From Playboy to Papa!

“If that’s lesson number two, then what’s lesson number one?”

“Just love ’em,” she said.

“I’m listening, teacher.”

She looked into his eyes and he felt a strange zing that mixed with a longing deep inside him. What would it take to get Nicole to marry him?

Hours later, after the three spent the later afternoon in the pool and enjoying a barbecue dinner, Nicole had retreated to her bedroom. Rafe had noticed she’d been distracted several times throughout the evening.

He’d also noticed that she’d frowned when she’d looked at her cell phone.

That didn’t stop her from helping to put Joel to bed, but she’d disappeared to her room before Rafe could question her. Unable to sleep, he worked on an international expansion plan for his business. He finally grew drowsy and went to bed.

Nicole’s screams awakened him. He sat upright in bed and raced toward her room.

She tossed and turned, struggling with sheets and some unnamed demon. “No, no. You can’t have him. You’ll ruin him.”

He eased his hand over her shoulder. “Nicole, you’re dreaming.”

“No. I won’t let you take him.”

Frowning at her words, he gently nudged her. “Nicole, sweetheart, you need to wake up.”

She shook her head then blinked her eyes. Seconds passed when he could tell that she struggled for consciousness. She took several shallow breaths.

“Rafe?”

“Yeah, it’s me.”

She took another breath. “It was my father. He called again and left a message on my phone. He’s trying to get Joel.”

Alarm shot through him. “What? Was this a dream?”

She shook her head and licked her lips as if they were dry from fear. “No. He’s always wanted Joel. I couldn’t let him have Joel. He would have destroyed him.”

“Nicole, are you sure of what you’re telling me? Is your father trying to take Joel away?”

She closed her eyes. “He always wanted Joel, but since I refused his support, he couldn’t take him. He’s always watching me, waiting for the day when I weaken or fail.”

Rafe swore under his breath. “And you’ve been living with this since Tabitha died?”

She nodded. “He called over a week ago. He wanted to come down to visit. I think the only thing that kept him away was some deal he was working with someone in Greece.”

Rafe narrowed his eyes. “Argyros,” he said.

She nodded. “That sounds right.” She opened her eyes. “He left a message on my phone today, telling me he insists on coming down for a visit. I can’t let him take Joel.”

“There’s a solution,” he said.

“What?”

“Marry me.”

Eleven

Nicole tried to keep up with her galloping heart. “How would that solve anything?”

Rafe shrugged. “Even with all your father’s money and influence, he wouldn’t stand a chance against you and me together,” he said, a tinge of bitterness sharpening his voice.

She met his gaze. “But how can I be sure?” she asked. “How can I be sure that you will be good to Joel?”

“How have you seen me act so far? What’s the evidence? If being devoted to my son were a crime, would I be convicted?” he asked.

His fervent response stabbed at her heart. He was right. Rafe may not have stepped into fatherhood shoes perfectly, but he’d done it with passion and gentleness. She couldn’t deny that truth. “Okay,” she said and knew she was about to take a huge leap. “How do we do this? When?”

“As soon as possible,” he said. “I’ll make the arrangements.”

On Monday morning, Rafe took Nicole to the county courthouse to obtain the marriage license. In exchange for the presentation of their photo IDs and eighty-six dollars and fifty cents, they were given a sixteen-page booklet, which pretty much provided a bounty of reasons why a man or woman would run screaming from the institution of marriage.

Rafe barely resisted the urge to snag the document from Nicole.

“This could be a huge mistake,” she said, flipping through the pages.

‘It’s full of worst-case scenarios,” he said, reaching over to cup her knee in reassurance. “You and I are intelligent adults. We share the same goal.”

“Division of assets,” she said. “Spousal abuse. I think I’m going to be sick.”

“I will never abuse you or Joel.” He tightened his grip on the steering wheel. “I can’t promise what I’ll do if your father even hints of threatening you or Joel, but I’ll keep you safe. I swear it.”

She took a deep breath. “Part of me believes you, but your size is intimidating.”

“Would you rather I be weak? Don’t tell me you find an out-of-shape guy more attractive?”

He caught her shooting him a sideways glance and a reluctant smile. “I didn’t say that. I just-” She broke off. “Your strength is both comforting and intimidating.”

“And a turn-on,” he said.

She sucked in a quick breath. “I didn’t say that.”

“But it is.”

“That could sound cocky,” she told him.

“But it doesn’t,” he said.

“Because it’s true.” She paused. “We haven’t discussed how this marriage is going to work. Do you expect monogamy?”

“Yes,” he said before she finished.

He felt her gaze on his face. “Better be careful not to promise to do something you can’t,” she said.

Surprised at her comment, he pulled into a parking lot. “What are you saying? That I expect more from you than I’m willing to give of myself.”

She chewed on her lip, but continued to meet his gaze. “I grew up with a man who was wealthy and powerful. He felt that the reciprocal rules of monogamy didn’t apply to him. I also know that many women consider wealth and power an aphrodisiac. There’s a lot of temptation out there.”

He nodded, unable to keep his cynicism in check. “Are we talking about your father or about me?”

Her eyes flashed with a half dozen emotions. “There was a time when you wanted Tabitha. I’m not-and never will be her.”

Rafe lowered his head and took her mouth in a brief, but firm kiss. “Good.”

Over the next twenty-four hours, Nicole doubted herself and Rafe every other moment. Had she lost her mind?

When she calmed down enough to think it through, however, she believed in her heart that Rafe only wanted to do what was best for Joel. She could tell that he loved his son and was devoted to him.

Rafe’s relationship with her, however, was a different story. He might want her, but he wasn’t crazy for her. The reality hurt. It shouldn’t, but it did. She wanted him to love her like no other. Why? Because, despite her best efforts, she had fallen for him.

Heaven help her if he never gave his heart to her. She would spend an eternity wanting more than he could give. She could only hope that somewhere along the way, he would also fall for her.

The next day, she dressed for her so-called marriage. On a whim, she’d gone shopping while Joel had been in preschool. She’d found a cream-silk-colored, empire-waist tank dress that flirted with the tops of her knees. She’d purchased a cream, lace purse and wore the pearls her mother had given her when she’d turned eighteen.

When Nicole looked in the mirror, she almost didn’t recognize herself. She looked like a confident, modern bride. Only she knew how full of doubt she truly was.

Gathering her composure, she walked down the stairs and met Rafe at the bottom landing. He wore a black suit and red tie. His white shirt contrasted with his tanned skin, dark hair and eyes.

He extended his hand. “You look beautiful.”

“Thank you,” she said, then smiled. “So do you.”

He lifted his hand, skimming it through her hair. “You really are beautiful.”

“Are you sure you don’t wish I were blonde?” she asked, thinking of Tabitha.

“Absolutely sure,” he said and lifted her hand to his mouth. “Let’s get this show on the road.”

Nicole slid into the limo and for the first time in her life wanted a double martini before noon. Was this the right thing to do? Ultimately for Joel, she believed it was. But for her?

Rafe had offered her a generous prenuptial agreement with the understanding that they would make every possible effort to remain together. The agreement also included the provision that she would retain dual custody of Joel if they should separate. Deep inside, she knew that such a situation would kill Rafe. He was determined to create a safe and happy environment for Joel.

Again, she wondered what was her future? What if Rafe never felt anything more for her than a convenient sort of passion? Her stomach knotted at the thought.

Before she knew it, the chauffeur parked the limo and she and Rafe entered the court building. In front of a magistrate, she promised and he promised. In the sterile surroundings, he lowered his mouth to hers in a kiss that stood for an oath of a lifetime.

Nicole stared into his dark eyes, praying she hadn’t made a mistake. He took her hand and didn’t let go, even as he led her outside. “Where do you want to eat?”

She swallowed over the lump in her throat. “I haven’t even thought about it.”

He met her gaze. “Think about it now. What fast food do you want to eat to celebrate our marriage?”

Her heart skipped a beat and she took a deep breath. “Some sort of terrible cheeseburger with extra mustard and pickles. Greasy French fries. Something chocolate.”

He nodded. “I’ve got just what you want.”

He had no idea, she thought, how much she wanted him.

A half hour later, they ate greasy cheeseburgers, fries, ice cream and champagne in the back of the limo.

“This has got to be one of the worst possible gastronomic combinations,” she said, taking a drink of champagne and following with a spoonful of ice cream.