Page 25 of Bound By Her Baby Revelation (Hot Winter Escapes)

She’d told him that it would be best for them to pretend that nothing had happened and he was going along with that. It was obvious in his politeness and in the cool remoteness of his expression. He was going to be considerate and courteous until they parted company.

‘I’ve decided that I’m going to head out today,’ she said, keeping as cool as he was. She hadn’t thought about going out, and had planned to spend the day clearing more of her stuff, but suddenly the thought of them both circling one another in the house and pretending nothing had happened was too much.

‘You’re heading out?’

Kaya bristled.

Wherever she looked, he seemed to fill her vision. She had surprised him as he was making himself a cup of coffee and, even though he was in some faded track bottoms and an old sweatshirt, he still managed to look unfairly sexy.

She harked back to him telling her that he found her attractive, to the hot urgency of their conversation the evening before, and instantly felt like passing out.

‘It’s not a crime, is it?’ She blushed because she didn’t want to sound defensive. ‘Snow’s clearing up,’ she said abruptly. ‘I thought I might take the opportunity to head into town, visit the halfway house. I haven’t been there for over two months and I miss it.’

‘The halfway house...?’

‘Yes.’

‘Not a good idea.’

‘Why not? I was fine driving yesterday when the weather was worse. I’m accustomed to conditions out here.’

‘And I’m accustomed to pounding the pavements of Manhattan in winter, but I’d draw the line at doing that with a twisted ankle.’

‘My ankle is better.’

‘Really? And what if it decides otherwise while you’re behind the wheel of your car? Never mind the fact that you could get into an accident and hurt yourself, you could also get into an accident and hurt other people.’

Kaya shot him a fulminating look from under her lashes.

‘Well,’ she said sweetly, changing tack and taking advantage of the opportunity suddenly provided to her, ‘You could always come with me.’

‘Why would I want to do that?’

Caught up in the moment of playing it cool and banking down a libido that had suddenly awakened the second she had entered the kitchen, Leo stilled. Hadn’t they parked conversations about the inheritance he hadn’t asked for? Every time he thought about it—which was too often for his liking—his head was flooded with all sorts of questions.

What had the woman been like? Over time, all thoughts he had had of her—of which none, thankfully, had continued to intrude until now—had solidified into an image of a woman happy to put herself above everything and everyone. Someone grasping, selfish and unpleasant. Those were impressions he had never had any trouble dealing with.

But, now that he was here, he hated the fact that those impressions had become out of focus. Kaya had clearly loved the woman, and certainly it would seem that she had done many things that were commendable, if Kaya was to be believed.

So who had she been?

Leo loathed the curiosity that kept raising its head because he knew the question aboutwhyshe had dumped him would remain a mystery, whatever had happened thereafter.

And underneath that corrosive curiosity was the simple, jarring hurt of knowing that the love that he had missed out on had been lavished on Kaya. He didn’t resent that but it was still something else he found himself dealing with.

The last thing he needed was Kaya taking a few more pot shots at him, although grudgingly he had to commend her for her tenacity, if nothing else.

But, then again, wasn’t that one of the things that made her so appealing—the strength he sensed underneath the innocence? He guessed she could be as stubborn as a mule, and outspoken with it, and those were qualities in short supply when it came to the women he had always dated. He frowned impatiently but without much surprise when she continued, with gathering momentum.

‘Because if you’re that concerned about me making it there in one piece without laying waste to myself, not to mention everyone in my path when my ankle suddenly decides to hit the accelerator by accident, then you don’t have an option. You come with me and take the wheel, or I go on my own.’

It was a bluff. She hadn’t thought about what might happen if her foot did slip. There was no way she would endanger anyone by doing anything irresponsible, but this seemed a great way of forcing his hand.

What was the worst that could happen? He could refuse, yell at her, tell her to mind her own business. He could storm out of the kitchen in a rage because she’d pulled the dragon’s tail.

She realised that anything would be better than the polite treatment he had been giving her. Having laid down ground rules, she was now discovering that she didn’t much like them being adhered to.

He was being the perfect gentleman and she didn’t want a perfect gentleman. Whatever he had released, whatever temptation he had dangled in front of her, she now had a taste for it. She liked the thrill of seduction.

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