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“Ready?” Lucas’s footfalls sounded on the wooden steps that led from a sundeck to the pool deck. He wore runners, a pair of lightweight black shorts and a sleeveless gray T-shirt with a Seattle Mariners team logo across the front.
“I don’t need a babysitter,” she informed him, trying valiantly not to notice the definition of his biceps and broad shoulders. Nobody had ever accused the Demarco men of being unattractive. With dark eyes, strong chins and straight aristocratic noses, both Lucas and Konrad often graced the cover of Seattle Entrepreneur. The urbane and sexy image was what had attracted Monica to Konrad in the first place.
How could an ordinary woman be expected to resist when one of the Demarco brothers set his sights on her? Predictably, Konrad had swept Monica off her feet. It had taken her about five minutes to fall in love with him. And though she’d later been angry with herself for being duped into doing so, and furious with Konrad for doing the duping, Devin also knew that Monica had never actually fallen out of love with her husband.
“How far do you want to go?” asked Lucas.
Devin wished the question hadn’t turned into a double entendre inside her head. She wished even harder that her expression hadn’t given her away.
“I meant jogging,” said Lucas with a knowing smirk.
“I know what you meant.”
“But I’m open to discussion….”
“In your dreams.”
“Apparently, in yours.”
“Get over yourself. Two miles.”
“Is that all?”
She glared at him. “Five, then.” It would mean she’d get to bed later, but it would be worth it to show Lucas she wasn’t a wimp.
He shrugged easily. “This way then.” He pointed to a bark mulch path that wound down the sloping hill toward Puget Sound. At the same time, he gave a wave to the house behind him. It must have been some kind of a signal, because the path lit up with pot lights in front of them, highlighting an emerald lawn, bushy shrubs and fragrant flower gardens.
Okay, much as she resented the Demarcos, and resented staying here, and resented having to fight for her rights with Amelia, this was one gorgeous estate.
Devin started off slowly, letting her heart rate increase and pump oxygenated blood into her muscles.
Lucas was slightly ahead, so she increased her pace to come abreast. He lengthened his stride to stay in front, and she cursed him under her breath. The showoff.
“What’s that?” she asked him, nodding toward a rectangular building, half from curiosity, and half to show him she had enough breath to carry on a conversation.
“A garage,” he responded, dropping back to run beside her. “Konrad liked antique cars.”
It was an awfully big garage. “Did he have a collection?”
Lucas nodded. “Twenty-five, I think. Oldest is a Model T, right up to a ‘56 Caddy. A Coupe de Ville, burgundy and cream.”
“And over there?” Devin asked, indicating a distant building up the hill with a few lights shining from windows.
“The stables,” said Lucas. “You ride?”
Devin shook her head. Horseback riding wasn’t something most middle-class urban kids learned growing up.
“Go ahead and try it while you’re here.”
“I don’t plan to be here that long.”
He glanced down, the ocean breeze wafting through his short dark hair. “You know something I don’t about the court date?”
“I hope they move it up.” “Why?”
The answer was obvious. “So Amelia and I can go home.”
His voice went soft in the cool night air. “What if I win?”
She tossed her own short hair, determined to show the man nothing but confidence. “The only thing you’ve got going for you is money.”
“Money helps.”
“It also corrupts.”
The path curved, and they began a gentle uphill climb. Devin breathed deeply, determined to keep up her pace. She didn’t want to show Lucas one iota of weakness, on any front.
“Amelia’s got a whole lot of money of her own,” he pointed out.
“I assume that’s held in trust.” Devin didn’t want Amelia’s money.
“You assume right. For now. But whoever manages her shares in Pacific Robotics will also manage her money. And they had better know what they’re doing.”
“I can hire a business manager.”
“Just like I can hire a nanny.”
“You know the obvious solution, don’t you?” Devin felt compelled to ask.
“I take guardianship and hire you as a nanny?”
And have Amelia subject to Lucas’s whims and control? Not a chance. Devin turned the tables. “I take guardianship and hire you as a business manager.”
“Never going to happen.” Lucas increased his pace as they passed the horse stables. The boathouse and docks came into view far below at the shore.
Devin struggled to keep up. They were on their way back now, but the mansion was at least a mile away.
She brought herself abreast of him, but he sped up. She did it again, and he went faster still.
Her breathing was becoming erratic, and she’d long since lost any semblance of her regular pace. She was running on adrenaline and frustration, in a futile attempt to keep Lucas from beating her.
“You might want to save your strength,” Lucas finally mused. The rat didn’t even sound winded. “I’m fine,” she gasped.
He turned around and jogged backward. Even through her humiliation that he could do it so easily, she couldn’t help but be grateful that they’d slowed down.
“Don’t be stupid, Devin.”
She let a glare do her speaking for her.
“This isn’t the hill to die on.”
“Then why… do you… care who wins?”
He shrugged, allowing a sheepish grin. “It was fun watching you try.”
“Rat.”
“Guilty.” His eyes darkened. “You might want to remember that.”
The mansion was closer now. The pool deck a beacon spurring her burning leg muscles forward.
Why, oh, why had she waited for him? She should have set off jogging by herself, done her usual two miles, and been in the shower by now, maybe even in bed, asleep, catching a few precious hours before Amelia woke up, and she started all over again.
Her days were beyond hectic. It had been weeks since she got any decent amount of writing accomplished. Her new self-help book on setting priorities, Snarled Traffic in the Information Age, was due to her publisher in three months. And she had eight more chapters to go.
Her feet pounded on the bark mulch.
A hundred yards to go.
Fifty.
Twenty-five. Thank goodness.
She slowed to a walk, gulping air, keeping well away from Lucas in the hope that he wouldn’t see how winded she’d become.
He’d slowed his run, taken it down to a jog, coming to a walk when his feet hit the concrete deck.
Devin took her time joining him, feeling a rush of relief when her lungs slowed back to normal. Her legs were still rubbery, but it was much easier to hide that weakness.
As she approached Lucas, he tossed her a chilled water bottle. She caught it in midair. Obviously someone had set them out while they were away running. What a life the man led.
Devin cracked the seal and took a long, satisfying drink. Her heart rate was getting back to normal, but she knew she’d have some very sore muscles in the morning. She’d give her eyeteeth for a miracle where Amelia slept until seven.
Lucas flopped down on a lounger, gesturing to a low table between it and another identical chair. “Care for some fruit?”
Devin realized she was famished, and the fruit platter looked delicious. The temptation to rest her weary legs was too much to resist. She took the other lounger and stretched out.
Lucas popped a grape into his mouth and munched. “You have everything you need in the nursery?”
Devin selected a slice of pineapple. “It’s a dream nursery.”
It was.
From the custom-made crib to the designer sheets, to a rocking chair she could practically live in, to a state-of-the-art baby monitor, paintings, mobiles, curtains and the thickest white carpet she’d ever stepped on, Amelia might as well have been a princess.
Devin nibbled the edge of the pineapple. “You must have been pretty confident you’d need it.”
“I was.” He turned his head to watch her. “I am.” He paused. “You should really give up now.”
“Sure.” She shrugged. “Why not. Who needs the grief, anyway? All those lawyers, a court date, fighting you—and you’re clearly a superior human being. I might as well just call it quits.” She popped the rest of the pineapple into her mouth.
He grinned, and plunked his head back on the lounger, closing his eyes. “Ah, Devin. You’re entertaining. I’ll give you that much.”
She sucked the pineapple juice from her fingertips and tried to stay angry with Lucas. It seemed like too much of an effort. “Okay if we use the pool tomorrow?”
Living on a lakeshore, Devin had already decided to get Amelia accustomed to the water as early as possible. She might as well make the best of being a prisoner at the Demarcos.
“Do anything you want,” Lucas answered without opening his eyes. “I’ll make sure the staff all know who you are. The cooks will help you with breakfast, or you can feel free to make whatever you want. Give them a list of foods for Amelia, or yourself for that matter. Try out the horses, take out a boat, swim, play tennis—”
“Amelia’s a little young for tennis.”
“I meant you. There’s an army of people here who can babysit.”
“Teresa is listening to the baby monitor right now,” Devin said.
It felt supremely self-indulgent to take advantage of the Demarco staff, but without Lexi next door, Devin knew she’d need at least occasional help. Hopefully, the times would be few and far between. She’d needed to tire herself out before bed tonight, but she certainly wouldn’t be abandoning Amelia to take tennis lessons.
“I’d like to spend some time with Amelia,” said Lucas.
His statement caught Devin’s attention. “Why?”
Lucas opened his eyes and turned. “She’s my niece.”
“You’re afraid of her.”
“I am not,” he denied. “Okay, I’m a little afraid of the slimy bits.”
Devin fought a smirk. “The slimy bits are what make her a baby.”
“I prefer clean, dry babies.”
“Those are called adults.”
Lucas frowned. “I want her to get to know me.”
“I know. So I won’t have an advantage over you in court.” She shook her head and gave a dry chuckle. “She’s not a puppy, Lucas. We’re not going to put her down between us and see who she runs to.”
Lucas’s eyes hardened, but he didn’t answer.
She helped herself to a slice of kiwi. “But how very Machiavellian of you to think that way.”
“She’s Konrad’s daughter.” All traces of humor and friendliness were gone from his voice.
“And a ten-percent shareholder of Pacific Robotics. I understand completely.”
His jaw tightened, and a muscle ticked next to his eye. “You haven’t a clue.”
Oh, but she did.
