Calamity Mom by Diana Palmer

Author:Diana Palmer [Palmer, Diana]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Harlequin Medical Romances
Publisher: HQN Books
Published: 2016-04-24T22:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER FIVE

SHELLY LOWERED HER EYES to his chest and tried not to appear as devastated as she felt. She was already looking ahead to a time when she wouldn’t see him again. He wanted her, but wanting was not going to be enough. She knew that and so did he. His mind was clouded by the desire he felt. Once he satisfied it, the clouds would vanish and he’d hate them both. Even if she were tempted, and she was, it wouldn’t be wise to let things go any further.

“You mean we shouldn’t see each other again,” she said miserably.

“That’s about it.” He moved away from her, pushing the wet hair from his damp face. “We won’t be here much longer,” he added. “We’ll muddle through.” He searched her face quietly. “Somehow.”

She forced a smile. “What about Ben?” she asked.

“He’s crazy about you. Don’t deny him your company.”

“I hadn’t planned to.”

He touched her soft cheek gently. “Shelly,” he said huskily, “you know it wouldn’t work. Even if I took a chance on your age, our social backgrounds are too far apart.”

“And that would never do,” she agreed, averting her eyes.

“I’m a banker. I have a position that requires discretion.” He shrugged. “I’ve never cared much for convention, but when the jobs of other people depend on it, I can give the image I need to give. Besides,” he added bitterly, “it isn’t as if marriage would ever enter into any relationship I had. Do you understand?”

She lifted her eyes to his hard face, seeing the resignation and stubborn determination there. “You don’t trust women. Is that why you let Marie get such a hold on you? She was safe?”

“I know all about Marie,” he said, without taking offense. “She’s devious and snappy, and selfish to a fault. She has grown up around wealth. She enjoys throwing her weight around.”

“So I noticed,” Shelly said.

“Ben thinks you’re very special,” he said, his voice deep and soft. “So do I, Shelly. I’m sorry. I wish…I really wish things had been different. We seem to have a lot in common. We might discover even more.”

“So we might. But taking risks isn’t your specialty, is it?”

He shook his head. “I only bet on a sure thing. This isn’t.” He touched her mouth and slowly drew back. “I’m sorry.”

“So am I. But,” she added, drawing in a steady breath as she struggled for something light, “whatever happens, we’ll always have Paris.”

It took a minute for that to sink in. By the time he started to laugh, she was already halfway to the beach.

* * *

FAULKNER, TRUE TO HIS WORD, didn’t come near her again. Ben did. He haunted her.

“Can’t you find something else to do?” she wailed.

He grinned and shook his head, because he knew she liked him. Her face was an open book. “You can’t banish your only child.”

“But you’re not!” she cried.

“How do you know?” He looked very serious. “I mean, you could have had me and forgotten about it. You might have advanced amnesia.

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