Page 25 of Wed to You-
“More like humiliated me.” She grimaced, wishing she hadn’t let him know how much his abandoning her had hurt her.
He let out a curse. “I’m sorry for that. And ashamed. I hope you can understand and forgive me.”
Well, of course she could because he was looking at her with those brilliant blue eyes...electric blue?...with remorse. “Why would Mitch do that?”
“He cares about you. He takes his promise to Brian seriously. I can’t imagine he hasn’t also warned you away from me. I do have a reputation.”
Mitch hadn’t ever warned her away until that night. He hadn’t said anything at the wedding or afterwards.
“I know he’s protective of me, but not why he’s so negative about you. Do I need to be warned?”
He smiled, but it had an air of mischief. “Do you want to be warned?”
There was no reining in her hormones from that. An electric thrill ran the entire length of her body before settling in her chest, making her heart hammer.
He cocked his head to the side. “No one ever worries about warning me.”
“About me?” That was ridiculous.
“Sure. Despite what some might say, I have a heart too.”
“Has it ever been broken?”
“Not yet.” His gaze held hers, studying her as if he was wondering if she’d be the one to give him a taste of heartbreak. That was even more ridiculous. For that to happen, he’d have to love her. No, he was just flirting in the way Jagger did with all women. Did he even realize it?
She stood. “I should probably go. If Mitch finds out I’m here, you might get in trouble.”
“Except you came to me.” He stood and moved closer to her. He didn’t touch her, but he didn’t have to for her to feel the heat of him. For the scent of sexy devil to surround her. “I’m willing to risk it.”
She bit her lower lip as she took a step back in retreat. She extended her bottle to him. “Thank you, Jagger.”
He nodded at her, amusement dancing in his gaze. “You’re welcome, Chelsea. Let me walk you out.”
Chapter 4
“Mrs. Monroe, thank you so much for agreeing to come see me.” Jagger shook the stylish, fiftyish woman’s hand and then stepped out of the way to let her inside the house.
“Of course. I’m always happy to work within clients’ needs.”
Jagger actually had wanted to go to Mrs. Monroe’s office, as he felt that would help his chances of appearing less privileged and more a part of the community. But he didn’t want to risk being away from Kaden. So he’d called the local attorney and asked if she’d meet him at his home. Alexis Fairchild, his New York attorney, had encouraged him to go with a bigger firm out of Richmond or Washington, D.C., but Jagger felt his chances were better if he worked with a local lawyer.
He led Mrs. Monroe out to the back terrace, where Miss Z had set up lemonade and cookies.
“Well, isn’t this lovely. I’ve always wondered what the Talbot home looked like.”
Jagger wasn’t sure how to respond. Should he offer to give her a tour?
“But we’re not here on a social call, are we?”
To the point. Jagger liked that.
They sat at the table and Jagger explained his custody situation. He gave her copies of his legal papers showing guardianship, as well as information from his grandfather’s will that outlined his wishes for Kaden’s care.
“Has the mother served you papers regarding her intent to regain custody?”
“No. She said she’s spoken with a lawyer, but I don’t know how she’d pay for legal representation.”
“She didn’t get anything from your grandfather?”
