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  Right behind him, the cutest little thing on two legs bounded out, giggling and laughing. If this was Cassie's daughter, he'd been right about the curls, except they were blonde—that almost white blonde that kids have when they're little. She couldn't have been more than about four from the look of her. And if this was her daughter, then who was the guy? Was this the father? He narrowed his eyes and looked closer, trying to quell the instant dislike that arose at the thought.

  He heard the screen door slam and slowly swung his eyes around to see Cassie striding towards the man and the little girl. The passionate look in her eyes was gone. Though her lips were still puffy and tinged pink from their kisses just moments before, he thought the rest of her looked a little pale, although it could have been his eyes adjusting to the sun.

  Shirley Temple ran over to Cassie and grabbed her leg, the little arms hugging it tight like a puppy latching on, and chattering away like one of the Chipmunks. He looked at Cassie with a raised eyebrow and gritted his teeth when Mr. Long and Lean reached over to give her a hug and a kiss on the cheek. Jake didn't fail to notice the familiar way his arm lingered across Cassie's shoulder. His hackles rose and he fought the urge to show his teeth. The significance of his possessive feelings was not lost on him. Of course, the smirk on Mr. Long and Lean's face showed he knew exactly what Jake was feeling.

  He exhaled slowly when Cassie knelt down to her daughter, still on alert, but much happier that the contact between her and the guy had been broken.

  "Hey, sweetie. Did you have a good time?"

  The next couple of minutes were filled with excited chatter from the munchkin. In the way of kids, she seemed oblivious to the simmering tension surrounding the adults.

  "Who's the hottie, Mumma?” he heard Munchkin say in a loud whisper, and had to stifle a chuckle at the hushed reprimand of “Chloe!” and the flush that tinged Cassie's face. Of course the childish snicker from behind the tiny hand that covered Chloe's mouth just made it that much more adorable. Cassie recovered quickly, though. He'd give her that.

  "Jake, I'd like you to meet my brother, Larry..."

  Brother. Thank God for that. His muscles went on stand-down. He wouldn't have to take him out. He reached over to shake his hand. From the protective look in his eyes, though, Larry was still reserving judgement on Jake.

  "Jake is a ... a good friend of mine, Larry. He's Lizzy's brother."

  At that, Larry seemed to chill out a bit. Obviously, Lizzy had a good rep. He must remember to thank his little sister for that sometime.

  "And this little ball of trouble,” Cassie ruffled the munchkin's hair with affection,” is Chloe."

  Jake squatted down to say hi to Chloe and was nearly bowled over when a little bundle of energy rushed him and threw her arms around him, plastering a big kiss on his cheek.

  And Jake fell in love. Just like that.

  The first thing that hit him was the feel of those little arms around his neck. Kiddie cuddles, he discovered abruptly, were entirely different from mummy cuddles, but no less intoxicating. With a silly grin, he hugged her back, conscious of how the tiny bundle felt in his arms. The smell of her filled him as he nuzzled the top of her head, sunshine and sunblock unable to diminish that amazing scent that little girls have.

  Laughing, she pulled back to look at him, and he found himself looking into the most amazing pair of blue eyes.

  "Hi, Jake. You're really Auntie Lizzy's brother?"

  "Sure am, Chloe."

  "You're big. And you smell good."

  "And you smell pretty good yourself, sugar.” He laughed at the delightful frankness.

  Something changed as a thought must have flickered in her mind and those blue eyes were suddenly looking at him with a world of seriousness. “That's nice. Auntie Lizzy sure is lucky."

  Whoa. Quick switch of topic, he thought. She couldn't still be talking about his aftershave, and it dawned on him what she meant. “Why? You'd like a brother, too, would you?"

  "And a sister. But Mumma says I'm ‘it.'” Her sweet little face fell then.

  "Well,” he lifted her chin with his finger, “you just never know what will happen."

  Her arms tightened around his neck again, nearly cutting off his airflow, but he didn't mind a bit. For a man who had been avoiding parenthood, suddenly the idea of lots of little Chloes filling his life made him feel a rush of paternal longing. He glanced over at Cassie and in his mind's-eye, he pictured her swollen with child. His child.

  He was a goner. The reality of how much he felt for Cassie hit him like a ton of bricks. He didn't want to run. The suffocating feeling that usually hit him never even flickered. In fact, the more he thought about it, he wanted to get started right away. Of course, there was the small problem that Cassie kept running away from him...

  Well, not anymore. He stood easily with Chloe in his arms and walked over to them, putting Chloe down when she wriggled in his arms and scooted into the house.

  "I'd better get going—again. Nice to meet you, Larry. Cassie, I'll be in touch real soon."

  With a final wave, he drove out of the driveway and down the road, humming to himself and feeling ridiculously happy.

  * * * *

  "You wanna tell me what that was all about, Sis?"

  She finished fixing Chloe a peanut butter sandwich and poured her a glass of milk. Taking it in to where Chloe was stretched out in front of the TV, Cass sighed as she realised Larry was slipping into big brother mode again.

  "He's a friend, Larry.” Which was not exactly a lie. Just a very intimate friend. “And he's doing a quote for me for the repair work on the house. He owns Rowling Constructions."

  "I've heard of them. They do good work. You sure that's it?"

  Her brother had absolutely no subtlety, Cass decided. She wouldn't be surprised if he just came right out and asked her if she and Jake were sleeping together. The man was worse than a bloodhound.

  "Of course that's it. He just came over to find out what I needed and measure up. Why?"

  "It's just a guy thing, Sis, but I thought for a second there he was going to rip my arms off when I hugged you. Jeez, couldn't you feel it in the air?"

  "Don't be ridiculous, Larry.” She hadn't noticed anything. She'd been too focused on the way Jake was looking at Chloe and worrying herself sick that either Jake or Larry would see the resemblance.

  "He didn't relax until you told him I was your brother. Now why is that? Is there something going on between you two?"

  "Of course not. Don't be silly. Whatever gave you that idea?"

  "Come on, Cass. I know I may be an insensitive guy a lot of the time, but there's something going on between you and him.” He took her face in his hands. “I'm not going to pry. You're a big girl now. Just don't get hurt. Jake looks like the kind of guy who gets what he wants.” He kissed her forehead. “Call me if you need me."

  "Don't I always?” She laughed nervously.

  * * * *

  Between Chloe and the assignments she had left to mark, the rest of the afternoon and evening had flown, and it wasn't until she was lying in bed that Cass gave herself a chance to think about the day.

  After the kiss from Jake, she had almost been prepared to strip in front of him and beg him to take her. The man only had to breathe on her and she wanted to get naked! But it was just as well one of them had some control. Especially with the arrival of Larry ... Which led her to the next thought. Jake finally meeting Chloe. That had certainly been an unexpected development.

  She could still feel the roiling in her tummy when she'd heard Larry drive up, knowing that Jake was still there. There was that brief panicky moment when she wondered if Jake would see the resemblance. Or Larry. Either way, it would have been a disaster. They had been so engaged in the testosterone battle that they had missed it. The gods must have been smiling on her.

  Seeing Chloe and Jake together, him holding her in his strong arms, had hit her harder than she ever thought it would. Every fantasy and dream she'd had
about the three of them as a family had been brought to the fore at that moment. Her baby in her daddy's arms ... She squelched the thought, closing her eyes tightly and fought back the tears that filled them. It didn't do any good to wish for what could never be. Still, it hurt that her baby didn't have a daddy ... or someone she could call daddy. Cass knew the day was fast approaching when Chloe would begin to ask questions. It was pure luck that she hadn't already. And what would she tell her? The truth? Not likely. So it would have to be a lie, then. What other choice was there?

  She sighed, thinking what a close call it had been. But it had been so good to see Jake again. She had put her mood swings and general grumpiness for the last two weeks down to being hormonal, but seeing Jake proved how wrong she was. She hadn't realised how much she missed him until she saw him at her front door. Now she just ached for him. He fired up a hunger in her that wouldn't go away.

  The question was, what was she going to do now? Jake appeared determined to see her again. But what was she going to do about Chloe? The way he'd cuddled her, he certainly hadn't acted like a man who didn't like kids. But he must be if he was prepared to break up his marriage over just that issue. Chloe had taken to him right away, though. Should she risk it and tell him? But what would he think? Would he hate her for not telling him sooner? Around and around the questions raced through her mind, keeping her awake.

  Tired of tossing and turning, she grabbed her robe and padded quietly out to the lounge room. Looking out over the water sparkling in the moonlight, she felt the sadness come over her again. She wanted Jake. Still. A part of her came to life when he was around. Like the rest of the time she was only half there. But it wouldn't work. Why couldn't she get that through her thick skull and stop dreaming?

  What the hell was she going to do?

  * * * *

  Idly swirling the amber liquid, Jake listened to the soft clink of the melting ice cubes against the glass in the shot of whiskey. He put the glass out of the way on the scratched and battered desk and looked once again at the quote he had been working on all week for Cassie. The price was unbeatable. He had deliberately made it so. He wanted to get this job, and he wouldn't take the risk of some other builder outbidding him. If it wasn't for the fact that his intentions would immediately become obvious and scare her away, he would do the bloody job for free. It wasn't like he needed the money; even if he made no profit on the job at all, it didn't matter a shit to him. He could afford it. However, it would give him the opportunity to be around Cassie for the two months or so it took his company to do it and that would be reward enough.

  With just a little bit of re-organisation, he could pull Richard off the Carmichael job to do the trade work at Cassie's. Not only was Richard one of his best men, but he was also in his late forties, which meant he wouldn't be likely to get ideas once he saw the lady he was working for. No way he would let any of his younger guys within ten feet of Cassie. They'd take one look at her and end up one big raging hormone. Of course, he'd need Billy for the labouring work, but Richard could keep him in line. Billy was a good kid, a country boy. Good manners, too. He didn't want any rough guys around Cassie or Chloe. Any other help the guys needed, Jake would supply himself. He hadn't picked up a hammer or a saw for a few years and it would be a nice change to do some physical work. At least it would give him a legitimate reason for being there that wouldn't scare Cassie into running from him again.

  Leaning back in his chair, he sighed and slouched his long frame down further in the seat, plopping his feet on the desk. It was time to get moving on his planned emotional and physical seduction of Ms. Cassandra Grant. He knew now what he had to do; he knew what was at stake and what it would take. He was as ready as he'd ever be.

  His cell phone vibrated beside him on the desk and he checked the screen to see who would be calling him so late. With a grin, he noticed Lizzy and Rob's number.

  "Hello, Sis. About time you two got back."

  "Well if you would tear yourself away from work for five minutes instead of chasing your next million, you, too, could have a holiday like normal folk on a nice tropical island."

  Jake laughed at Lizzy's teasing. “So, how was the honeymoon?"

  "Wonderful! Tahiti was bliss. But what's with all the phone messages, Jake? I have ten different versions of ‘Call me as soon as you get back’ here on the answering machine. What's up?"

  "Ah, yes. That. Just ignore those. The problem's solved."

  "What problem? Come on. It must have been important. Even in my post-honeymoon euphoria, I didn't fail to notice they were for me and not Rob, so obviously you weren't missing the male bonding. What could it possibly have been that you needed to get in touch with your cute, but incredibly annoying little sister so badly? You were sounding pretty desperate on a few of them, bro."

  Didn't he know it! He wondered how much to tell Lizzy, but then realised she'd find out sooner or later anyway. “I was trying to get hold of Cassie and didn't have her phone number."

  "Why?” Lizzy immediately jumped in, her voice full of concern. “Was something wrong? Is she okay?"

  "No, she's fine..."

  "Then why?"

  "Because I wasn't, okay. I needed to see her again, Liz."

  "I hate to sound like a broken record, but why?"

  "You're an old married woman now, Sis. Use your imagination.” The second the words were out of his mouth, he could have kicked himself for making it sound like something it wasn't.

  "Don't you dare mess with her, Jackson Reilly. You may be my brother, but I'll kill you if you hurt her."

  "I have no intention of hurting her. Thanks very much for the vote of confidence, by the way. Anyway, it doesn't matter now. Problem, as I said, is solved."

  "And what does that mean?"

  "It means, she called me."

  "She didn't!"

  "Well, not me, exactly. Rowling Constructions. She rang up for a quote on the house."

  "So you've spoken to her?"

  "Sure have. Seen her, too. Oh, and thanks are in order to you. I was an instant hit with Chloe because I was Auntie Lizzy's brother."

  He waited for Lizzy to make some smart crack in return, but was met with silence. “Hey, Sis. You still there?"

  "Sorry, Jake. Yep, I'm still here."

  "Why didn't you tell me Cassie had a little girl? You coulda knocked me over with a feather."

  "I'll bet."

  "So, you're her best friend. Who is Chloe's father?"

  "Geez, don't beat around the bush, Jake. Just come right out and ask! Anyway, I don't think it's my place to tell you that. I reckon if Cass wants you to know, she'll tell you. Why do you want to know, anyway?"

  So I can beat the bejeezus out of him for leaving the two of them alone? Somehow he didn't think that would go down to well with Lizzy. “Just curious. You never even mentioned she was pregnant. It was just a shock."

  "Jake..."

  "Yeah?” He waited a moment for Lizzy to finish what she was saying.

  "Nothing. Never mind. Look, I've still got to finish unpacking and I'm back to work tomorrow. Why don't you come round for dinner this week? Say, Wednesday?"

  "Sure I won't be interrupting the connubial bliss?"

  Lizzy's laugh filtered down the line. “Nut! Of course not. Besides, Rob can show you all the souvenirs he picked up. Remind me next time I go overseas with him to leave the credit card at home."

  Jake laughed and said goodbye, but his thoughts lingered on Cassie and Chloe. Who the hell was the father? He doubted it was anyone he knew, but just the same...

  Chapter Nine

  The ringing of the phone sounded especially loud in the quiet of the house and Cass rushed to pick it up before it could wake Chloe. It had been one of those nights where she just didn't want to settle and Cass was exhausted now that she had finally gone to sleep.

  "Hello. This is Cass."

  "Good, and this is your best friend that you haven't called in ages."

  "Hi, Rach.” Cass st
ifled a yawn. “Sorry I've been so slack. I kept meaning to call."

  "You sound like some of my ex-boyfriends. You, I will forgive, however, but only if you tell me you've found some hot guy who makes love to you day and night and you're too tired from 24/7 mad sex romping to call."

  The pitiful state of their love lives was an ongoing joke between the two of them.

  "Sure,” she snorted. “As if."

  "Nah. Me neither, more's the pity. So, what happened to you and Jake after Tom and I left the bar that night? Did he nail you down for that talk?"

  Rach was as direct as usual, and Cass almost choked on an awkward laugh. Nail down wasn't the half of it. That, though, was something she definitely was not going to share with Rachael. “No. Not really."

  "Not really, huh? Why, thanks, ma'am. That tells me so much. Come on, give, Cassandra. What are you hiding?"

  "Nothing. I'm hiding nothing.” Much.

  "You're a shocking liar, you know. What are you not telling me? You're being evasive."

  "You know, you're wasted in marketing, Rach. You should have tried out for MI5."

  "Sorry, but that's military intelligence."

  "Ohhh, well, the CIA or whatever. Look, Sherlock, there's nothing to tell. Now get off my case. How about you and Tom? How is the hunky policeman?"

  "Nice try, but it won't work. Don't change the subject. If you didn't talk, then what did you do? Your room was next to mine, don't forget, and you didn't get in till the early hours of the morning. I stayed up watching the in-house movies, so I know. Nice level of smut, by the way. You two go dancing, then?"

  Cass sighed. She had the feeling that Rachael was not going to let this go so easily, and she really didn't want to be thinking of Jake Reilly ... not if she planned on getting any sleep tonight. “Why all the questions, Rach?"

  "Humour me. What was wrong with Jake, anyway? He was watching you like a hawk, and sweetie, that expression on his face was intense! So, if you didn't go dancing, and you didn't talk, then that leaves ... Oh God, did you sleep with him, Cass? You didn't! Tell me you didn't".