The Paternity Pact (Texas Cattleman's Club: Rags to Riches 3)

She gasped, tightened her fingers on his shoulders, but leaned away from his questing lips. “We can’t keep going down this road.”

“Because?”

“Because...it has nowhere to go. Remember?”

Her words revived the argument they’d had half a decade earlier when he’d been the one who’d made a dramatic speech about how the difference in their ages made a relationship between them impossible. He’d been convinced that both of them would be subjected to scorn and criticism if they went public with their romantic connection.

“I do.”

“Has anything changed?” she dem

anded. “Are you any more willing to be romantically linked to someone my age than you were five years ago?”

“You were eighteen back then. It’s different now. And you’re the mother of my son. That’s going to get around. Plus,” he continued, ignoring her reference to romance and focusing on the physical desire that sparked whenever they occupied the same room. “It’s pretty obvious that the attraction between us is alive and well.”

“What happened to we aren’t suited to each other in the least?” she countered in a neutral tone, her lowered lashes hiding the expression in her green eyes.

“Back then, I spoke harshly,” Grant admitted, taking responsibility for his extreme reaction. “It’s not that we aren’t suited to each other, it’s more that I’m not any woman’s ideal partner.” His voice grew earnest as he continued to explain. “Women crave romance. I forget about birthdays and anniversaries. You yearn for flowery gestures and sentimentality. To be swept off your feet and adored. The best a woman can hope for from me is the occasional expensive dinner where I’m not preoccupied by work.” He paused and gave a little shrug. “And great sex. Although I think you already know that.”

“I get it,” she muttered bitterly. “You don’t want to be bothered by any romantic entanglements.” She worried her lower lip as she studied him. “So, I need to decide if a sexual relationship is enough for me.”

He nodded, even as he suspected that attempting a relationship of any kind with Harley—even a strictly physical one—would end in disaster. Still, seeing her disappointment, he felt compelled to draw her into his arms and comfort her with gentle hugs and slow sweeping kisses.

Of course, to do that would give her the wrong impression.

Grant shifted his hands until they gripped the counter on either side of her hips, and then pushed his arms straight. Once he was no longer touching her, some of the fog cleared from his brain.

“And if I need more?” she asked.

“Then we have a problem because I can’t keep my hands off you,” he admitted gruffly. “And I think you feel the same.”

She spent several seconds considering what he’d said before sighing. “No, I suppose you’re right. But I’m not the same impulsive girl you once knew. I’m not going to fall into bed with you because I get swept up in the moment.”

“So you’ll need some convincing.” He wasn’t at all opposed to expending considerable effort winning her over. “That sounds like it’ll be fun for both of us.”

“Fun.” Harley set her hands on his chest and applied firm pressure until he backed up a step. “You really are an impossible man.”

* * *

In the days following the first visit at Grant’s house, Daniel talked nonstop about swimming and how they were all going on a trail ride in the near future. While Harley was gratified that her son had bonded so readily with Grant, she still grappled with the uncertainty of how he would react when they broke the news that Grant was his father. Knowing the longer she waited, the more confused Daniel would be, she’d decided the time had come for revelations.

Now, however, as she stood on Grant’s front porch, anxiety compressed her chest, forcing her breath into shallow gasps. In minutes, everything in her son’s life would change. Tears came out of nowhere, threatening to derail her plans. Part of her wanted to snatch up Daniel and head for the nearest airport. Even as the impulse assailed her, Harley held her ground. She had no idea if keeping father and son apart so far had created any lasting damage, but to keep doing so would not make the situation better for anyone.

“Ouch, Mommy,” Daniel exclaimed, tugging to free his hand from his mother’s grasp. “You’re holding me too hard.”

Mortified, Harley tore her gaze away from the substantial wood door in front of her and glanced down at her son. She spied his pained expression and loosened her grip immediately. Dropping to her knees before him, she cupped his dear face in her palms.

“I’m so sorry,” she crooned, grazing his soft cheek with her thumbs. “I didn’t realize I was hurting you.”

He patted her cheek in sweet affection and smiled. “It’s okay, Mommy. I love you.”

Harley swallowed past the lump in her throat, wondering what she’d done right to deserve such a wonderful son. “I love you, too,” she whispered, overcome with love.

Ever since becoming a mother, Harley noticed that her emotions bubbled close to the surface. Before Daniel came along, she’d been a selfish, frivolous teenager. Now, at least once a day he did something that touched her deeply.

Beside her, the front door opened and Grant’s long legs appeared in her peripheral vision. Daniel glanced up at his father and Harley braced herself for Grant’s impact on hers and Daniel’s lives going forward.

“Is everything okay?” he asked.