Chapter Nine

“What are you doing here?”

Teddy watched Susan come up the driveway, eyeing him speculatively.

He couldn’t explain why he didn’t want to share this with her, but he sure knew she would be judgmental and against it, and he wasn’t in the mood to deal with any of that right now. Susan had proven she never understood him in their entire life, and she certainly never supported any decision he’d ever made. He couldn’t let her mess this up.

“Flo said she thought you were performing a benefit here today.”

“Yep.” He grabbed his guitar out of the truck and shut the door.

Susan tipped her head and stared back at him. Her hurt and confused expression annoyed him. The last thing in the world he wanted right now was her here asking him questions.

“Why was this such a big secret?” Her hands slid to her hips as she faced him.

Teddy shrugged. “It wasn’t.” Frustrated, he rested his guitar on the ground and faced her. “Look, don’t take this wrong, but I didn’t want you here during this picnic because of your star power.” At least that excuse was better than the truth.

She frowned, but he could see she was buying it a little.

“The focus of this event is to hopefully get people to meet kids who need homes and maybe make a connection,” he added quickly. “You’re a distraction. Sorry.”

“Why couldn’t you just tell me that? Especially after we...you know. I can’t believe you couldn’t be honest with me.”

Guilt hit him like a water balloon. Not only did he lie earlier about where he was going, but now he was lying about why he didn’t want her there. What should he do? Ask her to come with him? Or make her go home? He cast his glance away from her stricken face to stare at the truck that was tailing her when she was away from the house.

“I’m sorry. You’re right,” he finally confessed on a deep breath. “I should have told you. I’m not used to this”—he waved his hand between the two of them—“whatever this is between us. I’m not used to telling you what’s going on in my life.”

She tipped her head, and he could tell she wasn’t buying a word of it.

“Fine. I’ll see you later then.” Turning on her heel, she started for her car.

Teddy reached out and grabbed her hand before she got away. “But since you’re here, maybe we can make some money off you.” Grinning in what he hoped was his most charming way, he pulled her closer. “We can give a free mini concert, if you’re game.”

She started to shake her head, but he pulled her closer and wrapped an arm around her shoulder.

“Come on, SusieQ. This place was your father’s pride and joy—you know he wouldn’t want you to turn down the chance to help the kids.”

“That’s not fair,” she complained, even though she fell into step next to him.

Teddy turned back to the waiting bodyguards and gave them the signal for them to go on home. “Hey, you’re the one that came out here. The least you can do is sing for your supper.”

As Teddy led Susan around to the back of the spacious home, a pretty brunette walked up to his side. She seemed overly familiar with him and Susan instantly wondered if she was one of the infamous twins.

“Susan, this is Mrs. Hill. She’s the director of the Children’s Home.”

Her heart leapt with relief that the young woman wasn’t who she feared, and also that she was a “Mrs.”

The director held out her hand. “Oh, my, Ms. Sampson! We’re honored to have you here. Goodness, it is a day of surprises, isn’t it?”

Susan smiled back. “Sorry I’m late.”

Mrs. Hill spread her arm out. “Can I get you a plate? We’ve just finished with the lunch, but all the food is still out.”

“No, thank you. I think I’ll just join Teddy. It looks like they’re all waiting.” Susan looked past her to where a large crowd had gathered. Children were seated on the lawn and adults stood behind them or joined them on blankets on the grass. Guilt washed over her. Her family had been involved with the Children’s Home for years, and never once had she thought to offer herself as a benefit, and here Teddy was acting as if he did this all the time, and he probably did.

They all clapped and cheered as Teddy slipped through the crowd to the front and waved Susan forward. “Thank you. Today I have a really special treat. I brought a friend of mine with me. Now, some of the adults will know who she is, but for you kids, this is my friend Susan. She lives in New York City and sings on the big stages called Broadway. Does everyone know what Broadway is?” At all the nods and cheers, he went on. “Okay, good. Susan and I grew up together on the Double B.”

When he mentioned the ranch, the crowd went crazy. The kids laughed and she could hear murmurs about the Christmas party and gifts. Once again, guilt settled over her as she realized how incredibly selfish she’d been. As her fame grew, what had her father thought when she’d never offered to help out his favorite charity? Had he been disappointed? He never once asked her to come home and perform. And it’d been a while since she’d been home for the huge Christmas party the family threw every year for these kids.

Teddy’s voice brought her out of her musings.

“I want all of you to make her feel real welcome. She sings…almost as good as me.”

Susan watched him take control of the crowd without any effort. He seemed to be very well known, as the kids called to him and he answered them by name. She was stunned by his familiarity.

Two chairs were brought over, and she took a seat next to him as he strummed his guitar. Teddy leaned toward her and she inhaled the deodorant soap he always used. Memories surfaced of earlier, and her pulse raced. When she made the mistake of glancing up into his eyes, her body flared to life with memories of his hard, naked body under her fingers.

“Just follow my lead,” he whispered. “If you don’t know the song, don’t worry about it.”

She pushed away the erotic thoughts she’d been having and nodded.

“Okay, everyone, what do you want to hear?”

All around them, voices yelled out songs. Teddy held up his hand and they quieted down as he strummed the first chords of one of the requests.

Susan glanced out over the crowd as Teddy began to sing. The kids were adorable, in all ages from very small toddlers to almost full-grown teenagers. How sad that this was their home. Yes, the facility was the best there was, and with her family’s money, these children wanted for nothing—except parents, and maybe love, and someone to call their own. All the money in the world couldn’t buy that for them.

Her gaze hooked on three kids seated right in the front. The girls, stunning in their young beauty, were obviously of Mexican descent with their exotic golden skin, large, dark eyes, and shiny black hair. They looked to be maybe ten, but then again, she hadn’t been around young kids in a while, so it was hard to tell.

Between them sat a smaller boy of perhaps five or six with huge brown eyes and a smile from ear to ear. They all stared at Teddy as if he hung the moon and had set them upon it.

Turning toward Teddy, she noted he stared back at the three kids in front. When he winked, the little sisters waved and giggled.

He then launched into “The Yellow Rose of Texas” and Susan left the niggling questions behind to pick up her part and join him. The song had been her father’s favorite. From there, they went through a medley of Johnny Cash, and she thoroughly enjoyed playing the part of June in the duets.

When he finally set the guitar down, the sun was going down. They must have been singing for over two hours! A quick glance around showed the audience was still enthralled, although the little guy in the front row had lain down and was sound asleep across what must be his sister’s lap. He was so adorable!

Turning to ask Teddy about the little boy, she was stunned by the look of adoration on his face as he stared at the child. Then, as if someone flipped a switch, the look was gone and he grinned at the kids in general.

“If Mrs. Hill would help me, I think there might be some surprises inside the house that arrived today.”

All the kids began to run except for the three in the front row. The one little girl shifted her brother until he woke up. Groggily, he rubbed his eyes.

Susan watched with curiosity as Teddy squatted down.

“Hey, pal, my singing was so bad you went to sleep so you wouldn’t have to listen?” he teased.

The little boy shook his head firmly, and Susan was shocked to see him lift his little arms up. Teddy’s face split into a smile a mile wide as he hoisted the boy easily into his arms and stood back up.

“SusieQ, I want you to meet the prettiest girls in Texas. This is Maria and her twin sister, Rosa. And this little guy”—he jiggled the child in his arms—“is their brother, Ramon.”

The breath rushed from her body, and she knew her mouth dropped open as her eyes grew wide. These are the twins? These were the Mexican beauties she’d been having nightmares over? Disgust washed over her. What an idiot I am.

Susan swallowed and attempted a smile, but figured it came out pretty sickly. All this time she’d thought Teddy was up to some sexual antics, and here he’d been talking about children. Orphaned children. She couldn’t look at Teddy for fear he’d read everything in her eyes. She held her hand out to Maria.

“Maria, you are every bit as beautiful as Teddy told me, and of course Rosa the same. I love your dresses.”

“Thank you, ma’am.”

They shook her hand but scooted closer to Teddy’s side, their discomfort with her all too obvious.

“Come on, everyone, let’s go inside before all the good stuff’s gone.” Teddy settled his free arm along Rosa’s shoulder and Maria walked alongside all of them.

Susan couldn’t move. Literally, she was sick to her stomach at what she’d thought for the past few weeks. All the talk about the twins and then the cryptic conversation with Buck about “his kids” came flowing over her. What kind of person was she to think something so crass?

Teddy must have realized she wasn’t following them and turned back. He set Ramon down next to his sisters. “Girls, take Ramon inside. I’ll be right there.”

Obediently, the two sisters led their brother away.

Susan watched them go, waiting until they were safely out of hearing before she turned to face Teddy. “You seem to be quite popular here.”

“I’ve been doing this benefit for several years.”

She lifted her chin, her hands clasped nervously in front of her stomach. “This isn’t just a benefit to you, is it? I mean, you obviously know all these kids really well. Especially those three.”

Something shifted in his eyes, but he didn’t say a thing.

“This is why you’re building that house. You’re doing it for these kids—you want to adopt them, don’t you?”

He shifted, uncomfortable-like, and looked past her toward the house. “I’m trying to, yeah. But first, I have to get approved to be a foster parent to them, and then I can work on the adoption. That’s what the envelope earlier was; they need more information from me—even though I’ve already given them everything. Meanwhile…” He glanced up to the house and let his breath out on a sigh. “Anyway, lots of proverbial red tape.”

“Who are they? Why don’t I know anything about them?”

A reluctant hand adjusted his Stetson. “Their mother died when Ramon was born and their father worked wherever he could find work. He was killed in a car accident last year. I met them about six months ago when I was here for a meeting.”

None of this made any sense to her. Why on earth would Teddy want to adopt kids that weren’t even related to him? Did he have any idea what that would mean to his life? “Do you really understand what you’re getting into?”

His brown eyes narrowed and his face hardened. “Of course I do. You think I haven’t thought this through long and hard?”

“But three of them? That’s a whole family. You’ll be tied down, committed…everything you hate.”

“Don’t preach to me about what this will mean to my life, when you don’t even know my life.”

His words hurt like tiny pebbles hitting her heart, but she refused to let him know it. She stepped back a few paces. “You’re right; none of this is my business. I thought things had changed, especially after…” Her voice cracked and she slammed her lips shut, refusing to cry in front of him.

After this afternoon, this was how he really felt? Or was this his way of making sure she didn’t get any closer? Fine. It sure wasn’t what she wanted or needed, either.

“I have to get inside. You either have to stay with me or call for an escort back to the ranch.”

His tone implied how annoyed he was with having to deal with her.

Her cheeks warmed with embarrassment and anger. “I’m not your problem. Go inside.”

He tipped his head and narrowed his eyes. “I never said you were my problem, just a royal pain in the ass.”

Shocked, she stood there as he walked away from her.

That’s it? He wasn’t going to make sure she was tailed? She swallowed back the lump in her throat. Fine. He was ticked off that she had showed up here today and that she’d blown his big secret. She got it. But he didn’t have to be so blatant about wanting her gone.

Glancing around at the yard that moments ago had been full of kids and adults, she watched through the back picture window as guests moved through the house. What had Teddy brought for the Children’s Home that they would be unveiling? Rubbing her temple with the pad of her finger, she closed her eyes. What a day. Up all night at the hospital, an afternoon tryst that almost got them caught by Cord, and now this.

Teddy Weston, notorious womanizer and love-’em-and-leave-’em guy since he was a kid, was going to adopt three kids and raise them on his own. He was building a house and setting down serious roots to devote his life to these orphans. If he had told her he was having a sex change operation she couldn’t have been more stunned.

As if on autopilot, she walked through the yard and back around to the front of the house. Her footsteps faltered as she spied the two bodyguards waiting outside her car. Her heart leaped. Teddy obviously had called them back to take her to the ranch. Although she wanted to be annoyed, she felt at least a little better, thinking he cared enough to make sure she was okay.

She gave them a nod but a smile was more than she was capable of now as she climbed behind the wheel of her sports car, pulled out of her parking space, and hit the highway.

What did it matter to her what Teddy did? Once this nightmare of the stalker situation was over, she was going back to New York, he’d be here, and that would be the end of it.

The end of what? There wasn’t anything between them—barely even a friendship. Was that the problem? Was she thinking maybe there was a chance for something more? Her brows furrowed. Was that what she’d been hoping? Just because they made out a few times, did she think he was going to stay with her?

Oh, my God—she was as pathetic as the other long line of women who’d been in his life. Didn’t she know better than that? She’d fallen for the most notorious heartbreaker in Sweet Meadow.

Shame washed over her as she turned down the road and through the arches to the Double B.

She brushed away the tear that trickled onto her cheek. I really am an idiot. The fact that she loved him had snuck up on her, but the cold truth smacked her straight in the face. She’d fallen for the one man in the entire world she had no business even thinking about. Besides the emotional mess between them, there was the not-so-little case of logistics. Her life was in New York. Teddy had a whole life here, and now he had even more reason to stay put. She definitely wasn’t in the market for a ready-made family. She might enjoy the occasional trip home and loved being with her sisters and nephews, but her real home was Broadway and Times Square.

Odd. The thought of New York usually brought a sense of urgency to get back, but today she didn’t even miss it. Her apartment was perfect in every way except one—there was no one to share it with. All she’d gotten so far, other than her awards and career success, was the attention of a crazy stalker. A few months ago, she would have said that was a small price to pay for all the rewards, but she didn’t feel like that today. Teddy was going to do something with his life that meant so much more than anything she could ever hope to obtain. Still it was so weird. Teddy, taking on the role of single dad to kids that weren’t his; she couldn’t wrap her mind around it.

As Buck and Sara’s house came into view, she made an impulsive move and turned into the driveway. Right past their property, the shell of the new house stood huge in the looming dusk. She parked and stared up at the structure, seeing it in a totally different way than she had yesterday. Now she knew the reason behind the house. Susan sighed and glanced around. It sure was a beautiful setting.

The house was far enough away from Buck’s to have privacy but close enough she could picture the kids running across the yard to see their new cousins. Brushing the hair out of her face from the gentle wind, she tried to imagine this kind of life. Where would she be when the house was finished and Teddy was living there with the twins and Ramon? If this upcoming show was a hit, it would be playing for a long time to come. She probably wouldn’t even be able to get back home for Christmas this year.

“Susan!” Buck’s voice hollered to her from his front porch.

She hadn’t even noticed he’d come outside. She smiled and walked toward where he waited with her two small nephews.

“What are you doing out here?” Buck asked as she climbed the steps.

Susan reached her arms out for young Beau. He let her pick him up and wrapped his arm around her neck. She buried her face in his little-boy neck and breathed in. He smelled like he’d been playing hard all day. She brushed his matted hair out of his face.

“I was just getting their supper ready, and then it’s bath time.”

Her brother-in-law looked embarrassed at her catching him with dirty kids. He pulled open the screen door, easily juggling his one-year-old in his large arms.

“Want some help?” she offered, following him into the house.

“Sure.” He inclined his head as she walked past him into the house. “Those the bodyguards out there?”

“Yeah,” she said on a resigned sigh. “If Teddy isn’t with me then they have to be.”

Buck set the baby down on the floor, and Mason crawled away chasing his older brother, who giggled as he ran into the living room. “Where’s Teddy today?”

Susan tipped her head. “He’s at the Children’s Home.”

“That’s right; he was performing at their annual picnic. I forgot all about that.”

Her brother-in-law didn’t seem inclined to share anything else, so she did. “I know about the kids.”

His eyes widened, and then he walked down the hall toward the kitchen. “I know it must seem crazy.”

“You don’t think it is?” Glancing to the left at the living room, she spotted the two boys as they flopped down in front of the TV.

Entering the kitchen, she wasn’t surprised to see Buck take out a covered dish from the refrigerator and turn on the oven. Flo would definitely not make him worry about eating while Sara was away. Not that her sister cooked—everyone knew it was Buck who ended up fixing most of the meals—but with two little ones, it was the last thing he needed to do.

She leaned her hip against the counter and waited for him to answer her question.

He finally straightened and glanced at her. “I thought it was crazy at first, but I’ve gotten used to the idea. He’ll be fine.”

Had everyone lost their minds? “You don’t think it’s a bit out of character? Come on Buck, seriously? Teddy as a dad?”

He stared for a second as if deciding what he should or shouldn’t say. “Maybe I’ve just had a lot longer to get used to the idea than you have, but yeah, I think he’s going to do great. Everyone has to grow up sometime, even Teddy.”

“I find it hard to believe a leopard can change his spots.”

He shrugged. “No one would have ever convinced me your sister would be wiping noses and changing diapers, either, but look at her now.”

“Okay, you got me there.”

“And me too, for that matter. I was never around little ones before; I was scared to death when we had Beau, and now I’ve got three of them.”

“And that doesn’t terrify you?” She couldn’t even imagine three kids under the age of three. What were they thinking?

“Not really. We wanted them close. I’m only two years younger than Cord, and there’s only two years between Teddy and me.”

“Still, these are yours—he’s going to be raising kids that aren’t his.”

“So what? You think he’ll love them any less because he didn’t contribute to their DNA? He loves them already.”

“I could see that, but…”

Buck shook his head. “Look, Susan, no offense, but you really don’t know my brother. You two have barely talked for over a decade. He’s not the snake you sometimes try to make him out to be. Ted’s going to do great with these kids, and he’s got all the support he could want. Between Flo and Sam and all of us, those kids are never going to want for love.”

It was a pretty long speech for Buck to make, and Susan felt taken to task. She swallowed hard. Of course, he was going to defend Teddy; he was his brother.

She unfolded her arms from her chest. “You know what, it’s none of my business. You’re right, I don’t know Teddy. It’s not like we’re even friends.” Speaking the words felt like a knife twisting in her heart, but it was the truth. “So listen, since I know nothing about giving little boys baths, why don’t you go ahead and get them bathed while I finish getting dinner on the table.”

Buck opened his mouth but then must have changed his mind. Instead, he opened a drawer, pulled out two potholders, and set them on the counter. “That would be great. The macaroni and cheese should be hot in about twenty minutes. There’s applesauce in the refrigerator. If you want, there’s probably some salad stuff in there, too.”

Susan nodded and waited until he left the room before moving to the refrigerator. The giggles and laughter that followed the three up the stairs was heartwarming and, for half a second, she tried to imagine what it would be like to live this life. To have children with someone she loved…and who loved her back.

Pushing back the frivolous thoughts, she pulled vegetables from the crisper drawer and set to work. She was slicing a red onion when the back door opened and Teddy strolled in. Her pulse quickened as his eyes met hers. Their last exchange still fresh in her mind, she stiffened her spine. He tossed his hat on the hook on the wall and moved to the sink.

“What are you doing here?” A sense of strange coziness settled over her as she worked at the counter while he washed up next to her. Only a few minutes ago she was wondering what it would be like to be cooking for her own family. Now she felt as if she’d been dropped into the middle of some strange fantasy.

“I saw your car and figured I’d send the bodyguards off duty. Where’s Buck?”

“Upstairs giving the boys a bath. I’m trying to give him a hand with dinner.”

Teddy leaned back against the counter, dried his hands, then reached out to swipe a carrot from the bowl beside her. “You look pretty domesticated. What would the public think if they saw you now?” He chomped down on the carrot.

Susan shrugged. “You know me; I can play most any role.”

He shoved away from the counter, opened the refrigerator, and took out a beer. “Hmph. Don’t I know it.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?” She stopped chopping a green pepper to glare at him.

Teddy took a long swig of the beer, stared back for a moment, and then moved across the kitchen to stop next to her. When his familiar hands slid to her neck and brushed her hair aside, her heart fluttered and breath caught.

He lowered his head toward her neck. “Stop being so defensive and reading something into everything I say.”

Susan closed her eyes as his breath warmed the skin on her neck. Her mouth slipped open when he kissed the tender skin beneath her ear. His hands slipped around her waist and drew her back against him. Only an hour or so ago he was annoyed with her; now he was coming on strong again. Did Teddy know what he wanted…or was he as confused about everything as she was?

“Mmm, you smell good.” He kissed her neck again, leaving a moist trail. “You taste good, too.”

She swallowed hard. “Buck might come down.” But her protest was hardly worth voicing as her thoughts of earlier roared back to the surface. Why did he have this effect on her? Had she really lost her heart to him? And wouldn’t he get a big kick out of knowing that?

Was this a game to him? His brother was right, she didn’t know him. They had no business fooling around, but still, nothing felt better than being in his arms, inhaling the woodsy masculine scent that was all his. What Susan really wanted to do was let Teddy take her straight out of her head.

The salad fixings were long forgotten as one of his hands moved up to rest beneath her breast.

“SusieQ?”

“Hmm?”

“Well, it would appear the rumors I’ve heard circulating are true.”

Susan jumped a mile as Buck’s voice boomed from the doorway, a fresh-faced child held in each arm. She would have run as far away as possible if Teddy’s arms hadn’t suddenly turned to bands of steel holding her firm.

“I…”

Teddy laughed, interrupting whatever she was going to say. “What rumors? Oh, the ones that said we were indulging in hot orgies in New York. Well, you know what I say, big brother, when in Rome…”

Susan pushed away from him. Even though her hands were shaking slightly, she managed to toss everything into the bowl and take it to the table. “Teddy was sniffing my hair—he has a thing for this special shampoo I buy. I swear it’s all you’re getting for Christmas this year.”

She knew her face was red, could feel the burn, and also knew Buck wasn’t buying her lame story, but that was the only explanation she was giving. The last thing she needed was the family rumor mill swirling around the two of them. She stuffed her hands into oven mitts and retrieved the casserole from the oven.

Buck simply raised one eyebrow as he settled the kids at the table, one in a highchair and one in the booster seat.

“You’re going to have to get a bigger table, if you keep up this baby making,” Teddy teased as he plopped a big helping of macaroni and cheese on a plate.

“How was Sara doing when you left today?” Susan filled a plastic cup with milk for Beau.

Buck reached over to help the little one with his dinner. “She was good. Tired, of course, but missing the boys, too. Thinks the doctor should let her come home already.”

“They won’t keep her much past tomorrow or the next day anyway, will they?”

“Where Mommy?” Beau suddenly asked.

Buck frowned and looked over at his son. “She’s taking care of your new baby brother.”

The little dark-haired boy’s lip quivered. “Want Mommy.”

Buck scooped some macaroni and cheese onto his plate. “Tomorrow. I promise. After dinner we’ll call her on the phone and you can say goodnight.”

“Hey, pal,” Teddy said. “How about tomorrow we’ll go down and see Uncle Grant and pick you out a new puppy.”

Beau shoveled macaroni in his mouth and grinned from ear to ear. He looked at Buck, who managed a weak smile before glaring at his brother. “Puppies? Do I look like I need a new puppy right now?”

Teddy shrugged. “They won’t be ready for a month or so, anyway. I figured Susan and I could occupy the boys tomorrow while you pick up Sara from the hospital.”

Susan whipped her gaze to his. Now he was making plans for them as if they were an item? What the hell was wrong with him? A few hours ago, he couldn’t get rid of her fast enough. But she wasn’t about to say anything in front of Buck.

“I thought maybe you’d get your rear in a saddle and head out to check on the south pasture.”

Teddy winked at Susan. “I’m on guard duty, bro. Cord’s orders. I can’t do anything without our leading lady here by my side, and I highly doubt she wants to cut cows with me.”

Susan stabbed a piece of cucumber. “I don’t need you when I’m at the house. I can help Flo with the boys if you need to work.”

Teddy shook his head. “Nope. There’s plenty of hands out there. We’re fine. I’ll check with Sammy in the morning. So quit worrying, Buck. Just focus on your family. If it gets urgent, Cord hasn’t forgotten how to ride.”

Buck’s eyes twinkled as he fed the baby a bite of macaroni and cheese. “Ride? You mean a horse? I think all he knows how to ride is the chair behind his desk.”

“As long as he keeps signing my checks, I don’t care what he rides.”

“Has Cord dated anyone recently?” Susan winced when Mason flung his spoon of applesauce across the kitchen and giggled, which set off his brother laughing.

She reached for Beau’s spoon before he could copy his brother’s antics.

“Why? You interested?” Teddy’s smile didn’t reach his eyes.

Her insides turned to jelly at the expression on his face. Was it jealousy? Possession? She’d never seen it before. Well, not in a long time. As a matter of fact, it might have even been that night of the junior high dance when one of the football players tried to kiss her. Yep, same look. Weird.

She smiled. “I just wondered what’s going on with him. Seems like he’d be married with a bunch of kids of his own by now.”

“If he dates at all, he keeps it quiet. I’ve never known him to bring anyone around.” Buck grabbed for the plastic cup before his son could tip it over.

“I heard Flo was trying to fix him up with Abigail Prestone from ClearWind.” Teddy commented. He reached for a second helping of salad.

“Who’s she?” Susan pushed the macaroni and cheese closer to him.

“She’s a librarian over there; teaches Sunday school. Flo had this insane idea to hook her up with me.” Teddy shuddered.

Buck laughed. “She’ll really be pushing hard for that once she finds out about the kids. What’s new there, by the way? Anything happening?”

Susan had been focusing on watching the baby slide his chubby fingers through the food on his tray, but was now all ears for Teddy’s answer.

He sighed. “No. I get the distinct impression that someone on the Board is making the process drag out longer than necessary. They’ve already done background checks, and all that. Hel—” He glanced at the kids and cleaned up his language. “Heck, they know me inside and out.”

Buck frowned. “Not for nothing, but you’d think with the amount of money our family donates, it would count for something.”

Teddy shook his head. “I almost think it goes against me personally, as if I’m trying to buy them or something.”

Susan wondered if it had anything, or everything, to do with the fact that he was single. Before she could say anything, Buck spoke up.

“You know, if you were married it would probably be a snap. No one would rather see those kids grow up in an orphanage instead of a home with two parents.”

“I’m not getting married.”

Buck laughed. “Don’t be so quick to knock it there, baby brother. There’s a lot to be said for the benefits of being married. Maybe you should revisit this whole Abigail idea. She sounds like the perfect woman to help you out with this project.”

The very idea of Teddy with this librarian woman made Susan’s guts clench. For whatever reason, it didn’t bother her to picture him with his usual loose women, but thinking of him with a solid, respectable woman set her nerves on edge. Was it because she was safer knowing he was with groupies? Women he would never settle down with?

For half a second, she got a crazy idea that if she married Teddy, he could get the kids.

Whoa. Where had that come from?

Susan looked up and caught him staring back, an odd expression on his face. Unable to look away, she tried to figure out what he was thinking.

Abruptly, he stood up and carried his plate to the sink. “These kids need a home and I’m willing to provide one with lots of love. They won’t want for anything. I can’t believe that doesn’t count for something with these idiots on the Board.”

“If the adoption doesn’t go through, are you still moving up here to the new house?” Susan picked up her own plate and joined him at the sink.

“Yeah. I need some privacy. Flo knows too damn—sorry, darn—much about what I do and who I’m doing it with.” The heated gaze and half-smile he gave her made her knees tremble. Was he implying that he’d have his own place if they wanted privacy? Why? He was so hard to figure out at times.

She turned back to the table. “I’ll clean this up,” she told Buck and scrubbed at her youngest nephew’s face with the washcloth. “Go relax with the kids.”

“You guys don’t have to stay and keep me company. I’ve got some computer work to do after I get these two to bed. Then I’ll make it an early night. Trust me; there won’t be any full nights of sleep again for several months.”

****

An hour later, Teddy drove behind Susan as they headed back to the main house. As she parked her car in the driveway, he drove past over to the Weston house and parked. It wasn’t late by any means, but the sexual tension in the air between them all evening had been so strong that if he went anywhere alone with her right now he was going to take her to bed. While he wanted that so much he physically ached over it, he had to keep his focus on the adoption. Those kids were his future. If he started a relationship with Susan and the Board got wind of it, how would that look? Unstable, that’s how. He’d look like he hadn’t changed his ways. Bad move.

Susan stepped from her car and stared at him from across the driveway. He swallowed and ran his hand around the back of his neck. The only thing to do was to go in the house and leave her alone. Anything else would be a disaster. He had to do this.

“Goodnight,” she called, turning toward the porch steps.

“I was thinking of hitting the hot tub, you in?” Where the hell had that come from? His mouth and brain obviously weren’t connected at the moment.

She hesitated. The question wasn’t about whether or not she wanted to soak in the tub with him, and they both knew it. As the seconds ticked by, he prayed for her to make the right call—which call that was he had no clue.

“Sure, I’ll change and meet you there.”

Teddy watched as she walked into the house before bolting up the stairs to his front door. This was insane. But he couldn’t stop himself from stripping off his clothes, putting on some bathing trunks, and covering them with sweatpants and a T-shirt before racing down to the kitchen.

Less than ten minutes later he stepped into the crisp and cool outside air—perfect for the hot water. As Teddy walked past the in-ground pool to the secluded area where the hot tub was housed, he wasn’t surprised not to see Susan yet.

There was a movie she was in a few years back, what the heck was the title? Oh, well, didn’t matter, but he could see the scene where she walked out to the hot tub in insanely high heels, wearing a short white silk robe. She unbelted the robe and let it slither off her shoulders to reveal a smokin’ hot red bikini. That image had kept him awake for nights as it played over and over in his mind.

“Ohhh, wine! I so need a drink right now.”

Teddy jumped at her voice behind him. “I didn’t hear you come out.” He spun around to face her, taking in her flip-flops and lounging pants. Furthering his disappointment, she wore a baggy, oversized gray sweatshirt with the sleeves shoved up.

So much for fantasy.

“Probably one glass is going to put me to sleep in the tub.” She joined him next to the small glass table where he’d set the glasses. “Talk about a long day, huh? Can you believe it was only last night at this time that we were at the hospital?”

He frowned, opened the bottle and poured each of them half a glass. “Doesn’t seem possible, does it?”

It was rare that he was ever nervous in any situation, but being out here with her tonight had him on edge. It wasn’t just knowing that being with her meant risking everything he’d been working for. It also meant risking his heart. There was no other woman in the world who mattered to him the way she did. The worst thing to happen would be for her to find out exactly what power she held over his heart.

He picked up one glass and held it out to her. She took it, and he clinked his glass against hers.

Susan smiled. “What are we toasting?”

Teddy had so many things he wanted to say but couldn’t, not without revealing way too much. He raised his glass. “How about the moonlight?”

She pressed her lips to the glass. “Sounds like the title of a song—let’s toast the moonlight.”

He lifted his eyebrow. “Catchy, isn’t it?”

Susan set her glass on the table and kicked off her flip-flops.

Teddy took a long guzzle of his wine before setting it next to hers and moving to the side of the steaming tub. He pressed the switch for the pulsating jets, already anticipating how they were going to feel on his tired muscles.

When he turned back around, his mouth went dry and his blood turned to liquid fire.

Susan’s arms were above her head as she finished pulling off the casual clothes to reveal a black bikini that cradled her breasts and hugged her hips seductively.

When her head popped free, she tossed the shirt aside and checked her hair piled on her head. He couldn’t stop gawking as if he was a fifteen-year-old.

“Close your mouth, Teddy, you look like a fish.” She moved close to the tub and grabbed the rail to step over the edge.

He wondered if she was playing it cool or if she was really unaware of how she affected him. There was no way he could hide the evidence, not under the board shorts he wore. She had to know the mere sight of her set him on fire. “Nice suit,” he croaked out.

Susan inched into the water and slowly immersed herself up to her neck. Her plump lips parted and her eyes closed as she let the water envelope her. Teddy couldn’t stop watching her obvious pleasure.

“Hmm? Oh, the bikini? I picked it up in Paris last summer—I didn’t even know if it would still fit, with all the junk food I’ve been eating with you.”

Teddy tried to quell his desire and play it cool. No point in letting her know how worked up he was, especially when she seemed pretty nonchalant.

“Can I tell you something?” Susan looked across the tub at him as he sank to the seat across from her.

He wiggled his eyebrows. “I know; I look damn good in these shorts.”

She rolled her eyes and flicked water at him. “Will you stop with the cocky attitude?”

He grinned. “Cocky, huh? You think I’m cocky?”

“Cut it out. You don’t have to act in front of me. You can cut all the crap about being good-looking and a great lover.”

Teddy slid across the tub seat until their thighs were side by side under the water. He slid his hand across her stomach to curve into her waist. “I’m not good-looking?”

Susan wet her lips and stared back. “I didn’t say you weren’t, I just said this act you put on for other women, you don’t have to act with me.”

He leaned forward, letting his breath brush across her lips. “Maybe it’s my defense mechanism. Maybe I put on that act so you won’t find out my secret.”

Susan stretched her neck as he nibbled at her throat.

“What secret is that?”

“That I want you.”

She gave a light laugh. “I don’t think that’s a secret, Teddy. You don’t do a real good job at hiding it.”

He lifted his head to look into her eyes. “Do I have to hide it? Because I’m tired of hiding it. I want you, you want me. If there weren’t all these other complications in our life, we’d have already been to bed.”

There was no way to know what she was thinking. The moment could totally be ruined with his declaration and his reminder of what was at risk. Her blue eyes searched his and turned deeper as he gazed into them. She was warring with the same conscience he was, and just like him, she was losing, and he knew it.

His fingers found her knee and trailed upwards through the water to her inner thigh.

Her lips parted and her eyelids lowered. “This is probably the worst idea either of us has ever had,” she whispered. Her hands slid through his hair and tugged his mouth toward hers.

“Definitely,” he agreed.

His fingers found the juncture between her thighs and cupped her through her bathing suit.

She wiggled under his touch, but didn’t pull away. “It’s a bad idea,” she groaned.

“But it’s going to feel so good,” he promised, and lowered his mouth to hers.