Seduced

“What about last Friday?” he demanded. “Are you going to tell me it didn’t mean anything to you? That it was nothing?”

“Last Friday was very special.” For a few short hours she had been able to put the past and its painful scars behind her. But despite the explosive chemistry and her growing feelings for him, Michael was still a man with a child—a child very much in need of a mother. She wouldn’t take a chance on being used again.

“I had a lovely time, but it was still a mistake. A relationship with you would mean too many complications and I don’t want or need any more complications in my life. Please accept that.”

“I can’t.” His jaw clenched; a muscle ticked angrily in his cheek. “And I’m not going to let you accept it, either. I won’t let you throw us away, Amanda.”

Amanda tipped up her chin. “You don’t have a choice. I have no intention of going out with you again and now that Summer’s no longer in therapy, there’s no reason for us to see each other at all.”

“But that’s where you’re wrong.” His lips smoothed into a slow, knowing smile. “We will be seeing each other. You see, I’m giving you the two months with Summer that you asked for. I’m not taking her out of your program. In fact, I’ve already told her she can stay. So, you and I will be seeing each other—a lot—at least for the next couple of months.”

“But I thought...” Surprised and unsettled by his change in attitude, Amanda turned away. “When Summer didn’t show up for her appointment yesterday, I assumed you’d withdrawn her from the program.”

“Then you assumed wrong.”

She had been so sure she wouldn’t have to see him again after today. Now she would be faced with not only seeing him but with dealing with the memories and desires he sparked in her.

“Don’t you remember me telling you last week that Summer had a dental appointment and wouldn’t be able to come on Monday?”

Vaguely, Amanda recalled the words, but at the time she’d been so disturbed by the way he’d been looking at her that she had failed to write it down.

“Did you really think I’d just pull her out of the program without telling you first? Especially after you tried so hard to convince me to let her stay?” His voice held a wealth of disappointment.

That was exactly what she had thought. And it had made her decision not to see him again easier somehow.

“You don’t have to bother answering that. It’s obvious what you thought.” He took a deep breath and released it. “For the record, you were right. Summer does need help. Help that I can’t give her. I was a fool to even consider pulling her out of the program. She needs you, Amanda. I need you. Will you help me?”

She wanted to refuse him.

She couldn’t, not when he was looking at her with such warmth in his eyes.

“All right,” Amanda answered, her voice thick. “I’ll keep working with Summer until the end of the school term—but on one condition. We keep our relationship strictly professional. Agreed?”

When he didn’t respond, Amanda gave him a stern look that she usually reserved for the children. “I want your promise, Michael.”

He shook his head. “I’m afraid I can’t give it to you. If I did, I’d only end up breaking it. And I make it a point never to go back on my word.”

Feeling trapped, Amanda walked back to the window and stared out at the playground. She was committed to Summer and didn’t want to abandon her now. She felt a responsibility to the little girl. But what about herself? Was she strong enough to resist the emotional threat Michael represented?

She sensed him come up behind her, her body suddenly alert at his nearness.

“Amanda?” He touched her shoulder and turned her to face him.

He was so close, she could smell the woodsy scent of his cologne, see the sprinkling of gray at his temples.

“Why are you doing this to us?” His eyes held hers. “Is it because of the things you’ve heard about me? About my family?”

Amanda flushed. “Of course not.”

“Then why won’t you even give us a chance?”

“Amanda?” A quick, one-two tap followed at the door. “Do you still have the fi—” Sister Mary Grace stopped and stared from the doorway. She looked from Amanda to Michael and back again. “Excuse me,” she said, and started to retreat from the room.

“Gra—Sister, wait.” Quickly, Amanda pulled away and moved past Michael. Embarrassed, she could have cringed at the sight they must have made. What must Gracie be thinking after practically catching her in Michael’s arms? “Did you want to see me about something?” she asked, trying to muster as much dignity as she could under the circumstances.

“Nothing that can’t wait until later. I didn’t realize you had someone with you.” Turning toward Michael, she said, “Forgive me for interrupting. You two go ahead and finish your, um, discussion. I can speak to Amanda later.”

“No!” Amanda cried out as Sister Mary Grace started to leave. She swallowed and then continued more calmly, “Mr. Grayson and I are finished. He was just leaving.”

Sister Mary Grace arched one brow; the look she gave Amanda left her with little doubt that the nun didn’t believe her.

“It’s okay, Sister.” Michael moved toward the door. “Amanda’s right. We are finished—for now.”

Amanda caught the warning in his voice, but refused to meet his gaze.

“Sister.” He inclined his head toward the nun, then turned to Amanda. “I’ll see you tomorrow.”

“Tomorrow?” Amanda repeated, and could have kicked herself at the anxious sound of her voice.

“After Summer’s appointment,” he informed her. “She is still scheduled for Wednesday, isn’t she?”

“Yes. Yes, of course.”

“See you then.”

Once Michael had closed the door, Amanda breathed a sigh of relief. Returning to her desk, she sat down and directed her attention back to her friend. “Now, what was it you needed?” she asked, forcing a lightness she didn’t feel.

“What was that all about?” Sister Mary Grace asked as she claimed the chair in front of Amanda’s desk.

Ignorning the bright gleam in her friend’s eyes, Amanda returned evenly, “Michael came by to tell me he’s decided to allow Summer to remain in the therapy program.”

“Why, that’s excellent news. I mean, I know he was having some doubts about the program’s effectiveness. I’m glad to see you were able to bring him around.”

Sister Mary Grace adjusted the wire-rimmed spectacles on her nose, then met Amanda’s eyes. “But something tells me his niece isn’t the only reason Michael Grayson came to see you.”

Amanda shot her friend a stony look.

The tiny nun grinned. “Come on, Mandy. The man hasn’t exactly made his interest in you a secret. And I kind of got the impression that you liked him, too.”

“Gracie.” Amanda made no attempt to hide her displeasure.

“I know, I know. I shouldn’t interfere, but you’re my friend. I’m only trying to help.”

“How? By encouraging him? Telling him personal things about me? How could you do that?”

Sister Mary Grace’s smile faded. Her rosy cheeks paled slightly. “I didn’t mean any harm.”

At the nun’s stricken expression, Amanda immediately regretted her flare of temper. “I know you didn’t, and I’m sorry for biting your head off. But don’t you see? Encouraging him was the worst thing you could do.”