The Father Of Her Child by Emma Darcy

Author:Emma Darcy [Emma Darcy]
Language: eng
Format: epub, pdf
ISBN: 9781459276611
Publisher: Harlequin

CHAPTER TEN

“THE Como Hotel, Chapel Street, South Yarra,” Lauren said to the taxidriver, hoping he was capable of giving them a problem-free trip.

“Going to be slow, I’m afraid,” he informed them cheerfully. “Lot of traffic tonight. Big rugby league match on at the MCG.”

“Of course. Queensland against New South Wales in the second of the State of Origin matches,” Evan cried, his face lighting up with eager interest. “What’s the betting here in Melbourne?”

“The money’s on New South Wales, but most people I talk to want Queensland to win.” The driver grinned. “Sorry if that’s against your home state, but that’s how it is.”

They chatted on about state rivalries as the driver stowed their luggage in the boot of the taxi. Michael, she noted, did not join in the conversation. He moved around to the far passenger side, leaving her and Evan to take their places in the car wherever they willed. No direction from him this time. Had he let go? Given up?

She frowned, knowing it was positively perverse of her to feel disappointed. If he was respecting her decision, she should be approving his restraint, glad to be relieved of the stress involved in resisting continual pressure to change her mind. Best to make a clean break of it. Perhaps he saw it was the wisest course, too.

Lauren hesitated over whether to sit in the front or the back of the taxi. It was easier for Evan to carry on his football chat with the driver if he sat beside him. It didn’t really matter where she sat. Michael Timberlane would still be sharing the same space as herself, and she wouldn’t escape being aware of him. Even with her eyes shut and music playing in her ears on the flight to Melbourne, she had been unable to block him out.

Michael was already settled on the back seat when she chose to join him. His eyes flashed with surprise, then kindled with warm pleasure. His mouth curved into a slow, teasing little smile that somehow expressed both hope and self-mockery.

“Does this mean my sins are forgiven?”

The smile and the soft lilt of his voice played havoc with her composure. The corners of her mouth twitched. Her sense of fun wanted release. It was difficult to control the impulse to respond in kind, to let her eyes flirt with his. Remember, remember how quickly he can change, she sternly berated herself. It was incredibly stupid of her to suddenly feel light-hearted, pleased that he hadn’t given up.

“I think that’s between you and God,” she answered blandly. “Isn’t hatred one of the seven deadly sins?”

“No. Pride, avarice, lust, anger, gluttony, envy and sloth,” he answered, with admirable recall of that rather arcane piece of knowledge. His eyebrows slanted in comic ruefulness. “You’ve definitely got me on three of them, and I’ve been in sackcloth and ashes all the way from Sydney, doing penance.”

Lauren was having real difficulty in keeping her mouth straight. As an exercise in self-control she did a mental juggle and came up with pride, lust and anger for the three deadly sins he confessed to.

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