same feeling of unease washed over him. Surely she didn’t think their time together had been a game-changer? “I’m afraid I can’t give out that kind of information.”
“But I’m his daughter.”
“You’re not listed as his next of kin.”
“Because I’ve only just met the man.”
And Luke had just barely met her. That hadn’t stopped her from wrapping her legs around his waist. And it certainly wasn’t keeping him from wanting to relive that moment...a whole lot slower this time. Definitely not something he wanted her to know.
“That’s not my problem.”
“Okay, I get it. You can’t give me any details. But his life isn’t in danger anymore, right?”
Luke made a tsk noise low in his throat, trying to keep his irritation from showing. The feeling of being used grew at her persistence. “Get him to add you to his list of relatives, and then we’ll talk.”
“You can’t be serious.”
“Oh, but I am.” Despite his annoyance, his fingers itched to brush across that smooth, pale cheek and watch it come to life beneath his touch. Except he knew her skin wasn’t the only thing that would come to life. Something else he didn’t want her to realize.
“So, if he’ll admit to being my father—in writing—you can tell me what’s going on?”
He inclined his head. “It’s a start. As long as he’s okay with it.” He held up a hand. “Which also has to be in writing.”
Her lips thinned. “And if he refuses?”
“Then I can’t tell you a blessed thing. Now, if you’ll excuse me...”
She hesitated, her mouth opening as if ready to argue further, then she snapped it shut again, hitching her purse higher on her shoulder. “If that’s the way you want it.”
“I don’t make the rules.”
But he sure didn’t mind breaking them. Hadn’t he already proved that in the supply closet?
“Of course you don’t.”
He couldn’t prevent the twitch of his lips at her waspish tone. She might be all peaches and cream on the surface, but underneath she had all the fire of a good Indian curry. You didn’t notice it until the first three or four bites, but your tongue remembered the flavor long after you’d finished your meal.
Just like he’d remember the flavor of Kate’s lips.
She blinked then swung away from him, preparing to walk back toward the physical therapy center.
For some reason he couldn’t let her slip away without making her squirm one last time. “Oh, Kate, I almost forgot.”
She turned back toward him. “Yes?”
He gave her a slow, wolfish smile. “I still have your panties.”
* * *
He had her panties.
What had he expected her to do about it? Hold out her hand and demand he give them back to her right there at the hospital?
Kate ran her wrists under the cool stream of water in her hotel room, hoping to soothe her burning skin. It did no good.
God. What had she been thinking? Men like Dr. Luke Blackman were so far out of her league.
What did she do now? Call and make an appointment to pick up her errant piece of clothing? Or did he plan to keep them as a trophy?
And just where did he have them? At home? In his desk drawer? Above the deep sink with the words Kate was nailed here penned beneath them?
She held her wet hands to her cheeks and stared into the mirror, remembering the feel of his fingers on her skin as he’d yanked those very panties down her thighs...his eyes never leaving hers. Then he’d tossed them aside and reached for her hips...lifted her onto the sink.
A wave of heat rushed over her body. Kate had never in her life experienced anything so frighteningly sensual in her life. It had all been over in a matter of minutes. But she knew instinctively she’d never experience anything like that ever again.
She stared into the eyes reflected back at her.
She didn’t look any different on the outside. Not a single scorch mark lingered on her skin, although she could still feel each and every place his lips had lingered.
Little had she known all those months ago that the picture and accompanying letter she’d found in a shoebox in her mother’s closet—along with letters from scores of other men—would lead her to discover that the father she’d grown up with wasn’t her biological father. Or that all her pent-up anger and frustration over the lies by those closest to her would build to the point that it had sought release—no matter what the source.
Luke had been the only person handy at the time.
She’d exploded all right. In a most delicious way.
And now she had to live with the consequences. At least, the emotional ones. Luke had taken care of the physical ones, muttering about the need for birth control, even though her mind hadn’t exactly been up to the subject of unwanted pregnancies.
But thank heavens he’d taken precautions. Luke wouldn’t need to disappear from his kid’s life without a trace, like Nick had. And Kate wouldn’t have to lie to her own child about his or her origins—about who its father was. Her eyes moistened. She wouldn’t have to die—like her mother had—in order for her child to know the truth.
And most important of all, the only person in the entire world who’d have to live with the consequences of what she’d done in that supply closet...was herself.
CHAPTER TWO
“SHE HATES ME.”
Perched on one of the chairs that lined the glass wall of the therapy center, Nick’s bald statement took him by surprise. Luke didn’t have to ask who his friend was referring to.
“No, she doesn’t. When she was here yesterday, she seemed...worried.” That was as good a word as any.
His friend’s jaw tightened. “I wish I could believe that. That’s not the vibe she was giving off when I met her.”
“It’s a shock, I’m sure. You said she only learned about your existence a month ago, after she found a picture?”
“That’s what she said.” Nick scrubbed a hand over his head, making his hair stick up at odd angles. “I had a fling with a tourist just before I shipped out with my unit. She’d taken some pictures of us with her camera over the course of the evening. Large quantities of alcohol were involved, so I’m a bit fuzzy on all the details. Anyway, I left her a note the next day before I headed out. I had no idea the woman had got pregnant that night until much later.”
“You’ve
