d still be interested in hearing your opinions.” Cole didn’t give the impression that he would relent easily.

Blake didn’t think Delaney was foolish enough to fall for Cole’s practiced charm. Then again, she might not have the experience to recognize the guy’s game. Christ, she’d never even slept with a man until she stayed in that motel with him.

“Here you go, Ed.” Mary set a plate of heated leftovers in front of her guest.

“I think it would be a wonderful idea for you and Delaney to get together,” Mary chimed in.

Blake wanted to muzzle her. If she had some crazy idea to play matchmaker between Delaney and her newest guest, she could just forget it. Delaney was here to help with Ben, not to be wined and dined by some slick player.

As Cole ate, he flirted openly with Delaney. Blake got angrier the longer he had to sit there and watch the man come on to her. And why the hell did she keep smiling at him, flashing those dimples that no man could resist?

Blake shoved a piece of pie into his mouth, chewed and swallowed without tasting it. After ten more minutes he’d had about all he could take.

“It’s getting late, Mary. We’ve got to get going so Ben can get to bed.” Blake stood up and told Ben to say goodnight.

“Let’s go,” he said to Delaney as he pulled his jacket on.

“Thanks for dinner, Mary, it was wonderful.” Delaney walked around the table and leaned down to give their hostess a hug.

“You don’t have to leave too, do you?” Cole asked Delaney.

“Umm, yes, I rode over with Blake and Ben.”

“I’ve got a rental,” Cole said. “Why don’t you stay a while so we can have a chance to talk? I’ll give you a ride back later.”

Bastard, Blake thought.

“I think I should go with them. I promised Benjamin I’d read his favorite story tonight.”

Blake felt relief course through him. Even though he might have been tempted to toss her over his shoulder and carry her out to the truck if she agreed, he preferred she made the choice to leave with him willingly.

“His father can read it.” Cole gave Blake a forced smile. “That’s what daddies are for after all.”

“I was the one who promised,” Delaney said. “It was nice meeting you, though. Maybe we’ll see each other again.” She patted the bastard’s shoulder as she walked behind his chair as if she didn’t want to hurt his feelings. “Good luck finding a location for your movie.”

BLAKE SAID nothing as they drove back to the house. When they went inside, Delaney took Ben upstairs and gave him a bath then sent him down to say goodnight.

“Come on, Hunter,” Ben said after giving Blake a hug. Hunter ran to Ben, tripping and rolling along the way. Ben laughed, picked the puppy up, and snuggled it against his chest.

“Don’t forget your blanket and teddy,” Delaney called down to him.

Ben ran back to the couch to get his blanket and bear. Blake grabbed him up and gave him another hug. “Night, Buckaroo.”

“Night, Daddy,” Ben said, and then bounded back up the stairs, Hunter right on his heels.

Delaney came back down about a half hour later.

“I’m going to make a cup of tea,” she informed him. “Would you like a cup?”

“No thanks,” Blake said without looking at her. He heard the kitchen door swing shut. He closed his eyes and leaned his head onto the back of the couch. Damn he felt confused…wanting her, not wanting her. He hadn’t touched her since they’d come back from New York. He should be celebrating his willpower, but he felt depressed as hell.

All he had to do was hold out another week and a half. Once she left he’d be fine. It was just her constant presence that confused him. It was like being an alcoholic bartender; the temptation was enormous.

Oh hell, he thought, pushing up off the couch. He just wanted to look at her. There’s no reason he couldn’t enjoy her from a distance, he thought as he ambled into the kitchen.

Delaney sat at the kitchen table working on her laptop. She looked up when he walked in.

“Just trying to catch up on some work,” she said when she saw him, and gave a tentative smile.

Blake nodded. She looked back at the screen, took a sip of her tea. Her hair fell across her shoulders in golden red waves of warm silk. He wanted to take it between his fingers, caress it, to lift it to his nose and breath in the sweet perfume he knew would scent it. He flexed his hand.

“Did Ben take Hunter into the bed with him?” Blake asked, already knowing the answer but feeling compelled to strike up some conversation with her.

Delaney nodded. “Umm hmm, in bed and under the covers.”

“He seems okay.” Blake stuffed a hand into his jeans pocket. “I mean, after everything that happened with Connie,” he added, not wanting her to mistake his meaning.

“Yeah.” Delaney chewed her lip. “He’s a good kid. He’ll be just fine.” She looked away.

Blake let out a slow breath. She was thinking about when she left, about how she’d miss his son. He could see it in those too sad eyes that made him want to be a fool all over again.

He went to the refrigerator and pulled open the door. What was he doing? He didn’t want anything. He’d come in because he wanted to look at her. He’d just wanted to see her face before he went to sleep. He closed the door then walked over and stood behind her. It wasn’t even as if he had a choice; his legs took him there, no consultation with his head.

Delaney looked over her shoulder with a question in her eyes, and he heard her breath catch. Blake pulled her chair back then reached down for her hand.

“What?” She had that wide-eyed innocent look that shattered what few defenses might have saved him.

“Come here.” He drew her up until they were standing toe to toe. Their gazes were locked, gold on green, neither speaking, barely breathing. The silence pounded in his head, his heart thudded against the wall of his chest. He was so damn weak.

He leaned down and her lips were ready, opening to meet his, so warm, a sweet heat that welcomed him home. She was like a drug in his blood, an addiction killing him softly. He didn’t care. She tasted too good, and he wanted her too badly.

Blake ran his hands up her sides, around to her back, pulling her into him, feeling her, breathing her, reclaiming her with his mouth, his tongue. She was his; she’d always be his.

Delaney moved against him, willing, as willing as before. The first time. The last time. The question rose to haunt him again when he didn’t want it. He tried to push it away.

Why? Why had she gone to bed with him? He might understand if she hadn’t been a virgin, but to give it over to the man you were trying to dupe?

He pushed her away and stepped back. Her expression was dazed, her mouth soft, inviting still. How could she kiss him like that when it meant nothing to her? Would she kiss Cole with such passionate abandon?

Blake jerked his gaze away from her mouth. He was cursed. Damn, why couldn’t he break this ill-fated attraction he felt for her?

“I’m sorry,” he said without looking at her. “I don’t know why I did that.” He took a few steps back trying to put some distance between them.

“It’s okay,” she stammered. She sounded embarrassed and he felt awkward. He shouldn’t have kissed her. He’d initiated it even though he knew better, and now their situation would be even more intolerable. She could have pushed him away. She was a damn temptation he couldn’t resist, and she probably knew it.

“Look, just, just stay away from me,” he said, as if what just happened had been her fault.

Delaney blinked. Her mouth dropped open as if she wanted to object.

“I’m going to bed.” He hurried out of the kitchen. He’d done it again. It would serve him right if he spent another sleepless night craving what he couldn’t have.

THEY WERE separated by an infinite void, a bottomless cauldron of misunderstanding that spewed out question after unanswered question like some monstrously belching volcano since the night he’d kissed her.

That was two days ago. Blake avoided her when he could. When he couldn’t, he treated her with a detached coolness a blowtorch would be hard-pressed to defrost.

Delaney pulled her hair up into a ponytail then secured it by wrapping one long strand around the tail and pulling it through itself to form a band. She looked out the window to where Ben and Hunter played in the back yard as she worked on the laptop.

Blake had told her when he left for work that morning that he planned to come home early and take Ben into town for a haircut. He said he and Ben would grab dinner at Mosey’s. There was no invitation for the pleasure of her company.

Delaney wondered how Blake planned to evade her all weekend. She expected him to confront her any day now about leaving earlier than they’d agreed upon. If she weren’t such a glutton for punishment, she might suggest it herself.

She rested her chin in her hand and stared out the back window. She’d insist on holding him to the full two weeks. The odds of Blake giving her another chance after she left was about as likely as her mother’s rose garden bursting into bloom in January.

When he kissed her the other night, her hope had soared. The kiss had been tender, needy, and she’d wanted him so badly she would have given herself over to him without hesitation.

Sometimes when he watched her, his eyes would soften and she’d wonder if maybe he did care about her. But then, for no apparent reason, they would harden again as if she’d done something new to make him angry.

Any softening of his heart had probably been no more than her own toxic concoction—one shot romantic imagination, one shot wishful thinking.

She closed her eyes a moment against the hot lump that caught in her throat. Why couldn’t he forgive her? Why couldn’t he love her? She shook off the stab of pain his rejection always made her feel. She still had nine days. She wouldn’t lose hope yet.

Delaney looked at her watch then got up and went to the back door.

“Five more minutes until lunch,” she called to Ben as he raced around a tree.

“Okay Laney,” he yelled back, and continued to circle the tree, Hunter tripping and rolling behind in a game of chase.

She smiled, wiped a tear from her cheek then set about making lunch.

Blake got home around four, took a shower, then he and Ben left to go into town.

Delaney worked on the computer for a couple of hours until she felt a headache coming on. She didn’t feel like making dinner, wasn’t really hungry, so she made some tea and carried it into the living room.

She loved the big old house Blake had grown up in. Rich mahogany framed every door and window, rambled up the stairs, and outlined the walls with high floor and ceiling molding.

The rooms were large, but not so large they felt lonely. Much of the furnishings had belonged to Blake’s parents and grandparents, antiques and family heirlooms that had been passed down over the years.

During the day, the multi-paned windows ushered in the sun, and the rooms were bright and cheerful. Delaney could imagine this house filled with children’s laughter, holiday dinners, and birthday parties that would spill out onto the large backyard. It made her long for all those what-ifs she had imagined.

The property backed up to a lovely cove that led to the river then out to the Bay. There were two docks along the bulkhead. Blake owned a powerboat that he said he used mostly for fishing and a twenty-eight foot sailboat he claimed was purely for pleasure. There was also the small sailboat that Blake had already promised Ben he’d teach him to sail.

Delaney stretched out on the couch and closed her eyes. She could be happy here. What would her life have been like if Blake had fallen in love with her? Would they have married, given Ben brothers and sisters to grow up with?

Her headache grew worse. The last few days had taken their toll. Stress revealed itself on her thumbs where she’d chewed the skin off the sides and picked the cuticles until they almost bled.

She turned onto her side but couldn’t get comfortable. Blake would probably keep Ben out as late as possible in order to avoid having to spend time around her. A sigh rolled up from the pit of her stomach, burning its way up her throat with an urge to cry. She wouldn’t. She’d done much too much of that already.

Delaney got up and went upstairs. She took some aspirin then climbed into bed. She’d get a good night sleep and feel better in the morning. Tomorrow she would renew her efforts to reach Blake. She had eight days left to try and win his heart.

BLAKE KEPT Ben out late, probably later than he should have. After dinner, they went to an early show; then, not being able to avoid it any longer, he took his son home.

The house was dark when they got there except for the small lamp in the entry hall. It was only nine-thirty. Delaney usually stayed up until about eleven, so it was too early for her to be in bed.

He carried a sleeping Ben upstairs, undressed him, pulled on his pajamas, and then tucked the covers under his chin. He felt a surge of protectiveness as he looked down at his son. He leaned back down to brush a kiss across the boy’s forehead before leaving the room.

When he walked back into the hallway, he noticed Delaney’s door was closed. Maybe she was reading or working on the laptop. He tapped lightly on the door to let her know they were home. There was no response. He couldn’t see any light coming from under the door.

Blake frowned. Maybe she’d gone out somewhere. He hadn’t seen a note, but she might have left one in the kitchen. Had her car been in the driveway? He turned the knob and quietly cracked open the door.

“Delaney,” he called softly but got no answer.

He crept into the room and as he neared the bed could see that she was there, curled on her side under the blanket. He paused, knew he should turn around, but ended up standing beside the bed anyway, watching her face as she slept.

Feelings swamped him. She looked vulnerable, and innocent, and so damned beautiful it hurt because he wanted her in that moment more than anything.

He wished they could go back to the night she’d first told him she needed to talk to him. He wanted to hear what she would have said if he’d given her the chance. Would things have been different for them if she had confided in him?

He pulled the blanket up around her shoulders then turned and left the room.

BLAKE LOOKED up from the book he was reading an hour later at the sound of footsteps on the front porch. Who the hell would be stopping by this late? Christ, he hoped it wasn’t Paula or one of the other women he went out with occasionally. It wouldn’t be the first time one had stopped by unannounced.

He put the book down with the intention of going to see who his visitor was when the front door swung open.

“Hey, bro, I was worried I might interrupt something, but then I figured with Ben here you were probably being a little more discreet than usual.” Blake’s brother Justin dropped a duffel bag in the entry hall as he came into the room.

“Jus,” Blake said, throwing his arms around his brother in a firm hug. “Man, it’s good to see you. You know you don’t need to call. This old house is as much yours as it is mine.”

“I decided this morning that it was time I met my nephew.” Justin returned the hug. “I’ve been meaning to take some time off anyway, so I thought I’d spend the week with you and Ben. That won’t cause any problems, will it?”

“Hell, no! I’m glad you’re here, and Ben will be excited to meet you. I haven’t even had time to tell him he has an uncle yet.”

“Gee, thanks a lot. I am your only brother.”

Blake chuckled. “Yeah, yeah, I haven’t forgotten. It’s just been pretty strange around here the last week.”

“How about we down a couple of beers and you can fill me in? I’m anxious to hear all about your son and how you’re dealing with instant parenthood.”

Blake spent the next half hour telling his brother about Ben.

“He looks just like a Morrison. Wait until you see him.” He got up and pulled two more beers out of the refrigerator. “Maybe we’ll take him into Annapolis tomorrow, spend the day. We can show him around the Naval Academy and then can grab some dinner in town. I think he’d like that.”

Justin leaned back in his chair. “Man, you sound like every proud papa I’ve ever known.”

Blake nodded. “Got that right,” he agreed.

“I can’t tell you how happy I am for you Blake. You didn’t deserve the hell Connie put you through. I’m glad it’s finally over.”

Blake sat back down at the kitchen table and handed Justin another beer. Justin tapped the neck of his bottle against Blake’s.

“So tell me about this woman Benjamin was with.” Jus extended his long legs out in front of the chair and crossed his ankles. “You told me when you called that she was Connie’s cousin.”

“Yeah,” Blake said, not sure how much he wanted to tell his brother about Delaney. In the time since she’d been staying here, Blake knew she’d done much to encourage Ben’s willingness to accept him. For that reason at least, he wouldn’t naysay her to Justin or anyone else.

“Apparently when Connie split from Florida with Ben, she went to New York.” Blake took a swig of beer.

“I’m going on hearsay here, but the story is Delaney, that’s the cousin, offered for Connie and Ben to stay with her until they could find their own place. About six months ago, Connie told Delaney she had a job prospect in New Jersey and drove down for the interview. Unfortunately, she was in a head-on collision on the way back and didn’t make it through.”

Blake gave Justin a sketchy overview of Connie’s death, Delaney’s attempt to locate Ben’s father, and the coinciding discovery by the detective he’d hired to find his son. He left out his personal involvement with Delaney since he didn’t consider it relevant to anything anymore.

“What did the cousin know about you?” Justin asked.

“From what she says, Connie hadn’t painted a very pretty picture.” Blake continued to fill Justin in, telling him that Delaney had come to Glebe Point to see if she could locate Ben’s father.

“But the detective discovered where Ben was before she found you?”

Blake ran his finger around the mouth of the beer bottle and shifted in his chair.

“No, she was staying at Mary’s. We ended up meeting at the Halloween dance. She claims she didn’t know then that I was Ben’s father.”

Justin furrowed his brow in question.

“Look, it doesn’t matter,” Blake said, not wanting to get into that story. “She found out a few days later. She didn’t tell me about Ben immediately because, according to her, Connie told her I was some kind of monster.”

Justin smirked.  “Nice.”

Blake nodded. “Yeah. She fed Benjamin the same lies. When I went to New York to get him, he was afraid of me.”

“So how does the cousin play in here once she found out you were Ben’s dad?”

“She doesn’t. Harry showed up. I found out Benjamin had been living with Delaney in New York, and I left the same day to get my son.”

Justin leaned back and stared at Blake for several seconds. Blake knew Justin was curious about the missing puzzle pieces. His brother was sharp, but he’d just have to wonder.

“Okay.” Justin gave Blake a wry grin. “There’s a lot more to this drama than you’re telling me, but I guess the important thing is you’ve got Ben now.”

Blake and Justin spent the next hour catching up. They hadn’t seen each other for a couple of months even though they’d always been close.

“I think I’ll hit the sack,” Justin said shortly after midnight.

“Oh damn.” Blake had forgotten that he put Delaney in Justin’s old room. There were two other bedrooms, but he’d thought it made sense to put her in the one across from Ben.

“I umm, forgot to mention something,” Blake said sheepishly. “Ben was real attached to Connie’s cousin. He uh, didn’t want to come back with me at first.”

Justin raised an eyebrow. “Yeah, so?”

“Well, so I had to sort of convince her to—” Blake frowned as he met Justin’s inquiring look. “Hell! She’s in your old room,” Blake blurted. “You’re going to have to use one of the other ones.”

Justin shook his head. “How did the fact that there’s a strange woman in my bed slip your mind?”

“It didn’t slip my mind,” Blake grumbled. “I just didn’t get around to mentioning it.”

“Okay. And when were you going to tell me? Before or after I slipped my naked butt in beside hers?”

Blake tensed. That was a thought that didn’t bear consideration.

“Just take one of the other rooms, Jus.”

“I guess this Delaney isn’t the kind of woman to start any fires burning, huh?” Justin asked as they walked out of the kitchen.

“What the hell’s that supposed to mean?”

Justin shrugged. “She’s in my bed instead of yours,” he said with a chuckle. “I know you better than anyone, Blake. If the lady was single, relatively attractive, and breathing, you wouldn’t be sleeping alone.”

“She’s here to help Ben over the hump.” Blake’s jaw tightened. “That’s the only reason.”

Justin peered at him through too keen eyes. “I got that. And I also get that something about her sets you on edge.”

“There’s nothing between us, if that’s what you’re fishing for. She’ll be gone in a little over a week, and I’ll be glad when that day gets here. I just want Ben and me to get on with our lives.”

Justin patted him on the back. “I’ll see you in the morning,” he said, shifting gears. “I guess Ben’s going to be pretty surprised when he sees me.”

Blake looked at Justin. Two pair of amber eyes met in amused agreement. Blake couldn’t wait to see his son’s face when he met his uncle.

Blake laughed. “Hell, he won’t believe it.”