Playboy Doctor to Doting Dad

But her father seemed pleased she’d stayed out overnight.

‘Don’t go getting any ideas, Dad. We had a great time and neither of us wanted to drive home after the party.’ She crossed her fingers at the little white fib.

‘Sure thing, love.’ Was that an I-know-exactly-what-you’ve-been-up-to smile in his voice? Couldn’t be. This was her father.

He was still talking and she struggled to concentrate. ‘Everything’s in hand here. I’m going to take the youngsters to the beach later. Steph and Andrew are coming with us. Why don’t you two join us after your breakfast?’

‘Sounds like a plan.’ Steph and Andrew going to the beach with Dad and the kids? Those two seemed to be getting very domestic these days, and spending more time with the family. What was going on? Had she missed something? Could Steph be settling down?

After hanging up, Abby found the bathroom, where Kieran was already under the jets of hot water, soaping that wonderful body of his.

He watched with hungry eyes as she drew her shirt off. When she stepped into the shower, his hands caught her breasts. ‘Beautiful.’ His fingers kneaded the soft flesh. ‘So beautiful.’

Their shower took a lot longer than normal, and mostly had nothing to do with getting clean.

‘I can’t finish this.’ Abby pushed her plate to one side.

Kieran rolled his eyes at the one sausage left. ‘A rugby prop wouldn’t have done any better. I’ll be surprised if you can get off your chair any time in the next hour.’

‘A gentleman wouldn’t say things like that.’ She grinned, totally at ease with the huge meal she’d just devoured.

‘Guess what?’

‘Yeah, I know, you’re not one.’ Not quite true. Mr Playboy was very definitely a gentleman most of the time. She squirmed as memories of the party crept back. Kieran had been very attentive all evening, making sure she always had a drink when she’d wanted one, holding her supper plate for her. Yes, but playboys did that. It was part of their charisma to be so helpful. But he’d turned down all those offers to dance with just about every female at the party. He’d danced with Hamish’s wife but it would’ve been bad manners not to dance with his hostess.

No, for all she’d seen, Kieran had wanted to spend the time with her. If anyone had been out of line, it had been her. She’d accepted every invitation to hit the dance floor that had come her way. How had he felt about that? Had she hurt him by not staying by his side all night? Time for damage control. ‘Thank you for such a wonderful time last night, all of it. I can’t think when I last partied so hard.’

‘You don’t go out much, do you?’ Kieran watched her through hooded eyes, giving nothing away. ‘Tell me why. Is it because of your ex-fiancé?’

Talk about grabbing her attention. ‘That’s old hat. You don’t really want to know.’ Why did he have to ask about the man who’d hurt her so badly? Today of all days.

‘Yeah, I do. I want to know a whole heap of things about you. I’m really interested. So, why didn’t you marry him?’

‘Because I found out I wasn’t the only female sharing his bed. Even my bridesmaid enjoyed his favours.’

Kieran wrapped her hand in his. ‘That must have hurt terribly.’

‘It did.’ But it wasn’t hurting half as much as usual. Had she finally begun to let it go? Because of Kieran? ‘I didn’t know a thing about his philandering until the day I caught him with my bridesmaid a week before the wedding. After that people at work were quick to tell me about all the other indiscretions.’

‘He worked at the hospital?’

‘Dr Phillip de Hendez, general surgeon.’

‘The Dr de Hendez? The one who tarnished his reputation trying to cover up a mistake in the operating theatre by pushing the blame onto his house surgeon?’

‘The very same one. I see the hospital gossip mill is still working on that one.’ A touch of bitterness coloured her voice. She’d have hoped by now that anything to do with Phillip would’ve been forgotten.

‘From what I hear, it did the hospital a lot of damage. He was the reason I was so rigorously checked out before I got the nod to come.’ He still held her hand, and now he squeezed it gently. ‘Looks like you’re better off without him.’

Oh, yes, heaps better off. Phillip’s ego had always needed stroking, bolstering. At the time she hadn’t realised she wouldn’t be good enough for him. ‘You’re right.’

He changed the subject again. ‘You know something? I had a lot of fun last night, too.’ Those all-seeing eyes held her gaze. ‘From the moment I picked you up the night became special. I admit to being blinded by the sight of you in that dress. My driving may have been very erratic, for all I know.’

The dress she still wore. Who took extra clothing to a party? ‘Yeah, you were a bit fast.’ On all accounts. Right down to that morning’s shower. And she’d been with him all the way.

Now she wanted more of what they’d shared last night. Not just today, but every day. She wanted Kieran in her life, full time. Like that was ever going to happen. In the end she’d only get hurt. And sooner rather than later as he would be heading home. She should be distancing herself from him, not getting involved. But it had been wonderful.

Glancing at her watch, she sighed. ‘I probably should be getting home.’

‘That’s a shame.’ But he stood up and held her chair for her. ‘I’ll have to talk to Steph and Charlie and make sure they look after the children more so you can have other fun.’

The sizzle under her skin began to fade. ‘Kieran, I might have had a wonderful time with you but I don’t want anyone else in my life at the moment. Neither do the kids.’ Some time between the dancing and the sheets she’d fallen in love with him. Or had that happened long before, two years ago, and only now was she admitting it? Relief settled over her. She would never marry Kieran but at least she could admit to loving him. Sadness replaced her relief. Was she doomed to unrequited love? Yes, without doubt.

‘Abby …’ He hesitated then went on, ‘I’m going back to Ireland soon.’ Caution filled his eyes, quickly followed by guilt.

Did he really feel bad about leaving the children? She doubted his guilt had anything to do with her. ‘I know that.’

He looked desperate for her to understand. ‘Coming here has turned out to be the best decision I’ve made in a long time. I needed to get to know Olivia. She’s my family and I’ve let her down badly.’ He paused, struggling with something deep inside. She could see it in his eyes, in his stance.

‘Go on,’ she said quietly, knowing she wouldn’t like what she heard but needing to get it out in the open.

‘Then there’s Seamus. He’s awesome. I love him. And that’s been a revelation. I will help out with him the same way I do with Olivia.’

‘Financially.’ The

word was sour in her mouth.

‘I hope you’re not expecting me to stay on, to be closer to you and the children. I can’t do that.’

Well, she might not understand why he’d want to walk away from his son, but she couldn’t say she hadn’t been warned. He’d always made it absolutely clear where he stood on the subject of families. His Christmas Eve apology for making it so hard for her hadn’t changed his stance.

‘Can’t? Or won’t?’ Her stomach clenched uncomfortably. The wonderful morning had fallen off track. Their camaraderie of the last hours was being tested, and failing. She’d always known Kieran had no intention of staying and she shouldn’t have expected anything different. But for a few hours she’d forgotten all that and had allowed herself to dream. What a fool she’d turned out to be.

Kieran was good for a one-night fling, maybe even a few more nights over the coming weeks, but there’d never be any more from him. He had warned her. Told her about his commitment phobia, explained why he didn’t want or feel capable of being a full-time parent, let alone someone’s husband.

The previous evening she’d thought she could do the one-night-stand thing, but she’d been fooling herself. No way could she walk away from what had happened between them and pretend her heart was intact. Not when she loved him.

Kieran said nothing as they walked back across the road to his apartment block garage. He pinged the lock on the four-wheel drive. Back to the practical vehicle. Her date was over. Abby suddenly felt stupid, shabby even. Dressed in last night’s party dress, it was obvious for all to see that she hadn’t been home. It hadn’t mattered until now. Immediately she wanted to be at home, dressed in mother-of-two underwear, comfortable shorts and a baggy T. Cinderella back in the wardrobe.

Why had she fallen in love with Kieran? Another man who liked to have a good time but did not want to put down any roots? What was wrong with her that she could only love men who couldn’t love her back the way she wanted, needed, to be loved?

CHAPTER ELEVEN

INSIDE the vehicle Kieran leaned his head back and sighed. ‘I haven’t made you any promises that I can’t keep.’