Second Seduction Read online

  “Christa. Mine.”

  “Yours.” She collapsed.

  He lay beside her and fought to catch his breath. He stroked her back. Finally his breathing slowed. He pulled her into an embrace. “You okay?”

  “Yes.” She gazed into his eyes.

  He brushed his lips over hers. Sleep beckoned. For the first time in years he felt relaxed. She kissed him and slipped from the embrace. “Don’t run away.”

  She gathered her clothes and entered the bathroom. “I can’t stay. Davy’s waiting for me.” The door closed with a click.

  He heard water running. “I could join you.”

  Moments later she emerged. “You will but not tonight.”

  “Why not?” He responded to her nearness.

  “Davy said tomorrow. I think he still has questions and I need to set ground rules. He needs to know you’re not going to buy him everything he thinks he wants.” She brushed a kiss on his lips. “Weekends are my time with him.”

  Mark nodded. Though he didn’t like her reasoning he knew she was right. He had to let her choose how this would play. “Tomorrow then. What time?”

  “Around eleven. We’ll go to lunch and see what happens.”

  He followed her to the door. “Why not find a sitter for tomorrow evening. We can go to dinner and discuss how we’re going to share our son. There are places I want to show him and people I want him to meet.”

  She laughed. “Don’t rush. Perhaps Sunday.” She opened the door and stepped outside. He started to follow. “Mark!” She pushed him back. “Good thing there aren’t a dozen guests out for a stroll.”

  Mark chuckled and stood at the door. As she walked away he had an idea. Last evening the waitress had said Christa and Davy ate their evening meal in the restaurant before the place became crowded. At five he’d head there for an early dinner and to get acquainted with his son. He closed the door and walked to the bedroom.

  * * * *

  Christa hurried along the walk around the garden. She smiled. Mark had nearly followed her. Certainly would have shocked people to see a naked man in pursuit of the inn’s owner. She reached the porch of the house and halted at the front door. She could have included him for the evening but she wanted time with her son and a time apart from the man who had rocked the foundations of her life, not once but twice/

  How would Davy react to the tension that gathered when she and Mark were together? A heady tension waiting for a spark to raise a firestorm. A second problem lurked. How could she share her son with another person? Until now she’d been the only adult he completely trusted. His interactions with her half-sisters had made him wary.

  As she let herself into the house she thought about the moments after she and Mark had made love. When he’d gazed into her eyes she knew her feelings for him had shown. He’d been about to say something but he hadn’t. Neither had she. She’d been afraid to express her feelings for fear he would reject them.

  She paused in the hall. The sound of her half-sisters voices made her want to scream. She had to remain firm about the decision. She couldn’t allow their whining and tantrums to cause her to back down. Mark was puzzled by her actions toward them. He was right to be concerned. She had allowed their manipulative behavior to rule her life. With a gasp she realized a truth. They were part of the reason she hadn’t tried harder to reach Mark. She had feared their behavior would doom any relationship with him. Starting a family complete with a pair of spoiled and angry near teens would have been impossible.

  “Davy, are you ready,” she called.

  Stella sauntered from the living room. “He’s still at the inn washing potatoes for pennies. Why don’t you let his rich daddy buy the bike?”

  “He’ll appreciate it more if he earns the money.”

  “So you say.” Peggy joined her sister. “I appreciate the clothes and jewelry you give me. Davy said you went to see Mark. How much child support did you demand?”

  Christa sucked in a breath. “That’s not your concern.”

  “You wimped out.” Stella made a face. “He’s Davy’s daddy. He’s rich. He should be willing to lay out serious case before you let him see his son.”

  Peggy nodded. “Then you could stop fussing about the money we’re due from the inn’s proceeds.”

  Christa’s anger escalated. “I’m not asking for money and you won’t receive any more than what I’ve offered.”

  “God, you’re such a fool,” Stella said. Mama taught us how to milk every asset for all we can get.”

  “I know but she forgot one thing.”

  “What’s that?” Peggy asked.

  “Assets can dry up. I know I’m a fool but I felt sorry for my orphaned half-sisters and I caved to your demands. No more. You have a week to find a place to live.”

  Stella put her hands on her hips. “That’s not fair.”

  “You can’t do this. With his dying breath daddy said you had to take care of us.” Peggy’s voice was shrill with anger.

  “And I have. You both have college degrees, closets full of clothes and shoes, a new car and a ton of jewelry.” Christa opened the door. “Go to St. Johnsbury and look in the paper for apartments and jobs.” She left the house. For the first time in years she felt free.

  At the inn she entered the kitchen. Davy sat at the table and counted the baking potatoes he’d cleaned. “I earned three dollars and forty cents.”

  “Good job.” She winked at the chef. “Mind if I take your helper.”

  “He’s yours.”

  Christa ruffled Davy’s hair. “Ready for dinner and the movies?”

  “Sure am.” When they reached the Jeep he halted and looked around. “I thought you might ask him to come.”

  “You said tomorrow. There are things we must discuss.”

  He wrinkled his nose. “Rules?”

  Christa laughed. “Exactly.”

  * * * *

  Mark reached the door. His cell phone buzzed. He looked at his watch. Not yet five. He intended to have an early dinner and find a way to join Christa and Davy. Though she’d said lunch tomorrow, as usual he didn’t want to wait. The buzz continued. He extracted the phone from his pocket and flipped the cover. “Blakefield here. This had better be important.”

  “Tony on this end. Hope I’m not interrupting anything interesting.”

  “Not yet. You have news?”

  “Learned several things. She was always Christa Sommers.”

  “Then where did I get Parsons?”

  “From Matt.”

  “Matt said she was Christa Parsons. How? He never met her.”

  Tony laughed. “Try this my dense friend. I had just popped in when you were leaving. Matt called to say he’d been accepted to Parsons’ School of Design. You yelled congrats, tossed the phone to me and booked.”

  “Damn.” Mark sank on the couch. He could have found her if he hadn’t been so addled when he found she hadn’t been waiting.

  “Not that’s straightened, you need to take some notes on how you need to proceed.”

  Mark picked up a notepad and a pencil. “Shoot.”

  “A paternity test for starters.”

  “No need.”

  Tony growled. “Idiot. You need to protect yourself. Go to court and sue for custody.”

  “Not going to happen.” Mark grinned. He wanted Christa and his friend.

  His friend growled. “At least get visitation rights legally and for permission to take him out of state. We’ll ask for alternating weekends and holidays plus a month every summer.”

  Mark jotted a few words. Paternity. Sue. Custody. Visitation. “I’ll keep your suggestions in mind. Of my plans don’t work we’ll go to court. I can live with visits but I won’t take Davy from his mother. She’s a fantastic one.”

  “And if you have to pay a hefty support?”

  “Be worth it. Don’t think I’ll have to worry though.”

  “What do you plan?”

  “You’ll hear the details after I make my play.
By Monday I should know if Christa and I can work out a suitable arrangement.”

  Tony cleared his throat. “Why do you ask for legal advice if you plan to do your own thing?”

  “Always have a back-up plan.”

  “My advice doesn’t come cheap.”

  “I know. Send your bill. When I pay I’ll throw in a few phone numbers and even make some intros.”

  “You’re not thinking clear. Be careful. She’ll never give you a say in the boy’s life. She’s been in control for too long.”

  Mark laughed. “I think she will. Care to place a bet. I have a feeling she’ll give me more.”

  “Sure she will.” The sarcastic drawl made Mark grin. “You need to make a stand. She has possession of what you want.”

  “I have. Think seduction.”

  “No hasty moved. Call me and I’ll draw the legal battle plans and set them in motion.”

  Mark dropped the notepad on the coffee table. “Sit tight. I know what I’m doing. A show of force won’t be necessary and could turn the situation into a mess. Not what I want.”

  “What are you planning?”

  “Something long term. Marriage.” A bark of laughter exploded in his ear.

  “What?”

  “You heard me.”

  Tony snorted. “With the woman who ran and hid your son from you?”

  “She had good reasons.”

  “Right. What if instead of marriage she wants money. Bet she’s already called her attorney. This could end up costing you a fortune.”

  “You sound like her half-sisters. You should meet them. I’m on my way to give my plan a try.” As Mark hung up he heard Tony sputter.

  Mark left the cottage and walked to the inn. He stopped in the lobby. The desk clerk smiled. “Can I help you?”

  “I’m looking for Christa.

  “Are you her friend?” Mark nodded. “Sorry, she and Davy left maybe five minutes ago.”

  “Any idea where they went?”

  “It’s Friday. Usually dinner and a movie.”

  Mark leaned on the counter. “What kind of car does she drive?”

  “A green Jeep.”

  He strode to his car. He recalled a sign just before he turned into the inn lot with a distance to the next town. Five miles. He’d take a look. Surely he’d find them.

  An hour later he returned to the inn. The town had been small and there’d been no movie theater. He pulled into the parking lot and slumped in his car. He could ask where the movie theater was. But if the show had started he couldn’t search the place. With a shrug, he went into the inn and ordered dinner. After he finished he looked for Christa’s Jeep. Not finding it he went into the bar and ordered a beer.

  Chapter Five

  Christa watched her son dig into the hot fudge and caramel sundae. He grinned. “Maybe we can come here tomorrow.”

  “Instead of lunch with Mark?” she asked. “What about the bike?”

  He shook his head. “Don’t think I have enough money and you won’t let him buy it for me.”

  “That’s right. Are you worried about the meeting?”

  He nodded. “It’s exciting and scary having a dad.”

  She leaned forward. “What did you think happened to him?”

  “When I was little I didn’t think about having one. I had you. Then I thought he was dead. After the half-aunts showed me the picture I figured he ran away.”

  She covered his hand with hers. “You never asked.

  “I didn’t want to make you sad.”

  Christa smiled. How she wished she had known these things. Would life have been different? Maybe not. If she had spoken to Mark the problem of her half-sisters would have existed. “Are you sure you want tomorrow to happen? I could tell him you’d changed your mind.”

  “That wouldn’t be fair.”

  “Good, but remember there are rules.”

  Davy made a face. “Like what?”

  “He might try to bribe you with presents.”

  “Not if you say no.” Davy scooped the last bite of the sundae from the dish. “Where now?”

  “What do you say to home?”

  He yawned. “Sure.”

  A short time later they parked in the inn lot. Her half-sisters’ car was gone. Mark’s silver sports car sat between two dark sedans. As she and Davy walked to the house she wondered if Mark was in the cottage or at the inn.

  A wave of yearning smacked into her intentions to avoid him. She groaned. Yearning was a poor description of the pulsing need she felt. Falling into his arms had been a mistake but one she would make again. Though she was tempted to go to the cottage, once Davy was in bed she couldn’t leave her son alone.

  Once inside the house Davy dashed upstairs. Moments later he had showered and was in bed. Christa kissed him and left his room. She stood in the hall. What now? Television held no lure. She couldn’t leave the house. As she thought about calling Mark she frowned. Impossible. One look, one touch and she would be in his arms. That would lead to bed. Not with Davy asleep in the next room.

  She yawned. Last night’s restless sleep had left her tired. She entered her bedroom and closed the door.

  After kicking off her shoes and pulling off her sweater and bra, her hands strayed to touch her breasts. Mark had kissed and caressed her here. As she recalled his sensual touches her nipples tightened. She stroked them and felt an answering pulse.

  With a sign she stripped off her jeans and panties. She lay on the bed. Her hand slid over her abdomen and began to explore her labia. Fingers circled her clitoris. Her breathing became short panting sounds. Silently she cried for Mark. Her fingers moved faster. With her other hand she stroked her breasts. She felt the burn begin and she continued the frantic stroking.

  Slowly like the unfolding of a bud into a flower she reached for a climax. For a time she hovered on the edge of a discovery. As the sensations culminated in full flowering, she cried out. She sighed. Though momentarily she felt satisfied she wanted more. She wanted the excitement of Mark’s touch.

  * * * *

  Mark finished his beer. Nearly ten. Surely Christa and Davy had returned. Could he go to her? He wanted to be with her but he had to remember his plan. Win the boy and then the woman.

  “Another?” the bartender asked.

  Mark shook his head. “Can I ask you a few questions?”

  “Why?”

  “I’m the editor-in-chief of a travel magazine. My head writer thinks a feature on the inn would be good.”

  The man leaned his elbows on the bar. “Ask away.”

  “Is the bar always this slow?”

  “In the spring and the fall. Summer and winter there are crowds.” The bartender grinned. “A feature might be good for business. Steer clear of Christa’s half-sisters. They invent sagas out of air. Did you know the inn is for sale?”

  “Why?”

  “Don’t know. Have a feeling if that pair was gone Christa would keep the place.”

  For a moment Mark wondered what the man’s connection to Christa meant. Was he more than a bartender? “Have you worked here for long?”

  “Ever since the accident. Watched Christa struggle to keep the inn going, fight with those girls and have young Davy. She’s managed all without a misstep. Good thing her mother tied the inn the way she did. Place could have been sold if her father had had an interest.”

  Mark frowned. “After all the work she’d decided to sell. Doesn’t make sense.”

  “May be the only way to get rid of Peggy and Stella.”

  Was the bartender right? He pushed to his feet. “See you.”

  As he left the inn, he saw the Jeep in the lot. She was home. He strolled toward the cottage and paused at the steps to her porch. He considered knocking but the house was dark and their son was there. He knew the moment he saw her he could think of one thing, making love. With a shrug he continued to the cottage.

  There he slumped on the couch and reached for the remote. He frowned. Had the notepad been m
oved? Why or who? He had locked the door when he left.

  He flipped around the dial and found a baseball game. Though Boston wasn’t his favorite team watching would eat time. He laughed. How many Friday nights had he spent with only himself for company?

  During a commercial break he got a can of soda and a can of peanuts. The game ended. He stretched out and surfed the channels. He yawned. Must be all this fresh air. He drifted off and woke to an informational.

  The next morning at a few minutes before seven he stood in the shower. After dressing he headed to the inn and a breakfast heartier than instant coffee and cookies. As he crossed the garden the door of Christa’s house opened. His son jumped down the steps. Mark halted and drank in the sight.

  Davy skidded to a halt. “Are you really my dad?”

  Mark sucked in a breath. “What did your mom tell you?”

  Davy nodded. “She said I didn’t know you ‘cause you didn’t know about me and that wasn’t fair. She said you were nice and she liked you.”

  Mark bent until he was eye level with his son. “Things happened that we can’t change. I know now and I’m here. I hope to spend some time with you.”

  “My half-aunts said you’re rich and can buy me anything I want. Can you?

  Mark straightened. “I could buy you breakfast if you’re hungry.”

  “Starved. That’s where I was going. Saturdays I eat breakfast at the inn so Mom can have her beauty rest.”

  “I don’t think she needs any.”

  “Me either.”

  They walked to the inn and were shown to a table. “What do you recommend?” Mark asked.

  “Waffles with maple syrup from our trees. The chef makes honey butter with some kind of nuts. Ham and eggs with hash are good, too. Don’t like the omelets. Mom does.” Davy’s eyes twinkled. “The coffee cake is like dessert.”

  “I’ll have the waffles with a side of ham,” Mark said.

  “Me, too. OJ and cocoa.”

  “Juice and coffee for me.”

  The waitress brought two glasses of orange juice and a coffee carafe. She returned with a steaming pot and a dish of miniature marshmallows.

  Mark cradled his cup. “If I could buy you a gift what would you choose?”