The Watson Brothers (17 page)

“Can I have a kiss?”

Her brows came down in suspicion. “Why?”

“Because I enjoy kissing you and you look sexy as hell this morning.”

Ever the doting mother, Anabel glanced around for Nicole.

“She’s busy dressing up a near bald doll with crayon marks on her face. Ugly thing.”

Anabel grinned. “That’s her baby.”

“So she told me. It looks older than dirt.”

“It’s not
that
old. I gave it to her for her first birthday.”

Gil wasn’t surprised, but he was touched. Again. “Perhaps,” he whispered, “that’s why it’s a favorite.”

Anabel’s smile faded in nostalgia. “A few months ago, the little rat decided it needed makeup, and she did a job with her crayons. Then she decided she didn’t like the look after all and insisted I wash the poor thing. Most of the yarn hair fell out—but Nicki still takes that doll with her everywhere.”

Without waiting for permission, Gil caught Anabel’s chin and tipped her face up. Deliberately, he kept the kiss tender instead of sexual. It wasn’t easy.

“Do you like my brothers?”

She dropped her forehead to his chest. “The more important question is whether or not they like me.”

“They do—not that it matters. I don’t have to have their approval for anything I do.” He held her shoulders and bent his knees to see her face. “Besides, what’s not to like?”

She snorted at that. “Body jewelry? Tattoos?”

Gil grinned. “What else have you traded on the Internet? Nothing too risqué, I hope.” He rubbed his thumb over her lips and his voice dropped. “You haven’t traded this pretty mouth, have you?”

She slugged him in the stomach, but he held her so close that it was an ineffectual punch. “Nicki’s old room was painted by a mural artist that I worked for. I used her room as the background for the website. She had birds and trees on all her walls. It was beautiful. I’ve had different hairdos to help advertise for a beautician friend.” She ran a hand through her short curls. “I remember you came around once when it was red.”

“Yeah. I liked it.”

“You did?”

He just grinned. He wouldn’t tell her yet that he liked everything about her—even her belly button ring. He needed to show her first. “Why don’t we take in a movie? Would Nicki like that?”

“I don’t know. I’ve never taken her before.”

Because she couldn’t afford it? Gil decided they’d spend the day out. He wanted to give Nicki everything she didn’t have, to watch her experience new things with him. But he was also driven to treat Anabel to a few luxuries, as well. She’d given much of herself and it was time she got something in return.

A few hours later, at the matinee show, Gil began questioning his wisdom. With so many kids in attendance, the chattering was nonstop. “I’ve never been to an afternoon movie before,” he remarked to Anabel over the drone of crying babies, fussing toddlers, and cajoling moms. “I’m not altogether sure I like it.”

She leaned into his shoulder and laughed. “You’re just disappointed that you can’t make out.”

“True.” Then he whispered, “But there’s always tonight.” He felt Anabel’s shiver before she could move away.

They had lunch at McDonald’s, but by then Nicki was getting cranky. Her constant whining was trying, more so because Anabel looked horrified that his little angel wasn’t being all that angelic.

“She’s tired,” Anabel explained.

“And loud,” Gil agreed. “But she’s also a toddler and I suppose they all get this way on occasion.”

Anabel rushed to give Nicki another french fry. “Just some of the time.”

Gil shook his head. “Don’t sugarcoat the reality. I can take it. Besides, it doesn’t matter how she fusses, I can still see that you’re an excellent mother.”

Wary hopefulness darkened her eyes. “You really think so?”

Gil lifted Nicki from her high chair. “Of course. And I think I’ll make an adequate father once I get the hang of it.”

“You’re already a wonderful dad and you know it.”

She sounded disgruntled about it, making him fight a smile. “Thank you.” He hoisted Nicki up to his shoulders. She liked that enough that they got her out of the restaurant and into his car with nothing but cheers and squeals of happiness.

But once in the park, she fell asleep on the blanket they spread beneath a shading tree. Gil smoothed her short dark hair. “I wanted to show her the different birds.”

“There’ll be plenty of other days for that.”

“Thanks to you.” He picked up Anabel’s hand and kissed her palm. Together they leaned back on the tree, still holding hands. It was peaceful. And nice.

They were a family.

Gil hadn’t realized how much was missing from his life until Anabel showed up. After his father’s death, he’d buried himself in his work. At the time it had been a necessary escape, a way to cope with his grief. But he was done with that. He was ready to move forward.

On the drive home from the park, Gil considered all the changes that still needed to be made. Anabel could use a minivan to replace that heap she currently owned. And he should have one of the bathrooms remodeled to include a tub that Nicki could use. Perhaps Anabel would even want to do some redecorating.

Gil was contemplating the various ways he could tie Anabel into his future when they pulled up to his house and found a black BMW in the driveway.

“Oh no.” Anabel stiffened in alarm. “It’s Shelly’s parents.”

“So I assumed.” Gil noted the older couple waiting on his porch, and smiled in anticipation. “I wonder if my lawyer has spoken with them yet? No matter. I’m glad we’ll be able to get this settled.” He parked the car and started to get out.

Anabel reached for his arm. “What are we going to do?”

“I’m going to talk to them. You’re going to wait with Nicki in her room.”

“No. You can’t just shut me out—”

“Yes, I can.” Gil walked around the car to her door. The grandparents watched impatiently from the porch. “Leave it to me, Anabel. It has nothing to do with you.”

“That’s not true!”

He gave her a stern look and dropped his voice to a whisper. “You’re too emotional. You came to me, now let me handle this.” He reached in and lifted Nicki out. She stretched awake, immediately slipping her thumb into her mouth. “Go to your mommy, sweetheart.”

Nicki was too tired to argue.

Anabel squeezed her close. “Gil…”

He put his hand at the small of her back and urged her forward. “Trust me. Everything will be fine.”

The grandparents looked beyond rigid. With no sign of welcome, Gil said, “Mr. and Mrs. Tyree. I’ve been expecting you.”

Mr. Tyree, tall with dark brown hair showing no signs of gray, cleared his throat. “We’re here to discuss—”

Gil cut him off. “We’ll talk in my den.” He opened the door and ushered a miserably silent Anabel inside. Nicki, bless her heart, had her head on Anabel’s shoulder, her thumb in her mouth, watching the intruders warily.

Gil kissed both mother and daughter on the forehead. “This won’t take long.” He left Anabel standing there and led the Tyrees down the hall.

“We’re here about Nicole,” Mr. Tyree said the moment the door closed.

Gil ignored his opening salvo to say, “I was very sorry to hear about Shelly. She and I were good friends.”

Mrs. Tyree curled her lip. “More than friends.”

“Once, yes.” Gil indicated the chairs. “Would you like to sit down?”

They did so reluctantly. Gil saw the weariness, the grief, still etched in their faces. Their relationship with Shelly might not have been ideal, but it could never be easy to lose a child.

Gil decided to end things quickly, for everyone’s sake. “Nicole is mine. Shelly wrote of that fact in her diary, which I have, so no blood tests are necessary. I never knew about her until after Shelly’s death.”

“Anabel ran to you, didn’t she?”

“Yes. A wise decision on her part. She loves Nicki as much as any mother would love a child. She wanted only to do what was best for her.” He looked at each of them. “This is best for her. Nicole will be well cared for.”

“We’re her grandparents.”

“Yes, I know. Any involvement you have with her will be up to you, but you won’t, under any circumstances, try to take her away.”

Mr. Tyree stood. “You don’t even know her.”

“As I said, Shelly never told me about her. But I am her father and that’s something you can’t challenge.”

“You intend to keep her here, with you?”

“I realize it’s a long way from Atlanta, but arrangements could be made for visitation—”

“No.” Mrs. Tyree joined her husband, standing at his side. “We have a reputation in the community, Mr. Watson. Losing our daughter was hard enough. I don’t want to have to deal with the scandal of an illegitimate grandchild as well.”

Gil’s sympathy for these people went right out the window. “If you don’t want a relationship with Nicole, why were you going to take her from Anabel?” But then he knew, and the hairs on the back of his neck stood on end. “You wanted to put her up for adoption?”

An aged, bejeweled hand waved the air. “Anabel Truman is a gold digger. She’d have come after us for money, possibly tried to blackmail us.”

Stupid woman. “Anabel was your daughter’s roommate, but you didn’t get to know her at all, did you?”

“I know people, Mr. Watson. And I know it requires money to support a child. Anabel is a person with no ambition, no prospects.”

“You’re wrong. She has more heart, more courage and determination than anyone I’ve ever met.”

“She’s got you completely fooled, hasn’t she?”

Shaking his head at such blind ignorance, Gil went to the door and opened it. He wouldn’t waste his breath arguing with them. “I have money, so rest assured, I won’t be contacting you for anything.”

Mr. Tyree hesitated. “We had no reason to believe you’d want to take on the responsibility of—”

“Of my own daughter?” Gil’s tone was flat in the face of such cynicism. “Good-bye, Mr. and Mrs. Tyree.”

The older couple shared what appeared to be a look of relief, and seconds later they were gone. Gil stood there, unable to comprehend how someone could not want to take part in Nicole’s life. She was a tiny, incredible, wonderful miracle.

Anabel touched his back. “I heard them leave.”

Gil shook off his disgust and turned to face her with a smile. “Yes, and good riddance. I doubt we’ll ever hear from them again.”

Anabel’s eyes widened. “They…they won’t press for custody?”

“They would have gotten her only to give her away.” He looped his arms around her waist, pulled her body into his for a hug. “But I’m the father, all right and tight and no one can challenge that. You’ve got nothing else to worry about, Anabel.” He waited for her to ask him what her role would be in it all, but she didn’t.

She was probably afraid to.

Gil sighed. He’d give her a week, two at the most, to figure things out. But he’d use that time wisely. “I don’t suppose Nicki went back to sleep?”

“No. She’s busy renaming all her dolls, thanks to the characters in that Disney movie we saw.”

“Well, if I can’t engage you in a quickie, how about just necking with me a bit?” Gil noticed that her cheeks flushed with interest and a pulse raced in her throat. She reacted so quickly to him that she took his breath away. “At least until Nicki discovers us?”

“Here?”

“Mmm.” He backed her into the wall. “Bedtime seems far too many hours from now.”

Anabel licked her lips. “Yeah, okay.” And then she was on her tiptoes, taking his mouth, stroking his chest, and, Gil hoped, loving him just a little.

As Gil moved to the side of her, each of them sweaty and breathing hard, Anabel wondered just how long the trial run would last.

It had been two weeks since he’d sent the Tyrees on their way, and it was getting harder and harder to bite her tongue, to keep her questions and her fears and, damn it, her love, hidden away. Especially since, by all appearances, Gil expected to keep her around. He’d offered to let her redecorate his home to make it more suitable for Nicole—but also to suit her, as if her preferences mattered in the long run. He’d put her name on his checking account. He’d dragged her along when he met with his lawyer to show her that he’d ensured Nicole’s future, but also her own by giving her access to all his accounts.

It was like being married—only they weren’t, and he hadn’t mentioned anything about it. If he wanted her to stick around, but she wasn’t to be his wife, then what? She’d done a lot to take care of Nicole, but she wasn’t sure she could be a mistress.

With a wry twist to her mouth, Anabel wondered if she could somehow exchange that service for website business. It didn’t seem likely.

Gil’s big, warm hand settled on her belly. “Jesus, I think you’ve killed me.”

Anabel turned her head to face him. It was late in the night, and Gil had just loved her twice. “Me? I was ready to go to sleep. You’re the one who doesn’t know when to quit.”

“Moderation is overrated.” His laugh was rough and winded. In the next instant, he rolled to his side and loomed over her. His dark eyes were teasing, hot, filled with tenderness. “Maybe if you didn’t look so damn good…”

“I’m not wearing makeup. And after your…enthusiasm just now, my hair is a ratty mess.”

He nuzzled her throat with a rumbling growl. “Then maybe it’s the way you smell.”

Anabel laughed. Gil had a playful side to him that she hadn’t known about before moving in with him. But over the past few weeks, he’d grown more carefree, always smiling, always teasing. She liked it. She loved him. “I’m sweating like a pig, thanks to you.”

His hand slipped between her thighs, pressing warmly. “You’re sticky, too. But I like it.” His voice deepened. “I like everything about you.”

Anabel’s heart gave an unsteady thump. He said things like that a lot. What did they mean? And how serious was he?

He kissed her mouth. “Do you like blue?”

The sudden change in topic threw her and she shrugged. “Sure, why?”

Again, Gil dropped to his back. “That’s the color of your new minivan. I’ve been meaning to pick one out, but then it seems that between work and playing with Nicki and keeping you satisfied in the sack, I kept putting it off. Today during my lunch I went to a few dealers and—”

“You bought me a minivan?” Anabel knew she should just say thank you, that the new vehicle was really for Nicki’s safety. Whenever she left the house, Gil insisted she take his car. But his highhandedness was about to drive her insane.

“Yeah. We’ll junk your van—if the junkyard will take it, that is. Not that I mind sharing my car with you…” He twisted to see her. “Would you want your own car, too? I mean, for when you get out without Nicki?”

Her jaw locked. “I don’t go out without Nicki.”

“You haven’t up till now because you couldn’t. Not that my family wouldn’t be great as baby-sitters, but I can understand why you’re not comfortable leaving Nicki with them yet.”

He didn’t understand at all. If Gil didn’t need her to watch Nicki, he wouldn’t need her for anything. “She’s already been through so many changes, Gil. And she doesn’t know them that well yet.”

“She will soon. God knows, they come around often enough.”

Too true. All of Gil’s family was delighted with Nicole and she with them. At least twice a week Pete came to visit, and he was quickly spoiling Nicole with gifts. Sam and his wife Ariel doted on her, as well. And Belinda Watson, Gil’s mother, was over the moon with her new granddaughter.

Gil reached for her hand and twined his fingers with hers. He did that a lot, she realized, held her hand, touched her face, gave her small, tender kisses.

“I’m going to interview some baby-sitters tomorrow.”

Slowly, Anabel turned her head on the pillow so she could see him. “You’re going to do what?”

“I want someone to come in during the day to give you a break so you can do your work or just go out, or soak in the tub. Mom recommends her beautician if you want to go get…whatever it is women get at those places. A manicure or facial or something. But don’t change your hair. I like it.”

Anabel’s temper snapped. He was trying to phase her out. Little by little, her role in Nicki’s life had diminished. Lately, Gil read to her more nights than not, and he’d become a regular hand at baths and pull-ups and everything else that affected Nicki’s life. He was an excellent father—but damn it, she was Nicki’s mother.

She was
.

With fear lodged in her throat, Anabel pulled her hand away and sat up in the bed. She kept her back to Gil so he wouldn’t see her ravaged expression. “What about me, Gil?” Was she relegated to bed warmer only? And if so, how long would that last?

She felt his stillness, what she perceived as empathy in his tone. “What about you?”

Her heart burned in her chest. “When I first came here, I made you an…offer.”

“To sleep with me, I know.” One finger trailed down her spine. “I love having you in my bed, Anabel.”

She squeezed her eyes shut. “That’s not the offer I mean.”

The bed shifted as Gil sat up. He scooted around until he was beside her, one arm braced on the mattress behind her. For long moments, he just stared at her profile. “I don’t
need
to marry you to keep Nicole.”

There it was, the awful truth she hadn’t wanted to face. “She loves me.”

“A lot.” She heard the smile in his tone, felt the love he had for Nicole. “You’ve been an incredible mother.”

“I’ve done my best.” But maybe her best wasn’t good enough. No, she couldn’t think that. Gil was a good man, a considerate man. Maybe he didn’t want to marry her, but he would never keep her from Nicole. She knew that.

Problem was, she wanted them both. Forever.

Gil remained silent.

“I…I know we’re very different.” Could she convince him that their differences complemented each other?

“Remarkably so.”

“But we both love Nicole.”

“Yes, and we both have a place in her life.”

That reassurance helped, but it wasn’t all that she wanted. “Wouldn’t that be enough for marriage?”

Gil wrapped his hand around her nape, put his forehead to hers. “I’m afraid not.”

The bottom fell out of her world.

“I want a woman who loves me, too, Anabel, not just my daughter.”

Her gaze shot up to his, searching, desperate. She put her hands on his chest to move him back so she could better see him. With her breath fast and shallow, she said, “
But I do
. I have for a long time.”

His smile spread, slow and easy. “Yeah? You never told me that.”

Frowning, Anabel punched his shoulder. “You had to know.”

Tumbling her backward into the bed, Gil pinned her down with his body and caught her wrists. He grinned like a fool, confounding her further. “So you love me, huh? Damn, I’m glad to hear that.”

“Gil…?”

“As you said, we’re very different.” He stared at her mouth until she licked her lips. “I need a wife who can accompany me to business parties.”

“And you think I can’t?” He insulted her with his lack of faith. “I can dress up as well as any woman, I’ve just never had to.”

“Why, Anabel,” he said with mock surprise. “You mean to say you’d wear a sedate little black cocktail dress for me?”

He was so amused, Anabel glared up at him. “I don’t know if I’d go that far, but I’d find something appropriate. I’m not a complete social misfit.” Grudgingly, she added, “I could even find a dress with sleeves that’d hide my tattoo.”

“Now that’d be a shame.”

What the hell did he mean by that? It almost sounded as though he liked her tattoo.

Gil rubbed his body against hers and said huskily, “I want a woman who’s strong.”

He turned her on so easily. How did he expect her to have a coherent conversation while he performed a full-body caress? Anabel pushed against him, but he couldn’t be budged. “I’m strong,” she promised.

“Could’ve fooled me.” With almost no effort, he nudged her thighs apart and wedged himself against her. “The mouthy Anabel Truman I used to know was strong. She had an opinion on anything and everything, and God knows, she never hesitated to share it. But lately…” He shook his head with feigned regret. “Doesn’t matter what I do, I can’t get a rise out of her.”

Suspicion rose and Anabel went still, her eyes narrowing. “Wait a minute. You know damn good and well that I’ve been trying to get along with you.”

“No, you’ve been trying not to rock the boat. You had some harebrained idea that I’d kick you to the curb if you stepped out of line.”

“You wanted me to step out of line?”

“No, I wanted you to be you.”

Her pulse raced with hope. “You’re not making any sense, Gil.”

He leaned down and took her mouth. This was no sweet, gentle kiss but a tongue-thrusting, wet, hot kiss that completely stole her breath. “I’ve always been attracted to you, Anabel. I think you’re about the most sexual woman I’ve ever run across. But the timing was never right, it seemed. My father passed away and things happened with Shelly that I used to regret. But not anymore.”

“Because now you have Nicki.”

His thumbs brushed her cheeks. “And I have you. When you brought my baby to me, when I saw how much she loves you, how could I not start to love you, too?”

Her eyes widened in disbelief.
How could he not
…“Now wait a minute—”

Gil’s mouth smothered her protest, swallowed her questions. When she went limp, he continued. “You’re a little wild and unorthodox, and I thank God for it. Not many women would take another’s baby to raise. Not many would readjust their lives to do so. Not many would come to a man and make him the type of offer you gave me, just so she could go on being a wonderful mother.”

Anabel decided on a full confession. “That wasn’t the only reason, Gil. If it hadn’t been you, I might have come up with a different plan. But I always wanted you.”

“And now you have me.” He said that with bright satisfaction. “But not because of Nicole, and not because it’s convenient. I’ve tried to show you that I don’t need you just to be Nicole’s mother. I need you because I enjoy being with you, loving you, and laughing with you, more than any other woman I’ve known.”

Her smile wobbled. Damn it, she would not cry like some ninny.

“You’re pretty damn remarkable, Anabel soon-to-be-Mrs. Watson.” He drew a slow, deep breath. “And I love you.”

Anabel wrapped her arms around his neck. She felt buoyant and carefree and so happy she wanted to burst. “Gil?”

“Hmm?”

“Now that I know I can speak my mind…”

His smile widened with anticipation. “Yes?”

“You won’t expect me to listen to your Neil Diamond CDs, will you?”

“Not if I don’t have to listen to Kid Rock.”

Emotions rose up, almost choking her. “I love you, Gil.” Now she got the tender, melting kiss. When he lifted his head, she cleared her throat. “One more thing.”

“What’s that?”

“I don’t want a blue minivan.”

He gave a short laugh. “No? And what do you want?”

“A red SUV.” She kissed his chin. “Nicole.” She wrapped her legs around his waist. “And
you
.”

Gil brought her closer, hugged her tight. In a voice rough with love, he said, “We’ll pick out the SUV tomorrow. The others you already have.”