The Husband Assignment

‘In your dreams,’ Stephanie reiterated with pseudo sweetness.

His expression didn’t change, although his voice was a soft drawl that conveyed innate knowledge. ‘Oui.’

She drew a deep breath, and released it slowly. ‘If you don’t leave immediately, I’ll make a call and have you charged with harassment.’

Stephanie closed the door, and leaned against it for several long minutes, then she drew in a deep breath and moved toward the kitchen. Crossing to the refrigerator she took a can of cola, popped the tab, then she extracted a glass and filled it with the sparkling dark liquid.

Her skin felt heated, and her pulse beat fast at the edge of her throat. Damn him. Who did he think he was?

A hollow laugh escaped into the silence of the room. Raoul Lanier knew exactly who he was. What’s more, she had the instinctive feeling he would stop at nothing to get what he wanted.

The question was, what did Raoul Lanier want with her?

Sex. Why else did men pursue women, if not to indulge in intimacy?

Hadn’t she discovered that to her cost? Ben had said the sweet words and pushed all the right buttons. Until she fell pregnant. Then he became someone she didn’t know at all, and she’d walked away, vowing never to trust a man again, ever.

There were men she dealt with in the course of her business life, and despite numerous invitations she’d held steadfast to her rule not to date.

However none had affected her as Raoul Lanier did. Instant awareness. Sexual chemistry at its zenith, she added with silent cynicism.

Electric, primeval, shocking, she acknowledged, remembering vividly the moment their gazes met when he’d walked into her office.

Within seconds, it had seemed as if her life came to a standstill and there was only him. Invading her senses, warming her blood, staking a claim. As if he possessed a blueprint to her future. It had unnerved her then. It disturbed and unnerved her now.

Her fingers clenched until the knuckles shone white, and she crossed to the sink and discarded the glass.

Do something. Anything. The ironing, she decided. Heaven knew she had enough of it. By then Emma would be awake, and she’d entertain her until it was time to cook dinner.

Two hours later Stephanie settled Emma in front of the television and slid an educational video into the VCR.

‘I’ll start dinner, sweetheart.’ The house favored open-plan living, and the lounge adjoined the dining room, both of which were visible from the kitchen.

There was chicken and vegetable broth left from yesterday, and she peeled potatoes, carrots and added broccoli to go with the steamed chicken. Better to stick to something fairly bland for the next day or two.

She had just added water to the saucepan when she heard the singsong peal of the doorbell. She reached for the kitchen towel, dried her hands and crossed into the lounge.

‘Doorbell,’ Emma announced solemnly as Stephanie moved into the hallway.

The only person who popped in without forewarning was her neighbor, and she opened the door with a ready smile, only to have it fade as she recognized the man on the landing.

‘What are you doing here?’

‘I believe we’ve already done that,’ Raoul said with musing mockery. He held out two brown paper sacks. ‘I brought dinner.’

‘Why?’ she demanded baldly.

‘Why not?’ he posed lightly.

‘Mommy?’

Stephanie closed her eyes, then opened them again, spearing him with a look that spoke volumes before turning toward her daughter. ‘It’s okay, darling,’ she said gently. ‘Go back into the lounge. I’ll be there in a minute.’

‘Hello, Emma.’

His voice was calm, soothing…friendly, warm, damn him!

‘Hello.’ Emma was openly curious, and not at all intimidated. ‘Who are you?’

Raoul sank down onto his haunches in one fluid movement. ‘A friend of your mother’s.’

‘What’s your name?’

‘Raoul.’

‘Are you having dinner with us?’ the little girl queried solemnly.

‘Would you like me to?’

Oh my, he was good! Stephanie shot him a glance that would have felled a lesser man.

‘Yes.’

Unfair, she wanted to scream.

‘Mommy?’

‘I’m sure Raoul—’ she hesitated fractionally over his name ‘—has plans for the evening.’

‘Do you?’ Emma asked, her eyes wide with curiosity.

‘No plans,’ Raoul assured.

Dammit, he was enjoying this!

‘You can watch my video,’ Emma invited, offering a generous smile.

‘I’d like that.’

Stephanie met his eyes, glimpsed the silent query lurking there and wanted nothing more than to close the door in his face. ‘I don’t think it would be a good idea.’

‘I promise to be on my best behavior,’ Raoul declared solemnly.

Don’t you get it? she wanted to demand in anger. You’re not welcome. And never will be, a silent voice echoed.

He inclined his head, aware that she was teetering on the edge, and anything he said at this point could work to his disadvantage.

‘Please, Mommy.’