ANYBODY'S DAD Page 5

  Christian Madison braced his shoulder against the window frame and watched the delivery truck pull up before his brother's offices. He shook his head before twisting a look at Chase, elbow deep in paperwork. "She sent them back. Again."

  Chase looked up and grinned. "I expected as much." Especially after the dismissal in her shop yesterday.

  Christian rolled around and folded his arms over his stomach. His gaze flicked to Colin, who lounged in a leather chair beside Chase's desk. "How long are you going to keep this up? Till you're in debt over shipping costs?"

  "As long as it takes," Chase said, leaving his desk and heading for the door.

  "Can't you see she doesn't want anything from you, Bro?" Colin called to his big brother but Chase was already out of sight.

  Chase met the deliveryman in the office foyer, his staff tuned to their conversation. He tipped the guy extra to make the return trip and put a smile back on his face. Stubborn woman. They were only gifts for their child.

  Tessa folded her arms over her tummy and gave the deliveryman a dirty look before he made it to the first porch step.

  "Take them back."

  His muscular shoulders drooped. "Ma'am, these are the same packages you sent back yesterday and this morning."

  Tessa stared at the crate for a moment, then stepped back from the open door and motioned him inside. He gestured to his partner, and within minutes the corner of her living room was filled with packages from the finest stores in the city.

  Dammit, Chase. They'd been at this since early yesterday afternoon, and the man just wouldn't get the message. Closing the door, she moved to the phone and dialed her sister. She got the answering machine. She started to tell her lawyer to take out a restraining order on him, then thought better of it and hung up without speaking. She glared at the five-foot-high stack of boxes. She wasn't going to open a single one. But she wasn't going to spend her one day off venting her anger on the deliverymen either.

  "Hey, lady, you can't park there!"

  "I just did," Tessa said, walking determinedly up the slope. She stopped in front of him and as the breeze molded the billowy jean dress to her body, his gaze immediately dropped to her belly. "Chase Madison. Where is he?"

  He swallowed first. "Now you just stand right here, ma'am, and I'll find him. Don't move, okay." He put up his hands as if to keep her there, and Tessa offered him a sweet smile. Pregnant women had that effect on some men. It was an advantage she seized.

  "Find him, quickly," she said a little breathlessly, and dramatically touched her stomach. He took off like a shot, leaping stacks of lumber and equipment. It did nothing to lighten her mood. She was still going to get Daddy Warbucks to back off and out of her life, starting now.

  "Hey boss, got a visitor," Dave called to Chase a few minutes later.

  Chase waved him back as he finished testing the concrete mix, then stood and motioned for his crew to start pouring. "Inspectors?"

  "Not a chance."

  Chase turned at his foreman's tone and frowned. Dave was glancing back over his shoulder nervously. It was the first time he'd seen his former Marine gunnery sergeant unsure. Chase stepped over iron framework and climbed out of the hole. He saw Tessa immediately, watched her brush loose strands of black hair from her cheek. Quickly he strode to a bucket of water to wash the sweat and dirt from his face and arms. He kept watching her as he dried himself, then advanced, tossing the towel to Dave.

  "You get that girl pregnant, boss?"

  "Hey, Dave, you know me."

  Dave smirked at the innocent look. "Yeah, that's why I asked."

  "Button it up! Lady on the lot!" Chase shouted, and his crew threw on shirts and knew to keep their language clean. He moved down the small slope to meet her.

  Tessa watched him come, a relaxed long-legged stride that made her pulse leap. Even with his jeans and T-shirt covered with gray gunk, he looked sexy. It really was unfair! To make matters worse, he stopped a little too close for comfort.

  She took a step back and shielded her eyes to look up at him. "This has to stop, Mr. Madison."

  "When are you going to call me Chase?" After the doctor's office, he'd hoped they'd gone past that.

  "When pigs fly."

  "They do."

  "What?"

  "In planes."

  She sent him a disgusted look.

  "Swine of indeterminate variety have been known to board aircraft and fly."

  Her lips twitched. Well, heck. How was she supposed to argue with that kind of logic? "Chase," she said tiredly, and he grinned at the victory. "The gifts have to stop."

  "I want my son to have the best."

  "I can provide for my child."

  "But Dana said you hadn't bought anything yet."

  "Interrogating my employees while I was incapacitated. Great," she muttered, glancing away.

  "She was just making conversation. Don't blame Dana. I thought I could help out a little."

  Her gaze snapped back to his. "Can't you get it through your head? I don't want you in my life. I don't want anything from you!" She was shouting, her fist clenched.

  And Chase reared back. "Good God, Tessa. Calm down."

  Her gaze thinned. "I am calm." Her lips scarcely moved.

  "No, you're not," he said. "And standing in the sun isn't helping. Come on." Whether she liked it or not, he took her arm and escorted her to where his car was parked beneath the shade of a tree. She was grateful for the reprieve. She looked at the black Jeep Grand Cherokee, then to her maroon one.

  He smirked. "It seems we have similar tastes, at least."

  Same make, same year. It was creepy.

  "Want some water?"

  "Yes," she said, just to gather her thoughts. He moved to the rear of the Jeep and poked around in a cooler. Tessa stole a moment to peek inside the vehicle, hoping to get an idea about this man. On the seat was a cellular phone, a portable fax, and papers filling an accordion file, but that was the only neat spot she could see. The rest of the Jeep was littered with rolled-up clothes, muddy boots, paper cups and a hundred fast-food wrappers. He lives out of this thing, she thought as he came back with two bottles of water. He cracked the seal and handed her one.

  Chase watched her, his favorite pastime lately, as she drank.

  "Now tell me the real reason you won't accept my gifts. It's my child, too."

  "Yes. This is your baby." He smiled hugely. "But I was artificially inseminated, Chase, by number 3-4-6 dash something or other, and that's what I think of you." His expression withered quickly, sadly, and the sight of it sent a shaft of pain through her chest. "I did this because I wanted a child, my own child. Not with the hope that the father would butt his nose in and ruin my plans."

  Chase felt something clench at his chest, taking his breath, and he stared off into the distance and swallowed hard. "I can't not want this, Tessa. So don't ask. I never thought I'd get this chance." He met her gaze. "And how can a few gifts ruin anything?"

  "A few? For heaven's sake, did you buy Bloomingdale's or just the infant department?"

  His smile was a little strained. "It was too much fun. Just thinking about this baby makes me crazy."

  "You can't do this, Chase." Her voice wavered. "No furniture or clothes, not yet, not again."

  Again? He searched her features, the tightness around her mouth bearing a tension that spoke volumes. "Tell me what's got you so scared?"

  She sighed against the Jeep, drank water, then looked at him. "I've lost a child before, Chase." The color drained from his face. "And it was hard. Very hard." Her throat closed up and she drank more water, staring anywhere but at him. "I bought everything and then when I miscarried, it hurt just to look at it all." It hurt to remember Ryan's insensitivity, to remember she failed at everything but her work. "I gave it to charity and swore I wouldn't buy a thing—" she met his gaze "—till I held my child in my arms."

  The tears in her eyes hit him like a punch to the gut and Chase tossed his empty bottle into his Jeep as
he stepped closer. He made to hold her, then let his arms fall to his sides. "I'm sorry, Tessa." He drove his fingers through his hair. "God, I can be such an idiot sometimes." She shrugged, and he scoffed, half amused. "Agreeing on something, are we?"

  "I suppose." Humor lit her eyes.

  But his uneasiness wouldn't leave. "How far along were you when you miscarried?"

  "Twelve weeks." The words came slowly and warily.

  "What does Dr. Faraday say about this baby?"

  She looked suddenly affronted. "Mind your own business, Chase."

  He leaned close, in her face. "You are my business, Tessa." He braced his hands on the Jeep, on either side of her head, hemming her in. "You aren't going to lose this child," he said with absolute conviction. "He's got Madison blood in him. And if I have to watch you every second of the day, I will."

  Great. Now she'd turned him into a bloodhound-slash-nanny. "Look. I'm not stupid, Chase. I'm very careful. And I got this far—" she gestured to her belly with both hands "—without you."

  He pressed softly against her, hearing her breath catch and loving the feel of her tummy between them. For a moment he simply stared into her belligerent green eyes, then, like a falcon to his prey, he swooped down and covered her mouth with his.

  Tessa jolted, dropping the water bottle and pushing at his chest. She turned her head to avoid him, but he followed her mouth, tasting her over and over. And then she let him. He held her motionless without the touch of his hands, his lips and tongue rolling lushly over hers, driving ripple after ripple of hot excitement through her body. Her mind screamed to hit him, gore him, but she couldn't. It felt like centuries since she'd been kissed and never like this. Oh God, never. Her legs felt weightless, and he kissed her. Moans escaped her throat and still he kissed her, and kissed her, until she wasn't pushing him away, but gripping his shirt by the fistfuls. She wanted more and when he slid his tongue over her lips, she opened for him, deepening their kiss, exploring the flavor of him and letting the sensual pull of this man take her somewhere new. Ohh, Chase.

  Chase felt the moment she gave in, felt her soften deliciously, her breathing quicken with his. Her body rose to greet him and he wanted so much to hold her in his arms, but didn't dare. This was more incredible than he had imagined. He could do this forever, just stand here, loving her mouth. And when she opened for him, he thought he'd come apart and he struggled to control his need for more. Yes, more. His fingers flexed on the cool metal frame of the Jeep and he knew he was close to erupting, too close. Before he did something stupid, he drew slowly back, stealing a short, soft kiss.

  Tessa opened her eyes, expecting to see smugness in his expression, yet found only breathtaking tenderness.

  "You didn't make this baby by yourself, Tessa." He brushed a wisp of hair from her face, watching his movements before catching her gaze again. "And I might not have had the pleasure of being inside you first," he rasped near her ear, a shiver dancing down her body. "But a part of me is now."

  He retreated suddenly, forcing her to lose her grip on his shirt. He looked down at the wrinkled fabric, then back to her. Instantly, she lowered her gaze. But the message was clear. There was more growing here than a child.

  Abruptly, Tessa pushed away from his Jeep and headed to hers, taking a moment to catch her breath before starting the engine. She'd messed this up good, she thought, avoiding a look at him as she drove off the lot, pebbles and dirt spitting with her speed. She'd given him a piece of herself in that kiss. And she couldn't take it back.

  Chase watched until the dust cloud dissipated, then sagged back against the Jeep. He closed his eyes, his hand trembling as he pushed his fingers through his hair. He blew out a long, slow breath. If the woman only knew how much power she had over him and used it, he'd be in trouble. Lord knew, he was deep in it now, his jeans so tight across his hips he thought he'd split the seams if he so much as moved.

  He'd never wanted anything as much as he wanted this baby, wanted to be a dad.

  But after experiencing her desire, he wanted Tessa more.

  * * *

  Five

  « ^ »

  Chase hooked his thumbs in his belt loops and stared up at Tessa. They were back to square one. He could tell by the cold way she addressed him from her front doorstep. It was as if nothing had passed between them, as if they had never shared a mind-boggling kiss just hours ago on Lot 404. "I understand how you feel about the packages, Tessa. I thought I'd get them out of your sight."

  Tessa wiped the perspiration from her face and throat with a towel slung around her neck. "That isn't necessary, now."

  "Yes, it is," he said, advancing, inviting himself in. Two men followed and she stepped back to hold the door.

  Inside, Chase stopped short. When he'd seen the gray Victorian house, he'd expected ruffles and lace and feminine clutter like her shop. No place for a man. But the spacious, rustic interior of her house made him feel welcome, relaxed. He could almost see a dark-haired little boy skidding across the wide polished floor like a Surf Ninja. The image made him smile, the tension leaving his body.

  Someone cleared their throat, and Chase turned. Tessa inclined her head to the two men standing in her foyer.

  "These suspicious-looking creatures are my brothers, Christian and Colin." Chase slung an arm around both. "Guys? Tessa." They nodded. "Mind your manners." Chase gave his brothers a friendly pat, pushed between them and moved away.

  Now she knew for certain that Chase had told his entire family about their situation. The two Madison brothers looked at her as if they'd never seen a pregnant woman before. And Tessa was no less than stunned when Christian and Colin came forward and kissed her on the cheek.

  "Hey, Tessa," Christian said in a dark, smooth voice.

  "You're prettier than he described," Colin added, wiggling his brows.

  Obviously, Chase didn't have a monopoly on the Madison charm, she thought, greeting them politely. She had to admit Dia was right. They were gorgeous, drop-dead and all.

  As she closed the front door, out of the corner of her eye she noticed Chase inspecting her home. Somehow it didn't bug her as much as she thought it should and she walked over to her treadmill to switch off the beeping pacer.

  Chase was right behind her. "Tell me you aren't running on that," he demanded.

  "You try walking with an extra twenty pounds around your waist," she scoffed, "much less running." She drained the bottle of water.

  "Did your doctor—?"

  "Please don't start," she warned tiredly. "Yes, she okayed it. I was running before I got pregnant, now I walk. Satisfied?" Her gaze drifted over his shoulder to his brothers, who looked a little embarrassed for their sibling. Good, they shouldn't have come. He shouldn't have told anyone.

  "You run?" For some reason that shocked him.

  "And what do you do for exercise?" She really hated that she sounded condescending.

  "My job."

  Without thinking she looked him over, the muscles beneath his tanned skin that resembled warm bronze. With the appraisal came the memory of their kiss. "Yeah, I guess so." Feminine approval tinted her voice and she instantly wished the comment back when he smiled, Cheshire cat pleased. Damn.

  Ignoring his grin, she directed them into the living room, then sat on a stool near her design table, out of harm's way. The Madison brothers worked like an efficient team, and as she admired the continuous flex of muscle in her living room, she decided it did a girl good to watch men do grunt work once in a while. All three were roughly the same build, but Christian was slightly taller and broodingly quiet. Colin looked as if Irish blood flowed in his veins with his reddish brown hair and twinkling hazel eyes. But only Chase had that quick, disarming smile, she admitted as he hefted another box. It was his deadliest weapon in the charm department. He flashed it at her at every opportunity, in case she forgot.

  It took a dozen trips by each man to clear the gifts, and though Christian and Colin moved rapidly with every intention of gettin
g out of an uncomfortable situation, Chase stopped on each trip to say something to her. It started out with impersonal stuff about her house, her flower garden out front, then progressed to how much he enjoyed looking at her, how good she looked flushed and damp. He did too, she thought, watching perspiration trickle down his temple. She had the urge to swipe it away and instead kept her hands on her thighs. As they loaded the last box, Tessa offered them iced tea, and while Christian and Colin drained theirs in record time, Chase wasn't as fast. Before she knew it, Colin and Christian were gone and Chase stood in her living room, holding the empty glasses. Resigned to the man's making a pest of himself today, she nodded toward the kitchen.

  "What will you do with it all?" she said as she flipped on a light and moved to the sink. He was there, bracing his hip on the counter edge, handing her glasses to load into the dishwasher.

  "I'll store it until you hold our baby in your arms," he said, and she looked up sharply. Her eyes dampened instantly, her gaze sweeping his features, and he reached out, brushing the back of his knuckles across her cheek. "Tessa?" She didn't move.

  "Thank you, Chase," came in a whisper.

  "Anytime." He let his hand drop.

  Hers shook slightly as she reached into a cupboard for fresh glasses, then she moved quickly away from him, masking her sudden nervousness with pouring more tea and pulling chilled fruit out of the fridge. She wished he wouldn't stand so close. It brought the memory of how well he kissed and the taste of him. And the wonderful, clean smell of him she found so incredibly … inviting. God. She had to try harder to ignore him. He only wanted her baby, and all his charm and sensitivity was to that end.

  While she was busy arranging fruit on a platter, Chase looked around the spotless kitchen. Everything in its proper place, he thought, then mischievously peeked in a drawer. Neat, orderly. He glanced up to make certain she was occupied, then tried a cabinet. Cans in order of size, boxes, too. Christ, even her spices were alphabetized! Was his child going to grow up with his shorts starched and his face always clean? Hell, Chase had to hire a housekeeper just to find his bed.