Sealing the Deal Read online

  “Always,” Mallory drawled before shifting her gaze back to Beth. “I guess we all assumed… I mean, you’re moving in with him.”

  “Yeah, well, you know what happens when you assume,” Beth snapped. Then her shoulders sagged. She was supposed to be apologizing, not getting angry all over again. “It’s… complicated.”

  “All relationships are complicated,” Dani countered.

  Beth gave her a brusque nod. “Look, I’m sorry. I’ve just been so overwhelmed. And when Jules, well…” She picked up her fork and stared at her lunch. “I’m sorry. Okay?”

  “When Jules what?” Mallory asked.

  Jules was the one to answer. “When I blew her off about Aubrey watching Emma.”

  Mallory knit her brows. “Why would you do that?”

  “Because I’m a selfish bitch,” Jules replied, yanking her wrapped sandwich out of the bag.

  “You are not.” Beth was surprised by Jules’s response. The woman was never one to so quickly and emphatically admit her mistakes, but calling herself a “selfish bitch” was going overboard.

  “I was,” Jules insisted, fishing the box of fries out and dropping them next to the sandwich.

  “Then why’d you make her take Emma to day care?” Dani asked.

  Jules let out a sigh. “The twins are getting to be a handful. Two toddlers aren’t easy, and with Carter’s allergies and Craig’s apnea, Aubrey’s working her skinny little ass off. I just thought adding Emma to the mix would be too much for her. That, and I selfishly didn’t want her taking Aubrey’s attention away from the boys.” Her eyes were full of regret. “I’m sorry, Beth. If you still wanna give it a try…”

  With a shake of her head, Beth let Jules off the hook. “Robert’s niece is wonderful. She’s got the entire basement of the house to use since Robert’s turned it into Emma’s play area. He cleaned Toys ‘R’ Us out of educational toys the other day. Emma didn’t even cry when I left her this morning.”

  Which had actually hurt a little. When Robert left the apartment after supper, Emma had clung to him and wailed as though her heart were breaking. But when Beth had made a quick run to the store and left her with Robert, Emma hadn’t even waved farewell.

  “What’s wrong?” Dani’s hand covered hers.

  “I’m just…” Beth wasn’t sure how to put her concerns into words. With the exception of Dani and the Ladies, Beth had always lacked support. Yes, she had two parents and a sister. But they’d always made her feel… wrong. Like she didn’t belong. Like nothing she ever did would be good enough.

  Emma should love Beth as unconditionally as Beth loved Emma. Period. Instead, Emma and Robert would probably do fine if all they had was each other. “This mom stuff isn’t easy.”

  Jules let out a boisterous laugh. “Understatement of the year!”

  “It’s more than that,” Dani insisted. “I can tell.”

  Beth nodded. “Emma doesn’t seem to need me. Not like she does Robert.” This time, she was the one to let out the weighty sigh. “Maybe I’m not cut out to be a good mom.”

  “For pity’s sake.” Mallory laid down the sandwich she was just about to bite into. “It’s been three weeks since you both lost Tiffany. Give it time. Emma needs to adjust to you, exactly like you need to adjust to her. That’s all.”

  If only it were that easy.

  More and more Beth worried about whether she would be enough for Emma. In her mind, Beth had images from Hallmark commercials spinning and twirling and making her crazy. The perfect mother. The perfect daughter. What they’d shared so far was anything but perfect. Emma fussed most of the night. She seemed to lean away whenever Beth kissed her cheek. She squirmed when Beth tried to hold her too long.

  Everything was the opposite with Robert. Emma clung to him, laughed with him, and gave him sloppy kisses without prompting. While Beth was thrilled they’d bonded, there was jealousy there, too. Immature and very selfish jealousy. She was Emma’s mother now. Shouldn’t Emma love her? Or was love like trust and had to be earned?

  Then why did Emma love Robert so darn much?

  “What can I do to help?” Dani asked, her gaze sincere.

  “I was hoping I could count on you to watch Emma while Robert and I move my stuff on Saturday. I wasn’t sure if you had plans.”

  “I do.” The smile was pure Dani—full of mischief. “I plan on playing with Emma in that basement full of new toys.”

  “I’ve got a better idea,” Jules said. “Let Emma spend the night with the twins. That way you’ll have plenty of time to get everything done before you take her to your new home.”

  * * *

  The box split when Beth dropped it on the floor, the corner gaping open.

  No wonder. She’d packed it pretty full of her winter clothes, and it had been a well-used box to begin with. Packing had been a chore. Unpacking would be even more so.

  How could she have had this much stuff in a studio apartment?

  She chuckled as she glanced around her new bedroom. The dresser, mirror, nightstand, and bed frame had been delivered. So had the beautiful head and footboards of the large four-poster bed. Her grandmother’s armoire stood against the wall next to the window. No mattress yet, but there were more than enough clothes strewn about the room to fill her new walk-in closet.

  Why could she never find anything to wear in the morning? Surely a woman with four full boxes of clothes and shoes should have plenty of outfits to choose from.

  Alas… Women with big butts never liked anything they put on.

  Robert strode into the room, dropped the box Beth had packed with her toiletries in front of her en suite bath, and then leaned against one of the bedposts. “I am never moving again.”

  Her first thought was to say, “Me neither.” But then she considered how that might sound. She didn’t want him to think he was stuck with her. “I hate moving, too.” She grabbed another pair of pants out of the box and a hanger from the pile next to her. “But this place is going to be good for Emma.”

  “And for us, too.” His voice was slightly husky, and his gaze captured hers. “This could be great, B. A new start for all of us.”

  She nodded, not trusting herself to speak. Every time she thought about what Robert was doing, everything he was sacrificing for her and Emma, a lump clogged her throat. Her feelings for him were getting entirely out of control, and if his affections were only for Emma, Beth could make herself out to be the greatest of fools if she revealed too much.

  He pushed himself away from the post and hurried to her. “What’s wrong?”

  If he could read her face that easily, she was in a world of trouble. “Nothing. Just tired.”

  His lopsided smile set her heart to pounding, and a warm flush spread over her face. “No wonder,” he said. “It’s been a long day.” He directed a glance at the window. “Probably close to suppertime.”

  Beth nodded. “I’m getting hungry.”

  “Then we should get a bite to eat.”

  “I should pick up Emma first.”

  “Isn’t she staying at Jules’s house tonight?”

  “She’s supposed to. It was the only way we could get any work done today. I just…” She shrugged. “I feel bad putting Jules out.”

  Robert chuckled. “Aubrey’s probably watching her and the twins. I’ll give her some money if it’ll keep you from feeling guilty. Besides”—he grasped her hand—“I figured we could make this a date night or something.”

  “Date night?” Darn if her voice didn’t squeak.

  “Yeah.” He took her other hand. “We’ve been so fixed on Emma, I think we need a little ‘us’ time. Thought I’d buy you a nice dinner; then we can come back here and watch a movie or something.”

  “The satellite guy came?”

  “Yep. We’ve got all the movie channels. I know how much you enjoy watching movies.”

  “Oh, Robert. I didn’t expect—” Before she could finish the thought, he tugged her into his arms and kissed her. One qui
ck kiss before he eased back and stared down at her.

  “That’s what I love about you, B. You never expect. You’re grateful for anything people do for you, but not once have you expected someone to help you. And yet, you’ve made great strides in caring for Emma and yourself despite the loss of your sister.”

  The praise and the kiss made her face flush warmer. Her childhood had been sadly lacking in approval, not that she blamed her parents. She’d been a handful as a child. Curious and unafraid. A dangerous combination. More often than not, Beth would get herself into situations that made her parents shake their heads and wonder aloud if she was truly their daughter. Surely their daughter would have been more demure.

  By the time she’d hit adolescence, she’d settled down. Probably because Tiffany had more than picked up the slack in the creating trouble department.

  Hearing praise now only made Beth downright uncomfortable, so much so she’d shake her head and look away.

  Robert used a gentle touch to draw her face back to his. He brushed another kiss over her lips. “You will learn how to take a compliment. Even if it kills me.”

  Although she didn’t agree with him, she nodded.

  “So will you let me spoil you and take you to dinner? How often do you think we’ll get a chance for a night to ourselves once this move is done?”

  “You’re right. I just… I haven’t been away from Emma since the… the…”

  “I know.” He cupped her face in his hands and stroked her cheeks with his thumbs. “You need a break. Maybe Emma does, too. Let’s get some good food, pick a good movie, and have a good time. Just the two of us.”

  “Our first date,” she couldn’t help but point out.

  “So it is. Well, then.” He dropped his hands and started marching across her bedroom. “I’m going to need a shower and some clean clothes.” Robert was gone before she could say another word.

  Beth fumbled through the boxes of clothes for something suitable for a date. Her stomach fluttered in nervousness. The way he couldn’t seem to stop touching her, and the fact that she wanted him to keep on doing so, boded ill.

  Or did it bode well?

  Was she ready to take that last step toward intimacy? Her body was screaming yes!

  She finally grabbed some clothes, snatched her jasmine shampoo and soap from the toiletries box, and took her first shower in her new home.

  Chapter Nine

  As soon as they got home, Robert kicked his shoes onto the rug by the foyer closet. He wasn’t at all surprised when Beth toed her flats off, picked them up, and set them in the shoe cubby she’d picked out for the closet. Feeling properly scolded, he grabbed his own and put them in the cubby alongside hers.

  Funny. That image, his sloppy shoes next to her blue flats, seemed like a metaphor for his ultimate goal. Being side by side with this woman.

  Their shoes in the cubby. Their clothes in the closet. Her head on the pillow beside his.

  When had he turned into a hopeless romantic?

  The moment he’d realized exactly how wonderful Beth really was.

  He was going to have to work harder at picking up after himself. A horrible slob by nature, he worried that he would offend Beth if he acted like himself. Forty was kind of old to be changing habits. For her, though, he’d give it his best try.

  The house had really come together nicely. Another great job by his favorite decorator. He could see the special attention she’d given the place even before she’d known it was going to be their house. His clients constantly raved about Beth’s good taste and how she always thought of a house’s functionality. Since he didn’t know what colors went well with others, he’d been grateful for her help. He also despised change. Once a room was done, it wasn’t going to get painted again until the last coat peeled.

  Now he knew why his clients loved her so much. She embraced change, always knowing about the latest and most versatile gadgets, all the things that turned a house into a home. This place practically screamed “home” to him—and hopefully to her.

  Robert would definitely have to try harder to remember to hang up his jacket instead of just draping it over a chair. He’d have to use coasters so he didn’t ruin the stunning new furniture. He’d have to put dirty dishes in the dishwasher rather than simply pile them in the sink until they leaned like the tower in Pisa.

  There was another good reason to stop being a pig. He needed to be a good role model for Emma. There would most likely be home visits since Beth was planning to officially adopt Emma, and he wanted to help in any way he could. That road should be as smooth for his girls as possible.

  My girls.

  That’s exactly what Beth and Emma were now. Fate had been kind in sending him a family that was ready-made. One that needed him. But he’d still have to win Beth’s affections to seal the deal.

  An easy smile crossed his face. Judging from the way she’d kissed him, he might already be well on the way to that goal. Once he convinced her to stay with him, maybe even marry him, then he’d stop worrying that he could lose her. Even thinking about her not being a part of his life, a part of each day, made his blood run cold.

  Not only did he want Beth in his life, but Emma was something special, and watching her grow up would be a joy. There was no way he was going to miss out. His heart had already accepted her as his daughter. No one was going to take her away from him.

  “What movie do you want to watch?” Beth asked, drawing him away from his musings. After picking up the remote, she held it out and wiggled it. “DVD or take our chances on finding something on TV?”

  Striding over to her, Robert draped his arm around her shoulders and playfully pulled her down onto the sectional with him. Then he nudged over the ottoman and propped up his feet. “Let’s see what we can find.”

  She put her feet up as well, and then she turned on the TV and started scrolling through channels until she found some romantic comedy. “Is this okay?”

  Since his interest was fixated on the woman sitting next to him rather than any movie, he shrugged. “Doesn’t really matter.”

  He couldn’t stop staring at her. God, she was beautiful tonight. She’d pulled her dark curls away from her face with a headband, and she wore only a light layer of makeup, just a hint of blue around her eyes. Her light, gauzy shirt hid the curve of her breasts, which he found teasingly frustrating. He loved those breasts. He loved her round shape, too. Thankfully, Beth didn’t feel the need to starve herself to try and look like a skeleton. She was the most feminine creature he’d ever seen, and he ached to run his hands over every inch of her soft skin.

  Her teeth worried her lower lip. “I thought you wanted to watch a movie.” She offered up a hesitant smile. “If I had my choice, we’d be glued to HGTV.”

  “Wouldn’t matter to me. All I wanted was to spend time alone with you.” Robert tugged her closer until she was pressed hard against his side.

  “Oh…” If she bit her lip any harder, she’d draw blood.

  He’d waited the whole damn night to have her in his arms. Dinner had barely had any taste, because the only thing he could think of was that they’d be all alone in their new home—the perfect time to take their budding relationship to a higher level.

  Robert wanted to make love to her. Tonight.

  His cock was hard as a rock, not a very comfortable situation. It wasn’t as though he could pop open his fly and let the poor thing out of the tight confines of his jeans. Wondering how Beth would react if he did made him chuckle.

  “What’s so funny?” Her eyes searched his.

  He almost blurted out exactly what was amusing him but refrained before the words slipped out. He was trying to seduce her, not send her running away because she thought he was some pervert. “Nothin’.”

  In all his years of dating, he’d never been this unsure with a woman. If she showed interest, he’d take her up on whatever she offered. With Beth, he worried about each touch, each kiss, afraid he’d take a misstep. He cared about wh
at she thought, wanting to guard her obvious innocence and not come on too strong. The last time he’d weighed his every word and every action this way was when he’d been a teenager.

  He was going to drive himself insane. It was time to stop overthinking and just let their attraction unfold.

  “Oh. Okay,” she murmured.

  When she glanced away, Robert nudged her face back to his. Then he pressed a kiss against her lips. Then another. God, he wanted her.

  Gentle kisses weren’t enough. He tugged her closer and gave her the kind of kiss he’d been thinking of all evening, one of total possession. He ground his lips against hers and thrust his tongue into her mouth, demanding she respond, that she feel the same gnawing sexual need consuming him.

  Beth looped her arms around his neck, wriggling around until she could press her breasts against his chest. He let out a rumbling growl and moved his hands to her hips so he could guide her to straddle his lap. She rubbed against his erection, drawing a groan from deep inside him.

  Once she’d threaded her fingers through his hair, she held him right where he wanted to be as she rocked her hips, simulating the act he so desperately wanted. No woman had ever responded this honestly, revealing her desire so clearly. In his experience, most women needed more coaxing and cajoling. A few even made it seem as though they were doing him the greatest of favors by allowing him to be intimate with them.

  Not his Bethany. Her tongue was every bit as wild as his. Despite her suffering from a lack of self-esteem, she was nothing but open and direct with her passion—and perhaps not so innocent after all. When he got her clothes off, Robert hoped she didn’t draw back into her shell. He couldn’t bear losing this kind of connection.

  Easing back, she stared into his eyes, searching for something.

  Desire? Commitment?

  He’d give her both those things and more. “Say yes,” he whispered. “Say you want me as much as I want you.”